Savoir-Faire: A Guide to Living with Style and Grace

American Woman: Fashioning A National Identity

 

Above, 1933 Martin Munkacsi photograph of Lucile Brokaw for Harper's Bazaar.  Photo from Artnet.

I just received my invitation to the Members Preview of this year's Costume Institute exhibit at the Met - American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity.  If you are not a member at the Met, I encourage you to become one - it is a wonderful cause and joining offers you members-only previews and lectures, as well as access to the Trustees Dining Room.  Each Costume Institute exhibit is truly remarkable (you will remember the recent The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion and Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy exhibits), and this one promises to be nothing less.  

The American Woman exhibit opens to the public on May 5th, and will explore the archetypes of American women since the 1890's through dress: the Gibson Girls, Bohemians, Screen Sirens, and others, all the way through modern day.  The exhibit is very highly anticipated - Vogue even dedicated their entire May issue to it.  The exhibit is open through August 15th, but take my advice and see it before the summer tourist crowds descend on the city.  Enjoy!

xx Ally       

Art for Right Now

Above, Slim Aarons print, $250 at Assouline. 

I love the look of mixed art on walls - investment works next to simple sketches next to old family photos next to your niece's paint scribbles.  There are three artists I cannot get enough of these days: Slim Aarons, Hugo Guinness, and David Hockney.  Slim Aarons and Hugo Guinness prints are both available for less than $300 - for David Hockney prints though, at least for me, framed pages from books will have to do.  Here are some great ways to satisfy your love for these artists...

To continue reading, click here

Opening Tomorrow: Twilight Visions

 

Above, Ilse Bing's 1934 "Eiffel Tower" photograph, image from ICP.

Tomorrow, January 29th, is the opening day of the International Center of Photography's exhibit entitled "Twilight Visions: Surrealism, Photography, and Paris."  As you might guess based on my Paris post, this is something I am really looking forward to.  The ICP's guest curator, Terry Lichtenstein, compiled over 150 photographs of the city from the 1920's and 1930's.  I love looking to exhibits like this for style inspiration in fashion, art, and home design, and suggest that all of you check it out as well.  

The International Center of Photography is located at 1133 Avenue of the Americas (at 43rd), and the exhibit runs through May 9th.

xx Ally

Anyone can be an Art Collector

 
Above: Untitled #10 by Kent Rogowski (from 20x200.com)

Art, of any kind, is a wonderful way to add a personal touch to your apartment or home, and can completely change the feeling of a room.  Because of this power, buying art can be intimidating and many people don't want to risk spending money on something they may not like a year later.  

A common misconception is that you have to have a lot of money to be an art collector.  Not so.  I discovered two wonderful websites that sell contemporary, inexpensive art...    

To continue reading, click here