The Luxe Chronicles

Fashion: Is "Underweight" In The Eye Of The Beholder Too?

I was reading earlier today an interview on the Telegraph's website of Russell Marsh, a long-time casting director for Prada credited with the launch of models Lara Stone, Daria Werbowy and Gemma Ward. After fifteen years spent casting runway shows alongside Miuccia, he is now freelancing for the likes of Céline, Christopher Kane and Jonathan Saunders amongst others.

"Take My Picture": Much Ado About Nothing Much.

"Take My Picture", the Garage Magazine film directed by Dasha Zhukova and produced by Shala Monroque that promised to "dissect" the street style circus currently gripping the fashion industry aired this weekend. Like many followers of fashion, I was looking forward to thoughtful insights into this peculiar phenomenon that has seemingly everyone (including veteran fashion critic Suzy Menkes) either pondering its significance for the industry or lamenting how things used to be.

What's In A Name?

It was once called the European edition of The New York Herald, then The New York Herald Tribune eventually becoming The International Herald Tribune or just "the IHT" for short. It is now set to be rechristened The International New York Times this upcoming fall.

Must Read: An Interview With Penny Martin, Editor-in-Chief Of The Gentlewoman

I've always loved magazines, fashion magazines in particular, but these days I often come away either bored by the content or offended by the tone of the writing. The imagery is also a frequent source of frustration as I rarely identify with the models portrayed in the editorials and adverts (perhaps because I don't aspire to look eternally 20 years old and emaciated). Also, as a parent, I worry about the message many magazines are sending to my young daughter.

Well Said Deborah Needleman!

As you may have heard, Deborah Needleman, new Editor-in-Chief of T Magazine, has put Lee Radziwill on her debut cover. When she was asked to comment, she had this to say:

Luxury: A Lesson In The Art Of Conversation With Olivier Echaudemaison.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the ability to converse with both wit and depth about a wide range of subjects was a skill assiduously cultivated by French aristocrats (see Benedetta Craveri's The Age of Conversation). It was the ticket to inclusion in worldly society, in particular the influential salons of historical figures such as Madame de Stael. Olivier Echaudemaison, the colorful creative director of Guerlain would no doubt have thrived in this environment. I recently had the privilege of spending a delicious hour in his company along with Christian Poulot (Le Modalogue).

Well Said René Redzepi.

So it doesn't have quite the ring that Carpe dium has but it's effective nonetheless.

Sincerely,

The Luxe Chronicles

Social Media: What's Your Excuse?

Today's post is dedicated to all those who consider themselves too busy, too important, too serious, too whatever to engage in community building online (aka social media). I would like all of those very busy, very important, very serious types to consider Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, currently stationed on the International Space Station.

Fashion: Well Said Diana Vreeland!

One of the best Christmas presents I've ever bought myself has to be Visionaire's "Vreeland Memos". As the title suggests, it is a collection of memos dictated by Diana Vreeland to various Vogue staffers between 1966 and 1972. They come encased in a very chic fabric envelope folder in Vreeland's signature red. I started reading them during the holidays and have been trying to pace myself to make the pleasure last longer.

Luxury: On Cognac and Creativity.

Let it never be said that you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Even 300 year old luxury brands can borrow a page from current marketing playbooks and teach younger brands a thing or two in the process.