urbanhippiedc

Bulgari? Me?

2008-04-02T09:08:00.001-07:00

Not sure how I got this Evite, but I'm not complaining! I'll gladly attend.

Full-On Awesome-ness!

2008-04-02T08:58:00.000-07:00

If you miss this event, you WILL regret it!!!

2008-03-27T12:09:00.000-07:00

It's been a while, I know. Call it Blog Burnout, Event Mania, or whatever. I've been a busy person, doing accessories for fashion shows, planning trunk shows, making valuable press contacts, sneaking clothes into the house when my husband isn't looking... you know, that all takes a lot of work, and has kept me away from here!

Important Upcoming Events:

TONIGHT, 3/27/08:
Girls Gone Glam fundraiser for Dress For Success, a GREAT organization that provides free professional clothing and career counseling to welfare-to-work women in the community.

Art Buzz: A Benefit for Cultural Program for DC Public Schools, at 4NXC Boutique

AND Once Upon A Prom Fundraiser at Urban Chic (donate a prom dress, get a big discount).

Goodness... I have to work so I don't see how I can be in 4 places at once. Thursdays are great for fashion events, for some reason.

FRIDAY, 3/28/08:
Wreckfest @ Tiffany's

SATURDAY, 3/29/08:
Peacock Grand Cafe & Bloomingdale's Fashion Show and Brunch to Benefit the Washington Humane Society.

Whew... busy weekend indeed!

I'll be back soon with some of my favorite things.

R & Y Augousti

2008-01-25T07:12:00.000-08:00

You MUST know about this label. Right now!!!!! The husband and wife design team have worked together for 20 years. Ria is from the Philipines, and Yiouri is from Cyprus. They use the most unusual materials, as you can see. This is shagreen (sharkskin) and ostrich. Rare, sumptuous, textural and modern. The seed-pod-like bumps & vertical lines of the ostrich skin and the tonal colors play off of each other, not to mention the unexpected shape of the minaudiere and the glint of bronze.

An interview with the design team: http://threelayercake.com/content/view/250/45/

Some info about Shagreen (from Wikipedia).

Shagreen is a type of roughened untanned leather, formerly made from a horse's back, or that of an onager (wild ass), and typically dyed green. Shagreen is now commonly made of the skins of sharks and rays. The word derives from the French chagrin (anxiety, annoyance – a reference to the rasping surface of the leather) which in turn is said to have developed from the Turkish[1][2] sağrı, literally, the back of a horse. Shagreen has an unusually rough and granular surface, and is sometimes used as a fancy leather for book bindings, pocket-books and small cases, as well as its more utilitarian uses in the handles of swords and daggers, where slipperiness is a positive disadvantage.

Shagreen was traditionally prepared by embedding plant seeds (often Chenopodium) in the untreated skin while soft, covering the skin with a cloth, and trampling them into the skin. When the skin was dry the seeds were shaken off, leaving the surface of the leather covered with small indentations.

In the 17th and early 18th centuries, however, the term "shagreen" began to be applied to a leather made from sharkskin or the skin of a rayfish (probably the pearl ray, Hypolophus sephen). This form is also termed sharkskin or galuchat. Such skins are naturally covered with round, closely set, calcified papillae called placoid scales, whose size is chiefly dependent on the age and size of the animal. These scales are ground down to give a roughened surface of rounded pale protrusions, between which the dye (again, typically green vegetable dye) shows when the material is coloured from the other side. This latter form of shagreen was first popularised by Jean-Claude Galluchat (d. 1774), a master leatherworker in the court of Louis XV of France. It quickly became a fashion amongst the French aristocracy, and appears to have migrated throughout Europe by the mid-18th century.

FENDI, what else???

2008-01-25T07:05:00.000-08:00

As usual, Fendi has made my heart sing. Now I'm scheming as to how I can get ahold of one of these babies when I certainly cannot afford it, my credit card is about to catch on fire, AND they are sold out anyway!!

A girl can dream... and check on ebay!

Enjoy...

I Miss Italy

2008-01-10T09:49:00.001-08:00

Cat in the Rain
by Ernest Hemingway

There were only two Americans stopping at the hotel. They did not know any of the people they passed on the stairs on their way to and from their room. Their room was on the second floor facing the sea. It also faced the public garden and war monument. There were big palms and green benches in the public garden. In the good weather there was always an artist with his easel. Artists liked the way the palms grew and the bright colors of the hotels facing the sea. Italians came from a long way off to look up at the war monument. It was made of bronze and glistened in the rain. It was raining. The rain dripped from the palm trees. Water stood in pools on the gravel paths. The sea broke in a long line in the rain. The motor cars were gone from the square by the war monument. Across the square in the doorway of the cafe a waiter stood looking out at the empty square.

The American wife stood at the window looking out. Outside right under their window a cat was crouched under one of the dripping green tables. The cat was trying to make herself so compact that she would not be dripped on.

“I’m going down and get that kitty,” the American wife said.

“I’ll do it,” her husband offered from the bed.

“No, I’ll get it. The poor kitty is out trying to keep dry under the table.”

The husband went on reading, lying propped up with the two pillows at the foot of the bed.

“Don’t get wet,” he said.

The wife went downstairs and the hotel owner stood up and bowed to her as she passed the office. His desk was at the far end of the office. He was an old man and very tall.

“Il piove,” the wife said. She liked the hotelkeeper.

“Si, si, Signora, brutto tempo. It is very bad weather.”

He stood behind his desk in the far end of the dim room. The wife liked him. She liked the way he wanted to serve her. She liked the way he felt about being a hotel-keeper. She liked his old, heavy face and big hands.

Liking him she opened the door and looked out. It was raining harder. A man in a rubber cape was crossing the empty square to the cafe. The cat would be around to the right. Perhaps she could go along to the eaves. As she stood in the doorway an umbrella opened behind her. It was the maid who looked after their room.

“You must not get wet,” she smiled, speaking Italian. Of course, the hotel-keeper had sent her.

With the maid holding the umbrella over her, she walked along the gravel path until she was under their window. The table was there, washed bright green in the rain, but the cat was gone. She was suddenly disappointed. The maid looked up at her.

“Ha perduto qualque cosa, Signora?”

“There was a cat,” said the American girl.

“A cat?”

“Si, il gatto.”

“A cat?” the maid laughed. “A cat in the rain?”

“Yes,” she said, “under the table.” Then, “Oh, I wanted it so much. I wanted a kitty.”

When she talked English the maid’s face tightened.

“Come, Signora,” she said. “We must get back inside. You will be wet.”

“I suppose so,” said the American girl.

They went back along the gravel path and passed in the door. The maid stayed outside to close the umbrella. As the American girl passed the office, the padrone bowed from his desk. Something felt very small and tight inside the girl. The padrone made her feel very small and at the same time really important. She had a momentary feeling of being of supreme importance. She went on up the stairs. She opened the door of the room. George was on the bed reading.

“Did you get the cat?” he asked, putting the book down.

“It was gone.”

“Wonder where it went to,” he said, resting his eyes from reading. She sat down on the bed.

“I wanted it so much,” she said. “I don’t know why I wanted it so much. I wanted that poor kitty. It isn’t any fun to be a poor kitty out in the rain.”

George was reading again.

She went over and sat in front of the mirror of the dressing table looking at herself with the hand glass. She studied her profile, first one side and then the other. Then she studied the back of her head and her neck.

“Don’t you think it would be a good idea if I let my hair grow out?” she asked, looking at her profile again.

George looked up and saw the back of her neck, clipped close like a boy’s.

“I like it the way it is.”

“I get so tired of it,” she said. “I get so tired of looking like a boy.”

George shifted his position in the bed. He hadn’t looked away from her since she started to speak.

“You look pretty darn nice,” he said.

She laid the mirror down on the dresser and went over to the window and looked out. It was getting dark.

“I want to pull my hair back tight and smooth and make a big knot at the back that I can feel,” she said. “I want to have a kitty to sit on my lap and purr when I stroke her.”

“Yeah?” George said from the bed.

“And I want to eat at a table with my own silver and I want candles. And I want it to be spring and I want to brush my hair out in front of a mirror and I want a kitty and I want some new clothes.”

“Oh, shut up and get something to read,” George said. He was reading again.

His wife was looking out of the window. It was quite dark now and still raining in the palm trees.

“Anyway, I want a cat,” she said, “I want a cat. I want a cat now. If I can’t have long hair or any fun, I can have a cat.”

George was not listening. He was reading his book. His wife looked out of the window where the light had come on in the square.

Someone knocked at the door.

“Avanti,” George said. He looked up from his book. In the doorway stood the maid. She held a big tortoise-shell cat pressed tight against her and swung down against her body.

“Excuse me,” she said, “the padrone asked me to bring this for the Signora.”

Back from Hollywood Hills!

2007-12-11T07:43:00.000-08:00

My God, I want to move to LA! I was there last week, and it was 80 degrees and sunny, not a cloud in the sky! I have never seen so many Bentleys in my life! I had the best time wandering around Beverly Hills, looking at beautiful clothes and jewelry, and of course the beautiful people. My star sightings:

Terrence Howard was at Dulles Airport
Martin Short on my plane
The Diet Coke guy was at the 101 Diner which was attached to my hotel
Saw the crazy girl from Nip Tuck while I was eating Brazilian food on Beverly Drive

Can't complain! All that in 4 days!

I visited the store where the stars shop, Lisa Kline. Apparently they lower the curtains over the windows when someone famous shops there so the paparazzi don't harrass them and they can enjoy a relaxing shopping experience. They did not draw the curtains for me. But I did get a long grecian gown by ingwa; melero:

Mine is like this, but long and the material is a pastel space dye knit. Hard to describe... but the draping in the front is just amazing.

What else did I learn in LA? That a lot of strange things pass for "work" in that town. Like, making online videos of yourself, hiring out French waitresses for money, pretending to be a Ninja... I have been in the wrong business for too long!

Unearthen

2007-12-11T07:37:00.001-08:00

I'm in love with these necklaces. The website is beautiful, too. Have a look:
UNEARTHEN

Is Fur Glamorous?

2007-11-29T06:55:00.001-08:00

This fur coat is made of RATS!!!!

I hate to say it, but the photograph and the model make rat fur look spectacular. From a distance, at least.

Read the whole article here: http://fashionista.com/2007/11/gareth_pughs_rat_coat_an_essay.php

My favorite line is "...the Gucci Group, who would skin zebras and kittens if it meant the latest It Bag." Pretty sick, but certainly true. I can attest to Gucci's ues of exotic skins personally, having visited their factory in Scandicci, Italy. There were many skins hanging in a special room, pink alligators, green crocodile, yellow ostriches. You could see that the entire animal had been skinned... they were whole pieces of animal skin, from head to toe.

The discussion about animal products could go on forever, so I'm going to stop my post here for now. Enjoy the rat coat.

SHOPPING & CHAMPAGNE AT TOPAZ HOTEL

2007-11-28T10:57:00.000-08:00

Fun local boutiques are participating in this event, and they will be raffling off some pretty sweet high-quality bags to raise money for Martha's Table. Stop by, it's free, so why not?? I'm sure there will be many beautiful things there. The Topaz is a gorgeous venue as well.

Details here: Shopping & Champagne at Topaz Hotel

Dodged a Bullet...

2007-11-28T10:52:00.000-08:00

My husband's brother almost bought a Dooney & Bourke purse for his wife the other day!!!! Thankfully, he called my husband BEFORE doing so, and asked my opinion about it. Well, I let him have it. I explained that I hate Dooney & Bourke, because of the cheesy logo fabric, the unoriginality of the designs, the product placement, and ESPECIALLY THE DUCK!!! Why on earth would I want a Duck on my handbag??? Why would ANYONE want a duck on their handbag?? I just don't get it. He had "bonus points" to spend on a purse, so I gently guided him to a much better product, Kate Spade. His wife is very conservative so Kate Spade is perfect for her, and I am not going to get upset with him now. It might be a bit conservative for my personal taste, but I do think the designs are fresh, uncomplicated and often colorful. WHEW...

U-CARE Shopping Fundraiser!

2007-11-25T13:10:00.000-08:00

What could be better than shopping for charity?? This is a benefit to raise money for Sitar Arts Center, an arts education center for low income residents of Adams Morgan. Spend money on yourself while simultaneously helping others!

Specials, Events, Sales & Giveaways throughout the evening...

Simply Home
25% off any regular price merchandise in their store, and a special buy one drink get one free deal at their restaurant.

GoodWood
$50 gift certificate raffled off at the end the night for people who drop off their business cards.

Junction
10%-25% off the total purchase amount.

RCKNDY
Enter to win a gift basket valued at over $100.00.

Moojoo Ken
25%-60% off selected items.

Wild Women Wear Red
30%-60% off selected items.

Nana
10% off all purchases.

Caramel
Raffle for a $75 gift certificate at the end of the evening.

Sitar Arts Center
Celebrating Kids, Arts, & Community

About Sitar Arts Center...
Sitar Arts Center was founded in 1998 in response to a lack of affordable arts education for low income residents in the Adams Morgan neighborhood. Sitar Arts Center provides young people in its inner-city community the opportunity to discover their gifts through music, dance, visual art, creative writing, and drama.
The Center’s programs are built on the knowledge that exposure to the arts dramatically enhances learning skills, cognitive development, social awareness and self esteem. The Center now accepts residents of Adams Morgan, Columbia Heights and Mount Pleasant. At least 80% of the Center’s students live in low income households and 25% live below the national poverty level. Sitar Arts Center is a community arts organization currently serving 300 students. The programs are accessible and affordable for neighborhood youth; most students only pay a $15 fee per semester for unlimited classes.

How you can help...
In addition to the 10% retailers contribution from the U-CARE Shopping Social, you can further support Sitar Arts Center through monetary donations, volunteering, and in-kind donations of supplies such as musical instruments; art supplies; dance shoes and clothing; art books; and photography equipment (to name a few). Sitar Arts Center is a 501(c)(3) organization, and contributions to the Center are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law. To make a charitable donation today, visit www.sitarartscenter.org/support_us/ For more information on how you can help, visit their website at www.sitarartscenter.org or call them at 202-797-2145.

TONIGHT - Femme Fete Event

2007-11-20T13:30:00.001-08:00

I wish I could go to this, but I can't:

Join more than 30 rising designers, boutiques, and
beauty vendors for an enchanting evening of
live music, wine, shopping, and pampering.
List of Designers

Date: Tuesday, November 20th
Time: 6:30-10:30PM
Location: Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown
2800 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington DC
Attire: Cocktail/Business

Admission: $30

MARRIAGE, ANYONE?

2007-11-15T13:02:00.001-08:00

These dresses make me want to renew my vows...

Junko Yoshioka

Claire Pettibone

Fendi IS Urban Hippie.

2007-11-09T12:17:00.001-08:00

I would die for that top one!!!! Fringe is TOTALLY Urban Hippie, and so is Native American (second one). Finally, the bottom one is super cool... sequin fish scales and fringe... RAD!!!

My Husband

2007-11-09T10:42:00.001-08:00

I am so in love. I know I married the right man because he told me last night:

Mike: "Gillian, now I know what I want to do with the rest of my life."

Gillian: "What?"

Mike: "Wear designer clothes and go to the gym."

I thought to myself, that's exactly what I want to do! He was experiencing the heady, confidence-building effects of wearing his new Ferragamo coat, black nylon, 3/4 length, sporty but classic, with the Gancini zipper pulls. The one he coveted on Cockney Bob in Florence 2 years ago, and patiently searched for until he found it this season. I'm so proud of him. He knew what he wanted, and he patiently searched the Ferragamo departments at Neiman, Saks, and Nordstrom stateside, internationally in stores in Naples, Sicily, even the Milan airport until he found the exact size and shape in Florence, at the Ferragamo Flagship at Palazzo Spini Feroni.

That's my Baby!

Rozae Nichols

2007-11-09T10:23:00.000-08:00

I'm a huge fan. I came upon this designer in Seattle in 2000, and fell instantly in love. The fabrics she uses are top quality... in fact, she designs them herself. Diaphanous layering of silks in various shades, rich unexpected colors, softest leathers and suedes. My favorite piece is a suede and crepe cardigan with covered snap buttons, in a very unusual deep blue with rust stitching. It's a cardigan so it can be worn as a simple basic, but the fabric and color are anything but. It's 100% appropriate for a conservative work environment, but you won't look like every other person wearing Ann Taylor.

I wish I were wearing this dress to the Gala (Naomi's Hope for a Cure) on Friday... I'm not, as of this moment, but that could change...

The belt is so unexpected and gives the dream-like dress a harder edge. I have the perfect shoes to go with it too... better freeze the credit card again!

Rozae Nichols also launched 2 other lines:

A Common Thread (Notice the emphasis on travel... it's calling me... I'm a "chic traveler"... I NEED some of this line! Husband, are you listening??)

RN Convertible - Calling Rick Owens...

All are produced using ethical business practices. Urban Hippie loves ethical business practices.

ASK A NINJA!

2007-11-09T07:41:00.000-08:00

I'm going to this party! How exciting!

Ask A Ninja

FOR SHAME...

2007-11-08T05:54:00.000-08:00

From The Washington Post, Nov. 5, 2007
By Amy Argetsinger and Roxanne Roberts

One woman's booty is another's bargain: The ill-gotten treasure chest of former Washington Teachers' Union president Barbara Bullock went on display Saturday in advance of this weekend's live auction of the luxury goods.

Bullock, now serving a nine-year prison term, spent approximately $800,000 on these designer purses, furs and pricey knickknacks with money embezzled from the union. The seized items sat in an FBI warehouse until this past summer, when Stephanie Kenyon of Sloans & Kenyon in Chevy Chase sent a truck to collect them for auction, with the proceeds going back to the union. "This stuff is new, high-end, glitzy, luxury, status-symbol-type of material," she told us. "Some of the Fendi purses are really wild."

The purse-obsessed Bullock spent tens of thousands on Chanel, Hermès and Judith Leiber handbags, which are estimated to sell for $500 to $800 at auction. (That's about a quarter of their original price; ditto for the minks and jewelry.) The top lot: a 288-piece Tiffany sterling silver flatware service (Chrysanthemum pattern) purchased for $100,000-plus and estimated to sell for $25,000 to $35,000. Too much? Well, the Buccellati sterling wine cooler is expected to bring just $3,000 to $5,000. The feds also seized electronics that will sell at another auction -- except for the TV that union officials kept for headquarters.

Absentee bidding already started on eBay; the live auction begins Saturday.

OH, I AM DEFINITELY GOING TO THIS!!!!

Now, she is a horrible person and should be ashamed of herself for embezzling funds from the DC school system. But I must admit... she spent it on things that I would have spent it on... so I have to give props for what she bought. And maybe her jail sentence will lead to a special bargain for ME!!!!! Woo hoooo!!!

Some Purses for You

2007-11-07T10:02:00.001-08:00

David & Scotti "Nepal"

Dautore

This shape is soooooooo beautiful... and I love the mixture of patent and regular leather, and the medallion. This one might be coming home with me someday...

Trunk Show at The Purse Store in Bethesda

2007-11-07T09:45:00.000-08:00

Beeeyooooootiful

2007-11-06T10:24:00.000-08:00

Prettiest thing I've seen in ... a few hours
Katherine Kwei

ArtWhino Event November 9

2007-11-06T08:53:00.000-08:00

Please Join Us!

Rick Reese Solo Show and Art Whino's Collaboration Featuring 20 New Artists

Friday, November 9th, 2007, 6-11 pm

717 N. Saint Asaph St Alexandria, VA 22314

Rick Reese Solo Show
Southern California born but Northern California raised, artist Rick Reese has been painting and drawing for as long as he can remember. He got his start in the Comic Book and Toy industries where he continues as a freelancer to this day. Rick spends his days painting, surfing, or teaching at Cal State Long Beach where he indoctrinates his students and paints on things that don't belong to him.

Rick's Paintings are compilations of his experience. His work frequently juxtaposes found objects, fragments of signs and advertisements, and graphic images intertwining to create an active surface. Space is both flat and infinite. Layers and imagery are sanded or painted away leaving only their ghosts, like overhead whispers. The narratives in the work are often opened ended, allowing small glimpses into the artist's mind, while leaving room for the viewer to bring their own experiences to the pieces as well.

The graphic style of comic art, graffiti, surf and skate culture, advertisement lettering and illustration from the 50's and 60's, as well as the art of his contemporaries inspire Rick's own art. Combing these and many other influences, his work continues to evolve, be free and most of all fun. Rick loves what he does, and its apparent in his art.

Art Whino Permanent Gallery
The addition to 20 new artists to the Art Whino Permanent Gallery features the work of its artists' collaboration from around the world. The permanent installation takes places on November 9, 2007 from 6-11pm, and will include music by HoneyLab's DJ David Christ Superstar. The music will be broadcast live by Orcradio.com.

Art Whino's collaboration artists, Decoy, will showcase a live art installation during the show which one lucky person will get to take home!

Additionally, Art Whino has launched a partnership with a local DC non-profit. In this continuing effort to promote arts in our community, Art Whino is happy to announce that we are working with the DC Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative on this event. We will be donating proceeds of this and future events to further help with their mission. To read more about them go to http://www.dccollaborative.org For more information on the event please visit www.artwhino.com

Alan Defibaugh, Anna U Davis, Aunia Kahn, Brooke Grucella, Decoy, Emily Greene Liddle, Erase, Fanatic Ladies, Gregory Ferrand, Jason Daniels

Jason Snyder, Julie Steiner, Laurel Hausler, Candace Keegan, Lisa Selby, TMNK, Richard Alan Haugh, Richard Salcido, Rosemary Covey, Shawn Huddleston

Handbag Bubble?

2007-11-06T06:56:00.000-08:00

I've been so concerned about the real estate bubble bursting that I almost didn't realize there was a handbag bubble afoot!! Really... I'm heavily invested in both markets, I should have been paying more attention.

Moojoo Ken

2007-11-04T12:23:00.000-08:00

My favorite spot in DC. When I walked into Moojoo Ken for the first time, I had a spiritual experience... when I laid eyes on the Massachussetts Avenue boots, I knew I had found something special. They are light blue canvas with a Pucci-esque print, pointy toe, stiletto heel, with a corset-like sheer ribbon lace-up at the top of the boot. At first, I thought, "The owners have really good taste." Then, I found out they DESIGNED THE BOOTS, RIGHT HERE IN LITTLE OLD WASHINGTON, DC! I was shocked and excited. And that was just the tip of the iceberg as far as the store is concerned. The whole place is beautiful, from the exposed brick wall, the branches crafted into clothes hangers, curly wooden sticks and rope holding shoes and handbags, and the selection of merchandise. I knew I wanted to work here. And so here I am.

Tom Binns Jewelery

2007-11-04T12:17:00.001-08:00

Wow, just found this jeweler, and WOW! Skulls, rhinestones, safety pins made of gold, and grenades.

Tom Binns

Fashion Fights Poverty

2007-11-04T10:14:00.000-08:00

I had the distinct pleasure of attending this event in Washington, DC on October 26, 2007. I never thought DC could be so fun! I've always thought of DC as a Fashion Hinterland, overrun by Ann Taylorites and Eddie Bauer heads, and headed downhill fast into a sea of black pinstripes.

I was wrong.

I was thrilled to find out about this fashion show in time to actually attend it. I seem to have a habit of finding out about fashion events AFTER THEY HAPPEN, sending me into a blind rage and Neiman Marcus to soothe my nerves.

It was a feast for the senses. The location, the Carnegie Library, easily could have been located in Italy or France, with its sweeping balustrades and lofty ceilings. I did not know DC had such a venue.

I knew DC had the second most gay men in the US, second only to San Francisco, and they were all there! They all came to this event. I'm pretty sure of it. And they are so darn pretty!!! God, I love gay men!!!

Jaci Wilson Reid took the stage in the most awe-inspiring Roberto Cavalli dress I have ever seen (BELOW). Occasionally, Mr. Cavalli overdoes it with leaopard prints and bling bling, but this dress was simply incredible. Made me weepy with nostalgia for Tuscany... I just drove by his villa not a month before the show, on my way back to Florence from my friends' villa in Chianti. (I wasn't invited into Cavalli's villa, but I did visit the Cavalli Cafe...)

I did find some pictures of a party at Lotus Lounge, and some from last year's FFP in Miami, but none from the show I attended:

FFP on Flickr

My favorite designers were, in this order, Elizabeth Muir, Ecliptica, and Orangia's frothy pieces. I was lucky to meet Elizabeth Muir in person and purchase one of her stunning pieces, straight from Afghanistan (yellow mirrored coat in picture).

I'm working on buying something from Ecliptica. They should be sending me their 2008 catalog in the near future. The sisters' design team is as gorgeous and chic as the designs. One of them had the most incredible brown drapey jumpsuit... backless, flowy and striking. I noticed it immediately. Those girls got game.

YSL Resort Dress with STONES

2007-11-04T07:16:00.001-08:00

I WILL DIE IF I DON'T BUY THIS DRESS:

Neiman Marcus

Aphrodizia DJ's at The Space

2007-11-02T16:07:00.000-07:00

Interesting event I found on http://www.districtcreatives.com/. This new lounge looks very nice as well.

What is an Urban Hippie?

2007-10-31T15:00:00.000-07:00

I found this description on http://www.urbandictionary.com/. However, it's not really glamorous enough to describe my aesthetic.

"A modern day hippie, someone who incorporates both urban and hippie lifestyles. An urban hippie may listen to hip hop, but also smoke blunts underneath trees while wearing sandals. He/she has very liberal viewpoints and uses drugs occasionally, and also might use the slang of West Coast rappers naturally. They are street smart to survive an urban atmosphere, and they are not afraid to speak their liberal mind using big intelligent sounding words and gangsta lingo as well. An Urban Hippie may be any race or gender. They are also the tightest people you will ever meet.
When I am riding in my chevy listening to Dr. Dre's The Chronic while wearing my rainbow sandals and "Let's Hug It Out" shirt, I feel like the Urban Hippie that I am. Oh, and i'm smoking weed simultaneously."
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Urban+Hippie

Now, I like Dr. Dre as much as the next person... but I won't be caught dead in a pair of "rainbow sandals", or Crocs for that matter. And let's be clear... I will NEVER be hairy-legged, hairy-armpitted, unwashed or smelly. Also, I am not into weed, personally. If you are, more power to you. Power to the People. Legalize it, I'm not going to stop you! But pot is just not glamorous!

My definition of an Urban Hippie is a well-traveled, open-minded city dweller who is attracted to different cultures, foods, colorful and exciting fashions, the latest artists, musicians, etc. One who seeks to be surrounded by beautiful things at all times, whether that beauty is found in clothing, handbags (my obsession), artwork, sculpture, a beautifully executed piece of architecture, fabrics, or someone's generous spirit, helping others, eco-friendly businesses, fair trade fashion companies...

As far as FASHION goes, which is what this blog is all about, Sienna Miller is the typical spokesmodel for the Urban Hippie. She has a way of wearing bohemian, earthy designs that still manage to look cutting-edge and hip. THAT is the Urban Hippie. We are the grown up deadheads, goths and punks who insist on looking fabulous... now that we can finally afford it!

However, my personal favorite Urban Hippie is Hansel from Zoolander. "He's so hot right now!!!" He embodies the look like no one ever will....

A few favorite designers:

Matthew Williamson (see dress above... OH.MI.GOD.)

Henry Beguelin - Made by hand on the Italian island, Elba. (Yes, where Napoleon was exiled... rough life for him.) The essence of Italian craftsmanship, passed down through the centuries from father to son. The bags and shoes are a perfect melding of top quality leathers, tanned using ancient methods, and recycled materials with innovative and exciting forms. The little stick figure is cute, too. I have a pair of wedge platforms made with brown leather and tan snakeskin. (photo to come)

I will be featuring designers on a regular basis. Check back often...