AU COURANT & INDIA

Join the Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture’s vibrant Au Courant group next week as they continue their Local-Global series and delight and discuss all things Indian. Dr. Jaina Sanga will be on-site to delve into the exotic country of India’s fascinating history, social customs, cuisine, culture, and the arts.  And, of course, Bollywood will not be forgotten with a presentation of film clips and slide representations of the varied complexity of everyday life in modern India.  With a tutorial on Indian dress and a taste of curried cuisine, this will most assuredly be a colorfully authentic trip to the second most populous country in the world that doesn’t require a trip to the airport.

What: Visit INDIA with Au Courant of the Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture

When: Monday, March 1^st, 6pm-7:30pm

Where: The Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture

R.S.V.P.: Tickets – Non-members $35, Members $25, Member Teachers $12

Call: 214.871.2440 or visit www.dallasinstitute.org by Feb. 26th

Bellini By Calypso

Introducing Bellini, Calypso’s newest top-shelf scent — a seriously scrumptious addition to this luxe line. You can set the mood with this cocktail in candle form or spritz your wrists for an instant mood boost. In honor of Bellini, this Saturday, February 27th, when you shop the Spring 2010 Collection at the Calypso boutique you’ll snag 20% off your entire purchase. We say cheers to that!

What: Bellini by Calypso

Where: Calypso, 4040 Villanova Street

Visit: www.calypso-celle.com

Just Ask for ALICE by Temperley

If it’s Alice Temperley’s romantic rock and roll sensibility you crave, you’ll be pleased to hear that her highly anticipated diffusion line, ALICE by Temperley has arrived.

With the same “London It-girl” inspiration as the main collection, and a dash of its own fresh accessibility, the line will include easy-to-wear, mix and match pieces in jersey, light knits, broderie anglaise and cotton tailoring. The leopard and tiger prints, tons of bold stripes, florals, and some sweet polka dots will mirror her print-heavy aesthetic of yore, while slate grey denim, leather quilted biker jackets (a Temperley signature) and a denim military topper add a dose of edginess.

There will be three lines released per year, and prices range from $130 to $820.  Shop now at Neiman Marcus, Scoop, Temperley London boutiques and online at net-a-porter.com. The diffusion line has already found fans in English fashion fixtures Daisy Lowe and Amber le Bon, so to channel a little London – and a lot of style – just ask for ALICE.

Virgil Grotfeldt at Holly Johnson

The Holly Johnson Gallery puts the “rising” in the term “rising star.” Each exhibition consistently offers extraordinary emerging contemporary art, and their latest feature is no exception. Artist Virgil Grotfeldt’s dark, yet eye-catching pieces will be on display until March 20, 2010, and they are not to be missed.

Constant Memory, 2007

Night When Crimson Rules, 2007

What: Virgil Grotfeldt at Holly Johnson Gallery

Where: 1411 Dragon Street

Visit: www.hollyjohnsongallery.com

Ports 1961 Designer in Dallas

Nordstrom Dallas Galleria is hosting an appearance by Ports 1961 designer Tia Cibani on Thursday, February 25th featuring her Spring/Summer 2010 RTW collection. PinkMemo got to talk to Cibani about her inspiration, what we’ll be seeing on Thursday, and how the aesthetic of the collection is evolving from a literal translation of tribal and ethnic themes to something with a more futuristic feel, all while keeping up with her signature poeticism.

Ports 1961 Spring/Summer 2010 RTW

PM: Welcome to Dallas! Have you ever been here before, and what do you think of the Dallas woman’s style?

TC: This will maybe be the third time I come to Dallas, and I love it. Dallas women are very confident and very sure of themselves. They are not afraid to be feminine and they exhibit a confidence in their femininity that is very admirable, especially now at a time when women are unsure of whether to exert their femininity or try to compete with their male colleagues.

PM: How would you describe the Ports 1961 brand and its aesthetic?

TC: The Ports 1961 woman is one that is all embracing. The collection and the brand are all about being open and embracing something that is global and eclectic at the same time, like a bohemian look with a lot of luxury. For me, the actual clothes are about beauty and ceremonial dress. The inside of the clothing is just as precious and special as the outside – they are made for a person who appreciates those little hidden secrets; someone who appreciates the delicate silk lining, its rich, luxurious color, and who loves the beautiful inside even though she’s the only one who can see it. I really feel like this detail is integral to the collection’s identity.

PM: Tell me a little bit about the collection we’ll be seeing in Dallas.

TC: You will be seeing Spring/Summer 2010, which feels like 100 years ago since it launched in September. It’s a collection of discipline that is at the same time poetic. I married the two concepts to create an Asian nuance of Japanese influence mixed with 1930s French couture, so there are a lot of grays, kimono sleeves, and organza, yet the shapes remain disciplined, while at the same time poetic.

PM: You keep repeating the word poetic, is that something that inspires you?

TC: The Ports 1961 collection has always had an underlying poetic message – I just can’t help myself! Even when I try to be masculine, strong, edgy, or rock and roll, somehow something soft and poetic emerges. It’s not like you plot out your intent, you kind of do what you love, and that’s where the consistency comes – there was this one thing that kept emerging.

PM: What kind of woman is in mind during the design process?

TC: Ports 1961 has a lot to offer. It is quite diverse and it really ranges the scale of both style and age. For instance I once saw two women in the office, Jacqui Wendel, who is in her 50s, and one of our PR managers, Jacqueline Long, who is in her 20s, wearing the same blue shift dress from the current collection and standing side by side, and they both looked amazing. Each looked very comfortable in the garment, chic and urban, while also looking comfortable with whom they are in the dress. And that’s how I like it to be, not oh this dress will look nice on this kind of person and this will look nice on someone much younger. The overall feel of the collections have an all embracing feel made for all kinds of women – I am inspired by my sister, who is my muse, my colleagues, my friends, and what I would personally like to wear, so it is made up of many different women.

PM: Your designs usually have a more literal earthy feel to them, but this Fall there is a touch of the futuristic in them, and the girls look like modern nomads, what prompted the different direction?

TC: It has been a literal journey time and time again, and I felt like moving away from that so it was a very conscious decision. We are all from one place, but we travel and evolve from our journeys and become a global soul influenced by everything we’ve gone through. The global nomad and futurism was how this evolved for me, and it gave the collection this scientific twist.

PM: If you had to wear one piece of clothing every day for the next year, what would it be, and would it be Ports?

TC: Yes, it would be Ports and that’s the honest truth! There is this pair of knit pants that look like a riding pant, but they are made out of a scuba, neoprene-ish material that is like a second skin, except it doesn’t cling to every crease, nor does it pucker. They make you feel like a million dollars and I’ve been living in them for a while. I can wear them with any top, with my riding boots for a day look or with heels. They are long, ruche at the hem and have a zip on the inside so you can zip them over the heel for a more dressed up nighttime look. They are just so versatile.

Sounds like I need a pair of those pants! Where Ports 1961s aesthetic will go next, only Cibani knows, but lets hope we get to see more of her Global Nomads.

When: Thursday, February 25th, 6:30 to 8:30 pm

Where: Nordstrom Dallas Galleria

Event is open to the public

Junior League and Rick Springfield Rock Dallas

The Junior League of Dallas and Rick Springfield rocked the Hilton Anatole last night at the Rock the Stars event. Glittering guitars, fabulous frocks and sunglasses danced the night away!

Rock the Stars at the Hilton Anatole

Rick Springfield

Junior League Rocking out with Rick Springfield

Diva heaven – Rick and the girls Perform Jessie’s Girl

Waiting to Exhale

Its about time you catch your breath and give your body a rest. Exhale Spa has teamed up with BluePrint Cleanse and together they have created a spa-perfect mind body cleanse package for all Dallas clientele. Including a 3 day BPC cleanse, 3 complimentary mind body classes at Exhale, as well as one complimentary 60 min massage, facial or 30 min acuorgan detox therapy, this threesome packs quite the punch! So knockout tension and breathe easy.

What: BluePrint & Exhale Spa Mind Body Cleanse Package

Visit: www.blueprintcleanse.com & www.exhalespa.com

Get Graphic

Put away your LBD and embrace the new dress trend: graphic prints in a myriad of colors and styles. There was nary a solid to be seen on Peter Som’s texture filled runway, Catherine Malandrino’s nomads did a tribal take, and Diane von Furstenberg went with watercolors, but one thing the Fall 2010 RTW shows all had in common: prints! From graphic to ethnic, prints are still very much in, and they’re the perfect transitional piece. Add a leather jacket or your favorite blazer, tights, and a pair of boots to keep warm, or shed the layers and add sandals when in the sun – either way, you’ll stand out in a crowd. What better way to celebrate the coming Spring than with some warm color in the form of a pretty print.

Diane von Furstenberg, Fall 2010 RTW

DVF Erosa Dress, $398.00, www.shopbop.com

Tibi Watercolor Silk Dress, $380.00, www.netaporter.com

Proenza Schouler Abstract-Print Shift Dress, $1520, www.neimanmarcus.com

Acne Snake Print Dress, $331.23, www.brownsfashion.com

Robert Rodriguez Asymmetrical Print Silk Dress, $341.00, www.saksfifthavenue.com

The Joule: A Bridal Soiree

Wedding bells are ringing and brides-to-be, this is one brunch you don’t want to miss.  On Saturday, February 27^th, The Joule hotel will be serving a most delectable brunch catered by Dallas sartorial favorite, Charlie Palmer.  Catch a glimpse of the latest couture gowns especially brought in for you viewing (and swooning) pleasure from the Neiman Marcus Bridal Salon.  Learn what to do when you say I do, from wedding specialists including Ceron Salon, Citizen Sweet, Ducky Bob’s, Lite Dallas, and more.  One lucky bride will win a drawing of extra sweet gifts to complement the planning her special day.

What: The Joule: A Lavish Luncheon & Bridal Soiree

When: Saturday, February 27^th at 12pm

Tickets: $45 per person.  Fan the Joule on Facebook for a special $25 per person offer.

Visit: www.thejoule.com

All Weather Leather

As the sun starts to shine this Spring, fashion’s most forward ladies will be trading in their leather jackets and reaching for classic looks in the tough material. Whether it comes in soft colors like Diane von Furstenberg’s pink one-shouldered dress, sexy black silhouettes like Preen’s motorcycle mini, or in unexpected forms like See by Chloe’s calfskin shorts, leather is in for all weather.

Think Pink

DVF leather one-shoulder dress, $645, www.bergdorfgoodman.com

Motorcycle Madness

Preen belted leather dress, $1325, www.luisaviaroma.com

Classic Twist

See by Chloe leather boyfriend shorts, $120, www.saksfifthavenue.com