Famous art lecturer and socialite Rosamond Bernier is cleaning out her closet, and on Thursday her vintage couture castoffs will be available on Yoox.com. Included in the sale is a rare piece from Yves Saint Laurent's reign at Christian Dior, a waterprint taffeta gown with matching evening bag. (Bernier donated a 1949 Dior, at right, to the Met.)
Bernier gave her last art lecture at the Met in March, but could probably tell a number of stories about the clothes she recently handed over -- Zandra Rhodes frocks and Chanel suits she's been collecting for decades. Considering Bernier's been named to the International Best Dressed List -- for life -- the selection on Yoox is worth a look.
We are late to the party on this one, the Engadget gang covered it way back in May and seemed quite unimpressed but the latest designer in the cellphone game is Christian Dior. The Dior phone is aimed at the Chinese and Russian luxury markets and will sell for around $5,000. The slim phone has a touch-screen, camera and Swarovski crystals on the faceplate. The most unique feature is that Dior phone is so posh it comes with its own phone. The phone has a mini mobile phone that resembles a USB key so that you can put the main phone in your Dior purse and use the mini phone to make calls. Why? I have no idea.
The name of a product is an important indicator in predicting it's success, take the cleverly named Gucci HysteriaPurse that lived up to its title quite nicely by causing shopping madness. I'm crazy about the new Extreme CutoutSandals by Christian Dior. However after staring at them for awhile I've realized I don't actually like them, per se, then it hit me, I 've been duped by some marketing gurus into thinking I like them based on their awesome name ( I'm a sucker for all things "extreme"). Oh well! These extreme-ly high (almost 5 inches) and equally sexy sandals kick off the summer shoe shopping season with a bang. Available in silver or black Nappa leather, they feature and open peep toe and trendy stud detailing. Available for $780 at Neimans!
The always charming Blake Lively from the hit series Gossip Girl had her work cut out for her at a recent Vanity Fair photo shoot. Her day included prancing around in a 33-pound Christian Dior gown! The yellow satin gown dazzled with Swarovski crystals detailing, 6,000 sequins (I counted), and detailed hand stitching. Lively, always a star, rose to the occasion and truly owned the dress, the photos are effortless and pretty. I wonder how much a gown like that would cost, any guesses?
Straight off the runway comes the Dior Jazzclub Handbag Collection. I don't love these bags, but they are definitely unique and worth taking a peek at. Made of lambskin and available in black, beige, white, zebra and leopard, the jazzclub collection is recognizable by its unique large logo-engraved toggle closure and slouchy shape. The hardware is polished silver, which is refreshing after a few seasons of gold. Available on eluxury.com for $1,950.
In 1962, Esquire magazine sent photographer Jerry Schatzberg to Paris to cover the behind-the-scenes action at the Christian Dior and Yves Saint Laurent shows, at what promised to be an historic fashion moment. Indeed it was, and Schatzberg's shoot turned out brilliantly; the full results have finally been collected in book form, under the title Paris 1962: Yves Saint Laurent and Christian Dior, The Early Collections. Schatzberg was no mere paparazzo; a renowned fashion photographer and filmmaker, he's perhaps best known for the cover of Bob Dylan's 1966 album Blonde on Blonde. His journalistic, documentary style ran counter to the usual carefully-posed fashion shoots of the time, which gave the 1962 session added urgency. But first, a little background.
Famed designer Christian Dior had died five years earlier, in 1957. Yves Saint Laurent, only 22 years old at the time, had been named as his replacement, creating a stunning new collection in a matter of weeks. Laurent held the appointment for only a short time, however, as he was soon conscripted to serve in the French army during the Algerian War of Independence. The fragile fashionista lasted less than a month before a nervous breakdown saw him committed to a mental institution. Meanwhile, Marc Bohan had taken over at Dior, leading Saint Laurent to file for breach of contract.
If you've ever felt the need to spend $600 on a pair of jeans you are in luck. Dior designed these "radioactive" men's jeans that are made of 100% cotton, in a dark wash, with a shiny metallic finish. The five pocket cut and button fly appear pretty standard, as does the slightly tapered leg, so my guess is you are paying for the unique silver "radioactive" look, unless they also repel spills.... or are wind resistant, who knows! Available online and in Dior boutiques for $600.
From Dior's Fall 2007 collection, this bag is so unusual and sports so many interesting details it is hard to know where to look first. Let's start with the obvious - the woven fuchsia leather. It's a bold color choice and the elaborate pattern is not your standard basket weave. Moving up to the shoulder straps, your eye is drawn to the graceful serpents perched upon the tortoiseshell frame. As if that weren't splashy enough, the leather shoulder straps themselves are twisted in an elaborate design and almost look like extensions of the serpents. Showcasing the Dior logo is a miniature Louis XVI picture frame hanging from a leather strap. Inside, you'll find Dior jacquard lining, a logo tag and a 7 inch zip pocket. With metal feet to protect the base and a pretty snap clasp, this bag is sure to be a must-have for those who can afford the $3900 price tag.
Is it too early to start thinking about spring? Perhaps, but the bright light green color of this Detective Medium Bag from Dior is very evocative of fresh, new growth, which will at least put a smile on your face at any time of year. The bag is made of smooth, soft leather with contrasting topstitching and solver hardware. Speaking of new growth, the interior is lined in a satin-finished fabric with tan and white logo flowers. The two snap front pockets have "C" and "D" charms and the main pouch on the bag has a zip closure. It measures 12" x 6" x 5" . Price: $1,650.
The huge Dior logo plaque on the front of the St. Germain Mini Flap Bag reminds me of the large-buckled logo belts that we started to see a few months ago. The belts seemed to be primarily for men, so perhaps bags like this one are just fashion's way of keeping things even. This bag measures only 10" x 4.5" x 3" and is made of smooth, supple leather in either black or a golden tan. All the hardware, including the logo shield, is silver. The bag has a logo fabric lining, one zipped pocket and is secured with a magnetic snap that is hidden by the front flap. Price: $795.
The Dior Gaucho Large Tote is a large, updated version from the same line as the Dior Gaucho Double Saddle Bag that we looked at a while back. The great western feel of the smaller bag is even more appealing in the full-sized version. It is made of super-soft calfskin with lambskin leather and contrasts. Antiqued silver hardware accent the bag, along with a "1947" Dior medallion and a large, old-fashioned key charm. The bag has a zip top that secures a fabric-lined main compartment with plenty of pockets, but the front flap lifts up to reveal two additional pockets, as well. It measures 17.5" x 12.25" x 6.75," so it isn't too large to carry around during the day, but it really looks like it's made for traveling. Price: $2,075.
I've mentioned in my previous post on the Perfect Flat that I have a soft spot for shoes that keep me close to the ground. With wedding season in full-swing, I've decided to invest in a pair of shoes that will last me through the entire matrimonial social season.
The trouble, of course, is that I have a rainbow array of dresses to which I must match my kicks. I've got the Maid of Honor dress for my sister's wedding (pale blue), the bridesmaid dress for my best friend's wedding (bright pink), and the all-purpose-guest-dress for the other four weddings I must attend (lime green).
Finding a pair of shoes to wear with all of these colors is not for the faint of heart. That's why I've got my eye on Christian Dior's Diorantik flat. This Grecian-inspired sandal has snakeskin-print, braided straps and gold metal Dior buckles. But best of all, they match everything. Price: $485.
Denim doesn't seem to be a material that bags are showing up in very much these days. It's a shame because it's a lovely material that's easy to accessorize and great for casual, day use. Dior's Embroidered Denim Bag is the perfect example. They took a simple, light denim and edged it in a warm, toffee-colored leather, with a logo "D" dangling charm. Shimmering blue floral embroidery almost blends in with the fabric and adds a touch of grace to it. The purse itself is structured, with protective metal feet and magnetic snaps to close it. Pair this bag with the matching embroidered wedges, fitted trousers and a white top. Price: $990.
The Dior
Gaucho Double Saddle Bag is definitely an eye-catcher. Not only is the bag a hot item this season due to its
charming vintage western look, but to its flashy antiqued silver hardware and accessories. Each bag has two pairs of
"1947" Christian Dior medallions and large old-fashioned keys dangling from both the front buckle and
the strap. 1947 is a significant year for the designer because it marks the debut of the very first Dior collection, a
collection which introduced the "New Look" of tight waists and long, fitted skirts. Getting back to the
Gaucho, the flaps of the bag lift up to reveal interior compartments on either side of the purse, including a pocket
just the right size for a cell phone, and seal with magnetic clasps. The bag is available in both dark red and in
white, which has more noticeable contrast stitching on the soft, washed calfskin leather. Price: $1,995.
Is the love affair
between fashion houses and actresses on the wane? First we heard that Lindsay Lohan wasn't getting the Louis Vuitton deal (although she is rumored to be
on the Versace short
list) and now Julia Roberts misses out on the chance to rake in all that fashion dough. Julia Roberts may be fine
for Ferre and she has a
burgeoning Broadway career but the New York post reports that she's not a big enough star for Dior. The NY Post reports
that Dior was looking at Julie to be the face of a new 2007 perfume but are no longer interested. Is it Julia's new
maternal look? Dior already has Charlize Theron as the face of J'Adore so they are clearly not actress adverse.
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Famous art lecturer and socialite Rosamond Bernier is cleaning out her closet, and on Thursday her vintage couture castoffs will be available on Yoox.com. Included in the sale is a rare piece from Yves Saint Laurent's reign at Christian Dior, a waterprint taffeta gown with matching evening bag. (Bernier donated a 1949 Dior, at right, to the Met.)
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