WOW!!!!!  I have not posted in a very long time, but letting everyone know that I am okay after 9 surgeries and tons of therapy.

I am working on a new book about the original Surrealist artists, poets, writers, games, sculptors, etc in Paris and their long term effects on fashion.  All exclusive to France.

Simultaneously,  I have begun a costume jewelry/accessories collection using all Swarovski products.  I have received official endorsement from Swarovski and that is a big deal and a great selling point for the collection.  It is gonna be fierce and very original.  No knock-offs, original pieces, color sensibility, shapes, forms, etc.  You will not be disappointed!!

On a different note and tangent, I am preparing to begin a Funeral Director’s program here in New Orleans.  I am enthralled by the industry and think I can do some good.  I will keep you posted.  Thanks for reading. 

Not only is a red gown a No-No on the red carpet, but so is black, considering that all the men are in obligatory black.  Why fade into the men?  Why fade into the carpet?  It is common sense to avoid these two colors!  This is a night to shine, not to be safe.  Work it!!!!! 

So all of the big September fashion issues are on the news stand or arriving at your doorstep.  Some of them are terriby disappointing, delivering trends from one extreme to the other, and others are hard to decipher requiring a 3rd, and 4th viewing in order to figure out the fashion decree of the season.  I think I have figured it out!!

First and foremost, BE A LADY.  Always polished and put together sends the message that you have thought out your ensmeble with little effort (never let them see you sweat) and all works perfectly….the pattern, colors, texture, acessories, bag…FORMIDABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  This does not mean that you went into a store, found a mannequin you liked and said, “I’ll have that ensemble down to the scarf.  That is not what it is about.  One is to mix and match designer with bargain shopping, thrift shopping with sample sales. Put something original together and make it work for you.  One word of caution…watch your proportions.

In addition one is to mix metallics, with animal prints, with soft tailoring, feminine fits of lady-like dresses, and slightly puffed and draped skirts.  Accessorize with notable jewelry, and for goodness sake, buy or infuse color into your wardrobe.  Fall/winter pieces come in colors.  Do not make the mitake of dousing yourself in bland neutrals and classic camels unless you intend on punching it up withbursts of color in the form of scar, bag, and shoes and gloves.  Hey go the extra length and try an everyday hat or beret with an embellishment.  The berets from last season with the pheasabnt feathers from Ralph Lauren have not lost their cachet. 

Bill Blass always used to say that “Color is for the wealthy”.  He made a great point, but it does not have to be that way.  He explained that if a woman of average means was going to buy an expensive cashmere coat, she was going to buy it in black or taupe.  A wealthier woman would have bought the same coat in raging fuchsia or purple.  Today one is able to infuse color into their typically neutral fall/winter wardrobes all season, at all pricepoints, and in many different incarnations.  This includes tees, scarves, hats, turtlenecks, and some shoes and snow boots. 

Honestly there is nothing worse than a gray day and walking through the fashion district and seeing all of the lovely ladies dressed in black and grey wools and tweeds with large clunky salt-proof shoes on.  It is so depressing.  One would be amazed at the psychological effect one experiences when wearing color.  Your spirit is jolted and emotional well-being is boosted several notches upwards.  Wearing a red cashmere sweater to work instead of charcoal will change your persona, personality, and dynamics for the day.  Try adding a blast of color everyday and you will soon feel that you are taking the winter by storm and that no NorEaster or snow day can bring you down.  Just make sure that you Scotchguard your best pieces against the snow and rain and the salt that tends to ruin good leather footwear.  The sooner you get the salt off your footwear, the better off you will be. 

REVIEWING of TRENDS:

1) Be A LADY—polished and put together from head to foot

2) Carry Luxe accessories…metallic animal skins, quality handbags

3) Realistic or abstrated animal prints add jazz to any otherwise neutral wardrobe

4)  Mix in metallics!  Who does not like a little metallic whether for the day or evening, of course in different doses?  Gold, Silver, but especially bronze to mix with the chocolate browns and rusts.

5)  Updated classics-  get rid of the frumpy dumpy old trench coat and buy a new one in a modern textile, great color, and belt it.  Since when is RED not a neutral color?  For me, any solid color is a neutral and I think that is a good rule to live by.

6) Feminine fits- no lumpy silhouettes with bulky fabrics.  Fitted dresses and flirty skirts are all the rage with the right statement belts and chunky organic necklaces.

Just remember to keep it easy as your wardrobe is not a uniform, it is an extension of your creative expression.  Have fun, screw what others think, dress occasion appropriate.  Fall/Winter does not mean dull and drab, it just means you have to put in a little extra effort to fight off the dulldrums and to fight off the overall dull image.  Fight for your right to party through the chilly temps with saturated pigments, bright colors, and perhaps a peek of neon when you are feeling cheeky.