An Enchanted Palace

Kensington Palace, a royal residence in London, has been transformed into a magical manor with interactive and fashionable features.  Some of Britain’s top designers have combined couture, art and history to tell the stories of the seven princesses who once lived there. Vivienne Westwood, William Tempest, Stephen Jones, Echo Morgan, Marcus Wilmont and Maki Aminaka Lofvander of Aminaka Wilmont and Zowie Broach and Brian Kirby of Boudicca created looks influenced by the lives of former queens and princesses.  Stroll through the elaborate halls to learn about past inhabitants including Mary, Anne, Caroline, Charlotte, Victoria, Margaret and Diana.  View Vivienne Westwood’s “dress for a rebellious princess” inspired by Princess Charlotte and William Tempest’s dress for Queen Victoria made out of 2,000 origami birds. Visitors are given an enchanted map and clues about each member of royalty.

The intricate designs fit right in the elegant estate.  The exhibit blends new creations with historic items from the Royal Collection and Kensington Palace’s Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection.  Dresses that belonged to Princess Diana and Princess Margaret can be seen in the Council Chamber.

In an effort to bring more people into the picturesque palace, the exhibit also features live performances by the theater company WildWorks, intimate storytelling and film projections.  You’re sure to be enchanted by it all!

Where:

Kensington Palace

The Broadwalk

Kensington Gardens, London W8 4PX

When:

Runs until January 2nd 2011

Everyday from 10am-6pm

Entry is £12.50

Visit http://www.hrp.org.uk/KensingtonPalace/

ONCE UPON A DARLING

Once upon a time, on the edge of the meatpacking district in the far West Village there was a dress shop that could solve any girly fashion quandary that might arise…

Sweet enough for a fairytale, Darling, exists as a dream of a dress shop in the real world of NYC.  Owner, Ann French Emonts, a former Broadway costume designer, has done a stellar job of selecting day dresses, tops, cocktail dresses and accessories that are the perfect combination of ultra feminine and subtly sexy.  Handpicked seasonal vintage apparel is interspersed with new stock according to color palette, and Emonts even boasts a private label, with pieces named Marilyn, Audrey and Jackie.  Who knew that dreams could come true?  Darling makes PinkMemo believe in happily ever after.

DARLING

1 Horatio Street

New York, NY 10014

Challenging Holiday Dress Codes

Though they may not fall around the same time, Christmas and Passover (March 29th) have a lot in common. The two holidays share the same key characteristics: both include family gatherings, dressing up, eating too much mediocre food you wouldn’t touch any other time of the year, and waiting for a mysterious man to show up and deliver presents to well behaved children (Santa Claus and Elijah, respectively).

The traditional Passover dinner is called the Seder, a Hebrew word meaning ‘order’, because of the structured nature of the meal: first you read, then you have wine, then you eat one thing, and then the next. It’s all very rehearsed, as is the dress code: whilst certain garments and prints are considered holiday-friendly (such as floral dresses), others simply aren’t (such as denim shorts). It has always daunted me why a holiday celebrating freedom from slavery would be so confining, yet being the diligent daughter/sister/niece that I am, I played along and read, drank and ate when necessary. This year, it was time to break some rules.

A fashion slave to no Pharaoh, I decided my holiday apparel was going to be anything but the ordinary white button down/black pencil skirt combo, and so I opted for bright pink ruffles, khaki shorts, leopard platforms and a big, nay huge agate necklace.  Surely, my aunt was a bit taken aback but it was nothing a hearty bowl of Matzo ball soup couldn’t fix.

(Passover 2010)

Sometimes, dress codes can lead us to dress in a way that blends in and often doesn’t truly express us.   There’s no need to break every holiday mold at once – if leopard platforms and a necklace the size of your face are too much for you, how about a fun belt buckle, an over the top headpiece, or an out-of-place bag?  It’s so wrong for the occasion, it’s right.

A denim bag for evening? Why not!

Diane Von Furstenberg Hayworth denim-effect leather clutch, $450.

An obi belt over a cardigan? Yes please.

Cole Haan black leather obi wrap belt, $148.

Ridiculously oversized orchids in your hair? Positively necessary.

Charlotte Russe double floral headband, $4.50.

Keep in mind that dress codes are mere suggestions, and it is up to you to exercise your fashionable freedom.

ALBERTA FERRETTI FORGES AHEAD

Alberta Ferretti’s first online shop – complete with the high-concept approach you’d expect from the designer — makes her signature and Philosophy lines accessible to 52 countries and includes personal styling advice by way of design previews and suggestions of looks for individual customers.

Ferretti tells WWD:  “I target contemporary women and find it extremely interesting to be close to my customers, whom I love to advise and who are, for me, a very important source of inspiration.”

Consider us part of her new “click.” 

Passport To A Fresher Face

No time for a month-long restorative vacay?  No problem.  Gramercy Park Dermatology is launching “A Passport To A Fresher Face” – a unique membership program that allows patients to save on all those tempting treatments that keep us looking and feeling young and fab.  Savings are in the triple digits and you can choose from Botox, Dysport, microdermabrasion, laser hair removal and more!  There’s even one package that includes multiple massages at the Mandarin Oriental at Columbus Circle.  Go on, get fresh!

Passport to a Fresher Face memberships will be available beginning March 29, and the offer applies to existing and new patients.

Contact: Gramercy Park Dermatology, 212.475.2312

Visit: www.gramercyparkdermatology.com

Kate Spade Celebrates Spring

In celebration of Spring having sprung, Kate Spade New York cheer-spreaders will be handing out pinwheels in rainbow shades this weekend in Union Square.  Each pinwheel represents the joy and charm of the brand and perfectly captures the sprit of the season.  What’s more?  Each pinwheel will include a promotional offer redeemable for 15% off any full price purchase in Kate Spade stores and online.  Come and get your Spring on!

When: March 27th & 28th, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Where: Union Square

East 14th Street

New York, NY 10116

Visit: www.katespade.com

IN RACHEL ZOE’S SHOES

Are you obsessed with Rachel Zoe, not to mention the concept of dressing celebs and spending every day surrounded by oodles of amazing clothes?  This may be your chance to snag the spotlight.  Zoe has partnered with shoe shopping site Piperlime to search for a stylist good enough to fill Zoe’s shoes and become the next uber-stylist.  The lucky winner will score a guest expert spot on Piperlime’s blog, plus a life-changing opportunity to work with Zoe, styling a celebrity on the new season of “The Rachel Zoe Project.”

Think you have what it takes?  In order to play, you must showcase your fashion know-how by styling a mythical client for three potentially sticky situations — a 10-year high school reunion, office-to-evening for a high powered executive and a best friend’s wedding — and provide an explanation of your selections for each scenario.  The problem is not only filling Rachel Zoe’s shoes, but finding the perfect earrings and purse to match.  It’s going to be “Bananas!”

H&M Draws Crowds in Tel-Aviv and Jerusalem

Last Tuesday, Israeli fashionistas gathered to witness a historical event: the opening of the first H&M store in Israel, at the Azrielli Mall in Tel-Aviv.  No past store unveiling could compare: 10,000 lucky shoppers visited the 3,600 square foot store on its first day alone!

It was quite a sight to be seen – the line began forming at 6 AM that morning, steadily grew until closing time, and resumed with full force the following day.  Besides huge lines, the store opening also featured the highly anticipated world debut of H&M’s Garden Collection, composed entirely of environmentally sound garments.

Select pieces from the Garden Collection

Never again will H&M lovers in Israel need to travel abroad in order to stock up on the brand’s wallet friendly basics, not to mention covet-worthy collaborations (Karl Lagerfeld, Roberto Cavalli, Matthew Williamson and most recently Sonia Rykiel, to name a few).

Many are hopeful that the addition of H&M to the variety of clothing chains available in Israel will increase competition and encourage other retailers to be more innovative with their designs and lower their prices in an effort to become more attractive to buyers. Pe’er Nadir, CEO of the Azrielli Malls Group, summed it up by saying, “H&M will definitely shake things up”.

The Ticket to Transition

When the temperature fluctuates between 30 and 60 degrees in a few hours, at it can do in NYC come springtime, figuring out what to wear can be a challenge. Here, a quick guide of what to stash and what to save for the seasonal transition.

Image of Sonia Rykel cardigan ($895) courtesy of net-a-porter.com

STASH: Heavyweight Items

Thick sweaters, wool pants and heavy coats should be placed in the back of your closet (or if you’re lucky, your “out of season” closet).

SAVE: Cardigans

Although nubby knits should rightfully be put away, keep out your cashmere, cotton and lightweight knit sweaters, especially those in lighter shades. They’ll make for the ideal layering piece over pretty much everything, and are easy to strip off should the weather suddenly get all summery on you.

Image of Elizabeth and James booties ($385) courtesy of shopbop.com

STASH: Tall Boots

As much as you may love your knee-high Frye boots, it’s time to say goodbye to them—for now, at least. Suede and leather numbers are best kept for when you can layer ‘em under a thick pair of tights or super-skinny denim.

SAVE: Peep-Toe Booties

Ok, we admit it: we have been a little bit confused as to what to do with these for the past season besides, well, look at them sitting pretty on our shoe racks. We tried them under tights but our little toes were just too cold. Now, they’re perfect for spring – they add just enough kick-ass sass to your wardrobe without making you sweat.

Image of Tom Binns necklace ($650) courtesy of net-a-porter.com.

STASH: Dark Jewel Tones

Don’t get us wrong, we LOVE our emeralds, sapphires and rubies. But when the weather starts to warm up, they leave us feeling a bit down. They worked so beautifully with our amassed collection of neutrals (ivory, blush, nude), but we’ll just look so last-season if we don’t hang them up for the good weather.

SAVE: Neons

While neon may have been more for the daring fashionistas only this past winter, these hot shades are inevitable for spring/summer. Again, these will work just as well with your neutral pieces, but add just the right amount of pop for seasonal appeal.

Hammam Haven: Bathe Yourself in Luxury

Wait no longer.  Spring is the perfect time to bathe yourself in luxury and steam the stress away! Paris’ hammams (also known as Turkish baths) offer an opulent retreat from urban life.  A purifying ritual for the mind, body, and spirit, the hammam experience provides a space of peace and tranquility for all. Just bring your tired body and they’ll take care of the rest, providing a robe, slippers, lockers, and soap.  Lock away that cell phone and get ready to enter another world!

Aux Bains Montorgueil (55, rue Montorgueil)

The traditional hammam visit will take you through a centuries-old ritual intended to purify your skin, relax your body, and renew your mind. You’ll be guided through a series of marble-lined chambers, alternating between steam and pools of water, that get progressively hotter.  Next, your entire body will appreciate an exfoliating treatment that sloughs away rough winter skin.  Just like a caterpillar emerging from his cocoon, you’ll leave the hammam ready for bikini season!

Hammam les Cents Ciels (45 bis, avenue Edouard Valliant)

Like most spas, the hammam will let you choose other add-ons from a variety of packages and treatments including peels, mud treatments, aromatherapy, facials, and body wraps.  When your pampering is complete, you can lounge as long as you’d like while sipping on Middle Eastern mint tea and pastries and prolong that blissed-out feeling you’ve earned before you re-enter the modern world.

Hammam at La Grande Mosquée de Paris (39, rue Geoffrey Saint-Hilaire)

Paris’ most famous hammam is at the Grand Mosque of Paris–located in the city’s storied Latin Quarter.  Mosaic tiles, hand-carved woodwork, vaulted ceilings, filigreed lanterns, and stained glass adorn the decadent space and transport you to an Arabian oasis. Inside the hammam, visitors sip tea and eat handmade pastries while lounging on chaises, beds, and cushions.  Others sit outside and enjoy the courtyard with its fig trees and fountains.

O’kari Spa and Hammam (22, rue Dussoubs)

To enjoy the hammam experience without leaving New York, visit the Turkish bath at Bliss49 (541 Lexington Ave.) or stay home with Red Flower’s hammam experience line (13 Prince St.).  After a long, cold winter, fancy yourself Schéhérazade and nourish your body the North African way.  Your skin will thank you for it!