Nostalgia In Vogue
Edited by Eve MacSweeney
Foreword by Anna Wintour
Rizzoli New York 2011

Vogue’s iconic presence in the world of fashion is part of the fabric of American culture. As of 2000, the magazine has published a column titled “Nostalgia,” enlisting a fascinating array of celebrated public figures to choose a photo from the Vogue’s archives, then write about the memory it evokes from the time in their lives when it was first published.

Sixty-three essays by such contributors as Joan Didion, Margaret Arnold, Patti Smith, Edmund White, Karl Lagerfeld, Carly Simon, Manolo Blahnik, Angelica Houston, Joyce Carol Oates and A.M. Homes, paired with images by legendary photographers including Henry Clarke, Irving Penn, Richard Avedon, Horst P. Horst, and Henri Cartier-Bresson, make this beautiful book a fascinating read and visual delight.

The range of topics is vast, and Nostalgia In Vogue celebrates the often poignant essays that have been engrossing Vogue readers for more than a decade. This is a must-have book for all Vogue enthusiasts.

Beverly Johnson Vogue Cover August 1, 1974, Photographer: Francesco Scavullo

Lisa Fonssagrives-Penn wearing a Cristobal Balenciaga dress of chiffon petals. Photographer: Irving Penn

Milly S/S 2012 Backstage. Photo: Janet Pytowski/VIDCAT

The Spring 2012 manicures were rock star rebellious in gradation ombré, nearly neon, and checkerboard brights. If you aren’t “with the band,” the look is a sci-fi holographic finish or second skin to modernize your neutrals. Nudes transcend into translucent milky white or clear tips embellished with lattice, sparkle, and gold foiling for a lovely, optically stimulating look.

Here’s the rundown of CND’s 16 looks straight off the runway. Listed by show, lead artist, look and description:

Getting ready for Fashion Week takes more preparation than juggling invitations and rearranging schedules. Fashion editors, stylists, buyers and press need to be in shape for the week’s  strenuous physical  maneuvers … standing on long lines, running from show to show, sitting in cramped chairs and slinging over-sized totes filled with cameras, iPads, press-kits and assorted goody bags.

I asked certified personal trainer Andre Banks of Synergy Fitness Clubs to recommend a few Fashion Week-worthy exercises that will target our specific activities and improve overall stamina… let the shows begin!

All Photos: Janet Pytowski/VIDCAT

Chair Squats: Strengthen your legs… great for standing on long lines (especially if wearing high-heels!)

Stand in front of a chair with your feet shoulder’s width apart. (1)

Chair Squat (1)

Flexing on the hips and bending the knees, push the butt back and lower your rear towards the chair. Lean forward at the shoulders while keeping the back straight. (2)

Chair Squat (2)

TAKE NOTE! At the bottom of the motion, the knees should not go past the toes if a line was drawn from one to the other. (3)

Chair Squat (3)

Chair Step Up: Get in shape for running from show to show.

Stand in front of your chair with one foot on it. Keep your weight on the heel, and ball of the foot. For balance, lean slightly forward with your back straight and arms in front of you. (1)

Chair Step up (1)

Step up, using the foot that’s on the chair. Keep your other leg slightly bent and not touching the chair. (2)

Chair Step Up (2)

Seated Dumbbell Press with a Twist: Strengthen your shoulders… carry multiple goody bags with ease!

From a seated position, hold a dumbbell in each hand, with your arms bent and your palms facing you. (1)

Seated Dumbbell Press with a Twist (1)

Exhale as you raise your arms over your shoulders while squeezing your shoulder blades.  Keep a slight bend in your arms. (2)

Seated Dumbbell Press with a Twist (2)

TAKE NOTE! At the top of the motion, your arms should be in line with your back, not your chest. (3)

Seated Dumbbell Press with a Twist (3)

Plank to Knee-Tuck: Good for overall posture... don’t slump in the front row!

Start the exercise from a push up position, with your back straight. (1)

Plank to Knee-Tuck (1)

Balancing on your arms and one leg, pull the knee of the other leg into the chest, keeping the foot off of the ground. (2)

Plank to Knee-Tuck (2)

Straighten the leg out, raising it higher than your supporting leg. (3)

Plank to Knee-Tuck (3)

Shoulder and Calf Stretches… loosen up for another day of fashion week.

Shoulder Stretch (1)

Shoulder Stretch (2)

Calf Muscle Stretch

Andre Banks, Certified Personal Trainer

Rita Vinnik

Bonus! Mention the Fashion Week Workout and get one-week free membership to Synergy Fitness Club, 131 East 31st. St.NYC location (212) 213-0400

Tamara de Lempicka: The Queen of the Modern
Edited by Gioia Mori, Skira, 2011

Tamara de Lempicka: The Queen of the Modern, Edited by Gioia Mori, Skira, 2011

A cosmopolitan painter and icon of the art deco movement, Tamara de Lempicka created images that became the symbols of. the “crazy” 1920s and 1930s. She was possibly that period’s most brilliant exponent, cultivating her talent and building an image of an elegant and sophisticated woman… the extravagant protagonist of the European high life.

Through scrupulous scientific analysis of 120 paintings and works on paper, this beautiful publication recreates the artistic atmosphere of the time, suggesting unique parallels and comparisons with contemporary works. It also offers us a cross section of the artist’s life
which was filled with glamour and marked by the historical events of the 20th century.

This beautiful book is a must-have for all art deco lovers and highlights the life of one of the most modern women of our time.

Tamara De Lempicka Kizette en rose, 1927 Oil on canvas, cm 116,5 x 73 Nantes, Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nantes ©RMN-Foto: Gérard Blot ©Tamara Art Heritage / Museum Masters International NYC

Tamara De Lempicka Le rêve, 1927 Oil on canvas, cm 81 x 60 Private Collection, courtesy Duhamel Fine Art ©Tamara Art Heritage / Museum Masters International NYC

On June 16th, Italian eyewear brand Persol presented the first in a series of three exhibitions uncovering the obsessive  craftsmanship in film. The exhibition is at  Center 548 in the meatpacking district of New York City.  A lot of celebrities walked the red carpet  for the opening including Sir Ben Kingsley, Terry Gilliam, Mick Rock and Milena Canonero.

Sir Ben Kingsley and Daniela Lavender. the Persol Magnificent Obsessions exhibition opening at Center 548 on June 16, 2011 in New York City. Photo by Berangere.

Terry Gilliam at the Persol Magnificent Obsessions exhibition opening at Center 548 on June 16, 2011 in New York City. Photo by Berangere.

The exhibition celebrates the  craft, passion and dedication that is required to create truly great films. Featured films include Blue Velvet by David Lynch, Brazil by Terry Guilliam, Gandhi by Sir Richard Attenborough, Marie Antoinette by Sophia Coppola, Taxi Driver and The Aviator by Martin Scorsese, The Darjeeling Limited by Wes Anderson, The Diving Bell & the Butterfly by Julian Schnabel and Vertigo by Alfred Hitchcock.

Fashion designer Rebecca Minkoff at the Persol Magnificent Obsessions exhibition opening at Center 548 on June 16, 2011 in New York City. Photo by Berangere.

Famke Janssen at the Persol Magnificent Obsessions exhibition opening at Center 548 on June 16, 2011 in New York City. Photo by Berangere.

Aleksa Palladino at the Persol Magnificent Obsessions exhibition opening at Center 548 on June 16, 2011 in New York City. Photo by Berangere.

Magnificent Obsessions Exhibition is open to the public from June 17 – 19 at Center 548.

Admission is free.

548 West 22nd Street (Between 10^th & 11^th Avenues)

Douglas Hannant Resort Fashion Show 2012. June, 7th. Photography by Berangere.

The Douglas Hannant resort 2012 fashion show was shown at the Intrepid Museum… on the ship flight deck surrounded by vintage aircraft. The show featured chic  nautical-inspired looks for the vacationing socialite.  We loved the sailor hats and red, white and blue ensembles.

Watch the resort fashion show on the Douglas Hannant website here.

Douglas Hannant Resort Fashion Show 2012. June, 7th. Photography by Berangere.

Douglas Hannant Resort Fashion Show 2012. June, 7th. Photography by Berangere.

Douglas Hannant Resort Fashion Show 2012. June, 7th. Photography by Berangere.

Douglas Hannant Resort Fashion Show 2012. June, 7th. Photography by Janet.

International film actress and fashion icon Kate Bosworth lends her talents to the latest commercial in “The Fabric Of My Life” television campaign from Cotton Incorporated.

Parsons The New School for Design hosted a cocktail reception celebrating five sixty 7th, a curated exhibition of work created by graduating students.

Parsons Student Exhibition. May, 19th. Photography by Berangere.

The exhibit featured various fashion categories such as evening wear and accessories.

Parsons Student Exhibition. May, 19th. Photography by Berangere.

The exhibit at Parsons was very modern, creative and inspiring.  Past fashion graduates of Parsons include Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs and the Proenza Schouler team.

I loved the shoe designs and shapes…  Parsons students are very talented !

Parsons Student Exhibition. May, 19th. Photography by Berangere.

Parsons Student Exhibition. May, 19th. Photography by Berangere.

FIVE SIXTY 7TH (SCHOOL OF FASHION EXHIBITION 2011)
May 12-18, 12:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
Location: David M. Schwartz Fashion Education Center Auditorium, 560 Seventh Avenue at 40th Street.

Piper-Heidsieck collaborated with Jean Paul Gaultier to create a new design for its Champagne Cuvée Brut bottle, which will be unveiled this week in Cannes, France. The French fashion designer first dressed the bottle in a red corset back in 1999, and 2011 will mark another cooperation between the two luxury houses. With a new design inspired by French cancan, the new bottle features latex and fishnets. The unveiling took place at a VIP dinner at the Cannes Film Festival.

Jacob & Co. staged a luxury lifestyle campaign photo shoot this week in a lavish Los Angeles private residence featuring Milla Jovovich as the new face for the brand’s global advertising campaign.

The location was the Sowden House, a perfect in-door, outdoor scenery for a campaign which will portray a variation of personality and luxury lifestyle traits that is representative of the brand, wonderfully portrayed by Milla Jovovich.

The campaign encompasses eight different themes and looks stylized to feature Jacob & Co.’s red carpet diamond jewels, fashion diamond jewelry and watches. Jacob Arabo was on-site with a significant treasure of his novelty precious work. Surrounded by a team of professionals, Jacob directed the styling of his jewelry and watches closely.

“Milla and I work very well together; she understands and embodies the personality of our pieces. I am thrilled that she is able to bring my vision to this campaign and take it to the next level of esthetic and representation for the entire world to see.”, stated Jacob Arabo, Designer of Jacob & Co. “Milla Jovovich is a powerful, intelligent, worldly, sophisticated and sexy, playful woman. That is the talent that she brought to this photo shoot and what makes her synonymous to our brand, she is the “Jacob girl” we have been searching for to represent our brand globally.”

The campaign is scheduled to drop this summer and it will be launched in the upcoming months in all major international markets.

Spring has arrived in New York City and store window displays are stocked with bold and bright neon colored clothes and accessories.

I visited some of my favorite New York City stores : Bloomingdale, Barneys, Bulgari and Zara.

Neon purple Paul Smith denims at Bloomingdale 59th Street & Lexington Avenue NYC window. Photo by Berangere. April 22th 2011

Neon orange Marni Dress at Barneys 660 Madison Avenue NYC window. Photo by Berangere. April 22th 2011

Neon green, pink and blue Matthew Williamson bags at Bulgari, 730 Fifth Avenue NYC window. Photos by Berangere. April 22th 2011.

Neon colors clothes and accessories at Zara 750 Lexington Avenue NYC window. Photo by Berangere. April 22th 2011

On April 26th at the Roger Vivier shoe salon at Saks Fifth Avenue NYC, the fabulous French style icon Inès de la Fressange was at the book signing  her new book : Parisian Chic A style guide.

Book signing “Parisian Chic A Style Guide by Ines de la Fressange with Sophie Gachet”. Saks Fifth avenue NYC, April 26th 2011, Inès de la Fressange. Photo by Janet Pytowski.

The beautiful book demonstrates the spirit of French dressing that we admire. The guide features hilarious commentary and illustrations by Miss de la Fressange, as well as photographs of Nine, her daughter. After her modeling career, she collaborated with the Parisian designer Bruno Frisoni to revive the shoe brand Roger Vivier Haute Couture, where she is currently the creative director and brand ambassador.

Book signing “Parisian Chic A Style Guide by Ines de la Fressange with Sophie Gachet”. Saks Fifth avenue NYC, April 26th 2011, Berangere on the lineup. Photo by Janet Pytowski.

I love this book. It’s a bible for all women who want to be stylish without being too much. Ines looked very chic last night, she wore the most beautiful Chanel jacket and gold Roger Vivier flats I’ve ever seen.

Book signing “Parisian Chic A Style Guide by Ines de la Fressange with Sophie Gachet”. Saks Fifth avenue NYC, April 26th 2011, Inès de la Fressange and Berangere. Photo by Janet Pytowski.

Louis Vuitton Store Fifth Avenue NYC

Louis Vuitton, the famous luxury brand displays Easter eggs hatching amazing shoes, not chicks,

in their Fifth Avenue store windows!

Louis Vuitton Store Fifth Avenue NYC

I look forward to finding the beautiful giraff shoes during my Easter egg hunt.

Louis Vuitton Giraff print Shoes, Fifth Avenue NYC

PARISIAN CHIC: A Style Guide

by Ines de la Fressange with Sophie Gachet

Copyright PARISIAN CHIC: A Style Guide by Ines de la Fressange, Flammarion, 2011

“Dress like a Parisian” may be the title of the first chapter in this enchanting book written by French style icon Ines de la Fressange , but the book really focuses on fashion should be fun… a unique style philosophy enjoyed by Ines throughout the book.

Her personal tips for living with style are gleaned from decades in the fashion industry…  she offers specific pointers on how to dress like a Parisian including how to mix affordable basics with high-fashion luxe items. My favorite saying from Ines is “The secret to great style is to feel good in what you wear.” She also shows her wit when she says “Nothing looks worse than a girl tottering about on unimaginable heels! The key to sex appeal is a feline walk, not a precarious wobble.”

Ines identifies a man’s blazer, a trench coat, a navy sweater, a tank top, a little black dress jeans and a leather jacket as the “Magnificent Seven” bedrock of any Parisian wardrobe. Her smart and funny do’s and don’ts are accompanied by her own drawings and fashion photography.

This book is a must-have for all lovers of Parisian style and as a special treat Ines shares her favorite shops and resources for all things chic in Paris. A great travel companion for your next trip to the city of style!

Special Event!

Tues April 26 / 6:30-8:00
Meet Ines de la Fressange who will be signing copies of Parisian Chic
SAKS FIFTH AVENUE
Fifth Avenue and 50th Street
in the Roger Vivier shoe boutique on 8
with FIAF (French Institute/Alliance Francaise)
Open to the public
*** RSVP rogervivier@saks.com

The Heart Truth campaign continues to raise awareness of heart disease as the #1 killer of American women. Debuting at Lincoln Center on February 9th, the Red Dress Collection 2011 Fashion Show was an opportunity to encourage and inspire women to take action to lower their risk of heart disease. To spread the message, well-known celebrities walked the runway in red dresses created by America’s top designers.

Suzanne Sommers HEART TRUTH FW11 NEW YORK 2/9/2010

Linda Gray HEART TRUTH FW11 NEW YORK 2/9/2010

Dita Von Teese HEART TRUTH FW11 NEW YORK 2/9/2010

Denise Richards HEART TRUTH FW11 NEW YORK 2/9/2010

Ann Curry HEART TRUTH FW11 NEW YORK 2/9/2010

Laila Ali HEART TRUTH FW11 NEW YORK 2/9/2010

Cristóbal Balenciaga, Philippe Venet, Hubert de Givenchy:

Grand Traditions in French Couture by Christiane de Nicolay-Mazery,

Flammarion, 2011

Bringing together the history of an ancestral chateau, the legends of three celebrated designers and the beauty of the gowns they created, Cristobal Balenciaga , Philippe Venet, Hubert De Givenchy is a treasure trove of history, fashion, interior design and beauty. The gowns of these three famous designers are displayed to praise their legendary designs and their impact on haute couture today.

Balenciaga’s desire to be a designer from a young age is described… leading up to his success creating the most beautiful dresses for the most famous women of his time. His exceptional tailoring and creative techniques were studied world-wide. Venet is known for his youthful and romantic gowns. His designs, including the “kite” coats of the 60s were creative and colorful. Givenchy opened his own fashion house in Paris at only twenty-four years old. His high-quality fabrics, simple shapes, classic lines and flowing designs set his styles apart from other designers of his day and gained prominence for the dresses he designed for Audrey Hepburn for Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

This beautiful hardcover book with 150 color illustrations is a must-have for all fashion enthusiasts.

Philippe Venet has a talent for color. In Haroué’s landscape garden, designed by Cyndie Simon, old roses, peonies, and anemones harmonize with plain or printed organza dresses. Photo Luc Castel from Cristóbal Balenciaga, Philippe Venet, Hubert de Givenchy: Grand Traditions of French Couture (Paris: Flammarion, 2010).

A pink tulle dress re-embroidered with flowers of silken thread. Photo Luc Castel from Cristóbal Balenciaga, Philippe Venet, Hubert de Givenchy: Grand Traditions of French Couture (Paris: Flammarion, 2010).

Dress of emerald-green lamé, 1991. Photo Luc Castel from Cristóbal Balenciaga, Philippe Venet, Hubert de Givenchy: Grand Traditions of French Couture (Paris: Flammarion, 2010).

Evening gown of velvet and black silk faille, 1979. Photo Jean-Bernard Naudin from Cristóbal Balenciaga, Philippe Venet, Hubert de Givenchy: Grand Traditions of French Couture (Paris: Flammarion, 2010).

New York City’s sexiest firemen unveiled their 2011 calendar at a celebration party at Spa Martier. Hundreds of fans, including myself, lined up for New York’s hottest and bravest to sign copies of the Official 2011 New York City Firefighters Calendar.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each calendar benefit the Staten Island Burn Center.

All Photos: Copyright 2010 Janet Pytowski/VIDCAT

New York City Firefighters Calendar 2011 Hunks

Firefighters Calendar Fans

Firefighters at Calendar Launch Party

Firefighter Signing Calendar

Janet and Firefighter at Calendar Signing

Firefighters Calendar Fan at Calendar Signing

I visited Bergdorf Goodman to see my favorite holiday windows in NYC. The over-the-top luxe fantasy travel theme titled “Wish You Were Here” was a whirlwind of stylish mythology and designer fashions.

all photos copyright: Janet Pytowski/VIDCAT

Bergdorf Goodman holiday window, NYC 2010

Bergdorf Goodman holiday window, NYC 2010

Bergdorf Goodman holiday window, NYC 2010

Bergdorf Goodman holiday window, NYC 2010