Americans in Paris...VOUELLE

Just as a wedding begins a union of 2 people, a wedding was also the reason that these 2 expats met and began a shoe business known as VOUELLE. Melissa Regan (de Vogele) and Michelle Boor teamed up in Paris after the former had a miserable experience with the selection and ultimate decision of wedding shoes. Besides the dress, well maybe and the groom, shoes remain an essential and integral part of one’s wedding day.

Well, that was 2008, and within the 2 short years of being in business, these 2 have created the burgeoning brand (VOUELLE) which is already available at 66 in Paris, Galleries Lafayette, The Wynn in Las Vegas and Harvey Nich’s as Edina from Absolutely Fabulous would say. The look of the shoes might echo better known brands such as Roger Vivier, Walter Steiger and even Jimmy Choo, but these are not “me too” styles, these are exclusively designed for and by VOUELLE. One can only draw the references when they are all shown together in a shoe salon. VOUELLE is in good company with these prestige brands and the handmade VOUELLE shoes are a welcomed addition to the couture shoe market as these existing brands shoes tend to be far more costly and seem to be on every foot as if they were from H & M.

Quality will always reign supreme, no matter what business one owns, when you cater to the top tier of international retailers. To assure the high standard, these ladies were fortunate enough to enlist the help of Alain Mancini, who is heir to shoe royalty, Rene Mancini. In shoe terms, he is “an old shoe dog” if there ever was one and I am not referring to age.

Please make sure that you visit the website www.vouelle.com as well as on Facebook and have a tease of the beauty and COMFORT that is available…..without giving up one ounce of fashion glamour.

Don’t forget to look for me on Facebook as well as The Examiner

DESIGNERS WHO HAVE ALL BUT BEEN FORGOTTEN--UPDATED LIST

Abbijane
Adolfo
Adri
Adrian
Aghayan, Ray
Aimbez,Gil
Akira
Albini Walter
Alaia Azzedine
Alfaro,Victor
Allard,Isabelle
Amey,Ron
Andre Adeline
Andrevie France
Androver Miguel
Ann, Lucie
Antaya,Maurice
Anthony John
Arbeid,Murray
Ashpool, John
Aspeci Alberto
Assatly Richard
Atkinson Bill
Audibet Marc
Aurientis Dominique
Azzaro, Loris
Balenciaga
Ballestra Renato
Balmain Pierre
Banks Jeffrey
Banton Travis
Barocco Rocco
Barretta Anne Marie
Barrie Scott
Barthelemy, Claude
Barthet Jean
Basile
Beamon Eric
Beene Geoffrey
Begedor
Beaudry, Diane
Bennet Russell
Bennis,Susan
Benson,Dianne
Beretta, Anne Marie
Bergere Eric
Biagiotti Laura
Bis Dianne
Blass,Bill
Blumarine
Body Map
Bohan Marc
Bolan Barbara
Bonavitacola Kenneth
Brevard Lee
Bricjel Vesna
Bricken,Barry
Brooks Donald
Burrows Stephen
Byblos
Caesarani,Sal
Cameron David
Canovas Isabel
Capraro Albert
Capucci
Cardin,Pierre
Carnegie,Hattie
Carr,Zach
Caruschka
Cashin Bonnie
Castillo,Edmund
Castlebajac John Claude
Caumont
Cerrutti
Chapman Ceil
Chase,Tony
Chloe Eva Chun

Cipullo Aldo
Clark Ossie
Cleaver, Alan
Cole, Anne
Colonna Jean
Composto, Frank
Copeland,Jo
Coreggiari Giorgio
Coringer Cara
Costa Victor
Courreges Andre
Crahay,Jules Francois
Crystal,David
Dache Lilly
D’Alby, Pierre
Daumas,Jean Remy
Deal, Donald
De Mourra, Giovanni
Dell’Olio, Louis
de Premonville Myrene
de Senneville Elisabeth
Dennis, Pamela
DeRibes Jacqueline
Desses Jean
Dessio Mark
d'Estanville Kim
Di Camerino,Roberta
Dianos Katherine
Dimitri
Dominic D.D.
Donovan, Carrie
Dorsey Hebe
Duka John
Ebker,Tarquin
Edelstein,Victor
Eisen Mark
Edwards,Warren
Epperson
Esterel Jacques
Estevez
Estrada Angel
Evins David
Fabiani
Fabrice
Fath,Jacques
Feraud Louis
Ferrandis, Phillipe
Feith Tracy
Ferre Gianfranco
Fiandaca,Alfred
Fielden David
Finis
Fiore,Frank
Fogarty Ann
Fortuny
Forquet,Federico
Fowler Timney
Fox,Peter
Friedman,Marcia
Fries Diane
Frizon Maude
Galanos James
Gallitzine Irene
Gell,Wendy
Geller,Andrew
George Jennifer
Gernrich Rudi
Ghinnea
Ghost/ Sarne Tanya
Gigli Romeo
Go Silk
Grateau,Muriel
Guidicelli Tan
Haire Bill & Hazel
Halley,George
Halpern, Joan & David
Hansen Betty
Hardwick Cathy
Harp Holly
Hawes Elizabeth
Hayes David
Head Edith
Hechter Daniel
Heller Nancy
Hempl,Anouschka
Henderson Gordon
Herman Stan
Hitchcock Jonathan
Horn Carol
Hornby Judy
Howard Chuck
Hyatt Lester
Inaba Yoshi
James Charles
Jean Louis
Jin abe
Jitrois Jean Claude
Joris, Victor
Jourdan,Charles
Julianelli, Mabel
Julio
Kaiserman,Bill
Kasper
Kastenberg,Jeanette
Kelly Patrick
Kelly Orry
Kenzo
Kerr Patt
Khan Emanuelle
Kirk Alexis
Kirkpatrick,Gayle
Kline Don
Kloss John
Knot Jean Paul
Kobayashi Yukio
Kolodzie Ronald
Lacroix,Christian
La Marca Arlene
Lars,Byron
Lamy,Michele
La Viola, Claudio
Lancetti
Lapidus Ted
Larissa
Laug Andre
LaViola,Claudio
Leal,Ron
LeGaspi Larry
Lempica, Lolita
Leonard
Leser Tina
Lester,Patricia
Levine Beth
Logan Joshua
Loper Don
Lowe,Ann
Madame Gres
Magid Marion
Mainbocher
Malave
Manolo
Masandrea Frank
McFadden, Mary
Matsuda
McCardle Claire
MicMac
Miller Nolan
Mills Tracy
Miyake Issey
Moises Debra
Molina,Fabian
Molyneux
Montana Claude
Mori Hanae
Morris Bernadine
Mortenson Eric
Moschino
Mr.John
Mugler Thierry
Muir Jean
Mulqueen Jack
Muto,Anthony
Myles Morton
Neuville Charlotte
Nippon Pearl&Albert
Nivelais Roland
Norell Norman
Novarese,Michael
Nye ,Matt
Nyeboe,Jasper
Odicini
Oldfield, Bruce
Oldham Todd
Olive, Frank
Oliver Andre
Orrier
Ozbek Rifat
Parachute(designers)
Parnis Mollie
Partos,Emeric
Pasquali Guido
Paulin Guy
Pernet Diane
Perris Bernard
Perteguy
Pfister Andrea
Piccione,Robin
Platos Stanley
Poe,Michael
Pomodoro Carmelo
Porter Thea
Price Anthony
Pucci Emilio
Quant Mary
Rankin Isaia
Rech Georges
Restivo, Mary Ann
Rhodes Zandra
Ricci Nina
Robinson,Bill
Rochas Helene
Rodgers,Shannon
Roehm,Carolyne
Rogers Jackie
Rojas,Roberto
Rose Helen
Ross,Martin
Roth, Christian Frances
Ruffin Clovis
Rykiel Sonia
Sachs,Gloria
Samen, George
Sanchez Fernando
Sanchez Rafael
Santos Edwin
Sax,Gunther
Scassi Arnold
Schaparelli,Elsa
Scherrer Jean Louis
Schon Mila
Scott Ken
Sebiri,Celia
Selwyn,Harriet
Shamask Ronaldus
Shariff Irene
Simonetta
Simpson Adele
Smith Willi
Soprani Luciano
Sprouse Stephen
St. Angelo Giorgio
Starr Malcolm
Stein, Frances Patiky
Stravropoulos
Sturgeon,Sara
Sung, Alfred
Suppon, Charles
Sybilla
Takahashi, Masako
Tam,Richard
Tarlazzi ,Angelo
Tassell, Gus
Tatterachi, Marie Pierre
Thomas, Chantal
Theodore
Tice, Bill
Tiel Vicky
Tiffeau Jacques
Tiktiner
Tignino,Frank
Tilley, Monica
Tivioli, Carlo
Tomkins,Susie
Traina Teal
Trell Rosabianco
Trigere, Pauline
Tyler, Richard
Ungaro Emanuel
Valentina
Valentino, Mario
Van den Akker Koos
Van Wrunkle,Theodora
Vanderbilt,Gloria
Vass,Joan
Venet, Phillipe
Veneziani, Jole
Venturi,Gianmarco
Verna,Levino
Versolato,Ocimar
Vollbracht,Michael
von Pier,Andre
Wacs,Ilie
Walker,Andre
Weinberg,Chester
Weitz John
Werle
Whitcomb,Laura
Winter,Harriet
Wolman,Pinky
Worth
Wragge,BH
Yamomoto Kansai
Yorke & Cole
Zoran

HIDDEN TREASURE; Trixie + Peanut

Once again we find another treasure, this time hiding in plain sight at 23 East 20th Street….Trixie + Peanut. Today it is about fashion but for your fashion conscious 4 legged child or relative.

Once upon a time in 1999, Susan Bing wanted to sell upscale fashionable apparel, accessories and pet related items via mail order. The concentration being on the domesticated cats and dogs that we love so much and include in our families and treat as if they were true blood relations, well maybe even better than that. About 4 years after its beginnings as a catalog/mail order business, Ms. Bing, with the help of her husband, opened the Trixie + Peanut boutique.

Tucked away on the side street in the Flatiron district of NYC, you enter into a shop which, for a moment, seems like so many other upscale boutiques in the neighborhood. It takes a second or two to register that this is NOT like any other shop in the neighborhood as this one appeals to your ‘animal instincts.” From tank tops to sweat suits to sneakers to hats to carriers, there is no stone left unturned when it comes to your beloved ”Spot” or “Tom.” If you want a tease of the inventory, all you need to do is log onto www.trixieandpeanut.com where you will immediately fall in love with items that you never knew you needed or wanted.

Trixie + Peanut counts Halle Berry, Sean Diddy Combs, Julia Roberts, Oprah, Ciara and Bill Clinton amongst their regular clientele who pamper their pets with purchases from this shop. The list can go on and on as does the selection of every type and classification of items for your dogs and cats. Trixie +Peanut apparel and accessories have been on more talk shows and in more magazines than the Khardashians……….and the Trixie clientele is better dressed.

So, if you are in search of the perfect gift for your treasured “child,” have a look at the slide show and then either shop on their website and hustle on down to 23 East 20th where smiles abound.

CATWALK 10021.....HIDDEN TREASURES Pt. 3

As a conclusion to the three part series, we will see that Catwalk 10021( New York City’s best kept secret) is not a Johnny one note with its extensive Chanel collection, but has a stable of many other top tier designer creations from all over the world.

Once again, many of these brands are available at their eponymous locations within New York City, but only Catwalk 10021 has the crème de la crème of past memorable seasons. There are even pieces which are prototypes (have never been produced) which enables you to own an original albeit with little known provenance. Take a look at the stunning gilt modern collar or the “cracker jack” necklace which have been used for runway purposes only.

Valentino has always been known for his extravagant jewelry, but little of it was made available for distribution except via his own boutiques. Oscar de la Renta, who until recently, had never had jewelry available to the public and the once venerable House of Gripoix was never available outside of France. You might even take a fancy to the Lucite snake necklace which is reminiscent of the pieces that Bulgari once made, not to mention the space age beauty from Lanvin, when the brand was a sleepy everywhere but in Paris.

If you have ever entertained the thought of owning a spectacular piece of fashion jewelry, then Catwalk 10021 should be number one on your list for this purchase. Don’t forget to have a look at the website at www.catwalk10021.com for a tease from one of the largest and best curated collections of fashion jewelry in the world.
Bon chance!

New Millenium Italians

With all the hype surrounding repurposed and reusable and recyclable, is it any wonder that two Italians have found a way to capitalize on the rich history of this historic country? The native Italians, in question, are Simona Cassai and Marta Saletti and together they have formed a company and create some of the most arresting new designs in fashion jewelry.

Oddly enough, the company is based in the area of Tuscany which has long been known as a gold capital in the city of Arezzo. The jewelry is created by studying blueprints of historic and iconic building all over Italy. The diagrams are then faithfully reproduced in a way that created the basis or the inspiration of each particular grouping for the company known as Ledaotto (www.ledaotto.com).

The jewelry shows us how these two innovative designers have taken the Old World and successfully combined it with the present to produce masterpieces for the next century. If I am not mistaken, the laser cut pieces which echo the blueprints and combines with handmade brass chains and lustrous semi-precious stones to items of incalculable beauty and each with a history.

These two women can stand proud that their product is made and designed in Italy just as so many pieces of beauty have been for so many centuries before them. These are the two who we should be looking for in the new decade and decades to come in the new millennium.

Hidden Treasures ..part 2

In today’s chapter of Catwalk, we will discuss the obvious and legendary iconography that is Chanel. Of course there is the quilted bag with the leather and chain strap, the camellia, the pearls, the logo, the address, the suit, the magnifier, the colored stones, the bezel set stones on a chain and the cap toe pump and that is just for starters. Many and all of these are available each new season at their stores in Soho, Madison Avenue, 57th Street and the department stores which have Chanel departments. Mr. Lagerfeld has made sure to keep the stream never ending and always high on the list for his Chanel ladies.
Catwalk offers the Chanel devotees, not only a taste of the present, but a great array of the signatures of the Chanel DNA. Yesterday, we explored the more subtle side of the accessories but today it is all about instant recognition and the most blatant symbols of what is Chanel. Catwalk has an impeccably curated collection that allows its customers to always be in fashion and never be on the outskirts of good taste.
What we see today is the bread and butter of Chanel, the DNA that built the house as a major fashion force in accessories and has allowed Mr. Lagerfeld to expand the language of Chanel into many “dialects”…if you will. All this being said, he has taken the liberty to also design pieces which are not distinctively Chanel unless they are applied within the context of a specific season’s collection.
Have a look at the CHANEL 101 in jewelry with a mixture of the CHANEL intermediate studies course mixed in………….it is all in the slide show today.

New York's "HIDDEN TREASURES"

In the Eighties, the conspicuous consumption of logo and recognizable designer merchandise was at its zenith. In the new millennium, consumers have taken a polarized opposite approach to their buying habits and have embraced a more discreet method and mind set for purchasing branded high end merchandise.
Chanel remains amongst the top 5 most desired prestige brands worldwide and probably will remain there for many years to come. Think about the fact that there are 5 devoted Chanel stores in NYC, not to mention the department stores that have devoted valuable floor space to their ready to wear and accessories. What is most staggering about the iconic brand is that the name remains coveted, no matter what classification it inhabits. The company, save for its fragrance, does not license their name for any of the products that are sold bearing the name Chanel.
As a native of New York City, it is still amazing that one can find hidden treasures buried within the overpopulated retail landscape of this city…such a treasure is www.catwalk10021.com or known as Catwalk 10021. This is a very exclusive purveyor of some of the most desirable and coveted pieces of Chanel fashion jewelry. Catwalk 10021 conducts its commercial enterprise by appointment only in their NYC offices or via their dedicated website. Catwalk’s claim to fame is first and foremost Chanel, but there are other names such as St. Laurent, Lacroix, Dior and Givenchy which are also to be found within their vast inventory of fabulously made “gems.” The pieces are treated as if they were “haute bijoux” and shown accordingly.
One may pooh pooh fashion jewelry as fake, but there are mastery and design elements that exceed some of the finest jewelry available. The famed house of Gripoix, which Chanel owns, demonstrates the art of poured glass colored stones that became a Chanel trademark beginning with Mademoiselle Chanel. Chanel advocated mixing the the “faux” and the “verite” to achieve a look…after all, this is what makes fashion….well, fashion.
Catwalk offers its clientele the opportunity to indulge themselves in the luxury of either owning pieces which speak the silent language known only to each brand or the simply more unmistakable pieces which use the name and the logos to enhance or create the designs. The choice remains with each particular prospective owner.