Suitsupply: from Amsterdam to Atlanta

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Do you know where all the BEST-DRESSED MEN in Atlanta were last night?

I do. They were at Suitsupply. The city's most dapper dudes embraced the  global retailer with a thunderous roar louder than Mother Nature's evening storms. The rain didn't stop the Suitsupply opening bash in Atlanta from taking off to sartorial badassness in a city hungry for [great] style!

If you want to dress on trend without being trendy, go to

Suitsupply

. If you have an appreciation for the finest Italian textiles, go to

Suitsupply

. AND as for the service, custom tailoring, attention to detail, value and affordability, there is no comparison. Visit Suitsupply and let me know what you think.

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OH and I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the interior of the store. SEXY ... the Suitsupply Atlanta location is one of the sexiest spaces in town! From the chic, geometric patterned walls to the store's layout to the private fitting area...

 

Suitsupply Atlanta is located at the Shops Around Lenox.

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Project Runway Thunder Blunders

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[You know I love you guys] but this was the worst

Project Runway

ever! I think that even the judges and producers of the show would agree. The designers were challenged to create tear-away menswear looks for the steamy, ripped, hard-bodied muscle men of

Thunder from Down Under

... it was a fashion disaster. So lets talk about accountability. Any designer on Project Runway these days who doesn't know menswear is a weak link. To say, "I've never done men's clothing" is just a stupid and lame excuse because there is a menswear challenge every season. Get it together future Project Runway candidates and know you're shit! Or don't come on the show.

On the other hand, while the judges sat in their chairs, laughing and giddy about the ridiculous Thunder blunders on the runway, the seriousness of the matter is that someone would be going home. (Sorry Amanda!)

Project Runway set these designers up for failure with this challenge.

I'd like to see Zac Posen, Michael Kors and Isaac Mizrahi create tear away men's clothing in one day for freakishly sized men. Project Runway has a responsibility to conceptualize challenges that while push the envelop are still (somewhat) realistic and doable.

If an entire class fails a test, the problem lies with the teacher, not the students...  Not surprising, there were NO winners this episode.

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This will help you forget the fashion crap you just saw... pulled directly from Thunder from Down Under's website... enjoy.

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All better now!

Tune into a brand new Project Runway this week, thank goodness.

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Hilton Hollis at Tootsies

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He's handsome, talented and knows how to design for women and that my lady friends is what you're gonna really love about fashion designer

Hilton Hollis.

You can find his designs all over the USA but in Atlanta, the Hilton Hollis label is exclusive to

Tootsies

located at the

Shops Around Lenox

. I had the pleasure of monopolizing nearly ninety minutes of Hilton during his two-day Trunk Show at Tootsies. [So I can tell you first hand that he is an amazing and gifted designer.] His aesthetic is clean and modern. His approach, innovative wearability. What does this mean for you? Fabulous clothes that are on trend and fit beautifully. Hilton's sensibility with textiles is rich. He uses bold colors in combination with sumptuous textures like soft leathers, chiffon, velvets and crepe satins. As a designer, Hilton naturally stays current, which in turn, which keeps you always looking fresh. But the Hilton Hollis woman is more than that... she stands out [in a great way!] The secret may lie in the impeccable construction and attention to detail. Creative and intelligent patterning, darts and seams in strategic places, like the waist, hips and thigh areas work with every body type to flatter, enhance or even subdue. One thing is certain, you will turn heads when when wearing Hilton Hollis.

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Viktor & Rolf Fall 2013

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Long time faves [of mine]

Viktor & Rolf,

presented a very pronounced RTW collection for Fall 2013 of black and white pleats, ruffles and over-sized bows. Leather jackets and sculptural shirtdresses, long and short, defined strong runway looks that played with ideas of style choices, individuality and proportion.

Watch video:

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"BJ Kicks A"... NYFW 2013

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The Bitch is Back

played at the end of the

Betsey Johnson

fashion show. Betsey Johnson takes the prize (as usual) for the most invigorating productions. Her models, who "sported" a new line of BJ activewear, were joined on the runway by Betsey herself and "performed" a workout routine to include push ups and crunches! The audience ate it right up. And as for the collection? Colorful, a bit zany like Betsey and definitely will get you noticed at the gym, in a good way. You need it in your closet. The super energetic designer came out for an encore and treated us to one of her legendary cartwheel splits. BJ kicks ass!

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Creating The Perfect Outfit From an Assortment of Clothes at Home

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A noted romance author enters an event. She is wearing a striking outfit that instantly becomes the talk of the party. Perfectly accessorized, her ensemble is thought to be the work of some contemporary gonzo couturier. It must have cost thousands, the murmurs suggest.

In reality, the outfit started life as men's pajamas the author picked out of a junk pile at a thrift store. They weren't even part of the same pair of pajamas, but their colors matched nicely. The print was striking and unique. She donned a belt, some cool jewelry and went out in style. No one knew the thing cost her $2.

The key is to always choose quality, no matter where you find it. That's the essential ingredient whether you buy the clothing item at a second-hand store or at a 

Brooks Brothers

store. If you have a ready supply of high quality fashions, like 

1818 Suits from Brooks Brothers

, then any mix of them will always have the élan of fine fashion. Learning to combine the items is merely an added skill.

Here are a few basic rules:

1) Contrasts work nicely when done tastefully. This is what made our romance author's tout ensemble a slap-up success. She wore a pair of men's silk pajamas with some pricy jewelry and a designer belt. On another occasion, she donned an old motorcycle jacket, silk camisole and a pair of lace leggings with some steampunk boots. Her husband wore antique riding breeches, a high-collar shirt and a Brooks Brothers jacket.

2) Don't act your age. Dress against expectations. People tend to mentally file their impressions of people in line with their expectations. Those fabulous, expensive designer togs may well fade into the visual party hum if it's exactly what most people would expect you to wear. Too many other party attendees will be wearing something similar. There are only so many ways to cut a suit or dress. If you surprise people, they will remember.

3) Don't stick with one designer. Naturally, you'll want to trend toward the best clothing companies, like Brooks Brothers Clothing, but pairing that suit with a constrasting style of designer can be fun.

4) Wash, iron, press, launder and do whatever else must be done to make your clothes ready and presentable when you need them. If your clothes are ready and waiting, it's easier to toss-up great salad attire at the last minute. If you have to stop and launder one item, you'll find yourself with much less time to complete your designer look.

5) Last looks are essential. Be sure to gauge yourself honestly.

Once you're secure in your apparel, you'll wear it with confidence

. Our romance author didn't walk into her party feeling like she was wearing old pajamas. She dressed like she looked fantastic -- and she did.

Lastly, enjoy yourself. Bring with the experience a feeling of fun and you'll carry that emotion with you throughout the event you're attending. Your attitude is the best accessory of all.

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Designer Norman Ambrose at Verdura Fifth Avenue

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New York Fashion Week may be three weeks behind us but the

Norman Ambrose

2013 collection still resonates in my head with exquisite visions of elegance and sophistication. After battling the madness of the tents at Lincoln Center it was such a welcome change to be a guest at the Ambrose show. For starters, the venue set the tone.

Verdura jewelry boutique on Fifth Avenue, founded by Duke Fulco di Verdura, with its rich history and views of Central Park, was the perfect setting. Guests were greeted with champagne and an orchid on every seat. Verdura not only hosted the fashion show but also furbished the stunning jewelry that Ambrose paired with select pieces. The collection itself was a couture-like experience with much of the beading, detailing and embellishments painstakingly done by hand - a personal choice by Norman Ambrose which spoke loudly of his high standards and desire for perfection. The collection was quite beautiful and very chic. Ambrose offered a variety of gorgeous, head-turning looks to entice and dress the uptown girl or the sophisticated socialite. One thing is certain, you will be noticed in Norman Ambrose... and what I gathered from some of the guests, once you have Ambrose on your back, you're hooked! 

View Collection:

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[caption id="attachment_17379" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="All class at Norman Ambrose and Verdura... my front row seat."]

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