From Russia With Love

The recent chill in the air has got me thinking about cold weather accessories. An essential for winters in New York City. This black leather and fox fur hat was a gift from Moscow, courtesy of a business trip. It came with a bottle of vodka. I don't drink vodka. It's enormous and fluffy and I love it! It pretty much goes with anything, although I'm sure no one really notices anything else I'm wearing when I have it on. Besides making it easier to spot me in a crowd, it actually keeps me warm. I think it's quite perfect for the snow...

PHOTOS BY AAP 

From the Fashion Library - Fashion Victim

Fashion makes fools of some, sinners of others, and slaves of us all. 

                                                            - Josh Billings, Nineteenth Century Humorist 

I was hanging around Union Square one evening browsing my favorite book store Strand, when FASHION VICTIM BY MICHELLE LEE caught my eye. They have a very decent Fashion selection and I often come across a great find. I am by all accounts a victim, and this book helps to understand why. Lee's book makes you think about your own personal relationship with Fashion and the psychological effects it has on us. How much are we really influenced by magazines and celebrities?

The author explores so many great ideas and theories about Fashion. Released in 2003, a lot of the theories she puts forth ring even more true with the invention of things like social media. Now, everyone can take a picture of anyone, anywhere wearing anything and post it instantly. This is a phenomenon she refers to as speed chic. Lee writes about how certain outfits or pieces of clothing can be tied to a memory. This is certainly true for me. For all of our Love of Fashion, there is also a dark side. Think sweatshops (they do exist), purchasing used clothing (fan of vintage?), eco- terrorism, and the perils of dry cleaning. The book is thoughtful and extremely well researched. FASHION VICTIM is a great addition for anyone who loves Fashion, but really for it's a book for everyone. After reading it, you will understand that Fashion is inescapable and we are all to some degree its victim.

One story in particular that intrigued me is of Isadora Duncan, a famous American modern dancer with a fondness for long, flowing scarves. One night in France during a convertible ride, the extremely long scarf she was wearing was caught in the rear wheel spokes of the car. Her neck was broken and jugular vein severed, killing her instantly. Although I am certain that my Love of Frock will be the death of me, I do hope it's not like that!!!

Follow the author Michelle Lee on Twitter @HWMichelleLee 

PHOTOS BY ADC, TWITTER.COM

Alexander McQueen De Manta Clutch

My handbag collection proudly includes this ALEXANDER MCQUEEN De Manta. The DE MANTA CLUTCH takes its name and shape after the Manta Ray and every season is re-imagined in different colors, fabrics, and trims. This one in particular features a digitally printed reptile neoprene shell, brown leather trim, and a canvas lining. I first spotted this beauty one day as I was casually flipping through a Vogue magazine where it was featured in a fashion spread. Now, I'm not usually one for multi colored items, but sometimes certain things just catch your eye... and your heart. Almost immediately I was obsessed and set out on a mission to acquire. This is a true story.

The very next day, I called up the McQueen store to inquire about the clutch. I was informed not only had it not yet arrived, but there was already a waiting list! Not only was there a waiting list, but they were only invoiced to receive six in total. What number was I? Number eight. Now, it doesn't take a mathematician to realize that things were not going to add up. It seemed that there would not be enough bags to go around and that was most certainly going to be a problem for me. Panic started to set in as I made every attempt I could to secure the bag. I offered to pre pay for the clutch; my money was refused. I tried to persuade the sales associate that whomever the first seven ladies were, they could not want the bag as badly as I did and I should be bumped up the list. To my distress, these tactics did not work. Although I was assured I would be called in the event the women ahead of me declined the piece, I hung up the phone feeling less than assured. Discouraged, if you will.

So, I hatched a plan. I say plan, but it was really me calling the store once a week. I was sure, more than sure, that life would not be right if I did not get this bag. Every week I was told the bag had not yet arrived and that they would not release any shipment tracking numbers to me. I was convinced they were withholding information and for the next two months, I enlisted the help of a couple of friends. I had each of them call pretending to be after the bag, sometimes using fake accents. (I'm not sure why they thought fake accents would help, but they seemed to enjoy it.) I was determined to see if they could gather any more information as to the whereabouts of the bag. They were all told the same thing, that the waiting list was already several people long and to forget about the bag.

Eight weeks after my initial inquiry, I received a call from the store. The UPS truck was on its way and due to deliver within the hour. I promptly told my co workers I was taking a "lunch break", flagged a cab, and headed downtown. I walked through the glass doors just as they were lifting it from the box were it had so carefully been packed. I ignored the "Oh, you got here quickly!" and moved in closer for examination. It was everything I imagined it would be and I couldn't get my Visa card out fast enough.

I left the store with a combination of euphoria and accomplishment as I stepped out into the street to hail another cab. The hunt was over, I had made the kill, and was headed home with my prize. In reality, I was headed back to work. Let us not forget, the hunt is not free...

This particular DE MANTA is from the 2010 Spring/Summer collection entitled Plato's Atlantis. The theme was meant to symbolize a "return to the sea". It would be the last complete collection that Lee Alexander McQueen would ever release before his untimely death. 

PHOTOS BY ADC