Fashionspiration: Summer White

As much as I love color, I do love white! Summer white is such a refreshing shade to walk down 5th Ave in. It is so clean and ready for the best rooftop picnic you can find! Here I paired simple, but well made pieces together for a more modern sleek shape reminiscent of the minimalistic 90s with some fun jewelry to top off the ensemble....I certainly can't go completely unadorned!

Ruched Tank: Vivienne Tam

White Skinny Jeans: Camaieu

Teal Jewel Heels: Marc Jacobs

Necklace and Jeweled Bracelet: Erickson Beamon

How do you wear Summer White?

Indonesia needs to preserve its cultural heritage: French PM

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta, Fri, 07/01/2011

France’s Prime Minister François Fillon says he admires Indonesia’s diverse cultures during a public lecture on Friday at the University of Indonesia in Depok.

“Indonesia’s ancestors passed down many beautiful monuments such as Borobudur and Prambanan. Structures that are part of this nation’s civilization,” he said.

Fillon suggest that the civilization’s heritage should be preserved in a way that was friendly to the environment and biodiversity.

“Indonesia’s diverse cultural heritage successfully attracts foreign tourists, and 150 French people are among them,” he added.

He said the diverse cultures of Indonesia, with its slogan “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika”, should not be allowed to go extinct, the same way as France has always safeguarded its unity with “Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité". 

Fashion 101: Yves Saint Laurent

It has been a while since my blog has mentioned anything about France now that I live in New York City. So for this lesson of Fashion 101 I wanted to feature a true legend to the fashion world, and France's own, Yves Saint Laurent.

As I just visited the Alexander McQueen Exhibition: Savage Beauty at The Met (don't worry that post is coming...and YES it was amazing), I was reminded of an equally great exhibit I had the honor of visiting last summer in Paris. That's right, I had so many posts and photos going up in the summer of 2010 that somewhere amongst the chaos of my cross-Atlantic move, I had a tiny little gold mine of snapshots that got lost in the recesses of my external drive! So here's to another great Fashion 101!

Yves Saint Laurent at the Petit Palais 

along the Seine River...my heart just melts as I think of it. 

**Please note: not all of these photos are the best, I was shooting from the hip...literally... as I was trying to discreetly capture the ambience of the exhibition for you guys without getting caught.**

At 17, Yves Saint Laurent started his career as an assistant to Christian Dior in 1953. Dior gradually accepted more and more of his sketch submissions and named him his successor to the House of Dior. In the Fall of 1957 Dior died unexpectedly of a heart attack and suddenly at 21 Yves Saint Laurent was to direct his first runway line. 

Here are the stats that any true fashionista should know about YSL:

1. Fused Art and Culture with Fashion

In his premier line for the Christian Dior label, he set the world on fire by creating Dior's signature "New Look" with trapeze dresses. 

 {merci Girl's Guide to Paris}

His life was all about art and culture and it was constantly cognisant in his collections. Including his famous YSL color block dress inspired by the well known Mondrian painting, and was just one of many art reinterpretations over the course of his fashion career. His influence was often found outside of Europe as well, and he is credited as the first designer to send ethnic models down his runway, including longtime muse, supermodel Iman.

{merci fashion freax}

2. Founded Ready to Wear

As many designers in the mid sixties meddled with a few pret-a-porter pieces, Yves Saint Laurent was the first to launch a full ready to wear collection in the Fall of 1966. In addition that Fall, he opened the first of his ready to wear stores which he called his Rive Gauche stores, in Paris. Catherine Deneuve was his first customer. 

Fashion fades, style is eternal ~Yves Saint Laurent

3. Uncovered the lost art of Couture

The sixties and seventies were a time where the golden age of decadent couture had long been forgotten, ahem... polyester suits. But as a couturier himself, Yves Saint Laurent's creations brought back haute couture into the spotlight it deserved. 

Haute couture consists of secrets whispered from generation to generation...If in ready to wear, a garment is manufactured according to standard sizes, the haute couture garmet adapts to any imperfection in order to eliminate it. ~Yves Saint Laurent

4. The women's tuxedo suit

YSL's partner and longtime companion Pierre Berge once said, "We often say Chanel has liberated the woman, which is true, but we can also say that YSL gave them the power." No truer words could be spoken. Yves Saint Laurent's designs were specific to empower the woman and pull out her beauty at the same time. In his Fall 1965 collection, YSL introduced Le Smoking, his women's tuxedo pantsuit that changed to female corporate look forever. YSL is also credited with other trends such as safari jackets, thigh high boots, and his coined beatnik look.

{merci wikipedia}

Yves Saint Laurent was a vital piece of the ever evolving landscape of fashion, and experiencing this exhibit was truly breath taking. In the Centre Pompidou on January 22, 2002 YSL showed his last collection before retiring, showcasing 30 new looks and a collection of 300 models emphasizing the highlights over his career. He died of brain cancer on June 1, 2008 in his Paris residence.

I want to thank all the women who have worn my clothes, the famous and the unknown, who have been so faithful to me and given me so much joy. ~Yves Saint Laurent

 {merci yoox.com}

 Thank you Wikipedia and the Petit Palais for your wisdom.

Lessons in Seduction: French Lingerie Sexy Expertise

You always hear of French Lingerie when you are talking about seduction...in fact you always think of the French when you are thinking of something sexy. Pourqoui? Well maybe because they have that game down pat.

The French lingerie label Aubade is famous for their advertising campaign Lecons de Seduction, AKA Lessons in Seduction...oh so now it makes sense, the whole culture takes regular lessons on the art of seduction. That explains a lot !

Enjoy the French lessons in seduction, as well as an intro into the art of fine lingerie.

Lesson #23 Play innocent 

Lesson #3 Place some obstacles in his path.

 Lesson #68 Irritate his friends

Lesson #98 Cause a spark

 Lesson #57 Distract the adversary

Lesson #25 Play Hide and Seek

 Lesson #15 Know how to tell him no.

Lesson #21 Keep a distant air

Lesson #38 Pose a metaphysical problem for him

Lesson #41 Practice Black Magic

 Lesson #42 Create dizziness and palpitations

Lesson #71 Banter with love

 Lesson #101 Ask for his hand, then the other.

Lesson #108 Wrap him around your little finger.

The Aubade Lessons in Seductions are quite the trademark, and as a marketing professional I must say, job well done. The French most definitely have cornered the market on sexy lingerie for decades if not more...hmm I wonder how that started...I believe I may have a Fashion 101 soon on the history of lingerie! How exciting?! My favorite Aubade lessons are 3, 25, and 41...

What is your favorite Lesson in Seduction?

Fashion 101: History of High Heels

High Heels have a long history of adoration. Fashion has showcased an array of creativity for these feet adornments over the centuries...but where did they come from? Rumor has it that King Louis XIV was the man (that's right) that started the trend... but that's not entirely true.

"I don't know who invented high heels, but all women owe him a lot!"

~Marilyn Monroe 

 {merci weheartit}

{Merci Jessica Lee Jernigan}

High heels actually began their story with the Chopine dating as far back as 1000 BC Egypt! They reached as high as 20" at times and required servants to help the socialites walk around! These shoes were prohibited in Venice...but that didn't stop their fans. Catherine de Medici in Paris in the 16th Century was the first to have heels designed for her (she was rather short) where the heel elevated higher than the toe.

{merci Figlia}

Always a sex symbol, the English Parliament punished women (as witches) all who used high heels to seduce a man into marriage (oh la la)! But by the early 1700's they became necessity fashion in the royal courts, and leading the trend, King Louis XIV had many ornate high heels embellished with miniature battle scenes (very manly).

Heels reached as high as 5"...just as long as no one's were higher than the king's (complex much??).

By 1791 the man with the ultimate Short Man Complex banned heels with the French Revolution...yes Napoleon did that ladies. The ban was an attempt to show "equality"...yeah. High heel history stops for a bit as politics catches up.

{merci Goddiva Blog}

High heels were back in business in the 1860s when the invention of the sewing machine lent a whole new variety of design. The French high heel fashion continued to be the trend setter. By the 1920s high heels came in a variety of widths, heights and styles. This was a turning point for shoe history because the shorter style Flapper dresses now allowed shoes to become accessories to an outfit rather than a hidden undergarment. The T-Strap heel was a very popular style. In the 1930s American footwear began making its mark, as the glittery Hollywood heels of Ginger Rogers began to influence footwear!

{Merci Pookie from Laredo}

Post war, 1953, Christian Dior collaborated with designer Roger Vivier to create a curved feminine high heel to compliment the curve of his clothing line. This was the first stiletto ladies...not quite the provocative versions of today, but controversial then nonetheless. The term stiletto, Italian for small dagger, was appropriately coined.

{Merci Past Perfect Vintage}

{Merci oocities}

The Women's Movement of the 1960s brought heels low to "Liberate the captive foot of womanhood" but as the 1970s approached the Hippie culture embraced platforms as style, as their concerns became anxiety about the world's future rather than footwear. 

{Merci Christian Louboutin}

{Merci Manolo Blahnik}

In the Women's Movement of the 1980s the high heel becomes a symbol of power. From there, high heel history is well...history. In the 1990s specific footwear designers begin to have fame such as Manolo Blahnik and Christian Louboutin. Television shows such as Sex and the City, showcasing Carrie Bradshaw's ever committed relationship to her shoes catapult high heels to cult status and continues today.

What are your favorite high heels mes cheries?

Thank you Mysexyhiheels and Simone le Blanc for the fashion history knowledge. 

Au Revoir 2010

This year has seemed to have flown by! From staying alone in Warsaw last year, unable to be close to any friends and family...to this year living my dream and snagging a party to watch the ball drop live in NYC... I must say words cannot properly express my elation over the past few months.

I think we're raised to be synical...dream big, but don't get your hopes up because all too often things are not what they seem. Normally this tactic works, as it shelters us from a whole array of disappointing outcomes, but every once and a while you will find yourself pleasantly surprised with sheer happiness. New York has been my surprise, since the days of dress up in my mother's high heels I have dreamed of being a New Yorker. I couldn't wait to prance across town hailing cabs and climbing career ladders... all in the highest of styles of course ;)

This city certainly hazes anyone who dares try to live here, but once you make it in, its absolutely fabulous. So this New Year's I have a bounty of greatness to celebrate. Dreams come true, home sweet home established, and new adventures to embark upon. My favorite thing about New Year's is the look back of the last year, and how many incredible changes can happen in just 365 days. I am sure 2011 will bring about some changes of its own and personally cannot wait set out on the next 365 adventure!

Here is my recap of 2010... what is yours darlings?

{merci weheartit for the photo love}

 Rang in the New Year in a new country!

 Traveled to 4 new countries!

Fell in love in a romantic city!

Life long goal realized!

Not bad. No pressure 2011...

French Citizen Arrested Over Looted Temple Objects in Bali

Jakarta Globe, Made Arya Kencana | September 13, 2010

Denpasar. Police in Bali have arrested a Frenchman believed to be the accomplice of an Italian national recently arrested on suspicion of looting local treasures.

Pascal Morabito, 65, was arrested on Monday for the illegal possession of stuffed rare snakes and turtles and priceless figurines from temples.

His arrest came 11 days after that of Italian Roberto Gamba, 50, in Badung district.

Badung Police detective chief Adj. Comr. Soma Adnyana said on Monday that police had been tracking Morabito since Gamba’s arrest, during which they had seized stolen sacred Hindu objects known as pratima .

“We suspected that Morabito was linked to the thefts of the pratima , which we unraveled days ago,” Adnyana said.

Police had only learned about Morabito’s involvement after a raid on a warehouse owned by Gamba last Tuesday.

Adnyana said that following marathon questioning, Gamba had indicated the involvement of the Frenchman.

“Based on those interrogations, we raided a villa on Monday at about 10:30 a.m. rented by Morabito on Jalan Pantai Berawa in North Kuta,” he said. “In this villa we found many of the figurines.”

Following Morabito’s arrest and interrogation, police learned that he also used a rented room on Jalan Teuku Umar Barat in Denpasar to store artifacts and stuffed animals.

“It was at this address that police found the 11 stuffed animals and sacred Hindu artifacts,” Adnyana said.

“He has so far been charged under existing regulations covering cultural heritage. We have not yet declared him a suspect in the thefts of the items.”

Adnyana added that Morabito had said the artifacts were acquired from several locations.

Bali Police Chief Insp. Gen. Hadiatmoko said that to date, police had named six suspects in connection with the thefts of the artifacts, including Gamba, the suspected supplier, Gusti Lanang Sidemen, and art shop owner Koman Sukaya.

“We believe that Gamba is involved in an international ring. We have seized his laptop computer,” Hadiatmoko said.

He said police had not yet established how many temple thefts Gamba had masterminded, but said that up to 2008 police had recorded thefts from at least 34 temples across the island.

On Sept. 2, police arrested Gamba after seizing 110 sacred Hindu objects at his residence on Jalan Bumbuk in Badung.

Adnyana said Gamba had lived in Bali for more than 10 years and was a known collector of various local treasures.

He said police had recovered sacks of ancient Balinese coins, antique kris (ceremonial daggers) and gold statues.

The Italian reportedly told police that he had been collecting the objects from locals and from Jakarta since 2006 and denied suggestions that he knew the items were sacred and looted from temples.

Police, however, are not amused. “He bought the pratima cheaply, for between Rp 500,000 [$56] and Rp 1 million,” Adnyana said.

“The evidence strongly suggests that he is a dealer who buys stolen objects.” Adnyana said that the recovered items could be worth at least Rp 2 billion.

Pourquoi Pas?

Why not fall in love in a foreign country mes cheries?

{weheartit}

Book your ticket and move to another land, explore the monuments,

taste the cuisine, and find yourself a handsome prince.

{weheartit}

Stroll hand in hand together and throw caution to the wind.

Fall in love and never look back.

Allow yourself to open up and live the life of your dreams.

I may have been fortunate enough to have this experience recently and I am still on Cloud 9 from my blessing from France. That's the thing about life, out of nowhere it surprises you with the last thing you were expecting. Suddenly your world is upside down and Technicolor and you cannot imagine how you lived in such black & white before. These are the moments I live for.

Have you ever had a fairytale love

you could pin on a map?

Au Revoir France

Well I have made it, and I can't believe it has been a year. Living abroad has been the craziest roller coaster of emotions and experiences I have ever packed into one time period. I have stretched my soul past boundaries of comfort and learned to be an ever present outsider.

Living only in your home country, you take for granted the ability to express yourself and feel intelligent. You don't even realize the comfort you have that no matter where in your country you travel you have an immediate sense of community; an eternal sense of camaraderie. As you throw yourself into a different nation you suddenly don't get the jokes, you don't understand the culture's mentality, and in my case can barely speak the language. But let me tell you how rewarding it feels to complete a personal goal of this magnitude. I can speak French and its incredible and it still makes me smile thinking about it. I love being able to carry on conversations with strangers and switch between English and French with no thought. This year has been without a doubt the hardest thing I have ever done, but I am stronger now that I have reached the other side.

France is a special place. I have loved it and hated it here, and pushed myself to be a more open minded, courageous person. The ability to travel at the drop of a hat is a dream come true and I have seen 6 new countries this year because of it. Trying to understand a culture that feels so alien to me has been very hard. I have expanded my palette to an array of new cuisine, some indescribably good, and some that still ties my stomach in knots. I will miss the smell of fresh bread from the millions of bakeries that rest in every town. And although I hate to admit it, I will kind of miss the laid back feeling of this nation. My internal clock is very New York, so its nice to live in a culture where being late is normal and it forces you to slow down and enjoy life.

Today I am flying home and there is a torn, bittersweet feeling lying at the pit of my stomach. I have missed my family, friends, food, and wonderful nation, but France has left an imprint on my soul. But, I know this will not be the last time I cross these borders and that makes me hopeful for the future.

Farewell France and thank you for the memories.

Missing America

Spend anytime away from home and you will begin to make a mental list of things you miss from it. Some come quickly, like a glass of sweet tea filled with ice, others aren't so obvious until later, such as simple things like notebooks that are lined for writing...not grid paper. But it is unavoidable to miss things that you used to rely on. So for you amusment and general knowledge, in no particular order, here is what I have missed from the good ol' US of A this past year.

What have you missed while living somewhere else?

Joyeux Anniversaire

It's a Happy Birthday to me today! I find as I am getting older that with each birthday I can evaluate where I am in life and measure myself up to my goals thus far. This year is a hard one to assess, am I where I thought I was going to be? No. I am happy with where I am? Yes. Am I content to stay where I am? Absolutely not. So, I am very proud for stepping out and literally turning my life upside down to come live in France for a year. I have learned a lot, more than just the language I set out to learn. I have expanded my knowledge of culture, cuisine, people. I have learned how different people are, and at the same time; exactly alike.

{weheartit}

For today I have been saving an American Funfetti Birthday Cake to eat with my friends, and I am very excited! I will probably be seranaded in a Joyeux Anniversaire/Happy Birthday Duo, and there will be more of a grand occasion with champagne and good French wine. I had a Frenchman yesterday explain it to me perfectly, "Like Americans the French only use champagne for Grand Occasions, but the French just happen to find more Grand Occasions!" I love that. I will give it to the French, they definitely have the Joie de Vivre thing down pat!

Happy Birthday to Me!!

Shopping Nirvana

I like shopping, I get to browse beautiful things, gain information about my industry, people watch, and get a little cardio in as a bonus! The marketing side of me always really enjoys when a store has been completed successfully. By this I mean, not just a box with things inside and on a rack. I love to find stores that really invite the consumer in, tell a story, and convince you to stay a while. That is a successful store.

On my few visits to Paris I had never managed to get over to the Galeries Lafayette but finally I ventured upon it a couple weeks ago. I was not disappointed. This store puts Macy's, and even Bloomie's, to shame. You walk in and it seems like a normal high end department store. You continue walking toward the center and you stumble upon an escalator? Nope....this:

Yeah, I know. You can close your mouth now. Imagine actually shopping in here, it is just gorgeous. It makes you feel like you are shopping in a castle rather than a store. With a great selection of any brand you may have your eye peeled out for, Galeries Lafayette is definitely how the French do department stores best. Too bad one of these doesn't carry over into every city in France...well that is probably a good thing for my wallet.

What do you think mes cheries?