Style + Fashion
03.11.10
Steven Alan, the man responsible for the proliferation of plaid shirts throughout New York and, increasingly, around the country, recently took a break from his day job. He went to Australia, in fact, to soak up Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef. It was the Perfect Vacation—one that you can take, too—with an itinerary crafted by Tourism Australia in collaboration with Virgin Airlines. And from it, he designed the Perfect Bag—a leather and waxed cotton carryon with rope detailing (and, yes, some signature plaid cotton lining the exterior pockets) inspired by his experience Down Under.
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02.23.10
Fashion designer Pierre Cardin’s 60-year career is the subject of a book due this year (published by Assouline); the 89 year old designer has several anniversary-related events in store between now and September.
Several years ago, the designer bought the ruins of the legendary chateau Lacoste, in Provence, which was once the property of the Marquis de Sade. This reopened two years ago. Less known is the fact that the designer hosts theater and music festivals there: This year, Jeanne Moreau will open the festivities and star soprano Nathalie Dessaix is slated to perform. Tickets will be available on pierrecardin.com.
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02.12.10
I have a crush on Hermes. Anything enclosed in that orange box with brown ribbon will be a part of my life a long time. I know that is a lot of pressure for the French brand started as a saddle enterprise in 1837, but the allure of Hermes and their timeless, chic products are the very definition of posh understatement.
I discovered their classic fragrance, Eau d’Orange Vert, while staying at the Hotel Bristol years ago, before staying at expensive hotels while attending the fashion shows became de mode. Bottles were given out as in-room amenities, and I still have some of those little soaps perfuming my linens. Scents were not something I was drawn to but this one was, and still is, delicious. And so I became addicted. And I'm happy to report Hermes has introduced a new fragrance that evokes Travel. The scent, for both men and women, is appropriately named Voyage d’ Hermes.
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02.04.10
Wall Street Journal | Putting a new spin on the term "designer hotel," boutique chain W Hotels is hiring a fashion director to amp up its style credentials and its profile within the fashion industry.
After a two-year search, the chain is planning to announce next week—on Feb. 11, the opening day of New York Fashion Week—that it has hired stylist Amanda Ross in what is very likely a first for the hotel industry. W Hotels, which operates 36 properties worldwide, is a unit of Starwood Hotel & Resorts Worldwide Inc.
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01.06.10
Seems we at T+L aren’t the only ones on a constant search for the perfect carry-on bag. Enter New York mixologist Jim Meehan, the brains behind PDT—a hidden lounge attached to a hot dog joint in Manhattan’s East Village, serving classically and seasonally inspired drinks (recently named the World’s Best Cocktail Bar by Tales of the Cocktail Spirit Award '09, with Meehan as American Bartender of the Year).
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12.08.09
Lands' End—a company that began life as a purveyor of boating and sailing gear in 1963—has revved up its clothing with a new collection called Canvas.
The Canvas website describes the collection as “clothes for how you
live today.” Well, we live today as some-time nomads who visit family
in Seattle, celebrate the holidays on a Caribbean beach, and travel to
China for business. Lands' End Canvas's classic American heritage
clothing is ideal for that lifestyle—versatile and functional for travel.
The LE favorites are all there but with slimmer cuts, brighter colors. I guess you could say it's less mom-and-pop frump and more Tweet generation, which really is a state of mind.
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12.01.09
I'm dreaming of a Dior Christmas. Provocative designer John Galliano's holiday on ice now rises next to the grand staircase at Claridge's, a frozen confection enlivened by a lurking snow leopard, dragonflies and parrots. So whenever I holly go lightly through this glittering Art Deco lobby on Brook Street in London's Mayfair district for the next month, my season will be brightened by this Arctic orchid tree from Dior's outré elf.
Shane Mitchell is a special correspondent for Travel + Leisure.
Photo courtesy of Claridge's
11.23.09
For those of us who long for the golden days of airplane travel—when
boarding a plane was inherently luxurious in its exoticism, travelers
dressed for the occasion and, most importantly, checked their bad
manners at the cockpit door—but aren’t necessarily interested in
censuring modern decorum-challenged travelers too forwardly, pardonMOI
to the rescue.
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11.20.09
Who doesn’t know Cynthia Rowley?! If you don’t have one of her flirty dresses, then you may have sunglasses that bear her name or you may be eating off of one of her dinner plates. And don’t forget her fragrance and recent collaboration with Avon to create a line of cosmetics.
Coming in 2011 Cynthia will join the likes of Kate Spade, Richard Tyler, and Christian LaCroix among others who have given airlines a bit of a fashion tune up. United Airlines has asked Cynthia to design uniforms for all service employees; everyone from pilots, flight attendants, and customer service representatives, to ramp service and maintenance employees. “We have chosen Cynthia for her keen sense of style and her commitment to involve employees throughout the design process” says United Airlines.
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11.02.09
In the Prada Universe nothing is as it seems. When I attend Prada shows in Milan, I sit transfixed, looking for a hint of the message. What did she mean by that bag? Are the heels on those shoes broken or are they meant to be angular and impossible to walk on? Is that just a wayward thread hanging, or do I see it on other garments? Why are the models smiling?
This season, the Prada show started innocently with basic grey suiting fabrics in designs that one would wear to work. Oh, she’s going back to her utilitarian roots?! But wait, now there's this whimsical beach scene with palm trees that evokes holidays in the sun and ocean breezes.
The vacation scene caught my eye, since I am always on the look out for travel references.
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