What I Love About April

The Creatives: An Interview With Lynn Peterfreund

Luck is an odd thing. It happens when opportunity meets readiness, when you find a $20 folded up in the pocket of a jacket that you haven't worn in a couple of seasons, and when you win the door prize at bingo night (not that i have been to bingo night, but you know what I mean).  Good fortune on the other hand is what you hope for in the middle of the night when your fear of saying it out loud might just jinx it.  It brings us our livelihoods, our partners, our children, and our closest friends.  While the gods have smiled down on me a number of times in this regard,  they were having a full blown belly laugh in May 1985. That's the year I first met Lynn Peterfreund, and it marks the start of a soul-mate-sister-friendship that has lasted a lot of living. She is a brilliant artist who boasts mastery at printmaking and painting alike, with an enviable resume of awards, exhibitions, and teaching appointments. Lynn's work can be found in galleries and collections up and down the eastern seaboard and in the permanent collections of Yale University Gallery of Art, the Portland Museum of Art, the DeCordova Museum, the Smith Museum of Art, the Hood Art Museum, and the Cooper-Hewitt Museum just to name a few.  You can view her art at http://lynnpeterfreund.com.

                                                                                                   

What do you see trending now in fashion?

Lots of mixed textures and more color…The young people I work with are wearing tights, short witty dresses, heels or colorful sneakers, and odd combinations that come out as inventively stylish. I’m old  enough to have been through the source decades for some of the retro styles I see in dresses and I still feel they can be confining and way too prim for women of then and now. I love seeing fashion that pops like collage.

What are your top 10 TIMELESS must have items for a best dressed closet?


Excellent jeans—comfortable and flattering. I have jbrand and some pairs of “not your mothers jeans” as well for their flex factor.  Terrific black dress(s), black jackets, black skirts, black shirts, black pants, good oxford shoes, good boots, lots of good quality camisoles, some cashmere sweaters, and an array of jewelry that can liven up any simple combo. I don’t take time to change handbags so I use one that can go city/country, night/day.

When was the last time you had a fashion epiphany?


That, as I get older, I am comfortable with enjoying what I wear and care less if it’s over or under dressed for any given occasion.

What is your favorite High brand?  And your low brand?  How do you mix high and low?


My high brands aren’t that high…I have two Nicole Miller items. My favorite medium brands White + Warren sweaters—oooh cashmere….Most of my clothes are on the low-end side—J.Crew, J..C. Penney, Target and  they suit my art studio daily life. 

My advancing age allows me to justify two other high brands...

I think of amortizing the cost of Varda shoes and Robert Marc eyeglasses.

Feet have to be comfortable and stylish enough, and eyeglasses have to be an fashion asset, as I wear them all the time.

What is your go-to uniform for a day of work?  The weekend? 


Uniform for the studio: jeans, camisole, tee shirt. Overheated studio means camisole and smock most of the time. Always rings,  earrings, necklace, bracelet from a extensive collection that allows me to intuit a color, a stone, a jewelry companion for the day. That’s where I dress and overdress and enjoy the connection jewelry pieces have to people and places in my personal history.

Weekends can be just like weekdays but if I'm in the city (New York is my city) I do it up in

leggings, a dress or skirt and sweaters, light leather jacket, long wool coat.  Besides the jewels, real red Lucchese cowboy boots and colorful Arche shoes are the spark for the black outfits I end up in most of the time.  I recently had a birthday where I donned all the sequin items I own. Some occasions just call for a costume.

What is your favorite ILR piece and why?
I love the design and quiet surprise of the whole collection—I would be wearing more of it if my jewelry box were not already full to overflowing. The Interlocking rings are classic and I look forward to wearing one, custom made in 14K.  I love the cuffs, the simple necklace pieces and their relationship to surprising dark chains. The leather work is stunning but I am committed to shiny metal things.

Who are your fashion icons?

I’ve always liked  Elegant Armani but I totally enjoy Lady Gaga and Bjork and other
Artists in clothing.  Even though black is my go to color, I love to see people in full on color.

Shop Talk: Karen Anagnos, Manager, Bucks County Dry Goods

Since 1994 Bucks County Dry Goods has been the go-to spot for everything from great bags to knitwear, from from art to furniture ith locations in Princeton, Doylestown, and Lambertville Like a mini urban-cool department store, BCDG carries clothing by Free People, Theme, Language, Tulle, 525 America, and Sanctuary.  They also carry a mixture of mid-century modern furniture, handmade lighting by Robert True Ogden, fabulous books, unique items for your home, jewelry, and stationary by Pachysandra Paper Goods. I like to think of the store as a perfectly edited collection of some of everything you didn't even know you had to have! 

Introducing The Eclipse

New for spring from Ilsa Loves Rick, The Eclipse in forged 14k gold filled. You can view the entire collection at www.ilssalovesrick.com

The Creatives: An Interview with Elisa Ludwig

By tomorrow, the literati of the world along with the rest of us will know a whole lot more about author Elisa Ludwig and what makes her tick when her young adult novel, Pretty Crooked published by Harper Collins  debuts on March 13th.  Easily one of the most original and talented writers around, Elisa's smart, plucky, original heroines have nothing on her.  If her quick wit, moxie, and street cred weren't enough to make us swoon, then perhaps the fact that she throws one mean dinner party, has a black belt in decorating, and is a veritable encyclopedia of music, film and pop culture, just might.  With all the readings and press in advance of her book, I am lucky that she was able to make some time for this Creatives interview, even luckier to call her a friend.  Read more about Elisa and her work on her website:   www.elisaludwig.com

What do you see trending now in fashion?

I’m seeing lots of very bright colors, mod looks like shift dresses and color-block, big graphic patterns and tons of lace.

When was the last time you had a fashion epiphany?

It was a few months ago, and it was this: I am just not a skirt person. I love dresses but for some reasons the skirts I have just sit in my closet untouched—I think they require another level of coordination that I don’t have time for on a day to day basis.

What is your favorite High brand? And your low brand? How do you mix high and low?

I guess I fall in the middle? I tend to wear a lot of stuff from Anthropologie, and I love the Leifsdottir line. I also like Tracey Reese and Nanette Lepore. I don’t own anything very “high” so not much mixing going on, but I love to look! In a dream world I would shop in Old City’s boutiques like Reward, Sugarcube and Vagabond on a regular basis. I might go low with pieces from H&M, TopShop or Urban Outfitters. I find I tend to spend more on tops and jackets than on jeans or other pants.

What is your go-to uniform for a day of work? The weekend?
 

Since my day at work consists of sitting at my desk in my house, I generally dress for comfort! Jeans, knit tops, sweaters. On the weekends, I take it up a couple of notches with more accessories, and better shoes.

What is your favorite ILR piece and why?

My favorite is the wrap bracelet. It looks great with everything, and it’s simultaneously tough but feminine looking. Perfect to give your outfit a bit of edge.

Who are your style icons?

You, Gaby! Seriously. I often think, WWGW (what would Gaby wear)? Because you always seem very comfortable yet your clothes look refined and chic and effortless. Also, I have seen your closet, and your organizational skills are an inspiration. As for celebrities I am really loving Emma Stone’s style and Sofia Coppola always looks great.

Must See: The Forgiveness of Blood

On February 23rd  The Forgiveness of Blood, Joshua Marsten's new film, a coming of age story set against the culture of blood fueds in northern Albania, opened to much critical acclaim in select cities.  Now in wider release, it opens in Philadelphia at Ritz at the Bourse on March 9.  Following Maria Full of Grace, Marsten's first dramatic feature that garnered much critical acclaim, and an Academy Award nomination for female lead, Catalina Sandino Moreno, this film has already won a Silver Bear at the Berlin Festival for Best Screenplay.  A critics favorite, this taught and moving drama is a must see.

The Creatives: An Interview with Kassie Lefakinis

February and early March in the Northeast are pretty tough months to muscle through with a spring in your step. On days when it is gray and cold, when the promise of warm days are just around the corner,  when my patience with winter is spent I catch myself dreaming of another life filled with sun and travel and all things fancy.  On these days, I think of Kassie who makes it her business to serve up the perfect get away from the day in day out as Marketing Director of Valef Yachts in Athens Greece.  When she is not making your dreams come true, she is making art, and collaborating with friends on film and design.  We met years ago in a photography class I was teaching where I was first introduced to her unique sense of style and fierce independence that set her apart.  Today, she is still an original, still inspiring, and still one stylish lady.

 What do you see trending in fashion now?

In Europe (I live in Athens) we are supposed to be fashion forward but I always find that on my trips back to NYC I am most influenced and impressed with what’s really hot on the streets.  I travel a lot and live in Athens visiting often Philly & NYC.   In NYC last month, I was struck by the chic and comfortable outdoorsy look.  Lots of handmade looking leather boots, lace ups, and scrunchy winter socks popping out.  Let the ties come loose or bend the boots down and show off your thick socks.  Loose and comfortable is in with a touch of tailor-fit.  I got some sage colored pleated slacks, loose up top, that taper a bit towards the ankle – fit for my new Sperry Ladyfish boots and a pair of bunchy socks.  Loose worn-in cotton t’s, cardigans, bulky cozy sweaters….all things that remind you of nesting in a cabin in the woods with a twist of the artisan appeal.  Back-to-basics look…very organic & atelier.  Also angles, buttoning shirts all the way up, silky pleated pants loose up top that taper down, geometric prints, looseness, “Rockabilly” and speakeasy style. 1920’s & 40’s hair; men with close shaved sides and back and long up top (downtown Athens is saturated with the look!), women with loose hair, lots of braids and sweeps and twists.  I started using hair pins again and hair rollers (I love the look of the hair all rolled up in them, will try to achieve the look sans rollers!).  I think creativity is in right now ….in these times of economical crisis people are taking chances reworking what they have and giving basics a boost and/or buying a couple stellar items and wearing them to the fullest - often and varied.  By the way, ILR jewelry is really a part of the style aesthetic right now!  Atelier rugged-chic, if you will….

When was the last time you had a fashion epiphany?

Hmmm…. Maybe in January at a party when I was introduced to a friends’ new girlfriend (sweetheart I might add).  She was beautiful and head to toe in designer gear and accessories, the latest stuff, polished and fresh yet I could have stamped “SAMPLE” on her head; she looked terribly generic, what was missing was something more personal….. Everything she wore I loved individually, all enviable pieces, but the ensemble was predictable, safe and contrived.  I suppose that’s when I really realized that money can’t buy “style”!  I guess she was “in” “fashion” but to me lacked that something. Greeks generally follow the latest fashion and aim to acquire top designer swag (top brands & names mean a lot here…when you give a gift that’s clothing usually the tag will be looked at to see ‘who’ it is before what it is… ”oh, Furla! I love it.”).  Keeping up and staying “in”, to me, isn’t being down!  I’d rather look like a hobo than a clone. 

What is your favorite High brand? And your low brand? How do you mix high and low?

Relevant to above … I think mixing it up creates depth.  I mix high, low and NO brand!  Example: A beaded colorful Maasai necklace that cost $10 (tho it was a gift) at a flea market in the Bahamas (No brand) paired with a black, mid-calf, tube dress from BCBG Max Azria (that’s sort of high brand!) worn with Zara black sandal heels (low brand). I can compare the appeal of an eroding old building showing layers of bricks and stone, some graffiti on it, and chipped paint exposing various shades to the way I like my style; to show layers…of time, influences, eras, memories, people who have passed by…to reflect ‘now’ yet be a piece of a thought from elsewhere, something structured.

High brand –I own singular pieces of many, yet stick to none (& rarely buy)… BCBG Max Azria dresses, if that counts as High, I love.  Recently discovered and love Tibi.  

Low brand – Aqua. H&M & Zara.  And let me add NO BRAND (that’d be me, my friends, household items, tons of random stores, flowers/nature, and flea market finds). And a shop like Indian Pink in Mykonos with handcrafted sarongs, tops & dresses etc from Vietnam, India etc.
 
What is your go-to uniform for a day of work? The weekend?
 

Being self-employed and working in a small office, I have the liberty of wearing whatever I want.  Sometimes I take big fashion “risks” at the office because I’m in a playful mood.  I always try to pull myself together nicely to give myself the feeling of importance in what I’m doing and added confidence.  It all depends on my mood and the weather really.  Any season, my diamond studs for elegance and discretion.  In the summer when I’m seeing clients I tend to fall into patterns….last summer the uniform when seeing clients was white skinny jeans, grey Apepazza platforms w gems, grey tank blouse w ruffles (tucked in) and diamond studs or version 2 -white skinny jeans, handmade Greek leather sandals, orange leaf-print tank and a chunky lapis necklace.

Weekend uniform!  For a daytime outfit or casual night out it’s my dark skinny jeans with black tall ribbed tube socks that bunch around the knee (obsessed with them) with black distressed leather boots, a small black leather purse/bag (Nine West) w gold zipper (turns into wristlet), a t-shirt I had made (loose white cotton with stretched out neck stating “OTI NA ‘NAI” in scrappy black print - meaning “whatever goes” in Greek (that’s a personal take on my surroundings I suppose) with a black double breasted jacket w brass buttons. I do my hair down, teased and poofed, or in side part and knotted in a messy bun below one ear. 

What is your favorite ILR piece and why?

OK of all the amazing pieces which I would wear and adore, I have to choose the Drape Circle in 14k gold fill with oxidized silver chain!  It’s sexy, simple and everyday and has a touch of tomboy.  I love the matte gold and oxidized silver combo juxtaposition. I’m really into oxidized silver and love how the gold circle comes to life on it. It’s like an elegant piece of hardware that makes you feel bold and confident with it hanging around your neck.  Looks like something that becomes a part of you.

Who are your style icons?

Diane Von Furstenburg is one.  She is the essence of ‘comfortable in your own skin’ and casual sexy. I think a woman looks best when comfortable, in clothes that drape and flow and allow what’s under the clothes and under the skin to stand out.  She evokes “ease” and grace.  It’s more the way she wears the clothes than what she’s wearing that strikes me.  Gwen Stefani works this angle too but mostly I think her playfulness, confidence and tomboyishness is stylish and how she fuses rasta roots, urban raw, sportiness and girlishness while at the same time evoking various past eras and setting new parameters.  The singer Lana del Rey is a rising star who’s style I appreciate.  She merges vintage, country and urban and looks like she’s having fun.  Also Brigitte Bardot!

What are you living in these days?

My gray cashmere wrap dress with plain or textured wool tights and boots.  Fat bunchy socks & knee-high wool socks. My Sperry Ladyfish boots (I’ve actually been told “you live in those”).  And skinny jeans + huge sweaters.