Newest cast members show out at Steeplechase event By A. Scott Walton If pictures truly paint a thousand words, say what you will (in the COMMENT box below, preferably) about these get-ups worn Sunday by new members of the "Real Housewives of Atlanta" cast at the 45th Annual Atlanta Steeplechase event staged so far north of the city it might as well have been in Tennessee. Like the outfits worn by the Bravo! channel reality series latest additions, Cynthia Bailey (above left) and Phaedra Parks? Doesn't that gray-bearded gent escorting them onto the grassy knoll look suave? And how about that that natty ensemble that the Atlanta-based Uber-stylist/master interloper Dwight Eubanks (center) slapped together for the occasion. Is he making his play to upstage all the other "ladies" in the cast all-too-obvious? Judging from the cadre of camera people following the show members' every step through the soggy sod, you just know the footage will show up on Season 3 of the televised train wreck.
Art, Design and Business Success Stressed In 9-Day Series By A. Scott Walton Don't be surprised if a strange, "sinking" feeling overwhelms Atlanta April 26 through May 6. That's the period when heavyweights in the realms of fashion design, home decor, fine art and prestige marketing converge on the city for the Savannah College of Art and Design's "SCAD Style 2010" event series. One of the series' many opportunities to rub elbows with industry all-stars occurs (Wednesday) April 28 at the Atlanta campus's Welcome Center (5:30-7 p.m.) when PR priestess Kelly Cutrone (above) appears. Cutrone, star of the Bravo! network's hit reality series "Kell on Earth" and author of the best-selling book "If You Have to Cry, Go Outside" will lecture on the "Real Deal" about fashion brand marketing and sign copies of her book. The All-Star roster of "SCAD Style" guest lecturers is too lengthy to list here; and there is an equally impressive lineup scheduled to appear on the flagship Savannah campus during the same stretch of days. Other headliners during the Atlanta stint include: modeling icon Simone "Bettina" Bodin; photojournalist Jeanette Montgomery Barron; 7th Avenue marketing maven Jaqui Lividini; former Vogue editor Julia Reed; and the world's foremost authority on vintage fashion, Cameron Silver. Residents of Atlanta's older "intown" enclaves should note that SCAD's President, Dr. Paula Wallace, will appear May 4 (8 p.m.) in the Gallery to sign copies of her latest book, "Perfect Porches: Designing Welcoming Spaces for Outdoor Living". After a whirlwind stretch of events like this, people will need novel ideas on how to kick back and rest comfortably. For a complete schedule of events, visit "SCAD Style 2010".
Sports Illustrated swimsuit star puts college on hold By A. Scott Walton Anyone who thinks beauty and brains don't mix hasn't met Atlanta native Sonia Dara yet. The six-foot-tall stunner who's pursuing an Economics degree at Harvard, specializes in setting precedents. Dara is the first woman of South Asian descent ever to be featured in Sports Illustrated's best-selling Swimsuit Issue, and her captivating looks inspired SI to take the photographs in her exotic familial homeland: Rajasthan, India. The Wall Street Journal recently described Dara, 20, as someone with a 'take charge' presence and 'global' appeal. Back home for a brief visit with Atlanta loved ones, however, the Fashion Week runway sensation couldn't be more demure or accommodating. Wise up, and watch EyeSeeStyle's exclusive Webcast with the "glamazon" who truly makes the grade! POST COMMENTS BELOW...
By A. Scott Walton Atlanta’s National Black Arts Festival is going back to the future. The annual culture/concert series (July 14-18) is “compacting” in duration, according to the city’s Bureau of Cultural Affairs Director, Camille Russell Love, but “expanding in scope” to embrace groundbreaking achievements of the past. To cap the festival off with a fashionable flourish, the NBAF will stage a Summer Festival Gala on July 17, when the grand atrium of the recently restored 200 Peachtree building will be transformed for a night into “Stormy’s Suppper Club”. Guests at the black tie ($300 per person) affair will be treated to jazz performed by a 16-piece band and lively dance performances. To preview that event, a cadre of Atlanta’s best-dressed ladies and gents convened at the posh Jeffrey boutique at Phipps Plaza Tuesday night; sipping champagne and chardonnay and discussing their summer plans. Brooke Edmond, daughter of Atlanta’s first African-American Mayor Maynard Jackson, and socialite Sonya Halpern hosted the party wearing outfits (Dries Van Noten and Barami, respectively) that evoked the Art Deco era. Embracing the “throwback” theme to the fullest, Edmond (above, left) accessorized her outfit with one of the acclaimed, eco-friendly designer Monique Pean’s necklaces made of wooly mammoth bones unearthed in Alaska. “She’s the best new jeweler on the international scene,” Edmond said, “and yet she works with the most exquisite, ancient materials.” Festival highlights in a historical vein will include: a screening of Oscar Micheaux’s 1925 silent film “Body and Soul” (starring Paul Robeson), with trombonist Wycliffe Gordon leading a live jazz band in accompaniment (July 14); a tenth-year commemoration of singer-songwriter Curtis Mayfield’s death called “To Curtis with Love”, where featured performers will recall his greatest hits (July 16); and a 40th Anniversary performance by the Philadanco dance company, set to the funkadelic music of George Clinton (July 15 & 17). For National Black Arts Festival schedule updates, visit nbaf.org. Photo: G. Paras Photography RECYCLING DIN: All the noise about “sustainable” products and services won’t fade away any time soon.The latest issue of Fortune Magazine hails local marketing pioneer Joel Babbit for his courage to try and capitalize on the “$5 billion” that corporations spend annually to promote their earth-friendly practices. With Chuck Leavell, the Rolling Stones’ keyboardist, and Ted Turner’s daughter (Laura Turner Seydel) backing him, Babbit’s year-old Mother Nature Network online is already turning a tidy profit...speaking of Seydel: her commitment to the environmental movement shows no signs of fading. She’s the driving force behind the Earth Month collections of fashion accessories available now at “environment Furniture” in the thriving West Midtown district. Go to www.environmentfurniture.com for details…,Anyone still stumped for ideas on how to celebrate Earth Day’s 40th Anniversary (April 23) can at least pencil in the cocktail party going on that night (6-9 p.m.) at the Aviary Organic Beauty Collective downtown on Auburn Avenue. Check the Facebook event page for details. Kudos to local jewelry designer Mark Edge, whose "Eco Vintage" collection just earned him top honors in Jezebel Magazine's annual "Best of Atlanta" issue...And Carol Causieestko-McCollum's "Return of the Lady" campaign to encourage more decorum in modern society continues Thursday (April 15, 7-9:30 p.m.) in the Historic Castleberry Hill Art District with a wine education seminar ($20) and a trunk show featuring by Georgia Tech-schooled shoe designer Ron Donovan at the Wine Shoe (339 Nelson Street, SW). Ladies are encouraged to wear hats and gloves. Visit The Return of the Lady for details. For dredging up the past's sake, we share the genius of Curtis Mayfield...
PHOTO: Courtesy of James Sanders Photography By A. Scott Walton Fulton County’s Board of Commissioners Chairman, John Henry Eaves, got married to the former Ms. Cheryl Regina Upshaw Sunday afternoon in a tastefully understated ceremony in the ballroom of Midtown Atlanta’s Four Seasons Hotel. The bride wore a stunning buttermilk gown with crystals edging the sweetheart bodice and bold ribbons lacing up the back. Finger-length diamond strands dangled from her ears and her look was topped off with a tiny tiara holding back her short, onyx ringlets of hair. The couple stood alone at the altar, with the Reverend Gerald Durley officiating. A well-dressed 200 guests attended the nuptials, including a host of local power brokers, such as: Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed (above, with the bride and groom); Fulton County Commissioner Robb Pitts; DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis; and Atlanta Daily World Publisher Alexis Scott.
City's fashion landscape blossoms with prestige brand events! By A. Scott Walton **DON'T BLINK AN EYE UPDATE!**Fashion Cares-Atlanta names new co-chairs: As of today, Atlanta's most anticipated runway event has two new pairs of hands on the reins. The lithe and lovely long time co-chair Lila Hertz will be joined in the role by TBS International VP Louise Sams and the Vis-a-vis and Derma-Luxe salons owner, Jeffrey McQuithy. Those aren't the other alterations slated for the 18th annual soiree. We'll keep an Eye for developments... GUEST OF HONOR: The Savannah College of Art and Design celebrates another coup Thursday (April 8, 6:30-9:30 p.m.) with a Scholarship Gala welcoming the arrival of one of the world's most worshipped wardrobes. The globe-trotting philanthropist Cornelia Guest, daughter of the legendary fashion maven C.Z. Guest, will headline the gala highlighting the 400 pieces donated to SCAD Museum of Art. Among them: a pair of priceless "Delphos" period gowns designed by Mariano Fortuny and other outfits worn by the woman Truman Capote adored and Time magazine held in such esteem that she was featured on the cover of Time magazine as her day's premiere socialite. This is no "low-brow" event: Tickets to the cocktail segment are $150 and VIP entree costs $275. Guests will be treated to a "buy it now" auction of works by artists in attendance and live fashion modeling. Call 404-253-2728 for details.
PATENT PENDING: If the exotic shoe fits, chances are a former Georgia Tech engineering student had a hand in designing. Specialty shoe designer, Ron Donovan, makes a triumphant return to Atlanta this weekend to showcase the cobbler's craftsmanship he's spend a decade honing after abandoning the corporate climb and pursuing his true passion for fashion. Donovan, who had a successful modeling stint here before going to Europe to learn shoe making at the literal heels of various masters, hosts a private Midtown launch party to benefit the Frank Ski Kids Foundation on Friday night for select guests grounded in the pursuit of custom stilettos. Then he'll stage a series of trunk shows by appointment at the posh Palomar hotel that runs through April 18. (To schedule an appointment, call 212-465-7402.) After several years spent nurturing a private clientele that favors his "classic, but modernistic" approach to shoe designs in the $400-$2,750 price range, Donovan's looking to expand. His first major account is a good one: the luxe Church boutique in Los Angeles. "Ultimately, I want to rank up their with the Guccis and Pradas and Louis Vuittons," he said by phone from his New York studio; in a rare moment of bravado. And he expounded on how a woman's feet would thank her for choosing him to accessorize her (if even her accountant might not) because his shoes are structurally engineered to wear comfortably for hours without sacrificing a shred of their sex appeal. as comfortably as they are sexy. "The vamp is cut in a manner that's deceptive," he said. "It's on a high heel and it's got the toe cleavage, but it's built to hold the foot in place so it's more supportive."
FENDI FOR YOURSELVES: There's a slim (Noon-7 p.m.) opportunity Thursday at Phipps Plaza's Saks Fifth Avenue to snag any of the few limited edition Fendi Spring/Summer 2010 handbags the store was able to acquire. A Style.com review of the Fendi collection this season as "incredibly luxurious", and hailed the bags as "the most eye-catching" in designer Karl Lagerfeld's show. Interested shoppers are urged to call ahead at: 404-261-7234.
LAGERFELD'S COKE BINGE: The Kaiser never ceases to work, if not amaze. Word's trickling out now about Karl Lagerfeld's new deal with the Coca-Cola Light division in Europe to produce a limited edition boxed set of aluminum bottles bearing his silhouette and pink caps. (Kudos to wwd.com for the scoop.) Fans of the Fendi and Chanel design chief should fizzle down though: the $64 set (with matching bottle opener) is only slated for sale in Paris.
"All the news that's fit to squint..." BY A. Scott Walton IN YOUR DREAMS...: Sorry, Bubba, but you’re not going to witness a fantasy scene like this (left) Saturday during Atlanta’s planned observance of International Pillow Fight Day at Freedom Park. You’re more likely to see a mash-up of somewhat sketchy characters who’ll celebrate the rites of spring by playing the human equivalent to Whack-a-Mole. The weather forecast calls for showers during the event’s 3-5 p.m. time frame, so the melee could get especially messy on the green space at the corner of Moreland and North avenues. Ironically, this viral, third annual event has a tacit set of rules to help quell the potential “violence” that might ensue. Once the starting air horn blasts, the all-ages crowd will be encouraged to wail away at each other for as long as possible. But they’re cautioned against bringing pillows so fragile that they’ll burst and unleash their foam/feather contents to the wind, or so sturdy that they could cause injury. Small children are fragile,” the event’s Facebook page warns. “Please pummel the hobbits with care!” At last count, the big April 3 Pillow Fight had nearly 1,500 characters claiming on Facebook that they’ll attend. For more details, and the proposed “rules of engagement”, visit International Pillow Fight Day. TATTOO U.: The Denver Nuggets’ star playmaker, Carmelo Anthony, has just divulged the world’s worst kept secret: Atlanta is the mecca for celebrities seeking elaborate tattoos. But just like the flashes of brilliance that his team has shown this NBA season, ‘Melo’s revelation was somewhat of a tease. In an exclusive interview and custom suit photo session with New York-based Complex magazine this week, the scoring machine there’s only one artist in America he trusts to ink up his skin. He referenced Atlanta, without naming names. Curiosity got the best of EyeSeeStyle, so we dug deep to discover that the artist is none other than the Tattoos By Randy shop on Jonesboro’s Commerce Parkway that the Melo Man and too many cohorts to count trust with their precious flesh. Clients of note, according to slideshow photos on Randy’s MySpace page include: the NBA’s Marvin Williams, Allen Iverson, and Sheldon Williams; singers like Kelis, Alicia Keys and Monica; and a slew of rappers, and Nas. Talk about leaving your mark on pop culture… JUST SUE IT!:Who knew that Atlanta was home to a scrappy little sneaker company with enough cajones to take on mighty Nike in a right-to-work lawsuit? According to the Oregonian, the Portland-based sporting goods behometh is asking Gwinnett County's Superior Court to find product developer Helen Woo in violation of her non-compete contract for jumping ship, after 13 years, and taking her knowledge south to Nfinity Products & Services instead. In a statement provided by its attorney, Nfinity countered that its staff and revenues are to puny to pose Nike any threats. Is this a local Cinderella story in the making? Or will Nike crush Nfinity's glass slipper?
Retailer caters to the clueless with 'everyday' dressing guide. By A. Scott Walton The first rule of thumb for being a well-dressed man is that there are no rules for dressing well. So says Tom Julian, author of the new “Nordstrom Guide to Men’s Every Day Dressing” (Chronicle, $17.95). Following up on brisk sales of his “Nordstrom Guide to Men’s Style”, Julian now urges this mindset: “Forget the rules. Think occasions.” On Saturday (March 27, 6-8 p.m., free), Julian’s hosting a Hugo Boss-sponsored cocktail at the Phipps Plaza Nordstrom store to sign copies of the book and steer men toward the looks that can solve their wardrobe quandaries. Julian, a tireless and world-renowned trend forecaster, said he’ll be there all day consulting men seeking advice on dressing for the four key occasions in life: work day, weekend, after hours and travel. By phone from a book tour stop in Houston, Julian gave EyeSeeStyle an exclusive revelation of his book’s key principles… ESS: This book treats “corporate casual” dressing as a given, but can you foresee a day coming where “traditional”, suit-and-tie dictates return to the workplace? TJ: “Well, we already see how important the return of the blazer is to looking appropriate in the workplace. And, looking ahead, the ‘Wall Street II’ movie will certainly bring the tailored suit story to a whole new generation. But we can’t ignore that people are still driven by lifestyle.” ESS: Out of the four “occasions” that your book guides men through, which do they find the hardest to come to grips with and gear up correctly for? TJ: “I’d say it leans toward weekend-to-travel. On weekends, a man dives into his chores and activities. He still gravitates toward sweat pants and sweat shirts. There’s nothing wrong with that. But what he wants is to look good going from Starbucks to the soccer field to the mall. He just needs the perfect pieces that offer the versatility.” ESS: Who really determines what’s in style in terms of menswear?: The magazines, the designers, the retailers or the customers? TJ: “It’s a combination. The customer ultimately makes the buying decision. Retailers watch, participate in the discussion and make recommendations. It’s all more collaborative than ever. “ ESS: What does Nordstrom gain from publishing a succession of books about men’s style? TJ: “The book becomes an authoritative piece, and an in-store tool. It’s working as a guide, and another mode of communication. And it’s selling, from a 12-year-old I met on the East coast to a four-decade premium card holder out here in the West. And I sold both of them clothes.” ESS: You mention Atlanta’s most celebrated fashion retailer, Jeffrey Kalinsky, in the guide’s opening remarks; how did Kalinsky make an impact on the book? TJ: “He gave very strong views about sportswear, and how the best modern pieces are actually classics worn in different ways. He helped conceptualize the dressy-to-casual concept, and made those photos in the book come to life. ” ESS: While you’re traveling the world spotting trends, does any one city strike you as a place where men have a better grasp of how to dressing for the occasion? TJ: “One city where men seem to get it right more often than most is London. But, then again, that’s a place known for great travel, great work environments, great evenings and weekend activities outdoors. And the retail scene supports it. Domestically, we have so many climate issues to deal with from L.A. to Chicago to New York that it’s hard to keep a balance as you move around. ESS: Your book says to ‘forget the rules’, but aren’t there any that men should adhere to? TJ: “I wouldn’t say these are rules, but I rely certain guidelines, like quality over quantity. Fit and proportion are key. And it’s probably best to shop for updated classics rather than trendy pieces.”
FONDA U.: Don’t think for a second that actress/activist Jane Fonda has run out of ways to hold your interest, and your weight down. Fonda plans a leg-warmer renaissance for May 1 at Atlanta’s Georgia Dome when she hosts the inaugural World Fitness Day demonstration. The first few thousand to register for the event will be treated to health and exercise tips from Fonda, Billy Blanks and the irrepressible Richard Simmons. In keeping with the at-home exercise craze Jane started decades ago, Ustream.tv will also broadcast the sweaty scene.
Kalinsky photo credit: Sherly Rabbani and Josephine Solimene
By A. Scott Walton Nothing says "I love you" like a second-hand shirt, or sweater or pair of sunglasses. Mother Earth will thank you in the form of millions of safe tree acreage if you join the "30 Days of Green" team challenge that ebay is staging in partnership with the Hearst magazine empire. Through it, some 74 million readers will be exposed to the benefits of adding "lightly loved" items to their wardrobes. (Saving gallons of gas by buying a used PDA, for instance, or sparing the air with a pair of vintage shades). Esquire supports the initiative with a fold-out spread in its April '10 issue that spotlights eco-friendly ways to renew the way you look while reducing your "footprint". For example: goods from Freemans Sporting Club, of New York, are made from warehoused bolts of fabric originally woven a half-century ago. The Atlanta-born cartoon hero, Captain Planet, even gets a shout-out. Talk about standing the tests of time... GLASS IS IN SESSION: Some bottles of wine (or beer, for that matter) please the palate so much that it seems a shame to toss them away once they're drained. Even worse, all of our discarded glass can leave a nasty aftertaste to our already choking landfills. Stepping into that void of glass reclamation is the bubbly designer, Kathleen Plate, who is expanding her popular SmartGlass jewelry business into 'gem-quality' home furnishings (lamps, curtains, chandeliers) made primarily from bottle fragments. Plate's initial Home Collection is now available at Atlanta's Environment Furniture store in the resurgent West Midtown district. YEN FOLDS FINE: How much would you be willing to pay in cash, right this minute, for a sleek, solar-powered device that folds up smaller in your hand than the typical iPhone it's designed to recharge? Well, the portable new SolarFold and SolarFan charges by AmbienTec can be yours quite readily if you happen to have the U.S. dollar equivalent ($250 est.) of yen on hand and you happen to be somewhere in Japan to spend it. This dynamic duo absorbs the sun's energy and than feeds it to handhelds via USB cord. Go online to learn how to purchase the SolarFold or SolarFan before the world is able to buy them at retail like they're going out of style. SWEDE RELIEF: Anyone interested in learning how the fashion industry can start easing the burden its practices place on the environment should take an encouraging stroll through the “Eco Chic” exhibit at New York’s Scandanavia House this spring. The collaborative effort between scores of Swedish designers recently lauded during New York Fashion Week opens at the Park Avenue institution on May 5 and ends, essentially, when interest in the sustainable fashion demo wanes. Apparel by brands such as Righteous Fashsion, Reflective Circle, Swedish Hasbeens and Nudie will then depart for a world tour. Fashion material and manufacturing take a huge toll on the planet. “Eco Chic” may be proof positive that the price needn’t be so steep. “Eco Chic” presented by the Swedish Institute, May 5, 2010-until, Scandanavia House, 58 Park Avenue, New York City, free.
By A. Scott Walton
And how about that that natty ensemble that the Atlanta-based Uber-stylist/master interloper Dwight Eubanks (center) slapped together for the occasion. Is he making his play to upstage all the other "ladies" in the cast all-too-obvious?
