HATspiration: Ali MacGraw

Actress Ali MacGraw is known for her roles in the films  "Love Story,""Goodbye Columbus," and "The Getaway"  but this Style Maven had a career in fashion first. She worked at Harpers Bazaar under Diana Vreeland for six years and was referred to by DV as "girl". A position I completely fantasize having no matter how tough Mrs. Vreeland was. I like to believe that the inspiration one would obtain being in her orbit would eclipse all else. This girl tosses 'tude back to DV too and went on to become a style icon and actress. She was also a model and a stylist for a time previous to her acting career.

Her look represents a fabulous fusion of bohemian-prep for me for day and glamour goddess at night. A classic and chic American style sensability. Likely a muse of the likes of Michael Kors and Calvin Klein, two great American sportswear designers. I speculate here but all the masters have muses and she is certainly muse-worthy.

She is providing our HATspiration for today. I love that she had a penchant for hats, turbans, hair pieces and hair scarves. A gal after my own heart. her personal style requires an entirely separate blog to highlight.

She takes the knit cap, skull-cap, beanie to a whole other level.

1971

Wraps, Turbans, Scarves, Fur, Feathers and more ...

Where do you get your HATspiration?

Shop this Ali MacGraw Inspired look from EVOLUTION VINTAGE

(Image by: Tamara Wickstrom - Model: Amanda Valena)

*Vintage Felt Hat

*Vintage Knit Shawl

*EV Burnout Tee

*Vintage LEVI's (Currently Unavailable)

*Evolution Rewind CUFF

Dita's Dresses: Her Capsule Collection

Dita Von Teese is hands down one of my living Style Icons. I love how she mixes fashion's past and future, makes her own style rules and care's not what mainstream trend everyone is buzzing about.

She has designed and released a Capsule Collection (MUSE) of select Vintage inspired items, sold exclusively at DECADES. (World Wide Shipping)


For those of you who are unaware in the fashion industry a "capsule collection" is defined as a mini-collection consisting of a few important representative items from the designer.

The collection is composed of 6 pieces, predominantly classic black, one pop of red and a printed piece. Dita used her own closet as her Muse for creating this collection.



This is a classic case of QUALITY vs QUANTITY.

Dita addressed the issue of her quality clothing via her Facebook: "I've launched several brands recently, and I've had to make a lot of choices that weren't always black & white. It is true that my dress collection is a little bit more expensive, and that is because I wanted the linings to be silk and I wanted all the details to be up to par with my vintage pieces with things like embroidered grosgrain waistbands, silk velvet and all the things that make a differ

ence upon close inspection. Unfortunately, those details come with a higher cost to make, especially in this era of manufacturing. I would like to offer a more affordable line too, and perhaps I will, but this first one is a very limited edition collection based on my vintage wardrobe treasures. This line is for those that see the benefit of obtaining one forever piece rather than a bunch of clothes that go unworn. This is one of the lessons I have personally learned over the years, so I decided this would be my first approach. I also felt that in light of my perfume, makeup and lingerie collections being in the more accessible price range, that this was the right approach for this first clothing collection. Lastly, of course no matter what the price point is, someone is going to be unhappy with it. So thank you for understanding my choices. I would love nothing more than to wave a magic wand and offer you full blown haute couture for free. That would be a neat trick, no?"

The price points range from $595-$895 but it is all a matter of perspective.  For quality, high end clothing this is not a lot to ask. If you are looking for investment pieces that you can style a million ways or hang onto for years then this collection is for you.  If you want clothing you trend and trash, shop at Forever 21. You could also meet in the middle and purchase authentic Vintage pieces for a price point slightly lower than Dita's.  It is also about priority. I have seen women who shop at Old Navy and never really update their wardrobe and have no problem throwing down $1600+ for a luxury handbag.

The most amazing part of fashion is you have the opportunity to purchase and style according to your budget, imagination, creativity and style. It is all up to you!

MY FAV pieces from the collection

Images & Commentary from Dita's Website)

The Follow Me Dress

"This is designed after a dress from the 1950s that I have worn over and over for about eleven years, and I always get compliments on it. It is timeless and always chic, which makes it a perfect wardrobe staple. I like to wear it with different vintage brooches from my collection on the shoulder. I have worn this dress over the years on red carpets, to events, parties and for many a romantic rendezvous. We remade this dress with a beautiful silk lining and silk chiffon, and I'm especially happy to have an improved version of the original dress in my wardrobe!"

The VIP Coat

"I've always said that the key to achieving glamour on the go is to have a very chic coat. I collect coats from the 1950s, because the hourglass fit and flare silhouette is so flattering. I wanted to bring this shape to the classic black trench coat, and this one has wonderful details like a hidden pocket, a tulle lining for a bit of volume, and the lovely grosgrain waist ribbon, which is a tribute to vintage couture. I might add that one of my favorite tools of seduction is a sexy coat, which I wear with nothing but black stockings and lingerie underneath!"

What are your FAV Pieces? Are you going to shop Dita's Collection?

RIP Anna Piaggi: Queen of Eclecticism

© David Downton, 2000

This morning in Milan, fashion icon, writer and front row fixture passed away at the age of 81.  The fashion world gained another angel and the physical world has lost it's Queen of Eclecticism. 

Not very often are we as a society blessed with an individual that TRULY defies trends and dresses in a truly authentic way. A genuine reflection of their inner self which defies all "rules" and traditional taste. 

Anna Piaggi has been a fashion fixture since the 1970's. She started working for an Italian publishing company (Mondadori) and then onto Vogue Italia. She was known there for her D.P's - doppie pagine, Her Double Page Spreads in Italian VOGUE where she was given creative free reign and released her inner stylist and creative fierceness. She has been a stylist, muse, editor, writer, collector, style icon and front row regular.

She was a friend and muse to Karl Lagerfeld since the 1970's and Manolo Blahnik. He has been quoted as saying she is "modern beyond belief." and created many of the shoes she wore.  

She was also the muse of British milliner Stephen Jones and she had a life long love for unique hats and head pieces.

She was a fashion and accessories collector and constantly mixed Vintage and contemporary, textures and prints.  She loved a fabulous hat and will be remembered for her iconic blue hair that she had up until her death today. She was honored with an exhibition in called "Fashion-ology" at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London (2006)

It featured: 265 pairs of shoes, 29 fans, 932 hats, 2,865 dresses, 24 aprons and 31 feather boas.

FUN FACT: She used a RED 1969 Olivetti typewriter daily.

Her style was the definition of eclectic. She mixed prints and  piled on the accessories: Hats, Gloves, Decorative Cains, Purses, Fans, Jewels and Scarves. She mixed old with new, the avant guard with the conservative, and pushed the fashion envelope right off the table. Although some could call her aesthetic silly or costume, I think it is unique, bold and fabulous!   

Anna's life was a vivid textured illustration and lesson to all of us that style knows no bounds except the ones we impose on ourselves. 

Anna and the original supermodels. All wearing Gianni Versace. 1990's

One of MY Living Style Icons Dita Von Teese Sum's it up via her Twitter.