As our Olympic athletes head off to Sochi, Russia, we realize here in Aspen how lucky we are to have seen some of them compete in our world famous X Games last weekend, a proving ground for the events we’ll be seeing in less than two weeks in the XX11 Winter Olympics.  Check out the snowboarding team’s uniforms in my article, click here http://www.aspendailynews.com/section/entertainment/161080

Last year’s Captain Kate costume

Another fabulous Halloween in Aspen….unfortunately, I wasn’t there to enjoy it….for the first time in fifteen years.  Though I was having a wonderful time in Australia, a small part of me wondered which costumes were causing fellow revelers to hoot and holler, and go “Boo!”  in the night.  Trick or Treat forever!  http://www.aspendailynews.com/section/entertainment/159927

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.