55 Secret Street

POLITICAL FASHION: 'Untitled' by Nick Knight

Click here to see the short film by photographer Nick Knight starring Naomi Campbell.

Political Fashion: 'Untitled' by Nick Knight [SHOWStudio Blog]

Web Snob Weekend

Bag Snob must have for Fall 2008: Bottega Veneta Noce!

KRISTOPHER is hating FitFlops' gladiator sandals. 

Ladybrille introduces Ebbe Bassey, Emerging Hollywood Actress!

A Few Goody GumDrops is excited for you to view the "Dresses Collection" from renowned artist Laura Bean.

BagBliss is currently craving the re-introduced Fendi Vintage Olsen Twin Tote

Beauty Snob: Be chic and shimmer in Bobbi Brown this Fall!

Cheap JAP discusses which Pre-Fall Trends aren't worth your time or your dime.

Coquette and Heidi Klum love the Converse All Star Slip On Sneakers.

Debutante Clothing gives a young Rockabilly teacher styling advice for work .

With these ruby slippers, you're definitely not in Kansas anymore notes Fashiontribes.

Papierblog looks at what's really going to be in Nordstrom stores this Fall.

Quinta Trends teachs how to find a perfect style with Latin-Americans emerging designers.

Second City Style feels some celebrity fashion offenders make amends while others don't.

The StyleBakery.com editors share their no-fail go-to signature looks of the season and want you to share yours for a chance to win a chic shopping spree!

Stylehive brings your smokin' swimwear to wear on your sexy beach getaway.

Stylenotes staffers bravely tested over a dozen self tanners for the face and body. Find out the pros and cons for each of our self tanner selections.

SugarShock Beauty is taking a beauty world tour and using Chidoriya's Rice Bran Wash.

Sxy Fashion Queen reveals one of Eva Longoria greatest loves.

The Beauty Stop explains how to deal with acne in your thirties.

The Fashionable Housewife doesn't want you to forget to bring Fashionable Swimsuits On Your Summer Vacation!

Purple is huge for fall, and The Shoe Goddess has found an amazing pair of purple Dior pumps for you! 

Shoe Steals are back at Stiletto Jungle: 10 pair under $30!

Is Michelle Williams dating Spike Jonze? Allie is Wired has the scoop.

Holy Toledo! Isabel Toledo is Hotter than Haute

I went to the hottest cocktail party of the year on Tuesday night (all pun intended in the best way) at the penthouse loft of fashion designer Isabel Toledo and her artist husband Ruben Toledo.  In September, Isabel will be honored with the 2008 Award for Artistry of Fashion by The Couture Council of The Museum at FIT.  The award will precede a major retrospective of Toledo’s work at the museum, entitled Holy Toledo! Isabel Toledo and the Art of Fashion, opening June 19, 2009 through September 26, 2009.  The exhibition will feature several key Toledo looks dating back to 1985  as well as illustrations by Ruben Toledo.

If you're not a fashionista who is already quite familiar with Isabel Toledo, I'll bet you've seen this:

She designed the gorgeous, flowing gown Michelle Obama wore last month at a fundraiser in Manhattan.  In fact, Isabel is working on more things for her (the necklace is by Tom Binns).  Isabel told me that she was beside herself when she arrived and realized that Michelle was in her dress!  Apparently, the potential future First Lady is a long time fan and a client at the chic Chicago boutique Ikram, one of the few places that you can score a Toledo design these days. 

Isabel and Ruben Toledo. Aren't they just adorable?  They have been married for 24 years.

The Toledos kept apologizing for the heat, but it's not as if they could help it since there was no air conditioning in their gallery space and they certainly couldn't control the weather.   We all enjoyed mojitos and/or wine (Yes, I blew my ABCDEF thing again R/C readers!) as we admired the Toledo's space which was filled with Ruben's illustrations, eclectic sculptures, a giant cactus and hula hoops.  Yes, hula hoops.

The crowd was very Harper's Bazaar staff and FIT heavy, but there was also a nice mix of notables from various fields including Narciso Rodriguez, Vera Wang, Simon Doonan, Iris Apfel, Carmen del Orifice.  I ran into my Web Snob buddy Lauren Dimet Waters of Second City Style and and met a nice new fashion blogger named Elizabeth of Kromstyle.com and her sister Maggie.   I was also happy to finally meet Lola Ogunnaike of CNN and Michaela Angela Davis (formerly of Essence and Honey), as well as writer Michael Gross,  Alexis Clark of Town & Country and Teri Agins of the Wall Street Journal. 

The legendary model Carmen del Orifice and the iconoclast designer Iris Barrel Apfel with the Toledos and fashion designer Maggie Norris.

It just goes to show how well respected Isabel Toledo is in the industry that so many designers showed up.

Narciso Rodriguez and Ruben Toledo.

Vera Wang with one of the beautiful hand-painted fans that were given to each guest upon arrival and handbag designer Eric Javits.

Gabi and Adi, two of the designers behind threeASFOUR.  I loved their show at Fashion Week last year.  Also, that is 55 Secret Street contributor Nicole LaMons in the background.

Yigal Azrouel

Harper's Bazaar Editor-in-Chief Glenda Bailey with the Toledos.

Actor Matthew Modine

Patrick McDonald was the first person I noticed when I walked in the door.  No surprise there - he's  been killing 'em on the scene since the 70s and Studio 54. 

Here is one of the pictures I took that did not come out blurry of Patrick McMullan (who took all of the pictures in this story except the Michelle Obama shot) with the philanthropist Gillian Miniter.  Her dress was absolutely gorgeous and I swear she seemed to be the only person there who didn't seem to sweat a bit.

Then again, some of us were not exactly worried about sweating, like Baroness in her rubber dress. 

$55 and Under: Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

Hello again ladies! Sorry I've been away so long but I hope these beauty exclusives from Nordstrom will make up for it!

(Top) PHYTO 7 'Or' Daily Botanical Cream $26.00.  PHYTO Petites $15.00.

Essie 'Neon Collection' Mini 4-Pack $15.00 (I have the orange (Mini Shorts) on my toes now. Love it!)

Lancome 'Juicy Tubes' Warm Set: Beauty Icon $25.00.

MAC Colour Forms Lipstick $14.00.

Web Snob Weekend

A little naughty and a little bit nice, Coquette discovers the subversively embroidered vintage gloves by Doublespeak.

Fashion, evolved is excited about the smart style of Nadia Nour!

Ladybrille interviews Stephanie Okereke Nollywood's it Girl!

Fashiontribes has 5 fab dresses for any occasion this summer.

I'm Not Obsessed shows you how to replicate Marc Jacobs' Ruffle Pump for less.

Kristopher eats the "Unforbidden Fruit" of Miami's South Beach.

Check out the punk rock elegance of YSL Muse clutch - Bag Snob.

Catch the sneak peek at organic beauty care from Bamford at Beauty Snob!

A few days from 63, Helen Mirren still has a bikini body - The Beauty Stop.

Snag a designer swimwear look for way less with Malia Mills for Martin + Osa - Stiletto Jungle.

Bag Bliss reviews the Yves Saint Laurent Y-Mail Continental Wallet.

Check out how to dress up a little black dress with vintage accessories at Debutante Clothing!

All About the Pretty loves a legend like L'Oreal.

Allie is Wired asks, "Did Kirsten Dunst steal Drew Barrymore's boyfriend?"

Papierblog praises then rails against Project Runway Seaons 5.

Quinta Trends discovers feminine and classical touch of Boga Diseño .

Second City Style has again begun it's memorable quotes series from this season's episodes of Project Runway!

StyleBakery.com has the scoop on this summer's surprise must-have accessory: lightweight scarves.

Stylehive finds Canadian designers that hike up hemlines with must have mini dresses.

Stylenotes’ latest fashion-related tech feature explores the world of chic, colorful, electronic items from earphones to cameras that would make any fashionista swoon!

SugarShock Beauty is feeding her skin from the outside in with Keri Glassman's Skin Appetit Balm Stick.

The Fashionable Housewife gives us all the juicy details of her shopping spree at The Garden State Plaza Mall in NJ!!

The Shoe Goddess finds fabulous shoes at great prices!

A Few Goody GumDrops asked Jelly Belly or Yummie Tummie?

You Can Wear It With Jeans: The Office

One of the reasons jeans are one of my favorite items to wear besides comfort and making my butt look good (he he) is the versatility. If I could wear jeans to work I would be a happy woman, but unfortunately the investment banking world is just not having it.  There are plenty of people who work in industries where jeans are a acceptable or a must for that matter. If I were ever able to get my dream here are few tops from Nordstrom that would pair perfectly with  jeans in the office.

(Top) Luii Cap Sleeve Jacket $68.00.

French Connection 'Carly' Stripe Knit Tunic $98.00.

Theory 'Erikan - Scarf' Silk To $215.00.


Finley 'Diva' Faux Wrap Top $229.00.


Semantiks 'Chimney Sweep' Jacket $148.00.

Ne Plus Ultra: NARS Essential Oil-Infused Therapy Soak

Speaking of NARS limited edition products - did you know that Al Gore was in the beauty business?

Well, he is.  Sort of. 

NARS Essential Oil-Infused Therapy Soak is an essential oil-infused therapy soak that contains a blend of Hawaiian Alaea salts and Tahitian tiare oil.   Of course, it's eco-chic.  It's packaged in a reusable fabric bag and box made of at least 50% post-consumer recycled materials.  Considering it's exotic origin, the price tag is steep, even for NARS at $120.00.   But it may make you feel better to know that NARS donates 100% of the net proceeds to Al Gore's The Climate Project which means that you can detoxify and help the environment at the same time.

Who knew!

NARS Essential Oil-Infused Therapy Soak $120.00.