Guest Blogger
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Greetings from The South of France
Abbaye de Senangue, France“Found our sea of lavender at the Abbaye de Senanque in Vaucluse about 1 hour’s drive south from our hotel in Crillon de Brave. The lavender is in the height of its bloom and the scent meandering through the fields is incredible. If one can deal with isolation and poverty vows, these monks have a good thing going!” Kevin ByrneBON WEEKEND TO YOUR ALL! - Fashion Review, Guest Blogger, HEW Hotels, Polly Guerin, Punk: Chaos to Culture, The Metropolitan Museum
When Punk Meets High Fashion
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, “Punk: Chaos to Culture”From left, looks from Yohji Yamamoto, Viktor & Rolf and Chanel.Photo by Thomas Iannaccone, via WWD.comJust what exactly defines the punk era? Is it anarchy, rebellion or a do-it-yourself venue that continues to engage and excite our imagination? In this compelling and outrageous exhibition, “PUNK: Chaos and Couture,” May 9 to August 14 at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute,curator Andrew Bolton argues high fashion has adopted punk style more than any other counter cultural movement. The exhibition examines punk’s impact on high fashion from the movement’sbirth in the 1970s through its continuing influence today.
Karl Lagerfeld for House of ChanelPhotograher: David Sims PUNK’S ORIGINSince its origins, punk has had an incendiary influence on fashion,” said Mr.Bolton. Punk began in the mid-1970s as youth movement centered on the music scene at New York, CBGB club and then moved to London and there it grew full blown and fashion-focused with designers Vivienne Westwood at the helm. Punk broke all the rules in a time when originality was celebrated and championed the individual’s individuality. The museum explores this visually with 100 designs for men and women.
COMPARISON VIEWSOriginal pink garments from the mid-1970s are juxtaposed with recent, directional fashion to illustrate how haute couture and ready-to-wear have borrowed punk’s visual symbols, with paillettes being replaced by safety pins, feathers with razor blades, and bugle beads with studs, and other hardware. The exhibit is organized around the materials, techniques and embellishments associated with the anti-establishment style.GALLERY PRESENTATIONSThe seven galleries, organized thematically have designated punkheroes. The first gallery is devoted to CBGB represented by Blondie, Richard Hell, The Ramones andPatti Smith., Next gallery is inspired by Malcolm McClaren and Vivienne Westwood and their Seditionaries boutique in London. The Clothes for Heroes examines designers who extend the visual language of punk, as it was originally articulated by McClaren and Westwood. Do-it-yourself, punk’s contribution to high fashion is explored in the four final galleries focus on couture’s use of studs, spikes, chains, zippers,padlocks, safety pins and razor blade with Sid Vicious as its icon.MUSIC and VIDEOSPresented as an immersive multimedia, multisensory experience, the clothes are animated with period music videos andsoundscaping audio techniques; original punk pieces and videos showing punk icons wearing their infamous looks. The designers includeVersace, Balenciaga, Dolce & Gabbana and Karl Lagerfeld. It is interesting to note the couture and punk had value handcrafted, individual pieces. Bolton said, “Just as couture has made-to-measure one of a kind garments, punk would take a leather jacket and customize it so that you are the only person in the world who wears it.”
A book, Punk; Chaos To Couture, by Andrew Bolton with Prefaces by Three Punk Originals, Richard Hell, John Lydon (a.k.a. Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols) and Jon Savage each contribute with enlightening and fascinating essays illustrated with photographs of vintage punks and high fashion. Published by The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
A Vivienne Westwood ensemble.Photo by Thomas Iannaccone, via WWD.com
Versace’s safety pin dress that created Elizabeth Hurley.Photo by Thomas Iannaccone, via WWD.com
A Stephen Sprouse dress works a graffiti vibe.Photo by Thomas Iannaccone, via WWD.com
Photo via The Epoch Times
Images via www.sentinelandenterprise.com
A series of Comme des Garçons dresses against a video wall featuring Johnny Rotten.Photo by Thomas Iannaccone, via WWD.comWritten by Polly Guerin -
Guest Post: Sitting Pretty on Charles Eames Top Chairs
Written by Rebecca Jones
Charles Eames was an American designer who helped change the face of 20th century, modern furniture design with his extensive portfolio of work. His enduring pieces are a stunning marriage of comfort and functionality. Charles Eames furniture has remained at the forefront of modern furniture design, influencing numerous subsequent and contemporary designers.
Ergonomic Paradise
With the ever-increasing hours we seem to work in the Western world, it is essential that we look after our weary skeletons to ensure that all our hard work is not futile and we can live long, happy lives. Enough of the corny stuff, in all seriousness though, investing in a well-made, ergonomic chair is the best measure to protect your back and promote optimum spinal health.
Office Group Chair EA219 Gold EditionCharles Eames was a pioneering force in the furniture design world. His innovative vision and exciting designs lead him to create a number of pieces for an office environment including the Office Aluminium Group Chair EA119 Mesh. This is a task chair which is designed with the intention of being used at a desk. This chair is exceptionally comfortable due to the mesh panels and is also adjustable which further enhances the comfort factor and has a swivel functionality enabling the user to move 360 degrees.
Office Soft Pad Group Chair EA219The original intention for this piece was for outdoor use, hence the mesh fabric as it is hard-wearing, durable and immensely functional. The original mesh design was quickly discontinued and black leather took over as the material of choice. In 1969, the chair was further updated and a soft, padded version with cushions was created.
Office Aluminium Group Chair EA117 Gold EditionThis chair has an exceptionally sturdy aluminium framework and is arguably one of the first executive chairs. It is also light, versatile and the design enables the chair to adapt to the sitter’s body which makes for maximum comfort. The high back also guarantees that your back is perfectly supported. Since it’s creation, this piece has become an office essential.Child’s Play
Inject a new lease of life into your home with the Eames RSR Rocking Chair. This Chair will ensure you release your inner child. This piece is made from plastic which means its durable and can withstand daily wear and tear. Available in a number of vibrant colours, this piece is true to Eames form blending comfort with functionality. It is the re-edition of the now legendary Eames Chair is based on the original 1948 design which the first industrially-manufactured plastic chair. It is also available in fibreglass, another lightweight, robust and unyielding material.
RAR Rocking Chair (Fibreglass)A rocking chair is also an exciting addition to any interior and will look fantastic in a modern or more traditional decor scheme.
Bachelor Chic
This Charles Eames Lounge Chair from SwivelUK is the ultimate addition to any bachelor pad. Not only does this piece ooze luxury and sophistication, it is now considered a timeless classic in the history of modern furniture. This stunning feat of exquisite design and engineering features a bent rosewood frame and aluminium base, with chunky cushions made from the finest Italian leather. Originally designed in 1956, this piece has become a staple for the funkiest bachelor pads around and is not only stylish but exceedingly comfortable. For the perfect finishing touch to your abode the matching Ottoman is a welcomed addition featuring the same design and materials to ensure a slick, polished and ultra refined look.
Lounge Chair and Ottoman, Black Powder CoatingAll images in this article are courtesy of SwivelUKAuthor Bio: Rebecca is an avid writer and interior design aficionado. She frequently writes about her interests. Rebecca resides in the United Kingdom
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Get the Look: Celebrities Wearing Pearl Jewelry
Natalie Portman in Audrey Hepburn modePhoto via Harper’s BazaarWritten by Rebecca JonesPearl jewellery has a certain allure and charm which has ensured that it has remained a timeless classic and firm favourite in our jewellery boxes. From Tinseltown to Buckingham Palace as well as the White House to the red carpet, celebrities, royalty and public figures alike have all been seen sporting these lustrous beauties.For a classic look, make like Scarlett Johansson and opt for a simple choker made from Akoya pearls. These pearls have been hugely popular since the 1920s when they first came on to the European jewellery scene, having originated within the cold waters off the coast of Japan. These exquisite pearls are renowned for their faultless, round shape and high quality lustre. An Akoya pearl necklace of this length will sit elegantly and comfortably below the collarbone, creating a stylish and timeless look. Due to it’s highly versatile nature, this necklace is perfect for everyday wear or to a formal occasion.
Carolee Pearl Rope Necklace from Bloomingdale’sAlternatively, take a tip from America’s first lady and wear a pearl necklace doubled up to create a chunkier, choker look. To achieve this look, which is evocative of 1920s style and glamour, choose a long white Freshwater Pearl Rope Necklace from Winterson and double loop it around the neck. This will create a stunning look, perfect for formal evening affairs. Twin your pearl necklace with a strapless, black, floor-length dress and long satin black gloves for true elegance and sophistication.
Gold South Sea Pearl Necklace with Pave Diamonds & Yellow GoldFor a simple, refined yet immensely stylish look, stud pearl earrings are a great choice.These eye-catching, lustrous beauties will last a lifetime, never losing their allure and charm. Olivia Palermo nails this look with her hair neatly swept off her face in a bun, enabling her pearl earrings to take centre stage. Stud pearl earrings from Winterson are not only eye-catching but are also easy to wear, injecting a touch of understated glamour into your look. Perfect for everyday wear as well as more formal, evening dos.
Angelina Jolie, Kelly Rowland
First Lady Michelle Obama
Multi-coloured Tahitian Pearl Necklace with 18ct White Gold Ring Clasp
Bride wearing pearls
Luna Rose Tahitian Pearl Ring
Ferragamo Necklace
Californian Blogger, Emily SchumanPhoto via She Knows.com -
Ladies For A Day
Downton Abbeyphoto via Fabsugar.comWritten by Elaine G. FloresDon’t you just swoon over “Downton Abbey” on Sunday nights? I certainly do. In these Big Gulp, plastic days, it’s wonderful to imagine a world so passionate about style and indulgence. I recently took a jaunt to London with some fellow Abbey addicts to see how much luxury we we could fit into a single day.The Crawleys are clearly committed to fashion, so we started with a morning trip to Kensington High Street. I’m fairly certain that we became a tad more soigné, just strolling along, or at least that’s what we imagined.
Downtown Abbey Season 3Photo via CBS.orgOne can’t picture Lady Mary doing anything without glamour, so my group was determined that even the least glamorous of activities–a trip to the, um, loo, if you must know–would be done with some flair. Yes, we headed to the Ritz-Carlton to use the facilities. The hotel famously regards jeans and sports shoes the way the Dowager Countess looks at Americans, the middle class and electricity, so we made sure our outfits were up to snuff. (No word on what they think of the kind of people who make field trips to their powder room.)Obviously, afternoon tea, had to be a part of this experience. The Crawleys demand the very best, and so did we. We headed to the award-winning Athenaeum, where our biggest concern was whether to finish off with the lemon drizzle cake or Elderflower Jelly. The correct answer? Both.While we’re not sure if Lord Grantham would approve of us willingly entering a kitchen, we did pay a visit to a cooking school to learn about the sort of French cuisine Mrs. Patmore would have served. Those of us who are tragically without a live-in staff should still be able to have a gourmet meal at home from time to time.After a long day of leisure, it was time for an adult beverage, so we headed to the Terrace Bar at the Chesterfield Mayfair for cocktails. As we were on our way out, Chris, the velvet-voiced concierge fussed over us, insisted that we sample old-fashioned English candy (And really, who doesn’t love a man who insists that you eat candy?), ushered us out and then gave us a gallant bow. It was as if we’d found our very own Mr. Carson.
The lesson we learned is that somebody has to be pampered, it might as well be us, and hopefully, you too.
The Crawleys from Downton AbbeyCourtesy of © Carnival Film & Television Limited 2012 for Masterpiece TheaterPhoto via Vanity Fair
Downton Abbey Tea Party CookiesPhoto via Cookie Pixie
Afternoon Tea at the Ritz Carltonphoto via http://downtonabbeycooks.com
Kensington High Street, London
The Athenaeum HotelPhoto credit Jonathan Player for The New York Times
Chesterfield Mayfair, LondonPhoto via Chesterfield Mayfair
The Athenaeum, LondonAbove photos via CNN Traveler
The Athenaeum, Londonphoto via CNN Traveler
A room with a view: The Athenaeum, Londonphoto via http://www.everettpotter.com
London Sotheby’s International RealtyPhoto via Sotheby’s Realty
The simple pleasure of Afternoon Tea (photo ITV)Photo via Downton Abbey Cooks
Best afternoon teas in LondonPhoto via CNN Traveller
Photo via AZ life and StyleElaine G. Flores blogs for Sterling Silver Tours, which offers, “Downton Abbey” themed tours to London.
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Industrial Elements in Interiors
Industrial elements recall the 19th century, the era of the Eiffel Tour and advancements in technology that seem antiquated today but were cutting edge for the time.Hello everyone, I’m Susi and I write as a guest blogger for Design Shuffle, a fabulous social media site that promotes interior designers and their work from around the world. My writing focuses on things I’m passionate about: interior design, decorating ideas, home furnishings, gardening, travel and art. I get to look at gorgeous things all day and write about them. I’m a very lucky girl!Tete de LitviaI am thrilled to be invited to write about industrial elements in interiors for High End Weekly™. This is one of my obsessions. And I’m apparently not the only one. The current obsession with all things vintage industrial might have its roots in the Steam Punk movement, which focuses on Victorian era industrial, exploration, and scientific style. Or perhaps it is the result of the current focus on handcrafted and homemade. Industrial style certainly recalls a bygone era.
Decorology viaIndustrial elements include tables with metal bases, industrial style lighting, filing cabinets, glass front cabinets, metal stools, bins, boxes and trays. Glass scientific bottles and cloches can be incorporatedwith other industrial elements for a scientific spin.
Emmas Designblog viaIf you think you haven’t seen industrial design before, look at the current trends in kitchen design. Professional stainless steel ranges, vent hoods, refrigerators and sinks get their designs from commercial kitchens.
vtwonen viaIndustrial architectural salvage can be decorative or repurposed. As an integral part of this bathroom’s design, the shower enclosure is made from salvaged factory windows. Gorgeous!
Pinterest viaIndustrial chic works well in urban loft environments. Makes sense as many of these lofts are located in former factory buildings. Architectural salvage combined with wood and metal furniture creates an industrial style in this open space.
Anyone, Girl viaLighting and accessories are perfect elements of industrial style to incorporate into your interior. Industrial lighting, like this jeweler’s lamp, has great style and is very functional. Small objects and curiosities like cogsmake for interesting desk ornaments.
Wisteria viaVintage or new metal draftsman stools can work in a number of kitchen designs, from contemporary to farmhouse. If you can’t find vintage industrial pieces, a number of big name retailers carry copies.
Restoration HardwareThe newly revamped Restoration Hardware has embraced industrial design, Victorian influenced Steam Punk and a bygone elegance. This content is provided by Design Shuffle, where you can find and share talented interior designs from from New York interior designers, Los Angeles interior designers, and more, check out the latest at Design Shuffle.NOTE: Please notify us directly, if you believe that certain images on this post are alleged to infringe upon the copyrights of others, according to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Thank you.You May Also Like
When Punk Meets High Fashion
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Swarovski Crystals in Home Décor
Swarovski crystals really shine when used in lighting fixtures such as chandeliers or pendants. This pendant light from David Malik is a simple form that highlights the strands of sparkling crystals.
And in case you were thinking you can find Swavorski crystals on everything but the kitchen sink… here is a simple white bathroom sink embellished with crystals. Bathroom light bounces off of these crystals nicely! There is also a matching bidet and toilet.
E X C L U S I V EHigh End Weekly™ would like to thank Arcadian Lighting for writing this guest post, and look forward to collaborating with them in the future.We’ve seen Swarovski Crystals sparkling on everything from phones to dog collars, jewelry to shoes. When it comes to home decor, Swarovski crystals can also add the same sparkle. You might be surprised to see where we’ve found crystals in home decor, from faucets to light fixtures, wall art to pillows. Swarovski crystals are a hot trend right now in high end home decor and furnishings. Here are eight ways Swarovski crystals will shine in the home.
Designed by Francesco Lucchese for Fabian, these contemporary lights featuring Swarovski crystals look more like sculptures than lighting fixtures. These are available in a pendant light, wall sconce and floor lamp in either black or matte glass.
This Italian design firm has a line of furnishings decorated with Swarovski crystals. The floor lamp, side table and leather ottoman are all embellished with crystals. Look at how they dazzle!
Interior Concepts by WandaSmall Swarovski crystals can be used to embellish textiles, including accent pillows. This one has a nice contrast between the crystals and linen cover.
A luxury carpet from Tappeti is sprinkled with Swarovski crystals. The twinkling crystals add sparkle to the carpet.
These tiles from Alfalux Ceramiche have Swarovski crystals embedded in a random pattern that imitates water droplets. A few of these tiles mixed in with plain tiles would add a subtle sparkle to the bath or powder room especially when lit from above by a crystal chandelier.
Swavorski crystals can be found embedded in bathroom fixtures, such as this faucet by Maier. This would be a glamorous addition to a powder room.
Content provided by Arcadian Lighting, a site that specializes in top quality lighting fixtures at extremely affordable prices. Come visit us today!NOTE: Please notify us directly, if you believe that certain images on this post are alleged to infringe upon the copyrights of others, according to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Thank you.
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Royal Watch: William and Kate’s Tour of North America
As an avid Anglophile, I’ve kept a keen eye on the tour of North America by royal newlyweds William and Kate. On their first official international tour June 30 through July 10, HRH the Duke of Cambridge and HRH the Duchess of Cambridge (aka William and Kate) stylishly traversed North America at a whirlwind pace. Touching down in Ottawa, they toured Montreal, Prince Edward Island, Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories and Calgary before heading south to California. To view their Canadian itinerary go to the 2011 Royal Tour of Canada by the Duke and Duchess Cambridge.Getty ImagesOn July 9 William was victorious in a charity polo match in Santa Barbara, before the couple turned heads that evening at their first red carpet Hollywood event, a gala at the Belasco Theater celebrating rising UK film actors in support of the British Academy for Film and Television Arts. With Kate again wearing a gown by the house of Alexander McQueen, the royal couple mixed with Hollywood stars including Tom Hanks, Barbra Streisand and Nicole Kidman.
In addition to tracking the charities, organizations and sites visited by William and Kate, part of the fun for royal-watchers was answering the proverbial question, What is Kate wearing? From favorite designers like Erdem and McQueen to DVF, Smythe and Ted Baker, with Nike and J Brand thrown in, Kate has taken on the role of a new royal with her own sense of style, often mixing and matching from her existing wardrobe (a three-year-old trenchcoat was brought back out of the closet.) You can follow Kate’s sartorial splendor at two engaging blogs: What Kate Wore, and Kate Middleton Style.
Following the exuberance of William and Kate’s royal wedding April 29, the latest royal tour got us thinking, what about souvenirs and commemorative memorabilia to mark the occasions? British monarchy collectibles are nothing new. Potters and artisans have produced wares for the public to hail royal events such as coronations and weddings since the restoration of Charles II in 1660. Three years later, when the king married Catherine of Braganza, collectibles in glass, majolica and pewter were produced to celebrate the match. By the age of Queen Victoria and the manufacture of affordable, transportable china, Brits began collecting decorative plates, mugs, pillboxes and figurines on a widespread scale.
The Victoria & Albert Museum has collected royal wares from over the centuries, displaying everything from a silver-gilt cup honoring the coronation of James II in 1685 to a Fenton plate marking Queen Victoria’s Jubilee in 1887 and even a Staffordshire mug marking the marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana.
To mark William and Kate’s tour after the pomp and circumstance of their spring wedding, which an estimated 22.7 million Americans rose early to watch live on television or web-streaming, UK retailer of prestige collectibles Compton and Woodhouse decided to bring its collection of royal commemorative wares to this continent for the first time. Launched in June, www.comptonandwoodhouse-us.com has issued commemorative china plates marking both the wedding and the Canadian tour, with photo images of the royal couple surrounded by gold filigree. (Curiously, the Canadian tour plate apparently features a depiction of the couple the morning after their wedding; production deadlines prevented waiting for a portrait from the actual tour, we assume.)
Complementing its long association with British purveyors of fine china and glassware such as Spode, Waterford and Coalport, Compton and Woodhouse also is offering subtler William and Kate items such as Wedgwood Royal Wedding China and the Dartington crystal royal wedding bowl.
The British Monarchy’s own official royal wedding commemorative line has been approved by the Duke and Duchess and includes a tankard, eight-inch plate and pill box in English fine bone china. Each piece bears the couple’s entwined initials in gold and silver surmounted by the coronet of Prince William and the wedding date. The pieces are handmade exclusively for the Royal Collection in Stoke-on-Trent using methods that have remained unchanged for 250 years. Each item is individually decorated and then embellished with several layers of burnished gold and platinum before a final layer of gilding in 22-carat gold is applied by hand. The official Royal Wedding commemorative range can be purchased from the Royal Collection’s online shop.One of the more unusual collectible offerings, again from Compton and Woodhouse, is a 10-inch figurine of Kate in her McQueen wedding dress by noted British sculptor Carolyn Morton (renowned for her life-size bronze bust of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Makthoum, Ruler of Dubai and Vice-President of the United Arab Emirates.) Available for shipment in September in a limited edition of 5,000, the figurine features hand-applied detailing approximating the intricate lacework of the headline-making dress and bone china flowers in the bouquet made by the famed artisans of Stoke-on-Trent. Fifty artisans were involved in the production of each figurine. Kate, the future queen, joins a line of Compton and Woodhouse Royal Bride figurines including likenesses of Queen Victoria and Diana, Princess of Wales. May this latest royal fairytale continue apace.
Sculptor Carolyn Morton creating the Duchess of Cambridge bridal figurine.By William Weathersby
NOTE: Please notify us directly, if you believe that certain images on this post are alleged to infringe upon the copyrights of others, according to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Thank you.You May Also Like
When Punk Meets High Fashion
