Fall Shopping: Loving Lisa Perry

Every now and then you find the perfect dress that seems like it was made for you, that's comfortable, that people compliment, that just suits you.  I was lucky enough to find that very dress last year after a friend introduced me to the Lisa Perry line.  I wore my first Lisa Perry dress that reads "Love Art" to my first day of Paris Couture last January, and I haven't looked back since.

Lisa Perry

A love affair of sorts, I now seem to be collecting Lisa's dresses.  Lisa was raised around modern art, and that, blended with her love of 1960s and 1970s fashions, has produced a product that is simple, clean, modern, fun and colorful.  But the real art in her dresses is in her shapes.  From circle dresses to sleek shifts, there is a dress in her Madison Avenue flagship store for any woman, regardless of age, size or shape.  And she's not afraid of color.  Bright hues fill the store like a bouquet of balloons, but then there are also basic blacks with pops of bright green, yellow or fuchsia.  I recently just acquired an all black patent leather dress from the fall sample sale - can't wait to pack it for the Fall Paris Ready to Wear shows.

I met Lisa a few years ago while sitting with her at the Friends of the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art table at the Met Gala in New York.  She is super nice and bubbly; her clothes exude every ounce of her personality.  And the truthfulness in that is refreshing and surprising.  I see her annually at the Gala, and I was able to speak to her in her store this spring.  I remember her asking me "who are you that you get to do all of these fabulous things in life?"  The same could be asked of her.

With Lisa in her store

My biggest obsession among her creations is the Limited Artist Collection.  She collaborates with art houses like Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, and Jeff Koons.  She designs dresses, jackets, tops that not only showcase the artwork, but that look good on a female figure.  What a testimony to her love of art and the love of art that we all share.  It is so nice to see images or sculptures that are most naturally seen in museums or collectors' homes actually walking the streets, sipping on a cocktail or sitting at dinner.  More than a conversation piece, these special frocks are spreading the good news of the visual arts.

Jeff Koons pieces

My Pink Panther dress; with Chairman of the LA Phil David Bohnett and Cameron Silver

Recently inducted into the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America), Lisa has designed a Fall/Winter 2012-13 Collection that is yet another success, with lots of bold colors and shapes.  There is a great bomber jacket, and a good looking fox collar coat.  I still don't know who the artistic collaboration is with for this collection, but I can't wait to find out.  Those are the pieces to wear and collect.

Seamed Swing Dress

Bomber Jacket and Swing Pant

Fox Collar Coat

Hopscotch Dress

Of course fall is coming out, but the Spring/Summer 2013 Collection is being shown in New York on September 5 at the store during New York Fashion Week.  I can only imagine the amount of cuteness that the pieces will bring - her designs are happy designs, and anyone that wears one can't help to feel happy and bright.

Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week 2012: Versace

What better thing to do after eating and drinking for two weeks in Provence than head up to Paris for Couture week? Paris Haute Couture week began on Sunday night with the Versace collection.  In January, Versace had been a showing, not a formal runway show, but this time Versace showed on a splashy catwalk like only Versace can do.  Held at the Paris Ritz hotel atop the converted pool, the show was all fantasy and magic.  Golden mirrors at the end of the runway opened up to unveil the Versace icon bathed in pink and yellow hues.  

Very unlike the January show which showed severe metallics and metals, this collection was more flirty, more feminine.  Without straying from the Versace edge, gowns in irredescent organza and supported bodices stomped the runway.

There were some great coats - which I like to see some daywear in a collection - and dresses with wide belts adorned with various and prominent Roman numerals.  Not my favorite as I really do not want to be a billboard for a brand, especially after I've paid thousands upon thousands of dollars for a dress.

My favorite part of the show was the hair and make up.  Strikingly different from the January show of slicked back ponytails and heavy eye makeup, the soft flowing curls and neutral painted lids have inspired me to grow out my own locks and keep the makeup to a minimum.

And Donatella looked fantastic as she came out on the runway for her bow.  Sometimes a little scary-looking and too tan, she was herself softer and more approachable.

Kids hanging out outside the after party waiting for the celebs

The after party also held on the pool covered floor, was fun with a quirky DJ and even quirkier crowd. Always up for free champagne and a little dancing, I enjoyed myself while remembering what the next day had in store.  Pace yourself!  Something to remember for any future Couture week goer...

What I wore: Not intending to match the always fabulous Cameron Silver, I'm in my beloved
Lisa Perry

with Christine Chiu and Cameron Silver

Oh what a Met!

The Metropolitan Museum knows how to throw a party.  Of course  a little help from Vogue Magazine and Anna Wintour doesn't hurt...

As Alexis said: "In Paris a man should always open champagne for a woman"

I had the tremendous honor of wearing Alexis Mabille this year.  Months ago he sent me some sketches of ideas to choose from, and I knew exactly which one I wanted.  I didn't see the dress until the Sunday before the party, but it was exciting and fun - like Christmas for grown ups.  The theme of the Met's exhibition is Schiaperelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations, and Alexis' dress was perfect for the occasion - as told to me by Anna Wintour about my dress.

Prepping for the Met in style with champagne and caviar

All the girls with designer Nicole Miller

And we're off to face the red carpet!

With Heather Howington wearing Nina Ricci

Adrienne Eischeid, Donna Friedman and Heather Howington

With Judy Chang and Hamish Bowles

The evening starts with the walk up the red carpet staircase.  Third year in attendance, I can tell you that it's crazy scary and fun all at the same time.  Celebs surround you, but if you just pretend that the paparazzi is taking your photograph, and not Gwyneth Paltrow who is behind you, it's quite a ride.

Once you complete the ascension, you begin the long walk to see the exhibit and then find the cocktail party.  Harold Koda, curator in charge, and Andrew Bolton, co-curator, outdid themselves this year.  The idea of Schiaperelli and Prada able to have a conversation about their work is fascinating.  Baz Luhrmann created the simulated conversation film that begins the exhibition with the table conversation between the two Italian designers who share a flair for blending the odd with the beautiful.

Schiaperelli, a designer during the surrealist movement, was inspired by artists like Salvador Dali (with whom she also collaborated), Man Ray, Marcel Duchamp and others.  Her work was produced from the 1920s until the 50s.  She died in 1973.  Miuccia Prada is a designer inspired by the post-modern movement.  She focuses on the bottom half of the body in her designs, where she says is the center of life.  The exhibition shows off 90 designs and 30 accessories from the two designers, all within this clear maze that is surreal as well as modern.  Pairing the two and showcasing their similarities is just incredible and is a must-see.  The exhibition is running through August 19.

After walking through the show, let the party begin.  The cocktail party is fun, and all the guests are talkative and relaxed.

Heather with pro golfer, Adam Scott

With one of my favorite designers, Lisa Perry, in her own design

with Tim Tebow

with Gerard Butler

Once the horns have announced that dinner is served, guests walk into the Egyptian room that has been enhanced with the beautiful decor.  This year was the most beautiful that I've seen.

with table mate, Jimmy Van Bramer: New York City Council Member

The Vogue after party is the real ticket to get, but if you didn't make the list, just create your own after party! You never know where it could lead you...

friend Mary Kuusisto wearing vintage Schiaperelli jewelry