Beulah My Mind!!

Every girl knows it’s hard to find a good knockoff. Whether it’s a purse or a dress we are always self-conscious that everyone will be able to tell its fake. That’s why I was stunned when I saw the Beulah knockoff of an ALC by Andrea Lieberman black dress. I actually had to do a double take to make sure the orders had not gotten mixed up. This stunning number is a flash back to the mod days. With a turtleneck like collar, long billowy sleeve, and short flirty cut, this dress is above the rest. And what is even more exciting is that at the Beulah dress only retails for $92.00. Compare that to the ALC price of $599.00. If there is one knockoff to buy this year, it’s the Beulah High Neck Retro Dress!

Prada: A Love Story

I am often asked how or why I got into fashion. For me it was not an obvious choice for a career. I loved dressing my dolls and coming up with new creative styles for them, I use to actually make clothes for my poor dog and make her model them while I took photos. I liked the process of picking my clothes out the night before school. I thought this was the same for everyone.

I think when you are kid, whether you are fascinated by the guitar, or reading, or science, you don't realize that you actually like it more than most others. So when I went to college I chose a safer more guaranteed path, or so I thought. I was definitely the most styled and trend focused of my colleagues, granted the "key" pieces to my wardrobe consisted of express, limited and other mall purchases. I had a talent for pulling pieces together but no reference for true design

Until one day...I was in Italy, working. I flew into Milan, I had never been to Italy and was required to be there for 3 months or longer. Oh what fate! After checking in to my hotel I decided to spend my Saturday afternoon strolling the streets of Milan, sure I had heard of the fashion houses, but it was not my vocabulary.

I window shopped, I looked around, and then quite out of nowhere this beautiful building appeared with simple silver letters P-R-A-D-A on a black awning. I was mesmerized. I was so transfixed by the window display that I am sure my jaw actually dropped to the ground. I had all of these feelings, I was rushed with warmth, I had butterflies in my stomach as I stepped across the threshold, my heart was beating rapidly, I started to perspire.

I heard of this happening, but never thought it would happen to me. It was love at first site. As I approached the first rack of clothing I felt breathless. Brocade, soft silky prints, the most beautiful, exquisite works of art were awaiting my touch. I so obediently obliged and in a whirl of wine, and hours of trying on every imaginable piece I could, I bought half the collection. The brocade dress, pants, skirt, jacket and top. The pajama print skirt and blouse, shoes, jackets, oh my god!

I left feeling exhausted and elated, I needed a cigarette. When I got back to the hotel I laid out each piece, admiring them individually and together, fantasizing about our future together. Prada has since become a fixture in my life, just like a good partner. When I'm down her shining gold threads still make me smile. The relationship is just like any other, some seasons it's amazing and breathtaking, and other seasons it's like she doesn't know me at all.

Prada taught me about fit and design, the importance of fabric choices. The experience transformed the way I saw fashion. No more clothes just to fill an empty closet, but rather pieces that made me look and feel like the woman I am inside.

More than a decade after our first joyous meeting, Prada is the first runway show I review, the first place I go for inspiration as a designer, the first place I turn to in my own wardrobe. My only wish for her is that she wasn't so far from me. And now here she is, opening a store in South Coast Plaza next year, just for me (well okay for everyone).

Thank you, Prada. I love you.

Saturday August 22nd 9:00pm

Sutra Lounge & Kovet Boutique

Join Kovet this Saturday, August 22nd at 9:00. I am requesting all my local ladies join us as Kovet Boutique hosts a night at the Sutra Lounge in Newport Beach. Stay tuned for a fashion show at Sutra in October!! See you all Saturday night!!

For directions please click on the link below:

http://sutra.systemtwilight.com/flash/

The Messenger Bag

I met Ray B. when I was traveling to Chicago for a fashion show. He styles everyone's hair and I was in a major hair crisis.

We began talking about design and eventually he directed the subject to an impossible to find messenger bag. Both of us being seasoned travelers we had the same experience; not wanting to look like a tourist, but still having something practical to carry everything from maps to cameras and all the extras.

On my return from Chicago I then encountered several clients who were also traveling and feeling the same frustrations. Added to that were the College Freshman looking for the perfect bag to take away on their new journey.

There were many prototypes that were a miss, there was the flap that was more frustration than security. The all-together wrong strap when I tried weaving the fabric. And all the failed closures.

After trails and errors I have settled on this design you see, available in 3 colors; nutmeg, kohl, and putty. Each bag can be folded over to be worn over the shoulder, or when traveling use the long strap across your body. It comes complete with pockets and interior zipper compartments. I can fit my laptop, cell phone, wallet, keys, energy bars and bottle of water! So whether for work or for fun this is going to be my staple bag this season. I just can't decide which color I like most, luckily at only $52.00 I can get more than one!

The day this messenger bag debuted in the store I sold 6 bags, to both men and women. How did I get in the handbag business?

Thanks Ray, this ones for you!

The "Ray" is available exclusively at Kovet Boutique in limited quantities for $52.00.

The Perfect Summer Dress

I remember walking down Via Regio (a coastal town near Pisa) in mid-August. The weather was amazing, the beach soft, but something was missing...the perfect summer dress. I searched everywhere and could only find either caftans (I am much too young to pull off the yacht look), or dancing dresses.

Until one brilliant day after a long siesta I came across this quaint boutique on a side street, more for the local neighborhood than the tourist boardwalk. It was small and featured long dresses in all sorts of colors and fabrics, silks, cottons, linens and brilliant printed polys. I left the store with 5 treasures.

They have been in my closet for 4 years now and every summer they enjoy their romps in the sun, being complimented by everyone who meets their aquaintance.

Yes, they have taken on a life of their own. In fact they were my muse this summer, lending their effortless style, to make an impact in my little boutique in Corona Del Mar. As they continue to filter in over the next month I know my customers will be as mesmerized as I was by the comfort and elegance that each piece shares.

The cure for any summertime fashion crisis. Always pair your maxi dress with a flat sandal and layer with necklaces.

Ciao!

The dresses above retail for $68.00-$78.00

Mary Lou's Vintage...not your mama's broach!

I was definitely a fan of the amazing vintage find of the 90's. I would hunt tirelessly to all the Salvation Army's and Antique malls to sift through tons of used "stuff" to find that one amazing score. Today the hunt is different. I want that vintage find, but I don't have time to drive around, tailor it for me, etc, etc. So, when I came across Mary Lou's Vintage I knew that worlds were colliding.


Last week I was searching the web and cameacross a photograph of an amazing 70's jumpsuit (for the record I am in love with anything that is a one piece, it makes the fashion crisis much smaller). I don't know what came over me, I got butterflies in my stomach, I went weak in the knees, I blushed, I was..in love. I had to have this piece in my closet NOW. I did a mad search until I finally found the phone number for Billy of Mary Lou's Vintage.

I explained the ensem and after emails and photos and phonecalls I am blogging wearing my new piece! Along with my new fashion obsession, Billy left me an amazing assortment of necklaces, rings, headbands and bracelets. They are all from beautiful vintage pieces that would have previously been ignored in a buerau had Janet and Billy not found them and reserrected them into glamorous pieces.

They are modern and unique and require no special company. I picture the more orante necklaces worn with a Kova & T shirt and Basic Jeans. Or, for me I'll be wearing my new jumpsuit with the necklace.






Necklaces range from $95-$155 in store
Rings from $55-95
Earrings $55-75
Headbands shown are all $55

The outfit that started it all!