Balenciaga and Spain: A gala to remember

Friday, April 01, 2011   admin   3 Comments

Hamish Bowles and exhibit pieces
All images via Vogue.com, photographed by Andi Hatch

“Balenciaga did the most delicious evening clothes.” — Diana Vreeland, Harpers Bazzar and Vogue editor Delicious — perhaps one of the several words that can aptly describe Thursday night’s gala at the de Young Museum in San Francisco for the opening of the exhibit “Balenciaga and Spain.” Others include, but certainly not limited to: breathtaking, magical and awe-inspiring.
The exhibit, curated by none other than European Editor at Large for Vogue, Hamish Bowles himself, showcases an in depth look into some of the key pieces of Cristóbal Balenciaga’s extensive work and how his Spanish ties influenced much of his career. And in true homage to such a master — the event’s guests also played their part, many wearing vintage Balenciaga themselves. Watching such art in movement, particularly on the likes of Marissa Mayer, Mia Wasikowska, Suzy Kellems Dominik and of course, Editor in Chief of Vogue, Anna Wintour, was truly a highlight of the evening for all.
Followed with a riveting performance by flamenco singer Arcángel and a bewitching number by dancer Rosario Toledo, the evening transcended elegance, while guests enjoyed dinner in the setting of an orange grove nestled in Seville.
Click through to see the rest of the images of attendees’ gowns and be sure to check out the exhibit yourself. “Balenciaga and Spain” will be open from March 26 through July 4. A live online broadcast will air Saturday, March 26th from 1 – 4 p.m. PST. For more information, click here.

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New Girl on the Block: Gillian Jacobs

Friday, April 01, 2011   admin   No comments
All images via Zimbio


Actress Gillian Jacobs, star of the NBC comedy, “Community” knows how to wear a lot of hats — whether she’s gracing the stage, TV screen or silver screen, her prowess is far reaching, from comedy to heart felt drama.
Her style, seemingly really is no different. With an eye for fun prints, quirky twists on classic shapes and even the occasional dramatic red carpet choice — Jacobs has quickly been rising on our ladies to watch list (and we mean that in the completely appropriate way, thank you very much)!
Case in point: Recently spotted at Vanity Fair’s Campaign Hollywood last month, Jacobs donned a Versus Spring 2011 multi color dress, pink t-strap heels and a broken in denim jacket, for a good measure of the cool factor (image is above, second from the left). Spot on with this season’s biggest craze — saturated, bright colors thrown together — Jacobs, we tip our hats to you.

Check out her Boutique today for more of her unique picks!

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Bspoke Exclusive: Balenciaga and Spain

Friday, April 01, 2011   admin   No comments

It was a rather dreary Thursday night last week in San Francisco, but at the de Young Museum, an evening of beautiful dresses, bewitching flamenco dancing and vibrant Spanish guitar playing ensued until the late hours. Watch our video here as the bspoke team catches up with the likes of model Maggie Rizer, Google’s Marissa Mayer and Vogue’s Editor in Chief Anna Wintour, at the gala opening of “Balenciaga and Spain” — a tribute to designer, Cristóbal Balenciaga, curated by Vogue’s European Editor at Large, Hamish Bowles.

To see more photos from the gala, check out our coverage post here and be sure to check back early next week for our interview with Mr. Bowles, as he gives bspoke the behind the scenes look at the making of “Balenciaga and Spain.”

Enjoy!

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Guest Editor: Nina Sterghiou’s Spring Picks

Thursday, March 31, 2011   admin   1 Comment

Image of Nina courtesy of Phil Oh of Street Peeper; all other images courtesy of Marie Claire

 

This week for our Guest Editor series with Marie Claire, we have market director, Nina Sterghiou sharing what’s on her current lust list for spring. I, for one, cannot get enough of her taste in handbags (top handles and leopard? Yes, please!) and not to mention her accessory choices are spot on for classic, simple chic — enough to add that extra oomph to any outfit.
Click through to see what Nina had to say as far as choosing these lovelies and while you’re at it, swing by her Boutique to see what else makes this lady tick (sartorially speaking, that is)!

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Boutique to Follow: Bellisario

Thursday, March 31, 2011   admin   No comments
1.) Caviar taupe sleeveless dress, Carolina Herrera, available at Chickdowntown, $1,798; 2.) Silk-chiffon dress, Jason Wu, available at Net-a-Porter, $3,995; 3.) Cropped jacket, Givenchy, available at Far Fetch, $608; 4.) Cuff bracelet, YSL, available at Marissa Collections; 5.) Slingback pump, Kate Spade, available at Endless, $325; 6.) Runway image via Pepa Castro
1.) Caviar taupe sleeveless dress, Carolina Herrera, available at Chickdowntown, $1,798; 2.) Silk-chiffon dress, Jason Wu, available at Net-a-Porter, $3,995; 3.) Cropped jacket, Givenchy, available at Far Fetch, $608; 4.) Cuff bracelet, YSL, available at Marissa Collections; 5.) Slingback pump, Kate Spade, available at Endless, $325; 6.) Runway image via Pepa Castro

 

We at bspoke were awestruck by the flamenco-inspired fashion at the “Balenciaga & Spain” exhibit. Now that our brains have been permanently tattooed with Spanish flourishes, our eyes have ravenously been seeking more! Imagine my delight then, when I stumbled upon this apropo display of sultry, dance-inspired splendor–Bellisario. The Bellisario Boutique is filled with dewy black satin, seductive lace, tango-esque layered ruffles, and not to mention the gorgeous storefront photos that caught my fleeting eye in the first place.

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Day in the Life with Zanna Roberts Rassi

Wednesday, March 30, 2011   admin   No comments

When we decided to do a month long feature on the editors from Marie Claire magazine, we saw a perfect opportunity to uncover what it’s really like to be a fashion editor for one of the top fashion magazines in the US. I travelled from San Francisco to New York to interview and shadow Senior Fashion Editor Zanna Roberts Rassi for our “Day in the Life” video.

Walking into the Marie Claire offices in downtown Manhattan I felt like I had entered any standard corporate set up — clusters of cubicles, some larger offices and conference rooms off to the sides. But in no time, I was given a behind the scenes look at the places and people that only exist for a fashion magazine. Editor in Chief Joanna Coles stepped out of her grand office, with floor to ceiling windows and a large purple couch, just long enough to have a quick chat with her assistant. 

The lovely Zanna and her PR entourage, welcomed our crew immediately into Zanna’s world, showing us the latest issue and walking us through her vibrant and ever changing day to day. And finally we were given a tour of the oh so talked about “fashion closet.” I counted 9 interns, in this not so large room, receiving, photographing and organizing hundreds of designer styles from shoes and dresses to bags and jewelry, for shoots that will be seen in the magazine four months from now.

Zanna’s job is everything you want it to be. The travel, the fashion shoots, the parties and the runways. Zanna herself is also everything you want her to be — glamorous and serious about fashion, as you would expect, but also warm, gracious and funny. Check out her Boutique today!

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Elisa Sednaoui

Monday, March 28, 2011   admin   No comments
Images via NY Mag


This week’s new girl comes straight to us off the runways and glossy pages of magazines — model  turned actress, Elisa Sednaoui. Known for her impecable cheekbones and smile, Elisa has walked down the runway for everyone from Diane von Furstenberg to Vivienne Tam and graced such covers as Italian Elle and Italian Vogue.
But what we really can’t get enough of from this Italian beauty is her at ease style. Effortless in a cropped motorcycle jacket and skinny jeans or perhaps sporting some paper bag waist tweed shorts, striped tee and trench coat — Elisa has the model off duty look down to an art form. And her cool girl effect doesn’t stop there — she was also tapped to be part of one of Karl Lagerfeld’s short films – Remember Now back in December.
Plus…we also hear that her godfather is none other than Christian Louboutin, himself. Brava, Elisa! Brava! Check out her Boutique today to nab some of her style.

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