Ellie Perfume

10.26.2012

The Things That Matter

I love design books because I love to see how people live, what they choose to surround themselves with, and what's important to them.  When I picked up The Things That Matter, by Nate Berkus, I started reading, and I didn't put it down. I literally sat and read the entire book in one sitting, scrutinizing the beautiful interiors and tearing up while reading the personal stories that are shared along the way. The book illustrates Nate's personal journey and the many influential people and experiences in his life that have made him who he is today.  Nate opens his home as well as the homes of twelve other imporant people in his life to reveal their own personal design philosophies.  Life stories are woven into each person's decorating style, and the objects and mementos on display in each home.  I appreciate the fact that the value of the objects is not important. It is the story associated with treasured pieces and the connection to the past that bring the most joy. 

I attended the book signing at Jayson Home and Garden, and Nate is just as charming and warm as I had imagined.

Nate's recipe for building a home: "You just have to add your life, your travels, your memories, the people you've loved, the people who've loved you back, all the stuff that's crossed your path along the way - and then mix"

 

CATEGORIES:   Beautiful things

10.19.2012

Jayson Home and Garden Flea Market

Jayson Home and Garden is one of my favorite spots in Chicago for unique items for the home - whether it's furniture, gifts, pillows, textiles, plants, or books. I always try to make it to their annual Flea Market as early as possible to get a peek at the antique and vintage finds sourced from around the globe. This year I had a sick two-year old with me, so I wasn't able to stop and admire every detail. I went back again solo to take it all in. Beauty at every turn. If you don't live in Chicago, the flea market launched online this week!

 

CATEGORIES:   Places, Beautiful things

10.17.2012

Tina Reviews Saint Laurent

Much has been made about the debut of designer Hedi Slimane's first womenswear collection for Yves Saint Laurent. First, the house decided to shorten its name to Saint Laurent Paris as part of a new branding strategy.  Second, Slimane, a former Saint Laurent menswear designer (more critically known for his years as menswear designer at Dior Homme), was brought in to shake things up and presumably, bring in a hipper, younger consumer.   I can only imagine the fashion editors waiting for things to unfold at the Paris runway show, notepads in hand. 

Many were very disappointed that Slimane did not do anything to wow them. See, for example, Cathy Horyn's blog for an interesting review. Instead, Slimane went through the archives and brought back a collection of greatest hits.  What is so wrong with that?  His job was to wipe the slate clean of the assumptions customers and buyers had about the brand.  Then, he had to draw in younger consumers. I thought he did just that.  He showed fitted jackets with raised shoulders, skinny cropped pants, pointed pumps and blouses with floppy black bows that looked hip and edgy, not like the conservative, 70s inspired scarf tied blouses we have been seeing for quite a few seasons.  There were long, flowing, low cut gowns with full sleeves, suede sand colored jackets with fringe, and capes. He showed 66 looks when all was said and done, which is almost double what other big name designers show.  It was not groundbreaking but there were cool, wearable pieces that women clamor to buy. And, yes, we've seen it before from Yves Saint Laurent himself, Frida Giannini at Gucci, and Peter Dundas at Pucci. 

I'm not going to complain about a collection that is mostly black, white and nude, super cool, and wearable all year round.  I'm not alone - Barneys CEO, Mark Lee, described the clothes as "modern, sexy, desirable clothing that the Barneys customer will want." As Phoebe Philo for Celine (yes, I love her) recently said in response to what inspires her collection - "It’s a continuation of the Celine wardrobe."  That is a motto that we should all carry with us when shopping - updating a wardrobe, not simply going from trend to trend, and there was a lot shown by Slimane that would really round out my own.

CATEGORIES:   Beautiful things