Farewell L'Wren

So much has been flying around in the media about the tragic passing of Fashion Designer L'Wren Scott. Everyone cannot stop talking about her famous boyfriend and now tragic death but I want to focus on her creative contribution to our world. 

Her biggest accomplishment, obviously was the lives she touched as a friend, sister, daughter and creative spirit. Also the impact she had on fashion. She produced 14 collections starting in S/S 2008. She seemed like an inspired designer who produced looks that were tailored, sleek and feminine.

She got her start in the fashion industry as a statuesque 6'3" model who was discovered by legendary photographer Bruce Weber. Those 42" inch legs worked the runways of Paris in her early modelling career for Theirry Mugler, CHANEL and others. Her foothold in the industry was firm as she transitioned into her role as Stylist and then Costume Designer ("Diabolique", "Mercy", "Oceans Thirteen", "Shine A Light" - Rolling Stones Documentary). Spring/Summer of 2008 saw her first collection "Dragonfly Blues" walk the runway. She has a large celebrity clientele and list of friends who loved her and her designs.

I followed her on all social media outlets and enjoyed her Instagram posts as she shared her global inspirations. The last I  can recall seeing was her trip to India; the fabrics, architecture and immersing herself in the culture. She also shared many Vintage images on Instagram with the title/hashtag 'Inspiration'.

I have been a fan of her aesthetic since her first started her career as a designer. I featured the dress Sarah Jessica Parker wore from her "Yorkshire Pudding" Collection from S/S 2013 in a past blog.

L'wren was also personally VERY stylish. Great personal style is not necessarily synonymous with being a designer or stylist for others but L'wren was in a word, CHIC.

I loved seeing her on the red carpet in many of her own designs. I read somewhere that she started designing because she could never find clothing that was 'fitted properly'.  I have enjoyed reading all of the messages and tributes to L'wren about how much she meant to them and what kind of designer she was. I would like to contribute to those tributes as she was MUCH MORE than "Mick Jaggers Girlfriend"

Farewell L'wren. Thank you for your contribution to the world of fashion and making our world a more beautiful place.

Style Maven Series: Janie Bryant

Janie Bryant is the brilliant costume designer and stylist behind the AMC TV hit series "Mad Men". Her road to becoming a style maven started in her hometown of Cleveland, Tennessee where she was born Katherine Jane Bryant. Her love for fashion design was visable at an early age and nurtured at Georgia State University where she studied art and then at the American College of the Applied Arts where she continued to build upon her love of fashion design. Following graduation she moved to Paris and then to New York, where she worked along side fashion designer John Scher. A move to the west coast was next for her and ironically a project sent her back to NYC to work on a television series "Big Apple". The creator of "Big Apple" collaborated with Janie again with his HBO series "Deadwood" She took home an Emmy award in 2005 for her work on the series.



She is the winner of several Costume designers guild awards for outstanding design for a period/fantasy TV series (2008/2009) as well as a multiple Emmy nominee for "Mad Men", which is just approaching the end of it's 4th successful season.

DEADWOOD


MAD MEN

She is a creative force not only in costumes for television but she also has recently designed and launched a line of clothing, accessories and nail polish on QVC.

Her collection is called MOD made it's debut September 29, 2010 with 20 pieces of outerwear, sweaters, pants, and skirts, and about 10-15 pieces of costume jewelry, priced from $26 to $138. The 50s and 60s-esque line features faux-fur jackets, capelets, and hats, reversible satin swing coats, brocade boleros, pencil skirts, skinny pants and colorful crystal pendants and pins. not to mention bags, faux fur trimmed sweaters and vests.

Janie talks about her QVC Line:






She teamed up with Nailtini to create 4 colors of polish for fall all inspired by the fabrics used in her reto-glam "Mad Men" creations. You can snag this luxe polish for $14 @ QVC.com, Duane Reade & CVS.




Started your Christmas shopping yet? top of my list for my winter reads is Bryant's new book: "The Fashion File" YES ~ she is also an author!!! The book is about inspiring women to find their own style. BUY IT


Janie has certainly inspired me on all creative levels, how about you?? I had a chance to ask Janie my Style Maven questions:

LISAG: Can you describe your personal Style aesthetic AND attitude about fashion?

JANIE: my personal style is rooted in the classics with little hints of
rock-n-roll and romanticism.I love to play with vintage pieces and be influenced by different decades. I love fashion. I love to experiment with clothing and play dress-up a lot to get new ideas and be inspired

LISAG: What are the key components / pieces in your closet?

JANIE: *a great leather jacket, a few leather jackets actually, different colors
*my favorite knee high boots
*my favorite Valentino patent leather beige pumps
*skinny jeans
*black leggings
*a big bag for working
*lots of accessories

LISAG: How do you feel about Vintage Clothing and Accessories?

JANIE: I love vintage clothing and accessories! I'm always inspired and learn
from the details of vintage. The way garments were constructed, the usage of colors, prints, design, etc. and with accessories too.

LISAG: What are your favorite Vintage pieces (Clothing and/or Accessories)? Do you only wear designer vintage?

JANIE: favorite vintage pieces: *silk printed 1960's jumpsuit with matching
lace trimmed jacket
*fur muff collection from all different decades
*1970's pave diamond drop earrings *1980's seafoam green cocktail dress with back bustle.
*1950's hand painted handbag

Sometimes I wear designer vintage but I'm attracted to great design and beauty and that doesn't necessarily mean designer to me. You can find amazing vintage pieces made by house wives. It's more about the piece that catches my eye rather than the designer.

LISAG: What are you wearing this fall/winter? Tell our readers the key elements for your Fall/Winter wardrobe.

JANIE: Janie Bryant MOD faux fur capelet in snow lynx, black platform booties
+ heel, heels, and heels, pleated black leather mini skirt, black leggings with zippers and Janie Bryant MOD champagne faux fur car coat.


Have a look at some of Janies own Style Maven moments ... (CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE)







With Christina Hendricks

With January Jones










EVOLUTION VINTAGE'S PICKS FOR JANIE:








SHOP EVOLUTION VINTAGE

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