Diana Vreeland, The World’s First Blogger

Diane Von Furstenberg once referred to Diana Vreeland as the very first blogger + no book best illustrates this idea than ‘Memos: The Vogue Years  | Diana Vreeland‘ (Rizzoli New York), compiled + published by her grandson Alexander Greeland.

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(cover photo by David Bailey)

If you think about it, Diana’s memos could be compared to today’s blog posts, yet, no one can compare to her genius, quick wit, experience, colorful imagery + simple fabulousness, + don’t get me started on her enviable list of friends! The memos were solicited by Diana’s grandson from people who had worked closely with her including Grace Mirabella + Pilar Crespi, daughter of Consuelo Crespi.  Of the 2,000 collected, he managed to share 300 memos in the book.  Even Bergdorf Goodman has weighed in on her grandiosity by dedicating several windows to the book as seen below.

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Much to the surprise of Alexander, a lot of people had discarded many of Vreeland’s’ memos, to which he doesn’t understand why.  Alexander told WWD, ‘“They show how to work with creative people, how to manage creative people.’  Then again, not too many creatives like to be told their way is not the right way of doing something.  But who wouldn’t have wanted to be told what to do by D.V., who Alexander wants to point out, made people do things through encouragement + not by being a bitch?

Surprisingly, all of D.V.’s memos were dictated from her Park Avenue apartment, every morning, as she did not know how to type.  Those sent to staff members were never seen, but, for letters, she would make whatever corrections by hand, in her unique handwriting seen below.

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Each chapter of memos will have an introduction of commentary by VOGUE editors she worked with, providing a true insider’s look into Diana’s management style.  Rather than having meetings, brainstorming, or consensus, D.V. preferred to address her staff, photographers, designers + writers directly, through one-on-one conversations + daily correspondence, which had the great stylings of a typical manager in today’s age of ‘dot.coms’, with the corporate structure being defiled + transformed, on a daily basis.

If like me, you love all things Vreeland, pick up a copy – I’m sure the lessons learned within each + every syllable, will me incomparable + immeasurable. 

(via WWD)

Dot to Dot on Nowness.com

Filmmaker Lisa Rovner connects the dots in her short ‘Constellations’.

Loved by some but hated by others, Rovner’s film explores what it means to be a chick with freckles from the point of view of five young women who have them + boy, what a cast – Anna Tatton, a model + aspiring writer; television presenter + fashion stylist Angela Scanlon; costume designer Amy Pollitt; Adwoa Aboah, who just finished her degree in art; + model + Chanel ambassador Poppy Delevingne.

Considered a love letter to freckles + an homage to the late American cult director Les Blank’s whimsical 1987 short ‘Gap-Toothed Women’, over a hundred women in London were interviewed, exploring social attitudes + self-esteem issues.  In an age where women are constantly altering their appearance to look more beautiful according to society’s standards, prompted Rovner’s investigation.  Rovner told NOWNESS, ‘In the age of airbrushed everything, the prototype of a beautiful woman seems almost unattainable by natural means.  Are the so-called ‘flaws’ that are driving women to do almost anything to change their looks really flaws? I wanted to make a film to investigate that question.’

When asked by NOWNESS what she thought about freckles, Rovner simply replied with the old saying, ‘A face without freckles is like a sky without stars.’

(via NOWNESS)

Sick Masks That Can Turn Your Best Looks Into Killer Halloween Costumes

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If you can’t think of a good costume for this year’s Halloween, why not wear one of these luxe masks by Cecilio Castrillo For Jean Pierre Bua to give your evening look that edge?  Made of red or black leather, with a buckle fastening strap at the rear, the masks are available in several styles, including three variations of the horn mask above.

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Now, don’t think you need to go all-out, with an expensive look, but rather something cool or sexy that would compliment the mask + vice versa.  A for instance would be either of the looks below which would look great with either color of the masks.

There’s the ‘Floral Satin Jumpsuit‘ By Boutique, which speaks to this season’s dark floral trend | for a flirty look, try the ‘Palma Patent Dress’ | another jumpsuit that would also be great is the ‘Printed Satin Jumpsuit‘ by Unique. (All of these looks are available on shopbop.com)

Other looks you could also play with are the ‘Leather Flower Laser Cut Dress’, pixiemarket.com | the stunning ‘Zip Front Jumpsuit’ by Cedric Charlier, with it’s slouchy, wide-leg profile + rose-tone zip, shopbop.com | for something a lot sexier, there’s Yigal Azrouel’s ‘Bi-Stretch Tech Dress’, shopbop.comimage

Masks are available for purchase at farfetch.com.

Have fun!

¡Azúcar! Today’s Google Doodle Celebrates Celia Cruz

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Today marks the 88th birthday of Celia Cruz, the late ‘Queen of Salsa’ + what better way to celebrate than with a dazzling Google Doodle, featuring the singer in one of her signature looks of sheer + sparkle accessorized by a complimentary tall wig?  Even Omer Pardillo-Cid, sole executor of the Celia Cruz Estate, was impressed.  In a press release Omer commented,”There have been many posthumous tributes to Celia in these last ten years, but this one by Google is certainly one of the most important and far-reaching.  She would have loved it!”

Born as Úrsula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso to a working-class family in Havana in 1925, her calling for singing came early.  Luckily for us, in 1950, she joined La Sonora Matancera, one of Cuba’s most prominent dance orchestras, which set the course for Celia’s legendary status.  After leaving the country with the group, she chose not to return to Cuba, causing her exile.  Although exiled, that didn’t stop Celia from showering the world with ‘¡Azúcar!’, her signature battle cry, which means sugar in English – + trust me, once you hear Celia say ‘Azúcar’, you’ll never hear it again the same way.

Here’s Celia performing one of her hits + one of my favorite songs, ‘Quimbara’ with Tito Puente (live), another genius.

In  remembering Celia, I’ll never forget how she helped me get through my childhood chores, especially mopping.  First, I would blast one of many favorite Celia songs, then proceed to put on my heels, to mop the floors (yeah, it was that ‘real’).  I would practice my Salsa steps (best in heels) with the mop handle + simultaneously, practice my walking in heels, with Celia setting the pace. 

Happy Birthday Celia!

(via Huffington Post)

Hats That Really Know How To Play With Pattern

My hat picks continue but this time, it’s all about pattern play.

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Love the quirky simplicity of this KENZO patterned beanie hat, farfetch.com | this silver fox print chapka by MM6 MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA is totes genius, ssense.com | KTZ’s tarot card print canvas baseball cap is the perfect chill accessory, luisaviaroma.com | an orange chevron bobble beanie hat like this would undoubtedly look great paired with an obnoxious fur coat or jacket, riverisland.com | another KENZO favorite, is this ‘Tiger Print Skully Cap’ with a folded cuff, barneys.com | who doesn’t love a good snake print, especially when it’s in red shimmering glitter, like this cool ‘Glitter Snake Beanie’ by Themonik, cityblis.com.

Love These Tanaka Paper Toys For Karl Lagerfeld

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Last night, at Karl Lagerfeld‘s flagship boutique on Paris’ Left Bank, the designer unveiled 20 paper toys by Japanese paper artist, Shin Tanaka.  Hybrids between origami + street art, Tanaka’s paper creations included an identical replica of Karl, down to those signature oversized shades on him + on Choupette, his white kitty. 

Check out T-Boy below, the classic humped figure, with eyes peeping out from the neck hole, with the exception of a camouflage patterned shirt, comprised of different Lagerfeld silhouettes, bearing the Karl saying, “Personality begins where comparison ends,” tagged on the back.  But how apropos is this selected Karl motto, as it applies to both artists so perfectly?

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(photos: Courtesy)

The ‘Paper Toy Mania’ exhibition, comprised of Tanaka’s paper creations, is part of the annual Parcours Saint-Germain, the contemporary art event. The exhibition will run into late October then ‘off’ to Berlin.

(via WWD) 

Colorful Hats Your Head Will Be Begging You To Wear This Fall

With fall + winter quickly approaching, your head will be begging you to wear a hat to keep it warm.  Sure, earmuffs can do that without messing up your hair but with this many cool hats to choose from, you might just resort to them for walking the dog or getting that late night box of cigs when you’ve run out.

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(counterclockwise) Have your pick of luxury, in bright unisex rabbit fur knit hats, in green, yellow + purple, by BRYAN BOY FOR ADRIENNE LANDAU, luisaviaroma.com | ’Stealth Hat’, an old standby that never gets old in red felt by UNITED NUDE | perfectly accessorize your thoughts under the  ’Wilcox’ splash-print felt hat in navy + black by ANTHONY PETO, when paired with your trench coat + thigh high boots, matchesfashion.com | compliment your olive parka or add a twist to your pastel coat with this ‘Rust Mohair Folded Coan Hat’ by ALEXANDER LEWIS, avenue32.com | what better way to hide dirty or unbrushed hair than with this ‘Dominique Wool Turban Hat’ in deep red by EUGENIA KIM, shopbop.com | a grey + fluoro yellow ‘Wool Mix Cable Short Knit Beanie’ can’t be beat for either weekend brunch or that first date where you’re looking as ‘not trying too hard’ to impress, asos.com | get to crushing with this plum ‘Tracy Velour Hat’ in milled rabbit velour by ERIC JAVITS, neimanmarcus.com.