So we missed everything last year, all the glamorous distractions from the doldrums of everyday life that we were so fortunate to look forward to. The things that stick out the most in my mind are Broadway Previews, the Golden Globes, the Oscars, the Met Gala, The Tonys, Concerts, Sporting Events, and even the Olympics! And of course, Fashion Week…as Carrie Bradshaw so perfectly explained, “Every year the women of New York leave the past behind and look forward to the future. This is known as Fashion Week…” I received the most wonderful invitation last week and one that I am really excited about……Brown University Fashion week. The President of the Student Club, Fashion @Brown invited me and all of you (my sweet fashionistas!!!!) to their free virtual Fashion Week event. The lineup is so incredible. So far I am signed up for the SJP, Olivia Palermo, and of course Gweynth. Here is all the info and I hope to see all of you on Zoom!!!!
Brown Fashion Week 2021 will take place from March 4 to March 26 and features some of the biggest names in the fashion and lifestyle industries. Re-imagined by student organization Fashion@Brown (F@B) as a virtual celebration this year, the impressive 22-day program of events is free and open to students and fashionistas around the globe and not limited to the Brown University community.
“We were astonished and humbled by the positive response we received to our invitations to speak at Brown Fashion Week this year,” states Sasha Pinto, president of the student organization, Fashion@Brown. “We wanted to make Brown Fashion Week bigger than ever to spread some much-needed inspiration to students given the extreme isolation everyone has been experiencing — and the fashion industry responded in overwhelming numbers. It is a tribute not only to the kindness and generosity of the individual speakers but to the industry in general.”
Joining Fashion@Brown will be such renowned leaders as Gwyneth Paltrow, Sarah Jessica Parker, Stella McCartney, Kenneth Cole, Steve Madden, Emma Chamberlain, and Olivier Rousteing, among others. A complete list of all speakers and events follows.
Events are free and registration details can be found at https://fashionatbrown.com/events
Brown Fashion Week 2021 – Complete Speaker Lineup
Brown Fashion Week Distinguished Speaker Series kicks off on Thursday, March 4 at 7:30 pm ET with …
“Sarah Jessica Parker: Actress, Entrepreneur, Civic Activist: SJP Does it All… and in High Heels” Thursday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m. – Join F@B in conversation with the powerhouse whose latest bona fides include CEO of the SJP Collection, her booming shoe business; member of the Partnership for New York City, an economic council of NYC’s top CEOs; and vice-chairman of the New York City Ballet… in addition to being a Golden Globe, Emmy, and Screen Actors Guild award-winning actress of the stage, silver screen, and television. Hear about SJP’s unique approach to retail, her myriad entrepreneurial initiatives, and her passionate dedication to the post-pandemic revival of New York City.
Next in the series is “Kenneth Cole: The Fashion Empire Visionary Shining a Light on Social Issues with Passion and Purpose,” on Monday, March 8 at 8:00 pm ET, featuring Kenneth Cole, who built a billion-dollar retail business while keeping in mind that “it’s great to be known for your shoes, but it’s better to be recognized for your soul.” Instead of being the company’s model, Kenneth Cole decided to be the company’s role model by lending his name to social issues like AIDS, homelessness, gun control, mental health, and abortion. Cole will be interviewed by his daughter Amanda Cole, Brown class of 2012.
On Monday, March 8 at 12:30 pm ET zoom in to “A Conversation with the World’s Foremost Fashion CEOs.” Isabelle Guichot, CEO of the chic Parisian fashion house Maje and former CEO of the renowned luxury maisons Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Balenciaga, joins Patrice Louvet, CEO of Ralph Lauren, for a dynamic industry leader fireside chat. As CEO of Ralph Lauren, which recently dressed Joseph R. Biden Jr. for the presidential inauguration, Mr. Louvet leads this hugely successful multi-billion-dollar company.
The series continues with “Steve Madden’s Wild Ride and Crazy Come Back” on Monday, March 9 at 8:00 pm ET. F@B is excited to host “the Maddman” himself who turned a fledgling startup launched in 1990 with $1,100 into a global, multibillion-dollar brand. But Steve Madden’s mistakes — from his battle with addiction to the financial shortcuts that landed him in prison — are as important to his narrative as his iconic shoes. Steve will share his uplifting story, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and how he hopes to use his hard-won platform to create positive change.
On March 10 at 2:00 pm ET: “Francesca Bellettini: The Powerhouse Behind the Billion-Dollar Brand” features the woman who has propelled the Yves Saint Laurent brand into the exclusive billion-Euro club, and in the process made herself one of the most powerful women in fashion where there are only a handful of female chief executives. Launching her career at Goldman Sachs before moving to prestigious fashion houses such as Prada, Gucci, Helmut Lang, and Bottega Veneta, Bellettini has shaped every form of luxury from the bags we carry to the clothes and shoes we wear.
On March 12 at 4:00 pm ET, F@B hosts internet phenomenon Emma Chamberlain: “The Most Interesting Girl on YouTube” according to the New York Times. Chamberlain, at just 19 years old, has created her own wildly successful brand as a Youtuber, social media influencer, Tik Tok star, podcaster, and owner of Chamberlain Coffee with a combined social media following of more than 30 million. Emma has also pivoted into the fashion industry, making her own merchandise and partnering with legendary Louis Vuitton. She has even recently entered the beauty world by becoming the global brand ambassador and creative director for Bad Habit Beauty Skincare. Emma has also had a huge impact on mental health, sharing her own struggles with anxiety and depression across all of her platforms.
The series continues on Sunday March 14 at 2 pm ET with “Olivier Rousteing: Transforming a Classic: Fashion’s Storyteller for a New Age.” Balmain’s wunderkind, Olivier Rousteing, will share what he envisions as fashion in the 21st century: a fresh, inclusive world of glamour and revolution. Bringing an innovative spirit of adventure and understanding of a digital generation, Olivier Rousteing’s creative vision has been integral to Balmain’s rapid growth as a brand and as a cultural staple on social media through his “Balmain Army.”
The next session, “Olivia Palermo: Style Authority, Tastemaker, and Instagram Case Study” on Thursday, March 18 at 7:30 pm ET is not to be missed. Palermo is a major force in the fashion industry; renowned designers invite her to collaborate, Valentino invites her to his yacht, Instagram uses her as a case study, and The New York Times published a feature story about her success. Olivia’s journey from an internship in the offices of Diane von Furstenberg in 2006 to an acclaimed international style authority and industry tastemaker today is a story that everyone with entrepreneurial ambitions will want to hear.
On Friday, March 19 at 12:30 pm ET, F@B presents “Stella McCartney: The Mindful Eco-Warrior of High Fashion.” Stella McCartney is one of the fashion industry’s most vocal champions of environmental issues and her company is a highly successful example of the commercial potential of sustainable, ethically minded businesses. Renowned not only for her successful designs, which included Meghan Markle’s wedding reception dress, Stella was also the first fashion designer ever to appear on the cover of American Vogue magazine in January 2020. A lifelong vegetarian, Stella has never used leather, feathers, skin or fur in any of her designs.
March 22, 7:30 pm ET, F@B presents – “Gwyneth Paltrow: The Oscar-winning Lightning-Rod, Trailblazing Lifestyle& Wellness CEO.” Join F@B for a chat with the actress-turned-powerhouse CEO who has taken the lifestyle and wellness market by storm. Providing a fresh—and at times controversial—perspective, Goop is one of the wellness industry’s most recognizable brands earning Paltrow millions of passionately loyal admirers (and, yes, a few trolls) through the simple premise that wellness is the new wealth. With Goop’s blend of aesthetic lifestyle digital media that touches on everything from beauty and wellness to fashion, food, home, and travel—along with its thriving e-commerce business, retail stores, events, and health summits, Goop is a worldwide phenomenon and Gwyneth Paltrow is just getting started.
Panel Discussions
In addition to the speaker series, Brown Fashion Week’s fascinating and thought-provoking panel discussions are not to be missed:
Changemaker Fashion Designers as Translators of Culture & Ethics
March 6 at 2:00 pm ET
Join this F@B conversation with Rome-based designer Stella Jean, Brooklyn-based Fe Noel, and Detroit-based Tracy Reese who are transforming the fashion landscape each in their own way, from using fashion as a bridge and translator of culture to using it as a way to uplift exploited communities. Hear about their journeys, efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the industry, as well as efforts to expand sustainable design initiatives and ethical production.
Award-Winning Costume Designers Shaping Fashion in Film
March 13, 2:00 pm ET
We’ll hear from Oscar-winner Ruth Carter, six-time Emmy-winner Michele Clapton, and Emmy-nominated Heidi Bivens on their experiences within the fashion and film industries, as well as their processes, inspirations, and ambitions. Their work spans across all different genres, be it Clapton’s Game of Thrones and The Crown, Carter’s Black Panther and Malcolm X, or Heidi Bivens Mid 90s and Euphoria.
The Future of Fashion Journalism from America’s Foremost Editors
March 16, 7:30 pm ET
Join F@B for a live-streamed conversation with three of fashion journalism’s most celebrated editors and influential voices in fashion: Vanessa Friedman, fashion director and chief fashion critic at The New York Times; Chioma Nnadi, editor of Vogue.com; and Samantha Barry, editor-in-chief of Glamour. Editorial is how we discover the latest trends, unearth new icons, and define style as we know it. The future of fashion journalism today is in flux, however, between the dilemma of reporting on fashion during a pandemic, the rise of influencer-generated content, the shift to digital platforms, and disappearance of print magazines. Friedman, Nnadi, and Barry will join us to discuss and dissect the future of fashion journalism.
Disrupting Beauty: Supermodels on Representation & Empowerment
March 17, 3:00 pm ET
This fascinating conversation will explore how modeling can influence greater societal change, how media representation can center marginalized identities in the public consciousness and how their careers have inspired them to help empower others; while their faces dominate our magazines and feeds, few are aware of their social and philanthropic work. We will hear from Jasmine Tookes, Cindy Bruna, Jasmine Sanders and Tami Williams about their inspirational journeys.
Screening & Discussion of “The Remix: Hip Hop x Fashion”
March 21, 6:00 pm ET
Join F@B and the Brown Arts Initiative for a discussion with Lisa Cortés, the Academy Award-Nominated director, writer, and producer of the film, in conversation with award-winning filmmaker Yoruba Richen, Brown Professor of the Practice. The Remix is a story of hip hop’s influence on the fashion industry, which has led to the stratospheric and global rise of street wear. It is a story of African American creativity and limitless possibilities of this shift in culture, focusing on the journeys of fashion architect Misa Hylton, streetwear designer April Walker, as well as Dapper Dan and Kerby Jean-Raymond.
And finally, Brown Fashion Week 2021 culminates with their 11th Annual Runway Show…
The 11th Annual Runway Show on Friday, March 26 at 7:00 pm ET, presented virtually for the first time, will showcase the collections of the F@B team of twenty-six student designers from both Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design. The collections will be released in a high-fashion campaign film, accompanied by a virtual and print Lookbook.
To register for any and all of the aforementioned complementary events, please click www.fashionatbrown.com/events for more information and registration.
This week’s Book Club choice is so AWESOME!!!! Born To Party, Forced To Work by Bronson VanWyck. You probably have seen at some point one of Bronson’s parties on Instagram. He is known as the “Wizard of Oz” of NY party planning, the Rolls Royce of party planners. After a year of living in a covid fueled world, we really need this book…..
The internationally acclaimed event producer shows his ideas and inspiration for ultimate and intimate celebrations
What defines a truly great party? Most of all: generosity of spirit. In his first book, Bronson van Wyck, the man Vogue called ‘The Wizard of Oz of New York party planning,’ distills the essential pillars of the art of celebration into one volume, with examples drawn from his many successes – and, admittedly, a few entertaining failures. Lusciously illustrated with images from van Wyck’s most spectacular events, this is the perfect primer on throwing parties that are as much fun to give as they are to attend. – Amazon.com
For more information or to order this book, click HERE.
Here is a sneak peek:
Did you happen to see the TikToc that says you are really showing your age if you have a side part and still wear skinny jeans? Well, I have had that side part forever but skinny jeans never were a good look for me. So 1 out of out 2 is not so bad!!!! Anyway, flares are back. Though for me, they never went out!!!! I love the look of flare jeans with pointed flats, kitten heels, or boots. And in my opinion, crop flares are even better. I have partnered today with Nordstrom to bring you some of the greatest flare style jeans, out there, including some of my own faves!!!! Bon Weekend!!!
Here is a pair for all of our tall girls. I love love this long and lean looking style.
These double button Paige jeans got great reviews and are best sellers!
Everyone LOVES Veronica Beard and these jeans are no exception. Just great looking overall!!!
Calling all our guy readers…Just because you’re spending all your weekdays now working from home doesn’t mean you can’t still look sharp! Of course, as any guy knows, the trick is to look good while still feeling comfortable. Your home office probably doesn’t have the same suit-and-tie requirements that your old office did, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still look put-together every day. In fact, some studies have even shown that changing out of your pajamas and putting on a more dapper outfit can have positive psychological effects that might even boost your motivations and improve your work product. For men who want to look great but feel comfy while working from home, here are some of the top clothing tips to remember.
1. Unpredictable Weather Patterns? Dressing in Layers Is Key
Do you live in an area with totally unpredictable weather patterns that seem to change every fifteen minutes? If so, dressing in layers is key, especially if you like to spend part of your workday working from your balcony, patio or backyard. If the temperatures are cool in the morning but get hot by midday, for instance, a light T-shirt topped with a suave jacket could be the answer. Check out these key pieces perfect for layering:
- A cotton V-neck shirt
- A light jean jacket
- Pants that can be adjusted into shorts
- Mid-length khakis
2. For Work Video Calls, Professional Shirts Made With Comfy Materials Are a Go-To
Just about everyone at this point has had the experience of needing to hop on a video call for work in the middle of the day, and when this happens, looking professional is essential. However, your bottom half may not matter as much since it won’t be on camera! That means that even if you’re still rocking your sweatpants, you’ll want to pull on a classy dress shirt. The trick here is choosing soft, comfy materials like cotton or polyester blends, so you won’t get that stiff, starchy, scratchy feeling that all too often comes with high-end professional shirts.
3. Don’t Underestimate the Power of Comfortable Underwear
You might think that having plain versus pouch underwear might not make a big difference to your comfort levels at home, but a simple trial of comfier underwear could prove you wrong. Comfortable undergarments like boxers made from stretchy materials, for instance, can actually have a big impact on your overall level of comfort. This makes sense since it’s the most basic layer of your outfit! To be cozy overall, start at the core level with a solid pair of underpants.
4. On Work-From-the-Couch Days, Consider Tailored Hoodies
On days where there are no work calls to worry about, tailored hoodies could be the way to go. Hoodies are casual enough to wear while working from the couch from 9:00 to 5:00, but if you choose one made with nice materials and get it tailored, it could look snazzier on you than you realize!
5. Don’t Forget About Keeping Your Feet Warm, Too
Although it’s totally fine to go barefoot all day while at home, if you get chilly indoors or live in a colder climate, part of completing your outfit and staying cozy is keeping your feet warm, too. There are plenty of options for slip-on shoes that look great but feel comfortable, too – just try a pair of leather boat-style shoes that are fleece-lined on the inside, for instance.
Maybe your commute now involves moving from the bed to the couch and your pet dog is essentially your coworker, but just because you’re working from home all day doesn’t mean you have to start dressing poorly. With the right outfit planning, it’s totally possible to dress for success while still feeling comfortable. For any men interested in keeping up dapper appearances without compromising on comfort, these five clothing tips are key.
There are many ways that you can improve your home whether it’s a fresh coat of paint or some beautiful new artwork. With the help of arts and crafts tutorials, there are many decorative items that you can make to beautify your home. To give you plenty of DIY ideas and other options, check out these four neat apps.
1 . Craftgawker
If you’re looking for some excellent crafts ideas then you’ll just love the craftgawker app. Here there are thousands of DIY projects, including the work of top craft bloggers across the globe. It’s simple to use, once you’ve found a project you like simply click the photo and you can learn how to make it. A few of the key features include:
- Browse the crafts projects by categories, popularity, or your favs.
- Save the projects you love and add notes about each one.
- Share your pics on Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook.
- Get quality projects, curated by a team of craft experts.
Looking to customize your bookshelf? Want to make a cute table runner? Craftgawker offers plenty of project ideas to help you decorate your home.
2. Make It Yourself- DIY Crafts App
Make It Yourself is another great app for DIY craft ideas. Whether you want to make decorations, simple homeware, or upcycled furniture items, this app has plenty to inspire you. There are lots of simple crafts decorations you can make for your home whether it’s decorative vases, bunting, cushion covers, or wall hangings. If you’ve got a knack for crafting and you want some extra ideas to motivate you, you won’t be disappointed. For plenty of easy DIY ideas, this is the app you need!
3. Hutch
Hutch is an app that uses 3D tech to help you make virtual adjustments to your rooms. All you have to do is browse through the Hutch catalog, and pick out the homeware that you like. With the help of VR, you can test out different objects, styles, and designs, (before you choose to buy anything). Play around with colors, and create the virtual home of your dreams. All products are to scale, and the app has a simple interface that is easy to use.
4. Saatchi Art
Want to improve the interior design of your home? What you need is some beautiful artwork. Saatchi has plenty of gorgeous pieces, whether you’re looking for photography, paintings, sculptures, or screen prints. Plenty of new artists sell on here, so you can find some very unique and affordable things. Saatchi Art also has a VR setting, so you can test out different pieces of artwork in your home. Don’t forget to set the filters according to your style and budget.
Improving your home:
Once you’ve spruced up the inside of your home, it’s time to get outside and look at boosting your curb appeal! There are plenty of ways you can enhance the exterior of your home all you need to do is get creative. Whether it’s improving your yard, a new driveway, or even graffiti removal, there are plenty of options. Improving your house both inside and out is a fantastic way to enhance your lifestyle and make the most of your home.
I have seen so many people on Instagram making this simple Feta & Tomato Baked Pasta recipe, featured on TikTok, all over the world. It has become so popular that Finland ran out of feta cheese. The ENTIRE COUNTRY ran out!!!! The prep time is only a few minutes and within less than an hour you have a pretty good family meal. I have not made it yet but my friend blogger, Lemon Stripes made it yesterday and totally inspired me. Plus I read that it is totally worth the hype. Here you go, let me know in the comments below if you make it.
Baked Tomato and Feta Pasta:
(adapted from www.lemonstripes.com & The Washington Post)
Ingredients:
–2 pints (17 1/2 ounces / 500 grams) cherry or grape tomatoes
4 cloves garlic
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
Kosher salt
1 block Greek feta cheese
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Freshly ground black pepper
12 ounces medium-length dried pasta, such as campanelle, rigatoni or rotini
Fresh basil leaves, for serving
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400F.
2. Place tomatoes and garlic in a baking pan and toss with 1/4 cup of olive oil and sea salt.
3. Place the block of feta in the middle of the tomatoes and top the whole thing with crushed red pepper flakes, parsley, oregano, and black pepper.
4. Bake for 40 minutes or until the feta is slightly browned and the tomatoes are totally blistered.
5. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to box instructions. Be sure to save 1 cup of the pasta water before you drain it!
6. Mix up the tomatoes, feta, and garlic with a fork (I also broke up the garlic with a garlic press) to form a sauce.
7. Stir the pasta into the sauce and add pasta water, a little at a time, as needed.
8. Top with torn basil and serve.
9. Enjoy!