ADORE WINTOUR & NO KINGS

Whether people love or hate Anna Wintour,  I have long been a fan. And as if I needed another reason to adore her...

 

And now we are ready for our No King's Rally starting on City Island with a march and protest. My sign in ready.

WINTOUR IS COMING

The undisputed queen of the fashion and ice world turns 72 today. 

Where would the fashion world be without Dame Anna Wintour? Vogue's legendary editrix has truly changed the game, has been at the helm for 31 year and by the looks of things, she intends to keep it that way. Whether you love her like I do, or hate her, their is no denying that this woman set standards and took her position and didn't need the approval of a man....in a time women just didn't have huge positions like this and for so long. When a man does this he is ambitious. But a woman is a power hungry bitch. She got balls, and I love that she won't let a man tell her no, and how can one not respect her for the empire she has resided over. Anna wasn't always the elusive and cold ice queen in Chanel suits with a patent-worthy icy stare that leaves half of Conde Nast shaking in their last season Prada. Their were rumors that she and Bob Marley had a hot and heavy affair in the late 70's. While she may not be the London party girl anymore, she certainly still has a wild side, and I bet she can throw'em back like the best of them. I'd be willing to knock back a few stiff ones with her one night,  and listen to some good dirty gossip about everyone. Wintour started her career in fashion at 15. What were you and I doing ar 15? I know some things I was doing and I won't mention it here. Wintour then went on to become the editor of two British publications, improving them greatly and doubling their fortunes and readerships before moving up in the ranks to become the editor of British Vogue and then ultimately, the American Vogue and has been since. In the meantime she was became the Chief Content Officer and the Artistic Director of Conde Nast. Not bad for some party girl model from the nightlife of London. Now 31 years and I still can't get enough of her. That signature blunt bob cut and the sunglasses....and she consistently shows that she is not afraid to push boundaries in the world of fashion. And how bad can she be? She worked with both Grace Coddington and Andre Leon Tally...two colorful characters that bit her ass but could also make her laugh. And by giving a damn about representation and female empowerment, Anna Wintour has become a fearless voice for woman everywhere.

And you better believe those pencils are all sharpened 8 times each.

Happy Birthday to the Ice Queen!

MONDAY AGAIN?

And we all know how I feel about them.

Houseboy #4 has the best Monday defense

 yet.

A HAPPY GAY

I know we can all bitch and complain about our jobs. The down side to mine is the early hours and the extremely physical days I have, being on my feet all day and covering lord knows how many miles.Yesterday was one of those days where I really enjoyed the perks of the job. Every year my company has an event called HOT. It is probably the biggest event of the year, which showcases new designers we carry, the latest in fashion and trends, and the newest up and coming designers. The two week event is packed full of events generally. But yesterday was probably the best day to go.

The morning kicked off with delicious drinks, beautiful flowers and a speaking area set up for Anna Wintour, yes....the infamous Anna Wintour.... Editor in Chief of Vogue Magazine and Ken Downing , who is a fashion leader in the industry and has been creative director of various department stores. But Anna, as you may be aware has been a idol to me. Her story is really an amazing one if you ask me. Anna discussed journalism, social media, celebrity style, what the hottest trends right now, how she enjoys color, and how more is more and less is a bore. Afterwards she mingled a bit before being zipped away back to New York surly.

But just seeing her in person was good enough for me. If that wasn't enough for this gay boy, we also had the legendary, businesswoman, interior designer, and fashion icon of royalty Iris Apfel in the house!

I just adore that woman. Anyone who has the balls to wear what she does, looking fabulous and having fun with fashion, and doesn't let age slow them down is very cool. Iris was at the event to launch her new in store collection we're carrying for a limited time, and was the reason  most of my week was busy. I was the one setting the displays that announced her arrival and goods. Iris and our company worked together for the props and left it to us on the display. I thought it turned out rather nice and very fun....and could see the Mistress but in a few of these numbers. God knows I love me some plumes.

I am tempted to bring home the Iris Apfel cutout when were done with this display!!!!

Also in the house yesterday was Nick Verreos of Project Runway fame who was discussing  the latest beauty trends in eyes, lip and skincare, and  the reputable Philadelphia blogger  Alisa Fredricko who is style director of Dressing Jane.

The cosmetics department  alone was mobbed and I'm sure raked in the doe, as did the store has a whole. Thanks to yours truly, the cocktail company I recommend was on hand serving the drinks, 13th Street Cocktails. Next thing you know, I'll e in PR.

There were also two other unexpected treats. Earlier in the week I got an email from longtime reader Calliope, who is a Regional Director of Clarins, and was slated to be at the event with her National Make up artist Armando. It is always so great to meet a reader of the blog, and she was downright beautiful!!!!!!! We later talked and shared a cock-a-tail or two over at the bar. Calliope with her traveling entourage of make artist. I mean it girl..either of them...give them  my number!!!!! We have also promised to get together again when she comes to Philly. It was so great meeting her. Agnes Goldberg -DeWoofs was also in the house, but alas, never did get to meet up, as poor Agnes didn't think I'd be working. I would have loved to met her.

Later I got a text from the Lad, that his dear father was in the store, so I got to catch up with him. The apple didn't fall far from the tree. And he is just as nuts as his son!

We grabbed a pizza before I departed to come back to the Casa after a very fun and exhausting day. All this beauty, work, and schmoozing can be taxing I tell ya. But came home with tons of goodies. But now since I saw two of my favorite ladies and met ...finally Calliope, yes her real name, how fun a name is that.....I can die a happy gay....preferably in something from the Iris Apfel collection.

IN THREE WORDS........

In this weekly feature, I'll share a picture of a weekly guest and you tell me in only three words what come to mind.

In three words.....

Anna Wintour

THE END OF AN ERA? OH GRACE!

 

Grace Coddington, the 74-year-old creative director of American Vogue, the yin to the editor Anna Wintour’s yang, and an accidental celebrity since the 2009 documentary “The September Issue,” announced she is dialing down her role, way back, at the magazine and becoming “creative editor at large,” doing “several” articles a year for the glossy and exploring outside opportunities. She was always less interested in the commercial side of the business and had almost no interest in the digital side of things, eschewing computers and email, sounds a lot like the Mistress. She favored models over celebrities, and she was clear about designers she revered and those she did not — all reasons she and Ms. Wintour were such good sparring partners.

 

 Ms. Coddington isn’t exactly going gently into that good night. She is creating a perfume with Comme des Garçons, due out in April and doing another book on her work at Vogue  “Grace: Thirty Years of Fashion at Vogue,” weighs 10 pounds, contains 400 pages of shoots! A sure must for my coffee table. And she even started out at Vogue as a model herself. But for me she was always a inspiration on her photo spreads, which I could look at all day. The fashions and the textures she mixes together was quite astounding and she has always been a great role model to me in my own work.  No denying her great talent of knowing fashion and putting together a hell of a great story into a spread.....

 

I wish Grace much luck on her next chapter of life, and send out a hug THANK YOU for being a great inspiration to me.

"YOU EITHER KNOW FASHION OR YOU DON'T"

 

 

Anna Wintour, is the English editor-in-chief of American Vogue, a position she has held since 1988. In 2013, she became artistic director for Condé Nast, Vogue's publisher. With her trademark pageboy bob haircut and dark sunglasses for the last 25 years, Wintour has become one of the most important figures in much of the fashion world, widely praised for her eye for fashion trends and her support for younger designers. Her reportedly aloof and demanding personality has earned her the nickname "Nuclear Wintour" But to me, she has always fascinated me, and I have always respected her, and her talent in fashion. I dare say she has even been a role model at times for me when it comes to my work ethic. I would like to extended a very

 

Happy Birthday to Ms. Anna Wintour on her birthday!!!!

"If you can't be better than your competition just dress better."

"Create your own style. Let it be unique for yourself, and yet identifiable for others."

"I usually wear the same dress 20 times. Recycle. It's totally ok. I even recommend it."

 

"Even if I'm completely unsure, I'll pretend I know exactly what I'm talking about and make a decision."

 

"Why fit in when you were born to stand out"

" A dress makes no sense unless it inspires men to want to take it off"

"I think everyone should get sacked at least once. It was definitely a good thing for what it taught me."

"The notion that a contemporary woman must look mannish in order to be taken seriously as a seeker of power is frankly dismaying. This is America, not Saudi Arabia."

 

 

 

In a sea of women's glossies that purport to be about fashion,  but publish earnest articles chronicling the author's quest for self-actualization, Vogue stands apart. The voluminous fashion pages are arty, original, and sophisticated, shot by talented photographers like Annie Leibovitz, Irving Penn, and Steven Meisel. Vogue is my main bible when it comes to inspiring me on the job. Let's just hope whoever ordered her birthday nosh gets it right today!!!!

 

So Happy Birthday to you Anna Wintour!!! As  British Jon would say, She's the Casa du Borghese Patron Saint!