Details make all the difference

I have recently updated my shop with lots of new little treasures! From paper airplane pins to cat sequin sweaters to bows, you will find something to add a little whimsy to your outfit!

After 10 years of courtship, we got married this June!

These photos were taken in Florence by the uber-talented Lelia Scarfiotti.

...Looking forward to many years of laughter, love, challenges, throwing parties and planning adventures together.

No shoes, no shirt, no problem!

These shoes are by Alexander McQueen, and I'm drooling over them!

The second photo is from an Italian magazine from the 1970's. Trompe l'oeil at it's finest. The story attached to the photo explains that designer Ruben Torres started this idea in a moment of panic at the inauguration of the pret-a-porter salon in Paris. None of his clothes had arrived at the stand, so he quickly thought up to design the collection on the model's skin. He declared, "no more problems with fabric and sizes!" He decided to offer this genius to his clients. It would have cost you 1000 francs for a design from Ruben himself, or a reduced price for a design from an assistant.

On a related note, when faced with the strike of her seamstress two weeks before a fashion show, Elsa schiaparelli and her head designer, salesgirl, and one tailor pulled together to put out a show despite the seemingly impossible task. They worked together day and night and refused to move the date of the show. On the day of the fashion show, they sent down the runway jackets with one sleeve, or none, sketches pinned to muslins, evening gowns cut in muslin with the color fabric swatches pinned onto the gown and handwritten instructions of the finalized garments written down the sides of the samples. And you know what, it sold very well.

A little creativity can go a long way.

Cannes photoshoot

While at Cannes, Kellyn had a small impromptu photoshoot on the beautiful French Riviera.
(Kellyn with the producers of the film "Where are you Sophia?"-the director, Nagendra Karri, is to the right of Kellyn)

Kellyn Lindsay in Suite at Cannes 2009!

have been lucky that Kellyn being the sweet girl that she is, has sent me lots of photos of her in the dress. She was supposed to wear the dress last wednesday, but due to less than spectacular weather in France, she wore the dress to the showing on friday. The dress looks absolutely stunning on her!
More pictures to come later this week!

Schiaparelli

Those people who know me, know that I have an affinity, slightly leaning towards obsession, for Elsa Schiaparelli. Elsa was an italian fashion designer who opened a fashion house is Paris and spent time in New York and California, among other various places. She was inspired by surrealist artists, who were also her friends.
If you are not familiar with her work, look it up. You will not be disappointed that you did. trust me.
At the age of fourteen, Schiaparelli was already a published writer. So it is not surprising that she also wrote an autobiography about her truly intriguing life, as an adult.

So my birthday is coming up soon, which means that my grandmother and mom have been on the hunt for treasures for me. Lucky me because they have very good taste.
Well this present left me speechless...

Inside the always beautifully wrapped package, I first found a petite bottle of "Shocking" a perfume by Schiaparelli. I was like, awww, how sweet!

Next came a first edition (pictured above) of the autobiography of Schiaparelli I mentioned before, Shocking Life. I was so excited.
Further examining the book, I found the inscription, "Property of Reginald MacFarland xmas 1954". Oh, how personal!

Then I revealed the last gift in the box. It was a letter that was found in the book addressed to Mr. MacFarland----from Elsa herself.

BEST present ever.

Well, you might not be as excited as I am, but holding something from Elsa herself just about left me speechless. The letter says this: (there are some parts I have trouble reading, but here is my best try)

April 23, 1960

Dear Mr. MacFarland,

Thank you so much for your nice letter. I am glad you liked the fragrance (?). It was great fun to talk to American (?).

Sincerely yours,

Elsa Schiaparelli

Oh, and as fate may have it, the letter was sent from France on my birthday, April 25. Don't you just love coincidences?
I have such a respect and love for Schiaparelli, that this gift was truly special for me.

Practically perfect in every way