Yup, the Beard is Gone

With temps hitting 90 today and major change on the horizon, 

it was time for a facial hair revolution 

Makin' It Happen is Scary

So my  resolution for 2013 was inspired by Mariah Carey. I will "Make It Happen" (yup, old school frizzy hair pre-poom poom shorts Mariah) 

Today I wrote a business proposal for a huge opportunity. Mariah, you nailed it: if you believe in yourself enough, and know what you want, you're gonna make it happen! 

Thanks for the Ad: Ann Taylor Loft's Shoe Fairy Tale

Or the old lady who lived in a shoe. Or the girl with the red dancing shoes. Or Carrie Bradshaw. Any of these fairy tales will illustrate how the right footwear can make or break you. 



And with Ann Taylor Loft you know you're getting a pair that's fun and fresh at prices that won't ruin the fantasy.   

Fashion Algebra: Head Scarf Weather

Post Four Day Weekend + Need a Haircut + Crazy Rain = Head Scarf Weather, Honey! 

Thanks for the Memorial Day Weekend Ad: The Magic of Macy's?

I don't know if it's that magic they always talkin' about, but I kinda want this star print shirt on this model

Maybe it's the capital in the background or the subway campaign being completely shot in my old backyard of D.C. but I am feelin' this shirt with my French Connection red shorts and no shoes. And margaritas. Ah, the countdown for the Memorial Day four day weekend has begun, honey! 

Pajama Party

While I wait back to hear from the HUGE pitch, check out my latest menswear piece for VIRAL Fashion on the menswear pajamas as luxurious day wear trend. 

Features quotes from Hugh Hefner! 




Linky LINK: http://viralfashion.com/viralfashion/mens-fashion/2013/05/15/pajama-party/

I'm a Pitcher

I pitched a HUGE HUGE editorial piece this week. 

Huge as in a very large national fashion magazine. Man, fingers are crossed like five times over. 

To be continued....

Ms. Blair Jones Got Married!

Does this mean I can't call her "Blair Jones" anymore???

I Fed my Gremlin After Midnight

This is Gremlin, "It Can't All Be Dior"s resident houseplant. Like all green things, he's not faring well with our black thumbs around here. But this morning, in the wee hours, I replanted him and fed him. What else are you supposed to do when you're up sneezing and coughing?  Stupid early Summer cold. 

Hope Gremlin fares better. He too is "under the weather".  

What Do You Wear to an Iowa Wedding?

Tomorrow morning, bright and early, Mr Taurus and I are on a Delta plane to Des Moines, Iowa. 

I know: jealousy! 

But Ms. B.J. is becoming Mrs. B.J.Z. and it's time for a real barn dance to celebrate, honey! Iowa style. 

But what do I wear....

The Brown Girl Love Continues: Zoe Saldana on June 2013 Allure Cover

Dominican-Puerto Rican actress and clothes horse Zoe Saldana covers Allure's June 2013 issue with soft makeup and a full, lustrous mane 

Guess when the weather warms up, the brown girl love comes out in full effect! Go on, magazines, embrace the ladies of every color! 

Haider Ackermann: Story Teller

"I find it much more beautiful when you create a story with an actress. It's about communication. It's about collaboration. Call me old fashion, but I love to construct something with someone"

-Haider Ackermann on red carpet dressing, Women's Wear Daily

How much do you love this intimate approach to designer relations and dressing? Haider has always had women who influence his work and in turn he designs romances for the red carpets for them and we, the audience, get to watch as the tale unfolds. 



Obviously Tilda Swinton comes to mind as his protagonist


Her world alive with the dangers, awe and magic of this talented Colombian designer

Elle Magazine Has Embraced Women of Color in 2013

Last week we got quite excited at the "It Can't All Be Dior" offices when Kerry Washington was the Elle Magazine June cover gal. Finally a woman of color stands there to lure readers. We remarked then how appropriate a subject she is since she's in a crazy popular show with a loyal following (ie: built in fan base = built in readership = money$$$) 


Well with natural journalistic intrigue, we went back and happened upon a nice trend: Elle has put three consecutive women of color on their covers 

Rita Ora KILLED it in couture on the May 2013 cover

And Nicki Minaj got the "natural" treatment for the April 2013 cover 

Now, it is true that Rita Ora was one of a series of covers for May 2013 featuring current musical ladies that rock, but of the three possible covers, TWO were women of color (Alicia Keys being the second and Adele being the white gal) 

And it is also true that Claire Danes, Jessica Biel and Taylor Swift have rounded out the year as thus far, but to paraphrase Meatloaf: 3 out of 6 ain't bad. 

Wood You Read My Latest Piece for Edge on the Net?

A great little number on accessories made of wood that will stoke your inspiration for flashy looks as the weather warms up




Kindle your affection for wood bow ties, 

wood sunglasses 


and a bundle of more options. 







Chop, chop here's the link: 

http://www.edgeonthenet.com/style/fashion//143735/going_with_the_grain

Finally!

Kerry Washington lands a huge fashion mag cover 

(Kerry Washington causing a Scandal in Marc Jacobs on the cover, June 2013 ELLE) 

A HUGE hit show, a role in an Oscar winning movie and the latest Tyler Perry cash machine, a great sense of style and charisma for weeks... there's no reason Kerry Washington shouldn't be all over the place right now. 


Oh except that whole whitewash of fashion thing. Right. 

What the Google? Saul Bass

Oh boy Google has a real treat for us today with the Google logo re-interpreted through multiple famous Saul Bass movie openings in honor of Mr Bass' 93rd birthday 



             



Well known for mid-century movie openings that with their graphic visuals and jazzy tunage quite often competed or eclipsed that actual feature presentation, Saul Bass was a visionary and still inspires graphic designers and style hounds today.  



I've written about one of my favorite Bass' montages before with the black cat slinking through an alley for the Capucine / Jane Fonda / Barbara Stanwyck whorehouse vehicle, "Walk on the Wild Side" 



 


Obviously Bass did many, many other brilliant openers and definitely give the Google logo a play today. It'll make you smile how many you can guess! 

Katy Perry's Met Ball 2013 Look is a Bit Busy-tine

Not sure if that pun worked, but Katy Perry sure worked that Queen Theodora drag! 

You rock that "I'll unite the Western and Eastern Roman Empire once more!" look, Katy! xo

Man, why no #IggyPop at #TheMetBall last night? You know he would have been #BestDressed. Literally. 

Madonna at the Met Ball 2013

Madonna may be a lot of things, but she's never been one to miss an opportunity. The Met Ball's theme this year is Punk and Chaos and having come up in the New York post-punk dance and art scene, Madonna has a special proto-version of punk and how it affected the NYC scene

Mostly, though, this b*tch knows how to shut it down 

She is workin' that custom Givenchy (although the color choice of her Casadei shoes, hot pink, as punk is a little too Hot Topic in my opinion) 

And extra props for the padlock necklace with the very special duplicitous "M" in the signature Met font 

Sneaky sneak! 

Mad for Mid2Mod's Leather and Walnut Side Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller

One of the many, many reasons I love furniture from the 50's and 60's is how the designs we're so advanced in their duplicity. The world was moving fast and everyone was thinking about the future and how to anticipate the needs of the future if right now already demands a lightening pace to keep up. 

This George Nelson for Herman Miller side table is a great example of the multi-functionality trend in mid-century furniture. 


Yes, it's quite the sleek and sexy place to perch coffee cups and high balls alike, but with the built-in overhead lamp one could sidle up with that coffee and the latest Look Magazine to see what those naughty Kennedys are up to now. And in case a neighbor unexpectedly pops 'round, the back openings make quick storage for magazines you want tucked away or remotes or what have you

Man how great would it be to refurbish the back slots for planters. 


My heart is racing at how well this lovely would fit in me and 
Mr Taurus' home. 




(Wood and leather Side Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller, $950 at Mid2Mod, http://mid2mod.com/tables/)

Fashion Algebra: Curly Hair, Vintage Knit Tie, Tie Bar and Epaulet Shirt

Equals today's holding down the fort at work look. 

Book Club: Jenna Jameson's "How to Make Love Like a Porn Star"

Man, it's been a long time since I book clubbed. Since my last entry I have covertly read books about "The New Jim Crow", The Mayan Empire and Tuesday Weld (yup, that's the mix in my head. Don't be jealous.) 


Well now I wanna share with you this little gem of a memoir from notorious and glorious porn star turned accused (but acquitted!) assaulter Jenna Jameson 


And while no one 'round these parts is advocating a life of porn,  this self-made woman sure has some really good career advice no matter what your path (Pick a goal, focus on it, always be on time and professional, make friends with the behind the scenes people, be nice to everyone no matter how "small" a role they seem to play, etc) 

Oh yeah, and sex. There's sex advice too

I hear that! 

(Jenna Jameson "How to Make Love like a Porn Star" hardcover, $23 at Amazon, http://www.amazon.com/Make-Love-Like-Porn-Star/dp/0060539097/ref=tmm_hrd_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1367515900&sr=8-1)

Luckily There's Givenchy to Pull Me Through

This crystal encrusted gold magnetic Givenchy horn tie tack (okay, I KNOW it's an "earring" but go with me) just saved today's look

And here I thought Tom Ford was gonna have to do all the heavy lifting. 

They Say Your Outfit Speaks to Who You Are

Well this week I'm an exhausted, disheveled mess and it shows

High End Hyacinth

Tom Ford's Ombre de Hyacinth is my scent of the day

 Thanks Harry Rosen!