Socks w/ Sandals in Soho

 

Bodysuit & Socks / American Apparel

Skirt / Maison Martin Margiela

Heels / Nine West
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 Turtleneck Crop Top, Socks, Sunglasses / American Apparel 

White Leather Skirt / Club Monaco

Heels / Jimmy Choo
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Top & Skirt / Vintage Norma Kamali 

Socks / American Apparel

Heels / CL's 
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Tribeca Film Festival

Logo Credit

 Tribeca Film Festival is yet another reason why I feel so fortunate to live in NYC, and have the opportunity to take advantage of all of the mind-blowing culture it has to offer.

 Peter and I selected four films that piqued our interests, and after each film we met the cast, director, and others involved in the film making process, as they talked about the work and how it came to be, followed by a Q & A with the audience. Awesome, is how I would describe watching a spectacular film and then getting to meet and hear from all of the people involved in its creation. I've never seen four amazing films in one week ever before, each emotional and inspiring in their own way. 

The Goods: 

- Dior And I (documentary) This film follows designer Raf Simons as he is honored with the title, Creative Director, of the legendary and iconic House of Christian Dior.  

- Ballet 422 (documentary) This film follows dancer/choreographer Justin Peck of the New York City Ballet as he creates La Jolla the 422nd new ballet to be premiered at NYCB. You see his passion and discipline as he works with some of the most talented dancers in the world. 

- Palo Alto (feature film) Gia Coppola makes her directing feature film debut with her interpretation of Palo Alto: short stories by James Franco, this film encompasses all of the confusion and conflict that teenagers go through, all the while having to figure out what they want to do for the rest of their lives. This is a very honest and true depiction of the difficulties we all face during those very awkward and confusing years. From sexuality to self image, peer pressure to defying authority, this films covers it all.

- Iverson (documentary) This film tells the riveting story of NBA star Allen Iverson, and reinforces the phrase, "it takes a village to raise a child." Through injustice and adversity he perseveres with the help of friends, family and mentors who believed in him as he accomplished his dreams of NBA stardom. We see how the media enjoys building people up just so that they can tear them down. As misunderstood as Iverson is he refuses to be anyone other than his true self, whether people like it or not.

A couple superlatives...

Best Overall:
Dior And I 

Best Story:
Iverson

Clip from the Q & A: Allen Iverson is asked, "What is your greatest God given gift?" 

 My favorite line:

"I'm just me man, I'm family...and I'm my friends

 And I'm down with whatever I love, man, and that's it, man, I can't satisfy everybody, I can't be the Allen Iverson that you want me to be, the only Allen Iverson I can be is the Allen Iverson that I am, and if you love dat then coo, and if you don't...then shit, f#*% you."- Allen Iverson

Best Director:
Frederic Tcheng (Dior And I)

Best Score:
Ha-Yang Kim (Dior And I)

Best Scene: 
Dior And I
(The scene that takes place backstage right before Raf Simons first haute couture show for Christian Dior. The emotion of that moment is palpable.)

Hardest Tickets To Score:
Iverson 
(Honestly, I got nervous because the line for rush tickets was so unorganized that I thought there might be a stampede.)

Most Buzz:
Palo Alto

Best Q & A:
Palo Alto & Iverson 

Gia Coppola speaks about her debut film Palo Alto.

S+P Ranking:
1) Dior And I 
2) Iverson
3) Palo Alto
4) Ballet 422

Overalls for a Lady

I always imagine these silk floral overalls looking best while riding a Deco Bike on South Beach with nothing but a leopard bandeau underneath, a hat, and sunglasses. This is the NYC interpretation of that vision. 

The Look:

Favorite Jean Jacket, Vintage DVF Leopard Scarf Top, Zimmermann Silk Floral Overalls, Black Tights & Espadrilles.  

  

Culottes Through History

Culottes - Originally this term of French origins was used to describe men's knee length breeches (knickers) worn by the European gentlemen of the upper class in the Middle Ages/Renaissance. Culottes (often made of silk) were tight and cut below the knee, where they were buttoned or tied around the leg. These "simple" pants have experienced quite a dramatic history, as seen during the French Revolution, when revolutionary fighters known as the sans-culottes rejected the wearing of the culottes as their way of turning against the aristocratic system. They opted for trousers.
























Today, culottes best describe a women's skirt that is split down the middle and turned into pants. These wonderful skirt-like pants can come in handy when a lady would like to retain her femininity while riding a horse or in the case of the urban lady, riding a bike. They're also perfect for walking around Manhattan on a breezy Spring day, without the worry of a Marylin Monroe situation. 

Looks like thees ladies could use a pair of culottes. photo credit

 The long skirts of the Victorian Era didn't make particpating in physical activities, such as bicycling, horse back riding, and tennis very easy. The introduction of the culottes enabled women to retain the illusion of a skirt while gaining the functionality of the pant. Often they would go as far as wrapping fabric around the waist in order to disguise the pant qualities of the culottes. 

This season the culotte is back and chicer than ever. 

My favorite street style culottes. Photo Credit

My take on this Spring trend:

The Look:

Culottes (more like cropped trousers) - Zimmermann
Linen top w/ leather detail - A.L.C. 
Shoes - Nicholas Kirkwood (Sample Sale)
Rings - Elizabeth & James (Sample Sale)
Clutch - Clare Vivier (Laptop Case from Apple)
Suede frame sunglasses - Miu Miu

The Rules:

For the most part you want to wear your culottes with a heel. There may be a few excepts, but overall I much prefer them with a heel, the higher the better. I was definitely living on the edge with a 2 inch Kirkwood...
 
Transition this look into night:

I ditched the culottes for a white leather skirt (Club Monaco), added a black turtleneck and tights, and threw a black DVF blazer over it.  

Nicholas Kirkwood's First Sample Sale | NYC Fashion Blogger Samantha Angelo

The blue pair in the middle look very familiar...

British shoe designer, Nicholas Kirkwood, is having his first US sample sale today and tomorrow...run, don't walk!!

Up to 70% off and they mean it, these are the best bargains I've ever seen for Kirkwood's.

 When: April 9th from 10am-8pm & April 10th from 8am-8pm
Where: 125 W. 18th St. between Sixth and Seventh Aves, fourth floor (212-463-0200)

I've been a huge fan of Nicholas Kirkwood ever since last year, when I found my dream wedding shoes that he designed. They were perfect, unique, and brought my entire wedding attire style together. The photos below are all by Fiona Conrad.

I ran into my friend Carla Kelly at the sample sale, who sold me the gorgeous wedding shoes back in April 2013 and it was wonderful to see her again. She runs the Nicholas Kirkwood location at 807 Washington Street in the Meatpacking. I highly recommend paying Carla a visit at this beautiful store, which opened recently, she's so sweet, helpful and has impeccable taste. 

I walked away from the sample sale with 3 gorgeous pairs of shoes (for the price of one!!!) When you can get a pair of $900 shoes for $200, it's a good day and such a bargain for the quality and style of Kirkwood's unique and creative designs. 

P.S. I heard there may be further mark downs tomorrow!