Meeting Manolo Blahnik

"This is the Sex and the City shoe!" he proudly yelled.

I stood there....speechless.

I'm never speechless.

Never.

But standing here, in front of my Sole Mate, I suddenly had no words.

He turned to the man on his right, "Look George, it's the shoe from Sex and the City!"

George nodded and smiled at me.

Suddenly, thankfully, I spoke.

"And now we know it's NOT an urban shoe myth!"

"Oh that's right! Ha, ha, ha! That's right!" He laughed.

I laughed too. Mostly because I was so starstruck and just really, really happy.

I was standing in front of Manolo Blahnik and he was holding my brand new black, patent leather Mary Jane shoe.

The shoe guru was making a special appearance to greet fans at Neiman Marcus in Boston.

Even with a sprained right wrist (his writing hand) he was signing shoes and copies of his new book featuring his sketches, "Manolo's News Shoes".

When he arrived at the store everyone in the shoe department cheered and clapped. He stopped to wave before taking his place behind a table, in front of wall decorated with his shoes.

He's used to the fanfare now, but he never planned for it.

That's because he never set out to be a shoe designer.

When he was 17 he traveled from London to America with a photographer friend to see the editor-in-chief of Vogue at the time, Diana Vreeland. Blahnik had some drawings to show her.

He told Lisa Armstrong in a recent article in Harper's Bazaar, that he was "beyond terrified" to meet Ms. Vreeland.

But that one meeting changed his life.

In the Bazaar article, he credits Vreeland for starting his shoe design career, saying Ms Vreeland told him "Your drawings are really magnificent. You should concentrate on shoes."

The rest is fashion history.

Blahnik's shoes have been featured in museum fashion exhibitions and on the feet of many celebrities. The most recognizable is of course, Sex and the City's Sarah Jessica Parker who famously strutted her way around New York City in many a Manolo design.

One of the most famous being the "urban shoe myth" shoe: the black, patent leather Mary Jane. Parker's character Carrie Bradshaw, finds these shoes when she is a freelance writer for Vogue and gets to explore the Vogue fashion closet. "The Manolo Blahnik black, patent leather Mary Jane! I thought these were an urban shoe myth!" she exclaims as she puts them on despite the size not being quite right.

But the fit was right for me. And so was the choice of my very first pair of Manolo Blahnik shoes. I bought those black, patent leather Mary Janes. For this once in a lifetime event, I bought a second pair of the same shoe and watched with complete and utter joy as Manolo Blahnik put his signature on the bottom of my shoe.

"I'm putting these in a shadow box on my wall, I can't wear them!" I told my Sole Mate.

"Splendid idea!" he told me.

"May I have a picture with you as well?" I asked. I was told he does not like a deluge of flashing camera lights and that I should ask and not assume he'll take a picture. But don't think he's uptight or boorish.

He's the complete opposite!

Funny, animated and just all around adorable in his cream linen suit and bow tie, he said, "Yes, of course I'll take a photo with you! It will be my pleasure!"

I walked around to the back of the table and took a spot I never thought I'd be in.

I stood next to Manolo Blahnik.

There were camera flashes all around and I realized photographers from the local newspapers were taking pictures of us too. He's just that adorable.

I thanked him over and over and told him how much I loved his shoes.

I moved around to the side, about 5 feet away from the table and watched in amazement as around 250 women waited patiently to meet the man who makes fantastic footwear.

He joked with the brides, asking if they were really getting married after he signed their shoes.

I heard one woman proudly tell him her father was a shoe cobbler. He loved that.

He even stopped to pose with one of his four-legged fans. A woman who is a constant client in the Neiman Marcus shoe department had her cute canine with her. I asked George, Manolo Blahnik's business partner in the Americas, if Mr Blahnik had a dog.

"Oh yes, he's had dogs all of his life. Right now he has a black lab."

At Mr Blahnik's request, the woman held up her dog so he could get a better look...and give the pooch a pat on the head.

He never stopped smiling or signing. You could tell he was loving every minute.

As he should. At 67 he shows no signs of stopping.

I for one, am very glad. And I can probably speak for his legions of fans when I say I'm pretty sure they're glad too.

I couldn't stay to watch him sign every shoe. I was in the city for Boston Fashion Week and I had to get to my hotel to check in and get ready for another fashion event that night.

I didn't want to leave. Just being around him makes you smile. He's incredibly charismatic and energizing. Characteristics you can see in his designs.

Designs I LOVE to wear. I have seven pairs of his shoes and have my eyes on a fabulous boot from his current collection.

I waved to Manolo who smiled and waved back and made my way around the line to the escalator. But before I got there, one of the models who was showing off a Manolo shoe stopped me.

"How was it?!" she asked me excitedly.

I smiled and thought about what an amazing afternoon I just had.

I looked at her and said just one word.

"Fabulous."


Want to see more pictures of Manolo Blahnik? You can find them on my Facebook fan page at:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-Fabulous-Fashionista-Files/140944165939514?ref=sgm

Samuel Vartan

Samuel Vartan's studio is housed in a nondescript industrial park in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

But there is nothing nondescript about the clothes in the Boston-based designer's spring/summer 2010 collection.

A long white dress with a circle of bright ocean blue around the waist. A flowing shirt that was inspired by the sand meeting the water.

"The collection is nicknamed the Mediterranean," Samuel says.

Since Vartan does two collections a year...what is the fall/winter collection called?

"Dark City." he responds. "I have influences from the cities I've been to such as Berlin, Prague and London".

I moved through the studio to the fall/winter collection and was immediately drawn to a black and white tweed dress that had a slight glimmer sewn into it. But then I was distracted by a light grey wool dress that had a short, swing skirt.

So much to see! And so much to talk about.

I was there for over two hours chatting with Vartan about fashion.

He started making clothes for members his rock band back home in Montreal. Then his bandmates' girlfriends wanted clothes too. At first it was just a way to make money, but it slowly turned into a career.

He doesn't have a formal design education. He learned by doing. When he read that his fashion icon, Giorgio Armani, also didn't have a degree from a fashion school he felt an even bigger connection to the fashion giant.

Even though Vartan is a part of the fashion world, he told me that at times, "the industry can be silly."

That sentiment is why Vartan doesn't create over the top clothes.

"Anyone can wear my clothes."

I can certainly see why they would want to.

His designs run the gamut of fabrics and ideas.

Vartan works with everything from velvet to boucle to tweed and suede in his fall/winter collection.

Definitely something for everyone.

His clients are mostly European and Canadian (a large amount come from Montreal). He does have a few boutiques that carry his clothes here in the States. Stores in New York, Miami and Los Angeles.

Although anyone can wear his clothes, his design aesthetic speaks to a style-minded, sophisticated woman in a big city.

Vartan's designs reflect that sophistication, but with a simplicity that makes his collection ready to wear.

I was definitely ready to wear some of the pieces I pulled off of the racks.

A black and white tweed sheath dress with a thin belt, tights and a pair of tall boots...that long brocade jacket with a short dress to have the juxtaposition with the fabrics and the length of each piece.

Vartan likes that his clients express themselves through their clothes. And there are plenty of ways to do that with Vartan's designs.

But he knows that fashion is fleeting.

"Fashion is here today gone tomorrow, but style lasts."

And Vartan is a fashion designer who is definitely here to stay.

Although he did get an offer a lot of designers would have loved to receive.

But he turned it down.

A chance to compete on "Project Runway".

He said thanks, but no thanks because he didn't want to be involved in the pettiness and backstabbing with other designers.

He was happy with the way his fashion career was heading.

Vartan is a Boston-based designer with a world of knowledge.

As for that regret that he didn't go to school for fashion?

I think he's doing ok without it. And I think his many clients would agree.

Find more about Samuel at his website: http://www.samuelvartan.com/

Lunch with Chanel Autumn/Winter 2010

I glided up the escalator at Neiman Marcus in Natick and as usual, glanced up to see the hundreds of crystal butterflies dangling from the sealing, just out of reach.

I was at the store today for the invitation only Chanel luncheon and fashion show.

This time I was here for the autumn/winter 2010 collection.

I got to the second floor, greeted the familiar faces and anticipated an amazing show.

I watched Chanel's fall/winter 2010 show online, but as I was about to learn, seeing it in person is a completely different animal.

The Chanel show was at the Grand Palais in Paris as usual.

And in grand Karl Lagerfeld fashion there was more to the show than just the beautiful clothes and accessories.

In the middle of the runway was a 28 foot iceberg.

It was the autumn/winter collection after all. What a better way to emphasize dressing for the chilly weather.

No iceberg in the middle of Neiman Marcus thank goodness.

But there was plenty of Chanel.

And each piece was better than the last.

Tall boots covered in faux "fantasy" fur with icicle heels.

Tweed dresses embellished with small crystals to give them just a little bit of shine.

Butter soft leather jackets with faux fur trim and faux fur peeking out from the sleeves and trimming the bottom.

Black leather leggings with Coco Chanel's favorite flower, the camellia, etched into the fabric.

At the show in the Grand Palais the models walked among the grand iceberg.

At the Neiman's show the models walked among our tables so we could really see the details up close.

Amazing.

Seeing the "fantasy" fur so close. It was incredibly luxurious.

(Chanel calls its faux fur collection "fantasy" fur)

So different from when I saw it all online.

So much better in person!

I could have definitely cuddled up in some of that fantasy fur.

Even the handbag had faux fur trim.

And no, I didn't buy one.

Thought about it though....

"Oh I see you have the Chanel Timeless Clutch from the Spring collection".

I looked over to see the Chanel representative from New York. She was gesturing toward my clutch which was sitting on the table.

"Oh yes," I said. "I didn't think there was going to be one left after the Spring show! So many customers fell in love with it, me included!"

"Good thing you did get it," she said. "It sold out and isn't available anymore. There was a limited number created. Our clients in New York were so upset to see it go so quickly."

I smiled. So glad I made the purchase.

"I bring it everywhere," I told her, "and it always gets such a reaction! I love it!"

The Chanel rep smiled back.

"A fabulous purchase"

"Yes." I agreed. "One of the best ones I've ever made."

I didn't buy anything that day.

I really didn't see anything that caught my eye.

Well, one thing did.

But I was already carrying it.

Safe in the knowledge that I was one of the only Chanel customers who could say that.

Such a fabulous feeling!

Even better than all that fantasy fur.....

Lunch with Chanel Spring/Summer 2010

The models floated along the floor, each outfit even more beautiful than the last.

But what else would you expect from the Chanel s/s 2010 fashion show at Neiman Marcus?

I was one of the 20 women lucky enough to be invited to the show which started with an incredibly yummy lunch.

We were sitting outside of the Chanel boutique on the second floor. Tall, tasteful barriers were set up to give us privacy to enjoy the show.

The only difference between this show and the original show at the Grand Palais in Paris was...there was no hay.

That's right.

Hay.

And lots of it.

In Paris it surrounded the Chanel barn the models walked in and out of. It was Karl Lagerfeld's ode to a place in the countryside Coco Chanel loved to visit.

Although something tells me there wasn't as much hay on the original premises.

But Lagerfeld being Lagerfeld, had the stuff all over the place.

Even into the seats.

When I saw it online my first thought was 'How does one dress for a farm show, even if it is Chanel?'

Next thought was 'How did Anna Wintour react to the farm fashion scene?!'

So no hay at Neiman's, but plenty of classic Coco style for the Neiman Marcus Chanel fashion show.

Then through the dresses, the shoes, the jewelry I saw it.

It was a beautiful strawberry color, quilted leather clutch with the CC clasp on top.

One of the most amazing Chanel clutches I have ever seen.

And I had to have it.

The model was showing the clutch to the guests at the other table.

When was she going to get to our table?

Would someone else request the bag and I'd be out of luck?

Not if I could help it.

My favorite (and the best in my opinion) Neiman's sales associates (I'll call her E for anonymity) caught my eye and with a nod, she was gone.

Oh no!

What if E didn't know what I was looking at?

By this time another model was showing off another handbag.
I wanted to get up and see where E went, but I was stuck.

Surrounded by Chanel.

Normally not a bad place to be.

Except when the object of your desire may be out of reach.

The model got to our table and I finally got to hold the clutch.

It was the Chanel Timeless clutch.

I knew it well. I have it in black and had been looking for a color that would 'pop' with an outfit.

The strawberry colored clutch was it.

I opened it and gasped at the silky interior lining. Much more luxurious than the black one I've used dozens of times.

The quilted leather was perfectly constructed, not a stitch out of place.

Oh the places we will go!

If there is one left for me.

The other women were eyeing it too.

Oh boy.

Then I turned around and saw E.

My fabulous fashion friend. She was back. She looked at me, then the clutch and winked.

I had to laugh. How could I ever doubt her?

After the plates were cleared, the Chanel dresses, jackets and the other amazing pieces were on display...I took the escalator downstairs.

There it was sitting pretty in the black Chanel box surrounded by Chanel tissue.

My brand new Chanel Timeless Clutch in a bright, strawberry color.

Love at first sight.

"I knew this was the one that you'd want", E told me with a smile.

Ahhh,,,she knows me so well!

She had it all wrapped up for me within minutes.

Success!

I've used it at least a half dozen times since I bought it. I just love it!

It gets more attention than my shoes. Which in some cases is hard to do...but it does.

So...

The stress of wondering whether or not I would be able to have it....worth it.

The surprise reactions from people when they see it...love it.

Owning a Chanel clutch that I never get sick of looking at or tired of carrying.....

Oh you know the answer to that....fabulous.

Mario Testino

"Chin up", he said.

I lifted my chin and then started laughing.

I glanced at the man I was being photographed with and HIS chin was up too.

He was posing just as much as I was.

He told me it was the best way to pose for a picture.

"You're all set." The photographer gave me back my small digital camera after taking the picture.

"Oh, can you just take one more?" I begged.

"Just one more for the beautiful woman," my new friend said and handed the camera back to the photographer...who had his very large, professional camera in his other hand.

Clearly he was NOT pleased he had to play amateur photog for me.

But he did it.

And I laughed even harder.

How could he say no?

He couldn't!

It was famous fashion photographer Mario Testino posing with me!

We were at the Bravo restaurant upstairs at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. It was our last Fashion Council event for the season and Mario Testino was our guest.

For the first hour we were treated to an interview between the museum's director, Malcolm Rogers and Mario Testino inside the Remis Auditorium.

Then we got to ask questions.

I was the first one to raise my hand. (are you really surprised?!)

Since I read both the British and the American versions of Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and Elle I told him I was taken aback at first because I would see nudity in the British mags, but never in the American versions. I wasn't used to it at first. Now it doesn't bother me, but I wondered how he tailored his shoots for each magazine.

He began his answer with, "Let me give you my phone number...."

I countered with, "and I'll give you my business card...." The audience laughed and then he told me his shots for an American magazine are far different from British magazines. He has more creative "freedom"... meaning if he wants the model topless, no problem. But if it was for an American fashion magazine? Less skin, more clothes.

And I can certainly see how he'd make a model comfortable enough to expose that much.

His charisma is enthralling and quite mesmerizing.

He joked about how he had no idea what he wanted to do with his life, but he never set out to be a photographer.

When he was at home in Lima, Peru he went to school for economics and math. He hated it and quit.

Then he went for law, thinking he could be an ambassador for his country. Nope. That didn't work out. Hated it and quit.

So he went to Paris and entered photography school. Didn't love it, but he needed a visa to stay in France.

He quit that too.

But then he went to work as an apprentice for a woman he met in class. Testino loved the work of photographers Richard Avedon and Irving Penn.

So he took pictures and sold them.

Who knew his career would take him all over the world, photographing everyone who's anyone. Including one of his closest friends, Kate Moss.

He told us a great story about Moss.

When she was just starting as a model he was at the fashion show she had just walked in. She was crying backstage. So he went up to her and tried to calm her down. He had no idea why this beautiful girl would be so upset after such a successful show.

She told him the designer hated her. She knew it because she didn't get enough tickets so her whole family could see her.

Testino told her that was normal for a new model.

Then he said. "You can put on a little bit of perfume and it lasts. You can splash on as much cologne as you want, but it fades. You are a perfume. And you will last."

They've been friends ever since.

She was just 14.

Another fabulous story?

Princess Diana.

On the day he was to photograph her for Vanity Fair they had to do it in the afternoon.

She was feeding the poor in the morning.

She made him feel very humble and is the reason he makes time for certain charities.

But that shoot is famous for something else.

It's the last time she sat down with a professional photographer.

Not long after she would be dead. Killed in that infamous Paris accident.

He took the last photos of her. And she insisted the clothes she wore be auctioned off for charity.

Just remembering him telling us that story gives me the chills.

Testino also told us how he likes to take group photos, although many photographers shy away from it. He likes to create reality, a reaction.

Well, reality for me was...I got to meet the man who shot the May cover of Vogue with Sarah Jessica Parker. I cut out all of the photos of Parker and hung them on the wall in my computer room...where I sit right now.

As for my reaction?

I adored the man.

I wish I had more time to ask more questions, but he was a man very much in demand at the VIP party.

But I got to meet him, get a photo with him. And I scored a few compliments too.

Not bad.

And now when I see a picture of him in British Harper's Bazaar at a party or an event I can have a little laugh.... because in the photograph his chin will always be up.

Neil Lane: A Journey through Jewelry

From searching trash cans for things to sell in his hometown of Brooklyn to getting a phone call from the Louvre. Curators there wanted a piece of his jewelry collection to put on display in one of the museum's exhibits.

One man's trash certainly turned out to be Neil Lane's treasures. At first it really did take digging. Whether is was through a trash can, a flea market or scouring the jewelry shops in Paris.

But Neil Lane took that often heard phrase and turned it into a jewelry empire.

I was lucky enough to meet Neil at Boston's Museum of Fine Arts. He was a guest speaker at one of our Fashion Council events.

I was definitely excited to meet him. Wouldn't you be? I've seen his jewels glam up celebrities like Angelina Jolie, Renee Zellweger and Demi Moore.

But there is so much more to Neil Lane then just the glamorous jewels.

He told us he loved "old things". Not just for their value, but for the history...the story behind it.

Like the piece he purchased at a Florida flea market. It was a Tiffany & Co piece from 1891! Who knew you could find something like that at a flea market?

Neil knows what to look for. He's studied Tiffany jewelry and is an avid collector. Although his favorite era for jewels is the 19th century, from 1880-1935 he appreciates all sorts of jewelry.

And the select number of celebrities he loans them to appreciate him. When Renee Zellweger wore a Neil Lane ring to match her red Carolina Herrera dress at the Golden Globes in 2001, she made sure to give credit to him for designing it.

It was the first time he heard his name on tv. He told us his Mom heard it too...and she was so excited for him.

Neil also told us about the jewelry he has from Mae West.

Mae West!

He acquired the jewelry in an estate sale.

The story is fascinating.

When Mae West's career faltered she started doing a burlesque act. She had bodyguards around her for protection. One of those guards took his job very seriously.

And took Ms. West seriously.

He fell in love with her.

Although she didn't reciprocate, he stayed with her until she died in 1980. Even though her beau fell on hard times, he never sold her jewelry. The estate sale took place after he passed away years later.

A true love story that could only happen in Hollywood.

Another love story involves singer Gwen Stefani and a strange connection to Oprah.

When Gwen Stefani wed Gavin Rossdale in 2002 in Los Angeles, she wore a Georgian pendant of pink tourmaline, peridot and diamonds from Neil's collection.

Some time after the wedding Neil got a call from one of Oprah's reps. 15 of Oprah's nearest and dearest wanted to pool their money and buy the necklace as a gift for Oprah's 50th birthday.

Neil said he found himself in a slight dilemma.

Gwen had the necklace,

Oprah's people wanted to buy the necklace.

As he's telling us the story he starts using his hands as if they're scales, moving them up and down while saying, "Oprah, Gwen, Oprah, Gwen..."

Yeah, you guessed it.

Oprah received the necklace for her 50th.

Such a fabulous gift!

So after many years of collecting and selling, Neil has now turned his focus from buyer to designer.

And you don't have to be a celeb to own a piece of Neil Lane jewelry.

He has a store in Los Angeles.

He said he can experiment with different designs since celebrities are always looking for something new to wear to an event.

Such an amazing tale of a boy from Brooklyn who is now a worldwide name.

A journey in jewels.

Stories like that only happen in Hollywood. right?

They do if you're Neil Lane.

A "Gather Round" with Tim Gunn

I felt as if I was just sitting with a friend talking about fashion.

Although last time I did that I wasn't sitting in a private dressing room at Bloomingdale's, on a beautiful chair.....

chatting with Project Runway's esteemed mentor Tim Gunn.

But that's what I was doing today....and I was loving every minute of it!

Tim was in town promoting the Kate Spade Spring/Summer 2010 collection at Bloomingdale's, He's the Chief Creative Officer at Liz Claiborne Inc, the parent company of Kate Spade.

He was nice enough to sit with me and dish.

About everything.

And he didn't hold back.

Tim told me he was so thrilled that Project Runway was about to start casting for their 8th season. He couldn't believe it took off like it did and has had such huge success.

He's like a proud papa referring to the show's designers as his children. He couldn't pick just one that he loved....but boy oh boy could he pick the one he DIDN'T!

Emilio Sosa.

Just saying his name brought a sour look to his face.

That "damned Emilio" was what he told the Boston Herald.

But he told me even more when I brought up a recent challenge on the show where the designers got to create their own fabric using whatever colors and print they so desired.

Emilio chose to use his own initials, Louis Vuitton-like, in his design.

Tim hated it.

"I thought Michael (Kors) was going to eviscerate Emilio for his design";

But he didn't. And Emilio won the challenge. Much to the dislike of Mr. Gunn.

"The judges act like he invented fire!"

Tim went on to say he couldn't believe Emilio used his own initials, "branding" himself so soon.

I agreed and said I was equally as horrified at what the designer produced and was also not happy when he was chosen the winner.

Tim was still shaking his head back and forth so I decided to change the subject...

onto something nicer....

Season Four Winner, Christian Siriano.

"I didn't even want to meet him".

He thought Siriano was too young.

Until he read his dossier and saw his work.

Then he called him a "prodigy". telling me he'd never seen anyone like him in all the years he was at Parsons The New School for Design in New York City.

He was so proud of Christian. I asked him if he saw Christian's show on Bravo "Christian Siriano: Having a Moment". He regretted that he didn't but asked me, "What was he having a moment about?"

"Life in the fashion world". I said. "It's his new catch phrase. Apparently he's still Fierce...but that's so yesterday. So now he's Having a Moment."

Tim laughed loudly and shook his head, obviously delighted that the prodigal son was a huge success.

Not such a success?

In Tim's opinion...Vogue's Editor-in-Chief, Anna Wintour.

Oh yes. You just read that. And oh yes, Tim had a very strong opinion on Ms Wintour.

Very Strong.

I explained how I recently attended the Health Matters: Weight and Wellness in the Fashion World forum at Harvard, where Anna Wintour was a panelist.

He asked, what does Anna know about that...."She sucks on celery sticks all day"...clearly commenting on Anna's lithe frame.

He added that fashion magazines "perpetuate" the "skinny model" as normal and acceptable.

Tim raised his voice a bit for this comment: he said it's "preposterous" that she has so much power in the fashion world.

I said Ms Wintour called a size 10 model "plus size". He looked incredulous. I told him I read the article in Vogue about the plus sized model and the writer referred to her as "Amazonian".

He prickled at that and said he felt the same way about the article. He was deeply disappointed in Vogue for having an issue devoted to a woman's shape and then putting Gisele Bundchen on the cover.

I have to stop....I think I'm having a moment.

Let's reflect: I'm SITTING IN A ROOM WITH TIM GUNN!

Reflection over.

Back to the dishing...still starstruck but I'll carry on....

Apparently Mr Gunn also gets starstruck. Who knew?

When asked who his fashion icon is, he said it was George Clooney and that he met Clooney while covering a red carpet event a while ago. Tim was a little verklempt about it!

Clooney thanked Tim for naming him his fashion icon, Tim said he was very welcome and then George Clooney said "Now let me fix your tie". Nicely played Mr Clooney!

So he did.

On live tv.

He fixed Tim's tie which was a little askew.

Tim was thrilled. How often do you get to meet your fashion icon?

As for the fashions of today Tim loves a suit from Banana Republic. "I love that store!" I shouted a little too excited about the fact that Tim shops at the same store I do.

He loves the store for wardrobe essentials and their suits. I do too! Oh, sorry, already said that....but I have a few fabulous suits from there as well...

I explained that shopping at Banana Republic or Ann Taylor allows me to get well made clothes, then I can accessorize with high end items like Manolo Blahnik shoes and a Chanel handbag.

"I can see that!" he said.

Um, was that a compliment from TIM GUNN?! Breathing, breathing....

After a half hour of fashion, funny quips about everyone from Project Runway contestants to Anna Wintour...it was time to wrap it up.

We laughed, we cringed, we guffawed at the crazy world of fashion and a little show on cable that has become a huge success.

Mostly due, I think, to the mentor who takes the designers under his wing and helps them make it work.

The best piece of advice he offered?

"Be who you are".

Well said my friend, well said.

But can we get back to the "she sucks on celery sticks all day" comment...just for a second...

Anna Wintour

The side door to the auditorium opened...

and she walked in.

About 1000 people stopped talking and there was a hushed silence.

It was Her.

I've read about her, seen her in a documentary...and always wondered....was she REALLY that way?

We were about to find out.

Me and the 999 other people who were seated inside Harvard's Burden Auditorium for the public forum Health Matters: Weight and Wellness in the World of Fashion.

The Harris Center for Education and Advocacy in Eating Disorders at Massachusetts General Hospital was sponsoring the program. And they invited some very well known fashion experts to sit on the panel.

Michael Kors, Fashion Designer and judge on Project Runway.

Natalia Vodianova, a model who now talks openly about having and beating anorexia.

And...

Anna Wintour, editor of Vogue.

I've never been in a room where ONE person can just walk in and have such a presence.

It was amazing. Breathtaking. It was Anna Wintour.

She spoke openly and candidly about the fashion world and how there has been a "dramatic downward shift" in the size of models over the last ten years. She talked about how Vogue was trying to help those models who are "frighteningly thin".

I hung on her every word.

How could you not?

She dictates what's in and what's out.

She is VOGUE.

But it was Michael Kors who brought tears to my eyes.

He told us about a model who was in his show years ago. She had bruises on her back because she was so thin her backbone was bruising her from the inside out.

Kors made a pledge to never hire models under the age of 16, to only book models who have a natural beauty and a healthy body.

Natalia Vodianova spoke softly, but walked in very tall stilettos.

She was told to "lose a few pounds" so many times she became anorexic. Trying to please editors, designers, photographers....it was a vicious circle. She wanted to be healthy, but she wanted to work. If she gained weight, she said, she wouldn't get hired.

She's one of the lucky ones. She recognized her problem and got help. Now she's happily married and a proud mother of three. She talked about the issue that even Anna Wintour and Michael Kors admit, was a "secret".

Models who starve themselves to be thin.

It's out in the open now and everyone is talking about it. Maybe, hopefully it will help.

What the panelists said spoke volumes about the World of Fashion. About the responsibility they have as editor, designer and model.

Michael Kors had my favorite line of the night:

"Clothes are made to make yourself the very best version of you".

When he said that, everyone clapped and cheered.

Well, not Anna.

She sat stoically at the table, sipping bottled water.

She was all business. She said what she had to say and that seemed to be it.

But ok...I admit...when I open up my new issue of Vogue I will grin with complete satisfaction because I got to see Anna Wintour speak.

Even from five rows back she made an impression on me.

She's just that good.

Afterall...she is Anna Wintour.

Jean Therapy

I was mesmerized.

He spoke in a soothing, calming voice.

The entire room was just transfixed.

You mean WE COULD FIT INTO SKINNY JEANS?!

Some shook their heads in disbelief.

Murmurs started in the room.

Questions were raised.

ME? Really?!

According to the Jean Therapist, yes we could.

He would make sure of it.

James Coleman from Saks Fifth Avenue Boston: Jean Therapist.

He was a speaker at "Fit Into Your Skinny Jeans" at Maxime Color Salon. (where I get my hair done).

I wasn't sure about this part of the night's program before I got there. I always think "hungry" or "starving" when I think about fitting into skinny jeans.

But I was wrong.

It's all about the fit, the style and the designer says the Jean Therapist.

He had regular girls in skinny jeans to prove his point.

After that, I was a believer. How could you not be? After listening to James I can't wait to visit him at Saks and fit into my skinny jeans.

I picture walking into a dressing room and throwing myself onto a chaise lounge and telling James all my denim dilemmas. Or all of my problems. Seriously, this guy needs to open up a therapy room.

Couldn't we all use a little Jean Therapy?

What are the two things we hate to try on?

Jeans and bathing suits, right?

So why not have someone tell you the absolute truth about your jeans.

One brave soul did get up in front of the room to show off her jeans. She called them "comfortable", like a "boyfriend jean".

The Jean Therapist cringed. Why would you want to wear your boyfriend's jeans? You're a woman!

He called those jeans "The Bad Boyfriend" jean. You know they're not right for you, but you keep going back. And you only have yourself to blame.

So off I'll go to Saks and see the Jean Therapist. I'll let you know how it goes.

I'm sure it will be the perfect fit.

Dress for Success

The applause filled the room as one woman stood up to accept the accolades.

The Emmys?

Nope.

Prize winner?

Of sorts...

She is a woman who took her circumstances and turned them around with one simple change.

A change of clothes.

I was at the Dress for Success Boston luncheon at the beautiful Fairmont Copley.

The woman standing up, the one we were all clapping and cheering for used the resources at Dress for Success to dress up her life and get a good paying job to help her family.

Sound simple?

Not at all.

She not only had to get up the courage to ask for help, she had to accept it. And she did. Now she's a success story. One that brought a tear to my eye as I joined with the other 400 guests that afternoon applauding her success.

You've heard the saying "Clothes make the man". It's true. But wearing the right clothes most definitely makes the woman.

Don't you feel a little kick in your stop when you're wearing that fabulous new dress or pair of shoes you coveted for so long and finally gave in and bought?

I most certainly do!

When I'm having a bad day, when my MS is kicking my butt I turn to fashion to turn things around.

And it always helps.

Looking good has a direct response to feeling good. And with that, good things can happen.

My very first neurologist used to tell me I was her best dressed patient. We'd talk about fashion and shoes and anything that I was up to involving fashion...she inspired me to not lose myself in my disease. To not let it bring me so far down that I couldn't find my way back up.

That's where fashion has always helped me. Always been a lifeline. A way to make myself feel better (because there is NOTHING better than Chanel!)

While my circumstances are different from the Dress for Success success story....I think there is a little bit of her in all of us. Fashion (and some very generous fashionistas) helped her improve her life.

Am I saying that fashion can save the world? Nah.

But if a piece of clothing, a fab handbag or a killer pair of shoes can brighten your day, make you feel better....it certainly is a great start.

It's about Time

Remember when you were a kid and someone would ask "How old are you?!"

They would be excited to hear your answer and you just couldn't wait to yell it out?

Sometimes you would even hold up the correct number of fingers, just to make sure they knew EXACTLY how old you were.

Then you have your big birthdays: Sweet 16, 21....even dare I say....30?

Then you stop counting.

I have a friend who hates celebrating her birthday so much, that she never told anyone when it was.

I happened to learn about it by mistake. But she drilled it into my head that she HATED celebrating her birthday. And eventually I really did forget the day! (she's better about it now...I think)

So what happens? Why do we stop celebrating? Is it the passage of Time that upsets us?
People always tell me I don't look my age. They're surprised when I tell them what it is.

And no.

I'm not telling you! A lady never reveals her real age....or her dress size.

But I can tell you that this year, for my birthday....I'm celebrating the passage of Time!

How?

By giving into my obsession with the Premiere Watch Collection by none other than my favorite fashion house....

CHANEL

Sorry. Did you think I would have some earth shattering reason? A change of fate? A change of heart? You could say I would like to change it up. I never wear a watch. I just look at the time on my cell phone.

And ok, I admit it. I really don't like celebrating my birthday anymore. Maybe because It's just not as fun as it used to be. Now instead of being excited about getting older, I dread it. So maybe it's about time I stop thinking like that.

Maybe I should stop thinking about those watches too! I see them in every fashion magazine, whether it's an advertisement or mentioned in an article.

I've been on Chanel.com about one hundred times looking at the selection.

So finally, I made a selection of my own.

It has a black band with diamonds all around the face which is also black. There are four diamonds on the face. One at 12, 3, 6 and 9.

And right below the diamond at 12 is one word: CHANEL.

The perfect way to mark Time.

When Neiman Marcus sent me the watch (thank you Sharyon!) the box was wrapped in creamy paper with a big satin bow. LOVED IT!

When I saw my new purchase....

It took my breath away...

I felt time stand still.

What a beautiful way to look at time.

Maybe now when I'm running out of time, I'm late or I feel as if time is passing too quickly...I'll look at this amazing watch...this fabulous piece of jewelry on my arm...and just slow down.

I didn't celebrate a milestone birthday or feel any huge reason to buy the watch. Just the beauty of it combined with my love of all things Chanel.

And I think it's about time I stop dreading my birthday.

But that doesn't mean I'm going to tell you how old I am.....