Random pieces thrown together 🖤🖤🖤

Random pieces thrown together🖤🖤🖤. I am nuts for this Norma Kamali quilted ballgown skirt! The fabric is light so it’s less overwhelming. This piece is surprisingly versatile. It can look like a black tie dress with a black bodysuit, or be street chic with a fitted t shirt and sneakers. I’ve got my original doc martens on here🤘🏻. I will always choose flats when possible.

The Norma sleeveless top in a black and white leopard pattern makes this look like more of an actual outfit. It was colder when I took this shot, so the long black trench coat was a good dramatic topper. That was Norma too. Pieces from the same line will often work together. I put the hat on as a joke, to highlight how laughter can brighten up absolutely everything. All black everything, until you flash those pearly whites 😁. This hat was given out at my daughter’s bat mitzvah three years ago. She’s always laughing 🤣. This outfit has drama, just like life. But I chose to soften it up. Yes, that’s a metaphor... 

Sew I Have This Hat...

I’ve been embracing embroidery lately. It’s fresh, feminine, sure of itself, yet carefree with a boho twist. This Isabel Marant top is a hybrid of the classic peasant top style with a button down. And you know I adore a button down! Since I’ve been super into the silk pajama look this year, I’m fond of this ensemble. The silk pants and button down top definitely feel like a sophisticated take on  dressy pajamas. I love the lightness of the linen top with the gravity of burgundy and navy. It’s a good contrast. This is a beautiful spring brunch look.

Yellow gold accessories give this a primary color vibe, in a good way ❤️💛💙. This fedora with birds on a chain is 20 years old. It remains completely current. The tapered ankles on the pants show off the cute white bootie slides. This is a clean, pretty look that knows what it’s doing. You better believe girly can look solid 🏋🏼‍♀️🧘🏼‍♀️
 

Fade to Black

This dress is a one piece wonder. It’s so well constructed, and it’s the entirety of the look. I usually dress with a few components thrown together, that’s more creative to me, but you can’t deny the sleekness of a beautifully made garment. I normally loathe the way I look in a cap sleeve, but I can deal with it here, I think that’s because of the flattering nipped waist.

The dress is a cool tea length with some crinoline to keep the bottom half of the skirt afloat. The fabric is a soft black with tiny white dots. The ten year old Prada shoes are chic and whimsical. I bought them on a trip to Monte Carlo. The heels are way higher than I prefer, but are required for a dress this glamorous. Sometimes simple dressing just feels nice and clean. There’s an ease to a dress, a shoe, and done. When dealing with one piece, proper cut and tailoring is essential. I did put on this show-stopping dragon tail limited edition, sparkly pave cuff from Noir. I’ve never seen anything like it, and you know I love unique statement jewelry. Sometimes I layer it on, sometimes I’ll go with one piece as the focal point. I usually go with a statement earring in my right ear (my gold safety pins never leave the left), but with this dress I leave the earrings small and simple. Because of the small dot pattern I usually wear a diamond stud or a classic pearl. I like the wrist detail here though. It adds unexpected attitude to the otherwise Audrey Hepburn shape of the dress. Breakfast at Jessica’s anyone? 

Wild Horses Can’t Be Broken

Omg, Jordache!! I’m a sucker for an 80’s throwback. When the company so generously gifted me this sweatshirt, I threw it on immediately. It’s oversized, another 80’s nod. That whole baggy sweats look that our moms probably hated. They def thought it was shlumpy.  Not here, though, because the size is well utilized.  I was going for a Molly Ringwald “Pretty in Pink” vibe.  I mean, the 80’s are a gift that keep on giving.  It’s just reference after reference 💥💥💥.

I had on tailored white slacks, making the sweatshirt feel like a sweater, not a gross sweatshirt you’d sleep in.  I wear this black straw J Crew fedora to death. I call it my black hat 🤪✡️🖤.  The green in the cuff correlated to the same green in my shoes; silver platform oxfords with a bright green trim💚.  I really like the light gray with white for summer.  I’ll pair this with white cutoffs too.  Or a white denim miniskirt, if I find one. Any suggestions?  The white sunnies here keep the sweatshirt light and fresh.  Slouch with style, Girls.  Not all we put on must cling to our bodies like sausage casings.  You gotta have a backup plan for bloat, am I right?? 🐳

Kimono she didn't

Out of the several kimonos I’ve amassed, this one is my favorite.  It’s so vintage feeling, from the faded background color to the pattern.  I got it in Tel Aviv in November, at this super cool store called Plazmalab. I love how the store describes itself as a “collection of dreamers”.  Check it out if you go!  I picked up a bunch of gems from there, all very unique pieces.

I like wearing a kimono as a layering piece as outerwear.  Here, though, it was the top itself.  I felt like Mrs Roper from Three’s Company🤣.  I wore it over this fine mesh, pearl detailed collar that I bought at a high end consignment shop where I live.  It’s called Mint, I’ve mentioned it before.  I bought it thinking it’d be so perfect under a black blazer.  It’s such pretty detailing underneath any open top.  Glamorous loungewear is so 60’s.  It is indeed nice to have something comfortable and chic to wear while entertaining.  I wouldn’t waste this on myself alone, but I have to be in loose clothing when I have guests, or I get sweaty and irritated.  One of my fave winter looks was this kimono over black leather pants and a black turtleneck, with beat up motorcycle boots.  For summer I’ll use it as a jacket on a cool night.  Huge kimono sleeves make me feel like a samurai 🥋.  Now I’ll just have to get a Honzu sword, like Uma in Kill Bill.  Not that I’d have a clue what to do with it😏. 

I Really Need a Caf-TAN

 Boy, do I adore this piece! It brings to mind something Elizabeth Taylor may have worn in the 60's. This is a linen caftan made in Morocco. I wish I could say I picked it up on my travels, but I'd never lie to you. I will get to that country eventually, but for now I can go to the Upper East Side boutique Five Story😂.

Linen is a tough fabric; it's know for wrinkling, but sometimes that aggravation is worth it. A linen dress is harder to stay un rumpled in, but a jacket is the perfect way to incorporate this fabric into your look. Just hang it up in the car or drape across your lap or shoulders until you need to put it on. Plus, a little worn in is cool anyway. I love the burgundy embroidery against the pinky salmon color. There's something so chic about the slim fit and length. This looks cool as it does here over jeans and a white tank, and it would look terrific over a white or black dress. Spring/Summer outerwear should be fresh and clean.

This pop of color is a statement unto itself. I'm obsessed with the Pucci scarf in my hair. I've attempted to do this several times, only to feel like an idiot. This time it worked, and added to the vintage glam mood. If putting a shmata on your head is too much for you,  no prob. Just freshen up classic warm weather basics with a bright, sleek jacket such as this. You'll be surprised how much it can elevate the everyday.

I'm Sensing a Shift...

 Best souvenir from a trip: this adorable dress purchased in the Mexico airport. I took my kids to Cancun in January, and spotted this fuchsia, embroidered gem as we were rushing to catch the plane home. I was determined to leave Mexico with some handmade local threads. This lil shift did not disappoint. It's the perfect easy dress for Spring. What's cool about this styling of it is that the belt I planned on wearing with it broke, so I improvised by cinching the waist with a rolled up scarf. I'm patting myself on the back for this one👏🏻. Thankfully I had a complimentary hot pink silk scarf with me! I had thought I'd put in on my head, so it truly was in my bag. A dangly turquoise earring completed the look. 1,2,3 for real. This was such a sweet look for walking around downtown Miami on my recent Passover trip.

I took these photos with Aziz, a great photographer I met through Air BNB. It was a well priced way to get good vacation pics. I really recommend it, whether you're alone or with friends/fam. Treat yourself to beautifully captured trip memories; why not? I did these for the blog and IG, and there was a nice guy from Bulgaria who was doing it too. He was excited to be in America for the first time and wanted nice pics. Good for him. It was also a cool way to meet interesting people from different walks of life. When I think about how much money I spent on the expensive designer embroidered peasant top I bought a couple years ago, I want to kick myself. For a fraction of that price I bought the real deal of a dress that's authentic. Much better way to go! Always keep your eyes open while you travel. There are fantastic finds that are wearable mementos. It feels so good to wear souvenirs that don't involve Mickey ears😅.

Skirting the Issue

Confession; I fell in love with this light rinse, long denim skirt while shopping for my kids at a children's store. This was in the tween section, and I pounced. Forced to wear floor sweeping length skirts in my very religious high school and Israeli seminary, I previously associated long skirts with anything but fashion. That's really not the case though. A long, relaxed skirt can be so effortlessly sexy. It's another way to interpret the classic denim bottom. The light wash and thin fabric ease up any heaviness. This skirt would look so classy with a white button down, a bodysuit, or a cropped tee like I did here. Denim and white are like peanut butter and jelly; always a yummy pairing. This old J Crew rope belt was the perfect boho chic accessory. All the pieces here are light and airy. A funky tote bag holds all summer essentials. With nice weather, if I can, I like to shlep a book and blanket for impromptu park reading. Some mismatched layered necklaces add just the right stylish detailing. Take this look from day to night by adding a boyfriend blazer with pushed up sleeves. Rock various lengths this summer, and stretch out your wardrobe with new options. 

Vintage OG

It feels so good and true to return to my love of a solid vintage find. Whilst on a stay cation in Williamsburg (Brooklyn, not Virginia) I found a super cool little vintage spot. The store was tiny, in a space that essentially housed a collection of walk in kiosks. Maybe that's not a kiosk, I don't know. But you get the picture. In five seconds I zeroed in on this hat, grease stained mechanics jacket, and lil boy bow tie. I also bought a blue tin box that I use for my ever present Tums and Altoids😂, as well as a giant safety pin. I'll put it on a silver chain and wear it as a pendant.

The hat is a Borsalino from the 20's. I know that name only because very orthodox men who wear black hats will buy a prestigious Borsalino. Well, I'm a chick and this one is brown, but it's all good in the hood 🎩. I wear my Current Elliot overalls with everything. I fully intend to use the mechanic jacket as outerwear, even over an LBD. A whimsical, unexpected something that keeps me warm is way more fun than anything typical. The bow tie is a clip on👓💼. The red leather rope I got on Amazon, and just looped it on as a slouchy, skater Gurl detail. Now the sneakers, those are a separate post altogether... Stay tuned👟👟🤘🏻.

I've always loved anything with a history. It makes living in the present a boatload more interesting. A well priced antique piece is so much more of a statement, than an expensive labeled something that probably isn't very distinctive in any way. Style can't really be bought; it's created. Vintage has a built in personality.  It's instantly interesting. And since I love a fashion challenge, it's delightful to hunt through a good vintage treasure chest. I really recommend searching for local spots near you and taking a visit. There's probably one near you that you don't even know of. You never know what you'll find, and it's so fun to hit the jackpot. It's a wearable Antiques Roadshow.

💃🏼💃🏼💃🏼

This emoji is what I feel like when I wear this slinky, sexy black outfit. I love the long skirt with the high slits, as well as the off the shoulder, super feminine cropped top. I've always said that Norma Kamali makes me feel just the right mix of strong and feminine. In yoga lately we've been learning a lot about the duality of finding both the strength and ease in any pose/situation. This lesson is invaluable: stand firm and rooted, but be soft and pliable. Maintain your foundation always, but let your heart be open and sweet. This two piece ensemble embodies these qualities. I love wearing long skirts for a fun night out. It's a less obvious choice than "jeans and a top"🙄. Everything in the Norma collection is always mix and match. Both these pieces have multiple uses. With the weather finally getting hotter, I'm psyched to wear this look out. ❤️,the 🐝

Jump(suit) for Joy

One of the numerous things bravo King, Andy Cohen, and I have in common is that we love a fly jumpsuit. Also side ponytails, Ramona, and boy bands, to name just a few. I've met Andy a couple times, once at a Knicks game and then when I uncomfortably accosted him in the hallway outside a taping of Watch What Happens Live. I was wearing my fleece Mazal bathrobe. My friend LMT and I also brought him a vintage snoopy lunchbox, a custom Bravo Scrabble board we'd spent weeks making, and cupcakes with his face. Stalker much🕵🏻?? I also once called into the show singing a song, as I asked Gigi a stupid question about that season of Shahs of Sunset. 
   

As for this jumpsuit, it's Maje. I loved it's vintage, 70's feel. I've said this before, but it made me feel like Bianca Jagger seamlessly getting out of a limo, "ignoring" the paparazzi. The white shoes and necklace gave a great, fresh pop to an otherwise deeper color palette. As the weather was turning colder, the white was a less obvious choice. Hence why I dug it. The ultimate accessory was this navy Maison Michel hat from the ever fab boutique Five Story. This hat is a special piece. I'm not going to spew some bullshit about how "I just threw it on". When I do talk like that it's honest, but this wasn't one of those times. There are very few components to this outfit, each cleanly selected to support the jumpsuit statement. The jumpsuit is the only piece with pattern so it shines. The only downside to wearing this is that it makes going to the bathroom a giant pain in the ass🚽. Butt, chalk it up to the things we do for glamour. Am I right, Ladies?  Jumping for joy if I made you laugh😅. I love all your pieces, not just one. 😍,LB

PS: in case you're wondering, the white ankle booties are Maison Martin Margiela. Add to my list of items I'd like to be buried in.

❄️🐰

These snow bunny pics were really fun to shoot. These were an impromptu addition to a recent shoot I did. After a dozen costume changes, it was so nice to slip on boots and leggings and jump around in fresh snow. A yummy coat, slick boots, and sporty shades are all one needs to pretend to be chillin in Aspen. Sporty leggings and a turtleneck sweatshirt were the easiest building blocks. That they were both black kept everything clean looking, so it was effortless to just switch coats, sunglasses, and boots. I've had both these classic Moon Boots and Pajara faux fur boots for several years. They each look brand new, and have withstood winter wear and tear so well. Fitted leggings or skinny jeans are what make a bulky, heavy coat still feminine looking. Some days I don't care if I resemble the Michelin Man, but other days I try to avoid that. Snow in suburbia looks like a winter wonderland. While my city friends kvetch about gray sludge, I feel like I'm in Narnia. I get such a kick out of foreigners who have never seen snow, and CANNOT BELIEVE IT. I mean that's just so cute. They're right though, fresh snow is so pretty. The Lady Blaga team always makes fun our priority, otherwise there's no point to this. So we hopped in the snow like happy  bunnies 🐰❄️!

Cut It Out

It's so nice when an outfit or item works for more than one season. Leather all year made a big comeback a couple years ago. While I wouldn't wear this in the summer, I'd certainly put it on in the Fall, Winter, and Spring. It's a great transitional look since despite the head to toe leather, it's sleeveless and has cut out work all over the bottom half. This two piece ensemble can certainly be broken up. I'd love to find a pair of high waisted white pants for the top. The skirt would look pretty with a cream camisole under a cropped denim jacket, or even a whimsical tee shirt. I've grown to really love navy. It's slimming, classy, and sophisticated. This outfit exposes my arms, but the cut overall remains demure. This is a nice change from dressing in sexy body con looks. I'm comfortable in both masculine and feminine styles of dress, and my choices are mood dependent. I reach for this outfit when I'm feeling a lil girlier. It's perfect for dressy events. I've worn it with navy heels before, but these iridescent pumps add a bit of pizazz. The cut out detailing lightens up the heaviness of the leather, thereby making it suitable for warmer weather too.

I bought this at a store called Miri, which specializes in more modest designs for religious women. I love highlighting designers that cater to the sensitivity and needs of all kinds of groups. Just as when I wrote about Muslim designer Vivi Zubedi during NYFW, I'm so pleased to write about a Jewish designer who dresses her community for their level of comfort. Very observant Jewish women wouldn't wear sleeveless, and I appreciate that Miri has all kinds of styles. Just as more religious women should be accommodated, so should gals like me, who don't find the exposure of my arms to be problematic. There is enough fashion, creativity, and beauty to make all of us feel good. We are all entitled to as many lovely options as possible 💙💙💙.

Personally, I've never been hung up on externals. I define spirituality as coming purely from the inside. I think it's a mistake to focus so much on clothing determining our connection to God. It can distract from working on things internally. Again, just my opinion. I am sure I've written about this, but in high school I wasn't allowed to take a final because I didn't wear socks on a 95 degree day, thereby exposing my ankles under my floor length skirt. THAT IS INSANE. I digress...in my dress...  Have whatever kind of day you want. It's your choice. Anyone who told you otherwise is lying. You are more than ankle bones. Love, LB

Wearable Art

While I'm a Creative, I don't respond much to art on walls. If I see colored dots or splatter paint I'm like, "yeah, whatever". The one artist who I have a major reaction to is Keith Harring. There is such frenetic movement and life in his work. I marvel at the famous "Crack is Whack" wall every time I'm on the FDR Drive en route to NYC. It never fails to move me. Imagine my delight at finding this Keith Harring button down shirt, in this Israeli boutique I keep mentioning called Plazmalab.

Now this is what's considered wearable art. I paired the shirt with these wide legged dark rinse jeans. The wash of the denim feels vintage industrial to me, and the shirt is a throwback to Keith's peak in the 80's. There are retro undertones to the whole look. I put on chunky black boots to ground the lightness of the shirt into winter. I'd choose a different shoe and lighter denim wash in warmer weather. The hat in a classic style capped things off, bookending the look for colder seasons. If I look super happy in these photos, it's cuz I was. This shirt symbolizes an artist who has provided me with inspiration for many years. His work makes me think and feel, and wearing his art felt meaningful. When fashion and art collide, it gives us the opportunity to turn clothes into messages💌. Even if that message is sent just to yourself, it's gratifying to deepen the superficial. Good clothing should indeed make us feel something. Bonus points for making us think🤔👠🎒👒👢.

Take That, Mariah ! ❄️☃

This title is a nod to those ridiculous paparazzi pics taken of Mariah Carrey, every year in Aspen. There's snow everywhere, temperatures are frigid,everyone is in ski gear, and God bless Mariah; she's in fur stilettos and a child size coat unzipped to show massive cleave. It's "apres ski" before, during, and after ("apres"=after). Who knows if she's actually ever skiing, but no matter. She gets her photo op🙌🏻 ⛷.
   

This look is very chi chi winter glam, perfect for the  "I'll just wait here with cocoa while you dangle from a chair lift and risk plummeting to your death" look. The rickety bench in the sky held together by dental floss has one less tush to support. I actually skied quite a bit as a kid, and liked it. I began to develop a fear of heights as a teen, which is such a shame. I'm working on that, but I do recall at one point thinking it was silly to go up and down a hill all day. I'd rather read.

What I love about this yummy, winter chic look is that it's pulled together but truly effortless, which is what loungewear should be. You can't lounge believably and look like a loser who is trying too hard. It defeats the purpose of trying to sell the "oh, I just threw this on" vibe. This outfit is a statement in its wide scale, yet tailored waist and cropped top. The grey with just a touch of sparkly emerald green is understated with just the right dose of detail. This is a delicious winter brunch outfit. The white faux fur headband from Century 21 is the only needed snow bunny accessory🐰❄️.  It's a bit of 80's Dynasty mixed with modern cool. Joan Collins wouldn't have been caught dead in a sweatsuit, but perhaps the furriness would win me some Baby Boomer points. I draw the line at shoulder pads (for now). I always like a natural looking face, even when my makeup is professionally done. Again, when pulling off the lounge around feel, I really recommend the freshest face possible. Cheeks and lips that were just stung by the cold in a pretty way. Cozy up with someone you love today😊☕️. Save the Gucci stilts on ice for the divas. How lucky are we to be safe and warm inside?

❤️, 🐝🐝Neuwirth 

Sweats Appeal

This was my favorite look of this shoot, since it perfectly sums up my style philosophy. Comfort, cool, urban, glam, new, and vintage, all rolled into one. I love using clothing in unexpected ways. Giving my cute, soft Aviator Nation sweatsuit from my fave athleisure store (still not down with that word) Clementine a shot of chic was a creative exercise. While I'm aware of trends, I don't really follow them. I'm much more comfortable randomly mixing things in an organic, unique way. I loved putting my favorite collared denim button down under the sweatshirt. This gave the look collegiate structure and made it more of an actual outfit. A sweatsuit worn in the typical fashion isn't me. It reminds me of those insane hot dogger neon situations that was the height of cool in my youth. Any "easy" two piece anything feels lazy for me. I get the ease, but I feel stupid like that. Here, I wanted to show how a basic sweatsuit can be transformed into a stylish ensemble, simply by adding a couple of glam touches.

Gold high tops anchor the look, giving urban shine. The aforementioned button down, my fave from J Crew, coming across as anything but preppy. My vintage Lynx vest which you've seen me wear a million times, since it works with almost anything. That's basically it. The best part of this sweatsuit is the fun but not in your face color. I love the soft red with the blue stripes. This pops the Lynx vest, making one hell of an argument for the theory that opposites attract. Forgive this cheesy closing line, but this outfit was definitely a slam dunk😜🏀👟. Always play around with style. There's just no reason to look the same for 70 years and then call it a day. There's no reason to do anything the same for 70 years and call it a day. We are all more interesting than that. What's the most unique outfit you've worn recently? Please message me with a pic if you have. I'd love to see how you combine and mix as well‼️

Love the 🐝

Leanne Marshall

The Leanne Marshall show was all about love❤️. Held on Valentine's Day, her signature brand of feminine romanticism was the perfect closure to Fashion Week. Let's face it, the fashion industry isn't always the warmest, fuzziest biz, especially in NYC. I love New York but it is indeed a vast concrete jungle. Leanne Marshall reinforced the idea that love is above all else. There are never enough reminders of this. Love was felt immediately upon entrance, as each seat was thoughtfully adorned with a stunning love note containing a rose colored, laser cut, paper tree. It was the most beautiful touch. It was heartwarming that the designer made sure to include such sweet detailing for her audience. I took my card home to my kids, my 8 year old son loved it and put it next to his bed. 

Leanne was the 2008 Project Runway winner, and since then has shown at every Fashion Week. True to her California roots, her entire collection was made from leftover bridal designs and organic cotton. Chunky knitwear, subtle stripes, and oversize jackets wowed in bold, unique color combos. Her signature silk chiffon gowns flowed in vibrant color duos like navy and citron and  turquoise and mustard. Metallic bronze and dusty rose also draped the 40 different models walking her runway. That was the best part; the wide range of models in color, height, and weight. All shapes and sizes were honored. True beauty means inclusion.

The show ended with Leanne's new cutie pie fiancée leaping up from his seat to give her a huge bouquet of red roses. Aw😘😘😘🌹🌹🌹. Loving gestures bookended the entire show. It was a terrific way to conclude the hectic craziness of NYFW.

As for moi, I went with drama. My look centered around my daughter's storm trooper backpack from Target. No joke. I paired that with this marbleized two piece ensemble from Norma Kamali. It's a romper and large scale cargo coat. I just put a turtleneck and tights underneath to winterize it, and I will use any excuse to wear a hood. I felt very futuristic and I loved it. "Mom, did you take my Star Wars backpack without asking me????" was an inevitability I was prepared to face👽. Mazal Tov, Leanne!! Wishing you and Remy a long life full of love, laughter, creativity, and organic materials✌🏼️❤️👰🏼. 

Dennis Basso

The Dennis Basso daytime ready to wear collection was awash in high glam. The location of the show set the scene for NYC drama at its best. Held in the famous St. Bartholomew's church on Park Ave, the mood of the show was "ok, major". For you Jews reading this, that church is basically identical to the interior of Kehilat Jeshurun. I was seriously looking for Rabbi Haskel Lookstein. For you non Jews, these are weird synagogue references, filled with words containing an unacceptable amount of syllables😂.

This was the church in Sex in the City in which Carrie and Miranda went to spy on Big and his mom. Iconic nods everywhere! This is New York, Peeps. Ain't nothing like it. It was so refreshing to have a change of location during NYFW. The parking was also waaaayyyy better here👏🏻. Dennis Basso is known for his gowns and furs, so this was a beautifully dressed, good looking crowd.

The base concept for the collection was to suit the changed needs of the well dressed woman who mixes it all up. Women are getting less fancy. We are bringing day into night and vice versa. There are no rules regarding daywear and evening wear anymore. Sparkling gowns one might see on the ladies of Dynasty have become less relevant. DB magically mixed his classic show-stopping glamor with more casual cool fabrics such as leather, tweed, and cashmere. The results were truly genius. Contrasting colors, textures, and fabrics all so representative of the classy, modern boss lady who knows what's up. THIS is dressing in 2018.

I got to see my old friend Jack Cohen of Dennis Basso. Jack designed my DB dress for my eldest's bat mitzvah four years ago. He was greeting everyone at the church doors, and I was so happy to see him. Such a mensch! The modern music was pumping, and was a rad juxtaposition to the church setting. The vaulted ceilings, pews and balconies, and massive organ made for quite a dramatic presentation. The beautiful Hillary Rhoda walked the last dress with DB, and it was very exciting to see this supermodel sashaying down the runway. I wore a Dennis Basso fur over a sheer burgundy dress, that was so generously gifted to me by Leanne Marshall ,via the Riviera PR agency, for Fashion Week. I wore the dress over a black jumpsuit, with a hand beaded gray and burgundy collar that I bought on the beach in cancun. Always mixing it up. This was a really special, beautiful show. I was so grateful to have been in attendance. Can I sign off as Lady Basso?

Vivi Zubedi

This was the most moving show I attended, and the post I was most looking forward to writing. I was unfamiliar with the designer, so I was not expecting a collection of Muslim hijabs to float down the runway. Initially I found it ironic that a former orthodox Yeshiva girl wound up in the front row of this show. Then I applied what I was looking at to my world, and I was overcome with emotion. If a stifled Hasidic woman from a super repressive and restrictive environment were to come out with her own clothing line at NYFW, I'd be doing backflips down the runway. It is irrelevant that I can't actually do a backflip.

Women in general have to fight harder for our voices to be heard. Ultra religious women have it waaaayyyyy harder.  Without knowing anything about Vivi Zubedi, I felt so strongly that she must be a very special person, one who is so clear and strong in her vision. She wears a hijab as well, and nowhere does it say women cannot combine their alliance to their religious beliefs with fashion, creativity, and beauty. GOOD. FOR. HER. 👏🏻. Any religious person that would ever criticize something like this as "immodest" is full of shit. That a woman is only godly if she stays out of the line of vision?? Really?? That implies that God created half the population to hide themselves and disappear, going to make babies and dinner quietly in the corner. Only being seen if men so generously choose to glance at them🙄🖕🏼. If life is beautiful, and God is beautiful, then we are not only allowed but obligated to live in a state of beauty.

What Vivi did was bring beauty and religion together. Celebrating women that celebrate God. The message and meaning kept coming in waves, and the designs were so detailed that it was clear this woman poured every ounce of her being into making them. There were a lot of designs, the collection clearly took a tremendous amount of time and intention. With her talent for mixing textures, accessories, patterns, and embellishments, Vivi made the hijab interesting, beautiful, feminine, and fashionable. These are not garments intended to hide the wearer.  Printed sneakers and baseball hats gave the clothes a modern athletic kick. Muslim Athleisure. Hijabs with chains, pearls, funky belts had me considering conversion ✡☪🕉☮. Def prettier than what one would see in Borough Park on a Friday afternoon.

I don't believe in the traditional definition of modesty. I don't see it as external. I define modesty as how you operate from your heart and spirit. Having been overexposed to a religious belief system that defines modesty as external, I have become disillusioned with the focus on the outside of people. It drives me crazy. It is a mistake to teach that as a focus of life, in any religion. What joins us as humans is what we share inside. Underneath any clothing we are made of the same stuff. Same heart, same blood, same breath. However, I am certainly familiar with religious dress. I so admire how ViviZubedi demonstrated that irregardless of religion, women are beautiful and want to feel beautiful. 

Coming from Jakarta, Indonesia, Vivi was originally an accountant. After realizing her dream was in fashion, she became focused on bringing Muslim dress into the fashion arena. This particular collection is special, since its goal is to bring awareness and economic support to the ancient female weavers of South Kalimantan. A region in Borneo, this area is known for the time honored techniques and traditions in how their women weave and craft artisan fabrics. The difficult techniques are what make the fabrics so special and original. The weavers range in age from teens to elders. By using these fabrics in her collection, Vivi, a champion of women worldwide, hopes to show the world the beauty of this ancient craft. How wonderful; to use Fashion Week to spotlight a group of women that most of the world doesn't even know exists. Vivi brought godliness to fashion week not only through her designs, but more so through her humanitarian. She used her voice for sheer good. THAT is why we are here. Injecting the fashion world with true acts of kindness and support for our fellow man makes all the psychotic bitchiness and seat grabbing worth it (I'm talking to a certain blogger here...but she won't read this...if she can even read...).       

As for moi, I went 70's boho chic. Bell bottom jeans, vintage fur coat, purple boots, and a silk scarf tied under my wide brim hat. Cross body bag embroidered with bright flowers, purchased on the beach in Mexico. I felt like I raided Steven Tyler's closet, which is exactly what I was aiming for🎤.

Claudia Li

While it is always a thrill to sit at a fashion show, it is a refreshing change of pace to walk around a fashion presentation. Picture a costume exhibit at the Met, just that the clothes are on models. Without fail, I make goofy attempts to get the models to laugh or smile. I'd even settle for basic eye contact. Usually there's no such luck. I once asked a model straight out if she was hungry. Tzvia may or may not have hit me😂.

What's nice about a walk around presentation is that one can slowly peruse the looks, taking in each detail. It's like shopping without the credit card damage. This Claudia Li collection was truly fantastic. Easily one of my favorites, in that I'd wear every piece. The collection had such meaning, since it was inspired by a Turkish fairytale "The Silent Princess". I love anything inspired by a story! I have not yet looked up this particular tale, but Claudia drew themes of hope and fierce determination from to story and transmitted that to her stunning designs. Creating clothing that brings those messages is a magical endeavor. What a beautiful purpose in life; to infuse those essential qualities into garments to be worn by others. Statement fabrics and bright colors juxtaposed shearling and wool. Oversize shawl collars on jackets and suits. Modern suiting in eye popping cactus green. My favorites were the woodland scenes, head to toe whimsy on sequined prints and knits. I loved the long pleated skirts and button down shirts in hot pink, a daring take on conservative. The entire collection was ready to wear, and it's  nice to actually imagine being able to wear the designs. Viewing collections that look like Sesame Street characters on an acid trip is amusing, but that's not doing our wardrobes any favors.   

What I wore to this event was a navy DKNY pantsuit, white leather booties, a brocade vintage coat that I belted, vintage navy gloves, and my fur hat from century 21. Very vintage Russian spy. I'd make the WORST spy btw, I'm way to open and expressive. I'd get everyone killed in five minutes, though I might be able to charm myself out of a tight spot (been known to happen). Mother Nature must have been a lil bloated and pissed that she couldn't fit into her skirt that day, because it was a monsoon. All these fashionistas getting soaked, running for cover. It was pretty funny. The fashion gods must have been having a giant conniption 😂☔️.