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Summer 2010 ... A Universal Trend Circles the Globe!!!

August 23, 2010 1:00 AM

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This trend followed me everywhere this summer ... St. Remy, London, Aspen, Paris etc!!!
And even East Hampton, too!!!!

Of course, I absolutely adore color ...... it's one of my most favorite "accessorations" .......
But, I prefer "accessorating" a room with a touch of orange or green, etc ....
Not necessarily "accessorating" your head!!!!

Remember its called "accessorating," not shocking!!!!
YIKES!!!

Must, Must, Must See ........ Murakami @ Versailles!!!!!

August 18, 2010 1:00 AM

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I was to ill to leave my bed in Paris to see Jeff Koons at Versailles, but ........
I am definitely not missing Murakami!!!!

A collection of work by world renowned Japanese artist Takashi Murakami is taking up residence at the Château du Versailles beginning September 14, and continuing thru December 13. The exhibition includes 22 pieces installed throughout the estate and includes 11 that were made exclusively for this exhibition. 

Text from Murakami .........

For Japanese, myself included, the Château de Versailles is one of the greatest symbols of Western history. It is emblematic of an elegance, sophistication and artistic ambition most of us could only dream of.

We understand, of course, that the fuse that sparked the fires of revolution led right through the centre of the building.

But in many ways, it all comes across as a fantastic tale from a kingdom far, far away. Just as the people of France might find it difficult to recreate in their minds an accurate image of the age of the Samurai, so too does the story of the palace become one that is, for us, diluted of reality.

Thus, it is that i have tried to capture in this exhibition.

I am The Cheshire Cay who greets Alice in Wonderland with his devilish grin, and chatters on as she wanders around the Château.

With my playful smile, I invite you all to the Wonderland of Versailles.

Aspen "Accessoration" #5 ......... Quilted Grass!!!!

August 16, 2010 1:00 AM

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Imagine having a lawn or a field (which is really someone's huge lawn) .........
where the grass is cut in a quilted pattern !!!!!

Yep, it's true here in Aspen ..... I saw it twice!!!!!!!

It's an over-the-top gorgeous grass "accessoration!!!!!"

Aspen "Accessoration" #4 .... Get The News By Color!!!

August 13, 2010 1:00 AM

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Multi-colored newspaper boxes.......
 a great "accessoration" in front of the Aspen Times office!!!!!!!!!

Aspen "Accessoration" #2 ..... Perfect in Every Way!!!

August 11, 2010 1:00 AM

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This sculpture is by Mexican/American activist artist Marcos Ramírez ERRE and was commissioned by the divine TDL, my Aspen hostess and one of Aspen's premier art collectors!!! The piece stands in a well manicured, park-like setting next to her house. It is inspired by an earlier politically charged work by the artist, titled "Crossroads," that was shown at the Havana Biennial and remade for an exhibition at the Wexner Center in Columbus, Ohio. For this incarnation, the iconic signpost is personalized, it is a collection of places & thoughts that are significant to both TDL and her family. The distances are calculated from the location of the sculpture in Aspen and the quotes are most often art related, as art collecting is a family tradition!!!!

I adore this piece ..... it's visually stimulating ..... sits in a magical setting .......
and it's words, both locations & quotes, are thought provoking!!!!

A perfect "accessoration" in a perfect place ....... Aspen!!!!! 

Aspen "Accessoration" #1 ............ @ Distractions!!!!

August 10, 2010 1:00 AM

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I found these yummy colored yoga mats from Dreamers at one of Aspen's most divine women's clothing & accessory stores, Distractions. These brightly colored mats, made locally in Aspen, are embroidered with skulls, peace signs, dragonflies, yoga symbols, etc ...... or they can be personalized with any embroidery you can think of ...... including your initials or name, or the name of your favorite yogi or yoga pose!!!! 

A chic "accessoration" for any yoga studio or .............
a multi-colored stack of them would look fabulous poolside at my house .......
as much as I hate exercise, I love a good "accessoration"!!!

Up, Up, & Away ........ This Time to the Mountains!!!

August 9, 2010 1:00 AM

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Another fabulous trip ...... this time it's Aspen, Colorado .......
to celebrate the divine TDL's birthday ....... YIPPEE!!!

Can't wait to find all the new "accessorations" there!!!!!

A Collection of Unique & Unusual Design @ Ani Inc!!!

July 16, 2010 1:00 AM

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My friend Ani Antreasyan is an "accessorator's" dream!!! 

She is a fabulous "garden guru" and the purveyor of all things "accessoration" ..... 
from antique stone Turkish garden pieces to 1950's tables & chairs ... 
and all things in between!!! 

Part of her collection can be seen this weekend at the Bridgehampton Antique Show at the Community Center ...... where her booth is an eclectic mix of the most stunning design elements and the way they are "put-together" is an inspiration for all "design divas!!!"

Paola Navone Designs Everything & the Kitchen Sink!!!

July 14, 2010 1:00 AM

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In addition to the fabulous "finds" at Lina Kanafani's London design store Mint, which recently moved to 2 North Terrace, Italian designer Paola Navone has created the most divine kitchen downstairs ....... and "accessorated" it with her trade-mark white ceramics!!!!! Steel grey, black, and accented with red, this streamline store kitchen, with it's geometric cement block wall, is stunning!!! I love the shots of red on the hardware accenting the shallow oval marble sink ...... and the strips of red metal securing the glasses, dishes, etc. on the kitchen shelves are sensational!!! The chic simplicity of this mini-kitchen is incredible ...... so much detail & style..... so little space!!!!!

I adore the variety of Paola Navone's design work (see blog 4/21/10, 4/23/10, 5/17/10) ......... 
she is one of the design world's fantastically fabulous "accessorator's!!!" 

Dover Street Market ..... A Final Look at Summer 2010!

July 1, 2010 1:00 AM

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Labour & Wait, Shoreditch

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Petersham Nurseries, Surrey

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Michael Costiff's World Archive 

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Undercover Co. Ltd., Japan

Lanvin installation

On July 14, 2010 "tachiagari" starts at Rei Kawakubo's wonderfully curated shopping delight, Dover Street Market. The literal translation ..... "new beginnings" ....... refers to the three days when the store is closed for it's bi-yearly "re-do" ...... followed by it's re-opening with the new fall/winter designer collections, a selection of new resources, and inspired new shops!!!! 

But, before this metamorphous begins, I thought a final reflection on the current 
spring/summer 2010 presentation would be appreciated!!! 

The current fashion & accessory selections are extraordinary and it is fascinating to see each designer's shop reflecting the individual "personality" of their collection. I am particularly charmed by the Lanvin display ......... soooooo chic, so tasty, soooo Lanvin!!!!

The eclectic and innovative "non-fashion" installations are smart and stylish. Petersham Nurseries' main floor cut-flower stall is charming, while the fourth floor includes a chic garden shop featuring a variety of eco-friendly potted plants, as well as a unique collection of vintage & new Venetian glass vases, glasses, and paper weights. The outpost of Shoreditch's "functional products emporium" Labour & Wait has a vintage feel .... but with a modern twist. The unique World Archive collection from Michael Costiff is a treasure trove of fabulous finds from everywhere, and the center piece of Jun Takahashi's Undercover shop is a fabulous re-purposed vintage light bulb installation ........ the black, charcoal, & silver stenciled walls are stunning too!!! 

What's more "au courant" than ecology, sustainability, uniting the world, and beauty, form & function!!! This current "incarnation" is fabulous ....... but, I  can't wait to see the newest "new beginnings" on July 17th!!!!

I adore shopping at London's Dover Street Market ..... 
And I love that it closes for "re-invention" .....
That's the ultimate "re-accessoration"!!!!

Are Polka-Dots Covering Paris This Summer ?????

June 25, 2010 1:00 AM

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I'm not sure that finding 3 store facades covered in polka-dots is a trend ..... 
particularly when 2 are the same brand in different locations !!!!
But ...... it is creative, interesting, great looking, 
and very eye catching!!!!! 

I love the bright multi-colored dots covering Mille Fetes on the left Bank ..... 
and I adore the very chic silver metallic one's on the windows at 
agnes b. on the Avenue George V!!!!!!!

Dinnerware Design for Charity ...... @ Merci, Paris!!!

June 24, 2010 1:00 AM

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I paid another visit to Merci (blog 11/11/09) and again was very take with 
Marie-France & Bernard Cohen's creative concept of "giving back."  

My favorite thing on this visit was this divinely designed dinnerware by French product designer Jean Marc Gady. Attaching a series of different size white porcelain plates creates a wonderful venue for a meal of "small plates" or tapas, a trend that is very au courant and exactly how I love to eat!!!! 

I love the idea that Merci features a collection of different products 
on every  visit ............  from fashion to home & more!!!!

My Parisienne Life ...... Endlessly Sitting at a Café!!!!

June 23, 2010 1:00 AM

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One of the most divine things to do in Paris is
 to sit at a café with an espresso & ponder life!!!! 

I find myself taking up "residence" at café's all over the city and love 
the variety tables and chairs!!!

I found these fabulous vintage mosaic tables in front of one café ...... 
they were all "empty" .... a  great rarity in Paris!!!!
I wonder where everyone went!!!!!

Paris & Flowers ........... A Sublime Combination!!!!!

June 22, 2010 1:00 AM

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au nom de las rose  50, rue du Cherche Midi

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FLEURUS  51, rue de Grenelle

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ROSA LUNA  24, Bd Raspail

As usual Paris is a sea of the most fabulous flower shops!!!! 

Within a 6 block radius of each other in the 7th, these 3 shops are amazing ....... 
the colors are wonderful, the displays stunning, 
and the flowers are gorgeous!!!!!

Flowers are the most spectacular "accessoration." ....... nature's art & design!!!!

Paris & the Incredible Yves Saint Laurent Exhibition!!!

June 21, 2010 1:00 AM

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I was speechless, teary, and awed by the YSL Retrospective at the Petit Palais!!!!
300 outfits, from over 40 years of design...... 

Yves Saint Laurent was a genius ....... he changed the way we thought about clothes.
 and what we wore ...... he gave us pants as a way of life!!!!! 

From evening gowns to le smoking ...... pants to pea coats ..... YSL created silhouettes 
that remain fresh, contemporary, & relevant today. 

His use of color, fabrics, textures, beading, and embroideries was lush. 
The more opulent, the better!!! 

Inspiration was everywhere .....China, India, Africa, Russia, and Morocco ....... 
he took us all around the world, and it was an amazing trip!!! 

He paid tribute to artists he admired and collected ....... Matisse, Braque, Mondrian, 
Picasso, Cocteau, etc ...... these pieces are his works of art!!!!! 

His costume designs for Catherine Deneuve's films are stunning!!!! 

I urge you to see this exhibition ....... you will be amazed, thrilled,& dazzled!!!!
And be reminded of what fashion is all about!!!! 
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