Ari Cohen, http://advancedstyle.blogspot.com/

Senior, mature… 2 words, many meanings although we want to take them from a glamourous angle. Let’s say that the women that fit in these categories have experience real Hollywood glamour, have been hit by the Saturday night fever and have in many ways left us with mesmerising retro pictures and wardrobes full of vintage clothing. Thanks to Ari Cohen, who spots them on the street, in cafes or rings at their doorbell, we get to see how these ladies dress today and how they will for sure inspire us tomorrow.

Ari shares with StyleStudio42 his love and admiration for the eldest. A fashion wise view on current looks.

1) Why this very genuine interest in the elders?

AC: I was best friends with my grandmother growing up and learned so much from her. Older people have so much wisdom to share.

2)   What appeals do you at first sight when you see an elder stylish woman?

AC: I think the way in which they wear their clothes with confidence. Older women dress more for themselves rather than to please others. They have also had the time to develop a personal sense of style that is unique and that they are comfortable. Older ladies also have the best accessories!

3)   Is good fashion meant to be “vintageable”?

AC: Good fashion to me is a personal sense of style. Of course there are things that work and don’t but if you are comfortable in your own skin, then you can look stylish. Older people have classic items that they have worn and cared for over the years that still look stylish today.

4)   Is a blog meant to last or is it a temporary shot?

AC: Technology and communication change everyday. Blogs are a way to share ideas and communicate. This form of communication can develop and advanced and the data will be transferred to new formats. For now  blogs are becoming more and more influential.

5)   How do these seniors react at first when you talk to them about your blog?

AC: Many of them are excited to share their stories and experiences. I have had a great luck meeting inspiring people with a desire to stay active and creative. Style and creativity don’t end at a certain age.

6)   Have you thought of gathering your best archives to publish a book?

AC: Yes, if I found the right publisher.

7)   How does the virtual world appear to these so “real” humans?

AC: Many of the people are active online. They have blogs of their own. They use twitter and facebook and email.

8)   What do they have that we are still longing for?

AC: They still long to be heard and to share their creativity and wisdom with the world.

9)   Have you learned some style lessons?

AC: Yes, to take risks, to dress for myself, not to please others, and that confidence is the best accessory.

10)       Who would you say have surprised you the most?

AC: I am surprised by the vitality and energy of older people everyday. Recently I wonder 98 year old woman named Rose told me that she goes out everynight and tries to have lunch out as well. She is more active than I am . Many of those women tell me that being older is the best part of life because you are comfortable in your skin and have the time to enjoy the things you love.

11)       How would you qualify the gap between generations today?

AC: I think that youth culture is far removed from older generations. We don’t take the time to communicate anymore, everything happens so fast, and older people like to take some time to tell a story.

12)       Is the Internet increasing this gap or have we become closer?

AC: The internet allows so much information to be communicated so quickly to a huge number of people. Their are sights and organizations that bring older bloggers and younger ones together. I think that it will close the gap because it allows people of all ages to share information easily.

13)       Any recipe to grow older and become better?

AC: Enjoy every moment, stay active, and never stop learning and challenging yourself.

14)       Are the elders still very loyal to the old luxury houses? Are they good vintage shopper?

AC: What’s great about elders is that they mix luxury with vintage, high and low. They have become expert shoppers. Many of them shop within their own closets, full of treasures that they have acquired over the years. They can rediscover their vintage items and mix them with contemporary fashion.

15)       Is vintage of any age?

AC: It depends on who you ask this to. Many older women don’t think of 1960s and 70s as vintage.

16)       From what you have seen so far, is style a lesson to be learned or a gift owned by some happy few?

AC: I think many are born with style and this style develops over the years. We can all find what we are comfortable in, it’s a process of trial and error.

Follow Ari on advancedstyle.blogspot.com

]]> http://www.stylestudio42.com/on-schedule/1841/feed/ 0 http://www.stylestudio42.com/on-schedule/boost-your-boot-choice/ http://www.stylestudio42.com/on-schedule/boost-your-boot-choice/#comments Mon, 08 Nov 2010 16:41:43 +0000 Delphine Hervieu http://www.stylestudio42.com/?p=1832

Philosophy Di Alberta Ferretti AW10 latte riding boots

The past month was all about finding the right pair of boots that would be of the season but would take me to spring. To set the talk, I am only referring to real walking boots here, so the mid-calf to high knee ones. For sure when the discussion evolves around flats, the first concern is: will they be flattering? Will I not look too boyish? Will I loose my feminine appeal?
Come-on be modern, sensuality relies on much more than skyscraper heels; in fact, they can help you to reveal your glamorous side. Flat knee-high boots offset perfectly a mini tube dress and finalise a skinny jeans/ leggings based outfit.
After having solved the “I want to remain very feminine issue” I could start to check the assortment out there. Well, to be honest, I was not impressed and not inspired at all before entering Philosophy Di Alberta Ferretti’s store on Via Montenapoleone in Milan. Indeed, all the “walking” country feel boots for urban outfitters were boring and “déjà vu”. They were too much like the ones I had already bought back in the nineties. I could have done some shopping in my “ never-wear” closet for free. So if I felt suddenly excited and happy by the idea of eventually buying a pair of boots this season, I crossed my fingers while entering the store that they would have my size. Bing! The final judgement came like a bomb: “ Sorry Madame, we have no size 39 left.” Poor me and lucky purse, I had to accept the terrible fact that these “latte” leather boots would never be mine. I needed a consolation. I needed to share my discovery with someone… Who better than a mother would understand her daughter’s obsessions?

Philosophy Di Alberta Ferretti AW10 latte riding boots

A phone call and a plane later, she arrived in Milan dropped her luggage and followed me to the Philosophy Di Alberta Ferretti store.
“Yes, of course Madame we have a pair in 38.5, please have a seat.”
After a trial session and 5 minutes of “with what can I wear them?” Mother approved. Good news, they will remain in the family style book and will be seen on a Parisian Danish woman until the muguet flourishes.

A Danish lady in Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti boots

HOGAN Boxing style worn out sneakers

Yesterday was late opening day on via Montenapoleone so no wonder that I went there around 7pm to check it out. I was not really expecting anything, of course the crowd and some instore aperitivos made the happening but no real fashion was to be seen. As expected it was more the non fashionistas that were attending then the experts. First as a member of the fashion tribe, I know the winter collections too well and I am already looking toward SS11, second I have almost bought all my essentials for the cold season so do not need to browse. However, I must say that two stores should I say two windows (one of the few labels that decided to not participate) caught my attention: Hogan and Celine.

HOGAN bootie style worn out sneakers

To be totally honest, I have never been a Hogan fan (I do not believe in flats) but yesterday night I fell in love with some of their new sneakers… OMG, what happened to me? Ok, far from the traditional tennis shoes, they are boxing inspired and have a  midnigt appeal… Think sequins and suede patchworks on matching leather. For Celine, I just found the forties style shoulder bags I was looking for. Structured, in thick leather or exotic skin, lady-like handbags to carry over a boyish suit but with high heels, please! It is a fly-high clothing conversation.

Celine AW10 forties inspired bag

Vintage YSL shirt
D&G AW10 brown belt
Zara black leggings
Phillip Lim leather sneakers

Styled by Delphine Hervieu.

Set-the-travel-tone

Travel use to be part of the whole “I am on holiday” cool story. Unfortunately it seems that nowadays it is more a “have to” in order to reach a peaceful haven. Indeed, who can claim that it is cool to book a flight and jump on a plane? First because thanks to too many security measures you cannot actually “jump” on a plane, then you have to be 4 hours in advance at the airport which means leave your home 5 hours before you think you will have your bottom on a nylon and polystyrene branded seat (soon you will have to sleep in you car at the airport just to be sure that you will make it to the metallic bird). Third step is to check in = first queue, fourth step is security = you end up almost naked, final step is to get some water at the boarding gate, as you are about to die of dehydration. In this mess, you must not forget to be fashionable… Hard job but thanks to a few labels, there is what you need to rest and enjoy your time in the air.
Because you do not want to arrive and look like you have been through a washing machine and been heavily dried, you need to sleep in Lounge Lovers’ travel babe set.

Lounge Lover Travel Babe

Sitting for hours at 90°, feet get swollen and legs are about to burst, Lanvin’s kit is the way to fix what you have to call a night.

Lanvin Silk Satin Travel Set

Once asleep Max by Sonia Rykiel should protect you against atmospheric spells. All set, ready to appear as if you were stepping out from home, these air survival tools are mandatory for anyone to show up to friends and nobodies’ in a proper way.

Sonya Rykiel Max Teddy

A zebra coffee moment

After 3 weeks of mini marathons in fashionable cities, bloggers and editors are still addicted to their  BB, iPhone, iPad or simple archaic mobiles and continue to tweet as if something has to be reported each minute. What are we left with?
Well mainly with a big fashion SS11 hangover that shouts seventies but the cool thing is that is does not mean headache or nausea, it means proper rest and proper food… At least that is what we thought we deserved. Following a few of our twitter friends, coffee is still on, cigarettes have not been banned and skies are blue for real or in dreams.
If SS11 is now written, what about AW12? No idea and let’s leave Karl to enjoy an empty to be drawn sketchbook. Karl_Lagerfeld by Karl Lagerfeld “I have no idea of the future — never, ever. That’s what I like about fashion. It’s paradise now.”
At the end thanks to Voguejp, if we did not get the words, we got the picture that concludes the story.

A Top 10 Sunday Look

Today is Sunday but wait a sec, today it’s 10-10-10, a very special Sunday indeed. For this reason, I have decided to kick off with a style series on StyleStudio42.com.
To start, in the menu we have a “very Sunday” outfit, one that can take you basically anywhere or nowhere if you plan to stay in for a cosy day with yourself, your lover or your dog. Personally, I will not choose and pick the 3 options.

Chic is basic, smart is essential and effortless is crucial… Remember it is Sunday, the official day of rest, which does not mean that you can let yourself go and be lazy when it comes to your personal style. You should remain elegant but shout “natural, easy” even if it was a bit of a brainstorm to find the look that takes you to brunch, to lunch and to supper in one go.

To me, Lounge Lover by Sylvie Gabriel is always a good pick, simple but classy, anything from this label is just a good takeout to match with pretty much everything in my wardrobe. For the perfect city finish, Alexander Wang is my friend and I cannot show enough how much I have used, is using and will use his envelope clutch and not only on Sundays.

By the way it is Sunday, so I can rest as well and do not need to use all the relevant words in the dictionary to convince you that 10-10-10 has its signature look made of 3… A nube long silk wrap, a pair of black legging and a statement clutch.

Must Haves Leopard Accessories for AW2010

RRrrrrrrrr, StyleStudio42 is back and ready for a promising fall season. Wherever you might be, things will surely happen. Some creative talents will emerge and be revealed during fashion weeks and art fairs.
Choose you spot, we have chosen ours. A Leo total look to watch, run and grab the best around us. One important thing about leopard print though, never go cheap on big pieces, they talk to loud and need to last. For accessories it all depends on the combinations and the items. A go and get before it is gone: the leopard ponyskin ballerina by Zara, incredibly well done for the price and the cutest ones I have seen so far. When it comes to fur or simili fur accessories, trust Miu Miu and be one of the happy few to get hold of a versatile collar to wear over a dress, a shirt or a coat. A classic pashmina is “de rigueur” to cover your shoulder at evenings, in theatres or in the office when your colleague is pushing the air condition on… He is always too hot when you feel like being in a fridge; I got mine in a vintage store so start to investigate the good ones near you. To close my “cannot get away without” list, a Dolce&Gabbana signature bag to dress up a casual day look and confirm an evening stunning one. A leopard set checked and done.
The concept of mix and match what you have to create new looks does not only apply in times of recession. Indeed, why should creativity only be shown when means are limited? If shortage does foster fashionistas to turn things around with what is already in their wardrobe, it does not mean that a skill learned from hard times cannot be showcased in good ones.
My four leo essentials to push the office door this week are accessories to wear together or separate, depending on how loud you want to roar.

Givenchy Moroccan studded ankle strap sandals SS10

Day 3 in Milano and here we are, eventually able to communicate with the rest of the world. In the past 3 days of us moving we have not wasted our time and got inspired. Walking in Milan’s gold fashion triangle set the tone for the few weeks to come and has definitely put us on a shopping mode.

Spring is not to come but is actually here. What an announcement after a far too long London winter!

Anibal will from now on challenge his stylish skills to bring us the best looks from and for Milan and London. Follow us and you will surely taste the flavor of the Parisian street trends as well. For the moment, we are ready to invest in strong pieces from Balmain and Givenchy and match them with futuristic sunglasses by KTZ for Linda Farrow and a beloved vintage small bucket bag by Chanel… the “pompon” does it all!

Benvenuto in Milano!

Ann Demeulemeester bird print chiffon tank top

Balmain acid wash denim biker jeans

Chanel Vintage small bucket bag

Givenchy studded headband SS10

Linda Farrow KTZ sunglasses SS10

Text by Delphine & styling by Anibal.

The Umo Facial Spa

I love it when skincare gets intelligent and the UMO Facial Spa is about as clever as it comes. Ready for the science bits? The UMO Facial Spa creates an ‘Ultra Nano Mist’ that is so fine that it penetrates the layers of your skin far, far more deeply than a scrub in the shower ever could.

Gamma PGA is a highly potent compound which is ten times more hydrating than Hyaluronic acid and far more elastic than collagen. Nano Mist contains dissolved Gamma PGA and, along with this, carries a skin-improving mixture of ingredients (such as chamomile, tea tree and zinc) to the areas where they can have maximum effect.

Seven times smaller than water droplets from a traditional steamer, Nano Mist forms negative ions which help to eradicate free radicals (that cause ageing), balance acidic body tissue fluid and aid in the excretion of pore-clogging waste to accelerate skin renewal.

If all this science-talk feels a bit too much like hard work then just know this: an UMO Facial Spa is like a breath of fresh air for any skintype, instantly improving the overall look of the face for a more youthful, glowing look.

If you want to experience the UMO Facial Spa, it is now available at 122 Knightsbridge. Foe appointments call 020 7584 6777 or email reception@122knightsbridge.co.uk