Styling Hillary

Styling Hillary by divadebbi 

I so wish, as a Stylist, that I had the opportunity to dress Hillary Clinton. It's not so far fetched...she lives in Chappaqua N.Y., which is about 15 miles from Richards of Greenwich, where I work as their Personal Shopper.

Mrs. Clinton has a tricky figure. Many women do. Few of us are perfect and even my loveliest of clients have specific figure flaws that recede, as we accentuate the positive...Tromp l'oeil.  Our french counterparts have it down to a science.

Above, is how I would have liked to have seen Mrs. Clinton dressed last night for the debate. The body dictates ALL, and hers would look best with a longer jacket, with a good shoulder, a lapel, a blouse with some softness and interesting details, a slim cut trouser and a good looking pump.


The Nina McLemore suits that Mrs. Clinton favors is not her best silhouette.  I looked on her website and found one that would be better far better for her.  Look how different the same style jacket looks, in a solid vs. a herringbone, sleeves turned up or down and with different underpinnings.  This jacket with a slim pant should be her uniform.

For evening it could be done in a beautiful velvet or silk brocade.

So, If you know anyone who knows anyone, do tell them Diva is available for consultation.  No need to mention I mentioned the "C" word..."Cankles"

We've heard enough derogatory phrases lately to last us for quite some time. The Man in the Red Sweater should win the Noble Peace Prize...He even facilitated a closing handshake. Amazing what showing a little kindness can do...

xox,
DD

What I Wore Today

DivaDebbi "What I Wore Today"

I have been a Personal Shopper and Stylist for the whole of my professional career. I feel blessed that my job is my joy and that so many clients, now friends, have been so loyal to me. Though many of my purchases are from Richards of Greenwich where I have work, like most women, I fill in here and there with items from all over; Zappos, J.Crew, Zara, Club Monaco etc...

The lag time between when I designer collection is shown and when it is "reinterpreted" at every price point, has shrunk from a season to a matter of days.  "Looks for Less" are everywhere and can be easily be achieved with the help of a stylist or inspiration from well curated magazines.

If it's within budget, there is nothing more satisfying then investing in beautiful, timeless pieces that can serve as the backbone of your wardrobe for many seasons. Case in point; the mink trimmed Loro Piana vest, paired with a navy Brunello Cucinelli skirt. The "cheat" here, is the navy silk Swiss dot J. Crew blouse, that I purchased in Boca 2 years ago...still wear it. Still love it.

For fun,  I will try to post "what I wore today" as often as I can, so you can get a sense of my personal style. I try to buy only what I love and give away or consign things I no longer wear, (trust me, you won't think twice about anything you finally purge.)

I so enjoy meeting new clients. My services are completely complimentary.  I will take the time to get to know your lifestyle needs, designer, fabric and color preferences and help you build a wardrobe of flattering ensembles, that will last for many seasons.

Once you enjoy the convenience of having me edit an entire store to suit your needs, and experience the talents our seamstresses provide, (with the guidance of my trained eye) you won't want to shop any other way!

Let's tawk!  Call me at (203) 622-0551. I am your most affordable luxury…

xox,
DD

A Sharp Eye; a feature on Polyvore and Moi!

A Polyvore tutorial from the Lifestyle website A Sharp Eye

A few weeks ago, my friend Nancy Ireland, co-creator of one of my must read websites A Sharp Eye emailed me for a bit of help with an article she was writing on Polyvore. Nancy knows I am a self described, "Polyvore addict". You have all seen my Polyvore fashion sets, because whenever I create one, I post it to my blog as well as Instagram.

Nancy's website, A Sharp Eye, is a fun. informative daily read that gives you the 411 on all things cutting edge on topics such as travel, entertaining, fashion, events and happenings, gifts, technology, health, family and philanthropy.

I love love love websites that synthesize the world for me. A Sharp Eye, like my other daily read Need 2 Know, a news summary. are essentially my Cliff Notes on life. If you feel inundated with information, here are two places that take the toil out of keeping pace and I am ever grateful.

Nancy is also a wonderful client of mine at Richards. As her Personal Shopper, I have joyfully, attended to her and her families wardrobing needs for the last 15+ years. I also hope, I return the favor of simplifying her life, by taking the toil out of shopping; pairing down the trends, keeping my eye open for things that she will love and building on past purchases with new items to freshen them up. (For your complimentary appointment, please call me at 203 622 0551).


Imagine how pleased I was that Nancy decided to personalize her informative Polyvore piece, by siting DivaDebbi  as an example of how the site resonates professionally and personally for its users. You can read the entire article here.

Once again, she takes this oft misunderstood website, gives a synopsis of it's backstory and explains to the lay person, how you to can bring the shopping world to your finger tips in just a few strokes.

Case in point;  when I was one of the keynote speakers for the Breast Cancer Alliance luncheon in 2012, peplums were having a moment. I got it in my head that in October, I wanted to wear a pink peplum dress. Good luck finding it...

But find it I did! I was able to use Polyvore's shopping site to find something in minutes, that I could have fruitlessly shopped for, for weeks.  5 minutes later, a pink peplum dress was ordered and on it's way to me from Matches in London.

DivaDebbi and friends
Breast Cancer Alliance Luncheon 2012

So here's to friends and all the tips we share to make every day of our fast paced lives, just a little bit easier.

Happy reading, happy shopping and my thanks, Nancy...

xox,
DD

Blogger DivaDebbi's Must-Haves for Fall

Blogger DivaDebbi's Must-Haves for Fall by divadebbi 

This is the time of year when my clients and friends want the short list of what the hottest trends for Fall.  Despite loving our summer fun, there is something intoxicating about Fall clothes to wit; I have tons of early bird clients at Richards, who couldn't care less that the mercury is hovering above 90. Bring on the suede, cashmere, fur, velvet, brocade and boots. Love you Girls, and I'm right there with you.

It dawned on me last night, that I could use Polyvore to create a set that would give you a visual tutorial on Fall's must-haves.  In addition, here's what else you will be seeing a lot of in both magazines and in stores.

The Joy of Styling

The Joy of Styling by divadebbi 

Brunello Cucinelli pintuck top / Chanel blazer / Alice + Olivia brown stretch pants / Lanvin ankle boots / Yves Saint Laurent leather handbag / Brunello Cucinelli necklace, $1,335 / Hermès wide bangle / Gorgeous Cosmetics palette eyeshadow / Ilia thickening mascara, $29 / Tocca fragrance 

It's the calm before the storm time for me...I'm enjoying the last of summer, along with my clients this week, but I'm already bracing myself for September's marathon.

Let's face it, women love Fall clothes.  They are rich and substantial in color, hue and fabrication.  They literally caress the senses; think buttery suede, luscious cashmere, fluid silk velvet, richly textured brocades and crisp cotton.

I'm so fortunate to love my work at Richards of Greenwich, where I have been their Personal Shopper for the last 12 years. I have the most loyal and wonderful clients, who trust me to help them every season to cull our collections and style them individually, to meet the needs of their busy lifestyles.

When I think of women like Olivia Palermo, who are incredibly versed in fashion and completely confident in her choices, I reminded of several of my own clients who have just that sort of knack.  

Don't think for a second that Olivia does it alone...there are lots of me's out their helping her do the legwork.  Lucky Girls--they have the second best job in the world...

xox,
DD

The Amazing World of Brunello Cucinelli

The Amazing World of Brunello Cucinelli by divadebbi

This weekend, we are hosting the Women's and Men's Fall 2013 Brunello Cucinelli Trunk Show at Richard in Greenwich.

Brunello Cucinelli's luxe, elegant, functional clothing please men and women of all ages who appreciate there ease and beauty.  Our clients tend to collect items and wear them season after season, mixing them seamlessly with their new purchases.

Their team works very closely with ours; a lovely collaboration between two great family businesses. We always look forward to bi-annual these three day events.  If you live in or near Greenwich, stop in tomorrow and enter the world of Brunello Cucinelli for a bit...

It's an amazing place...

xox,
DD

Just Browsing... Yet Again

As you know, one of my favorite beauty blogs is written by my friend Kari Solyntjes who created Fab Over Forty at just about the same time I started DivaDebbi in 2008.  For me, it's a daily must read and I highly recommend subscribing.

A little over a month ago, Kari posted a blog about an experience she had when she was having her hair colored. Her salon had just hired a new brow guru and he suggested that the fastest way too achieve thicker looking, lush brows would be to tint them.  

Kari was game and was amazed and delighted with the results. She found that the tint gave life to all those nearly invisible tail hairs...Naturally this story brewed in my head.  It's really a no brainer if you think about it, so why isn't it suggested more frequently???

Cropped Trousers

Cropped Trousers by divadebbi

I am crazy about the crop trouser trend that cropped up first, naturally, in Europe and has worked its way the the States. I even spotted cropped trousers at Fashion Week, despite inclement weather that put a serious crimp in my footwear attire, others braved the cold and slush and worked them like mad.

I created this set for a Polyvore contest.  Win or lose, I still love the look. I first noticed it back in December when I saw them featured in The Row's spring collection at a trunk show at Richards. My more fashion forward clients immediately ordered them. The collection is now on the floor and they are flying out the door...good thing I snagged my own pair.

I plan on living in them, so if you get tired of seeing me in them, zip it!

xox,
DD

The Row: City Chic, Country Chic

City Chic, Country Chic by divadebbi 

This look is inspired by the whistle clean, luxe fashion that is consistently being designed by the Olsen Twins for their collection The Row.  It can be appear deceptively simple, but it is, oh so chic. 

Our clients at Richards in Greenwich and Mitchells in Westport  are embracing their personal aesthetic of perfectly cut, wearable pieces.  They are not inexpensive, but there is nothing that you would not want to wear season after season, with their clothes and mixed with your other favorites.

OK, maybe 34k  for the alligator handbag is a bit out of reach for most mortals, but it is drool worthy none-the-less.

The pure talent here cannot be denied...

xox,

DD

January WAG Magazine: What Do Stylish Women Wear Relaxing at Home?

• 
  The model sports an outfit from the Vince collection available at Richards in Greenwich and Mitchell's in Westport.

By Debbi O'Shea

When WAG asked me to write about what fashionable women wear when relaxing at home with a good book (or not), my first thought was my own stripped-down, go-to outfit – Lululemon yoga pants and a Majestic T-shirt. What else would there be to write about?

Apparently, plenty. I was fascinated by the array of answers I got when I posed this question to my clients at Richards in Greenwich. I think some of the answers were rooted in tradition and others were trailblazing along the way. The interesting thing was that my clients were still dressing with a purpose, even in their own homes and among family.
Here are some of the responses that I got:

“Now that we are empty-nesters, I feel it’s respectful to my husband to sit down or go out to dinner in whatever attire I wore during the day. I’m still active in the community and I sometimes travel with my art group to the city. He’s working hard all day, very often still in a suit. I want to look pulled together when he gets home, not like I have been lounging while he toils.”

•••

“With four kids, I sometimes feel like my day is just beginning when they get out of school. With sports, homework and staying on top of everyone’s schedule, I am always on the go. Still, I want to look pulled together and fashionable. My new go-to line is Vince. The leggings look chic, but they are incredibly comfortable. Whatever tops and sweaters they make are always just right for the season and the palette usually goes together. I know my girls are proud that their mom looks somewhat cool and I like the fact that I don’t look like I’m trying too hard.”

•••

“We are a very athletic family and I am a bit of a workout fanatic.
Basically, I am always in some form of exercise clothing and that just seems normal to everyone. I’m also not one for a lot of makeup and most of the time I will just pull my hair back in a ponytail. When we get dressed to go out to events, inevitably someone always says, ‘Wow. You clean up well.’ When they were younger, my kids were confused by it. Now they just laugh.”

•••

Lastly, “I’ve always been a jeans, boots and T-shirt or cashmere sweater type. I’m from out west originally and that’s how I grew up. It’s my uniform. My husband is the clotheshorse and I know he would like me to change things up, but what you see is what you get. If he had dreams of changing me, I hope he’s not disappointed. Opposites attract I guess, because we are going on 23 years of happy marriage.”

I’ve always said, “You never know what’s really going on in someone else’s bedroom or bank account.” Evidently, I can include closet to that adage as well.

For more beauty and fashion from DivaDebbi, please visit DivaDebbi.com.

My Birthday Set 10-20

My Birthday Set 10-20 by divadebbi 

Today is my Birthday! I am so happy to be celebrating it with family and friends. I created this set, thinking of my Mom Joan.  She loves to paint and instilled her sense of joy about art and color in me.  When I was little, I leaved through a lovely little bound book she had on Degas until it was dog eared.  His dancer sets in particular mesmerized me.  This set is for you Mama with all my love!

Tonight is the Greenwich Hospital Gala, and my wonderful employers, the Mitchell Family, are being honored.  I am so glad I will be there to see them celebrated for their incredible generosity to the community.

Thursday, is the annual Breast Cancer Alliance fashion show and luncheon at the Greenwich Hyatt. Richards, in another show of generosity, is the chief underwriter.  Close to 900 women will gather to support this incredible organization.  I cannot describe the amount of work that goes into       making this day successful...literally, it takes a village. This years Chairs, Annie Amato, Terrie Henry, Kim Augustine and Mary Jeffery have worked tirelessly and I just know it may be the best one yet!

I am very honored to be speaking about survivorship along with the talented author Lee Woodruff,  wife of Bob Woodruff.

All in all, a busy week, filled with celebrations.  Life is good!

xox,
DD

WAG MAGAZINE: Accesories Make the Man

Photo of a gentleman in Zegna courtesy of Richards catalog
 by Sergio Kunajek

I hesitated for about 4 seconds when my editor at WAG Magazine asked me to write an article about Men's Accessories for their August issue.

My forte is women's ready-to-wear, but my roots are in menswear.  Compared to the lightning speed that it takes women's trends to transform our consciousness, men's trends evolve slowly.  It then take a few years to really change the landscape of how they dress.

15 minutes into my research, I knew I was on very solid ground...

                                                    Accessories Make the Man
By Debbi OShea

I thought I landed my dream job when I got out of college. Always outgoing, I imagined a job in human resources would be a perfect fit for me. The fact that I would be working for a world-renowned cosmetic company made it even sweeter.

What I hadn’t anticipated was being buried in the benefits department under piles of health claims. The highlight of my day became spending every nickel I was earning at the “company store” where they provided a generous discount.

It was soon time for a Plan B. I decided to take a second job, working Saturdays in the men’s accessories department at Paul Stuart, the luxe emporium of traditional men’s and women’s clothing. At this time, Barney’s was downtown and Bergdorf’s men’s store had not even been conceived. Basically, Paul Stuart owned Madison Avenue and every day was a party.  After one last visit to the “company store,”  (where I stockpiled a year’s worth of cosmetics), I handed in my resignation and went to work for Paul Stuart full-time.

It was there that I learned about collar and tie widths, how to fold a pocket square, and the difference between an alligator and a crocodile belt. (Alligator tends to be thicker, softer and more symmetrical in pattern).

Years later, I work for Richards of Greenwich, another spectacular retailer, as their women’s personal shopper. Of course from time to time, I still dabble in men’s wear.

Interestingly, almost all the same finishing touches still apply:

Sweet Dreams are made of these...

Sweet Dreams are made of these... by divadebbi 

This whimsical, wonderful Hermes photograph of a woman as a butterfly was featured in Richards Spring Catalog.  The beauty of this image stayed with me, so I saved it, knowing at some point I would find away to express why.  


Sweet dreams...


xox,
DD

A Perfect Pairing: Irene Neuwirth and Yigal Azrouel

                                                                             

A few weeks ago at Richards in Greenwich Ct, we decided to doubly delight our clients by hosting a Spring 2012 trunk show that paired two uber talents, Irene Neuwirth, the L.A. based jewelry designer and Yigal Azrouel, the handsome Israeli born designer of French Moroccan descent, and let the sparks fly.  Stylists; take note. It was a perfect storm.

Quickly, it became evident that Irene's intensely colored, powerful gems, with their bold, modern appeal (frequently featured on the Red Carpet by superstars like Iman, Reese Witherspoon, Sheryl Crow, Sharon Stone, Zoe Saldana, Marisa Tomei and Lea Michele),  would be the perfect accompaniment to Yigal's ultra feminine, clean modern silhouettes. 

Guests munched on brioches stuffed with lobster and sipped champagne, while Yigal and Irene collaborated on accessorizing the models that strolled through the store, meeting and greeting guests and helping with selections.

Yigal Azrouel assisting a client

Naki Halepas, Irene Neuwirth, Linda Huston

Yigal Azrouel and CeCe Thomas

Clearly, everyone had a fabulous time and Irene and Yigal enjoyed it so much, we will be repeating the magic on the West Coast at our Wilkes Bashford locations in the future.

My friend Stacey, who writes the spectacular, oft quoted and tweeted  Quintessence Blog, also attended the event.  In addition to her amazing photographs of Irene's work, she spent time with Irene and writes a fabulous piece about her inspiration, technique and booming success. It's a lovely read, and I encourage you to click the link above to see for yourself.

One of the websites I couldn't go a day without visiting is Catherine Kallon aka Fashion Critic's, Red Carpet Fashion Awards. One of Time Magazine's top Bloggers of 2011, FC brings us a prolific amount of International coverage of the Red Carpet, plus her own informed opinions on the success of the total image; dress, shoes, accessories, hair and makeup. One of these days, maybe soon, Reese, Halle, Lea or another lovely will appear confidently chic, dressed in Yigal with some gorgeous bling designed by Irene...

Here's hoping.

xox,
DD









How to Sell Boots in the Dead Heat of Summer

How did we all function before cell phones?  The ability to email, text and send pictures in a nano can be both a blessing and curse, but I must confess--I love being this plugged in.


One of the things I use it for most, is to send pictures of things I know my clients need or would adore.  After 17 years of wardrobing many of them, my instincts are honed like an ax..  I sent a picture of these Rocco P. boots to my friend and client Abby.  She bought a similar pair from Duccio Del Ducco last year and lived in them.

Something about this smokey grey boot with cocoa undertones just looked new and neutral to me... so I snapped this photo and attached it to a mobile text and said, "You MUST come visit these"!!!

Falling in Love: Fall Trends at Richards 2011

Giorgio Armani Milan Runway Fall 2011

How can it be? Poof! Summer is nearly gone...What can I say to cheer me you up???  Well, for starters, Fall is looking mighty luscious!!!  As the new collections pour into Richards, the prevalence of certain trends becomes obvious.  It's always interesting to see which collective fabrics and colors seep into the consciousness of the design community and how cohesive the results are. Great like minds do think alike.

Here are some of the trends you can look forward to seeing at Mitchells Stores:

Miracles do Happen: A Sexy Dress WITH a Sleeve

Why do most dresses look better without a sleeve???  How is it possible that a few inches of fabric can make a fabulous "Audrey" dress look like something  June Cleaver would wear, while scrabbling eggs for Wally and the Beave?

As Richards Personal Shopper, I can tell you it's a universal conundrum.  There are times, like mid-January or when you are slacking at the gym, when a sleeveless dress just won't do.  


That's why I was thrilled when this gorgeous, versatile cashmere dress from German designer Talbot Runhof arrived...with a sleeve:

Fashion Passion at Richards

Yesterday I posted about writing more about my "truest passion"; fashion.  Summer is always a quiet time in retail, as clients are busy "summering" abroad, out West, in the Hampton's and Nantucket.  True to the strangeness of the delivery cycles in fashion, it may be 92 degrees out, but we are already ga ga over the full out fall collections that are arriving daily at Richards.

This week we received some new cocktail dresses from J. Mendel  that simply took my breath away.  While Gilles Mendel was originally best known for his exquisite furs, his evolution into Ready-to-Wear as followed a meteoric path.  Here is how N.Y. Magazine describes the J.Mendel label:

Founded in 1870 in Paris by Joseph Breitman, a furrier to the Russian aristocracy, J. Mendel is one of the rare luxury brands to remain family-owned. Today, the fifth-generation Gilles Mendel acts as CEO and head designer, and the label is now based in New York. In addition to fur, the brand now encompasses a full women’s ready-to-wear line, which originated practically by accident; to detract PETA protesters from staking out his first flagship boutique on Madison Avenue in the mid-nineties, Mendel created simple sheaths to display in the store windows at night. Collections now run the spectrum from luscious chiffon dresses and sleek canvas trenches to tweed suiting and red-carpet gowns.

Talk about silver linings!

I fell madly in love with this new chiffon and satin cocktail dress and I styled it as I would dream of wearing  or selling it:

J. Mendel Cocktail Dress ($2990)

I would wear it with this gorgeous Rene Caovilla platform evening shoe:

Rene Caovilla Evening Shoe ($1075)

And accessorize it with this Irene Neuwirth `rainbow moonstone and pale amythest bracelet set in pink gold:

Irene Neuwirth Bracelet ($6535)

For earrings I would prefer something dangling and would have a hard time choosing between the Kimberly McDonald pink geode earring, set in rose gold and surrounded by pave diamonds or the more delicate Sylva & Cie rose gold, hand wrought  diamond scroll earrings:

Kimberly McDonald Geode Earrings($9800) Sylva & Cie Earrings (7500)

Beautiful, no???  Which would you choose???

A girl can dream, but she can purchase too!

xox,
DD

Sometimes The Glass Slipper is a Dress...

I had a wonderful Girls Day in NYC on Monday.  My friend Jeannie organized it and in addition to our mutual pals Nancy and Abby, I  got the chance to know Mona and Julie better.  We took advantage of Restaurant Week and chose something relatively close to the Met, which in response to enormous demand,  was opened to allow  more people to be able to see the extraordinary Alexander McQueen exhibit (round two for me), before it closes on August 7th.  Our lunch was delicious, but was marred by a most unfortunate snarly waitress with hygiene issues. In a nutshell, OY VEY!

Mona works for a major beauty corporation and nicely, is a fan of my Blog.  She asked me why I write so much about beauty and if I feel more passionately about it than fashion.  To her point, it would appear that way, but in reality, I've never wept over a new moisturizer, or broken out in spontaneous goosebumps over a lipstick launch.  I have, however,done that many times, when I have been overwhelmed by the beauty of a new collection.  I cried and hyperventilated just the other day, so I thought I would share it with you what got me so crazy:

Martha and Me (and maybe You)!

Remarkably, I actually have two things in common with the original Domestic Goddess Martha Stewart.    It certainly isn't gardening, since I have aversion to dirt and worms.  And it definitely isn't baking as I have even managed to screw up Duncan Heinz brownies, (fyi: Extra Virgin Olive Oil does not count as vegetable oil).

What we do share is a relationship with the delightful Annie Fisher, her stylist for The Martha Stewart Show and a personal client of mine, who also shops with me at Richards occasionally for Martha. Martha and me also share an affinity for Dr. Gerald Imber's Youth Corridor.  Dr. Imber, is one of N.Y.'s most renowned Plastic Surgeons, with a long list of celebrity clients alledgedly.  I read his no nonsense paperback book The New Youth Corridor (The Guide to Timeless Beauty), from cover to cover about a year ago.  It is chock full of information about prevention and maintenance tips for healthy skin, with specific assessments for treatments for different ages. My favorite of his no-no's???...Don't Run.  Dr. Imber believes the continuous pounding leads to skin laxity and sunken faces.  Phew!!! A great excuse reason to avoid an aerobic activity I hate.  Thanks Doc!

For me, the star of the Youth Corridor regimen is the Skin Brightener with Botanicals and AHA (alpha hydroxy acid).  It is housed in an ocean blue glass vile, with a rubber tipped squeeze dropper.  If I had to guess, I would imagine it is to protect the potency and stabilization of the Skin Brightener and the dropper helps keep the "dosing" exact.  The consistency of this shimmering, opaque fluid is cool to the touch.  Just 3 drops gets my skin glowing and radiant each morning and the hydroquinone free formula works to lighten age spots and freckles.

When it fell to the bathroom floor the other morning, I actually contemplated salvaging it!  (Who knows??? Maybe glass shards would make an excellent exfoliator)!.  Fortunately, I came to my senses, but for $95 bucks, you would have thought about it too...admit it.

I contacted  the P.R. executive who represents Dr. Imber and nicely asked if they would replace it.  I also asked, since I LOVE this product so much, if they would consider doing a giveaway for my readers. Nice and nicer, they not only agreed to both requests, but they are offered to provide two Skin Brighteners for my giveaway!!!

How can you double your chances of winning?  Help me continue to grow my readership and email this blog to your BFF...then split it!  Every person who leaves a comment will have a chance to win.  I will pick the winners randomly on Monday May 2nd at 8 p.m.  Good luck to all and don't for get to check back to see if you won... and if you did, just remember to "handle with care".

xox,
DD