HEW Hotels – Page 5 – High End Weekly™

At Home With Fashion

In honor of Fashion Night Out, and Fashion Week in New York City, I thought I’d do a quick post on the folks behind some of the most amazing fashion we’ve come to love so well. When we think about who’s dressing the First Lady, Michelle Obama, Tracy Reese and Jason Wu’s names immediately come to mind. These fashion designers do their jobs with so much panache that their fames have extended through the far corners of the globe.

Pictured: Jason Wu in his New York Apartment

Diane von Furstenberg’s home in the High Line district of Manhattan is irresistibly chic, and it reflects her love for travel. Then there’s Marc Jacobs’ President, Robert Duffy’s townhouse in Greenwich Village which looms large in its design – just like the man himself.

Tracy Reese in her upstate New York Home

Diane von Furstenberg

Marc Jacobs’ President Robert Duffy’s Greenwich Village’s Living Room

NOTE: Please notify us directly, if you believe that certain images on this post are alleged to infringe upon the copyrights of others, according to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Thank you.

Tumbling into Fall

Last year, a Tumblr Page was created for HEW and now, since our official site has grown so much, I’ve reached the conclusion that our Tumblr page has a good chance to reach its potential. This social network website is a great blogging platform for microblogging, and that is exactly what I intend to do there. Look for daily postings, mainly about Fashion, Fine Jewelry, Classic Cars, Art & Design Books, and anything else that strike my fancy. This move will allow me to concentrate more on my design business, and also focus on two of the things that make my clients’ lives easier, and lighter – Great Art & Design. Okay, so the Fashion presence will stay, since I can’t live without it. With that much said, are you ready to take a peek at our rejuvenated page?

High End Weekly now on Tumblr

My current obsession with fashion lies with central London designer, Marios Schwab.

HEW will be covering his upcoming fashion show in The Old Smoke

Baxter has long been a symbol of style and design in contemporary Italian luxury furniture throughout the world. Google them and you too will be impressed

While you’re at it, why don’t you stop by these three sites for a little more diversions? www.highendnewyorkcity.com, www.highendparis.com, and www.artdeconewyork.com

The Weekender: The Return Of The King

CHRISTIAN LACROIX’ NEW ADDRESS

“It’s LACROIX, darling, LACROIX.” Remember Jennifer Saunders’ character Edina, and her constant refrain in Absolutely Fabulous? She was known for her wild streak as well as her desperate attempts to stay young and hip by donning the most hilarious, ostentatious clothing. And guess what?

We all loved her for that even more since his fashion was fit for her personality. I’ve long admired Christian Lacroix‘ spirit, if not necessarily his fashion, so this week, I was thrilled to receive in my mailbox an email from Robb Report about the flamboyant fashion designer and the re-opening of his left bank Parisian boutique. The interior design was hip, without being over the top, and for me that was a huge plus. In addition, I liked the gold wallpaper that was used throughout this quaint little space which once was an old printing shop. According to their creative director Sacha Walckhoff, gold is definitely in for the home this fall.

When Amanda Millin asked about incorporating gold in the home, and still making it look modern , Sacha responded “For furniture, avoid gold and grand style, and go for the ’50s and ’60s designer pieces like the ones of Jean Prouvé or Charlotte Perriand in order to add a modern touch. Then go back to gold for the little decorative objects like “One Minute Sculpture” by Marcel Wanders. It is always nice to mix gold with a fabric that looks simple. Natural beige linen, for example, or a rough cream cotton. Try our gold Voyage wallpaper (an ancient map of the south of France) with our Feria natural beige linen fabric. The Voyage wallpaper is very light and can be used anywhere.”

Photos by Francis Amiand, via Robb Report

Eduard Erlikh’s Fashionistas

“Yellow is for sun

ornaments of gold,

color of papers

that are preserved and old.”

Who is Raf Simons?

The New Kid In Town

At the start of this month, a 44 year old Belgian fashion designer made a smashing debut at Paris’ Fashion Week Haute Couture for the Fall/Winter 2013. His name? Raf Simons. Sure, John Galliano was sorely missed by his followers because of his fierce creativity, but certainly not for his drunken, anti-Semitic tirade.

Above: Grand Entrance: Princess Charlene of Monaco, Bernard Arnault, Delphine Arnault and Isabelle Huppert looked on as the first model made a striking entrance wearing a Dior classic dress with a dyed pattern that reminded me of darkness, and poetry.

2012 seemed a light-year away from 1997, and the ghost of Galliano was nowhere in site during the fashion show which took place at a grand residence in a series of intimate rooms filled with white orchids in one room, deep purple delphiniums in another, along with a mixture of roses. So once the lights came on, the audience was captured by Raf Simons’ vision for Dior, and ultimately witnessed a rebirth of the fashion house’s lustrous history. Instead of his usual runway shows which often find the models parading up and down train stations, and parking lots, the fashion designer showed some finesse by taking the reigns with passion and a little bit of old school drama.

DIOR’S NOD

TO THE 1940s

Raf Simons

Woking that old Dior magic: The detailed, and decorated embroidered top is so charming and romantic. The lean cigarette pants wasn’t bad either!

Raf Simons does have his own menswear collection, but before taking this job as the director of Dior, he’s worked for Jil Sanders as their creative designer in 2005. He was given high praise for his variety of highly coveted pantsuits which were a staple for TV personality Ellen DeGeneres. The New York Times Fashion Writer Cathy Horyn had this to say about his Fall 2007 collection, “On Tuesday a little-known Belgian designer named Raf Simons had the full attention of the fashion world. Mr. Simons’s collection for Jil Sander, his third since becoming creative director 18 months ago, was perfect. It will make everything else, I bet, seem a little contrived, a little clunky, a little silly.” She also considered his talents to be up to par with the likes Azzedine Alaia and Karl Lagerfeld!

Gold Rush: Out of control exquisite pencil skirt and gold weaved top.

So Haute!

Throughout the entire collection, Raf Simons managed to honor the original Dior designs by combining the delicate and complexed textures for a glamorous and smooth look.

Cape town: The audience was clearly mesmerized (not just by the beautiful flowers) and payed rapt attention to the perfection and great details of the garbs. I wondered what Anna Wintour,

and her daughter Bee Shaffer thought of them all…

Magnificent finale!

Raf Simons made the collection all his own – thread by thread.

La Vie En Rose

This was the entrance to the runway show earlier this month in Paris.

A little over one million flowers were used. How extravagant. How delightful. How brilliant!

Images courtesy of Benoit Tessier for Reuters via The Guardian

From Cover Girl to Raising Babies

Out and About

HBO’s new documentary about face will debut on July 30th, but last week, I attended the premier at the Paily Center for Media near Rockefeller Center. This vivacious and enticing documentary gathered former glamazons of the 70s and 80s to reveal several behind-the-scenes, candid moments into the dark side of their supermodel lives.

Pictured: Carol Alt, Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, Beverly Johnson, Kim Alexis

The film covers drug overdoses, rampant sexual harassment and blatant racism – all of which have become the staples of the modeling industry. About Face: Supermodels, Then and Now, follows era-defining names like Jerry Hall, Beverly Johnson, Isabella Rossellini, Paulina Porizko, and a few other household names divas as they expose the industry’s ugly truths. It is directed by renowned photographer and filmmaker Timothy Greenfield-Sanders.

Beverly Johnson, Kim Alexis

Models of Yore

Carol Alt, Beverly Johnson, Kim Alexis

Images via Zimbio

Rosie Pope hosted a launch party at Destination Maternity’s New York Flagship

Late last month, hundreds of current and expecting moms eagerly gathered inside Destination Maternity’s New York Flagship to meet Rosie Pope, star of Bravo’s Pregnant in Heels, designer and expert on all things maternity. Rosie brought business partner and husband Daron to the personal appearance held to celebrate Rosie Pope for A Pea in the Pod™, an exclusive capsule collection available at A Pea in the Pod® and Destination Maternity stores nationwide.

Rosie Pope with husband Daron Pope (left) and Chris Daniel, President of Destination Maternity Corporation (right) Rosie Pope, Star of Bravo Pregnant in Heels

Rosie Pope

Images courtesy Rosie Pope

Chef Grant Achatz of Alinea restaurant charmed guests signing books at the Bernardaud Chicago boutique to salute the James Beard Foundation’s book “The Best of the Best”

Grant Achatz

Arianne Nardo (Editor in Chief) and and James Barra (Creative Director) of INTERIORS Magazine

Guests Wendy and Geoffry Dixon with authographed

Corinne Oats (Vp Sales, Bernardaud), Grant Achatz (chef), Susan Ungaro (President, James Beard Foundation). Alexandra Phillips (Bernardaud Chicago boutique director)

Images courtesy Bernardaud

Memorable Actors: Lucy Liu as Dr. Watson!

Hey Ya! In addition to being one hell of an actress, Lucy Liu is also a producer and singer. And now she is set to star as Dr. Watson on the upcoming CBS Television series of Sherlock Holmes. How forward thinking! Admittedly, my husband is more apt to watch Sherlock Holmes then I am, but I tell you this, I’ll be tuning in for her. No doubt that CBS is thinking of their ratings (as we all are), and is betting that by taking this iconic franchise to a radical new direction, will give them some much needed boost.

Lucy Liu

I’m in tremendous favor of the new twist on this high brow plot. For this time around, most of the rules, as well as the landscape have been changed. Instead of its traditional London town, Sherlock Holmes will be making the world a little bit safer – right here in our beloved New York City.

The Asian-American actress looks lovely in this haute couture gown by Chanel

Lucy Liu in London

Ready for her close up

On the set of her latest project, CBS’ Modern Day Sherlock Holmes

Classical and Magical

Red Hot
On and off the red carpet

Lucy Liu

This Week 5 Hottest Events

The show brings together five examples of Swing’s iconic coin furniture, and will serve as the debut of his most recent and ambitious work to date, Murmuration. A fully illustrated catalogue showcasing each of the works from the series, with essays by David Collens, Judd Tully and James Zemaitis, will accompany the exhibition.

Johnny Swing, Murmuration, 2012

May 3, 2012 – June 29, 2012

Opening Reception hosted by Geoffrey Bradfield

The opening reception hosted by Geoffrey Bradfield. Monday May 07, 2012. 6:30 – 8:30pm. Sebastian + Barquet – 601 West 26th Street, 3rd flr. New York NY 10001.

Born in Connecticut in 1961, Johnny Swing lives and works in rural Vermont, though set up his first studio in 1986 in an abandoned gas station on the corner of 2nd street and Avenue B on New York’s Lower East Side. Space 2B served as both workshop and showcase for his and other artists and designers work, and was the venue for his initial experiments with repurposed found objects and furniture. Central to his practice is the importance of his materials, exposing their inherent nature with a witty detachment from their intended utility. Nothing is taken at face value.

Todd Burris, Corso Sienna, 1989

The opening reception for the spellbinding photographs of Todd Burris will take place on Wednesday, May 9th, from 5:30-8:30pm at the Robin Rice Gallery. The exhibition will be at the gallery until June 17th. This is the second collaboration between the artist and Robin Rice, so expect to see a series of beautiful photography which are like a visual dance of contractions. The exhibition is from May 9th to June 17th, 2012. Robin Rice – 325 West 11th Street, New York, NY 10014.

Liz O’Brien, Editions – Vintage-inspired Furniture

Antiques dealer Liz O’Brien debuts her first collection of newly designed, vintage-inspired furniture, lighting and accessories at 1stdibs on Wednesday, May 9th. The pop-up shop opens with a reception at NYDC from 6 to 8 PM. The collection will be on view and for sale from Wednesday, May 9th until Monday, June 4, 2012 at 1stdibs at the New York Design Center, 200 Lexington Avenue, 10th Floor.

The Editions Collection offers a sophisticated, refreshing alternative at exceptional value featuring thoughtfully selected designs inspired by Liz O’Brien’s keen eye and passion for 20th Century art and design. These unique pieces are priced competitively to attract those seeking high style at an accessible price. With her ability to bridge the gap between historical design and contemporary interiors, Editions captures the essence of the great designers of the past with an updated, elegant and practical interpretation. Liz O’Brien is considered one of America’s leading experts in modern design and has forged her reputation as a premier furniture dealer catering to the most respected architects, interior designers, museum curators, and private collectors.

NYC Tribal Art Week® 2012

Traditional arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas take center stage in New York City during the 3rd Annual NYC Tribal Art Week®. Historically, New Yorkers have been among the foremost collectors of tribal art. New York politicians, artists, business leaders, professionals, fashion moguls and celebrities such as Helena Rubinstein, Nelson Rockefeller, Andy Warhol, John Friede, Armand Arman and Robert Mapplethorpe have solidified the international tribal art market rumored to now only exist in Paris. This year NYC Tribal Art Week® has reached a pinnacle and features three major tribal art auctions at Sotheby’s, Christie’s and Bonhams as well as a wealth of gallery exhibitions and events focused on tribal art. NYC Tribal Art Week will take place from Thursday, May 7 until Wednesday, May 13, 2012 in New York City.

Participating Galleries include: Cassera Arts Premiers, La Conner, Throckmorton Fine Art, Luz Miriam Toro, Corso Gallery, David Norden African Art, Antwerp Belgium, Oumar Kiende, Wormhole to the Past Gallery, Hemingway African Art. Regular Show Hours – Friday, May 11th, Saturday, May 12th, from 11am – 6:30pm. Sunday, May 13th, from 11am-4:30pm. NYC Tribal Art show VIP Preview To Benefit Miracle House is on Thursday, May 10th from 5:00 -9:00pm at The Bohemian National Hall: 321 E 73rd St New York, NY 10021. Tickets available through Eventbrite. The Official NYC Tribal Art Week and Art Week and After Sotheby’s Auction Roof Terrace Celebration is on Friday 11th May Open 4:00PM – 12:00AM at the Bohemian National Hall, Roof Terrace, 321 E 73rd St New York, NY 10021 (3 blocks from Sotheby’s). Tickets available through Eventbrite.

Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations, The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Left: Elsa Schiaparelli. Right: Miuccia Prada, photographed by Guido Harari in 1999.

Photos: Hoyningen-Huené/Vogue/Condé Nast Archive and Guido Harari/Contrasto/Redux

“Fashion is instant language,” Miuccia Prada has said. That gives curators Harold Koda andAndrew Bolton plenty of material for the conversations they’ll imagine between Prada and Elsa Schiaparelli (1890–1973) for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s 2012 Costume Institute exhibition. Opening in May, “Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada: On Fashion” will explore the affinities between the two Italian designers from different eras. “Given the role Surrealism and other art movements play in the designs of both Schiaparelli and Prada, it seems only fitting that their inventive creations be explored here at the Met,” said museum director Thomas Campbell in a statement announcing the exhibition. “Schiaparelli’s collaborations with Dalí and Cocteau as well as Prada’s current Fondazione Prada push art and fashion ever closer, in a direct, synergistic, and culturally redefining relationship.” From Media Bistro. Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations at The Metropolitan Museum is on view from Thursday, May 10 through Sunday, August 19, 2012.

Luxury Redefined: Salvatore Ferragamo’s Renovated Flagship Store

UBER LUXURY

The reopening of the brand new renovated Salvatore Ferragamo store on 5th Avenue, this week, is one of the most exciting fashion news for April. With an area of approximately 20,000 square feet, the New York store is now the Italian Maison’s largest mono-brand store in the world!

Ferragamo 5th Avenue Store in New York City

Fashionistas would be pleased to know that the exhibition area extends over two levels, and offers the complete range of Salvatore Ferragamo collections. The ground floor is dedicated to women, as they shop for handbags, shoes, accessories, silk , RTW and Creations. The fun continues on the ground floor, where they will find an exquisite jewelry collection – launched by Salvatore Ferragamo last fall – and exotic leathers, with a display designed to enhance and emphasize the preciousness of these products. To reduce the ecological impact, all the lighting of the store has been designed using LED technology.

The interior of the store elicits characteristics of luxury and elegance, hallmarks of the Ferragamo style, offering a sober and refined atmosphere that reflects the concept of
Salvatore Ferragamo stores worldwide and that has been enhanced with special touches.

Walnut wood, Alcantara, jute and stone in cream shades, white Venetian plaster, and dark oak, are the materials that characterize the walls and floors. The impressive central staircase that connects the two sales floors is made of walnut and stone with precious details in polished steel.

The spring collection is not for the color shy consumer.
It’s all about self expression, rebirth, and vitality!

The well appointment wardrobe. Another shot of the exhibition area, on the 2nd Floor

The upper floor is devoted entirely to men and to collections including apparel, shoes, accessories, silk and fragrances for men, with an area reserved for custom made formal wear.

“The store on 5th Avenue is a very important showcase for our brand, both for the American market as well as international customers, because it is located in a strategic position within one of the most important cities in the world.”

Michele Norsa, CEO of Salvatore Ferragamo

Also of note, the Italian luxury fashion house will open the first boutique in San Diego, California at the prestigious Fashion Valley, this month. An impressive boutique design is set to provide the luxurious Ferragamo shopping experience to San Diego’s Salvatore Ferragamo customer. The store will showcase the brand’s premier ready to wear collections: men and women’s shoes, handbags, luggage, belts, bijoux, silks, perfumes, eyewear, and small leather goods. This would mark the first time that the runway Ready-to-Wear collection designed by new Creative Director, Massimiliano Giornetti, will be available in San Diego. His new and exciting take on the Ferragamo history and DNA continues with the Spring Summer 2012 collections that will be highlighted in this boutique.

2012 Oscars Red Carpet: The Hits and Misses

THE HITS

As soon as Michelle Williams hit the red carpet, I thought who on earth could top a dress with such beauty? The Louis Vuitton gown she wore had everything – glamor, elegance, grace, and real star power. Her ultimate choice managed to chock me a bit, because quite frankly I wasn’t expecting much from her. But oh, how delightful it was that she exceeded all of our expectations.

Michelle Williams in Louis Vuitton

(Best dressed on the red carpet)

Gwyneth Paltrow was a close second. She looked positively regal, and beautiful. I’m thrilled about Meryl Streep winning her third best actress awards, but did she have to look like the female Oscars, while doing so? At this stage, Ms. Streep is solid gold, untouchable. She has broken all the best actress records in Hollywood, and I can’t help but wonder, who in my lifetime, will top such an extraordinary talent. Too bad her fashion sense lacks the luster and vigor that her acting does.