It’s no doubt you’ve heard that Saks Fifth Avenue is on the cusp of opening a modern, 80,000-square-foot store on October 16 at the Mall at University Town Center, with general manager Joel Ellzey at the helm. But what’s interesting is that it’s the first Saks opening in more than nine years.
Marking this fashionably auspicious day will be a ribbon cutting at 9 a.m. with the new president of Saks Fifth Avenue, Marigay McKee. The Londoner and former chief merchant of Harrods has been tasked with reinventing the iconic American brand, and chic changes are already afoot. I caught up with Marigay to get to know fashion’s new It Girl, who’s more than just a pretty face – she’s climbed 17,000 feet to Mount Everest’s base camp; is fluent in Italian, Spanish and French and she’s taken the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. J’adore her! //Click Here for More @SarasotaMagazine.com
It’s rare that you get a backstage pass to an emerging designer/brand that is right on the edge of becoming one of those must-haves. I’m thrilled that the co-founders of ela, Ela and Martin Aldorsson, gave me a peek into ela’s world just as it’s wildly blooming in fashion’s hottest circles.//Click Here for More @SarasotaMagazine.com
They say in 2003 the irreverently cool emerging brand called Moods of Norway was born in the creative cellars of the picturesque town of Stryn, Norway; population 6,750. From there, three locals culled their talent, Simen Staalnacke, Peder Børresen and Stefan Dahlkvist to “make happy clothes for happy people around the world.” Still headquartered in Stryn, this polished brand is making it’s way into the closets of the coolest men and women that live the don’t-wait-up-for-us-life.//Click Here for more @SarasotaMagazine.com
Known best for her jewelry line, designer Chan Luu innately marries natural elements like custom dyed leathers with sterling silver and gold vermeil to create handmade organic and tactile accessories, which have made her a trend leader with an A-List following. Possibly the most recognizable piece in her collection is….//Click Here for More @SarasotaMagazine.com
A mod sartorial shift was in the air during the ’60s, a convergence of high fashion with the Space Age super chick and, as one of the decade’s supermodels, Linda Morand had the instantly alluring right stuff. She was discovered by the incomparable Eileen Ford, a muse to the illustrious Pierre Cardin, and was one of the ’60s supermodels who was photographed by the most celebrated names in the fashion world, like Helmut Newton and Richard Dormer.
The unflappable Morand also walked the coveted Parisian runways in the finest of prêt-a-porter and haute couture, most of which was made for her by fashion icons like Jean Patou, Karl Lagerfeld, Emanuel Ungaro, Paco Rabanne, Louis Féraud and Valentino. Click here for more @SarasotaMagazine.com
You never know who a celeb will be when they step off the screen and into your day. I’ve often been surprised, and not always in a good way. But lovely and soft-spoken Southern belle Andie MacDowell was warm and gracious when we sat down for a one-on-one chat while she was here for the Ringling College of Art and Design’s Digital Filmmaking Studio Lab. Frankly, Andie seemed more like she was making new friends in Sarasota rather than acting like than the accomplished actress she is – remember sex, lies and videotape, Four Weddings and a Funeral and Ground Hog Day, which just celebrated its 20th anniversary? //Click Here for More @SarasotaMagazine.com