The first book submitted was The Travels of Babar.  A gracious benefactor, who wishes to remain anonymous, purchased the book for $850,000, which was signed by former First Lady Barbara Bush and her son,  Jeb Bush, the 43^rd Governor of Florida.

The book is part of a larger collection up for auction this week through November 24 that includes signed childhood favorite books from some of the most famous people in world, including President Obama, Maya Angelou, John Glenn, Jimmy Buffett, Hugh Hefner, Tiger Woods, Senator John McCain, Oprah Winfrey, Jack Nicklaus and Jane Goodall. 

The complete listing of signed books and information about bidding, can be seen at www.littleauctionthatcould.org.  The exhibition can be seen in person at the Elliott Museum in Stuart, Florida (www.elliottmuseumfl.org)  through November 29, 2009.

 DressRegistry.com Magazine gently reminds everyone that although fundraising efforts can be a chore, innovation coupled with technology shows that the sky is the limit.  Don’t be afraid to be creative.  The winner, as always, is the charity.

Dress Disaster Pink and Shakira

Once again, the ugly spectacle of the dress disaster has occurred on the red carpet.   Photogs and spectators were treated to Columbian singer Shakira walking the red carpet and telling the media that her beatiful Balmain cocktail dress was”one of a kind”. Lo and behold, a few minutes later, here comes rocker Pink in the exact same Balmain cocktail dress.   I sense that several people on each woman’s styling team got an earful  little later that night.

Thankfully, both Shakira and Pink showed class and grace and were able to laugh their way through it.   They even took a picture together!!!

DressRegistry.com always finds these situations a little humorous but there is really no reason for this to happen to anyone.  Let’s all pledge to let dress disasters happen to someone else.

Vintage Couture Dress

        Wearing vintage couture to a gala has been chic with celebrities for several years and is now becoming much more widespread.  Stylists say that this is one method that they use to make sure that no one at the same event is wearing the exact same dress.  The recent Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in early summer 2009 was a great place to see it all come together as many of the celebrities and fashion models wore vintage or vintage- inspired looks.  Standouts were Amber Valleta in a vintage John Galanos gown and Kate Beckinsale in a vintage-inspired Marchesa.   

How do I get started?

Vintage clothing is a great way for an adventurous woman to find a unique look and make a statement that says, “I am fashionable and contemporary with a twist”.  The easy thing about being a buyer of vintage couture today is that it is no longer necessary to scour thrift stores in New York, Los Angeles or Paris in the hopes of a find.  The internet has made global become local and finding that must-have gown is now much easier. Vintage couture clothing buyers can also double-dip: expressing their style AND eliminating the dreaded duplicate dress disaster.

 Patricia Smith, a Florida artist who collects vintage couture told DressRegistry.com Magazine that she “acquired the bulk of her hundred-or-so piece collection through years of hunting consignment stores while living abroad in Paris, Prague and Athens.  It was great fun but very hit-or-miss “.  Nowadays, she includes several on-line vintage clothing boutiques when searching for wearable “works of art”.   Her love of the pop feel of 1960’s clothing and the more casual vibe of 1970’s clothing is what keeps her searching.

 Who’s got it?

Lynda Latner, the Founder of VintageCouture.com, a very well-established website which typically has several hundred gowns in stock, tells us that she provides her clients with several different ways to access her inventory of vintage pieces.  Vintage virgins needing to touch items before purchase can go and see numerous items displayed at the Holt Renfrew department store in Vancouver.  A large number of the VintageCouture.com items are available on the web and private trunk shows are sometimes held for special clients.

 Other potential sources of vintage couture include ArchiveVintage.com of Dallas, TX, Reciproque.fr of Paris, France, CMadeleines.com of Miami Beach, FL, KatyKane.com of Philadelphia, PA, TheFrock.com of San Francisco, CA  and RodeoDriveResale.com of Beverly Hills, CA

 Want some styling guidance for accessorizing vintage clothes?  Follow these tips from our style experts:   

• Don’t look costumey. Think Audrey Hepburn; not Phyllis Diller.
• Do not get caught in the moment and get too matchy matchy by accessorizing with a vintage bag, jewelry or shoes.
• Do carry an understated bag, minimal jewelry and tie it all with great shoes.
• Keep the heels high. Fashion designers in these eras created the silhouette with only high heels in mind.
• Let the clothes be the focal point. Aspire to be like Amber Valleta in the vintage Galanos gown at the Costume Institute Gala.

 Whether you are a vintage virgin, a seasoned collector or somewhere in-between, explore your options.  Make the look your own and never, never forget that the point of going out at all is to have fun!

EVERYONE has parts they love and don’t love about their body, even celebrities. The trick to looking chic and styled is to showcase your best parts and hide what you don’t love.
If you are:
PLUS: Pick a gorgeous color that makes you feel great- add a shrug or wrap if you want to cover your arms.
PETITE: Have fun with this seasons’ hottest trend: a print! Make sure to hem your dress to right above the knee so you look longer.
PEAR SHAPE: Try a dark solid color long gown like navy or purple - very slimming but not your basic black.

HOURGLASS: A pencil shape silhouette will flatter and show off your curves. Try an asymmetrical or one shoulder style neckline.

With a bright gown you always want to go with a neutral shoe. The focus of your look is the color of your dress. A nude or metallic shoe is a great investment- it is a timeless shoe that you will be wearing for all seasons.  Peep toe shoes are a classic style that looks good on everyone. Stay away from a closed toed shoe with a long gown!

3.) What type of undergarments should I wear with my one shoulder dress? 

A good nude strapless bra is a must have for a one shoulder dress. Any shape wear like Spanx or Sculptz is going to create a smooth line under your dress.

4.) Metallics seem so big right now, but how do I wear them without looking like a disco ball? 

The key to metallics is to wear them in moderation. If you are wearing a metallic gown- go light on the accessories and remember to always match your metals. (a gold gown goes with gold based accessories and gold hardware on your purse and shoes). If you want to ease into metallics, try a metallic oversized clutch with your gown.

The red carpet is just like any event that you would be going to- you want to feel comfortable, confident, and get compliments! If you try on a dress and you are pulling at it or it doesn’t fit right- take it off immediately- you will be fussing with it all night! I like to make everyone do the sit test before they leave the house - sit down in the dress and look at yourself in the mirror. A dress can look great when you stand- but once you sit down it is not flattering.

Pick one statement piece of jewelry and rock it as your main accessory! If you have a necklace- don’t pick a big earring. If you have a big earring- don’t wear a necklace. If your dress already has embellishments on it (a big trend right now) you don’t need a lot of accessories.

Gel shoe pads are a genius invention because they make your heels more comfortable so you can actually keep them on all night. The two biggest celebrity red carpet secrets are; alterations and shape wear. If your dress is altered to fit you right it will make you look a size smaller!  And don’t forget- a little glow can go a long way… spray tan and self tanner can make your arms appear more toned…just use with caution!

6.) Any advice on how to update a basic evening dress I already have so I can wear it again? 

Right now it’s all about revamping, reusing and recycling! You can re-wear a basic evening dress so many ways!

1) If your dress is long- make it short- take it to a tailor and make it a cocktail dress!

2) Re- work your gown with accessories- add a chunky long necklace, or an embellished belt. It will look like a completely new outfit!

3) Find an embellished shell cardigan and wear it over your dress. Add a fun colored shoe and you have a new outfit!

Celebrity Stylist, Red Carpet Expert, and Television Fashion Consultant Anya Sarre is known in the industry as THE leading trend-spotter for today’s hottest red carpet looks. Anya has been the head fashion stylist for ‘Entertainment Tonight’, ‘The Insider’, and ‘ET on MTV’ since 2004.

 

We’ve all been there, staring in the mirror at the asymmetrical neckline of that gorgeous one shoulder dress. A quizzical look makes its way across your smiling countenance as reservations rise to the surface. What jewelry works with this? Should I just do earrings? What about that necklace locked away and waiting for an outing? Will it work? Are bracelets too casual? Will a cocktail ring do the trick? Is there something I haven’t thought of? How do celebrities pull this off so well?

Actually there are far more answers than questions when it comes to pairing the silhouette of a formal or semi-formal dress with jewelry. Choices abound, sometimes too many, but there aren’t any real rules. However, there are simple concepts to remember that will give you confidence to effectively accessorize that neckline, be it a scoop or a strapless.

To begin, the face is the most important feature to emphasize. This is especially true for the evening when socializing and chatting with friends or family will be the main activity. Whether fine or costume jewelry, be sure to choose your metals and/or gems wisely; anything you choose should work with your dress, complexion, the color of your eyes, and if you are going to wear earrings, the relationship between your neckline and hair style (more about this subject in another post…). Almost all types of earrings will work beautifully with a strapless dress, a graceful bateau or an off-the-shoulder neckline. When I said there were no rules, I may have misled you. There is one. Never permit your jewelry to play peek-a-boo with your clothes. Always keep a necklace above or below your neckline. No hovering below when sitting, loitering when standing, or falling into crevices that should be kept free of unsightly entanglements.

Ancient Amethyst

Wearing jewelry gets a bit trickier as the collar line become shallower, or closes up altogether. Bareness lends itself adornment because the expanse of skin you show invites ornamentation; it is a natural canvas. Well-designed apparel, crafted in luxurious fabrics and cut to perfection, the reason to buy couture in the first place, are in and of themselves sculptural art forms. Add jewelry that showcases a single color, or compliments your best feature; one ornament that does this very well is a brooch.

A pin will work practically anywhere, and it will never interfere with a neckline. Apply one to the shoulder of that one shoulder dress I discussed earlier. You will often see this way of styling a pin on the red carpet because it offers a clean, yet enormously flattering effect.

As far as bracelets are concerned, they are wonderful when stacked on a bare arm, or even on a clothed one yet here I ask you to assert some caution. One fantastic gem-y bangle or cuff is great over a sleeve, but more than that, and the effect become too cluttered. Going sleeveless means you have more real estate with which to play - just ensure that your pieces work in a way that creates a graceful visual effect, during the day you can work an armload of jewels with inventive panache, but at night go for something with a bit more restraint - one to three bracelets in total elevates your overall appearance in a refined, yet festive way.

Lori Ettlinger Gross is a writer, historian, jewelry stylist and frequent guest expert on shows such as Martha Stewart Living   Her first  book,  Brooches: Timeless Adornment (Rizzoli, May 2008), was published last year.  http://www.jewelhistory.com/the-jewelry-stylist/

And They’re Off…Time to Celebrate the Return of Spring and the Kentucky Derby

On the first Saturday in May, for 135 years, thousands have visited Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky for the annual running of the roses–the Kentucky Derby.  While the horses, mint juleps, and celebrity sightings might draw some to the track, the real show is the clothing.   

For this year’s race, it’s all about fresh colors–spring-inspired palates of daffodil yellow, peony pink, stand-out chartreuse, and morning glory blue are sure bets to fill the grandstands and the paddock area.  Though black is chic and classic, this is not the time to pull out your little black dress.  In addition, floral patterns are extremely popular choices, as are polka dots.

 There are several types of dress silhouettes to keep in mind when shopping for the perfect Derby dress.  Consider what shapes work best for your body.  Empire-style and A-line silhouettes are good for minimizing larger hip areas.  Sheath styles flatter taller women who are less voluptuous.  Some women decide to embrace their inner Southern Belle and wear shorter, ball gown-inspired dresses. Have fun with full skirts (purchase a crinoline to help you achieve this)–Derby season is a great time to try out this style!

 Remember–you’ll likely to spend several hours at the track and will need a comfortable dress.  Be mindful of the length.  Most women wear dresses that hit either right above the knee or slightly below it.  Super-short styles are less popular, and maxi-length dresses can present some problems. 

 Hats and headpieces are a must if you plan on attending the race.  A good rule of thumb:  If your dress is particularly colorful or has a busy pattern, tone down your head wear.  Likewise, if your dress is simple, feel free to choose a hat that’s over-sized or a headpiece that’s full of flowers and feathers. 

 The weather during early May in Kentucky is anything but predictable.  Prepare for the worst–bring a shawl or a light cardigan just in case the weather turns chilly.  A clear plastic poncho comes in handy for rainy days as well. 

 If you’re attending one of the many exclusive galas around the city (the Barnstable Brown Gala and the Mint Jubliee Gala are two of the most well-known), this is your chance to dress to impress.  These events are usually black tie, so long cocktail dresses and formal dresses are commonplace. Of course, don’t forget to register your stunning attire at DressRegistry.com so you are not a victim of a dress disaster

So take a gamble on bright colors and fun patterns.  Even if your horse doesn’t win the big race, you’re sure to be a winner in the fashion department!

    Kama Korvela is a public relations professional and freelance writer living in Louisville, Kentucky.  She specializes in fashion and sports writing and has written for several regional and national publications. 

 

The event committee’s conversations always seem to get around to the same mudane items.  What can we put in our silent auction this year that actually might spark some excitement among our patrons?  Every year, the same thing.  Foursome at the most exclusive club? Got it.  Spa Package for him and her? Got it.  Dinners, dance lessons, sports tickets, family portrait sessions?  Can you even tell what event you are attending?  Well, some event organizers are taking steps to mix things up a little.

At  a recent exclusive luncheon held at Billionaire Wayne and Marne Huzienga’s Floridian Golf & Yacht Club, a patron reported to DressRegistry.com that the theme of the silent auction was purses, purses and more purses.  Can you imagine the competition that would result if they had a Hermes’ Birkin bag?  Ladies, some civility please!  Overall, the patrons had fun in bidding up the purses and given the venue and the hosts, I think we would agree that these bags never knew the inside of a back room on Canal Street.

The Symphony of the Americas held their April in Paris Gala recently and it appeared that the organizers seemed to think that the Paris sun is quite a concern in April.  Even though past trips indicate to DressRegistry.com that the best thing for an April trip to Paris is a fur coat, we thought that by having twenty or so designer sunglasses as silent auction items, they were really showing creativity.  Prada, Gucci and Versace all made the grade.

The point of this discussion is to entreat event organizers to think outside the box when it comes to silent auction items.   Hosting a Gala is about entertainment and excitement.   Raising funds for a great cause is the end purpose but if your event has no pizzazz, it is doomed.  Make it fun for your patrons and your event will be successful, people will want to be on the committee and longevity will follow.

Next Article:  How to select a Master of Ceremonies that patrons will enjoy rather then endure

 Our community at DressRegistry.com Magazine  welcomes comments, suggestions and critiques so please help us make the experience even more valuable

Did you see both?

Dress Disasters are a women’s worst nightmare.  Every women has a checklist for their big events; dress-check!, shoes-check!, fabulous bag-check, Other woman wearing the same dress at MY Event!   Dress Disaster!!!!

DressRegistry.com exists to meet a universal need.  We have been collecting the most horrible stories for your amusement.  Drop a comment and tell us what happened to you.  We truly do feel your pain.

Here’s a few of our favorites:

I made my grand entrance into the local charity gala feeling like a movie star.  My Pucci-ish cocktail dress looked fantastic on me.  Until I looked over and saw another woman wearing the same dress.  And she was six months pregnant.  Next stop the bar!-Lee, Birmingham, AL

I was attending my daughter’s wedding at the Ritz Carlton with my new wife in her beautiful dark blue dress.  We stepped off the elevator to go to the church and there’s my ex-wife wearing the same dress, in black.  I wish I could say that my ex-wife handled the situation with class, but I can’t.  She sulked during the entire reception.-Jim, Columbus, OH

The local dress store promised my mother that this very expensive prom dress was ABSOLUTELY the only one on our area.  They even wrote down the name of my high school in a book.  I go to prom, walk-in and there she is.  A twin in the exact same dress.  My mother was so proud of buying that dress for me that I have never told her what happened. She would be crushed -Karen, San Diego, CA

Shoes, shoes, shoes, oh how we women love thee! You are so beautiful and fine…you are always there for us…empowering us in your stiletto spikes, making us feel luxurious in your jewel encrusted mules, and oh so feminine and sweet in your kitten heels.  There is a shoe for every occasion and dress, but with so many options how do you decide?

1. Consider Your Body Type: If you are short, consider wearing a nude color high heel. You will instantly look taller because the eye will not stop at your feet, but will extend the length of your legs to the toes. Curvy physiques should avoid round toes and ankle straps, and instead opt for pointed toes and narrow heels for an elongating and slimming effect. If you are tall, a gladiator inspired strappy heeled sandal will look modern and cool or a peep toe pump would be an excellent choice.

2. Be Creative with Color:  When you are not matching the color of your shoes to your dress, experiment with a bold contrasting hue. Take navy for example, not many designers make navy shoes, plus if you find them they could look cheap or too matchy with a navy dress. Instead pair navy with yellow, or jewel tones like magenta. To keep the look cohesive, add an accessory in the color of the shoes, such as a bracelet or a narrow belt.

Metallics are the cornerstone of a modern footwear wardrobe and are perfect for a dressy occasion. Every woman needs a pair of silver, gold, or bronze shoes in her closet.  A pair of strappy gold kitten heels with a matching gold bag is a timeless combination that coordinates with almost any color dress or gown and is especially lovely with white.

3. Have Fun with Formality: For a special event by all means wear your most beautiful silk satin shoes or ones embellished with jewels and beading. Patent leather is an excellent choice for a cocktail party and is very of the moment.

3. Anticipate Any Activity: Dainty slides and mules are elegantly chic for a cocktail party or dinner, but are less than ideal for dancing as they are hard to keep on.  For nights of endless dancing, pumps with ankle straps are the perfect style to help you get your groove on or glide to the tunes of a string quartet.

5. Always Wear a Heel: At least a one inch heel is always the most flattering. Even if you are wearing a floor length ball gown and it is unlikely that you shoes will be seen, still choose a heel over a flat. When wearing heels, women carry themselves better and with a more regal air. Classic pointy toes with narrow heels are universally slimming and always a fabulous choice to help you look your best.

Whitney Larkin is a writer, stylist and accessories designer. www.WhitneyLarkin.com

Celebrities are different from the rest of us. Right? Celebrities have their pick of clothes from all their favorite designers for the Red Carpet.  Overnight packages from hopeful young designers show up on their doorstep un-invited in the hopes that they will be worn, photographed and have buzz created.   Stars have Stylists and Publicists and ever-present assistants  to make sure that they do not bump into an old flame or a frenemy.  That’s what makes it all the more interesting that singer Hayley Westenra and actress Amy Guy wore the exact same dress to the Jennifer Aniston-starring film Marley & Me in London in March 2009.  DressRegistry.com always thinks it is interesting to show examples of Dress Disasters.  Comments?