Fashionista in Aspen & Nantucket

Mr. Loveridge and me

Fiorente, the winning beauty of the day.

While visiting my dashing, charming and handsome fiancé in Australia, I had the distinct pleasure of getting swept up in ‘Cup Fever,” which has nothing to do with bra size, but rather has everything to do with the most famous horse race of the year ‘down under.’ On the first Tuesday of November, which coincides with our Election Day here in the states, the best thoroughbreds run a long 3200 meters which is just short of two miles, quite long by American standards, around the Flemington racecourse for the coveted Melbourne Cup trophy. I was delighted to get into the very exclusive ‘Fashions on the Field’ finalists’ competition at the Myer department store tent on the racegrounds. What a show! Gorgeous avant garde designs, including a dress draped with saddle leather straps and tack reminiscent of equestrian martingales…sexy and most appropriate for the occasion. I was delighted to get into the festivities. The whole day was a stunning event to attend….from beginning to exciting end with favorite Fiorente providing a heart-stopping come-from-behind finish. What a wonderful serendipity to catch this fabulous show and…. to find the most amazing hat to match my navy and orange Halston dress….at a consignment store, no less, in Mornington, outside of Melbourne! Thanks to Bella and its lovely proprietress, Dee, for completing my outfit well beyond my expectations! That’s what magic is all about!

P.S.  Actually, the whole trip was quite magical. Thank you, my love.

The finalists

The judges…in red.

The winner!

Dita Van Teese and emcee

Ann and Vince in Melbourne going to Havana Nights.

Dee, proprietress of shop where I got the ‘perfect chapeau’ for my dress for the Cup!

With Mel at fabulous Zumay salon in Mornington getting me ready for the Melbourne Cup!

Though this was the penultimate celebration of the Art Crush at the current Art Museum,  it had a kind of farewell feeling, since we are expecting the opening of the new facility next August, quickly on the heels….and I do mean high heels, judging from the ladies who attend this very gala affair…of the last time the summer fundraiser will be held at the Museum grounds at the bottom of Mill Street.    Read all the details in my article in this week’s TIME OUT …. http://www.aspendailynews.com/section/entertainment/159005  

One more correction…. The museum’s annual winter event, Freestyle, will be held as it always is, between Christmas and New Year’s, not during February, as incorrectly reported.  We’ll see what Loro Piano can do to make the event as exciting as Dennis Basso always did!  Sorry for the mis-print.  These things happen….xo giovanna

Teresita Fernandez, winner of 2013 Aspen Award for Art.

Amanda Tapiero, from Greenwich, CT, wearing Marc Jacobs in blue

Elizabeth Kimple in Pucci

Minnie Dubillier from Greenwich, CT and Aspen in Tom Ford

Nancy Rogers in Lanvin

Mona Mazza, wearing Belgian designer, Michael Van Derharn

Shari Applebaum in Valentino and ‘adapted’ pet pink puppy purse by artist Jeff Koons.

Simon Beriro from Mexico City looking dapper and debonair!

“Mad Men” actress Jessica Pare, Heidi Zuckerman Jacobson and Amy Phelan

Artist Shari Applebaum and Aspen Magazine Publisher, Janet O’Grady, in front of the Audi

Tina Beriro, wearing Alaia, with her husband Simon Beriro and Gael Neeson.

The Dolls, with DJ Mia Moretti and violinist Margot, performing at after-party at Belly Up.

Fashionable party-er at Belly Up enjoying the music!

 

Chan Luu and me

Chan Luu and her jewelry

Chan Luu’s Art

There were three events last week that needed my attention.  Here is a short article on each, some by plan, and others by serendipity, all worth noting.  One is about a fashion show of local designers creating clothes for what we do best in Aspen….play outside.  The second recognizes an affordable, international jewelry designer, making an appearance at a local shop, and the third about a true Aspen treasure who we celebrated with a moving and joyous party!  Read about all of them….   http://www.aspendailynews.com/section/entertainment/158914

Heidi Hat gold confetti sequin mini-skirt

Heidi Hat pink faux Pucci mini-skirt with shorts hiding underneath.

The designers in the front row.

framed composite of invitation to party, presented to Mary

Diane Baker, Pauli Hayes (daughter) and Mary Eshbaugh Hayes

John Carr (great-grandson)

Gus Fitzgerald (grandson) and Mary

Marisa Peters and her son Mike Peters, John Pennington and Mary

Mary and me

Mary Hayes and daughter Jess Bates

Mary!

Last Friday night, one of the best parties of the year happened for the 14th consecutive year. Usually at Boogie’s Merry Go Round Ranch, now the event takes place at the beautiful St. Regis Resort and Hotel in downtown Aspen. Lenny ‘Boogie’ Weinglass, a major contributor to the Buddy Program for over 30 years, was honored along with founding father Gregg Anderson. Fendi was the corporate sponsor and provided some gorgeous auction items and packages. Read the background story from last week’s Time Out and this week’s wrap-up story accompanied by some of the fabulous fashions, some black and white, with splashes of red or orange here and there. The last few photos are from the pre-event party at the Fendi store, giving partygoers a look at the designer’s new collections for Fall.  So happy that my dashing fiance could accompany me to this memorable summer soiree all the way from Melbourne, Australia. Hopefully, there’ll be many more, my darling….xo

Read my articles in the Aspen Daily News:

7/5 “Buddy Bashin’ Beyond Fashion”, click here.

7/12 Black and White a ‘White Hot’ Trend at Italian-themed Buddy Bash, click here

Pictures from the Bash

Fur coat from Fendi

Brittany Pollock, buyer for O2 looking very Italian glam in Nicole Miller and upswept bun.

Charlotte Tripplehorn and Kim Korenvaes in chic black & white.

Charles Lucarelli and Christina Benedettii are Italian Glam!

Claudette Fraker, Ian Loveridge, Janice Schmid Louthis and yours truly enjoying the music and dancing.

Elyse and her mother, Jean Colen in Theory.

Fendi display at St. Regis Buddy Bash

Glamorous in gold

Iryna Zkkava, Prada asst. mgr with store manager Chiara Grant, resplendent in black and white.

Shari Applebaum in Christian Dior and Valentino

Wendy Williams in gown by Dallas designer, Abby Ferrin.

Executive Director of the Buddy Program, David Houggy, with Mona Mazza, Buddy program supporter.

Fendi fur for Autumn 2013

Mona in a dress from the new Fendi collection.

Angie Stewart in her own Fendi

Fashionistas-in-training, Abigail Plummer and Charlotte Kennedy.

Holly and Kate at Aspen Chamber lunch at the Jerome Hotel

Merrilyn Tuma and me at Aspen Magazine party in Social Light photo booth

Aspen Magazine party

Aspen Magazine party at the Little Nell

Klaus Obermeyer and Vince Lahey at Aspen Chamber (ACRA) lunch

Jimmy Yeager, Nancy Mayer and Mitchell Vechard from Glenfiddich

A glorious weekend of  gluttony prevailed in Aspen at the 31st Food & Wine Classic, under the biggest and most elegant white ‘tent city’ in the world.  Read about the fashions we wore as we sipped, dined and spilled our way through three days of decadent  overindulgence.

http://www.aspendailynews.com/section/entertainment/158387

Dianne Burnett and me in our mutual dress from Kali’s Denim shop in town.

Another rainy day in May….going to work on a Sunday, perfectly dressed for the weather in my classic Burberry coat and bucket hat.  The surroundings remind me of a traditional street in London, with the brick building and old-fashioned streetlight in the background,  made complete standing under the  Burberry moniker of our store. 

Plan a picnic!

Any event that says, and I quote, “Sparkly attire is beloved” is one you know your intrepid fashionista is going to attend, on or off-season!  So, of course, I donned my most casual and appropriate for daytime black and white sequinned top, and dropped in at our local Aspen Kate Spade shop on Galena Street for what was billed as an Aspen Locals’ Brunch, since that’s the only people in town right now!

Lovely little pastries and orange juice was served, but the real draw was the gorgeous spring clothes that manager Karen Morian showed off beautifully in her up-to-the-minute black and white boldly striped cotton frock that summarized this season’s ‘it’ look.  A discount of 15% was offered to entice locals to come in and shop for the latest spring fashions. 

Karen summed up this season’s collection, which celebrates Kate Spade’s 20th anniversary, by having a different theme for each month.  The dress that Karen was wearing was included in March’s Bold Blooms, while April’s sundresses was part of its Plan a Picnic theme, while June’s focus is the Element of Surprise with a golf theme a la Palm Springs, featuring a preppy collection with a twist,  such as metallic jacquard prints and stylized golf balls….kinda like Lily Pulitzer meets Gwen Stefani. 

This month’s concentration is Adventure, which Karen describes as clothes for a summer road trip, or a vacation down south.  “The outfits are for everyday, very wearable and extremely versatile.”  We agree!  It makes me want to jump in my convertible and head on out to see where life takes me….with a trunk filled with colorful,  Americana prints designed for a head-turning entrance no matter where I go. 

Kate Spade manager, Karen Morian, in a dress from the Spring collection.

Pueblo tile sundress

Bold chevron linen

On a cold night in December, Chris Klug, former Olympic snowboarder medalist, sponsored a fundraiser event for organ donation, with hundreds of hikers and skiers marching up Aspen Mountain at twilight.  Snow had been sparse at that point of the season, and something needed to be done.  Yours truly and my friend, Katy Bartlet, put together an impromptu plea to the snow gods, to bring us what we craved for.  And lo and behold, just as we finished our snow plow dance to Bruno Mars’ newly released “Locked Out of Heaven,” we received just what we needed and then some….15 inches of fluffy powder sent directly from heaven!  The song became the biggest hit of the season, and so did the storm that accompanied the race.  The evening was a huge success….in every way.  It goes to show, the good Lord delivers even more than we could imagine, when your heart is in the right place!  Thank you Chris, for all you do, and for a night that unlocked the gates of heaven to us who relish flying up and down our snowy mountains with unrestrained glee!

AIDS Benefit

AIDS Benefit

This is the second year I’ve attended the Carbondale Council on Arts and Humanities (CCAH) fundraiser fashion show, Green is the New Black, as well as the Aspen AIDS Benefit Fashion Show at Belly Up, and I can tell you, that I wouldn’t miss either of them.  Both shows are much more than just fashion shows.  They are a theatrical and thematic experience, choreographed with great energy and depth of feeling.  We may not have had Aspen Fashion Week this year, but March certainly provided no shortage of fashion and style with a whole lot of soul right here in the Roaring Fork Valley.  Read my article in this week’s Time Out   http://www.aspendailynews.com/section/entertainment/157380

Green is the New Black

Green is the New Black

Green is the New Black

Green is the New Black

Green is the New Black

AIDS Benefit

AIDS Benefit – Katy Parnello

Ramona Bruland in Souchi cashmere at AIDS Benefit

AIDS Benefit

AIDS Benefit

AIDS Benefit

AIDS Benefit

AIDS Benefit Fashion Show – Ramona and Katy

AIDS Benefit

I had the pleasure of opening the festivities for Chris Klug’s fundraiser for his foundation promoting life-saving organ and tissue donation, with a much-needed Snow Dance choreographed to the just-released Bruno Mars’ hit, “Locked Out of Heaven.”  The Summit for Life on Dec. 8, 2012, saw four hundred racers hike 3,267 vertical feet, 2.5 miles at night to the top of Aspen Mountain, where a party and dinner awaited them at the Sundeck restaurant.  Guess what?  It snowed 15″ right on cue!  A successful evening from start to finish line!  It’s heaven in Aspen!