Shine On

On Pride Sunday, after checking out all of the glittered abs on 5th Ave, I met Abe at Carrera Escape. Carrera Escape is produced by our friends at BMF Media and is basically just a rooftop chill fest sponsored by my FAVORITE sunglass company. Mind you, I would have said my FAVORITE pair of sunglasses, but all of you dear readers know the horrible saga of Drunk David losing them in Hoboken at the St. Patty's parade. Sigh.

My favorite part of this event is that this wasn't the standard cocktail party on a roof - it started at 11am with a morning yoga session, sunbathing, and THEN came the standard cocktail party on a roof. It has been a really busy summer so far and it was delicious to have the chance to lay around, read a magazine, and get some sun. Oh, let us not forget about the GORGEOUS man walking around with a bottle of Lancaster sunblock offering to lotion everyone up. I'm not sure who thought of that little touch but it was GENIUS.

The aforementioned lotion rubbing hottie.

Great view of the city.

I saw this cute little fella on the L en route to the party. I adore his swim trunks - they are faux denim...

The event was also pleasantly lacking in bold name attendees - it was deliciously low key. Well, with the exception of Roxy Olin... But she doesn't count though does she? Yep, didn't think so.

I've gotta say, Carrera Escape was definitely effective in re-stoking my love of racing shades and iced tea with vodka. I wish all Sundays were Carrera Sundays...

Any photos not my own are courtesy of Carrera Escape

Taste the Rainbow

For all of the heteros not residing in NYC, you might not know that it's Pride weekend in NYC. I have come to the conclusion that Gay Pride is kind of like a Gay 4th of July - everyone is sweaty, it's all about freedom, and there are fireworks over the Hudson.

Being a straight gal, I wasn't emailed the itinerary of parties, rallies, private events, picnics, and fundraisers going on this past weekend. What I DO know is that the big hurrah is the march down the Lavender Line on 5th avenue and that all of the hot boys go to the Dance on the Pier. I swung by the parade en route to Carrera Escape (more on that in a later post) and I have never seen NYC look any more colorful. The parade also has a revolving soundtrack of Beyonce, Gaga, Britney, and LOTS of Katy Perry.

The grand marshals of the parade were Lt. Dan Choi, Judy Shepard and Constance McMillen. Choi is an openly gay National Guardsman, Shepard's son Matthew was murdered in a hate crime 12 years ago, and McMillen was unable to attend her senior prom this past year because she wanted to bring her girlfriend - upon which the entire prom was canceled.

So to Abe, Ryan, Annie, Emmy, Julian, Clay, Manda, Kimmy, Tim, L.J., Brookes, Amanda, Kristi, John, Jared, and Gio. You are all such an inspiration to me everyday - just by being exactly who you are. The Stonewall Riots aren't going on any longer and I think that most people have evolved to genuinely accepting love in all of it's varying shapes. But I could NOT imagine having my love for David questioned or even given a double take. Couldn't. Imagine. This is me waving my fag hag flag. Love you all.

I almost forgot - how do gay cows ask for their dinner? Haaaaaaayyyyyy.

Margot Tenenbaum

I love Wes Anderson movies - they are quirky, silly, and full of wonderful imagery. He defines his characters by their individual style and Margot Tenenbaum (played by Gwynnie) from The Royal Tenenbaums is a perfect example of this. No trends dictate what she wears; instead you get the feeling that she sticks with what has worked. Margot is a woman who lives in a uniform of polo dresses, Fendi furs, secrecy, and clouds of cigarette smoke. She is the perennial outcast.

In her very first scene she steps off a bus and time. stands. still. These Days by Nico is playing and there is that still when the sailors are standing behind her. I die a little every time I see it.

Don't even get me started on the Bomber. But let me just say that this is the only time I will ever be a proponent of incest.

These Lacoste polo dresses have never looked better.

I mean...it's genius. Utterly genius.

This photo reeks of faded glamour.

We don't share the same aesthetic AT ALL, but there's something about her look/character that I can't take my eyes off of. If clothes are an outward expression of the inner self, Margot expresses herself through an eclectic mish-mash of pieces, slept-in eyeliner, and perfectly baretted hair. Her melancholy look is so wonderfully odd, but it's impossible to recreate without having it look very Halloween costume-ish.

Recreating that chopped off finger would also be a real pain in the ass...

My New Favorite Anna

Anna Dello Russo is the Italian Fashion Director at Large for Vogue Nippon. The images below show her leaving the men's Spring 2011 shows in Milan.

I saw these images on All The Pretty Birds (a kickass sartorial blog) and HOLY SHIT, SHE LOOKS GORGEOUS. ADR is wearing the hell out of this lace Dolce & Gabbana dress and leopard print YSL archive wedges.

I have been loving Anna's outfits ever since Scott Schuman started shooting her on The Sartorialist (THE kickass sartorial blog), but she just became my fashion guru. Scratch that, my life guru. Let it be written that today, June 21, 2010, ADR's outfits have me officially obsessed. I wish there was a gong for me to hit. You know, to make it more official.

A couple of years ago Style.com did a "Day in the Life" on her. This particular day in 2008 began with her 6am swim at The Ritz and ended with an appearance at the 20th Anniversary of Maison Martin Margiela. Just a stop-in. Obvi. Because that party was probably so boring that no one could bear be there. ARE YOU KIDDING?? Sigh.

I want to be her neighbor. I want to stop by and borrow one of her 4000 pairs of shoes (seriously) and I want her to come over and watch True Blood with me while we dissect Jason Stackhouse's abs and get silly drunk off of gin and tonics. I hope this doesn't sound all Stalker Town: Population 1, I just want to emulate every frigging thing she does because she does it RIGHT.

Valley of the Dolls

For some reason I really love mini versions and interpretations of things. Andrew Yang is a doll maker who tailored Spring 2010 outfits and created rag dolls for an editorial shoot in Block Magazine a few months ago. I first saw them in January and it took a lot of Googling to track them down. The dolls are deliciously bizarre and if I had a daughter I would buy her each and every doll - they are so much cooler than Barbies.

The fabrics for the runway looks were perfectly sourced from the Garment District and for those Yang couldn't find - he replicated them on a smaller scale with paint and stencils. For the faces, Yang interprets the makeup for each designer's runway look and applies each with watercolor pencils, acrylics, and actual makeup. The price per doll ranges from $1,100-$1,300 and they are worth every penny. I'm in love.

Lanvin

Comme Des Garcons

Marc Jacobs

Ann Demeulemeester & Givenchy

Proenza Schouler

Katie Eary & Gareth Pugh & Rick Owens

Oh and if you don't read Block Magazine, you need to get on it. It's fabulous.

http://theblock-mag.com

Uncle Karl Strikes Again

Chanel's Pre-Fall 2010 Campaign was just released. Obviously it was shot by Uncle Karl and obviously it is stunning. The campaign features model Mirte Maas and Lagerfeld's muse, Baptiste Giabaconi.

The off-centered image and the stark white background is very aggressive - it gets right in your face and I love it. Previous seasons have featured shoots with elegant backgrounds but this year the entire focus is on Mirte's beauty and the collection.

Can we also touch on this black rounder chair that steals the show? It's genius.

Rock Steady

Crocodile print stilettos. Steamer trunks. Passports. Tan skin. White linen. All of these images come to mind when I think of resort collections. A resort collection is intended to much more decadent than any other line as it's not composed of anything you actually NEED - it's all pieces you can't live without. Resort is essentially the dresses, pants, and accessories intended to be worn on amazing vacations in amazing locales drinking amazingly cold Campari and sodas.

I can't wait until I'm at a point in my life when a resort collection is something that I'm actually shopping for. When that time comes - Roksanda Ilincic is first on my wish list. Ilincic is a total Londoner and those girls can really appreciate needing the right dresses to go on holiday.

Her 2011 Resort collection is something that my little dreams are made of. I hope you like yellow...

Staying In is the New Going Out

Todd Selby peddles apartment porno. I am an interior design junkie and he is my dealer.

His project, The Selby, began in 2008 where Hot Toddy posted photo shoots of his friends in their homes. And by friends I mean, Christian Louboutin, Philippe Starck and Karl. Seriously. His site is so disgustingly popular that he gets 35,000 unique visitors a day. I get excited when I get over 200 and this queen is getting 35,000. Tres jaloux.

First, can I also mention that Todd has the most random background of all time? He used to be a Tijuana tour guide, a researcher into the California strawberry industry, and an exotic flower wholesaler. Dying.

Anyway - Todd's newest professional title is author. Fierce author. His book The Selby Is In Your Place just came out in May and I really, really need to own this book. It's filled with some of his best photos (including some never before seen shots) and clever, handwritten notes. I just adore his aesthetic - he's like a visual pack rat and I totally appreciate that. His website (as well as his book) is reminiscent of a travel journal full of hand written annotations and delicious photos. He gives me such lifestyle envy...

The Selby Is In Your Place. Buy It! Buy It! Buy It!

Check out some of these interiors:

Stefano Tonchi of W Magazine. At home.

Christian Louboutin at his home/studio in Paris.

Herve Pierre, the Creative Director of Carolina Herrera. At home.

Cecelia Dean of Visionaire Magazine. At her office.

Blake Mycoskie of TOMS Shoes. On his houseboat.

Hey guys - The Johnna wants to be in your place too. Can we work something out?

Don't Call It A Comeback

Any little girl worth her salt rocked a pair of Mary Jane's back in the day. I had a pair of pink patent leather Mary Janes that I wore until they were scuffy and awful. But the Mary Jane renaissance is upon us, girls! God Bless Mary Janes - they are insanely chic and super sensible. I'm obsessed with these Camper Leia Flats ($180 at Gravitypope) and would be a great birthday prezzie for a certain someone on June 30th. HINT HINT. WINK WINK.

http://gravitypope.com

Don't Rain on My Parade

I had the massively fun "job" of helping run the celebrity arrivals and post-award photos backstage for the Tony Awards last night at Radio City Music Hall. Aside from the rain, aside from my sore feet, and aside from feeling like an absolute troll after standing next to Cate Blanchett - MOST. FUN. EVER.

I know that the Tony's are kind of considered the NHL of award shows - but last night rocked. This year was definitely more star studded than years past as so many of the nominees are legit movie stars. And come on...a live Green Day performance? I was dying.

Rainiest Red Carpet Ever. Apparently God hates theater.

Style Moments

Will someone tell Willow Soprano to step off my boyfriend? Mark Sanchez is ALL MINE. She looked really pretty though.

I don't watch Glee, but Lea Michele is shutting it down in this orange Zac Posen.

They are literally Hollywood royalty. Even though Gordon Gekko wears more makeup than CZJ...

I've been rocking out to these American Idiots since 8th grade.

There are no words for Cate Blanchett. She oozes old school glamour and no one else would have the balls to pull off this Beam-Me-Up-Scotty look.

I don't know how I feel about this Marchesa minidress... I DO know that Jada is very shiny.

Kristin Chenoweth looks like a bedazzled munchkin. But I want her perfect dress, her perfect voice, and her perfect eating disorder.

Naomi Watts and Liev Schrieber are a gorgeous couple. They look like Barbie & Ken and they probably live in a Malibu dream house. Her RM by Roland Mouret dress is amazingly elegant.

Van Wilder is all grown up and is filling out that suit. Yum.

ScarJo in a sequined Elie Saab. She is a stunning. And somewhere in Canada, Alanis Morrissette is crying.

Coming from a girl who used to dream of being a Rockette - being backstage at Radio City was beyond. The weirdest thing is that once I was there, it looks dingy and rundown like the back of any other theater in the world. But then Helen Mirren walks down the hall and I remembered that it's NOT any other theater in the world.

It's easy to say that a lot of the winners only won because they're famous, and who doesn't love to give a statue to a famous person, but all of these actors were well-received in their productions...even Scarlett.

Scarlett Johansson - Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play

CZJ - Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical

Denzel Washington & Viola Davis - Best Leading Actor and Actress in a Play

Some less famous, less gorgeous people also won awards - I'm sure you can find the remaining winners on Wikipedia or something. Go to the theater, people. Apparently there's lots of cool shows to watch...