Letters, Lines and Limitless Creativity: The World of Nicolas Ouchenir
“ Calligraphy is the ultimate synthesis of what I love: language, art and human connection” The invitation came to me on my iPad. Black letters in a straightforward, standard business font: “You are invited to meet Nicolas Ouchenir, the calligrapher who creates the invitations for Fashion Week, for a private appointment.” I thought it a […]
“Then and Now:” Dior’s Reimagined Fashion Timeline
“…in the movies Paris is designed as a background for only three things — love, fashion shows and revolution ” Jeanine Basinger The Dior show began on a brilliant, crisp early spring day. Traffic converged on the Place de la Concorde as hundreds of bystanders crowded around, hoping for a glimpse of celebrities. The […]
Louvre Couture: The Art of Fashion in Conversation with History
“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” Chanel There are exclamation points in Paris that exemplify the constant conversation between all things involved with design, fashion and style — which is to […]
Fashioned in Silver: Christofle’s Everlasting Elegance
“There are three responses to a piece of design — Yes, no and WOW! Wow is the one to aim for.” Milton Glaser Le Musée des Arts Décoratifs is a favorite of mine in Paris. The subjects are often surprising and always imaginative, well researched and presented and informative. On display until April 20, 2025 […]
Stitch in Time: The Evolution of Paris Fashion Week from Haute Couture to Digital Runways
“Fashion is a part of the world and part of history. It’s not a meaningless swirl of meaningless clothes. They (clothes) reflect the times.” Valerie Steele Paris is the city I return to again and again. It never fails to interest, inform and influence. The next four months will find me ensconced at Hotel Lutetia on […]
JoJo Jones: Owning the Stage and Style – The Power of Western Fashion
“Happiness, not in another place but this place… not for another hour, but this hour.” – Walt Whitman I’m interviewing JoJo Jones, a phenomenal entertainer based in Central Florida who keeps her schedule packed with gigs seven days a week, all year long. I was lucky enough to catch her on her rare day off. […]
The A to Z of Personal Style: Your Guide to a Thoughtfully Curated Wardrobe
Purely Personal For Me invites you on a journey to rediscover your style with A to Z: A Word-a-Day, a thoughtful guide designed to help you embrace your unique fashion identity. This daily inspiration will encourage you to “Raise Your Spirit With Style.” We focus on mindful style choices—assessing past wardrobe decisions, balancing needs with […]
The Power and Passion of Red: A Journey Through History, Culture, and Fashion
“Bright reds — scarlet, pillar-box red, crimson or cherry — … There is certainly a red for everyone” Christian Dior Red is PrimaryIt is the first color human infants perceive (after the non-colors black and white).Red is one of three primary colors – the other two are yellow and blue.Red is the first color word in […]
Calorie free Fashion Feast : Fun with Fashion Vocabulary 3.0
“Happy people make good food and fashion” Peter Cameron LEG O’ MUTTON SLEEVE: The leg o’ mutton sleeve is proof that a shapely leg turns heads — even a sheep’s leg, which is what the sleeve is named for (mutton is an old Anglo word for sheep meat). Beginning at the shoulder, the sleeve is […]
First Ladies of Style: Timeless Fashion Lessons from the White House
“ The First Lady must be a leader.She must not be a follower.” Oleg Cassini In rejecting Monarchy and a class of royals, America still desired respect and legitimacy from the well established courts of Europe. Originally seen as an uncouth backwater, it fell to the wives of our political leaders to represent the character […]