LeBron James Hosts Ralph Lauren's Fashion Week Party

LeBron James sported Ralph Lauren duds to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, and now the NBA star is confirming his committment to the brand. James and Ralph Lauren will host an evening of cocktails and shopping to support the LeBron James Family Foundation on Wednesday, September 10 to coincide with New York's Fashion Week.

James' foundation aims to empower children to be physically fit, academically focused and environmentally aware, while also striving to help single parent families succeed. Gift cards in denominations of $500 or $1,000 will be available to support the cause. That's the power of the pony!

From Fashion Week Daily

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."---Winston Churchill

Lovin Life, Truth Is

Avant Garde Fashion For Sale, Really Retro

After the international fashion week dust settles, those craving a taste of iconography needn't look any further than Christie's. On October 30, the auction house will host a retrospective auction of iconoclastic design. Resurrection: Avant-Garde Fashion, an extensive collection of 20th century fashion previously held in private hands, will be sold in London at the South Kensington saleroom. The auction includes items from designers from the 1960s to the 1990s who challenged cherished norms with new materials and innovative ways of cutting fabric. Pieces by Pierre Cardin, Paco Rabanne, André Courrèges, Rudi Gernreich, Ossie Clark, Vivienne Westwood, Norma Kamali, Azzedine Alaia, Gianni Versace and Issey Miyake will all go on the block.

Whether it's the pop art influence or the revival of architectural couture, the collection offers over 250 pieces of apparel, accessories and jewels. Estimates range from £500 to £10,000. Key items include Rabanne's aluminum riveted plate dress, Cardin's space age bubble cape and a rare gold leather evening dress from Versace. Expect a bidding war.

Highlights include:

• A full-length Chanel coat, featured in the Chanel campaign in 2000 (estimate: £350-£450)

• A group of long-sleeved silk Marc Jacobs and Alexander McQueen blouses worn in a show and featured on a Telegraph Magazine cover (estimate: £400-£600)

• Two Chanel suede and tweed bags which were gifts from Karl Lagerfeld (estimate: £450-£750)

• A Marni Multi-colour wool dress (estimate: £150-250)

• A Ralph Lauren gold and black jewelled jacket (estimate: £300-500)

• A blue wool dress by Roland Mouret. This was Erin’s own “Galaxy” dress; the It dress of 2005 (estimate: £200-400)

• A red jersey sleeveless dress by Diane von Furstenburg (estimate: £200-400)

• A white fur bolero jacket by Matthew Williamson (estimate: £200-400)

• A Mulberry “Roxanne” large red tote bag (estimate: £300-500)

• A large Louis Vuitton hold-all (estimate: £300-500)

• A dramatic printed chiffon gown by John Galliano (estimate: £400-600)

• A chocolate leather jacket by Celine (estimate: £300-500)

You don't have to be present to bid. What a great opportunity provided you can stand the bidding wars. The catalog for the sale will be available 3 weeks prior to October 30th and you can order it online right now at Christie's.

"Thank you Nola Weinstein and "Michelle" for contributing to this story"

"Art is a fruit that grows in a man, like a plant , or a child in it's mother's womb."---Frank Auerbach

Lovin Life, Truth Is

Back To Business

For Lexie and myself, it definitely has been an eventful week. We apologize for not posting but life just happened! We're back now and we definitely have a plan for the next time life just wants to get in the way! Now let's get back to what were getting better at everyday. Fashion, and all the stuff that goes along with it.

“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear."---Mark Twain

Lovin Life, Truth Is

Patiently A-Waiting: Gossip Girl

Well it's Friday and after a long stylish day, I have no other choice but to indulge in the confection that is Gossip Girl. I;ve even developed a sophisticated countdown clock until the season 2 premiere. {It is 17 days, 5 hours, 47 minutes and 51 seconds until Monday, September 1, 2008 at 8:00:00 PM to be precise} And don't look at the screen that way, come September 1st at 8pm everyone in the age range of 10-50+ will sit anxiously in front of the television and discuss how viciously cruel, fun and delectable Serena and Blair's antics are. Well since I know that when it comes to GG, everyone has a sweet tooth, enjoy this little bit of candy.

Dark Fluorescent Jewels

Costume Jewelry. Statement Pieces. No matter what you call it, you will see it everywhere this fall. And this bracelet happens to be one of my fave picks for my fall wardrobe. But this isnt your normal statement piece that goes the way of leotards in the 80's. This Swarovski crystal and Rhodium cuff by Tom Binns is a piece that can be used for multiple season to come. Its destined not to fall inbetween the cracks of your drawers only for you to find it 15 years later upon moving to a new home. The cuff is from Binns new collection entitled Dumont Noir Florescent.

A Look @ Edie Rose

**Image courtesy of Edie Rose for DKNY

I made a promise to all of my readers in March that when Rachel Bilson's line for DKNY dropped I would definitely show you the details. Bilson stayed true to her SoCal roots and definitely incorporated glimpses of beautiful California sunshine in the small collection. While the website for Edie Rose is up and running it will not be available in stores until mid-September. The website features a contest where you can be flown out to LA to meet Bilson as welll as keep up with her launch events for the line. In additon that, you get the additional joy of learning what type of things inspire Bilson {speaking of that, Bilson and I both ♥ Cookies n Cream ice cream}. While things with the celebrity lines are 50/50 lately {half trash and half over prices... My fave, overpriced trash} Bilson's very affordable line is the perfect medium. You get exactly what you pay for.

**Images couresty of DKNY Jeans & Edie Rose

THE OLYMPICS, 8.8.08, IT'S FINALLY HERE!

Scenes from the Opening Ceremonies

The Painting Scroll

Moveable Type Printing

Confucius's 3000 Disciple

Artists Perform for The Opening of The 2008 Olympics

Sailing Boats

The "Birds Nest" The Stadium, An Art Performance

And so, we let the games begin. The Olympics, the international stage where the world is represented. Much more than a global sports competition for medals, I feel it is the one time during which we can come together as one in respecting our shared humanity, our shared respect for our respective history, and our shared respect for planet earth. While some of us will be watching the medal count, some of us will be watching the bigger picture as well....How many souls will truly be as one? The Olympics---A DREAM WORTH HAVING.

For a tv listing go to: http://www.nbcolympics.com/tv_and_online_listings/index.html

"Dreams come true. Without that possibility, nature would not incite us have them."---John Updike


Lovin Life, Truth Is

Louis Vuitton Wins Record Fake Goods Payout (Canada)

Next stop US.
Louis Vuitton Malletier has been awarded more than CAD1m (US$0.94m) in damages and costs after rogue traders in British Columbia sold fake copies of its accessories.
The luxury goods company, part of the LVMH empire, had sought to set a precedent in bringing the case against 46353 BC Ltd, which traded under a number of retail names including Wynnie Lee Fashion, Wynnie Lee, Francisca Hung-Yee Ngan, Lisa Le Dung Tran, 560148 BC and Jacqueline Lee, all based in Richmond, British Columbia.
Sitting in the Supreme Court of British Columbia, Justice Mary Ellen Boyd said the defendants had acted "wilfully and knowingly" in selling fake copies of Louis Vuitton scarves, handbags, purses, wallets and belts.
Awarding a record amount of C$20,000 per violation, Justice Boyd said the retailers had continued to sell the fake goods over a six-year period, ignoring a series of court orders, Federal Court judgments and cease and desist notices.
They had sought to avoid detection by hiding the items in drawers in the shops and refusing to offer receipts for goods, the court heard.
Louis Vuitton Malletier had originally brought the action after seizing hundreds of fake items from a Wynnie Lee store in 2004.
"We are extremely pleased by this precedent-setting victory in our global fight against counterfeiting, particularly in Canada where the legal framework for the enforcement of Intellectual Property rights is not as strong as in other countries," said Nathalie Moulle-Berteaux, intellectual property director of Louis Vuitton.
Louis Vuitton also pointed to an earlier case brought against Lin Pi-Chu Yang in British Columbia last November, which led to a payout of over C$260,000.
"Through these decisions, the judges have sent a strong message to counterfeiters that their illegal activities will not be tolerated by the Canadian courts," said Moulle-Berteaux.

Thankyou Mary Dan from Just Style for the story.


"Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing."---Abraham Lincoln

Lovin Life, Truth Is

On The Campaign Trail: K by Lagerfeld

**Image courtesy of K by Karl Lagerfeld

So it's been a while since I have done a "Campaign Trail" post. So for my triumphant return I present to you an image from the K by Karl Lagerfeld ad campaign for Fall/Winter 08/09. The images were taken by the Karl himself, who released a book of photography earlier this year in May. This campaign features models Jeisa Chiminazzo and Brad Kroenig both of whom Lagerfeld has used for his previous campaigns. I hope you all enjoy.

***LANCEL***

There is simply no explanation, no description, no words, for the absolute artistry I'm about to bring you. I'll have to admit that I'd only heard of them once back in 2004 before this blog was even born. I even venture to say it was one of those conversations that was you really don't take seriously. Now that I'm writing this blog I take everything seriously because you never know where you next big lead is going to come from. LANCEL, please don't forget someone told you about them only to be reminded of them later on like I did! I know, I know, I just did handbags yesterday! Believe me when I tell you, you'll be glad I did LANCEL today. (Just so you know, when you get to the website click on The Maison Lancel, then click Lancel Vintage)

Vintage 1930---Clutch Bag in Brown Crocodile with Calman's head and feet added. Interior taupe with a zipped pocket, vanity mirror and a purse. Special Order

Vintage 1937 Black and Blue Leather Surrealist Umbrella Bag with a Faux Ivory Ball Handle. Middnight Blue moire interior with a small pocket. Reeditioned in 1996.

Vintage 1930 Evening Clutch Bag with Flap and Inside Compartment in Black Elephant Skin and smooth leather. White metal logo clasp. Black Lambskin interior.

Vintage 1890, Minaudierie in Morrocco leather with a "Bookbinding" tooled finish on one side. Green woven Satin Interior. Contains a purse, vanity mirror, and a powder-puff sleeve. Purse in a "cordoue leather" style, lined with morrocco leathered and green woven satin.

Now that's a WOW! I'd pay for these bags with out any reservations! Besides their Vintage Collection of Bags their line for this year is outstanding too. Check it out! Sales on the Internet as well as stores in Chicago, Detroit, New York and Washington , DC.

"We need men who can dream of things that never were."---John F. Kennedy

Lovin Life, Truth Is