"It's not my fault, I love beauty."

Valentino - The Last Emperor, recently out on DVD, is a must have for every fashion buffs library. This deep and often times moving documentary follows the legendary designer and his partner in business and life, Giancarlo Giammetti, over the course of their final 2 years in business, all leading up to the most spectacular fashion retrospective and final runway show in the history of haute couture.

In our world today, where every celebrity with a love of skinny jeans and Birkin bags can magically become a "fashion designer," there are only a few true designers left - ones who actually sit down with their own unique vision and create art. This new flux of "designers" are simply the brand names, with teams of other designers creating the collection for them to stamp with their logos. Is there a place for this in retail? Yes. Will we wear it? Of course. Should we call them designers? No way - they're marketers. What Valentino and his generation of master designers do is completely different and should not be compared to the same process of someone like, say, J.Lo. These fine craftsmen should be honored in a class all by themselves.

The film goes behind the glitz and glamour of fashion - though there is plenty of eye candy - to show just how much work goes into building, maintaining and growing such a revered brand. From Valentino sketching and approving every detail of every garment, to a studio filled with the most hard working Italian seamstresses, hand sewing thousands of beads onto one 1/2" strip of fabric, to Giammetti negotiating and mediating the set up of the retrospective honoring Valentino's lifes work ... it's a fascinating, intelligent and at time hilarious 96 minutes.

We get a glimpse at the private life of Valentino and Giammetti, peek inside their decadent lifestyle and see how two people have learned to live, love and work with one another for over 50 years (inspirational whether you love fashion or not). The love Valentino has for his clients and beauty is also apparent as he so sincerely, yet comically states when asked why he designs these sorts of creations, "I love beauty ... it's not my fault."

Not his fault indeed, and the timing of his retirement is in alignment with the changing industry. At times, the feud between Valentino and the private equity group, Permira, is like watching the generations in battle, the old world , art focused Valentino combative with the young, bottom line driven stakeholders. I found myself sympathetic to Valentino but understood that at the end of the day, a business needs to make money. For his time, Valentino created glamour and beauty and maybe everything isn't always about the money. Perhaps, his dedication to his craft, admiration for women, and commitment to excellence is the lesson learned.

You'll find a little something for everyone with glamour, history and humor at the top of the list. So invite your most fashionable friends over for a fancy viewing at la sua casa, don your Valentino red and serve up some champagne! A little glamor never hurt anyone.

The open toe bootie phenomenon

The crisp fall air in Philly has fashionistas across the city happily packing away their flip flops for the newest trend in footwear: the phenomenon that is the open toe bootie. Fall 2008 teased us with the idea. Fall 2009 will introduce it across the board, from Neiman Marcus to Payless. Meaning, love them or hate them, this trend will be rampant for at least the next season. Personally, I am surprised by my enthusasim for them and how many of our clients are interested in giving them a try.
The key to wearing this particular trend ... if you would like to, is to keep the peep toe on the small side. Only expose a hint of toe, after all, this is still a cold weather shoe. Look for details such as croco embossing, patent leather and studding. Keep the color basic so it creates more outfits, stick to black, brown and dark grey. The picture above is a fabulous option by Steve Madden, with stud detail that just slightly winks at the 80s inspired looks of the season.

The boot itself should be substantial, with a solid stacked heel and sole. While the weather is still warm enough, go barefoot. (A proper manicure is as important now as it is with summer sandals but choose a dark polish). As the weather cools down, a thick, opaque tight will add dimension to your look. For the daring, a contrasting tight in plum or dark green will add a pop of color, the rest of us conservative babes can keep it monochromatic. These look best with a skinny pant, and long chunky sweater or keep it stream line with a slim cut suit, light blouse and layers of long necklaces. It can also be done with a flowy dress as it creates an interesting contrast.

Keep your price point low with this one, this is not a life long friend, but a fun visitor to your closet always up for a good time. You will have tons of options under $100 (and well below) to satisfy your own curiosity while not breaking the bank. There is a fantastic grey option under $30 at Target and a black alternative at the same pricepoint available at Payless.

Fashion should be fun and all looks are not for all people, if you have walked past these in the shoe department and gazed upon them wondering if you too can pull them off - you absolutely can! If you feel fabulous in them, chances are you look fabulous too! Happy Fall ...

The Latest Kristel Closets, Inc. Newsletter

Take a peek at Kristel Closets, Inc.'s latest newsletter. This is a supplement to our monthly newsletter, which will be back in a BIG way in September.

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The September Issue - Anna Wintour and the Making of Vogue

I have been reading Vogue since I was 10 years old. Back then, I barely understood what I was reading, but I loved the language and elegance of the magazine. As a shy little girl growing up in Philly, it gave me a much needed escape and opened my eyes to a world I didn't know existed. I very clearly remember wanting to know who was in charge of such a masterpiece, what was she like, how did she get there and could I, maybe, be a part of it.

Now, with a business of my own, I am fascinated with other successful business women. I study their philosophy, style and work ethic. They inspire me, so much so that I often find stamina I never thought I had, or a brilliant idea will magically come to mind. Anna Wintour is one such inspiration.

While my approach to management differs greatly from hers, I'm also not running the most revered publication in the world of fashion. Her decisions alone make or break designers, and her instincts have launch the careers of some of the most successful, young American designers to date. I often laugh when critics dismiss the fashion industry as a frivolous and unessential. Do we sometimes take ourselves a bit to seriously? Of course, that 's the fun of it! Let's not forget, though, this is a billion dollar a year industry, responsible for more jobs and economic growth then these "I'm better then fashion" naysayers can wrap their heads around.

On September 10th, Vogue, because of Ms. Wintour's dedication to growing fashion - as an industry - created "Fashion Night Out." A night long extravaganza organized to "reinvigorate the industry and boost consumer morale." In these economic times, what a fantastic idea! The event will take place in 13 other fashion capitals across the globe and has trickled into the Philadelphia area. King of Prussia mall, our very own local shopping mecca, will host an evening of fashion and fun. They have been quite about the details but rumor has it that Tiffany & Co. will have Audrey Hepburn's little black dress from Breakfast at Tiffany's on display. So make it a point to come out, have some cocktails and maybe buy a new dress for fall. Lord knows the economy will thank you.

If that isn't exciting enough, at least to me, on September 11, "The September Issue - Anna Wintour and the Making of Vogue" will be released in limited theaters. We hear, locally, the Ritz and Bala Theaters may be showing it. The trailer alone sends my heart a flutter and I find myself with a big goofy grin on my face by the time it is over. I feel like I will finally get to see everything I wanted to know when I was ten. Gather the girls, plan a dinner and get lost in the glamour and excitement for 90 minutes. We'll be there, hope to see you too!

What you really need to know, before you shop

Over coffee this morning I caught a segamant on the Today Show featuring O Magazines Creative Director, Adam Glassman. Adam discussed the 6 questions you should ask yourself before go shopping. For the most part, they are great tips, based in common sense. However, they could use a little more explaining and clearing up. To view the segmant click here.

Only spend what you have. Basically, if you make $25k per year or are in debt over your head, skip the Burberry trench. Over spending and leveraging credit consumers really didn't deserve is how we got into the current economic mess. If you buy what you can afford, retail will eventually adjust and provide better priced items - we are already seeing the response from stores like Dress Barn and Kohls, items are fashionable and extremely budget friendly.
Look for the lowest price. This doesn’t mean heading to your local super store and stocking up on pants for $16.99. If you only shop at Target, you will have a wardrobe filled with disposable clothing. Gain an understanding of quality, which doesn't neccesarily mean the most expensive option. Take advantage of department store sales and coupons. The concept of "price per wearing" is not a new one. Base your math on owning the garment for 2-3 years. If you get more than that at the end of the garments life cycle, consider yourself lucky. It definitely happens, but too many factors come into play to expect to get 20 years out of all your clothes. (I am, over course, not talking about true couture, which you should and would have your entire life.) Use discount stores to stock up on trendy items you want to try and dispose of them guilt free when you move to the next. Also, make sure you can wear each new pieces at least 3 different ways, and know the combinations before you purchase the item.
Shop with a list. You have to, otherwise, you end up with shopping bags filled with mismatched items. We recommend keeping a small note book in your closet or on your night stand so as you get dressed and realize you are missing something – even as simple as hosiery, jot it down and grab the book before you head out. Before the beginning of each season, take some time to review your wardrobe, bring in a friend as a second eye, do a quick purge and see where the holes are, this keeps you on point and organized.
Dress your Body. Amen! Every time we work with a new client and begin preparing their clothes for our tailor, you would think we discovered the Holy Grail. They are shocked that "regular" people get things tailored. Yes, you need a tailor, because, as Adam affirms, every garment needs something – and it makes a tremendous difference. We recommend setting aside 10 – 20% of your budget to cover alteration fees as they add up quickly.
Longevity. I understand what Adam is saying here, a smart purchase is one that you should be able to live with for a good long time. Where I disagree is in the length of time he illudes a garment will last. Clothes, even the most classic of pieces, have an expiration date. If you are wearing these items regularly, taking the price per wearing challenge, with frequent cleanings, garments will eventually show their age. Additionally, styles change, so if you are still sporting a “classic” black suit from the early 90s, it’s time to repurchase - you look out dated. Fabrics, cuts and most importantly, silhouettes change. In order to look modern, the cut of your garments need to be current. Speaking of changes, let's not forget our bodies, the shape of a 40 year old woman will be much different than her future 60 year old self. So, think to yourself if you will like it for 10 years, but don’t expect it to still be around.
Only pay in cash or debit. Sure, or practice self control and put it on a credit card that gives you points or cash back. I personally use American Express, not only are you protected … there have been occasions where I was charged twice, I called Amex and they removed the duplicate transaction – no hassle on my end, but they also offer a great rewards program. We paid for almost our entire holiday list last year with our points; it’s a great way to make your money work for you. Amex is the same as cash since you have to pay it off at the end of each month anyway.

The bottom line: take the time to prepare, shopping haphazardly will lead to nothing but a mess of a wardrobe. Make considered purchases, respect them, and you will look and feel amazing - without the stress for years to come.

The Well Dressed ... Closet

I know it seems early, trust me I do. The way I look at it, by the time Halloween comes, it may as well be Thanksgiving, and by the time the last of the apple pie (or the sweet potato with roasted marshmallow topping … yum) is finished, it may as well be New Years Day. If you are getting ready to send the kids back to school, or have already been on vacation, you know the sad truth: summer, in fact, is almost over.
August is a great time of year to prep your closet for the Fall. We LOVE to give easy, do- it-yourself tips, for a few reasons. First, I'll be honest, cleaning out a dirty, dusty closet is hardly my idea of a fun way to make a living. A necessity yes, but if it were up to me everyone's would be sanitized before my arrival and I would get to begin at Step 2, the fun part, when we evaluate and create outfits out of what you have and begin the process of shopping. That being said, it is an important first step, what is the point of having a fabulous wardrobe if it is not stored properly?
Second, one of our goals is to empower clients to do a few things on their own. I am deeply conscious of never taking advantage of a situation. My thought has always been to pay us for the valuable information and skill sets we have. Anyone can clean, and frankly, even if I clean it, the client needs to be able to maintain. I also believe that our clients appreciate us providing some tips they can do themselves, if they would rather us do it, we are happy to, in all likelihood, we can get it done faster. In either case, we like the decision to be theirs.
With this in mind, we thought we would share our tips on getting your physical closet and existing wardrobe prepped for fall. These tips are easy, inexpensive, and give you an instant sense of order.

1. Purchase new hangers. I do not share many of my colleague’s belief that you need seven different hangers to properly care for your wardrobe. It could be because I see more closets short on storage space than I see those with an abundance of room. I love the Ultra Thin Flocked Hangers available at Bed Bath and Beyond. These are the most popular hangers we purchase for clients. They keep the shape of your clothes, silk camis and other delicate pieces stay in place, and create an overall uniform appearance. You can also hang your pants over the bar if you are short on vertical space. They easily double the amount of storage, perfect for a small city closet. For pants and skirts we like simple Clear Hangers. If you are hanging a delicate fabric from these, consider adding a swatch of fabric between the clasp and garment to make sure no marks are left.
If you happen to have the room and inclination, feel free to head to the nearest Container Store and try to contain yourself. Wooden hangers are a great investment if you have the space and budget for them. I personally love their look and function.


2. Actually clean your space. I mean empty it all out, get some mild detergent and warm water and scrub. When was the last time you did that? Exactly! Can you imagine how dirty it is? This is where you store your clean clothes! After spending as much time as I do in strange closets, I am still astonished at how they are kept, and not in a good way.
Another favorite tip is to paint the inside of the closet. It freshens up the space and is visually pleasing. Some of our female clients have painted them fun, pretty colors or lined the inside with funky scraps of wall paper. For creative types, it adds to the ambiance and generates more creativity.
Be sure everything is extra dry before you restock, never return clothes wet or damp and never place them in a wet or damp environment.


3. Evaluate your space. While you have everything out, see if you actually have a place for everything. If you don’t, consider investing a little bit of money into an organization system. We love and work closely with the team at The Closet Works; they take your existing space and maximize your storage capabilities in a very affordable and stylish way. Personally, I live in a charming, albeit old home with closets designed in 1894. Apparently wardrobing – and space - was not a priority. Before we had kids, I created my own dressing boudoir out of a spare bedroom. Now, with two home offices, a 2 year old and another due in February I flat ran out of rooms. The solution? A nifty closet system from Ikea. Goodness do I love it! All the hanging space I need, almost enough room for my shoes and dozens of compartmentalized drawers to perfectly place everything from bras to bracelets.
Before you close the door on your fresh new digs, check out the lighting. If you are an early riser or do not want to wake a sleeping spouse, a few battery operated LED lights placed at the top of the closet will change your life – or at least your morning.


4. Purge, Purge, Purge. We wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time. Now, keep in mind, you need to keep some things you may not wear all the time for the occasional cocktail party, gala or a fun girls night out. What you do NOT need is any business suits you purchased in the 80s, high waisted "mom" jeans, and if you have anything with a pumpkin or snowman appliqué do not pass go on your way to fashion prison.

Do a simple purge first. Is terribly old and tattered? Toss it. Painfully out of style? Toss it too. Maternity wear but the “baby” is in college? You know what to do. Keep in mind, the good women of The Career Wardrobe deserve high quality items they can be proud to wear to an interview, your old, gross items do no one any good. All your items that are too big, too small or just not your taste but in good shape and stylish should go to them. Everything else send off to The Salvation Army, at a minimum someone will use it in a Halloween costume. If you happen to have something FABULOUS and in great shape but it just doesn’t work, consider sending it to a consignment store or selling it on eBay for a bit of extra money.
After you place your now paired down wardrobe back in the closet, turn all the hanger hooks facing forward, after you wear something, add it back with the hook facing inward. Wait 30 days and evaluate the items you have not worn. What is preventing you from wearing it? If you just don’t like it, donate to the appropriate organization. If you love it but need something to pair it with, begin to keep a shopping list for easy reference, you will forget in 5 minutes if you don’t write it down.


5. Keep it Well Stocked. I’m not talking about clothes, more on that in upcoming posts. I mean well stocked with emergency items. Allocate a box or some drawer space for quick fix go to items including the following:
1. Double sided fabric tape. We love Hollywood Fashion Tape; it works wonders for fallen hems or to keep a deep v neck top sexy but modest.
2. Miss Opps. Miss Opps is a fabric sponge that quickly removes deodorant and make up from your clothes. It is also great to keep in your purse while you are on a power shopping trip.
3. Lint Brush. Grab a few from the local drug store to keep your clothes pristine. These are especially important if you have pets. Throw an extra one in the car.
4. Needle and Thread. You do not need anything fancy here, just a small travel kit to fix a loose button, anything more than that take to a tailor.
5. A bag of buttons and thread. You know all of the extra buttons and thread that come attached to your new clothing tags? Keep them! Especially if it is a special button or unusual color sweater. These come in really handy when you need them. You will bless yourself the day a fancy button pops off a blouse and you have backup. Otherwise, you will need to replace all of them.
6. Notebook and pen. Keep a small book in your closet or on your side table to jot down thoughts and create a running list of the items you need to pick up. When you go to shop, bring your note book along so you do not forget anything.

Take a little time to get organized now and you will be blissfully organized come transition time. Keep checking The Well Dressed Life Blog every day for more tips to get you ready for the fall. It is our pleasure to serve you, send all of your fashion/style questions to info@kristelclosets.com, and we will feature it on our blog within one week.



© The Well Dressed Life Blog, Kristel Closets, Inc. 2009

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Trying Something New

For years I have read all the magazines, with some gorgeous celebrity gracing the cover, claiming the reason for her glowing, flawless skin is simply lots of water and slathering her skin in the iconic, Crème de la Mer, La Mer moisturizing cream.

I've got the water drinking covered. Our office is stocked with SmartWater, a much more affordable indulgence than the $130.00 for one ounce moisturizer. One day, my make up artist, Béke Beau ,used a drop to prep my face before an event. It smelled divine and made my face feel like velvet, plus, my make up lasted all day long.

With my interest peeked once again, I headed to Neiman Marcus and purchased my first ounce, wanting to die as I never spent that much money on a face cream before. I'm turning 30 in a few months and have committed to making this new decade my most fabulous - so I figured, what's the worst that could happen, I just won't buy it again. While I am all for aging gracefully, I'm certainly not against trying anything topical to keep my skin youthful.

Botox, though intriguing to me, has a few strikes against, mainly the cost of upkeep. The idea of shooting poison into my face doesn't help, but if done correctly can look amazing, so I could get past it. With a 2 year old at home and another on the way, future college and wedding bills seem the more appropriate place to drop my money (and before you freak out, I was not considering Botox while pregnant, thank you very much.)

I've been using La Mer for about 3 weeks now. I apply only at night as it does not include an SPF for day use. I'm generous with it in the evening and have noticed a few things so far:

1. It is incredibly moisturizing, my skin is instantly soft and subtle.
2. It feels amazing to fall asleep with it on, there is something very luxurious and decadent about it, especially as a busy working mom with little "spa/me" time, I need to find my indulgences where I can.
3. I wake up with gorgeous looking skin, that is super soft and ready for my morning routine.

I would like to see a more visible difference in the lines on my face, however, my skin does look the best it ever has, no new lines and wrinkles. My greatest challenge is the deep lines on my forehead, which I started to notice in the fifth grade, and may just be part of my face forever. I'm not expecting a cream to make them disappear. So far, I'm really pleased with the results and plan on indulging in the cream for a long time to come.

Now, I know it is expensive, and in this economy, out of many peoples budgets. My thought (or really my rationalization) is that I am quite disciplined when it comes to lotions and potions. I only use a few specific things, I do not have a cabinet full of product, just the basics, and I would rather spend a bit more on something that truly works and makes me feel great. It all goes back to my belief in quality over quantity and balancing the high end with the low end.

My Well Dressed tip for today: pick one luxury and indulge, it doesn’t have to be expensive, it could be as simple as adding 5 minutes on to your shower with a drug store sugar scrub. Whatever it is, just do something everyday for you and no one else, you’ll feel your spirit rise and perspective of the day change for the better.

Till next time, take good care, and make it a Well Dressed Life!
Megan