Catwalk Contessa: Marpessa

Image:  Ferdinando Scianna/Magnum Photos. 

There are moments in life that one remembers forever. Those iconic times that live on and inspire you. The model Marpessa provided many model moments for me in the early 1990's. 

Marpessa as designer Gianfranco Ferre and team put on the final touches 90's

Many of these moments were associated with Gianni Versace and responsible for my falling in love with fashion. 

 Marpessa, pictured far right with Gianni and Models

 Marpessa pictured bottom left. I feel like I need to krimp my hair now.

Dubbed the Catwalk Contessa, she was a regular face on the  90's runways of other FAV designers of mine like Karl Lagerfeld for CHANEL

Chanel 1991

 Claude Montana for LANVIN

Dolce and Gabanna

 and MANY more. 

She is a mother, model and muse as well as an interior designer. She is VERY Stylish and Chic with great taste in clothing, including Vintage pieces. I often wonder if she still has any of that Vintage Versace in her closet.

Today I wish her a HAPPY BIRTHDAY and thank her for some of my fondest model moments in memory!!

Lisa

XO

Edland Man Marpessa per Chiara Boni and Flying dutch mag. (1988)

Joan Collins: 80 & Fabulous!

A true living legend Joan Collins puts the GLAM in glamour.  Her career spans 5 decades with her first, of over 65 feature films in 1951 (Lady Godiva Rides Again / released in USA as "Bikini Baby")

She was born on this day in Paddington (Central London), England in 1933.

 She has had a truly impressive career and life:

* 65+ feature films

*Dozens of Television Credits (Including what I know and love her for  - her role on the 80's smash hit Dynasty as the character Alexis Carrington)

* Best Selling Author (Selling over 50 MILLION copies, translated into 30 languages worldwide)

*She has 3 children (as well as grand children - a true GLAMma)

*She is COB status - made officer of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II in 1997

With a heart as large as her talent Joan  is devoted to the well-being of women, children and families and regularly lends her support and celebrity to causes that include finding a cure breast cancer and empowering children with learning disabilities.

I know and love Joan for the gold lame clad, shoulder pad, diamond dripping, champagne sipping, cage veil wearing cunning character of Alexis Carrington from the popular Arron Spelling produced show Dynasty. I used to beg my mom to let me stay up with her and my grandmother as they religiously tuned in, week after week. I was in awe of her costumes, jewels and hats!

She is a fashion icon of the 1980's and remains a Style Maven. She has been tres chic since her debut in the industry in the 1950's and deserves the style credibility. She is an inspiration now in her 80th year that glamour has no limits!! I LOVE her penchant for hats, turbans and veils .. a girl after my own heart!!

Enjoy some of Joan's looks over the years as you raise a glass of champagne to toast this stylish dame!!

"Glamour is not only about what you wear - it is also about your personality. Glamourous women seem to share something extraordinarily attractive that comes from within. It could be a serene, ethereal quality, a fiery, independent brassiness or a regal bearing, but whatever it may be glamourous women have it in spades."

 

ROCKING the 2013 Clive David Pre-Grammy Party 2013

Wishing you the happiest of Birthdays Dahhhhhling!!

Many Happy Returns ~ GLAM-MA

Today I must take a moment to wish a VERY HAPPY 89th BIRTHDAY to my GLAM-MA Phyllis.

She is one of the most amazing women I know. She has survived the great depression, WW2 and my dad's family; which is literally a feat in itself. She was a step-mother extraordinaire (of 11 children) an amazing wife and working woman. Biology is not what makes someone a parent or grandparent and the choice to marry her and bring her into our family was the BEST one my grandfather ever made. My sincere gratitude to grampa Chuck!
My grandma has always been there for me and a permanent fixture in my life of love. Never forgetting a birthday or special occasion and was a major influence on my personal STYLE. We have shared a mutual love of fashion for as long as I can remember and I was always excited to go to see her and look through her closet, jewels and her MAJOR shoe collection!
She served as part of the inspiration for my company; EVOLUTION VINTAGE (read the story HERE) and the silver, uber FAB mannequin that ALL Evolution Vintage pieces are photographed on is name after her; Phyllis.

On days like these I wish I was closer to home but know that I am sending my love to Ontario CANADA all the way from the Central Coast of Cali. CHEERS to 89 MORE YEARS!!



I Love You,

Lisa
XOXOXO

Grandmas hold our tiny hands for just a little while, but our hearts forever. ~Author Unknown

What children need most are the essentials that grandparents provide in abundance. They give unconditional love, kindness, patience, humor, comfort, lessons in life. And, most importantly, cookies. ~Rudolph Giuliani

Grandma always made you feel she had been waiting to see just you all day and now the day was complete. ~Marcy DeMaree
You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother. ~Proverb