CURIOUSER NEW YORK

  Last weekend I've met Hal Rubenstein. For those who are interested in both fashion and film, this name wouldn't be a surprise. Not only he's the 'red carpet' celebrity-commentator, but he's also the author of a few fashion books, one of which is 100 Unforgettable Dresses - the book that he signed for me last Saturday. Hal came to the Designers & Books Fair 2012 at Fashion Institute of Technology to talk about his 100 Unforgettable Dresses book that features some of the most iconic dresses that changed the world - from Hollywood and music industry to the royal families. I couldn't get enough of his tales. Here's the review of the conversations with Hal Rubenstein. Don't forget to watch the videos!

If you are wondering how come I've been blogging about the interior design all of the sudden? Well, I can't help it. I should have been a designer! Really...it's a hidden passion of mine. I take a notice of something cool, different or something that 'speaks to' my taste, like the decors of the Parisian apartments I've blogged about yesterday. So, here's some more from the chick collaboration of  Nilufar Gallery, Dimore Studio and Balice Hertling - the trio that has teamed up to create a joint exhibition in a Parisian apartment during the city's contemporary art fair, FIAC.

You might have not noticed, but it's almost Halloween time! As a matter of fact, since this year Halloween falls on a work day, most Halloween parties will be happening this weekend and I'm pretty much sure that most of you have already decided on your Halloween costume . But you might be the only one organized at this point, some people take it to the last moment to come up with a costume and I know quite a few people who told me that they'll 'put it together' two hours before a party...

Are you one of those people who, when watching a film that is set in Paris, you pay attention not just to the story line but to the exterior and interior designs of the settings - be it a street, office, store, parking lot and/or an apartment? I'm one of those people. Not only I peek into the offices and stores, but sometimes I peek into someone's window just to get a glimpse of what the life must be like inside this apartment that is located on...Montmartre in Paris, for example. I remember I put my travel companion through horror, when I stopped at every single first floor apartment window on Montmartre to look inside to see the interiors of the apartment, where, once, some famous French impressionist might have lived. As a matter of fact, I did discover many interesting things about the very particular - very French - interiors, which no travel book will feature for you.

Follow me this Sat 10/28 on Twitter - I'll be live-tweeting from the Designers & Books Fair 2012 at Fashion Institute of Technology . Can't wait to meet and listen to the top designers who represent Architecture, Graphic Design, Fashion, Landscape Architecture, Product/Industrial Design, Urban Design such as Elaine Lustig Cohen (Graphic Designer and Artist), Tom Geismar (Graphic Designer, Chermayeff & Geismar), Hilary Greenbaum (Graphic Designer, Whitney Museum of American Art), Prem Krishnamurthy (Graphic Designer, Project Projects), Alice Twemlow (Design Writer, Co-Founder and Chair of D-Crit MFA Program, School of Visual Arts ), and Hal Rubeinstein (Fashion Director, InStyle) 

If you are in NYC this weekend, don't miss out to meet more than 35 U.S. and European design book publishers and booksellers and hear the leading designers talk! Fashion Institute of Technology is hosting Designers & Books Fair 2012 on Saturday and Sunday. Designers & Books Fair 2012: The world's many design celebrities

It's all in the details...

You'll tell me.  The first time I saw these sneakers-wedges , I instantly felt the need to have them. 

Think small, when traveling: Hannoversch Münden, Germany

Check out my thoughts on Discovering the Swedish minimalism !

"Fashion must be the intoxicating release from the banality of the world" One word for you - if you haven't seen this documentary yet, you are not a true fashionista! "Is there anything beyond fashion?"

What is it about the t-shirts that feature cool cats and/or graphics with the texts in a foreign language that really attract me?

It's getting hot in here... There are a few people out there, who are still not sure how to feel about the recent Chanel ad that features Brad Pitt.  

The layering is very much 'in' this fall and winter! Bulk it up, ladies... Every one of us has that one favorite sweater that we just can't seem to get rid of. It might be old and stretched out and with a few holes here and there - but it's still the only sweater we seem to be wanting to wear. We can't even imagine not having it in our wardrobe. And even, when we want to look very stylish, we always find something to go with our old sweater. Well, don't get rid of it. As a matter of fact - wear it more and expect some people to ask you, where you got this stylish sweater…

  There's no doubt Marlene Dietrich had a soft spot for Berlin. As a matter of fact, even after she moved to Hollywood, she's never forgotten that she was ein Deutsche frau. She once said: “Ich hab' noch einen Koffer in Berlin.”  Which means: "I still have a suitcase in Berlin".  She's never really left Germany; she flew it because she was against the Nazi regime. But she never really wanted to live in Hollywood. Well, and I can't blame her.

  I have nothing - you hear me? - NOTHING with polka dots in my wardrobe! And that makes me an outsider while many fashionistas around the world are embracing the polka dots: from footwear to the outwear and accessories, the polka dots are very happening right now.  Does it mean it becomes everyone?

I'm loving the fact that the Fall in New York is very warm this year, with just occasional showers that remind us of the Fall coming upon us...But this is nothing comparing to, say, Ekaterinburg, Russia, where they already have snow, right? The fact that it's been so warm - Indian Summer anyone? - the New Yorkers don't seem to let go of their jean jackets, flats and the cotton 'recycle' bags. I'm loving the weekend, when I go out and take photos of the people on the streets.

When I was in Stockholm, I checked out what the locals were shopping for for their Fall's footwear essentials. There were some bootie styles that were similar to the ones that the New Yorkers were seeing at their stores, but there were some that were particular to the Swedish fashion. I took a note.