Fashion Exibitions at F.I.T.

If you're ever in the New York City area and draw a blank on how you're going to spend your day, why not grab some friends and make a trip to the Museum of the Fashion Institute of Technology? They currently have three exhibits and admission to them is free. Take a look at eclectic shoes at Sole Desire: The Shows of Christian Louboutin (ending April 19th), the Parisian garments at Madame Gres: Sphinx of Fashion (ending April 19th), and even the diverse culture-inspired fashions at Exoticism (ending May 7, 2008).

In addition to the exhibits (and student exhibitions), this museum offers educational programs, a fashion and textile history gallery, and guided tours. There is a charge for the tours, but it's a great way to spend a an hour out of your day. The museum is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Log on to find out more information about their upcoming events. Have fun!

Funky Clothes and Art Shows

I love discovering new gems. I'm adding Harriet’s Alter Ego that list.

It all started when I received an invitation to attend a free art show. Imagine my surprise when I stumbled upon a boutique instead of an art gallery! This neon green colored shop immediately stands out on the block in its quaint Brooklyn neighborhood. Owned by Hekima Hapa and Ngozi Odita, they have an eclectic mix of in-your-face prints and colors in clothing, bags, belts, hats, and jewelry. My best friend was set to purchase a pair of pink pearls ($10) but then quickly remembered she gave up shopping for Lent.

After browsing through the store, we went into the back to check out the art of Nathaniel M. Quinn. Their art gallery opened in 2006 and helps new artists showcase their work. It doesn't hurt that they had an open bar too. Click here to find out more information. Grab a friend and make a trip to Harriet's Alter Ego for a fun day of shopping.

Verdura: The Life & Work of A Master Jeweler

Recently I heard about a new exhibit opening next month at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Verdura: The Life and Work of a Master Jeweler will showcase the work of Fulco Santostefano della Cerda, Duke of Verdura, born in Sicily in 1898.

Fulco got his big break in the 1920s when he went to a party hosted by Linda and Cole Porter. There he met Coco Chanel who hired him as a textile designer. He eventually became the head designer of her private and boutique jewelry collection, which led, in time, to his signature motif, the Maltese Cross (right).

Eventually he started his own company, and throughout the middle of the 20th Century, Verdura jewelry could be seen on the world's most fashionable women, including the Duchess of Windsor, Doris Duke, Slim Keith, Nan Kempner and Greta Garbo (left, wearing Verdura's curb-link bracelet watch).

After I'd read about Fulco I visited the Verdura website and recognized a ring I'd seen many times in the pages of Town & Country magazine: a three-stone ring made from peridot and blue topaz. Yes, his jewelry is very, very high-end. It can be found at Verdura's flagship store at 745 Fifth Avenue here in New York City, as well as at Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus.

Verdura: The Life and Work of A Master Jeweler runs from Nov 16, 2007 through Feb 17, 2008. If you'll be in Houston during any of that time, plan to go and see the work of, indeed, a master jeweler.

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Poiret: King Of Fashion-- Opening Today

Designer Paul Poiret (1879-1944) was known for having freed women from wearing corsets and introducing pantaloons. The title King of Fashion was one that he gave himself. Now the self-proclaimed king is the subject of a new exhibit at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, here in New York City. Here's a preview:

(Photos courtesy of Coutorture)

The exhibit opens today and runs through August 5th. If you're visiting NYC this Summer keep it in mind!

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Nan Kempner American Chic--Opening Today

4. Yves Saint Laurent_Evening Ensemble, Autumn-Winter 1983-84
Originally uploaded by coutorture.

The long-awaited exhibit of Nan Kempner's fabulous clothing collection opens today at The Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, here in New York City. Mrs Kempner was a New York socialite whose clothing collection was so large she had to convert two of her bedrooms into closets. Julie Fredrickson, Editor-In-Chief of Coutorture, was lucky enough to see a preview of the collection yesterday. This beautiful Yves Saint Laurent ensemble was one of the pieces shown to her.

I'll be making my own little trip to the Met this weekend to see the exhibit, and I'll tell you all about it next week. I can't wait!

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Glam Days Ahead

These last two months of the year always seem to be extremely busy for everyone. I was looking at my calendar and, some of the events I've marked down seem to be worth sharing:

Lucky Shops, November 9th and 10th, Gotham Hall, 36th and Broadway, New York City. This is a chance to shop for designer merchandise at prices up to 70% off retail. Any shopping event promising that much of a markdown is definitly worth checking out!


Shop 'N Mingle, Sunday December 3rd, 1:00 pm, Turning Heads Day Spa, 218 Lenox Ave & 121st Street, New York City. Billed as "Uptown's premier shopping event," these Shop 'N Mingles have been very successful in the past. This will be the first one I attend. I'm looking forward to it. For information, send an email to shop_n_mingle@yahoo.com.


Nan Kempner: American Chic, December 12th through March 4, The Costume Institute at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The late Nan Kempner was a New York Socialite with a clothing collection so big that two of her bedrooms were converted into closets. She once joked that she loved parties so much she would go to the opening of a door. I'll have more on Mrs Kempner in a future post.

Fred Kimmel's WUJ Space Show, December 28th, Kenny's Castaways, New York City. Fred Kimmel is the guitar player in The Sali Oguri Band, whom I have writeen about in previous posts. The time of this show is currently TBA. I'll have more details as they become available.

So, if you're going to be in New York City soon, put these events on your calendars!


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Black Style Now: A New Exhibition

The Museum of The City of New York is running a fabulous exhibition right now. It's called "Black Style Now." Billed as "a groundbreaking exploration of hip-hop style and the black fashion revolution," this show is a must-see for anyone who considers herself a hip-hop style enthusiast, or anyone simply curious about it, as I was.

The exhibition not only details the birth and growth of hip-hop style in New York City, it pays homage to the early days of black style in New York, featuring photos of nattily dressed Harlem residents in the 1920s, info about early black designers (including Ann Lowe, who designed the dress Jacqueline Bouvier wore when she married JFK), and magazine covers featuring Naomi Sims (Fashions of The Times) and Daphne Maxwell Reid (Glamour) among others. There are also dozens of outfits on display, by designers ranging from Stephen Burrows to Jay-Z.

"Black Style Now" will be running through February 19, 2007. If you plan to be in New York City during the Holiday Season, plan on stopping by the Museum of The City of New York during your stay. Visit their website for further details.

Buzzing off for now...