Manus x Machina; Fashion in the Age of Technology

First Beach, Newport R.I.

Hello Lovelies!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Labor Day Weekend.  I got to spend some wonderful time in Newport with old and new friends, laughing, chatting, napping, eating lobster rolls, drinking lots of coffee and wine and honoring that age old tradition, perusing the Yellow Page like tomes, that make up the annual September Fashion Books.

I like to pretend that the stunning and stylish Kendall Jenner isn't really one of "them."  She seems stitched from a whole other family cloth and her 'off duty' street style never fails to impress; flat out fabulous, every time.

Though I had the entire summer, I was hoping against hope, that Manus  x Machina, Fashion in the Age of Technology, this years Met Costume Institute Exhibit was extended. As luck would have it, I and the rest of the tri-state area were in attendance, (no doubt after abandoning beach plans for the hurricane that wasn't). We got lucky. Labor Day was the end of its extended run.

It was nothing short of spectacular, exceeding all expectation.  I wrongly imagined that it was going to show the mechanical elements of design.  Instead, the exhibit focuses on the end product; the incredible creations that incorporate the handmade and the machine-made, primarily in the ateliers of the haute couture.

The 170 coutour designs featured were magnificent fabrics, embellished with embroidery, pleats, beads, hand and machine made flowers, sequins and raffia. Others were created solely from leather and feathers.  The imagination, vision and skill that is required to produce a single garment is artistry, and team and machine work at its best..

Chanel
Metallic Duck Feathers

Chanel

Raf Simons for Dior

Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen

Raf Simons for Dior

Monsieur Dior 1950's

Karl Lagerfeld's  2014 Wedding dress, Chanel Couture

             The 20 ft. train is ivory scuba knit material. The gold embroidery computer generated, than hand stitched. The rhinestones were printed by machine. Pearls and gemstones were applied by hand for the finishing touches.  Simply breath taking.

I almost didn't write about this, knowing some of you would feel badly about having missed it, but I was too inspired not to share my good fortune.

Andrew Bolton, the shows brilliant curator, did an overview on this YouTube video above. I hope you will enjoy it.

I no longer have to worry about Back To School Shopping thank God, but I did do my annual trek for my version of it, which includes starting off the fall "term", with a visit to CVS, Sephora and Ulta.

Naturally, there will be tales to tell...

Happy End of Summer.

xox,
DD

VIctoria Beckham Lust

VIctoria Beckham Lust by divadebbi

Victoria Beckham suede dress / Gianvito Rossi ankle boots, $1,120 / Victoria Beckham handbags tote, $1,270 / Victoria Beckham cat sunglasses / Acqua di Parma perfume fragrance /

Maybelline Master Precise Curvy Liner

Maybelline Master Precise Curvy Liner
$7.99

It's been 30 years now, and I still have not perfected the "cat eye"....in fact I haven't even come close.  I don't know if it's a geometry challenge, right angles and I don't align, or my semi challenged fine motor skills.

This new liner from Maybelline promises a line hugging applicator, that guarantees a thicker more dramatically lined lid and a tip that will provide the perfect "flick", ensuring a seamless cat eye.

There wasn't a chance on earth I wasn't trying it.

Nantucket

Nantucket by divadebbi featuring bohemian dresses

Maje bohemian dress, $350 / Aquazzura suede shoes, $595 / White purse / Linda Farrow aviator sunglasses, $410 / Dr Hauschka dr hauschka lipstick

Brow Mania; Micro Blading

Micro Blading. Before and After

I kept hearing the term "micro blading" and filed it under, note to self, do find out what this means. I knew it was brow and tattoo related, but I couldn't fathom how that could actually translate into fuller, more beautiful brows that look full and entirely natural.   Most tatooed brows unfortunately, look like they were created with a Sharpie.

When a friend posted her newly microbladed brows in a Selfie, I immediately sent a PM asking for the 411. Answer:  "Micro blading is a medical grade tattoo, applied with a small blade that creates hair like strokes.  It does require a touch up in a month, and generally lasts between 10-24 months.  Cost is about $800.

They looked spectacular!
Hmmmmm....

Is it pain free?  Not entirely, though the the numbing cream applied a half hour before significantly take the sting out.  Since this is a long term proposition, I would suggest sourcing an expert, who is licensed and going to someone whose handiwork you have seen in person.

I like how the woman's eyebrows look above, but with an expert shaping, grooming and some brow gel, I think similar looking results could be achieved.

Granted, they would go down the sink nightly.  I did a little dig work and found out that the number three most ordered item on Amazon is WunderBrow, a semi permanent waterproof eyebrow gel, that lasts 2 or 3 days.  It's available in 4 shades and costs $22.   WUNDERBROW contains, "an exclusive blend of hair-like fibers, combined with specifically treated pigments designed to fasten onto skin and hair."

I think I will start here...

What about you???  Do you see Micro Blading in your future???  Is it more maintenance and toil in your book, or would it give your freedom and pleasure to wake up with perfect brows???

xox,

DD

UPDATE!!!

The remarkable Lisa Topham is now offering Micro Blading at the Split Rock Aesthetic Institute in Wilton, CT. Call for your complimentary consultation!

Summer's Twilight

Summer's Twilight by divadebbi featuring a flower stem

Erdem tie neck blouse / Joie crochet shorts / Patent leather shoes / Balenciaga handbag, $1,865 / Byredo fragrance / Barclay Butera cream area rug / Pier 1 Imports flower stem

Style for Style

Style for Style by divadebbi featuring Pier 1 Imports

Tanya Taylor stripe dress / Gianvito Rossi brown booties, $1,050 / The Row hobo purse, $1,265 / Jennifer Fisher cuff earrings, $130 / Hermès hermes perfume / Pier 1 Imports floral decor

Want It

Want It by divadebbi featuring canvas home decor

N 21 cropped trousers / Dsquared2 leather sole shoes, $1,040 / Christian Louboutin leather man bag / Real Jewels earrings / Chloé eau de perfume / Pier 1 Imports canvas home decor

Kevin Aucoin The Eyelash Curler; Must You?

Kevin Aucoin Eyelash Curler
$21

Kind of...That is if if you want to achieve a big bump in curl that holds, directly from the lash line.

I have a 5 year old Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler.  For years, it was the Holy Grail of EC's by anyone's standards.  Why they chose to stop selling this iconic product at U.S. retailers is an enigma; profit, is good...No???  For die hards, you can still purchase it on their website though.

I am a little obsessed with my equally beauty obsessed cousin Karyn's lashes.   After seeing her recently, I wanted a full report on every product in her current arsenal.  She, unlike me, is someone who can successfully use Latisse, without looking like a bunch of fire ants march over her irises.  Her lashes are spectacular.

Besides that, she also uses Kevin Aucoin's The Eyelash Curler, which she swore was even more effective than her old Shu.

Good 'nuff for me...

Ballet Russe

Ballet Russe by divadebbi featuring stiletto shoes

STELLA McCARTNEY dress, $805 / Francesco Russo stiletto shoes / Gucci man bag / BaubleBar pendant necklace / Mac cosmetic