Happy Birthday Stefano Gabbana

Molto Sexy  turns 48 today.   I find it interesting that his education is in graphic design, rather than fashion design.  He met Domenico Dolce in 1980 and began working together in 1982. This creative partnership started with them as a romantic couple, a great business plan, a lot of style and goals to retire at 40.  They changed their mind.   In 2005,  Stefano and Domenico separated as a couple but continue to work together as business partners and friends.  They have opened Via Spiga 2, an accessory store that features several emerging designers and a new avenue for creativity.

The company has not been without controversy.  The term “raunchy” has been used to describe their ads.     They pulled one photo from the Spanish market after an huge uproar.  Stefano was featured wearing a pair of underwear and stilettos in W magazine.  (I read that article while getting my hair colored a couple of years ago, and found it odd.)  A few years ago he went public about his views of same sex parents, which I found interesting – he thinks a child should have both a mother and father.

Stefano has about 53,000 following him through  his personal Twitter account, which apparently is quite entertaining.  I may sign up for it.   The first thing he does is check the Twitter accounts realizing it is essential in reaching the label’s followers.  Incidentally, the company Twitter account has 40,000.

Let’s look at some Dolce&Gabbana.

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Alternatives to Sky High Shoes

I was goofing around online the other day and saw a photo of a young celebrity nearly trip while wearing platform pumps.  She didn’t end up on her kiester, but it was close.  I was reminded of an event that happened several years ago, but have never forgotten it.  I didn’t tell anyone, not even Mr. R5, because it was so embarrassing.

I was in a pair of 4.5 inch platforms. The weather had turned windy and rainy and I struggled to open a door that was being blown shut by the wind.  I rushed into the building, and the door slammed behind me, throwing me off balance.  My wet stilettos hit the marble floor, I skittered across that lobby, going through all sorts of contortions, goofed my knee and broke one of the d#mn heels off.  BUT I didn’t fall.  It was quite an acomplishment, but there is no way it can be done with aplomb. 

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Happy Birthday Betsey Johnson!

  Betsey Johnson will have 68 candles on her birthday cake today.  To celebrate she is offering a 25% discount for purchases made on her website.

   Betsey was born August 10th, 1942 in Wethersfield, Connecticut.  She is best known for her feminine and whimsical designs.   While many of her designs are considered “over the top” and embellished, I love them.   

In the 1960s she was part of the Warhol night club scene.  Edie Sedgwick was her house model.    In the 1970′s she had a rock and roll line called “Alley Cat”.  I made an Alley Cat pants suit (Vogue patterns) in 1976.  If I could fit into it I would still be wearing that outfit.  It was one of my favorites.   In the 80′s she started opening stores.  Today there are over 4o franchise stores.  In the 2000′s she signed a license deal that made her designs more available through Betseyville.   Betsey is also a breast cancer survivor and is very active in the fight against the disease.   Her cheeky description of her style formua is,”Take a leotard, add a skirt.”

 She also does a cartwheel at the end of her fashion shows.  How cute is that! (more…)

Happy Birthday Carlos Santana

Singer and shoe designer Carlos Santana  turns 63 today.   Santana was born July 20, 1947,  in Autlán de Navarro, Mexico.  Carlos learned to play the violin at age five and the guitar at age eight.  He eventually settled in San Francisco where he began his career as a guitarist, starting the band Santana.  When I think of Carlos Santana, I think of  Oye Como Va.   I love that song.

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Camilla Skovgaard London Lace-up Oxford Ankle Boot

I am intrigued by the Camilla Skovgaard London A9007 ankle boot with the wrap-around ankle detail.

At first glance, they reminded me  of the Balenciaga  2006 harness boots that were so popular (thanks in large part to Mary Kate Olson) – which spawned the wildly popular Sam Edelman ‘Zoe’ – a silhouette that has become a staple for that shoe brand, including a recent, studded variation.

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