Saturday, December 22, 2012

A White Christmas: Foxes in the Snow



It appears that most of the country will have a white Christmas. Here in Maryland it is blustery and cold but no snow, unless you are up in the mountains of Western Maryland

On the way home from dinner last night a very fat red fox trotted in front of my car-he wasn't in a hurry and luckily I didn't hit him. I often see foxes here in the Maryland suburbs, but not like this one-not this fat. Seeing him got me thinking about how truly beautiful these creatures can be. Here are some pictures of Foxes in the Snow.


















Cheers and Merry Christmas,

Nancy


Sunday, August 19, 2012

This Girl Had Style

Allison Kimball with Troy Donahue in 1959


Tall, blonde and beautiful, Allison Kimball embodied good taste and sophisticated style. Think Julianne Moore's character in the Tom Ford movie A Single Man. 

I first met her in the 70s as a college friend of her daughter, Lynn.  I had no idea moms could look like her.  She was stunning. Once she complimented my shoes-Capezio T-straps-and I fell in love with her. 




Allison with Troy Donahue in 1959
Allison is on the left and Lynn, her daughter, is second from right. They are dining with friends-Helen Crane McClure, wife of the actor  Doug McClure, Tane McClure and Steven Crane, Jr. 


By the late 60s she was back in Memphis training Labrador Retrievers for field trial 
competitions. One can only imagine the excitement of the other trainers as this stunningly beautiful and poised woman walked onto the field. Memphis had rarely seen the likes of Allison Kimball.





Stylish and quick witted, Allison had friends in high places. In the early 70's you might find her at the Carlyle Hotel in New York or on the estate of friends in Middleburg, Virginia.  She went to the races in Deauville and the yearling sales in Saratoga. It was during this time that she began collecting Hermes scarves and D.Porthault linens.


Allison, right, with friends Betsy and Richard Ohrstrom in Deauville, France


In the 80's Allison divided her time between Memphis and Cottage #1, Round Hill, Jamaica. She always said that Round Hill was her favorite place in the world!!

Like many beautiful women of the time, she was influenced by the great style icons of the 20th century. In Memphis she shopped at Francis Wright where she bought clothes from the designers Norman Norrell, Halston, Geoffrey Beene, to name a few. Her collection of Hermes scarves is impressive-and she knew how to wear them!
This girl had style.


With the Hamiltons in the 70s. From left to right Bill Hamilton, Allison, unidentified man, Ann 'Teensy" Hamilton, George Hamilton, and Lynn 



Tragically, Allison died of cancer in 1993. She made a profound impression on everyone who knew her and is deeply missed. 

Following are some of the things she owned that are for sale at www.vandm.com/gabrielgibson. Many were passed down to her from her grandmother who was an antiques dealer and jeweler in Knoxville, Tennessee, and some were collected by her. All are examples of her exquisite taste and unerring style.



A Pair of 18th Century Fruitwood Tea Caddies




18Kt Gold and Diamond Brooch



Gold Tiffany (not marked, but purchased at Tiffany ) Earrings with an unusual clasp. This clasp has been identified as patented by Tiffany.
A Pair of D. Porthault Cotton Hand Towels


Hermes Scarf, 1963-LVDOVICVS-MAGNVS


Hermes Scarf, 1963-LVDOVICVS-MAGNVS


Hermes Scarf, 1960s, By Philippe Ledoux 


Hermes Scarf, The Hunt Scene


This Hermes scarf is probably the most wearable of all of Allison's scarves. The soft gray, tan, and pink are tres chic! 

Hermes Scarf, 1968 by Cathy Latham 


Celine Scarf


All images of Allison courtesy of Lynn Barrasso and can not be published or copied without permission

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Rodarte Fall 2012-Forties and Fabulous!



Laura and Kate Mulleavy, designer sisters of the collection Rodarte, are about the most exciting designers to come along in a long time-except for Mary Katranzou, of course. 


Their Rodarte Fall 2012 collection is simply scrumptious. I want every single piece-and the body to go with them!


According to Sara Mower at Vogue.com, the Mulleavy sisters Fall Collection was inspired by the 1940s and Australia.  This is certainly evident, but not in that tired, caricaturist way that  designers usually use. No gigantic Joan Crawford shoulder pads here! These clothes are wearable and pretty.  


The sisters used a deep rich rust sometimes combined with black, and often with a pretty blue. Wide lapels, deep open armholes, soft boxy tops, double-breasted coats and jackets, and light swinging skirts, the 40s influence is not subtle here. But, divine it is!

Pretty blue belted jacket that just melts in your mouth


As a child I saved and preserved my mother's old clothes, (I was a curator even then) especially those from the 40s and 50s. Lucky me that my mother has always been a hoarder so there is plenty of vintage in her closet. One of my favorites is a deep rust wool dress from the late 40s that would fit right in with the Rodarte collection. My mother's dress has ¾ inch sleeves, a peter pan collar, is fitted at the waist with a bias-cut skirt that slightly swirls when you move. There is a double row of buttons down the front and deep pockets with wide cuffs at the openings.  


Claret, the hot color for fall 


Soft swinging skirt with a big comfortable sweater


Black and Rust-perfect!




The pinafore bodice is not my favorite, but  the more I look at it the more it grows on me-and I can see it on a younger person. The aboriginal design is fun.




Has an Art Deco feel.




This is the prettiest dress of the season.


Amazingly beautiful. Reminds me of those wonderful confections seen on Katherine Hepburn and Carol Lombard in the movies of the mid 30s.

The lightness of the fabric is what I love about this one. 






Kate and Laura Mulleavy 2012

All images are courtesy of www.Vogue.com. Check the collection out there for more beautiful designs. I love the sisters website at www.rodarte.net. Take a look.