Pictures From My Fall Collection

I was finally able to catch up with the photographer who shot my show, the great, Randy Brooke.  While I'm going through hundreds of photos trying to select the best ones for a lookbook, I thought, in the meantime, I would share some with my taffetadarlings...

Incredible Cardin

A couple of months ago, I posted about the legendary designer, Pierre Cardin.  I felt that most "non-fashion" people only recognized him for luggage and fragrance (for shame!).  Well, that may soon change.  Friday evening, I was lucky enough to not only attend Mr. Cardin's showing of his Spring 2011 collection, but I also met the extraordinary designer!  If my fifteen year old self could only have imagined that one day, I'd shake his hand and he would compliment my dress...!  What?  Yes, HE complimented MY dress!  Surreal.

in the original, gold "Elizabeth" dress

Photo: Richard Renda

The dress in question?  The original "Elizabeth" dress from my Spring line.  Yep, it's short, no doubt about it, but I managed.  Cardin actually touched the fabric and asked if it had metal in it... the man knows his stuff!  "It's beautiful," he said.  OK, I can die happy now.  I thanked him and told him that he was a very big influence on me growing up and that I was honored to be there to witness his unbelievable show (comprising of 200+ looks!!).  Very humbly, the white-haired man asked me, "Do they like it?  What are they saying?"
Just like an artist.  I guess it doesn't matter how successful or how experienced we become, there will always be that teeny weeny bit of self-doubt and that nagging urge to impress.

Pierre Cardin chats with Marisa Berenson after the show

I covered the show for the online fashion publication, "Lookonline" -- click here to read my article and to view some runway pictures from Cardin's show shot by the incomparable fashion photographer (a.k.a. my house photographer!), Randy Brooke.

Where Have You Beene?

I was reminded of the late Geoffrey Beene in a post yesterday in lovely Madeleine's Blog, In New York Paris Tomorrow.  Glovemaker extraordinaire, Daniel Storto shared a piece that captures so vividly, a period in his life in Los Angeles and what it was like to live and work there during that time.  He mentions Mr. Beene.  He describes their first meeting and tells of how creatively connected they were and how free and trusting their working relationship was.  Beene was one of my earliest fashion inspirations, but sadly, I never had the opportunity to meet him.  The best I could do was write a tiny little article for the Lookonline's Daily Fashion Report in October 2008, after the book launch of "Geoffrey Beene An American Fashion Rebel," written by PAPER Mag's, Kim Hastreiter.  The book is fantastic AND the cover photo is shot by talented veteran fashion photographer, Randy Brooke, who just happens to be the house photographer for my show this season!