CURIOUSER NEW YORK

"Just a few drops of N°5..." We may never know when she said the phrase for the first time... Do you?

  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!

"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?"

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.  

  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?

This photo I took the other day on the NYC subway reminds me that - the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is coming soon!

Last March I've learned that a legendary fashion house that used to be the 'it' to go to in Hollywood and among the most notorious fashionistas around the world - PAGANNE fashion house - is coming back after almost three decades of being 'silent'.   When I learned the history of PAGANNE fashion label, I was mesmerized by how exquisite - and mysterious - and customized the brand, found by Gene Berk, was back in the days. Celebrities wore it. Vogue and Harper's Bazaar featured it over and over again. But not only that, when I started digging in, I found many vintage lovers who up until today have been writing about PAGANNE printed dresses as if they were talking about an 'urban legend'. The fact of the matter is that PAGANNE has taken over the world of fashion back in the 60s and 70s. All the prints that were going into the design of these spectacular immaculate dresses were hand-made and customized and the fabric and the final dress were man...

One of the most successful and genius artistic collaborations between a director and an actor of all times is Pedro Almodovar and Pelenlope Cruz. Last week I've attended a rather interesting - [and, a fascinating for me] - lecture-presentation at the Museum at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) dedicated to the fashion in the films of Pedro  Almodóvar.

This year I've managed to attend only one show - the closing show by the American designer Naeem Khan. When I got to my seats, I was very happy with where my name tag was laying, waiting for me - in the front row and right across - Misha Barton , who looked beautiful and seemed to be in good spirits.