If You Don't Know Carine Roitfeld, then You Don't Know Fashion

WHERE TO BEGIN? ONE OF THE MOST , IF NOT THE MOST, ICONIC EDITORS, STYLISTS, FASHIONISTAS, RE-INVENTORS, AND GORGEOUS WOMEN OF ALL TIME..

Carine, 59, has done more in her life than most. Her start came by luck when she was noticed by a photographer's assistant on the streets of Paris. At 18, she was asked to model. She did not last as a model for very long before she started to freelance as a stylist and writer for Elle France. In 1990, she met the photographer Mario Testino and the two went on to collaborate for years to come.

From 2001-2011 she was Editor-In-chief of Vogue Paris. In 2001, she earned the coveted and highly revered position of Editor-In-Chief of French Vogue. This position she held with great esteem until 2011. During that

time, Mario and Carine collaborated on some of the most historic and evolutionary fashions of all time in both Vogue and French Vogue.

Carine and Mario

In the mid-1990's, Tom Ford asked Carine to help him revive the struggling Gucci brand. Initially, she refused, but later, both Carine and Mario stepped in to help. Roitfeld's influence helped create a very stylized 70's provocative line.

It was dubbed "porno chic", but Carine preferred the term "erotic chic".

Gucci circa 2000

In 2004 Ford left Gucci and Missoni then recruited Carine. Again, Carine had the Midas touch, with Missoni recreating its brand. Roitfeld's touch was what she liked to call " a bit of sex...there must be a bit of provocation."

Missoni on Vogue Photographed by Testino

In 2001, Conde Nast Chairman, Jonathan Newhouse asked her to take over as Editor-In-Chief of French Vogue, which she did. she reigned supremely during her stay until 2011. Carine was not afraid to experiment, and many of her experiments worked. During her tenure at Vogue, revenue increased almost 10 percent and circulation 27 percent.

Carine in 2010

Since leaving Vogue, Carine has not lost a beat with her flair and influence in the world of fashion. She currated a book, Irreverant, that featured images from her favorite fashion shoots where she was taking her own photos.

 Carine most recently was the "star" in the movie so aptly named ," Mademoiselle C". The film is directed by Fabian Constant and is about Carine's' next journey which is the launching of her own fashion magazine "CR Fashion Book".  Does this woman ever stop?  It also chronicles her position as Editor-In-chief at Vogue Paris.  Basically, the movie features every and any person who was famous in the fashion industry including models, designers and photographers. 

As a personal aside, I was in New York the earlier part of this month, January.  I was browsing through the Sale rack on a really COLD day. I looked next to me and this very thin and ultra chic (hard to do in really COLD weather) woman, with the coolest Down jacket and spike-heeled boots was standing next to me. I knew I knew her from somewhere, and before I had the chance to tell her how much I admire, worship, and adore her, she was gone. Too bad. 

More Favorite Picks from Spring Couture 2014 for Women Over Fifty

Zuhair Murad

Elie Saab

Elie Saab

Elie Saab

                                   

Daphne Selfe, 85, a Symbol that the Trends in Fashion Are Changing. Keep Your Fingers Crossed!!

DAPHNE SELFE, MORE POPULAR IN HER '70'S THAN IN HER 20'S . PRETTY MIRACULOUS IN THIS DAY AND AGE, DON'T YOU THINK?

in an age obsessed with youth, it seems highly unlikely that any model could still be working at 85. In her 60th year in front of the camera, she not only makes more than $1,500 per day, but she has more jobs now than when she was young!! Thanks to her striking cheek bones, slender figure and beautiful long gray hair, she is helping to shape the newest trends in fashion.

Daphne never grew up wanting to be a model and never thinking she was the right type. In 1949, her friends convinced her to enter a competition to be the cover girl for a local magazine. Of course she won, and then the rest is history, so to speak.

She started off as a model for a fashion wholesaler and then for a furrier in London. Back then, she got free weekly manicures, and hair appointments, but she was required to look good off camera as well as on, unlike today! Daphne was always bigger boned and a little heavier than other models, but no one complained. Until 1954, there was rationing in England, so no one could afford to be too picky about what they ate, either. 

In 1953, Daphne met her husband and married the next year. For the next 10 years she had 3 children and loved being a mother. She never thought she would return to modeling, especially when models like Twiggy and Jean Shrimpton became in vogue in the 60's.She knew there was no way she would fit back in, so, instead, she decided to try working in commercials and as an extra in film and television.

In her 20's Daphne became a model. Back then,
she had  a manicure and  her hair styled every week.
It was required that she look as good during her
off time as she did during her "on time".

In the 70's, styles again started to change; the models weren't quite as thin, make-up wasn't so thick, and hair was looser. By this time she was in her 40's and her hair was beginning to gray. Nonetheless, she  continued to have small roles on television and modeled in department store cafes.

By the 1980's Daphne was in her fifties. Never did Daphne have a beauty regime, she washed her face with regular soar and used Nivea as her night cream.  When she began to see wrinkles, it didn't bother her(can you imagine that today?, My, how things have changed.) because they told the story of her life."Age happens to us all, no one is immune" She felt the same about her hair and let it go gray forgoing dye.

In her 50's Daphne didn't care that her wrinkles started to show.
She said that they told the story of her life.
"Age happens to all of us, no on is immune."

The realm of "senior modelling" was happening for Daphne in the 1990's until her husband had a stroke. She cared for him for 4 years until he died. Wanting to stay busy she wasn't sure what she would do until her Agent asked her if she would like to do a fashion show of the edgy label "Red or Dead". From there, it was like the Angels were shining down on her. That stylist told her Vogue was looking for models for an article on how it felt to be old. So, in 1998, at the age of 70, Daphne was indeed in Vogue!! A talent scout for the Agency Model 1 saw her and signed her up.

The rest truly reads like a fairy tale. At the age of 70, she was jetting all over the world. She got more stamps in her passport in those first two years than in her entire life before. She did start doing yoga and circuit training to keep herself fit.  Not bad, starting those at 70! fifteen years later, she can't believe she is still working. She now commands top dollar to pose for leading fashion houses.

She is proud to say that she has never "had anything done to her face" The best thing of all, and for all of mankind, is that she says "the younger models look up to her"  At last, a role model for all of us to look to with admiration for staying true to herself!!

Favorite Picks From Spring Couture 2014

Armani

Armani

Armani

Armani

Armani

Giambattista Villa

Giambattista Villa

Ulyana Sergeenko

Giambattista Villa

Once Again, Bazaar’s choices for ’60′s and ’70′s is so inappropriate, why bother?

You don’t have to be a fashion genius to figure out “what’s wrong with this picture”. I mean, absolutely no thought o r concern went into this article. All of the fashion magazines and social etiquettes tell us that as one becomes more “distinguished”, that it is best to tone down colors. Of course, if you are of Advance Style, the brighter the better, but we are hopefully trying to encourage more women to express themselves and not let society tell us what is right or wrong. This “all pink” Lanvin suit is way over the top. Even though Lanvin’s Elber Albaz says that:” Any woman, any age, should break all the rules”, I don’t think he would agree with this choice. Black slacks, or a black blazer instead of the all pink would be much more sophisticated and lady-like. I also think you have to be really TALL to carry off this bold monochromatic look. Then, whoever the Editor is, decides to put a photo of Helen Mirren in all pink to show that she would agree. I have seen hundreds of photos of Helen Mirren and I have to tell you this is one of the most unbecoming photos I have seen. She looks short and somewhat stocky. She doesn’t even look pretty, and she is so stunning. I say, “Fire this editor”. Please, there are so many of trying to advance the image of women over fifty; this is putting us back years!! Designer sandals, yes, even ones that are comfortable, are coming out this Spring. Isn’t that wonderful? These look a bit bulky but I would have to see them on; otherwise, they might bring a matronly look with them.

Okay, now for the Fabulous at Every Age for the ’70′s. YUCK!!! This Narcisco Rodriguez outfit for someone over 70 is the PITS!
Where to begin. I guess the pants. If you are going to have a color-block jacket, you do NOT have color-blocked and striped pants to go with it. You don”t have to be Anna Wintour to figure this one out. Don’t get me wrong, the pants are really cute-alone. Again, I think you have to be on the TALL-ish side to wear them, but someone in their 70′s could definitely pull these off. The jacket is also very stylish-alone. A white shirt with this for Spring would be lovely, or even a colored skirt. The same exact thing holds true for the Kenneth Cole vest, that they put together with the Les Copains pants. Separately yes. Black and white are a great color combination together, but whoever put this together, was not thinking of a 70 “and beyond” woman. In fact, I don’t think they were thinking at all. I will say one good thing however; the Roberto Cavalli shoes are cute! But, the picture of Marina Cicogna…she is a Countess in Italy and a producer. She is also stunning. Do you think they could have chosen a more miserable picture of her?

I say, “Fire the Fashion Editor” of this column, or at least get rid of the column altogether.
Read More

Facial Treatments: The Difference Between Ultrasound and Electroportation

 NEWER DEVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO HELP BUILD COLLAGEN AND KEEP YOUR SKIN LOOKING HEALTHY AND YONGER

You have probably heard a lot about the use of Ultrasound to help serums and anti-aging products to penetrate into the skin.

One such product is the Opal by Clarisonic.  It comes with a poly-peptide serum that is known to help fight the signs of aging.  

Opal states that:

Now there's a Sonic Method for accelerating the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles far beyond the capabilities of topical treatments alone. The Opal Infuser boosts absorption of our anti-aging sea serum by driving the powerful antioxidants and hydrating marine extracts, deeper into the skin for younger-looking eyes faster. However, after attending the Annual Aesthetics Convention (I was an Aesthetic Nurse), I learned of something even more effective. A newer method now available is something called Electroportation.  Electroportation uses modulated pulses of low current to create transient aqueous pores in the skin.  This application of an electrical pulse momentarily disrupts the cell membrane, allowing the entry of product.  When the pulse ceases, the membrane returns to its original structure, leaving product that has been penetrated into the interior of the cell.  The effect of the electroportation lasts for a few seconds, therefore, allowing the introduction of product. This dramatically increases skin permeability. In other words, it opens the pore that allows a deeper penetration of product into the skin   This process also stimulates your skin to enable muscle toning, draining of liquids from intercellular space, and the production of new collagen and elastin. In Summary:  1.Ultrasonic:Ultrasonic is import nutrition by one million per second Vibration wave into the skin (slight shocks have no obvious feeling when used on the skin, usually USES the drop of water on the probe test whether at work or not) which is the most common and traditional leading instruments. 2. Electroporation: Compared with ultrasonic beauty instrument, electroporation import more products infiltrate into deep skin to improve via skin dermis; Compared with Ion,electroporation products leading penetration is 10-27 time than the Ion leading. *****Ask your dermatologist about this before you try it out on yourself.  It may not be suitable for you, and there may be adverse side-effects.

Now You Can Truly Say You Have Heard "EVERYTHING". The Female Viagra

A NEW TREATMENT FOR WOMEN GIVES PROMISE TO 

 WOES IN THE BEDROOM

It started with the idea that injecting hyaluronic acid into the area of the vagina known as the G-spot would enlarge the area and increase sexual pleasure for the woman. However, this procedure lasted only about four months.  Now Doctor Charles Runels has decided to try platelet-enriched-plasma(PRP), as an injectable also to increase the size of the G-spot area, with longer lasting results. 

Platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) is the person's own blood plasma that is enriched with the patient's own platelets. Through degranulation, several growth factors and cytokines have been found to stimulate the healing of bone and soft tissue.  It has been used effectively for back, shoulder or knee injuries. 

Dr. Runels inject the PRP into the area of the woman's vagina that is most sensitive (by a method he calls vaginal mapping). Dr.Runels claims that stem cells, collagen, and blood vessels will be stimulated to grow, making the G-spot bigger. The effects will last up to 18 months. The cost is approximately $1,200.00-$1,500.00. The treatment apparently doesn't require FDA approval.

Any takers?  No thanks. 

In 2008, the first Baby Boomers Turned 65. By 2022 There will potentially be 80 Million Boomers!! The Milken Institute Convenes Experts to Discuss How to Keep the Boomers Happy!!

January 21, 2014 Fashion Blog 1 Comment

The Milken Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank. They partner with global leaders in finance, business, government, science and philanthropy — people with the vision and resources to make a significant impact.Their mission is to improve lives around the world by advancing innovative economic and policy solutions that create jobs, widen access to capital and enhance health.



Earlier this year, a panel of experts convened to discuss how this country will be able to best accommodate this influx of “over 65′er’s”. As lifespan’s increase, we are faced with many sociological issues; how do we keep this generation engaged; what will cities have to do to accommodate their needs; how will housing be affected? There are also many other economic, and political implications to this growing phenomenon.

The great news is that most aging Americans want to stay healthy, active and engaged and keep contributing to society. Optimistically, the Institute concludes that not only will it be a challenge but it will be a huge opportunity for growth in America. Business and civic leaders and entrepreneurs are seeking ways to take advantage of this. Some key components of this involve new approaches to wellness and healthcare delivery, senior friendly housing, and transportation systems. Programs are being developed to provide encore education, career and engagement opportunities to aging- centered technologies and social networks.


The bottom line, according to some of the experts, is that the Boomers are creative and innovative. We think we are entitled to everything, so of course, we will change it if it needs to changed!

The top Five Best Cities for “over 65′er’s” to live in are:
1.Provo, Utah
2.Madison, Wisconsin
3. Omaha, Nebraska
4. Boston/Cambridge/Quincy, Massachusettes
5. New York, New York

In order to see the entire article and the full list of both Cosmopolitan Cities and Small Metropolitan Areas go to http://www.milkeninstitute.org/publications/review/2012_10/64-70MR56.pdf

****AS A FOLLOW-UP TO YESTERDAY’S ARTICLE, today in the Wall Street Journal, the following article was published.

American retirees are looking to some of the nation’s most dynamic college towns for intellectual stimulation, top-shelf medical care, and homes there. http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303997604579238430175848844?mod=Real_Estate_newsreel_1, for the entire article..

Palm Springs Follies....Set to Shutdown in May, 2014 PLEASE DON"T GO!!!

 MEN AND WOMEN AGES 56-81 STAR IN THIS BURLESQUE!!

The Palm Springs Follies Stars Men and Women between the Ages of 56-81

Since 1990, the Palm Springs Follies has been an unbelievably refreshing and entertaining attraction. The show is not only high caliber, including spicy burlesque but the most surprising fact  is that the cast is composed of men and women between the ages of 56-81. The entertainment includes music, dancing, and comedy of the the '40's, '50's and '60's. These performers are really naturals because, after all, they were around back then.

The Plaza Theatre in Palm Springs is home to the Follies, and a better venue there could hardly be. This historic theater opened back in 1936 and has long been a venue of choice for a variety of events and performances, not to mention an array of world premiers. The musicalMy Fair Lady was among the world premiers that was held there, for example. During the 1940s, the Plaza Theatre in Palm Springs was used for radio broadcast shows that featured the likes of Bob Hope, Jack Benny, Freeman Gosden, and Charles Correll. Gosden and Correll, for those who might not know, were responsible for writing and performing the popular Amos 'n' Andy sketches.

Unfortunately, the recession of 2008 has taken it's toll on the Theatrical Performance.  According to the 2012 National Endowment for the Arts, live theatrical attendance has taken the biggest hit among all cultural categories. The co-founders, Riff Markowitz and Mary Jardin say:"they really have no other option than to close our doors. Our half-houses of the past years, while still over 400 patrons per show, are insufficient to support the caliber of show the Follies has always delivered." The follies having been their lives for the past 23 years is not only heartbreaking to them, but to the entire community. 

So, as the final curtain call approaches in May, 2014, doesn't anyone have a few million extra dollars they would like to donate?  Pretty Please... where else can you really see how alive people are in to their 80's.

Young Models Eager to Please Adults Now Protected by New Law in New York

Young Women Influenced by Money and Adults with Less than Scrupulous Motives, Now Have New Protections

This past fall New York passed a law giving models under 18 the same legal protections as child performers. This places them under the same labor protections as child actors, including the regulation of how many hours they can work, how often, and how late.

The law was proposed and passed after pressure from the fashion industry leaders, specifically the watchdog network of models and industry leaders, The Alliance. The Alliance was started by model Sara Ziff. The bill was also supported by outspoken models such as CoCo Rocha, who had very negative experiences as a child model. Now, designers wanting to hire underage models will have to submit paperwork, monitor hours, and possibly have to provide them with tutors, chaperones, and trust accounts. Hopefully, this will dissuade brands and designers from working with such young models, which really isn't good "role-modeling" for other young women!!

Now, if only they could make them eat!!

On-Line Shoppers Bought the Most this Past Holiday Season

ON-LINE SHOPPERS STOLE THE SHOW

So what did shoppers spend money on this past holiday season?  MasterCard says the biggest growth categories were jewelry and children’s apparel. Meanwhile Amazon, which accounts for about 1/3 of online sales in the U.S. on a normal day, disclosed that jackets — namely fleece, cotton andpolyester jackets from Columbia and Carhartt — were bestsellers in the women’s apparel category, and that Levi’s jeans were the top sellers in the men’s. Silver was a big seller in jewelry: The top sellers were sterling silver and amethyst flower earrings, a sterling silver “I Love You to the Moon and Back” pendant necklace (now sold out) and a silver Alex and Ani charm bracelet, still available in gold. In women’s shoes, Ugg-like shearling boots fromBearpaw were top sellers. Beauty bestsellers were more varied, including the Infiniti Pro by Conair Curl Secret, D&G Light Blue by Dolce & Gabbana’s eau de toilette spray and the Olay Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System.

Collectively, the 3.5 percent sales increase seen this past holiday matches the growth rate seen between the 2011 and 2012 holiday seasons. Retailers, however, were expecting a slightly bigger jump in sales this year: In October, the National Retail Federation predicted that holiday retail sales would rise 3.9 percent. 

But it’s online retailers who stole the show this past holiday season. Together, they saw growth in the double digits throughout the holiday season — including a 39 percent increase in sales on Thanksgiving Day and a 16.5 percent increase on Christmas Day. Not a good sign for Shopping Malls and Retailers, but you just don't know how shoes will feel until you put them on , do you?

Happy New Year Everybody!!!

It’s been about 5 months since I started this website.The year prior to starting this site brought about tremendous change to my life. Both of my parents passed away and both of my kids went off to college. Needless to say, it’s been a difficult time. For the past five years I have wanted to start a website, but I was truly “sandwiched”. My mother was disabled with Parkinson’s. As a daughter and a Registered Nurse I flew back to see my mom every 2-3 months. I thought it would get easier when my kids got into high school, but not so. And the whole applying to college thing with visiting colleges, college prep, etc., was unbelievably consuming. I didn’t know what a tremendous void I would feel when my youngest son left for college. My role of caregiver that I have had for twenty some odd years is over.
In the section About Me of this website, I talk about the energy medicine that I have personally experienced and shared with others. It has helped me understand a lot more of my life’s journey than I ever thought I would. In the process of unraveling the traumas that I carried in my DNA from my parents and their parents and their parent’s parents, etc., life began to change. I began to have hope and I began to dream of the things I had always wanted to do, but didn’t, among many other good things.
When I was in elementary school, I loved fashion. When I was in 6th grade I had my mom’s dress maker make a pair of black velvet gaucho pants for me because I had a black velvet bolero jacket. There was a charity function coming up for my school and I wanted to wear it with a white frilly shirt and black patent leather boots. I was inspired by Dr. Zhivago. The Charity event was a screening of Dr. Doolittle. When I went out in to the lobby to get some candy, there were photographers there and they took my picture. The next day I was in the fashion section of the newspaper!! True story.
I was not “fortunate” to be able to follow my passion back then, but I do believe that everything happens for a reason. If I hadn’t been a nurse and witnessed so many deaths, I would never have felt as close to spirit. I wouldn’t have been as inspired to be at my parent’s bedsides while they were sick and dying. I know that being there was not only healing for them, but for me, and for my children, and my children’s children. I broke generational patterns of pretending that things weren’t bad, or that they didn’t exist and most importantly, of forgiveness. I broke patterns by being by their sides lovingly and engaged until they took their last breath.
Now, with my life all to myself, I have arrived back at the passion that I have had since I was at least 10 years old. But now, it’s not just about fashion. It’s about the fact that I am 60, and I have a lot more of my life to lead. It’s about the fact that I am finally at a point where I can do what I want, and yet society tells me that I am too old. When I was in my 20′s and 30′s, I was working. In my late 30′s, 40′s and 50′s I was raising kids. I didn’t go to lots of Galas where I got dressed up, or follow designer fashions, nor could I even afford them.
And, I know I am not alone. I look at Magazines and I think, why is there no one from my generation? Where are the women who have contributed to society and have made this world a better place? Why is it only young people when it is probably only the young AND wealthy who can afford the clothes anyway? What have they done to be “famous”? What has happened to our values? I give a lot of credit to someone like Kim Kardashian who has built a brand out of being pretty. She is pretty and I don’t think she is harming anyone, but I am disappointed that there isn’t more. When I was young in the ’60′s, fashion made a statement about who we were as people. It was a statement that the Viet Nam War was wrong. It was a statement that younger people wanted to see change in the government and the way things were run in this country.
Anyway, my purpose and my new crusade has begun. My crusade is to bring dignity and respect back to our culture. My target is any woman who feels that she is invisible. There are others out there also fighting for the same cause: the Fabulous Fashionistas, the Idiosyncratic Fashionistas, the Style Crone, Margaret Manning of Sixty and Me, and lots of other bloggers. If I can make a difference with my blog in just one person’s life, then I have accomplished something.
I call it my passion with a purpose. Even though I am about forty years delayed, I am still an optimist and I still want to try and “save the world” I still believe that people can stand out and be respected for their ideals rather than some outlandish thing they are doing. My passion is about helping every women feel the passion within themselves to stand out and stand up for what she believes and who she is. Fashion is an expression of yourself. You design who you are every day that you get dressed, and that takes creativity. No matter how old you are, there is always creativity and love in your heart. It is never too late to start designing a new you. My dream is to help others find that passion, no matter what it is. Every day you are alive is another day to do something different, another day to embrace something new, and another day to make a contribution to the world and to your self.
So, Happy New Year to All. May next year help you find your dreams, your passions, or whatever it is that you born to do.
I think we all have a purpose and we all want is right for the higher good. I pray that next year, more and more people find it and that I can help just a little.
Happy 2014!!!