Sonia Rykiel Pave Bag - Celebrating 50 years of the house Sonia built!

SONIA RYKIEL PAVE BAG - CELEBRATING THE BRANDS 50 YEARS IN FAHSION - $990.00 IN A RANGE OF COLORS - CLICK IMAGE TO SHOP BARNEYSAt a moment in fashion when more is more is more... the latest handbag by the house of Sonia Rykiel is a relief.. to both the eye.. and the wallet.  The Pave (cobblestone) bag is shaped like the stones it's named after.  THE LATE, GREAT SONIA RYKIEL - LEFT US IN 2016 AT THE AGE OF 86Meant as an homage to 1968 and the protests and rallies in France, and specifically Paris,  against President Charles de Gaulle.   SONIA RYKIEL PAVE HANDBAG - $990.00Massive street protests by the university students (a stone' throw from Rykiel's boutique) created the change in public sentiment that led to De Gaulle resigning soon after!

It is to that backdrop that designer Sonia Rykiel opened her left bank boutique.  A cultural and sexual revolution were unfolding at one of the most creative times in modern history.  Her boutique was a scene of poets and free thinkers.  Rykiel embodied the "non-fashion" fashion that would make her famous.  Simple, chic style, oh so Parisian, created in luxury fabrics. SONIA RYKIEL HOME COLLECTION - AVAILABLE AT BLOOMINGDALES  The New Pave bag celebrates 50 years of the house.  Sonia died in 2016 at the age of 86, but her legend and creativity lives on with the brand.  Celebrate your independent style, and #RESIST LOGOS this season!!   The bag is unisex, or non-gender specific.  Find them!  BARNEYS has the bags.  Click images to shop there. **If you are really savvy, you might find the version with a guitar strap!**

Worth noting: the brand has a beautiful home collection available at BLOOMINGDALES.  Click images to shop those items. 

 THE EVERYDAY BAG THAT WORKS WITH ALL YOUR FAVORITE LOOKS - $990.00

THROUGH THE SHARP EYE OF PAMELA BERKOVIC - GALLERY EXHIBIT

CACHAREL - PH: PAMELA BERKOVIC On a warm evening in May, a select group of NY's fashion and design crowd gathered on the Upper East Side to celebrate the opening of Pamela Berkovic's collection of photographs.  This exhibit : Pamela Berkovic - A Woman's Eye did not disappoint

Known for her ability to pinpoint striking moments in the somewhat chaotic scene of fashion shows, Berkovic works from a vantage point that most people never have access to.  Some of the fashion worlds most celebrated and successful fashion designers invite her backstage during what is probably the most stressful few hours of their year.  They do so because they know her talent, and trust her vision to capture the most beautiful shots of this environment they create just a few times a year.  This is no small achievement.  Considering designers spend hundreds of thousands of dollars, for a roughly 20 minute fashion show, to say the day can be a landmine of stressful situations is an understatement.   While "backstage" has become a popular genre for designers and photogs, it's true to say that Pamela Berkovic helped make it so.  She was one of the first (the first?) of her generation to be taking a different view of "fashion" and "beauty".  ZAC POSEN PH: PAMELA BERKOVIC

This exhibit included some of Berkovics favorite shots from recent years, not limited to fashion.  IN BLOOM : PH: PAMELA BERKOVIC Her use of lighting and her focus can take you by surprise, and command your attention.  She is easily one of the strongest photographers to work in the fashion industry in the last decade. 

It's no surprise that the exhibit was such a success.  Within a short time, many prints were sold. LANVIN - PH: PAMELA BERKOVIC

I'm excited to see where Ms. Berkovic will focus her eye next.  Inevitably, talented photographers are recruited for large commercial projects.  Some of the shots in this exhibit from campaigns were among her strongest.  With a portfolio that is so sophisticated, any campaign or project from the studio of Pamela Berkovic would be a first class affair.   Is film next?

For more information click on images.   Additionally, visit PAMELA BERKOVIC. 

PHOTOGRAPHER PAMELA BERKOVIC: DRESS:SACAI / SHOES: SAINT LAURENT

FOR THE GUYS WITH DESIGNER TASTE - CANALI HAS IT

THE CANALI KEI BLAZER - KNOWN FOR IT'S "TOP" FINISHING AND DETAILINGI've been working in the world of designer fashion for over 20 years.  I have always told shoppers the first thing you should ask yourself when you look at any piece of clothing or accessory - Where is this made?.   Once you know the country of origin, you can appreciate the price point of that item.  The reason being - the standards and practices of work environments varies greatly from country to country.  In addition to the ethical standards, there is a legacy of luxury for very few countries in terms of savoir faire or "know how" when it comes to hand crafted designer goods.  MADE IN ITALY, is second to none when it comes to the finest of materials, craftsmanship, and work place standards in the manufacturing world.

In Italy, there are just a handful of companies that have a true legacy of luxury. LUXURIOUS COTTON SHIRTING, MADE IN ITALY For any man that knows designer goods, the name CANALI is one that represents the finest quality in Italian fashion.  What started long ago with fine-tailoring and suiting, has grown and grown over the years.  Today, Canali offers all categories from Shoes, to Shirting, to Casual sportswear, outerwear, accessories and more.  A family run business from 1934, now run by the third generation, Canali has represented Italian Craftsmanship with pride for decades and decades.

Regardless if you are required to wear a suit every day, or if you do so as a personal passion, a tailored suit from the SU MISURA  / MADE TO MEASURE custom program at Canali would be a highlight of any wardrobe.  A RANGE OF BACKPACKS AND BAGS - FROM BUSINESS CASUAL TO ALL BUSINESSThe fit of a custom suit is unparalleled, and that suit is yours for years and years to come.  Every man needs at least one finely tailored suit in their closet.  Two is better, and three better still.  Once you have several you can start to have seasonal options and special occasion choices.

The most fun?  When you can cherry pick the collection from several categories.  With 4 or 5 go-to items that you can count on - you can put together a great wardrobe... be it on Summer Vacation.. or a Winter getaway .

One of the coolest items I found recently when shopping the brands website?  A limited edition set of headphones.. HANDMADE.  Each set has a luxe Canali leather strap connecting the handmade headphones by PRYMA, with Sonus Faber Audio technology.  These are an EXCLUSIVE to CANALI.COM in celebration of their excellent US web-store.  CLICK OVER NOW - as these are limited edition.   I can't think of a cooler Father's Day Gift for ANY guy that loves beats. HEAD TO TOE - CANALI HAS YOU COVERED 

SHOP CANALI in your favorite department store or high-end haberdashery shop near you.  Over 1000 stores in over 100 countries carry these fine garments.  If you are lucky, you live near one of the almost 200 company owned stores.. Click CANALI BOUTIQUES to find the one nearest to you. PRYMA FOR CANALI LIMITED EDITION HEADPHONES, WITH SONUS FABER AUDIO TECHNOLOGY

Click images for more information or to SHOP NOW. 

THE WEDDING OF THE YEAR - BRITISH ROYALS HAVE MARKLE SPARKLE!

ROYAL WEDDING PORTRAINT: THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF SUSSEX - HARRY AND MEGHAN, POSED WITH MOTHER OF THE BRIDE - DORIA RAGLAND, FATHER OF THE GROOM - PRINCE CHARLES AND HIS WIFE CAMILLA PARKER BOWLES, GRANDPARENTS - PRINCE PHILIP AND HER MAJESTY, QUEEN ELIZABETH, BROTHER TO THE GROOM - PRINCE WILLIAM AND HIS WIFE KATE - THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE PH: ALEXI LUBOMIRSKI The most anticipated wedding of the year took place on May 19th at Windsor Castle in England.  American actress Meghan Markle married Prince Harry in a gorgeous ceremony that exemplified the blending of British Royal tradition with American Culture. 

Where to start? The beautiful portrait and official photos were taken by NY based Photographer- ALEXI LUBOMIRSKI

The Dress.  Meghan chose GIVENCHY to design the dress.  A simple, understated silhouette with intricate embroidered veil - with symbols of all commonwealth countries of the British Empire.  

The Shoes - One detail that every bridge knows is key to a having a good day.  Markle turned to one of her favorite shoe designers - Edgardo Osorio of AQUAZZURA for her white satin pumps.  The deisgner also created shoes for all of the bridesmaids and the Mother of the Bride.  Oprah also wore Aquazzura.

The Hair - Famed hairstylist SERGE NORMANT (favorite of Julia Roberts, Julianne Moore, Sarah Jessica Parker to name a few a-list clients) was responsible for the beautiful "messy bun" hairstyle with several wisps framing Meghan's face.  The stylists 23rd st salon for John Freida  in New York's Chelsea neighborhood is sure to have more than a few requests for the look from now on.PRINCE HARRY AND MEGHAN MARKLE - THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF SUSSEX LEAVING THE WEDDING CHAPEL FOR THE FIRST TIME AS HUSBAND AND WIFE

Many thought her second dress of the day, designed by STELLA McCARTNEY stole the show.  As the happy couple left for the after party, the strap-less crepe gown seemed to have been fitted to flatter Markle more than the actual ceremony gown.   *The couple driving off in the electric, blue jaguar convertible concept car was just icing on the cake for this perfectly styled day!MEGHAN MARKLE - THE DUCHESS OF SUSSEX LEAVES WINDSOR CASTLE AFTER HER WEDDING CEREMONY WEARING A STELLA McCARTNEY SLEEVELESS CREPE GOWN ON THE WAY TO THIER RECEPTION

The Ring - Of course, we saw the engagement ring months ago.. beautifully designed by Cleave and Company - favored jeweler of the Queen.  Prince Harry incorporated diamonds from his mother, Princess Diana's jewelry to compliment a stone he bought in Botswana - the place he and Meghan first vacationed.   The stone was ethically sourced.

Viewers around the world were charmed and moved by the touching sentiment throughout the ceremony.  Namely the African American Pastor, Reverend Michael Curry that electrified the church and those in attendance.  Curry is the current Bishop of the The Episcopal Church.   The Kingdom Gospel Choir was also an integral part of the program.  Their rendition of "Stand by Me" made an impression around the world.  OPRAH WINFREY WEARS STELLA McCARTNEY TO THE ROYAL WEDDING OF PRINCE HARRY AND MEGHAN MARKLE

British designer Stella McCartney was not personally in attendance, but her designs were front and center.  In addition to the bride, two high profile guests also wore Stella's designs that day.. AMAL CLOONEY STUNS IN STELLA McCARTNEY AT THE ROYAL WEDDING OF PRINCE HARRY AND MEGHAN MARKLE Oprah Winfrey and Amal Clooney.  Both women looked stunning, in very different dresses.  Bravo Ms. McCartney!!  Click Stella's World to learn more about all the categories she designs.  You can also learn about the initiatives she champions to make the world a greener place, and one safer for animals.

Stunning day all around.  Congratulations to the Duke and Dutchess of Sussex aka Meghan & Harry!