Littlehouse of Style

Say Cheese!

2011-10-29T14:55:00.000-04:00

I shot a series of shoe portraits a while back, and decided I wanted to expand upon the idea. This time around, I thought it would be fun to really bring out the personality of each pair of shoes. If a shoe was getting its Senior Photograph taken, what would it choose for its background?

Would it go all bold and Mod?

Or romantic and flowery?

Or maybe show off its extracurricular activities?

(Shoe portraits © Littlehouse of Style; Black & White shoes: Alberto Guardiani, Background: Givenchy jacket; Pink shoes: Prada, Background: BB Dakota jacket; Boots: Dries Van Noten, Background: boyfriend's coat)

The Overlooked Essential

2011-10-10T19:34:00.001-04:00

If you polled people on the street about what they thought every woman should have in her closet, you would probably get pretty much the same answer over and over again. Despite the occasional Perfect Jeans and Classic White Shirts, most people would say, without hesitation, The Little Black Dress.

Now, while I adore The Little Black Dress— I have about five!— I would have to say that there’s a wardrobe essential that I find even more essential: the trench coat.

I have to admit, I was a bit late to the party on this one, because I bought my first ever trench coat only this year. So if I got along for so long without a trench coat, how could it be so essential? Because the minute I got one, I started wearing it constantly.

The trench coat is not just for rain and investigations anymore. In fact, it goes as well over that Little Black Dress as it does over The Perfect Jeans. Buttoned up or belt trailing, it looks sophisticated and classic. And of course, it keeps you warm and dry— just like its ancestors, who were designed for soldiers fighting in the trenches of WWI.

My trench coat is by Gryphon New York. It's comfortable, chic, and functional— everything an essential piece of clothing should be.

(Trench coat photos © Littlehouse of Style)

Twinkle Toes

2011-07-28T21:26:00.000-04:00

I stepped into the elevator at work the other day, and was suddenly surrounded by all these little reflections on the walls. I almost looked up to see if some prankster had hung a disco ball in the elevator, before I realized it was my sparkly flats causing the dance-tastic lights . . .

(Twinkle toe photos © Littlehouse of Style)

Summer Brights

2011-06-02T00:41:00.000-04:00

The weeks before the Spring/Summer collections are unveiled is always an anxious time for me. As anyone who has seen The Devil Wears Prada knows, that "cerulean blue" that shows up on the runway will inevitably make it into every Gap. So, if Miuccia had decided to go with pastels for Spring/Summer, I would be avoiding every store in New York or risk looking like I have jaundice for the season.

Well, apparently, Ms Prada heard my prayers, because she was all about brights and vivid tones for both Miu Miu and Prada this Summer. Not only do I love the color schemes for both of these labels, I actually have lots in my closet that already fits the trend.

Not surprisingly, most of the color in my closet comes from my shoes . . .

(Sorry for the lack of posts over the past few months! Life has been extremely busy. I was taking classes, I moved, started a new job, went to Paris, painted my apartment . . . you get the idea. The good news is that I have lots of posts in the works and lots of cool new fashion stuff to share!)

(Bright Shoe photos © Littlehouse of Style)

Self Portrait, in Flats

2011-01-30T23:58:00.000-05:00

If you haven't noticed by now, I'm a shoe girl. I don't know what it is, but I just find shoes fascinating. While clothing changes its shape depending on the wearer's body, shoes are perfect little sculptures, whether on the foot or in the box. The countless combinations of silhouette, material, and color in a well-stocked shoe department can be surprising and delightful.

However, I recently realized that the shoes I find the most surprising and delightful almost always have a heel. Maybe it's the sex appeal of a stiletto, or the Amazon height provided by a platform, but somehow footwear with a heel seems more of a shoe to me than footwear without. But going through an entire week in 4-inch heels can make even the sexiest Amazon cranky.

So the back ache makes you pull those old reliable flats out of the closet, and then you walk around all day feeling short and dumpy. Seems like a lose-lose situation— tall, sexy, and in pain, or short, dumpy, and comfortable . . .

Keeping this conundrum in mind, I'm always looking for flats that have the personality of their taller cousins— shoes that have the look-at-me attitude of a stiletto— but none of the pain-inducing height.

These are two of my favorite pairs of flats. They have such strong personalities. The pale pink patent leather flats are sweet and girly. The knit flats are strong and sophisticated. They definitely hold their own next to the 3 and 4-inch heels in my closet. I even find myself pulling them out on days when my feet don't hurt.

And the extra height? Well, being petite can be sexy, too . . .

(Flats photos © Littlehouse of Style)

Shoe Catalog

2011-01-23T15:55:00.000-05:00

I was searching the New York Public Library's image archive today, and came across these amazing shoe illustrations that I had to share. They're all images of shoes from the Nineteenth Century.

Each shoe is cataloged so well, and so beautifully, that you can practically feel the satin and beadwork. Pretty amazing for shoes that were probably worn out over 100 years ago.

In addition to the detailed little drawings, I love how the shoes are described so precisely, "Satin Oxford shoe, embroidered in steel beads in a floral pattern; deep red shoe with toe embroidered in gold thread; deep crimson shoe with embroidery of gold thread with white beads."

"Velvet shoe; shoe with silk embroidery in chain stitch and French knots; shoe of watered silk, with pink satin on the inside, and a single button strap." Pink satin on the inside! I never would have guessed . . .

Looking through the many pages, I couldn't help but think of my own shoe collection residing in disorganized boxes all over my little apartment. It would be amazing to have a book like this with drawings of every pair . . . Any shoe-loving illustrators looking for work? ; )

(All shoe images © New York Public Library)

Parting Gifts

2011-01-04T01:37:00.001-05:00

Over the holiday, I found myself browsing books in the Lincoln Center Barnes & Noble. Nothing out of the ordinary, as I spend a good percentage of my time perusing the city's many bookstores. But this was different. The 60,000 square-foot store was closing, after 15 years in the neighborhood, and my boyfriend had suggested a farewell visit.

As a person who works in the publishing industry, and has experienced the massive layoffs first hand, seeing the nearly-bare shelves hit a little too close to home. Maybe bookstores are going the way of Virgin Records after all . . . I was feeling a bit sad, and sulked around the store for a while, before finally being seduced by a section of used books (the Lincoln Central B&N is one of the few to sell used books).

I spotted a few promising spines, and absentmindedly pulled and re-shelved various art and design books. Then, my boyfriend quietly handed me a red canvas covered book, and the clouds parted. It was a Donna Karan lookbook from 2000, featuring Milla Jovovich and Gary Oldman.

A few minutes after that, I found a Versace book from Spring/Summer 99 featuring models Malgosia Bela, Gisele Bundchen, Haylynn Cohen, Carmen Kass, and Frankie Rayder. Oh, and if that wasn't cool enough, it was shot by Steven Meisel— who is not only a legend, but also one of my favorite fashion photographers.

Despite my sadness over the closing bookstore, I couldn't help but smile over my two fashion book finds— for $12.50 each, thanks to a 1/2 Off sign! I also walked out of the store with a great, out-of-print art book on logos. As I lugged the newest additions to my library down Broadway, I was filled with satisfaction— the kind that an Amazon purchase just can't match.

(Photos of lookbooks © Littlehouse of Style)

Style Crush

2010-11-18T00:43:00.001-05:00

(photo © Citizen Couture)

(photo © Tommy Tom)

When I come across a photograph of Giovanna Battaglia on a fashion blog, I always say the exact same thing, I would wear that outfit in a second.

Now, being a Stylist and Fashion Director for Vogue Gioiello and Vogue Pelle, and sitting front row at Fashion week may give you a leg up when it comes to getting dressed in the morning, but Giovanna proves that looking stylish doesn't mean pulling looks directly from the runway. In fact, her style habits are more like a regular woman, than, say, some of the other fashion directors out there (no offense Anna Dello Russo, I love you, too!)

(photo © The Sartorialist)

Oftentimes you see Giovanna wearing the same piece over and over again in different combinations, like these gorgeous snakeskin boots . . .

(photo © The Sartorialist)

. . . or this candy-colored Fendi bag.

(photo © The Sartorialist)

(photo © Hanneli Mustaparta)

She often mixes vintage with modern— like these vintage Emporio Armani sunglasses.

(photo © Tommy Tom)

And I LOVE how she pulls her hair back in a messy bun, just like any woman on the go.

(photo © The Sartorialist)

The feeling I get when I see photos of Giovanna is not one of envy, or even wistfulness. Her style is amazingly wearable and accessible — even though the pieces in her wardrobe are high-end labels, any of her outfits would be easy to recreate with more affordable pieces.

(photo © The Sartorialist)

I mean, I'm pretty sure I'm not the only woman out there who could go over to her closet right now, and pull together something pretty close to the above look.

(photo © The Sartorialist)

And, like all the stylish women I admire, she has incredible shoes . . .

(photo © Tommy Tom)

(All the photos in this post are from various street style photographers— be sure to check them out!)

Heirloom-quality fashion?

2010-11-02T08:20:00.003-04:00

A few weeks ago, I went to hear some of the Cooper-Hewitt's Annual Design Award Winners speak about their work. Although the Fashion Design Winners, Rodarte, were not on the panel, I couldn't help but apply many of the other winners' words to the fashion world.

At one point, Tom Dair of Smart Design, the Product Design Winner, mentioned his desire to create "heirloom-quality products," and gave the example of a wristwatch that one can pass along from generation to generation— a product that appreciates in value over time. This may seem like a strange thing for a Product Designer to strive for, because in today's world, New has somehow come to equal Better. Why else would millions of people upgrade to an iPhone 4, when they already have a phone that works perfectly well (if not better)?!

In fashion, it's the same. We dismiss pieces as "last season" and fill our shopping bags with the latest trends. But wouldn't it be better, and economically smarter, to stock our closets with "heirloom-quality" clothing?

What a brilliant idea! I'll just buy a bag that will look chic for the rest of my life, and my kids' lives, too. Now, if you would be so kind as to point me in the direction of that store that only sells beautifully-made pieces that are stylish for eternity. Hmm . . .

While it's not hard to identify a piece of clothing that's well-made, it's impossible to predict whether it's something future generations will love (a trench coat) or laugh at (bell bottoms). I guess all we can do as stewards of future fashion is seek out quality for our closets, and care for the items we love, as if we are planning to pass them on.

I'm a firm believer in mending my clothing and, especially, shoe repairs. When the heels start to wear, I get them replaced before they turn into tap shoes (we all know that painful sound heels make when they wear down to the metal!) I also have my shoe guy put rubber soles on my shoes to extend their life.

Last week, I got 4 pairs of shoes repaired. They got new heels, new soles, and I even had one blister-inducing pair of stilettos stretched to fit better.

The ultimate miracle was a pair of abused Miu Miu flats that I wish I'd taken a "before photo" of. The bottoms were stuck with pieces of gravel from walking down a rain-wet road after a wedding, and the leather on the heels looked like it was chewed by a particularly ferocious puppy.

When I picked them up, I couldn't believe my eyes. For about $30 a pair, I now have 4 pairs of virtually new shoes.

Who knows if my newly repaired shoes will earn a place of honor in my future Granddaughter's closet, or will just be something she'll just crack up over. Grandma Catherine! Booties?!? But I plan on keeping my beloved shoes wearable as long as I can, if not for the next generation, then at least for myself.

(Shoe repair photos © Littlehouse of Style)

It's Fall Again!

2010-10-18T21:05:00.000-04:00

I love when the seasons change in New York. It means that I get to rediscover all of my cold weather clothes that were pushed to the back of the closet during the warmer months. While a lot of people find themselves shopping when the seasons change, I think going through your own closet is a lot more fun, especially since you come across clothing that A) you already like, B) already fits, and C) doesn't cost you a thing.

This JaeYoon Jeong coat is one of my absolute favorite pieces of clothing. This weekend it finally got chilly enough for me to wear again.

And of course, what's Fall in New York without knee high boots. I wore these constantly last year and couldn't wait to pull them out again. I shined them before I boxed them up for the Summer, so when it got cold, they were all ready to go. I'm sure people think I just bought them!

I know this might sound a little silly, but another thing I like to do as I'm rotating my coats to the back of the closet is put some money in the pockets, so that when Fall comes around again I get a nice surprise.

A ten dollar bill! Awesome.

(It's Fall Again photos © Littlehouse of Style, Jacket: JaeYoon Jeong, Boots: Dries Van Noten, Bag: Alexander McQueen, Leggings: Daffy's)

The Blog's First Birthday!

2010-10-11T12:51:00.019-04:00

Today is the One Year Anniversary of Littlehouse of Style!

I started this blog as a fashion notebook of sorts— a fun side project that I thought only my mom and close friends would be reading. As of today, the blog has had over TWENTY-TWO THOUSAND page loads!

I am absolutely blown away by that number.

Thanks to everyone who reads the blog, to all the people who took the time to leave comments, to the other bloggers who have promoted Littlehouse of Style, and to those who have passed the blog along to their friends. I can't wait to share more with all of you!

LOVE!

Catherine

(all images © Littlehouse of Style)

That's so Last Century!

2010-09-16T19:30:00.001-04:00

The dress this woman is wearing, as she hangs a poster in Greenwich Village, could be a piece in any modern New York girl's closet. And the photo was taken in the 1920s. That dress would be almost 100 years old today, and I don't think anyone would bat an eye if you wore it out for drinks in today's Greenwich Village.

In fact, I don't think anyone would bat an eye if a dress like that came down the runway at Fashion Week . . . on a model like Karlie Kloss . . . at a Marc Jacobs' show . . . in a Spring 2011 Ready-to-Wear collection, for example . . .

I guess some pieces really are timeless . . .

(Flapper photo from the Hulton Archive, Marc Jacobs Spring 2011 runway photo from Style.com)

Better than a Glass Slipper

2010-09-14T23:30:00.003-04:00

I would never peg myself as a crystal-covered evening bag kind of girl, but a few months ago, I found myself surrounded by dozens of Judith Leiber's iconic clutches at a photoshoot. We were working on a book cover, and were transforming the many bags into a city skyline for the cover photo. Despite the work at hand, every woman at the shoot couldn't help taking a moment to gush over the clutches. I kept turning them over, opening them respectfully, and imagining myself gripping one on the red carpet.

After the shoot, the bags all went back to the showroom, and I was pretty sure that was the last I was going to see of Judith Leiber— the current line goes from around $1600 to $6000 per bag. Not exactly in a book cover designer's price range . . .

Months went by, and suddenly it was Fall in New York. And I started getting bombarded with magazine articles, commercials, and blog posts about Fashion's Night Out. For this year's second annual Fashion's Night Out, hundreds of stores across the city kept their shops open late and provided free drinks and entertainment for their shoppers. Many stores also had special appearances by celebrities, models, and bands. Unlike Fashion Week, you don't need to work at Vogue to attend. In fact, you don't even need to RSVP.

I had already made a list of the shops I wanted to visit, when I got an email about a Fashion's Night Out Party at Judith Leiber's Madison Avenue store. Oh, and a small footnote about 100 Judith Leiber bags for $100. Wait. What?! And as if that wasn't enough incentive, 100% of the proceeds were going to Alzheimer's. I felt like Cinderella getting an invite to the ball.

So, my friend Sarah and I put on our highest heels, and went to check it out. As I sipped my cocktail, and got offered silver tray after silver tray of tiny appetizers, I couldn't help but expect an Evil Step-Sister to discover my identity, and drag me back to my computer where I belonged.

I said to Sarah, as we stood at the front of the line, Hey, I didn't have a Judith Leiber bag yesterday, so it's not a big deal if I don't get one. Even as model Molly Sims pulled back the fuchsia curtain to give us a peek at the 100 bags, I was thinking, A Judith Leiber bag for $100 AND it's going to a good cause?! Come on what's the catch?

Turns out, there was no catch.

Fashion's Night Out was a real fairy tale, where two regular New York girls ended up with bags worth more than their entire wardrobes. Oh, and as much free champagne as they wanted.

New York City really is a magical place.

(Black clutch photos © Littlehouse of Style, Other photos from Judith Leiber's website)

Mix and Match

2010-08-24T23:30:00.003-04:00

A few years back, my good friend Paige got me into surfing. Dressing for surfing would appear to be very similar to dressing for the beach— you just grab your favorite bikini and go. However, when you're planning to get pummeled by waves, it's not so simple. I quickly found out that bathing suits that looked perfect on my beach blanket weren't exactly made for paddling out.

Whether it was boyshorts that were too loose to withstand a crashing wave (Hello, Coppertone Girl!), or straps with uncomfortable wooden beads, a lot of my suits just didn't work when it came to surfing.

So instead of buying all new surf-friendly beach gear, I started mixing and matching my bathing suit pieces.

(top: DKNY, bottoms: Calvin Klein)

(bottoms: DKNY, top: Target)

Once you start putting different tops and bottoms together, you'll wonder why you never did it before.

I bought an adorable Ripcurl swimsuit on clearance a few years ago. It was in my size, so I bought it without trying it on. When I put it on at home, the bottoms made my butt look like Bar Refaeli's . . . and the bandeau top totally cut off my circulation! Instead of putting the entire suit in the back of my drawer, I gave the top of the bikini to my petite friend and started wearing the butt-perfecting bottoms with a black bikini top. To this day, that mismatched set is one of my favorite things to wear to the beach.

(top: DKNY, bottom: Ripcurl)

(bottoms: Calvin Klein, top: Leilani)

(bottoms: Hurley, top: Calvin Klein)

(top and bottom: both DKNY)

P.S. It was so windy outside today that 90% of my photos looked like this . . .

(All mix and match photos © Littlehouse of Style)

Blogging about blogs

2010-07-30T14:00:00.001-04:00

I'm sure by now you've noticed all those links leading to other sites on the side of my blog. Not only do I link to all those sites, I actually visit them on a weekly basis!

So, what makes me put a blog on my "have to read list"? Great photography, original content, and a personal voice. Whether it's grouping together themed images, styling elaborate scenarios, or simply posting beautiful photographs, all the blogs I visit have something special going on.

I wanted to point out two of my favorites. First, because they both have such strong photography, and secondly, because they have such individual voices.

First, is Clothes, Cameras and Coffee by the gorgeous Roz, who lives in rural England. With a penchant for vintage, a brilliant knack for concepts and styling, and parents who are surprisingly skilled at photography; each of Roz's posts read like a well-orchestrated editorial spread. Pretty impressive for someone who just turned 15 . . . Another thing I like about Roz is that her writing has a very personal voice. The stories that accompany the photos are thoughtful and well-written. She always takes the time to explain her outfits and her inspiration.

Here's a selection of my favorite photos Roz has posted.

What a perfect dress to wear by the ocean . . .

A gorgeous cape she got off eBay.

I just love this skirt made of newspaper.

Roz always seems to have some cool inspiration for her shoots. Here she is as a modern Little Red Riding Hood.

This was an equestrian inspired shoot.

Doesn't she look straight out of a vintage Vogue here!?

The second blogger I can't get enough of is Luxirare. Not only does she have incredible taste in cutting-edge fashion, she also makes her own clothes . . . and bags . . . and jewelry . . . and shoes! I would seriously quit my job to be her intern.

She actually made this chain embellished dress.

Amazing detail . . .

And she made this bag . . .

And this jacket . . .

Oh, and not only does she blog about fashion, she has killer food posts as well. This is the most amazing looking BLT I've ever seen . . .

Or how about a little pumpkin pie that's made from a mold of a real pumpkin?

Does her creativity know no bounds?!

Luxirare even manages to make a simple apple peel look like haute couture. Just gorgeous.

Reading blogs like Luxirare and Clothes, Cameras and Coffee on a weekly basis is a real treat and a definitely source of inspiration for me. Calling them "blogs" almost seems like a misnomer, because they're so far from all the "check out this link" blogs that populate the internet. The limits of blogging are pushed so much on sites like these, that you feel like you're traveling away from the internet and into a little fashionable world.

I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

(I'd love to hear which blogs you can't live without, too!)

(All photos from Clothes, Cameras and Coffee & Luxirare)

Summer Style

2010-07-26T22:30:00.000-04:00

I've recently noticed that my wardrobe changes drastically from season to season. Where my Winter clothes are sophisticated and 90% black, my Summer outfits are brighter in color and more bohemian in spirit— colorful dresses, airy white blouses, strappy sandals.

I also find myself wearing a lot of Vintage in the Summer. There's something about teal Lacoste polo from the 80s or a simple printed dress that just brings me back to the firefly-catching, sprinkler-jumping Summers of my childhood. I can picture my mom making pasta salad in a terry cloth top with Dr Scholl's sandals on her feet.

This dress is one of my favorite Summer pieces. I picked a few years ago at a great Vintage store in Astoria called Loveday 21. It's from a Hawaiian label called Tori Richard, and judging from the label, is probably from the 1970s. I can totally picture my mom wearing a dress like this at a family picnic, so of course I had to pull out my Dr. Scholl's sandals to complete the outfit.

My mom's original Dr. Scholl's are long gone— borrowed to death by yours truly in the few short years we wore the same shoe size— but happily the company is still going strong. I love how my sandals are a higher heeled version of the original style my mom wore (which are still available for an affordable $49).

Sitting in a metal-framed lawn chair on my roof in an outfit like this makes me feel about as Summery as it gets. All I need is a homemade popsicle and a bowl of pasta salad.

(Summer Style photos © Littlehouse of Style)

Do you take these shoes?

2010-07-25T13:30:00.002-04:00

My good friend Lindsey got married last weekend. And when a good friend gets married, it's customary to offer one's help. If you're a baker, you make a cake. If you have a nice voice, you sing. So, being a graphic designer, I offered to design her invitations. I also offered/begged to help pick out her wedding shoes.

We talked a little bit about what she was looking for— heel height, color, shape, platform, etc— and then I started emailing her links. And sending her picture messages. And calling her from Lord & Taylor . . . and Bergdorfs . . . and Barneys . . .

Here are just a few of the shoes I sent her.

Of course Lindsey had good feedback:

I think those may be too glittery for me. I'm boring!

These are a little boring for me. I'm glittery!

Through a process of elimination, she decided she wanted metallic shoes with a hidden platform to walk down the aisle. (She also got sequin flats for dancing).

It was really fun hunting down options for Lindsey (and of course throwing in the occasional red herring . . . )

Only $332.50 on Net-a-Porter! . . . You don't like it . . . ? I thought it was totally you. : (

Of course, the shoes she ended up liking the best were totally elusive, but she eventually tracked them down.

I couldn't resist snapping off a few photos of the winning pair while Lindsey was getting her hair done.

The shoes fit all the qualifications she was hoping for, and above all else, she was totally in love with them.

(Wedding graphic and wedding shoes © Littlehouse of Style, Product shots from various websites)

Frowny Face

2010-06-30T21:00:00.001-04:00

I pulled my sunglasses out the other day, and this is what I found. So sad! I can't believe they're broken. I've had them for at least five Summers, which is probably the all-time longevity record for Catherine sunglasses. And I took such good care of them, too! I never sat on them once. And I actually put them in a case every time I took them off. See how there isn't even one scratch on the lenses?

It's not that they were investment sunglasses or anything— I got them for $20 at Marshall's— but they were one of the best looking pair of shades I've ever owned. And I felt like a rockstar every time I wore them.

Hmm . . . I wonder where the superglue is . . . Maybe I can turn that frown upside-down . . .

(Shades photos © Littlehouse of Style)

Shorts!

2010-06-22T22:30:00.003-04:00

The last time I wore shorts for something other than a workout was back when cargo shorts and flannels were popular. Which is why I found it completely surprising that I not only tried on a pair of shorts recently, I actually liked them!

I found the shorts at Moods of Norway when I was in Bergen, Norway. Moods specializes in what I would call California fashion— bright colors, floor-skimming patterned dresses, and just a lot of fun. I probably chose the least colorful piece in the store, but the cute pleats and cuffs on these shorts speak to the fun attitude of Moods. They also came in bright pink satin, which I was not brave enough to try on.

I even went further out of my character and bought flats recently. I love walking all over the city in the Summer, so I forced myself to look for shoes that would go the distance. I was expecting it to be a chore, but I actually put down a pair of heels to pick up these Dries van Noten sandals! I love the metal detailing and they are really comfortable.

Ah, pockets . . .

Here's to getting out of your comfort zone and getting comfortable!

(Shorts photos © Littlehouse of Style; Moods of Norway shorts, Club Monaco shirt, Dries van Noten sandals, Nine West belt, Aldo necklace)

Off the Wagon . . .

2010-06-15T19:00:00.002-04:00

So you're thinking, hmmm, I've never seen those shoes before . . . Wait. Did she? Is the Shoe Diet over? . . . But why would she crack over a simple pair of satin peep-toes?! I though she was stronger than that . . .

Then I'd give you that I'm-up-to-something look . . .

. . . and slowly turn around . . .

. . . and you'd see why I broke my 6-month Shoe Diet. Sparkle heels! Not only sparkle heels, but Prada sparkle heels from several seasons ago. So you're thinking, Ebay? Century 21? Oh no, my friends, I actually found these at the Prada store.

The salesman told me that for some reason the headquarters sent these for the Spring sale, even though they're from a few years ago. And I'm pretty sure they got overlooked by all the people who went to Prada the day the sale started, because the way the shoes were positioned on the shelf, those incredible heels were hidden from view. Oh, and did I mention they were super on sale? Yay!

Another reason why I gave in, is because it's my birthday this week. It was either break the Shoe Diet, or break my annual tradition of buying myself birthday shoes. Needless to say, I'm a stickler for tradition.

Sparkly shoes photos © Littlehouse of Style

More Norwegian fashion

2010-05-28T14:30:00.002-04:00

When I was in Bergen, I met this girl named Siri. She worked in a menswear store, and was helping my boyfriend who needed shoes for the wedding we were attending. We got to talking, and I told her about the blog and how I had been searching for Norwegian labels. I gave her the blog address, and a day later she sent me an email with a list of Norwegian designers! So awesome.

My favorite label that Siri suggested had to be Fam Irvoll. Anyone that counts "Alice in Wonderland, cartoons, toys, food, cakes, and candy" among their inspirations gets my attention.

The clothes are so out there and fun! Very Rainbow Brite meets pin-up girl. It's no wonder Lady Gaga has been see wearing one of her cake headbands.

Be sure to watch the videos of Fam Irvoll's runway shows. Don't you just want to be there?! I bet models love getting booked for this label.

Now, for some more everyday fashion from my Norwegian fashion connection . . . well, "everyday" for people other than Lady Gaga . . .

This is an outfit by FIN, based in Oslo, from their AW09 collection. This is exactly the kind of thing I like wearing in the colder months— I even have bright blue tights in that color!

And I just adore the pieced fabric on this top. That chevron pattern is so flattering.

This is a piece from FIN's recent SS10 collection. Perfect for the park on a hot day.

Another label I liked was Vatle — I feel like all of these garments have a real party attitude about them.

This dress is perfect for a night out.

Shiny underwear . . . Perfect for a night in.

I also really liked Leila Hafzi, but can't you have larger photos on your site, please? All I want to do is see those gorgeous prints up close!

Thanks again to Siri for taking the time to send me such an awesome list of Norwegian designers!

(Fam Irvoll lookbook photos © billa baldwin via Flickr, Fam Irvoll runway photos © StigHoward via Flickr, FIN an Vatle photos from designer's websites)

Made in Norway?

2010-05-27T01:30:00.004-04:00

Shopping in other countries is hard when you live in New York City. Many times, I've come back from a trip with an item I thought was something I could only get overseas, and soon thereafter I find it in a store on 5th avenue.

So, when I went to Norway, I was determined to find clothing that was unique to the land of the midnight sun.

Armed with suggestions from a posh guidebook, I set off for the shopping district of Oslo. Although Secret Society had a well-edited selection of clothing from Alexander Wang to Martin Margiela, when I inquired about Norwegian designers, the girl working there only had a few scarves in stock. Disappointed, I continued on to Bogstadveien Street.

While Norway's Scandinavian neighbor, Sweden, was widely represented in the little boutiques with brands like Acne and Tiger, true Norwegian brands were illusive. I began to think that maybe in a country with a population of less than 5 million (NYC has 8 million), there just weren't that many fashion designers around . . .

Coming up empty-handed in Olso, I left a few days later for the seaport town of Bergen, just in time for their national holiday on May 17th. On the morning of the 17th, my boyfriend and I walked out the door of our hotel, and came face to face with thousands of people dressed in the most beautiful costumes. My boyfriend turned to me and pointed out that I might have something to blog about after all.

The traditional Norwegian costume is called a bunad. They are covered with elaborate embroidery and ribbon and worn with beautiful silver brooches and other shiny jewelry. The various versions of the costume indicate what region the wearer is from.

This is some of the jewelry that I saw in a shop window.

This is one of the purses up-close. The women wear them on their belts. Look at the beautiful details!

Seeing thousands of Norwegians, men, women, and children, all in traditional dress, was thrilling. And the pride and excitement over getting dressed in these fantastic garments was apparent. It was something you could never see in New York City . . . or anywhere but Norway, for that matter.

Lots more on Norwegian fashion to come . . . I got so many great tips from the people I spoke with in Bergen . . .

(Norway photos © Littlehouse of Style, Norway shopping bag art created with images from Fotolia)

Leaving on a Jet Plane

2010-05-11T18:00:00.001-04:00

I have to admit, I really like the process of packing for a trip. It's always a real puzzle. This sweater or that sweater? What shoes go with everything and are also comfortable? Could I wear this jacket over that shirt if I get cold? And of course, the big question: Will it all fit in my suitcase?

Over the years, I've become an increasingly efficient packer. I will forgo an extra pair of shoes to avoid checking my luggage. I rejoice in dresses that fold up to nothing without getting wrinkled. And I actually have a see-through cosmetics bag already packed with travel-sized items, so I don't have to move the toothpaste from the medicine cabinet.

Luckily, 90% of my wardrobe is black, so this also helps with packing— Black shirt, jeans, black shoes, outfit. However, my friends had a good chuckle a few years ago when I showed up for our trip to beautiful, tropical Costa Rica in head to toe black . . . with a black purse . . . pulling a black roll-y suitcase . . . I think the exact words were "Carrie Bradshaw goes to Costa Rica!" They were all wearing backpacks, wind-breakers, and shorts, in actual *gasp* colors . . . Despite the Gothic beachwear incident (hey, I live in New York!) I feel like I am pretty good at solving the riddle of the suitcase. Anyone that doesn't have to sit on their bag to close it has to be doing something right . . .

ps. I'm going to be away from my computer until the 24th, but I promise lots of new posts when I get back!

(Suitcase photo © Littlehouse of Style)

Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-09T14:47:00.004-04:00

When most people think of parenthood, they think of the big things; like giving birth, paying for a college education, changing diapers, driving lessons, and so on.

My mom has shown me that being a parent involves a myriad of little things, too— an encouraging note slipped into my school lunch, the smell of fresh banana bread waking me in the morning, or a bouquet of wild flowers in my room when I came home for college break. Now, I'm grown up, and my mom doesn't need to write me a check for a school trip or drop me off at the mall, but I'll never grow out of my excitement for a box of my favorite chocolates or an email about a great movie.

A few weeks ago, my mom mailed me a page from a magazine with a brief note. It probably only took her a few minutes to tear out the page, address the envelope, and walk across the street to the mailbox. And yet, when I opened my mail I felt inspired, supported, and loved.

Thank you, Mom! For EVERYTHING.

ps. I'm definitely going to try out the necklace idea!

(Mother's day photos © Littlehouse of Style)

W-F

2010-05-08T20:59:00.007-04:00

So, I actually DID shoot most of my work outfits the other week, per my friend Rebecca's request. (I bet you all thought I flaked out!) And actually, I'm kind of glad I was too busy to go through all the shots right away, because now I can assess what I wore with a little more clarity.

Looking through the photos, I was suddenly struck by how simple all the outfits were.

Here's what I wore on Wednesday— all black with a bright skirt. The one little clever thing I did was pick out stockings that have a chevron pattern, which mimics the pleating on the skirt.

This is Thursday's outfit— a simple black dress, but worn with a cute polka dot blouse underneath to add some fun. The stockings also have polka dots on them which are really subtle.

I wore these shoes, which also have little dots on them.

And here's Friday's outfit. This one is as simple as it gets— a white shirt and blue jeans. Notice how I cleverly disguised this by adding apple red heels and a tweed jacket.

I love this jacket, because from far away it looks brown, but when you really look at the fabric you can see tons of colors. I take this to mean I can wear it with any color that is in the tweed— even if it's just a tiny speck, like the red.

Taking photos of my outfits for a whole week was a really fun exercise, although I don't know how some bloggers shoot what they wear every day. All week I was afraid I'd oversleep, and rush out wearing mismatched socks— and then be forced to post photos of them on my blog!

(W-F photos © Littlehouse of Style)

If you don't look good, we don't look good.

2010-04-29T01:00:00.004-04:00

Last Friday, my friend Sarah and I went to see the premier of Vidal Sassoon The Movie at the Tribeca Film Festival. Admittedly, I knew almost nothing about the man, aside from hair product commercials I saw as a kid with his famous slogan, "If you don't look good, we don't look good." I guess my basic logic about getting tickets to the movie was that, if he's big enough to warrant a documentary, there's got to be more to him than shampoo commercials.

Boy, was that an understatement. I learned that not only did Sassoon revolutionize the haircut, he was an incredible example of the "rags to riches" tale. Maybe it was because Sarah and I had seen Coco Avant Chanel together, too, but I couldn't help but think of that movie as I watched the Sassoon documentary. There were so many similarities; a childhood in an orphanage, a new way of looking at the world, and a desire to change the way women saw themselves.

Of course, many people are familiar with the Chanel suit, the iconic bags, and even the woman herself, but what about Sassoon? I have to admit the first thing that came to my mind was the logo on a shampoo bottle. But as the movie progressed, I was surprised by how many of Sassoon's creations were part of my visual memory.

Picture London in the 1960s. What do you see? What are the women wearing? What does their hair look like?

Something like this?

That's fashion designer Mary Quant, who is famous for the miniskirt. Guess who cut her hair?

Or maybe these famous photos come to mind?

It's Grace Coddington back in her modeling days sporting the famous Five Point Cut invented by . . .

hmmm . . . there's that guy again . . .

Or this image that appeared in the October 1963 issue of British Vogue. That's actress Nancy Kwon with a Sassoon bob.

Throughout the Tribeca documentary, icon after icon appeared on the screen. And behind each was Sassoon, cutting away. Remember that pixie cut Mia Farrow has in Rosemary's Baby? Well, she wasn't making it up in the film when she says "I've been to Vidal Sassoon" (her husband's response "You mean you actually paid for it?")

And even beyond famous photographs of models and actresses, an image from my family's photo album— my mother and her sisters with cute bobs smiling into the camera during their cross country trip in the Summer of 1966.

After the movie, in the restroom mirror, I noticed my own haircut, by my fantastic stylist Tom, and I couldn't help but smile.

(If you're in New York, there are two more screenings during Tribeca: Thursday 4/29 at 9pm, and Saturday 5/1 at 3pm. There aren't any more advanced tickets available, but it's definitely worth standing online for rush tickets).

(Vidal Sassoon images from Vidal Sassoon The Movie, IMDB, Style.com, and various internet sources; Campfire photo scanned by my mom; Haircut photos © Littlehouse of Style)

Tuesday's Style

2010-04-28T23:15:00.001-04:00

My friend Rebecca recently wrote to me, "Idea for your blog... what Catherine wears to work M-F... ?? Bad idea? I don't know, but I am curious!" Now, I've known Rebecca since we were 5-years-old, and she's seen many of my more *ahem* interesting outfits over the years. Rebecca, I really hope you didn't request this because you still picture me in a dress-sized t-shirt with a howling wolf on it and a Blossom hat . . .

Monday was a little crazy for me, and it rained, so I didn't get to take photos, so I figured I'd start with Tuesday's outfit. Let's see if I can achieve T– F or at least 3 out of 5.

As many of you know, I'm a graphic designer. So usually work wear means something professional and put-together, but with a little edge that says, "I work in the creative department." I love this dress because the purple zipper gives it a nice spin on a classic tailored look.

All the other parts of the outfit come from the colors that are in the dress– everything is in the blue/purple color family. I do this a lot— pick one piece to build the outfit around. For example, if I decide to wear black and gold heels, I pick out a black dress and gold jewelry and *poof* instant outfit. It's a pretty simple approach to getting dressed in the morning, because who wants to spend 20 minutes figuring out what goes with what, when you could be getting extra sleep?

(Dress: Edge NY NoHo, don't know the designers name . . . , Tights: Emilio Cavallini, Shoes: Prada, Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs)

The Ol' Switcheroo

2010-04-21T22:00:00.004-04:00

I am crazy for Proenza Schouler's shoes and their most recent Spring/Summer collection had me drooling as usual. After seeing photos of the show online, I emailed the label directly to find out if the shoes would go into production— a lot of the time runway shoes are not mass produced for the stores.

A few days later, the label responded and told me, "These shoes are currently in production and are due to deliver to stores in March. Only the white version will be available and it will be at Barneys, or Net-a-Porter.com."

I knew it would take months and months for their price to be reduced enough that I could afford them, but I was excited nonetheless.

Today, they finally showed up on Net-a-Porter.com.

And for some reason, I wasn't nearly as in love with them as I had been when they were on the runway. Something felt off.

Here are the shoes on Net-a-Porter.

And here are the shoes on Proenza Schouler's website. Hmm, wait a minute . . . what happened to the heel?

As a connoisseur of "out there" heels, I instantly fell in love with the runway version of the shoe. The way that the outlining takes on a slightly different shape than the heel, the wood grain, the elegantly sculpted platform— all of these make this a fascinating shoe. The heel demands to be looked at, and enhances the rest of the shoe immensely.

The plastic heel that they replaced it with is heavy and cold. It's as if the shoe went through a complete personality reversal. Your eye doesn't travel across the shoe the way it does when that complex heel is in place— you get sucked into a shiny black abyss.

I know that runway pieces are sometimes too expensive to mass produce, but in this case, I wish they had increased the price tag and kept the original heel. Proenza Schouler's runway shoes are always perfection. Why mess with that?

(Proenza Schouler runway shoes photos from Style.com, Net-a-Porter.com, and ProenzaSchouler.com)

Sticking to my guns . . . sort of . . .

2010-04-17T19:45:00.001-04:00

A few weeks ago, I was perusing my favorite online shopping sites while eating lunch at my desk. I know I'm on a Shoe Diet, but it can't hurt to look, right? It had been almost 4 months since I bought shoes, and I felt confident, almost cocky, that I would reach my 6 month goal. Well, this particular afternoon it probably wasn't the best idea to test my resolve. . .

I came across a pair of shoes that I couldn't ignore. They were part of the collaboration between Adidas and Japanese designer, Yohji Yamamoto. And they were awesome. And on sale.

I put them in my shopping cart. I deleted them from my shopping cart. I watched as other sizes got sold out and my size remained available. My cursor hovered over the "Add to Bag" button. I needed someone to talk me down.

I emailed my boyfriend the link. A few seconds later my phone rang. "Don't do it." "But . . . look how cool they are!" I whined. "Come on, don't be weak. You only have two more months to go." I got whinier. I listed all the reasons I had to have the shoes. My boyfriend didn't back down. "Under no circumstances should you buy those shoes." When we hung up, I pouted for a while. A half hour later, when I checked the site again, the shoes were sold out. I pouted some more.

The other night, my boyfriend came over after work. He had mentioned he had something for me. This means he had successfully hunted down some amazing out-of-print art book that I had my eye on. Much of my art and design library has come from him, and I was excited to see what its newest addition would be. However, as he handed me the Amazon-sized box, I said jokingly, "Shoes!?" "You're obsessed!" he responded. "What's wrong with you?! You're like an addict!" Sigh. It's true.

Guess what was inside?

Eeeeeeeeee!

I paired them with this H&M dress today. I love how the scoop back looks like the heels.

Definitely my new favorite pair.

It's beautiful and I want it.

2010-04-08T19:00:00.003-04:00

Good thing I didn't log onto Gilt Groupe's sale earlier in the day yesterday, because I would have seen this Alexander McQueen leather corset. I know it sounds insane, but I might have actually thought about buying it.

My desire to purchase that corset has absolutely nothing to do with the reality of my life. First of all, I don't have $899 laying around to spend on couture. Secondly, I don't anticipate EVER getting invited to an event that would warrant wearing couture. And I think my friends would die of laughter if I showed up for an afterwork beer sporting that get up.

But that's just what McQueen does to me. It's the same reaction I have when I see a Helmut Newton print or anything else that is beautiful enough to blind you from the price tag. Simply, put: It's beautiful and I want it.

I remember seeing this piece on the runway of McQueen's Spring 2009 show and was immediately drawn to it. The chestnut leather was such a nice foil to the soft flowing silk that populated the collection and the lines were so interesting and dynamic. There were a few versions of the corset, one resembled a finely decorated saddle, another was as sleek as a handbag.

If yesterday had gone differently, and I had logged on when the sale started—after having won the lottery—I would definitely have bought that corset. Even if only to put it on a dress form, and admire it endlessly.

Maybe that's the real definition of art: Something that's seemingly useless, except for its extreme beauty.

(McQueen Corset photos from Gilt Groupe and Style.com)

Hello, Toes.

2010-04-06T18:00:00.001-04:00

It's 80 degrees here in New York City today. I haven't seen my open-toed shoes for months, so I was very excited to pull them out from deep under my bed. It was almost like going shopping.

I've had these Nine West sandals for so long I can't remember where I got them, but I'm guessing Marshall's or TJ Maxx. They're one of my favorite pairs of warm weather shoes, because they're so comfortable.

At lunch, I walked over to Bryant Park only to find the fresh, electric green grass roped off. Apparently, "The new sod is establishing its root system." It took all the restraint I had not to pull off my sandals and sprint across the lawn . . .

The Take Shelf

2010-03-30T21:12:00.002-04:00

When you work in publishing, there is something called The Take Shelf. People deposit all kinds of books on said shelf and you can take them. Most of the time they are extra copies of books you worked on, but sometimes other things show up.

My friend Christine told me she once put The OC season 1 on The Take Shelf and it was gone in about 20 seconds.

I was fighting a bad cold last week. After taking a day off, I decided to drag my sniffling nose and scratchy throat into the office again. As I feverishly walked down the hall to my desk, I glanced at The Take Shelf.

I was pretty sure I was hallucinating when I spotted a copy of photographer David LaChapelle's Hotel Chapelle. Or maybe the person who put in on The Take Shelf had been hallucinating. Either way, I now have a new book by one of my favorite photographers. And something to pass the time while I focus on getting better.

I still remember seeing this image on the cover of Rolling Stone, and subsequently taped on my wall.

Leo in his Romeo & Juliet days.

(All photos from Hotel Chapelle, 1999)

Learning to sew

2010-03-28T18:14:00.007-04:00

I've always loved the idea of knowing how to sew. As a kid, I remember being very impressed that my mom had made that "cool" dress I pointed out in an old photo album.

I also remember watching in wonder as my Grandma constructed a tiny black velvet cape, with cranberry-colored lining, for my Samantha doll.

Even further back in my family history, sewing is prevalent. My great-grandfather, Urbano (or "Papanon" as my mom called him), was trained as a tailor in Italy. When he immigrated to the United States, he got a job working at Stackpoles men's store in Hartford, Connecticut. My mom still has a tuxedo he made for my grandfather.

Although I inherited a love of working with my hands from all sides of my family— I've done everything from ceramics to beading— I never really got around to sewing. So, a few months ago, my friend and I signed up for a garment construction class at New York's Fashion Institute.

Now, once a week, I leave work at 6pm and take the train over to FIT for 3 hours of threading needles, cutting fabric, and coaxing a sewing machine into submission. I have to say, sewing is a lot harder than you might think. When I first told my Grandmother about the class, she said, "I hope you have a lot of patience!" She wasn't kidding.

The class's first assignment was a skirt. To prepare, we learned how to sew all kinds of seams. Easy.

Next, we cut our skirt patterns out of oak tag. Armed with an Exacto knife and a ruler, my pattern was beyond precise. Then we cut our fabric. So far, so good . . .

Or so I thought. Despite the fact that I measured everything diligently, when I went to attach my waistband, the circumference of my skirt did not match the length of the waistband. Hmm . . .

See how there are two lines of stitching on the dart? That's because I had to get the skirt circumference to equal 27 inches. I borrowed a 1/2 inch from the darts to make everything match up.

Don't even get me started about the zipper.

Looks like notes for a Physics class, right?

All that note-taking didn't stop my waistband from being wider at one end . . . sigh . . .

Despite all the little mistakes along the way, I'm really enjoying the learning process. It's a lot about attention to detail, and definitely patience— two things it never hurts to have more of. In fact, I've already bought fabric for the next skirt I'm going to make.

I've also gained a deep appreciation for the clothing I already own.

You start to understand what goes into making a beautiful garment— from the pattern-making to the finishing. This Zac Posen skirt is a pencil skirt not unlike the one I made for class; but look at the detailing on the front, the notched waistband, the precision . . . I might never get to the point where I can make something of this quality. But I'll still know exactly why a piece like this makes people stop me in the hall at work and proclaim, "What a great skirt!"

What I wore to Sunday brunch.

2010-03-21T17:51:00.008-04:00

During the work week, getting dressed in the morning is fairly simple. I look through my closet of black and white, pick a few things, and I have an outfit— White blouse, black sweater, tweed skirt. Black and white dress, cardigan, tights. Easy. If I'm feeling particularly lazy, I wear a dress.

Dresses are great because they're a self-contained outfit. All you have to do is add shoes. And because you're "dressed up" people think you put in all this extra effort, when the truth is, you didn't even attempt matching a top to slacks because you were half-asleep.

When it come to the weekend though, I always have trouble getting dressed. Why is it so difficult to dress casually? There has to be a middle ground between looking like you just rolled out of bed and looking like you're headed to a meeting.

Shoes are the first problem. 90% of my shoes have at least a 3 inch heel, so aren't exactly conducive to weekend activities like laundry and grocery shopping. But if I put on sneakers, I just feel dumpy. And short.

A few years ago, I bought a pair of cowboy boots while visiting my friend in California, and they have become a staple of my weekend wardrobe. They are one of the most comfortable pair of shoes I own, but don't look ugly like most comfortable shoes tend to (ahem, Uggs and Crocs). They also have a slight heel, so I don't feel like a total shrimp.

I also wear brown a lot on the weekend. It just seems like a casual color to me. Instead of my black patent leather bag, I like to carry something brown or tan with enough space to hold a magazine or two, in case I find a sunny spot to read. I picked up this chestnut leather tote on sale about a month ago, and it's a real workhorse. It actually expands at the top to be even bigger!

The jacket is one of my most favorite pieces. It's made by an Italian company called Kiton, known for their men's suits. (I got it at Filene's basement for a fraction of its original price). Even though it's fitted, it never feels uncomfortable— a perfect weekend piece because it looks nice and feels nice, too. The cashmere tweed is so soft you would think you're snuggled in bed— which is exactly where I would spend my entire weekend, if it weren't for the lure of brunch . . .

(Weekend-wear photos © Littlehouse of Style: Kiton jacket, Polo jeans, American Apparel t-shirt, Gap belt, Justin boots, Alexander McQueen bag)

Too beautiful for words.

2010-03-16T22:59:00.006-04:00

A fresh face in Paris

2010-03-13T23:30:00.006-05:00

On Friday, one of my friends emailed me a link to a show from Paris Fashion week. I'm not one to religiously watch all the new collections online. I usually watch my favorites and skim the rest. But I have to say, I watched this show several times through. And I'd never heard of the designer before.

The details were incredible. Leather dresses that gave the impression of smocking, translucent fabric, hard graphic stripes— I couldn't get enough. It was a fully realized collection. The same elements were woven expertly throughout the show; gathered leather with metallic studs appeared first on a dress, next on a skirt, then a jacket. It seemed like the work of an old pro.

But it wasn't. Well, I guess you could say it was the work of a young pro. Pedro Lourenço is 19 years old, although Elle.com points out "he's been a professional designer in Brazil since age 12."

I think most people starting out in the fashion world would be discouraged by hearing this. Although fashion is not as ageist as some professions— say gymnastics— it's always an advantage to have started your career in the womb.

However, I've accepted that my 12th year AND my 19th year are the distant past, and have vowed never to utter the words "but I'm too old to learn ______." I prefer the glass-is-half-full mindset. Which is why, having barely sewn a stitch in my life, I recently enrolled in a garment construction class at FIT. When I read about Lourenço, I couldn't help but think of my professor, who told us on the first day (in a thick Italian accent) that he had learned to sew at age 11. I guess if 11-year-old boys can learn to sew, so can I . . .

You can find a video of the show here.

(Pedro Lourenço runway photos from Style.com)

Red dress, roof access

2010-03-07T17:59:00.006-05:00

On Saturday, I found out that I once again have roof access. For those of you who have never lived in New York, this means that instead of being locked off the huge amount of outdoor space on top of your building, you can access said space and sit outside. This would be equivalent to having 20 acres in the suburbs.

It also means you have a great big space where you can set up your tripod and take photos.

I got this cute French Connection dress on sale at Lord & Taylor a few weeks ago. My closet is a study in black and white, so this lipstick red dress was a little bit different for me. (Admittedly, I also tried on the dress in a quieter blue, but they didn't have my size).

I love tailored pieces, but it's not always easy to find ones that fit. This dress is a stretch cotton, so it hugs the body really nicely (and is comfortable, too).

I wonder if they have it in black . . .

(Rooftop photos@ Littlehouse of Style)

The Shoe Diet continues . . .

2010-03-03T21:55:00.005-05:00

I have officially gone 2 months now without buying a pair of shoes. Not even flip flops.

I am pretty frugal most of the time— I cook instead of eating out, I take the subway instead of cabs, pay my bills on time, and I don't even have a TV— but when it comes to shoes, I can admittedly go a little crazy.

Hence, The Shoe Diet. It's a way to save money, yes, but it also is making me pay a little more attention to what I'm buying. Now, I have to ask myself, Is it worth breaking the fast for these? What about these? They're on sale, but do I HAVE to have them? Are they special enough?

One of the ways I have stuck to The Diet is by comparing a potential pair of new shoes to favorites in my closet. Do I love these as much as my Proenza Schoulers? No? Then I let them go. I'm not sure when The Diet will end, but I know that these are questions I will continue to ask myself every time I buy something.

The last pair of shoes I bought before my New Year's Resolution were these midnight blue Prada pumps. I had been dying for them to go on sale, and even when they finally dipped into my price range, I tried to resist. Then the salesman at Barney's told me they were an additional 33% off . . .

So, until I find another pair of shoes I've coveted for months at 75% off, I'm sticking to my guns.

Magical Rodarte

2010-02-25T23:45:00.000-05:00

This past Saturday afternoon, I went uptown to the Cooper-Hewitt Museum to hear Laura Mulleavy speak. Laura, along with her sister, Kate, are the founders and head designers of Rodarte, and currently have a exhibit at the museum. The talk lasted over an hour. There was no PowerPoint presentation of Rodarte's clothing or videos of their runway shows. And from where I was sitting, I could only see a sliver of Laura’s face, because the stage was so low. Still, it was an absolutely fascinating talk.

Laura Mulleavy has a voice filled with wonder. She speaks deliberately, as if she is reading you a very important fairy tale. She uses the word "magical" a lot. Before Saturday, I had never heard a designer speak about their work. I knew Rodarte's complex knitwear and gorgeous weaving of textures, but nothing about Kate and Laura Mulleavy. I walked into that auditorium expecting stories of an apprenticeship at an atelier or long hours at FIT.

What I didn't expect was to hear a fashion designer list their biggest influences as Natural Wonders and ocean creatures. When asked about her inspirations, Laura said, "Kate and I have always been obsessed with the redwoods" and later spoke of how she loved the Monterey aquarium "because you'd see all these beautiful colors and delicate, delicate little animals, and they'd be like hot pink and white and they look like, I don't know, material that you couldn't describe to someone, I still can't . . ." I also was surprised to find out that they didn't always want to be fashion designers. Laura started college wanting to be a doctor and Kate studied Art History.

The way Laura talks about her childhood (“My dad was obsessed with lakes”), and even her life now, makes you want to coax her out for a cup of tea and a chat, and hope that she’ll invite you to one of her parties. (“We have a gingerbread competition every year”). She seems, like the best artists out there, to be interested in everything from sea creatures to literature.

After the talk, I wandered upstairs in the Cooper-Hewitt to see Rodarte’s work on display. It was breathtaking up-close. And suddenly, I could see how their collections were inspired by the National Parks and the vast wildness of the American West, or by a piece of insulation that had fallen off a truck on the freeway. Their work has an organic and uniquely personal quality, and you find yourself looking at it and thinking, "How did they get that vibrant color?" (they were inspired by flowers) and, "What is that made of?" (cheese cloth!) The work Laura and her sister do seems to come from a place that most designers doesn't. It's almost outsider art.

And I have to admit, after hearing the talk, I walked away with the impression that Rodarte’s initial 10-piece collection just appeared one day after the sisters graduated from college, and THEN appeared on the cover of Women’s Wear Daily shortly thereafter. There was lots of talk of inspiration, but very little of actual process or how it all really started. Of course, I'm sure it took millions of hours of work and education, but I prefer to think of it as a fairy tale, where two sisters from California suddenly realize they have the magical power to spin straw into gold.

(Many people have recently learned of Rodarte because Laura and Kate just did a line for Target. But if you aren't familiar with their runway collections, and live in New York, I highly recommend a trip to the Cooper-Hewitt to see their work on display through March 14th).

Andy Warhol, Starving Artist

2010-02-15T20:17:00.009-05:00

Before multi-colored Marilyns, Studio 54, and tomato soup, Andy Warhol eked out a living drawing shoes in small New York City apartments.

In 1949, Warhol moved to New York, and started working as a commercial artist. He drew shoes, gloves, and other apparel for magazine ads in Harper's Bazaar, Vogue, and Glamour. He lived with multiple roommates and in basement apartments. He was out all day looking for work and up all night drawing. He got paid per shoe he drew and would count them up to see what his paycheck would be. I think any artist who has lived in New York can relate . . .

He said, "The things I remember most about those days, aside from the long hours I spent working, are the cockroaches. Every apartment I ever stayed in was loaded with them. I'll never forget the humiliation of bringing my portfolio up to Carmel Snow's office at Harper's Bazaar and unzipping it only to have a roach crawl out and down the leg of the table. She felt so sorry for me that she gave me a job."

I like to take out my little Andy Warhol Fashion book on nights when I'm up late working on freelance. It's comforting to know that so many creatives have come to New York to work, live, and suffer, in hopes of getting their work seen, and that it's possible to go from roaches and shoe drawings to the MoMA.

And I really love how Andy drew shoes . . .

(All images from Andy Warhol Fashion, Chronicle Books, 2004)