FASHION BY THE RULES – It’s Complicated

Just as there is Haute Couture and Haute Joallier, there is also Haute Horlogerie. For those who are unfamiliar with the term, we are talking “timepieces,” not watches, TIMEPIECES!!! What you really need to know is that we are talking complications here, not just in design but in the most technical way. Imagine a timepiece that requires a movement, which is assembled and completed by hand for over 700 man hours. (Girard Perregaux)

For the very first time ever in New York City, the “Timecrafters” had come to town. The show was billed as “New York’s first luxury watchmaking fair” and what makes this show extraordinarily special is that it was open to the public. If you are a collector of fine timepieces, have an interest in why a timepiece has value or purely a sucker for beauty, this should be your destination next go around.

Brands, such as Cartier, Bulgari, Harry Winston, Vacheron Constantin, Audemars Piguet, Girard Perregaux and 13 more outstanding producers of the most expensive timepieces in the world are displaying examples of what makes them the cream of the crop, the elite of horology. There is also an exhibit that traces the history of “mechanical horology from its origins to present day.

The “fair” is loosely based on the Basel fair, which is in Switzerland and occurs each spring and draws tens of thousands of visitors each year from all over the world. The feeling being, that if this show proves to be well attended, then we can expect a greatly expanded roster of “makers” for the next fair.

FASHION BY THE RULES – Alexander McQueen – Savage Beauty

From the very start of this book, you might think that this is another of those over the top, overly thought out and over intellectualized odes to a designer. The facts are very simple, this is as good as it gets when it comes to any book about a designer.
The author gives us his take on the wildly talented Alexander McQueen, which is as I have said, a bit too scholarly and pretentious for my liking but all is forgiven as the book becomes a visual monument to the talents of a designer who left us while still in his prime. The biggest assets of this magnificently photographed volume are the actual words of Mr. McQueen and an enlightening interview with Sarah Burton who succeeded him after his untimely demise.

“I think that couture has complete relevance today. Designer fashion shouldn’t be throwaway.”

“I think of myself as a plastic surgeon with a knife.”

“You’ve got to know the rules before you can break them. That’s why I am here for, to demolish the rules but to keep the tradition.”

There are so many inspiring and insightful quotes that define this master of 21st century design as well as little known facts about his past which are revealed in an almost fairy tale magic method of the telling of Mr. McQueen’s past of beginnings. This is a story that will inform, enlighten, entertain and leave you amazed from the spectacular photos which remind us of what we will miss in years to come.

The book which was published this month so that it releases the same time as the exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Rarely does any written/visual work leave you saddened by knowing that the artist reduced his own genius to just a scant 2 decades. What a loss for all of us who remain.

FASHION BY THE RULES – Mother’s Day 2011

It comes but once a year but unlike Christmas, this is a very special holiday that focuses on one very important person and we all have/had one and like it or not we only get one in a lifetime. So today is devoted to moms and my suggestions for gifts to commemorate the day. Keep in mind that I tend to go over the edge when it comes to these occasions but it really is the thought that counts and not the gift or its cost.

I am a creature of quality and grand gestures so the possibilities I offer are to be taken with a huge grain of salt unless of course you actually can afford to give gifts such as these, which I am sure would be greatly appreciated.

Mother’s day should be kept personal which means that you need to give it some thought that is unless you are the flower giving type and save your grand gestures for her birthday or Christmas. The key is to remember what her personal favorite flower is and not give just a bouquet and to please write a sweet loving note which goes a long way. As I said before and it applies to all maternal gift giving, try to remember what she loves, what she wouldn’t buy for herself and what would make her happiest on her day because once this is accomplished, your gift only gets even better in the sentimentality department.

While it may seem that I only offer the materialistic approach to gift giving, please be aware that there are some gifts that money can’t buy like cooking dinner for her, doing some of her chores for her or even just taking her out to Starbucks where you can have some one on one time since life has a way of slipping by all too quickly.

Here’s hoping that those of us who can celebrate the day will do so in the most loving manner possible. In the words of The Intruders, you only get one!
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