Culture Shock

I read, cooked, and watched a lot these past few months, but I’ve been missing a different type of cultural experience. Helmut Lang has an exhibition of his work at MOCA Westport and there is a new documentary on the photographer Helmut Newton — I cast for both Helmuts — wonderful, yet very different experiences. Marilyn Chase, author of the newly released Everything She Touched: The Life of Ruth Asawa did a talk about the artist with the Black Mountain College Museum Arts Center. And, on 8/13 you can buy Ruth Asawa postage stamps. In 1971, conceptual artist Bernadette Mayer embarked on an experiment where for one month she shot a roll of 35mm film each day and kept a journal. Memory is a compilation of these photographs.  We are deep into a house renovation and Home Stories: 100 Years, 20 Visionary Interiors is timely.

‘Au Vrai Chic Parisien’

Can’t go wrong with classic jewelry, especially from Van Cleef & Arpels and Cartier above. Like these August Vogue Paris images, I’ve been riding out the heatwave in oversized shirts and some beloved everyday pieces.

Photography by Claudia Knoepfel  Styling by Virginie Benarroch

Roll Up Your Sleeves

I always roll up my shirt sleeves. The short-sleeved shirtdress on Iselin, from a 2013 issue of Self Service, is my ideal length. When the Alex Mill shirt arrived, the sleeves were rolled Italian style, a style I quite like and forget to do.

Diagram courtesy Marie Claire

Miuccia Prada Inspired

Miuccia Prada’s personal style is enviable and enduring — she sticks with what she likes. I, too, love pleated skirts, beautiful coats, and short-sleeved knits — a few of her signature pieces. Mrs. Prada’s own accessories keep her style from being too classic. I have a beloved Prada coat that I shortened to a jacket and it is from, no joke, circa 1995. Belted double faced wool — the jacket is perfection and I intend to wear it forever.

Goop Beauty Test Drive

Last December, my friend Tracy, aka @fastened2fashion, shared her favorite hostess gifts. Included was Goop Glow exfoliator, which has been on my to-try list for ages. However, I have sensitive skin, so I sent the above items to my daughter and asked for feedback.

Here’s what she said: All the products are good, but Goop Glow microdermabrasion exfoliator is a game-changer. The Alpyn Beauty creamy cleanser also got two thumbs up, as did the Agent Nateur deodorant “it really works and smells like plants.” The face oil is good when used sparingly and the G.Tox does what it says.

Thanks, GD!

Dior: Headscarves & Vests

Maria Grazia Chiuri staged Dior’s Resort 2021 show in Puglia and livestreamed it. Headscarves have been on a number of runways the past few seasons, and vests too. But, in this beautiful collection they look really great.

First Fall Find

A friend asked how I would wear the Cecilie Bahnsen vest — over an ARoss Girl x Soler dress, of course. I’ve upped my arm exercises because the vest looks so good on its own. Please excuse the 5 a.m. selfie, up and at ’em before the army of workers shows up — thank goodness I’m an early bird.

Available here and here.

Do or Dye

There is a small stack of beloved shirts and cotton dresses in the back of my closet. Even though they are faded and discolored, I will not toss them — instead, I’m going to attempt to dye them.

Helmut Lang had a brilliant assistant who would dye garments in the studio as we prepped for a show. Watching her transform the pieces was mesmerizing. Yesterday, a reader commented that she dyes her old shirts, which gives them a “new lease of life.” I reached out to her for advice before I give hand-dyeing a whirl. I’ll report back.

Shirt as Coverup

I’m on a shirt binge and have been wearing them poolside. Totême, Thakoon, Holiday Boileau, and Linda Wright’s Crimson make some of the chicest oversized options.

@natashapoly  @pernilleteisbaek

Fave Fall Trio

A few things in my wardrobe have real staying power. I wear a vest, duffel coat or peacoat, and hobo so often, they’ve become my signature pieces.