{Dress available here}
So there seems to be one major glaring detail I'm leaving out of the High Point trip... my encounter with Margaret Russell at the Elle Decor cocktail party. Truth be told, it was a book signing and she was holding court in a tent as adoring fans lined up to buy the book in hopes for a moment of her attention. We arrived... poked our heads into the tent, saw her and went about our business. After all, it seemed a bit odd to wait in line just to meet someone. It just didn't seem like the thing to do.
So we chatted amongst ourselves on the patio and killed time before dinner. But as the evening wound down and the line subsided I decided I'd go take one more peek at the glamorous editor. After all... I'd come so far and she was mere yards away. So into the tent we went....
As luck would have it, the line had dwindled. Her assistants were quickly wrapping things up and there was just one person left in line. At the prodding of my girlfriend I stood in line as she paid for my book ("an early Christmas present"). I began simultaneously offering a hasty "no, no... I feel silly!" all the while removing my cardigan so I could reveal my arms and dress in the photo. Before I knew it I was up on stage mugging for the cameras and vamping for a good angle to showcase my "better side." LOL!
So yes... like a silly schoolgirl, here I am hamming it up with the fabulous MR herself. And yes, she's every bit as adorable and chic in person. It's a lousy photo, what with me smiling too hard and us each looking at opposite cameras. (Isn't that always the way?) You may go ahead and laugh. I'll giggle too every time I crack open my signed copy of Style and Substance. After all...it was a Christmas gift from a fabulous friend. And who could refuse an offer like that?
And Margaret... dear Margaret... thank you for your graciousness and for allowing me to impose upon your personal space after what must have been a taxing evening. While it was my distinct pleasure to be the last in line, I vaguely remember squeezing you and pulling you in tightly for the photos. It's hard to say... it was all such a comical blur. However, I'm almost certain I was a bit too enthusiastic. My apologies for not considering your ankle. And if I didn't mention it... it was a pleasure to meet you. :)
{Editorial note: afterward, I announced to our group that I've added "book signing" to my list of necessary life achievements. Bergdorf Goodman was the location we uniformly agreed offered the caché we felt necessary for the affair. So there you have it... "author at least one book" has been added to my Things to Do Before I Die list. Who knows... maybe Margaret will pass by during my signing and remember me as the girl who squeezed her way too tightly! (Obviously if she wants a copy, she won't have to wait in line :) }
Yours truly,
future best-selling author, Franki Durbin.
While many of the showrooms we saw at High Point lacked natural light, Barbara Barry's "realized for Henredon" space was bathed in it. Each little vignette was so perfectly lit that you felt you were floating through the private home of Barbara herself. Interestingly, the team on hand to guide us through the space are the same girls who work with her in her studio. They pointed out which groupings were mirror images of Barry's own home, and what finishes Barry herself would chose for her personal furnishings.
While I was disappointed to see that the Grace chair and Bracelet chair were not on display, there were still plenty of gorgeous pieces to catch my attention. (Besides... they had those sweet little scented candles with watercolor paintings of my chairs... such a tease!) The "shield" silhouette isn't new in interior furnishings, but it was the shape of choice this season. It was nice to see classic shapes front and center this year. Somewhat of a return to historical form and original design. As a perpetual student of design I loved seeing this return to our roots.
One finish that was impossible to ignore was silverleaf. It was
everywhere. When paired with her signature color palette it gave the
pieces and ethereal glow, especially given the streams of sunlight
hitting the surfaces.
The collection was incredibly pretty and feminine in a classically timeless kind of way. Put it this way, as lovely as I thought the pieces were - men looked right at home sitting in the chairs. For me that's the sign of great design - pretty enough for my taste and substantial enough to accommodate a man's frame. These pieces nailed it! Be sure to peek at the lovely inspiration board above... it was HUGE! Normally when you see these they look temporary and fragile. This was in a solid wood frame that matched the dresser. It had a permanence to it that said "these are my hopes and dreams... and they are coming to life" - I loved it and am already planning on adding one of these to my closet. I love the importance it took on when placed so predominantly above the furniture. So regal!
One of the prettiest fabric patterns seen at market was what I refer to as the "signature" print. It was so pretty! I have always had a fascination with handwriting. It's so expressive and full of surprises. And it's hard to mention handwriting without assigning personality traits to the writer. For those reasons and more I was smitten by this lovely fabric. We first saw it at the Pearson showroom. On accent pillows, on chairs, on settees. It really is quite versatile.
Later in the trip we saw a throw pillow at Hickory Chair in what appeared to be the same hand printed fabric. And then, last but not least... a gorgeous print I refer to as the calligraphy print. It reminds me of handwritten wedding invitations and bespoke stationery. Note the lovely wingback chair above in that bold and attention-grabbing fabric. SO yummy! I'd seen during my Hickory Chair trip in the spring, but never had the opportunity to post the photo. I suppose I was keeping it secret :)
But as with all trends, it reaches the masses faster than you can say copycat. Yes... upon arrival home, I saw what appeared to be a near identical pillow on the cover of my latest copy of Pottery Barn.*gasp!* I kid you not. But if you want the textiles that will last forever, check out Pearson's collection. (The fabric is brand new for market, so I don't see it on the site yet. Keep checking, though!)
These lovely Kate Spade rain boots are sold out in my size... so I'm left to pine for their glossy pink (waterproof!) surface. With a 2" heel, no less. Perfection! Ladies... if you're a size 8-10 they are still available. Go forth and spread the word! Sadly, my search continues, as the rain show no sign of stopping anytime soon. Kate... would you mind sending me a pair? Pretty please? :)
Update: I obtained a 15% off coupon code. These are arriving TODAY!
Alexa Hampton is the girl you want on your Pictionary team. She's bold, vivacious and wouldn't think twice about performing in front of a crowd. I adored her energy and her contagious laughter. Alexa is a girl who knows how to enjoy herself, and it shows. Having said that, she, Suzanne and Thomas could go head to head on their exhaustive and comprehensive knowledge of the origins of design and the history of furnishings. Each of them shared such a rich passion for design and the classical references of each piece in their collections at Hickory Chair. It was beyond impressive. (more on Alexa in an upcoming post!)
But let's talk about my favorite girl's girl of the bunch: Suzanne Kasler. Where do I begin? Suzanne is a woman blessed with radiant warmth. She's gracious, feminine and absolutely charming. Standing in the midst of her gorgeous collection in the showroom, it was clear that the sheer beauty of the pieces themselves was a direct expression of her inner glamour and her ability to translate that sophistication into three dimensional forms.
So if I'm continuing my theme of games I'd play with each designer,
Suzanne would certainly be my partner for a game of dress up - as silly as that sounds. She's so warm and inviting that you immediately feel you could spend a full day weaving through the cobblestone streets of Rome in search of the perfect dress. You'd laugh at yourselves as you tripped on the cobblestone along the Via Condotti. Inevitably, you'd find yourselves losing track of time as the afternoon passed. You've chatted so much and admired cultural surroundings so much you'd nearly forgotten to shop. The two of you would share stories as you sipped your afternoon espressos at Sant'Eustachio (the best espresso in Rome, in my opinion!). And you'd continue the fun through dinner and well after dessert at the most quaint local restaurant, barely noticing the waiters who would no doubt be trying to catch her attention. Yes, she's that approachable and that remarkably beautiful. You meet her.. you feel you've known her for ages. She has a sort of quiet charisma that pulls you in and akes you take notice.If you haven't familiarized yourself with her work, I recommend you take a peek at my post from the spring, peruse her recent collection for Hickory Chair and most certainly pick up a copy of her latest book, Inspired Interiors. I've still clinging to my signed copy (woohoo!), thinking it might be nice to read over coffee on a quiet afternoon. (Rome, anyone?)
In spring I was overcome by the sheer beauty of her icy blue color palette with gold accents. A chinoiserie inspired look. This season's palette featured an invigorating orange, perfect for fall, but timeless on it's own accord. I can hardly stop thinking about this stunningly simply orange leather chair. It strikes me as the ideal perch from which to write - espeically if paired with one of her sexy desks. Yowza!
As I look back on my experience with Suzanne, I can't help but feel that she has altered my view of the typical successful businesswoman. She embodies a certain quiet confidence and graciousness I haven't often encountered. As I observe all that she has achieved and the body of work she has produced, I realize that never for a moment was she anything less that generous with her time and sincere in her interest of the talents of others.It's that same grace that can be seen in her work. Her furnishings are lovingly designed and exude quiet elegance. They are feminine without being frilly. Warm and approachable without being casual. Elegant and wise without losing that fresh edge. Full of authority without the use of any visible force. Much like the woman herself, the pieces feel inviting, as if they're good friends you can't wait to spend more time around. If you have the opportunity, be sure to go to a Kasler book signing near you. I promise it will be an experience you won't soon forget. You'll meet a fascinating woman and acquire a fabulous book at the same time!
Thank you, Suzanne, for serving as such an inspiration!
Isn't this the most lovely party dress? Easy, fluid, unfussy. It looks like a dream outfit. I love the effortlessness of a great dress, and this Mark + James sequin number is a no-fail stunner. All you have to concern yourself with is which clutch to bring and which shoes to pair with the ensemble. (And.... lucky me... I know just the clutch I'd "need" to make this outfit complete.) That's what I call luxury: looking fabulous without much effort.
I'm not familiar with the brand (yet), but if it is as well constructed as it appears, you'll be able to get many years of use out of this beautiful dress. It seems to have the tiniest hint of an ombre effect. Just enough to lend interest, not enough to be too trendy or dated (which is a major plus in my book). And that sweet satin bow at the back of the neck is just so pretty!
To ensure it stays more feminine than edgy, you'll need these Valentino D'Orsay pumps in subtle metallic silver. Perfection! (Although, for a bit more vamping you may want to opt for these Jimmy Choos. Oooh, la la!)
So, dear readers... your shopping is complete. Now all you need is a fantastic event to attend so you can look smashing the moment you make your fashionably late appearance! :)
{editorial note... see the lovely chair above? That's from the Maitland-Smith showroom. The photo hardly does it justice. The seat and interior are done in a yummy David Hicks/Kelly Wearstler type fabric...but the outside and back are uphostered in leather. It was divine!}
Take in enough visual information and it becomes easy to identify emerging trends. During my time at High Point Market a few key styles really stood out. First up, oversize chairs. True, Wearstler has been employing the use of these for years. But this was the first time I've seen them across the board offered for residential design. It seemed every brand offered their own version of "the big chair" - and often many varieties. These sizable beauties are all from the Henredon showroom. The chair in the above photo was enormous! Some of the girls asked me to sit in it to show just how big it really is. (For reference, I'm about five feet tall.) The more we looked, the more of these cartoonishly large chairs we noticed. These oversize forms took wingback to the extreme. To me, these chairs had a certain arrogance about them. And yes, I do mean arrogance. Without any words, furnishings like these tell the world you know a thing or two about design. The forms are bold, imposing and impossible to ignore. It says you outfitted your home with purpose and without hesitation. In my book, that's a good message to send! And I will say this... it felt great to feel so dainty and small in such a large, cozy chair. Something to consider if you're looking for a statement piece for your home. I love the look of pairing two together to create a conversation area.
On a side note, scale was one of the trends that surprised me the most. Clearly, many of these were meant for grand hotel lobbies or generously sized homes. It was inspiring to say the least.
Stay tuned for more from High Point Market!
Many more tales to come.. stay tuned!
Mmmm... today's temptation is brought to you by Dior. I keep anticipating this "rocker chic" trend will pass. But much like a thick fog, it keeps lingering. The longer it hovers the more I begin to entertain the idea of incorporating it into my look. Surely there's room in my classic wardrobe for a few grommets. No? And while I've deftly avoided falling prey to the trend, this little lambskin clutch might just wear down my resistance.
What about you? What trend are you resisting?
As you know, I'm a big fan of savvy business ideas. Isabella Oliver (my saving grace when I was pregnant) realized that they were only capturing the market for nine months out of their customers' lives. Nine paltry months. So, clever Brits that they are, they expanded the collection for those of us without baby bumps.
If you've never seen these in person, don't feel bad. It's a UK brand that is not very well known here in the states. I read about it on a celeb blog and instantly knew why it was a cult favorite. The pieces are sexy, body hugging and not the least bit "mom jean" oriented. Imagine that... clothes designed to showcase the female form, not hide it. How novel. ;)
Seems Vogue and Marie Claire are finally hip the brand, which means you better get yours before the price goes up. If you want to know about quality I will tell you, the Isabella Oliver jersey puts Rachel Pally's fabrics to shame. Sorry, but it's true. These garments are made to outlast you, so choose pieces you want to wear again... and again... and again.
Shouldn't be too difficult with glam silhouettes like these. If you want to know how I really love to dress, this is it. I love my clothes fitted, fluid and glamorous. Unfussy. I'm not a "pressed shirt" kind of girl. These are "go anywhere" garments and I adore them. Plus, they look just as amazing pulled out a suitcase as they do being hung in your closet with breathing room. I love not getting "lost" in my clothing. Dressed should showcasr the body, not hide it. Isabella seems to design for my way of living. Maybe it will be your way as well.
Ahhhh.. it's Friday! I'm wrapping up what has been a very rewarding week. In fact, I feel such a sense of accomplishment that I'm going to reward myself by chillaxing all weekend. It even seems the weather is conspiring with me on this one. It's been raining for two days straight and is so unsuitable for play that I'm practically being forced to curl up with my stack of unready magazines, a cup of decaf and a nauseatingly sweet chick flick. Yes... it's shaping up to be just the reprieve I need after several months of crushingly hard schedules and deadlines.
In light of my "no effort" mood, I'm taking the easy way out today with this post. These beautiful pieces were spotted on Rebecca Taylor's site. She's a perennial favorite designer of mine. Feminine, classic and just body-conscious enough. Love these pretty looks, and I hope you enjoy them as well.
Enjoy a refreshing weekend, lovelies!
XOXO!
{editorial note: for those of you cringing at the sight of that fur coat, I have to say I think it's the prettiest of the fur jackets I've seen this season. Priced at less that $400, it clearly isn't chinchilla, mink or even fox... but rather than looking like Chewbacca, this one is actually quite pretty. I dare say even Rachel Zoe would approve.}
But my coffee snobbery just took a hit when I was sent some scoop on these beautiful custom De’Longhi Artista Series espresso makers. I may just have to rethink my entire strategy if it means I can justify grabbing one of these beauties. It's the Vespa of the espresso machine world. Stainless steel accents, easy button functionality, custom artistry. It's a trifecta of good vibes to start your day. Making it even more enticing? Proceeds go to support Oxfam. So my humble cup of home brew gets transformed into a fabulous experience... and I'm saving lives, helping people overcome poverty, and fighting for social justice. Hmmmm... that's a heady cup of joe.
Here's the skinny:
It’s one of the world’s most sought-after espresso machines and a testament to Italian design. In fact, more than one person has called the De’Longhi Perfecta a work of art. Now we are incorporating the world of art into this stunning machine with the De’Longhi Artista Series. Artists from around the globe have had their art laser-etched onto an extremely limited run of Perfectas with proceeds benefiting Oxfam America, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the fight against poverty. It’s an idea that’s worthy of raising a glass to - we suggest espresso.
If you need a bit more Italiano in your day, bid on one of these beauties on eBay. I'm partial to the John Hardy one myself. Happy bidding!
Barney's continues to seek my affection... and it's beginning to work. I'm certain you can see why their repeated attempts to woo me are finally taking effect. Doesn't this little metallic wonder whisper glamour? Yes, lovelies... I assure you it does!
Honestly, one of it's best attributes is the size. It isn't enormous like so many of the trendy bags available. It's 8.5" x 11". Yes... the size of a sheet of paper. Perfect for day to evening use. I'd pair this with distressed skinny jeans for day, patent peep-toe booties and a Nanette Lepore jacket. Time for dinner and drinks, ditch the denim and toss on a cute black dress (keeping the shoes & jacket the same). Ta da! Now you're ready for a night of fun. Get your Lanvin fix @ Barney's.
Don't you want them even more just because of the name? I mean, if the style was Broomhilda or something similar they wouldn't boast as much appeal. But Glamour.... I want them. (The link for these pretty Kate Spade shoes was sent to me by a very stylish girlfriend moments ago....gotta love those urgent emails! Sadly they are unavailable in my size now... the shoe gods are telling me to cool my heels, I suppose.)
O.P.I. - with their incredibly witty polish names - has been at the front of the name game for ages. And I suppose every brand does it to some extent. BMW offers a fabulous paint called Monaco Blue...I swear the color just SOUNDS pretty, doesn't it? You can almost imagine how pretty is it, just by hearing the name. (If BMW ever develops a car called Metallic Franki White... I'm in trouble!)
J. Crew casts a similar spell upon me. The Frances tops. LOVE THEM! And I don't think it's just the ruffles...I think I'm drawn to items bearing my name or any name similar. This past summer I tried in vain to find a single pair of their Frankie shorts that would fit me. Sadly, the Frankie style didn't fit right...but you get my drift. The name compelled me to buy them, to want them... to need them.
What about you... do you desire things more just because of the name? Does it make a difference? Do you think about it?
And yet, the option for black seems so very basic and pedestrian. There are no photos of the black bag that I've seen. But one can guess how it looks. Would the detail still seem as pretty? Would the cinched "waist" on the bag be as appealing? This handbag looks like it could be my day to day workhorse. My "toss and go" bag for essentials, files, water bottles... you name it.
I will say this: for me that additional shoulder strap is useless. I'm not a fan of this trend. And Marc himself is one of the champions of this "wear it this way or that" option. Listen...I don't want my handbags to have extra pieces and additional "dangly" things. I do appreciate that Marc allows complete removal of the offending item. Maybe I can wrap it around my wrist like a cool biker bracelet. Who knows.
But...let's get back to Marc. My issue is that Marc churns out some incredibly ugly pieces. Witness this offending item, this hideous bag and this bizarre creation. Oh... and this one. Yes, I realize as I type this that you feel I'm blaspheming fashion's prodigal son and that I do tend to prefer classic over the bizarre. All of that is true. But I'm convinced of late that since his ascension to the runway throne three seasons ago (which I feel was the apex of the frenzy of adoring fans and press) Marc is now just having fun at our expense.
Those "owl" bags and some of the more over the top turn-lock bags in his MbMJ collection? I think he's just testing the fashion lemmings to see if they will actually jump off the cliff with him. Not to say he isn't mad talented. He does have vision and is more than willing to push the envelope. And good for him. We need designers who are "out there" in order to expand our vision for what is possible. He's even turning the Vuitton collection into a bit of a freak show. But more on that later...
Trust me... I'm a rule breaker at heart. I think rules and old ways of thinking are meant to be challenged and broken. Pointless rules are silly, I'll concede that. But I like breaking rules while looking good - and that's where I feel Marc betrays us. Once you're churning out $4000 dresses that look like they've come from the cutting room floor I'm turned off and am pretty sure you're laughing all the way to the bank. At this point the designer seems to be having his way with us and taking himself too seriously - or (a more compassionate observation) he might surrounded by too many "yes" men. These designs could very well be the product of too much encouragement from his entourage. We'll never know.
I can only hope the house of MJ goes back to making pretty, pretty things we want to buy. Maybe that luscious grape option from above is a sign of good things to come.
