Fashionista in Aspen & Nantucket

The US Open on Saturday was fabulous…a great facility with Louis Armstrong  and Arthur Ashe Stadiums.  It was a privilege to see the current great names in tennis….Federer, Jokavich, Serena Williams, and Stosur…play in one day at the semi finals.  There was even a very good outdoor restaurant to enjoy a perfectly cooked piece of salmon and an acceptable glass of white wine….would New York do any less? 

But even though the greatest city in the world was hosting this international event as well as Fashion Week, it was Sunday that spoke to the entire world.  The tenth annniversary of 9 11 01, the day the world stood still, while our beloved country was attacked, at its heart, at the World Trade Center, in Washington D.C. at the Pentagon, and  with a brave group of passengers overtaking their abductors and going down with their plane, in Pennslvania before it hit DC.  This far overshadowed the frivolity of Fashion Week for me.  I made sure I got up in time to go to Sunday Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral at 9 AM for the memorial Mass.  There was a widow, sitting in front of me, whose husband was a fire fighter who died that day, with two of her sons, serving as altar boys at Mass.  Archbishop of New York, Timothy Dolan, whose interview on 60 Minutes the previous week I enjoyed, gave me communion.  I was in heaven…so to speak.   

After mass, the firemen and policemen were gathering to process into the church for the 10:15 service.  Just seeing them there, in their uniforms, brought tears to my eyes…and I was not alone.  So many of their own were lost that day, trying to rescue anyone they could, but, how few there were to find alive.  Saks Fifth Avenue, across the street, had all the names of those lost that day, in their windows.  I always remember their Christmas windows as a child growing up in Brooklyn.  As usual, they were tasteful and perfect.

Midnight found Nicci and me going downtown to Ground Zero.  Even though we couldn’t see much, it was necessary to go.  Seeing the twin towers of light, as a hopeful beam to the sky, meant a lot, as it did when I saw it ten years ago.  I returned home to Aspen the next day.  Even though I wasn’t able to attend the fashions shows that I had hoped to, I felt complete, knowing I had been in NYC at this momentous weekend.  I hope I haven’t disappointed my readers too much….xoxo Giovanna

Fashion Week continues as Nicci and I burn it at both ends.  This is really our first trip together, and we certainly know how to fit in as much as humanly possible, and then some, given the fact that we gave up sleeping and regular bathing for the week!  Besides, our miniscule bathroom is a complete joke, without even a complete shower door!  Lacking press credentials, since my Aspen publications are too limited in circulation to warrant the coveted pass, and specific invites for the shows,  I quickly realized that soaking up Fashion Week would have to come through osmosis.  Staying at the Empire Hotel, right at Lincoln Center, whipped us, like centifugal force, into the maelstrom of excitement, as I went everyday to see the impossibly tall, skinny models, designers, celebrities and the photographers who track their every movement, including yours truly.  Models handed out Women’s Wear Daily, the bible of the fashion industry, which helped us keep track of the shows, who’s who, and what’s what.  Of course, I did finally get invited to a show, but unfortunately, I was leaving on Monday, so Nicci went in my place.  I was happy, at least, that she could go.  I’ll report on it in the next installment…

Our own highlight of the day was going to see Wicked, an epic production in the classic Broadway musical tradition that I’ve long wanted to catch, followed by a late night dinner at La Petite Maison.  Love those suppers, that start out one day and by the time you get the bill…it’s another!  Of course, I continue to give you Nicci’s shoe of the night….a la Wicked Witch of the West… very green!  She told me she planned it that way!  So Nicci!  Back to the hotel for a quick nap and off to the US Open on Saturday afternoon….

I have now been to my first Fashion Night Out….in the city where it all started….New York City.  Doesn’t everything wonderful start here?  I know we have great events in Aspen all year long, but you haven’t seen anything till you get off at the Prince Street subway station in Soho, and find yourself swept up the stairs into a throng of people, all there for the same reason. 

I could not believe the interest New Yorkers of all ages have in this event.  The power of fashion and style is alive and well in NYC.  You could feel the excitement building all day as stores on Fifth Avenue starting assembling red carpet entrances.   After having my make-up done in the morning at Bergdorf Goodman at my favorite Chanel counter, I felt prepared to put my best foot forward…or should I say face forward! 

Of course, I had to make an appearance at Burberry, my place of employment.  The 57th Street location is the mothership, with multiple floors, filled wih the entire collection.  I will hopefully return before I leave, since I only made it up to the second floor, housing the London collection, which is my favorite.  The leather slim leggings are gorgeous!

Of course, I didn’t know where to run first.  As I was on the list at the Ralph Lauren store in Soho on Prince St, we headed down there to start the evening.   On the way, there were distractions everywhere…Heidi Klum and Sarah Jessica at QVC…a scene in itself…with massive television cameras and live models on stage, looking bored, hopelessly aloof…and chic.  The only self-standing Via Spiga store in the country also caught my eye, since I have many of their shoes in my closet.

I spent a long time at the new Ralph Lauren store, which has recently moved from W.Broadway to Prince Street, missed Nacho Figueras…but, of course, we see him playing snow polo in Aspen…not to worry.  I spotted a black sequinned beret, perched behind a glass cabinet, that called to me.  Turns out, it is a vintage piece, that their buyers search out around the world.  Once I found the right person to unlock its untouchable prison, and tried it on,..I knew it had to come home with me.  A splurge, but isn’t Fashion Week and New York, in general, all about it?

Back to Fifth Avenue, and Versace, where my friend, Nicci, had us on the list.  Unfortunately, by the time we flagged down a private car and driver, and made it back, it was too late to get in, and we found ourselves engulfed in a flash mob, poised with cell phones and camera, foaming to snap a prized photo of Drake and Nicki Minaj, who were inside.  Their car was waiting outside on Fifth, but they quickly realized they couldn’t get to it .  Everytime, someone appeared at the door, a roar went up in crowd, hungry to satisfy their celebrity Jones, but to no avail.  It was a false sighting,..but, at that point, who cared?  It was pure excitement for its own sake, fueled by its own creation.  I drank it up…we all did! 

Finally, off to a late night dinner at the most delicious Greek restaurant on 55th,  Estiatoria Milos,

filled to the max, at 11pm…gotta love it.  New Yorkers know how to live.  I was looking around for my own Niarchos or Onassis…to no avail.  Oh well, loved the tsatziki.  Enjoy my friend Nicci’s torturously stylish shoe of choice last night!  Till tomorrow…xo giovanna

Just arrived in NYC tonight after a 4 hour delay in Denver…bad weather in the city…conveyer belt then died at baggage claim…another 45 minutes…then a long line at taxi stand…oh well, it’s New York, the main event.  You’ve got to suffer for your art. 

When I finally arrived at the Empire Hotel at Lincoln Center, where all the action is, redemption was mine.  Oysters, and delicious fluke, recommended by Andy our bartender/waiter returned me to life, along with two glasses of Chandon sparkling allowed me to effervesce again, at least for a few more hours, in order to post a quick first impression for my readers. 

Nicci, my fashionista best friend from Chicago, who found this jewel of a boutique hotel, has the most show-stopping shoes in town….all with her.  A photo of her ‘casual’ espadrille wedges…with bejeweled ankle strap, of course…is included. 

After three hours of sleep for two nights a row, in preparation for this exciting trip for my first New York Fashion Week, yours truly says good night on a torrentially rainy evening, for a little beauty sleep, before the games begin!  Fashion Night Out is tomorrow….we’ll be ready!  Of course, I’ll have my trusty Burberry trench coat to keep me stylish…and dry!  Champagne wishes and sweet couture dreams!

As I wander around town on these last warm, beautiful days of sumner, I see a crop of new or re-located stores that deserve some attention before our tourists go home and our locals venture off to faraway places….http://www.aspendailynews.com/section/entertainment/148757

With the advent of the new Aspen Art Museum on the horizon, this year’s Art Crush semi-annual fundraiser was particularly momentous….Read about it and the increasingly popular 8 16 11 hat that is our zipcode…and this week’s date.  Move over 90210! http://www.aspendailynews.com/section/entertainment/148522

When I was asked to write about the relationship between art and fashion, I thought it was a completely redundant concept.  Of course, fashion is art – when well done.  Read my story….http://www.aspendailynews.com/section/entertainment/148406

Sold out for the first time in three years, this year’s Food & Wine evented hosted 5,000 guests who wined, dined and partied around town for three days and nights…with great style! Read all about it…147582

After watching the last three shows of “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” last week,  I was compelled to write her a little thank you note, as I’m sure a lot of us did, whether we wrote it down, or just simply felt it in our hearts…Oprah May 23, 2011