Professional Runway Coach, Mark David Carter, demonstrating how to walk ...

What A Sad Time for Carmen De Lavallade. Just Recently, Her Husband of Almost Sixty Years Passed away.

Carmen de Lavallade , 83, is an amazingly talented and award winning dancer and
choreographer. Born in  Los Angeles in 1931, she  married her husband,
Geoffrey Holder in 1955, while still in her early twenties. Carmen and Geoffrey would
have celebrated their 60th wedding Anniversary next year, however, sadly he passed
away on October 5, 2014.

Anyone born in the last thirty years could have known Geoffrey in one of many ways.  He was
not only a dancer, who danced on Broadway; an actor who played the villain in a
James Bond movie; a painter, a director of plays on Broadway, but do you remember
the 7 UP commercial where a deep voice called it the "Uncola"? Yes, that too
was Geoffrey.

Carmens' career was also illustrious. She started dancing in 1949 and in 1955 was offered a
position with the prestigious  Alvin Ailey Company where she became a lead dancer.
She danced on Broadway early in her career and and met Geoffrey while doing
a production together. Carmen went on to do other phenomenal things, especially
considering that Black ballerinas were very rare. She danced at the Metropolitan
Opera; she joined the Yale School of Drama as a choreographer and performer in
residence; and also became a professor at the Yale Repertory Theater.

Between Carmen and Geoffrey so many awards were won. Both of them were extremely
successful at what they did. They shared so many thrilling moments together; it must
have been so much fun. Their marriage was really like something out of a fairy tale.
It is hard to imagine being married to the same man for almost sixty years, and even
harder to imagine losing someone so dear after all those years.

We pray that Carmen has the strength and the courage to mourn the loss of her
husband. We also hope that she will continue to be the wonderful role model
she has always been to women in America.
She is an icon of grace, intelligence, talent, and style. She has
now lost someone so very dear, our prayers go out to Carmen and her family.

You haven't heard of Nina McLemore, 69. It's time she takes her place among the Visible rather than the Invisible.

There is a designer out there that is dressing some of the most influential and

important women of today. You haven't heard her name at Fashion Week, and 

you haven't even seen models on the Runway wearing her clothes. In fact,

it's a bet that you haven't even seen her clothes in a Department

Store.  Well, this is one genius woman who YOU need to know about,

because for the Woman Over Fifty, she is a great solution to the lack 

of clothing made for our Age Demographic. 

Her name is Nina McLemore. 

Everyone says it, that women Over Fifty become invisible.

If you are Over Fifty, you have probably felt it at some time or another,

or maybe you feel that way all the time. (We hope not).

Everyone also knows that there is a HUGE VOID in clothing made

for the demographic of Over Fifty. Nina knew this too. So, after investigating

a most exhaustive collection of stores along Madison Avenue in New York,

Nina decided she needed to fill that void. In 2001, thankfully, she came out of

retirement and launched her own line of clothing. Her line is aimed at

professional women, most of whom are Over Fifty or for the more mature 

woman who has trouble finding the more tailored look that is oftentimes

the most flattering, but hard to find.

The materials are made in Italy and the quality of the clothing is

comparable to many of the finest designers. However, her designs are not

meant to be seen in Vogue or in celebrity photos, but rather, on the more

distinguished woman, professional or not. And though the quality is  "designeresque",

her price point is about one third to one half less than say,

an Armani suit, for example.

One of Nina's philosophies is that women no longer need to dress like men in the work place, and that women should not be afraid to stand out, no matter what age. Her range of colors is vast, from basic black, to the brightest and boldest. The style can carry a woman from day to night with ease, something so important to older women executives and more mature women in general.

For someone who doesn't think women should stand out, however, she has maintained a pretty low profile. For a long time, her line was only sold through personal representatives who met with the client personally. Today she has fourteen independent stores throughout the U.S. , including Boston, Seattle and San Francisco. Of course you can also find her clothes on line at NinaMcLemore.com. 

Though not really a "Celebrity", a woman of great importance and notoriety, Hillary Clinton, has been wearing Nina's clothing for quite some time. 

Nina also carries a more casual line that is meant more for weekend or vacation wear. As far as her casual clothing, however, it remains almost as prices as her more tailored suits. This is one area where she hasn't been able to fill the void because the average woman can not afford this type of clothing at an expensive price. Her stores and her representatives do not shy away from telling you that her line is meant for a household making over $250,000.00. However, no matter how much money you have, you can find just as stylish casual clothing for a lot less. Your money would be much better spent on a stylist who can stay within your style, but who can add a bit of flare, for a lot less.

Here are a few of her suits from her online store at NinaMcLemore.com 

Lanvin's Elber Albaz Says That Any Woman, Any Age, Should Break All the Rules!! He is Every Woman's Best Friend.

 Women of all Ages LOVE Lanvin and He LOVES them. "Curves are Marvelous. Wrinkles are Hypnotizing. Why not just be happy with who you are?"

Number One Rule to Break: Ignore the Time of Day:

Why? "No one is in the same humor every morning or all day long.

When a woman's clothes are in harmony with her emotions, she shines from within."

 How about? 

Armani Prive for Daytime?

Number Two Rule to Break:  Don't Dress Safe

Why? "Formulas are fine for baking a cake but not for looking amazing. Nowadays we all strive to be pragmatists, but what fun is fashion if there is no room to dream?"

How about?

Dior for anytime!!

Number Three Rule to Break: Let Your Accessories Dominate

Why? "Since women spend more on their shoes and jewelry and are more adventurous with their choices, they can indulge in the luxury of framing a simple, well tailored dress with a complementary extravagance."

How about?

Lanvin, by Elbaz himself

Number Four Rule to Break: Pick Fabrics That You Love 

Why? "It's the material that allows a designer to create innovative silhouettes that are flattering to women...Experiment and you will find new sides to yourself."

How About?

Carolina Herrera

This article inspired greatly from Bazaar December 2013, Article by Hal Rubenstein