Back to Work!

I have had an epic summer and fall.  My husband and I embarked upon a minor renovation of our Long Island house, that turned into a major renovation, RARE vintage has moved into a new, larger space in our building and we are choosing a new school for my twin children for next year.  It has been a challenging time, to say the least, but as I move through it - and see the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel, I am feeling very grateful.  Our house in Long Island seems to have heaved a huge sigh of relief, saying this is the house I always knew I could be!  Thank you!  

RARE vintage is still a work in progress, our fixtures have been delayed but are on their way and hello!  isn't it nice we outgrew our beautiful but smaller space?!  We are going on our seventh year of RARE vintage and I truly do believe that we are the only luxury vintage store in Manhattan. We have seen Kate Moss with John Galliano in the pages of December British Vogue wearing John Galliano from RARE vintage, Lady Gaga wore a dress that had belonged to Ava Gardner but found its way to RARE vintage and then found its way to Lady Gaga who wore it while singing a song with Kermit the frog on 'Lady Gaga and the Muppet's Holiday Spectacular' and in September the beautiful bride, Malgosia Bella, was married in an Azzedine Alaia dress from RARE vintage, that Mr. Alaia personally fitted for her.  Malgosia then wore a red Valentino haute couture dress for the party after the ceremony and a flowing lime  silk YSL caftan the day after all from RARE vintage.   So I can tell you fashion dreams really do come true.  

And probably what has been the hardest and has meant the most to me, has been the middle school application process for our children.  I admit to feeling completely overwhelmed, applying two children out at the same time, trying to find the next school where they will be happy and continue to thrive but now I have come to a place where I am feeling good and serene and even enjoying this next phase - it is just such a shock to hear schools speak about college.  My babies, are still just babies to me.  Even though my daughter is already starting to fit into some shoes we have at RARE vintage...

So sometimes I have wondered over these last few months, why can't I be more like the 'Enjoli eight hour perfume for the twenty four hour woman' ad I grew up with??  I kept feeling more like I needed Calgon to 'take me away'.  But here we are, and you know what, I am finding out that I can bring home the bacon and fry it up in the pan!  And a little Calgon moment doesn't hurt : ))

So here is to new beginnings - lots of exciting things are going to be happening at RARE vintage in 2014 and, now, it is time to get back to work! 

Remember these?!

and...

The New Normal: Street Style Spring Fashion Month 2014

The new normal in the plethora of street style photographs was well, normal.  Normal in still stylish, still chic but this time the sisters were keeping it real.  Not begging for attention - which has had the unfortunate effect of making the more cartoonishly dressed look, well, cartoonish.  

My favorite look and one I am going to blatantly copy with my Spring 2013 Look 3 Celine pants - and hello!  the fabric was not so spring friendly so now it is actually time to wear them.

and speaking of Celine:

Normal does not necessarily mean you can't carry or wear something whimsical - but the effect is subtle:

The soft trench is a staple.  Seen on the recent bride and our client Malgosia Bela (this is another one of my favorite looks):

and another soft trench, a skiiny black jean and a great bootie:

and Gaia, O Gaia!

Always beautifully dressed.  A new Babe Paley? And talented too.  I only have one piece of Repossi jewelry but hope for more : )

Love this Gigli? or Gigli-inspired tiny twisted vest:

and Marie-Amelie Sauve always looks pretty perfect (and soon to be seen in Louis Vuitton don't you think):

and finally what is more normal then a graphic black and white coat with a chicken print paired with an Hermes Kelly and Valentino t-strap and spats as seen on the often adorable Miroslava Duma : )  Looks normal to me!

Photos by Tommy Ton

The Beautiful Bride: Malgosia Bela in RARE vintage!

Malgoisa Bela was married to Jean-Yves Le Fur on Li Galli this past weekend in a white Azzedine Alaia dress from RARE vintage and she looked absolutely stunning!  Her wedding epitomized the glamour of barefoot and bohemian chic in a beautiful setting.  She also wore a flowing lime colored Yves Saint Laurent caftan dress the following day (also from RARE vintage : ) with natural barely there makeup and her hair in soft waves.  So gorgeous!  Congratulations Malgosia!

Some photos courtesy of Purple Diary and were photographed by Olivier Zahm.