The Italian Job. Forget the fact that Margareth Made (pronounced Mah-Day) is so beautiful that you literally stop thinking for a moment. Really, forget that and pay attention! And never mind that she portrayed a young Sophia Loren who herself, at age seventy-five, plays her own moher in a biopic filmed in 2009. Keep your eyes peeled for this young talented actress in the very near future. Oh, and she's Sicilian too! Just listen to her speak in this interview and try not to be too mesmerized. Ciao!

Mood Motif.The Ralph Lauren Shop at The Rhinelander Mansion in NYC

Ralph Lauren has always been able to capture an idealized vision of Americana in his fashions.  Years ago when his shop on East 72nd Street opened up at the Rhinelander Mansion, I made it my business to go and check it out first thing. Of course, I was immediately impressed. Upon entering, one is transported to a better time and place than the rabid, anxiety driven by media environment that we live in today.

Was Ralph Lauren selling fantasy? Yes. And like all good fiction it has it's roots in reality.

Just as it was then, today the shop is full of clothes and accessories that bring to mind the Big Sky country that wealthy ranchers might enjoy in Montana or Wyoming ( sorry Texas, I'm just not feeling y'all). There's also a seriously cool motorcycle flanked by Mod leather riding outfits reminiscent of the late sixties/early seventies "Then Came Bronson" series. How about a night on the town wearing some finely tailored formal wear? You can look like a suave Carey Grant or Tony Curtis. Or the college Rugby Jerseys and colorful sweaters that always make me think of F.Scott Fitzgerald's "Great Gatsby". Why? Because Americans, like Fitzgerald's Gatsby, are always dreaming of belonging to the manor born. This is the world that Lauren skillfully evokes when you enter his shop in NYC. With his eye for selectively re-working American WASP lore, Ralph Lauren has made it easier for us to vicariously join that club of family crest and privilege getaways while adding one's own bit of unique flavor to it. It is our guilty pleasure to add legitimacy to these aspiration. And there's nothing wrong with that at all.

"Americans, while occasionally willing to be serfs, have always been obstinate about being peasantry."

- F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby, Ch. 5

If Billy Reid Can Really Amp Up Levis, Then More Power To Him

Prada Spring 2011 Ready To Wear

I am a big fan of this collection. Prada, along with handful of other designers has indeed decided that Fashion for Spring, and hopefully fashion period, should and wil be fun! The bold prints and Curious George motifs really evoke freshness and sophisticated whimsey. But's it's not all monkeys and bananas. Miuccia Prada has made sure to mix up the daytime walk around town look with cool, beautiful suits that feature strong but not overpowering colors. And lets pray that we see women rocking those Prada shoes too. They are spectacular.
In summation: PRADA ROCKS!




www.thehypearound.blogspot.com

Gucci Connect Live Event. Spring 2011 Show. Click Here!

This was an absolute blast! Watching the Gucci show live via webcast will hopefully be a sign of things to come. While actually being at the show is an incomparable experience, the streaming media presented here brings the inside exclusivity to the fashion loving masses. One gets to vicariously feel the excitement of an organization consisting of models, make up artist, tailors, stage managers ,designers all working together to put out on a show. So click on the link and enjoy!

Ralph Lauren's Spring 2011 Ready To Wear Collection

I hate to use the term "classic" to described Ralph Lauren's Spring 2011 RTW collection but what eles can one say? Lauren's ability to redeifne American nostalgia and put it's best foot forward is his signature. He makes us long for a time when the country had gotten it's legs under it and was running full steam ahead. It's top hat and tails, William Powell and Myrna Loy, dog eared copies of Henry Fielding ,old school college fraternities and all things preppy and privileged. Idealized for sure. But we love it nonetheless.

So for me Lauren's clothes never get old. They are are expertly designed, flawlessly presented and absolutely beautiful. His collection here featured elements not of the old West but boomtown, oil rich ,cattle baron West. And who else can pull of Victorian lace without looking dated and a bit corny? It's Annie Get Your Gun but show up for cocktails later. Hats off to Ralph Lauren for another exceptional line. www. thehypearound.blogspot.com

Tommy Ton's Street Photography Blog: NYC

I'm always inspired by candid photos of street fashion and, I guess,of people just dressing well. One of my favorite photographers is Tommy Ton. And if you've visited  this site before then you know I devote a considerable amount of space to his talent of capturing  people's individual style. Here are some of his photos from my hometown of New York City. Enjoy!