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| Getting in the Mood: September 5 by Ellin Saltzman "Didjahava gudsumma?" "Guess so." It was weird. Something was off kilter ... Traffic on the eastern end of Long Island was worse than it has ever been. They claim that people came out East because the Jersey Shore was in disrepair. Montauk is a happening cool place even though it is a four hour drive. East Hampton where I live is normally a two and a half hour drive; it has been four or even more. Southampton to East Hampton normally takes twenty minutes; it has been an hour at times, even on the back roads. The only parties to attend in other Hampton locales would be midnight ones; and I am not on any of those lists! |
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| Parties seemed to be fewer, at least in my circle. Quiet dinners were a delight. Benefits I do not attend in the summer except for LongHouse Reserve who honored Richard Meier. The evening was all white and very beautiful. Kale and Watermelon salads seemed to be on every menu and table. Weather went from being very hot to very humid to very wet. But how lucky we were to be out East! It was a summer for me to celebrate being a grandmother. A very proud one. My grandsonJack turned 18 on August 17th. He got his driver's license. He is a beautiful young man in every way. He spent three and a half weeks at an International Camp: SEEDS OF PEACE. |
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| To him it was life changing and mind boggling. Imagine living with Israelis, Arabs, Indians and other Middle Easterners who live as though they hate each other, then going to Maine to hug each other and become the hope of the future. They had to fly home to war torn lands and families after their stay, but they still e-mail one another and vow to see each other. Jack is also slaving away in preparation for all the college essays, SATS and other tests. Plus, all the teams and social responsibilities of being a school leader. It is a frightening pressure. |
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| His younger brother Teddy went to Tanzania with his parents for two weeks. Judging from the pictures it was a beautiful two weeks. Teddy (aged 16) came home and went back to work for a brilliant tee shirt and leisure wear designer in Southampton. He also spent as much time surfing as possible. With Sunshine — the designer, manufacturer, and surfer. |
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| My other grandsons, Harry, aged 12 and Charlie, aged 11, came to visit from London and to stay for over a week. It was an incredible time. Four grand boys who loved each other and who escorted me tenderly to golf, tennis, the beach. I did not go to Splish Splash with them ... I am not that good a sport. I also confess I did not try surfing with the four of them as I do not surf and it scares me just to watch! (One of my grand boys said I should be a "Nervous Wreck" for Halloween. He said that years ago but it still holds true!) I, of course, cried when I took them to JFK for their return to London. |
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Enough about me. But it was the summer where I played more golf and tennis than normal. And if you see me walking you will notice I am stiff and sore and looks like it all hurts — and it does. The best tennis was at East Hampton Indoor Tennis (which is also very outdoor) in Lisa Jones fabulous clinics!!! The best golf was in the three member guest tournaments that I was fortunate enough to be part of where my very high handicap helped us place in all!
Granted I know we have to synch with London, Milan, and Paris, but still? I think there were probably some buyers and writers missing from the audience today. Perhaps next year that should be addressed? Also the registration computers were down yesterday, and the check in ones today. I was told "it is Day One.” They need to work the kinks out.” Fortunately it was a nice day and tempers were checked. NICHOLAS K opened the day at 9 o'clock. Nicholas and his brother Chris make great clothes to layer and to play in. Opened my eyes to some totally wearable, pack able, comfortable clothes for weekend wear, travel, and relaxation. All layered looks. I confess to totally enjoying the collection and its mood. No, we don't have to wear Indian feathers but we could all relax in some of these pieces. They probably don't have hanger appeal, but who needs hangers? I can see these all packed and rolled in a duffle bag! I need to do some homework about Nicholas K and come back with more ... |
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| RICHARD CHAI:The collection looked, from afar, clean, neat, lady like (below knee length skirts — not my favorite as you know!) Nice airy light Spring into Summer clothes. I could not truly see them from where I was seated, but what I saw was not offensive! |
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| DESIGUAL: I wish I knew more about the designers because I thoroughly enjoyed what I saw! At the finale a model came out with a poster saying "Thank you from the designers." These were fun clothes. At times too cutesie-pie — or actually not the clothes but the way the models were asked to flirt with the photographers and blow kisses to the spectators. The opening was black and white (by my standards a never-go-wrong combo), cute coat costumes with wide brim hats and handbags to match. We then had stripes in many happy patterns; great palazzo pants. (It has been a long time since I have written about them!). A full soft skirted, sleeveless shirt dress in stripes that I flipped for. |
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| All in all a very happy collection with some great print tops that have sleeves and will look great on women who want to hide their arms; they can wear with their white pants. The feeling was happy Mediterranean, and I for one would happily cruise away with them. Sitting at Desigual with me was an enchanting English talent, age 66, Linda Mason. She owned a great cosmetic store which she has just closed and is going to open lindamason.com and sell everything on line. I wish her lots of success and I cannot wait to make some purchases! |
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| TADASHI SHOJI designs some beautiful evening wear. All very pale, very ethereal, lightweight and airy. Having just read that the Metropolitan Museum Gala was going to be a Charles James tribute, I can see more and more designers making glorious evening gowns. Tadashi started it off for me. |
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Photographs by Giovanni Giannoni (Nicholas K); Richard Drew (Shoji). | Contact DPC here. |