Celebrity Style – Carrie Underwood Summer Vacation Casual

With trips to the shore, beach, or an all-out-of-town vacation, you want to be comfortable, casual, and cute. Carrie Underwood shows us just that as she gets ready to board a plane in L.A. With a layered striped tank, sheer cardigan and cut-off shorts, she adds a cute factor with Steve Madden ballet jellies.

FASHION BY THE RULES: The Art of the Glove

One can find art in many areas of fashion, but it is rare than one can find a master of his art in any industry. I have been lucky enough to find such a master and he is in the unlikely business of GLOVES!! Gloves have long been regarded as either utilitarian, theatrical and even possibly a prop which when added to achieve a more compelling image of glamour or aristocracy.

I can think of very few in the fashion business who were considered to be masters of their art. Charles James for the elaborately constructed gowns, Geoffrey Beene for his deceptively simple designs, and possibly Christian Lacroix who elevated the art of the Haute Couture to dizzying heights of perfection. What is curious about these men is their single-minded vision to take their creations to new standards of perfection. Each of the designers lacked a desire to bend to the dictates of any commercial enterprise – each product was conceived from passion and not commercial marketability.

Enter Daniel Storto who took the knowledge bestowed upon him by his Grandfather and turned it into an art form and a passion, the vehicle he uses to convey his art is THE GLOVE. What one can find truly ironic is that the master glove maker resides in Gloversville New York, once the epicenter for glove making in the country.

Mr. Storto has been called in to confer on exhibitions for The Metropolitan Museum of Art, create for the late Alexander McQueen, use his craft to enhance the already theatrical creations of Bob Mackie but he saves his love of his art for his private treasure, the “Hand Bag.” The is an ode to his art…..a one of a kind,totally handmade, hand stitched creation which is constructed from the finest Italian leather and will be sold with one leather glove to match. There is no greater luxe than an item such as this; it is an ultimate expression from an artist who has perfected his craft beyond any expectation.

As further proof of his devotion to his craft, he is working on restoring a space in Gloversville that he will turn into the only museum in the world that will be devoted to the art of the glove.

You need to expand your knowledge by visiting his web site http://www.danielstorto.com/ . Feel free to click on any of the images in this posting for an enlarged view…… The photos are courtesy of Stephen Piersanti and Mr. Storto.

Don’t forget to look for me at http://jeffybruce.blogspot.com/ or on Facebook

FASHION BY THE RULES: Louis Marione/ Dominic Louis

The designer is Louis Marione. The company is Dominic Louis. You will need to remember them both. During these times, I must be unconsciously preoccupied with the darker, more occult, and more vampirish aspects of fashion. This week there is this androgynous and dark collection which is equal parts Rick Owens, Tom of Finland, Herb Ritts, and homoeroticism. Mr. Marione has his own take on the way the newest generation of hipsters will clothe themselves for their every day lives.

Of course, there is black. Whether it is in stretch leather or fringed gauntlets, or knit tops, there is no mistaking that the color plays an integral part of what this collection is all about and all it conjures visually. The clothes are for the confident and the passionate and not for the faint of heart or for wall flowers. There is modern technology, exotic materials, and bravado of design, which all give the wearer a strength and power that is not found in let’s just say, Ralph Lauren.

There is a great emotional component involved when purchasing an item from this collection. The future owner will want this to be a part of their being and not just their wardrobe. In some way, the possessor will be identified with the item for years to come. Mr. Marione will engender great loyalty amongst his clients, who like him are young, creative, hip, and part of the night life scene of New York City.

Please explore the collection further on http://www.dominiclouis.com/ and as usual I can be found on Facebook and at http://jeffybruce.blogspot.com/.

Photos are courtesy of the designer.

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