Clean Slate

When it comes to make-up I'm incredibly indecisive, despite my background in fashion. I hop around from brand to brand, product to product, color to color. Yet one item I've been using for years and have always been satisfied with is Lancome's Bi-Facial make-up remover. It works on everything— even waterproof mascara and lip stain— without leaving behind that gross, greasy feeling. I was talking to a Lancome rep the other day who said that some clients claim it's too strong. But take it from someone with the most sensitive skin around... Seriously, when I was little, classmates thought it was fun to "draw" on me, i.e. make welts shaped like letters, flowers, small animals and other kiddie paraphernalia. Yeah, I know. But I digress. If the old Bi-Facial leaves me unharmed, my bet is you too shall remain unscathed. Not to mention free of raccoon eyes for all time.

Image from Lancome

Let Me Count the Ways...

Cream Check Lace Woven Scarf, Burberry

Crocodile Scarf, YSL

Blue Hera Silk Scarf, Liberty of London

I love the way women wear their scarves. It says so much about a person or their mood- doubled-folded, knotted around the neck, thrown carelessly about the shoulders, tied onto a Birkin, and so on. Liberty, my favorite London department store, has one of the most impressive stocks I've ever seen. And as Liberty has always been praised for their prints- everyone from Cacheral to Topshop has used their archive- it only makes sense that their collection would be the best around. When I visited a couple months ago, I had a chance to see their renovated scarf room. Yes, a scarf room. Hold me now. They carry everyone from little known British designers to Givenchy to twillies made from their famous fabrics. Ah, indecision!

Images from Liberty.co.uk

Shop for Good

Top Marks

Looking at a Christopher Kane collection feels very much a sexual act for me. I practically crave a cigarette afterwards- and I don't even smoke. His newest work for Topshop might not reach the Big O level of his own line, but it certainly provides quick satisfaction. But who would expect more for $60-310? I particularly like that he included the signature animal graphic dress. Because let's be honest, even a clothes horse like me doesn't want to shell out $1,000 for an oversized t-shirt with a gator on it. We have those in FL, after all. Other highlights are his mirrored leggings, sweet and tough cardigan and hardware-laden bags. And don't forget the see-through mirrored dress. That one makes me want to pull a GaGa.

Photos from TheCut.com

Style Is Eternal

GC, Back in the Day

One of Her Most Celebrated Shoots

GC Currently

In the hoopla surrounding the release of The September Issue documentary, it's been interesting to see the personalities of editors come through. From my brief experience in fashion and magazines, our industry isn't as full of characters as Project Runway and The Devil Wears Prada would have you believe. In fact, most fashion people are intensely creative and hate the spotlight. Think the awkward, emo kid who liked to draw in the back of math class. However, it's fitting that Vogue, as a larger than life publication, has a larger than life staff. At this point, Anna is as legendary as Coco Chanel and as much of a caricature as Lagerfeld. Equal parts fact and fiction. The film and its recent publicity stints have done nothing to change that.

Her sidekick, the ever gorgeous and talented Grace Coddington, has proven to be true to her reputation as well. Grace, a former model, still loves the clothes she works with and is apparently the last major creative director who dresses her girls herself. I love the scene in The September Issue where she pushes and shoves a belted sweater to get it just right, practically lifting the model off the ground. I certainly don't doubt the talent and authenticity of people like Anna and Lagerfeld- in some cases I'm even their hugest fan. But I love to see someone who is as openly passionate about this job as I am- who seems unembarrassed and happy to be there. Perhaps that's why, at 16 or 60, Grace has appeared at the top of her field. She might be buckling instead of posing in the shoes now, but don't let that fool you. She still wears the pants.

Photos from Vogue