Never Forgotten: Gianni Versace

Seventeen years ago today fashions brightest light was brutally extinguished. It was because of  Gianni Versace that I fell into my life long love affair with Fashion. What remains is an amazing legacy of bold, unique, designs and a giant gaping hole in the industry. He will always remain an inspiration to me.

I still remember where I was when I got the news. I didn't want to believe it and I still don't. Seventeen years later I look back at the child I was, so enamoured with this man's vision for women and liberating them through garments that were way ahead of their time. Garments that the house of Versace continues to make a gallant attempt at emulating but never quite hits the same mark. He was a genius, icon and will always be an muse to me. 

I can't help but believing that the style and fashion landscape would be a different place if Gianni were still here. I long for the day's where the supermodels reigned supreme and the celebrities only occupied the front rows at fashion shows, not the magazine covers. He created the supermodel, the spectacle that we now know as fashion shows and presentations with his over the top cast, music, orchestration and front row. From his mother's dress shop in Southern Italy (Reggio di Calabria) he was THE trailblazer to the celebrity, the supermodel, unique textiles and glamour that was so bad it was way too good.

Image: Helmut Newton

Gianni had an attitude in the business I wish more designers and successful people in general would replicate; There is room for everyone. He would give "unknown" creative's (like Brian Atwood, Todd Oldham, etc..) opportunities that they never otherwise would have received. His pursuit was beauty and expression. He never wanted to stop learning, experiencing and growing from all corners of the world and culture.

1990

In the wise words of Mr. Versace, "Beauty will save the world"

And he is still right.

1946-1997

BANDit

Christy Turlington - VOGUE 1990

I recently did a make-up trial which was featured here on the BLOG. I wore a 90-esque thick headband to pull my hair back and feature my face and the makeup. I was not sure if it felt chic again or if I looked like I was about t wash my face, until I saw the black and white image.

I realized I was totally channeling Lady Miss Kier of Deee Lite and it brought me back to the 1990's when being a BANDit was still SO CHIC. I was so influenced during the 1990's when designers did their spin on the 1960's and THIS was one of the key looks/accessories.

Lady Miss Kier 1990's

CHANEL Fall 1990/91

*The ultimate quilted headband*

 Linda Evangelista for VOGUE Italia 1990

              Helena Christensen CHANEL Runway 90

Other Icocnic BANDit's from the 90's

Linda Evangelista & Christy Turlington - VOGUE editorial 1990's

Groove is in the HEART ~ Lady Kier 1990's Does 60's

Christy Turlington - Spet 1990 - Image: Arthur Elgort

"Donna Martin" in 90210

"Cher" in Clueless

Naomi Campbell as a blonde - c 1990's

The Original Chic BANDit - Actress and Fashion Icon Brigitte Bardot, 1960's

I am ready to personally become a full time BANDit again and bring this look back. I think it has waited long enough.

Would you rock a thick headband? do a 2013 twist on a 90's does 60's look? You could cover 3 decades with one accessory. Why not?

A Gaultier Good Beat

En route to events, school and regular errand running there is always music on in my car.  My 5 year old daughter is very vocal about what she likes and does not like. Recently she has become OBSESSED with the 90's club/dance group Deee-Lite. It's been a while since the release of their first album, World Clique in 1990 but I still dig their beats.  In particular the track "Good Beat" which was always my FAV and now my daughters.

And in true Deee-Lite style there are a few mixes of the song but I like this one best:

When I listen to Deee-Lite I am immediately transported back to the runways of the 1990's. Deee-Lite with their catchy beats and mixes were the go-to group providing the soundtrack to several runways shows in the early 90's. Lady Kier was a chic and cartoonish flashback to the psychedelic 60's with her fabulous makeup, prints and platforms (LOVE HER!) Her style has always been inspiring to me and still is looking back.

When I hear Good Beat I think about the Spring/Summer 1991 Jean Paul Gaultier show that was a twisted mix of the garden of eden gone rasta. Hard to believe, I know but somehow it works.

Have a look/listen for yourself, Watch the entire show below.

They Nailed it!

I don't know about you but I am always looking for a new (or "old" in the case of unique Vintage) exciting item to enhance my look; a new accessory, bag, shoe, hat or nail polish shade.

I have found the ultimate nail accessory:

Nail Polish Strips / Stick on Wraps

You have seen the amazing manicures on some celebs recently. It is called the "Dry Manicure" and is reported to last up to 10 days. The big one in "Hollywood" seems to be the Minx Manicure where they use heat to activate the adhesive property and you can drop by the salon for the application (unless you are in full time constraint mode like me and have to DIY). Get more info here: www.minxnails.com








They looked so fabulous I was compelled to find the DIY alternative at my local drug store. Sally Hansen has a product called "Salon Effects" That I picked up for $6.99

I opted for the "Misbehaved" style - it looks like a fishnet stocking over a metallic base.

I also had to grab an animal print. I was not struck on the Sally Hensen offering so I want for another brand called "Broadway Nails - Nail Dress" in metallic leopard print. $5.49 (28 Nail wraps in 14 sizes) - I have terribly short nails and I think this could be the puuuuurfect answer to making them fabulous.

I just got a Jaguar head statement necklace from Patricia Field (www.patriciafield.com) and had to take my metallic MEOW nails for a spin.

Did I mention I am 7mo preg? Style/Fashion NEVER has to take Maternity leave!

The application process is super easy and NOT time consuming:

*PEEL
*APPLY
*FILE

They remove easily with nail polish remover (I peeled mine off). They did not last 10days for me. I think that they should have a multi-tasking mamma disclaimer to say: if you make them last up to 5 days with all the typing, dishes, bathing your children, cleaning and working then you've NAILED IT - ROCK STAR STATUS. Mine started to chip within a few days.

You could also ROCK the chipped nail look a-la Helena Christensen in the 1990's video for Chris Isaac's "Wicked Game" ~ CLASSIC! There is still something a little punk rock about the "not so manicured" nail ... with the right rings/accessories of course.

Get out there and get your favorite design on your nails! A fabulous expression for under $7.00. Leave a comment and let me know how you NAILED IT!