The Perfect Black Jumpsuit

I'm always in search of those perfect black wardrobe staples: the pant, the dress, the jacket, the shoe. Recently I've been on the hunt for "the perfect black jumpsuit," with no avail, of course. The problem? There's a hundred choices but, for whatever reason (price, fit, detail) nothing is just right. I've had my eye on these 3, which narrows down my search. Now the question is: WHICH ONE? 

Day Birger et Mikkelsen - $465. The embellishment is a bonus, but then everything else (shoes, accessories) has to work around it.

Thakoon Addition - $625. Gorgeous—love the drape. Would obviously need to have the legs hemmed unless I plan on always wearing it with 6" platforms. Which brings up another thought, with this silhouette, I'm locked into a pant length that will always require sky-high heels (that's just me...).

Yves Saint Laurent - $2490. There is nothing I don't LOVE about this jumpsuit...except the price tag.

José Parlá: Walls, Diaries and Paintings - Opening Reception and Book Signing, NYC

3/12 

One of my favorite artists, and friend, José Parlá celebrated his new solo exhibition, "Walls, Diaries and Paintings" on March 3rd at the Bryce Wolkowitz Gallery in Chelsea. The exhibit features 15 amazing new paintings, each one like a snapshot from José's memory of an aged city wall he's seen throughout his travels, distressed with layers of paint, old posters and grafitti. The exhibit is up until April 6th and I highly recommend seeing it if you're in NYC. The gallery also hosted a book signing the following Saturday at The Standard Hotel's Boom Boom Room. Not sure where you can buy it, but if you're fan (like me), it's definitely worth getting.

Artist José Parlá puts his signature stamp on my book at the Boom Boom Room.

The book

A lovely guest. So many things I liked about her look: the incredibly long gold earrings (a little dangerous if you think about it, but I'm sure she was very careful with them), her adorable black jumpsuit and, below, her rockin' studded booties.

The Boom Boom Room is on the 18th floor of the Standard Hotel in the Meatpacking District. One of the draws of the hotel is the floor-to-ceiling glass walls with stunning panoramic city views...

Even the bathrooms have floor-to-ceiling glass walls. This is what you get to look at when you're sitting down and, well, you know...

Moi, warming up by the fireplace. I like this picture because it looks like there's fireworks outside of the window (it's just the reflection of the round chandeliers).

Ceiling decor....

José, at the opening reception of his new show at Bryce Wolkowitz Gallery. The pay phone was part of one of his paintings—a large wall resembling an old alleyway. You could hear people talking on the other end. Very cool.

My friends getting in on the conversation.

A few new paintings from the show...

I borrowed these pictures from ARTCARD's review on the show (see the article here, it's well worth reading). Because the paintings are so large (they are "walls" after all), you have to see them in full view.

"Order Pattern Organization Form and Relationship"

 "Victory"

"Dekalb Avenue Station"

Guests...

 Artist, Mare 139 (aka Carlos Rodriguez)

I accidentally snuck into a private room in the gallery where I discovered a few of José's older paintings. They're from a watercolor series that he did several years ago and are some of my personal favorites! There's only 3 left! I think it may have to purchase one before they're completely gone.

Me with the man of the hour, José.

PETA's Fashion Week Party @ Stella McCartney & Adidas Denim Bash, NYC

2/11

PETA kicked-off Fashion Week Thursday night with a party at the Stella McCartney store in the Meatpacking District. The soiree was hosted by Tim Gunn of Project Runway, with legendary Lady Bunny on the ones and twos. My date, fashion writer and blogger Glenn Belverio, and I are not PETA members (most of the guests there weren't), so, admittedly, we were a tad nervous about what was appropriate to wear, especially in the dead of winter. Was I going to get paint balled for toting my leather Marc Jacobs bag, or would someone purposely pour champagne all over Glenn's suede Lanvin shoes? Not the case at all (phew). In fact, some guests arrived clad in black leather jackets (note to self: next time go ahead and wear your Rick Owens) and even a shearling coat (although, technically not fur).

Lady Bunny

Liliane Montevecchi—I want to be just like her when I'm of a certain age.

Check out those shoes...

 

Secretly, I've always wished I could be a bleach blonde. Loved her asymmetrical do....she even cuts it herself.

No turning back.

Lauren Ezersky (PETA what?)

Later that evening (about the time PETA started showing sad films on animal cruelty), Glenn and I parted ways—he went off to the Richie Rich show at the Hammerstein Ballroom—and I headed across town to the Adidas Originals store in SoHo for the launch of its new denim line.

On the turntables: Rock Steady Crew's Crazy Legs

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By this third picture, I had to ask: "What's up with the hands over the mouth?"  They said it was "speak no evil" kind of thing.

What would a party with Rock Steady Crew be without a little b-boying?

Fashion Next Party at the W Hotel Times Square

2/4/11

Last night I joined my good friend, fashion writer and blogger Glenn Belverio, for an intimate penthouse party at the W Hotel to celebrate Fashion Next—a seasonal initiative that sponsors emerging designers during Fashion Week. This season's chosen ones: Frank Tell, Mandy Coon, Mara Hoffman, Tess Giberson and Michael Angel, whose Fall 2011 collections will be presented next week at Lincoln Center during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

Model Irena Pantaeva and Baron Perez

Photographer Darryl Calmese Jr. He snapped a photo of me so I snapped back.

Hard to tell in this photo but the golden metallic dots on her dress were quite lovely.

These golden bubbles were quite lovely, too. Glenn and I toasting the evening.

A photo taken by Billy Farrell: me, Glenn and writer Lisa Marsh. (See more pics from Billy at BillyFarrellAgency.com.)

The penthouse was called the "Extreme Wow Suite".  I was particularly wowed at this remote control next to the toilet in the extremely luxurious bathroom.

A view from the living room's floor-to-ceiling window.