Posts filed under ‘Fashion’
“Is there anything more thrilling than a new frock?” -Lady Sybil … Downton Abbey Returns
If you’re a sucker for period dramas, eyebrow-raising aristocratic behavior and jaw-dropping Edwardian-era costumes (Spanx ain’t got nothing on a good corset!), and haven’t been watching PBS’ Downton Abbey, it’s time to get on board with the British series that has won viewers around the world (its of the most successful shows in “Masterpiece” history). The plot revolves around the patrician Crawley family (which includes their three beautiful and deliciously drama-filled daughters) and their servants–both social sets have their own heaping of oh-no-he/she-didn’t! moments.
I was late to the party on watching Downton when the series first aired, but caught
up online by watching it here (free). Now I’m all caught up and will be watching (perhaps with a Pimm’s Cup?) tonight when season two debuts in the throes of World War I.
It’s not hard to imagine that the fashions donned by Newport’s robber baron families who summered in their Bellevue Avenue mansions during the era dressed much differently. Rosecliff’s Tessie Oelrichs was known for her lavish parties at the mansion, which is why she had commissioned the largest ballroom in Newport when working with architect Stanford White (one party’s guest list included famed magician Harry Houdini). In fact, Downton begins with the announcement of the Titanic disaster, and the sorrowful lost of family friend John Jacob Astor IV who went down with the ship (and was the son of “The Mrs. Astor” of Newport’s Astors’ Beechwood mansion). Click here for a recent Q&A with the series costume designer, Susannah Buxton, from the Wall Street Journal.
Downton Abbey’s Season 2 returns tonight on PBS at 9pm. Here is a glimpse of the fashion seen in season one. What’s your favorite Downton look?
The Look: Rib & Rhein
Since arriving on the Newport scene more than two years also, Rib & Rhein on Newport’s William Street has offered a refreshing collection of international fashion, accessories, home décor and one-of-a-kind treasures. With autumn’s arrival, I popped in to see the effervescent Erin and Thomas Ribeiro, who were kind enough to create a signature Rib & Rhein look for the season at hand. Drop by to see their fabulous finds and be inspired!
On “Her”:
Fancy Classic English White Dress Shirt
Floral Linen Duchess Wrap
Turquoise and Stone Chelsea Girl Belt
The Isabella Necklace
On “Him”:
Classic Fit English Dress Shirt
Light Wool Cold Method V-Neck Sweater
Cashmere and Wool Blend Ambross Jacket (pants also available)
Silk English Pocket Square
Rib & Rhein is located at 86 William Street in Newport, (401) 619-5767
Haute Harvest Fair? You Bet!
If it didn’t quite feel like fall just yet, this weekend’s 36th Annual Harvest Fair at the Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown, with its old-fashioned country fair feel, is decidedly autumnal. Traditionally attracting more than 10,000 visitors over the 2-day event, everyone from the young to young at heart enjoy food, contests and games, entertainment, children’s crafts, pony rides, the ever popular barrel train, “The Mabel Express,” hayrides, pumpkin painting, face painting, and old-time favorites: the Mud Pit and the Monkey Bridge.
Right now, the forecast is showing temps in the 60s (official sweater weather), but we’ll have to get through some rain first courtesy Tropical Storm Nicole, and as any Harvest Fair fan will tell you, rain + bird sanctuary = busted up shoes. So, we suggest leaving any pricey kicks at home (no matter how cute) for a great pair of chic Wellies or a funky rendition of the beloved rain boot. Ankle boots are also the rage this season, and there’s a host of cute styles out there. If you’re looking for a pair to invest in, check out the selection of Dubarry boots at Royal Male (Spring Street, Newport) and Royal Warrant (Bannister’s Wharf, Newport), or the fabu Le Chameau boots, which closely resemble 
the tradition Hunter Wellie (and both are practically indestructible).
Sole Desire has a ton of super-sweet versions with all kinds of patterns, designs and critters, and for the smaller set, Hatley (both are in Brick Market Place) has boots that are just too cute. Pair with skinny jeans for a sleek look and you are Harvest Fair fabulous!
Pictured top, Dubarry Kildare boot; at right above,Le Chameau boot, at left, Hatley’s alligator rain boots for kids
Boat Show Style Explained…
The Newport International Boat Show kicks off tomorrow, welcoming thousands of visitors from 
around the region and right here in our backyard to admire the newest sailboats, powerboats, equipment, to attend seminars, mix and mingle and more. It’s the largest in-water boat show in the Northeast and it doesn’t mess around. But it’s more than just jaw-dropping vessels and rolls of rope – there are tons of fashionable exhibitors showcasing stylish accessories and practical must haves, including Style Newport, Francesca Joy and Ella Vickers, to name few. As the temperature changes throughout the day, the breeze can pick up off the water, and hopping all those yachts can be taxing. Dressing smart and the part takes a little thought. Here’s our boat show style tips, trends and essenti
als:
Hint at a high seas luxury with a classic striped boatneck top, also known as a French sailor shirt. Versions of this beloved look have been spotted recently at Island Outfitters, Island Pursuit and Potter & Co.
Add an extra layer of warmth with a comfortable fleece vest or light jacket (find a nice selection of both at Helly Hansen, Patagonia on Thames and Team One Newport) and/or a great scarf (a ton to choose from at Ericka Zap).
There are a ton of handouts, samples and information by exhibitors, so in lieu of 
cramming everything in the provided bag, bring (or buy!) a roomy, sailcloth tote like this one from the fabulous Ella Vickers.
The most valuable fashion advice we can give you though, is this: wear flat or nearly flat, comfortable, easy to get on, easy to get off shoes as almost 
all boat brokers request you remove your shoes before boarding. Not to worry; “flat” and “comfortable” won’t force you to sacrifice style, as evidenced by the a wall of Tory Burch flats at spotted at Michael Hayes, and tons of other lines at Sole Desire.
Tickets and infomation about the Newport International Boat Show, September 16-19,can be found at: www.newportboatshow.com
Deals & Steals: “So Many Sales, So Little Time” Edition
Starting today, Alex and Ani on Bowen’s Wharf is having a first-ever Too Good to Be True Sale with 20% – 50% off the entire store! Seriously. Now is the time to stock up on the beautiful bangles that grace the wrists of celebutants including Christine Applegate, Nicole Scherzinger, Katherine McPhee, Miley Cyrus and Vanessa Hudgens, and seen in Vogue, Marie Claire, Glamour, Oprah and Brides magazines. If you can’t get to the shop, you can get some great discounts via the web site by entering AA2010Stand Up To Cancer broadcast on NBC. Alex and Ani is committed to the cause by donating 10% of each sale of the Quartz Crystal Expandable Wire Bangle to help cancer research. CLICK HERE for more details. Sale is through Sunday, September 12th. at checkout. Also, tonight the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) annual
Consignment emporium extraordinaire, Wish, will be taking advantage of sunny skies tomorrow with a day-long sidewalk sale at their Lower Thames Street location. Expect deep discounts on major label pieces and fabulous shoes from 10 a.m.– 6 p.m. Select piece will be as low as $20.
The crew at perennial favorite Potter & Co. took stock of the merchandise and realized they needed to make a little more room in the more than 100-year-old 
store and shoppers get to reap the rewards this Sunday. Doors open at 8 a.m., and you best get there early if you want the best selection of Bonner of Ireland sweaters, Hanes essentials, Fisherman Out of Ireland sweaters, Wigwam socks, Arrow Menswear, and O’Neill, Acorn slippers, Reef flip flops, pieces by ScottSports , The North Face and Levi’s in addition to men’s button downs, ties, slippers, wool socks, leather gloves, thermal layers, men’s undershirts, winter hats, scarves, jeans and more.
Stalise in Portsmouth’s Clock Tower Square is celebrating their third anniversary tomorrow from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. with 15% off on the new fall collection, plus 30% – 75% off all sale merchandise (pick up some totally inexpensive summer pieces for that much-deserved mid-winter vacation). Even better, shop while indulging in savory selections by Newport Crepe Company (read about them in THIS article that appeared in the Newport Daily News) and sipping champagne. Congratulations, Stalise – where did three years go?!?!
Finally, if you’re wiped out from all these great deals, indulge at SpaTerre at the Hotel Viking, where Facebook friends, and Newport locals, receive 30% off any spa service Sunday through Thursday. Ahhhh….
Support Fashion’s Night Out Locally
After months of anticipation, Vogue, NYC Mayor Bloomberg, NYC & Company and the CFDA unveils Fashion’s Night Out (a.k.a FNO), an unprecedented global initiative 
created to toast all that is fashion, restore consumer confidence, and boost the industry’s economy. Tomorrow night, FNO returns to the Big Apple, and, celebrating its sophomoric effort, will launch in cities nationwide to put the fun back in shopping with designer appearances, live windows, celebrity guests, and more utterly fabulous events. Around the world, and led by fifteen international Vogue editions (Australia, Britain, China, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Taiwan, and Turkey), each country will celebrate Fashion’s Night Out on 
one night between September 7 and September 16, 2010.
Rhode Island hasn’t quite made FNO roster just yet, but I think we’ll have to do something about that! In the meantime, we can still be oh-so-chic by sporting the official limited-edition tote created by New England handbag company Brahmin (we praised the brand on the Stylephile Shop Shot HERE), who worked with Vogue to design the official FNO canvas tote bag that will be sold locally at Brahmin on Bannister’s Wharf with a portion of proceeds to benefit the NYC AIDS Fund.
CBS.com will be streaming the event live from Lincoln Center starting at 7 p.m., hosted by Vogue editor-at-large André Leon Talley.
Check out Fashion’s Night Out 2010 PSA here:
“Watching” the Classic Yacht Regatta
I had the pleasure of enjoying the spoils of the annual Museum of Yachting Classic Yacht Regatta & Parade this weekend, sponsored by Italian-designed, Swiss-made watch brand, Panerai. This year marks the sixth edition of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge – which has been called the largest and most renowned classic yacht race in the world (this weekend’s raced marked the final segment of the North American Challenge circuit). Since its inception in 2005, the circuit has grown to include a list of distinguished competitors. Turns out, Panerai is a natural brand to back the event as they developed its first prototype in the 1930′s for the Italian Navy.
The race included modern classics, to vintage yachts, to smaller one-designs-many with design pedigrees by Herreshoff, Hunt, Fife, and Sparkman & Stephens, but I have to concede, I was distracted by the gorgeousness of the bright green Panerai watch I spotted on the wrist of one of my companions – brushed titanium, navy blue dial, luminous hour markers – whole nine yards. The fabulous group of spectators I was joined by unanimously decided since it matched my outfit so well (call it kismet), I should don it, if just for a little bit. Being so accustom to the digital clocks seemingly everywhere; in the car, on the laptop or iPad, and of course, glaring at you from the cell phone screen, it was refreshing to revisit the elegance of a fine wristwatch. This one, I learned, was Panerai’s Luminor Marina Automatic model, and it was hard to part with it by afternoon’s end…
As for the event at hand, the champagne was popped for Overall Classic Yacht Regatta winner Joe Dockery, owner of the 1937 custom Sparkman & Stephens-designed Sonny.
(Pictured above, 12 Metre US-24 Valiant)
For additional regatta coverage and a list of winners by class, click the MORE link below to be redirected to the jump.
Rasing Awareness During National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, Local Designer Adds New Syles to Fundraising Collection
Coinciding with National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month this September, local designer Angela Moore has added new pieces to her existing best-selling Ovarian Cancer Collection. Partnering with the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance (OCNA), Moore has designed a limited edition Ovarian Cancer National Alliance bracelet and necklace set featuring teal crystals (teal is the official color of the cause) to help raise awareness and advancing the interests of women with ovarian cancer. The OCNA works to save women’s lives by bringing awareness to women about this silent killer. The collection includes a bracelet, necklace, earrings, pendant and charm that range in price from $10 to $105, and 15% of every bracelet and necklace purchase goes to the OCNA (proceeds from the collection’s sales will continue throughout the year). The collection can be purchased at the Angela Moore Boutique located at 190 Bellevue Avenue in Newport, online at www.angelamoore.com, or via catalog (get on the mailing list by calling 800-927-5470).
Back to School, Back to Preppy Cool
It’s that time of year already (what some parents call “the most wonderful time of the year”), when the kids head back to the classroom, college kids descend on campus, and professionals capitalize on clothing and supply sales, sprucing up the office space with a little this and that while adding a few key pieces to the wardrobe.
I’m loving these coastal-inspired leather belts by Patty Anderson, who also creates jewelry and accessories, at Island Outfitters 
on Thames Street in Newport (we’re also looking forward to her new line of footwear, set to debut soon). There’s a host of belt options from conservative to bold to metallics and adorable brushed molten pewter buckles with three-dimensional scallop shell, anchor, starfish, sand dollar, flower, and sea turtle designs!
I was also charmed by the adorable Lilly Pulitzer stationary stash found at Chace N’Lulu on America’s Cup Avenue, which included indulgently preppy note cards, calendars, agenda books, pink and green pencils, circle notes and more (like the Lilly dry erase boards I spotted online). You may have spotted the Lilly jeep in town over weekend (above)–it is simply adorable!
A Trio of Trunk Shows Come to Town
In the fashion world, fall is on the brain, and two shops in Newport are hosting designers and reps (even an author) to showcase their fall collections and latest offerings. This Friday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Angela Moore will be hosting a Jack Rogers and Lilla P trunk show at her charming Bellevue Avenue boutique. The classic line from apparel and shoe designer Jack Rogers will include platforms, jellies (they’re back) and espadrilles, which you may have seen in In Style magazine. Classic style is also palpable in the designs of Lilla P, with pieces direct from the designer’s Meatpacking district design studio in NYC. The brand has been praised for their modern take on the iconic cotton tee shirt, including the Origami shirt that ties 10 ways as seen on Good Morning America. The shop is also hosting a book 
signing featuring Karen Weinreb, the author of the book The Summer Kitchen, who has planted roots in Newport. Marie Claire called her most recent release is “an irresistible beach read!” And there’s plenty of summer left to sink your toes in the sand and unwind with a good read. You may recall Weinreb’s appearance on Oprah in January, where she shared her story of her husband’s secret life. Champagne and treats, served during show hours, promise to sweeten the experience.
Down on Lower Thames, hot young designer Elise Fargnoli brings her Francesca Joy line of stunning, hand-painted 
totes, wristlets, chemises and more to Wish on Friday and Saturday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. The St. Michael’s Country Day School grad and Providence native has made a splash on the Palm Beach shopping scene and brings her artistic flair to her beloved City-by-the-Sea for two days of fashionable fun.
Angela Moore, 190 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, (401) 619-1900
Wish, 664 Thames Street, Newport, (401) 848-0202
Happy shopping!
