Dior And I

Photo Credit

Last night Peter and I went to see the latest fashion documentary, Dior And I, which takes its audience into the legendary House of Christian Dior, as the torch of this iconic label is passed to Belgian designer Raf Simons. The film follows Mr. Simons, his right hand man Pieter Mulier, and the Dior seamstresses as well as dozens of other people that make up the DNA of Dior. 

Bottom Line: Two thumbs up! This film artfully shows us a side of the fashion industry that is emotional, human, passionate, and supremely artistic. I couldn't help but admire and respect Mr. Simons, not only for his creative process, but also for his caring and humble demeanor towards Mr. Dior and the people who have continued his tradition  for decades. The director of the film, Frederic Tcheng, also shot the hit documentary Valentino: The Last Emperor and co-directed one of my favorite documentaries, Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has To Travel :-)

Photo Credit

Thoughts: I was captivated by the amount of innovation, passion, and pure effort and thought that is involved in the process of creating a single haute couture garment. The number of people that it takes to even actualize an entire haute couture collection, not to mention the way in which those labored and artistic works of art are shown, was nothing less than fascinating and inspiring. Every single person involved leaves their own personal touch on each stitch, seam, and bead. Watching them create these haute couture garments was visual poetry, like a Brahms Symphony in visual form. There is something so beautiful about a group of people working, creating, and imagining together for a show that will last no longer than 15 minutes. One particular seamstress spoke of the sadness that she feels after the show is over, "you must let go of the garment that you've been working on for 6 months and there's sadness in the end of that adventure and process." 

We watch as Raf Simons is introduced to the heart and soul of Dior, the seamstresses, many of which have been working for Dior for 20-40 years. I think my favorite part of the film was getting a peek into the lives of those that you never hear of, the people whose names you'll never know, but without them Dior could not exist. 

Raf Simons drew his inspiration from artist Ruby Sterling Photo Credit

It was endearing to see Raf Simons so emotional and fragile as he carries the weight of one of the most famous fashion houses in history on his shoulders, with the utmost grace and respect. Often times we think people in powerful and prestigious positions are confident, calm, sometimes arrogant, and emotionless or dictatorial. With Mr. Simons this is not the case, he reveals a man who is at times nervous, and really in awe of Christian Dior the man and legacy he was entrusted to steer into the future while retaining the tradition and original designs from the 1950's. Talk about pressure. He had 8 weeks as opposed to the usual 6-8 months to create his very first haute couture collection.

During the model casting we see a young woman (seen below) who embodies all that Miss Dior represents, her face is innocent and beautiful, yet when she walks for Raf, there's a bit of wobble in her step. I love how he decides to give her a chance even though she's not perfect. Backstage, as she stands and waits to walk out we find out that this is her first show ever.

Photo Credit

I've personally never owned anything from Dior, but I can tell you that I would proudly wear this label knowing that someone like Raf Simons is behind it. He's not a snooty "nose up in the air" type, he is all about the artistry of the design and THAT is what I respect and love. To me that is the very best way that he could honor the legacy of Christian Dior.

Fun Fact: We also learn that if you spend 350,000 euro a season on Dior couture, the head seamstress will fly anywhere in the world if a garment is not fitting you perfectly. Even if they're days away from a couture show, the client always comes first. Makes sense, how else will they fund walls made of orchids?

Watch the Paris fashion show below:

Happy Earth Day!

To all of those who dedicate their time and resources to the protection, rehabilitation, and conservation of the eco-systems of Africa and the wildlife that inhabits those lands, I dedicate this post to you. Thank you for making the Earth a better place. 

All photos were taken by Samantha Angelo & Peter Ostrega in Tanzania, The Grumeti Reserve, January 2014.

To Tony Fitzjohn and Kevin Richardson (seen below), who have dedicated their lives to raising awareness about lions and the growing fear of their extinction. 

My observation of lions in the wild: 

Lions are the most loving animals I've ever seen, they show constant displays of love, friendship, admiration, and affection towards one another. Their favorite things to do are roll around in the grass, play and nap with their families, lick/nudge heads, and most of all climb trees. The love within a lion pride is inspirational and unbreakable. I saw nothing else like it during my time in Africa. Although lions have very short life spans (10-15 years) they make the most of packing as much tender love and affection into those years as possible. 

“What we are doing to the forests of the world is but a mirror reflection of what we are doing to ourselves and to one another.”
― Mahatma Gandhi

Indagare Travel Souk: Spring 2014

Yesterday was the last day of the biannual Indagare Travel Souk at the Hotel Plaza Athenee. The pop up market features artisans and designers from around the world, most of which represent a specific cause. I wound up spending quite a bit of time talking to three of my favorite vendors about where, how, and why, their products (jewelry, clothing, accessories) are created. 

If you've read my blog, you know that I have a strong love for Africa. There's something about that place that gets into your head and heart, and I find myself unable to escape my desire to go back and somehow be involved. I thought I would visit Africa and it would be a once in a lifetime experience, but now I can't imagine living the rest of my life never going back to the pristine plains and exploring both the beautiful and tumultuous aspects of the continent and culture. Coming to Indagare Travel Souk was really the perfect opportunity to rekindle those memories and learn more about what these designers and founders are doing to help the people (especially women) and animals of Africa.  

I'll start with Raven + Lily, "a socially responsible brand dedicated to empowering woman through design partnerships and sustainable economic opportunities."Raven and Lily currently employ woman from India, Ethiopia, Cambodia, and Kenya, and give them fair trade jobs, healthcare and education in order to stop the cycle created by poverty for these women and their families. Representing Raven + Lily at Souk was Ashley Yarborough, who I had the pleasure of chatting with about the brand and it's mission. I was immediately attracted to the gorgeous necklaces from Ethiopia, as Ashley explained to me that the beads on all of necklaces are made from melted down artillery shells. After several different processes the beads are brought to Entoto Mountain, an area where many woman suffering from HIV/AIDS go to find refuge as it is known to have "holy water" that may cure them of the disease. Not only do they employ women from this region, but they also provide HIV care and education. Check out their Lookbook.

Ashley is wearing leather earrings, beaded necklace and bangle by Raven + Lily. Her colorful patterned pants are by Clover Canyon :-)

 Then I spoke with Elizabeth Gilbert who designs the most beautiful and meaningful jewelry. She has spent 20 years documenting the culture and tribes of Africa through photojournalism, and I immediately felt her deep passion on the topic after speaking to her for just a few moments. She told me all about the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. An orphanage for baby elephants and rhinos whose parents have been poached. I've never even though about what these infant animals do without parents and how they survive. The DSWT organization provides rehabilitation and protection to orphaned elephants all over Africa. Once rescued these infant elephants are brought to their headquarters in Nairobi, matched with a foster parent, usually a African male, who will stay with the infant until he/she is ready to go back into the wild. These men sleep with the baby elephants in the hay, under the same blanket. The foster parent feeds the infant a formula that is as close to the milk of a mother elephant as possible, through a large bottle. Naturally there's a parent/child bond that is created between the foster parent and these majestic and fascinating baby elephants and slowly they acclimate them back into the wild. At first they return wild but they come back to the foster parent in a back and forth cycle, until one day the orphan elephant is invited into a family, most likely comprised of other orphan elephants. 

While I was in Africa I had the privilege of being  in close proximity to large herds of elephants, and that experience was by far my favorite part of the trip, they are amazing creatures and they are in need of help. If you're interested in donating and becoming a foster parent to one of these infants visit: http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/asp/fostering.asp

Here are a few photos from our trip to Tanzania by S+P

The bracelets below tell the story of the orphan elephant meeting his/her new family in the wild. 

 More information about this gorgeous jewelry that is made in Africa by Africans can be found at http://shompolecollections.com/flash/

 Next I met Lenora, founder and creative director of Filip + Inna, a brand known for it's intricate and beautiful stitch work. Her inspiration stems from her childhood, being raised in the Philippines. Lenora is trying to preserve the ancient traditions of weaving, embroidery, and bead work while employing and empowering women of the Philippines.  My favorite stitched item was this white skirt. All of these items are stitched completely by hand, and the artists are paid per stitch, as the stitches are carefully counted on each garment.

 And last but certainly not least, Maasai Collections, founded by Elizabeth Warner in 2001 on the boarder of Kenya and Tanzania. The company employs Maasai women to create accessories, jewelry, apparel, and hand beaded accents. The leather bags with beaded accents are absolutely stunning and perfectly on trend with the fringe detail!

I'm already looking forward to the next Souk, which will be taking place sometime in November 2014. Until then you can find many of these vendors at L-ATITUDE.

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!