Image: Vogue September 2011

It is both McCartneys’ first foray into ballet. Paul is donating his time and Stella is lending her services at a reduced rate; essentially they are doing it for the art of it. Though Paul is technically only the composer (whose role typically is over after the music is delivered), he has been there at every rehearsal, contributing to the set, choreography, et all. He wrote the storyline and is seeing the project, as he does, from start to finish with his hands deep in, committed to the project. It was, in fact, not his idea to bring his daughter on board, rather the producers of the show suggested it. Brilliant, thank you.

Paul McCartney with Choreographer Peter Martins

Image: New York Times

See Stella’s sketches and some sneak insight into the costumes ahead.

Paul McCartney with Choreographer Peter Martins

I had the honor of meeting Stella McCartney before the event really started – the Liv of the party hadn’t arrived yet. Determined to talk to her, I persisted past the determinedly protective security PR and introduced myself. Nerves almost got the better of me as I toldher that while I’m a Fashion Editor, I’m also a designer and born Beatles fan. Her smile proved she is a kind, beautiful soul. Conversation ebbed into how when she first began, there was much hoopla surrounding her choice to be completely animal and eco friendly. It was such a bizarre choice 10 years ago. Now, designers are faced with the issue of how to make eco-friendliness a non-issue by just making it an innate part of the process and letting the clothing speak for itself.  After a minute’s time talking on sustainability with Stella McCartney, she got whisked away to retrieve Liv Tyler. Don’t fret – that was not the last she saw of me.

I thus busied myself with the touch of her squeezably soft wools, the gold wovens, and the cucumber cocktails until their return.

I eventually caught up with Liv Tyler and chatted up what we’re feeling in fashion right now, and of course about Stella. By the way, she is even more elegantly stunning in person than in any pictures or movies.

What trends are you loving this season?

“I would say I’m very not hip to knowing what’s in because I only follow my heart, what I like. I don’t keep up with [magazines]. I read magazines when I can, and I see pieces when I walk by them in a store. I have more of a specific eye when it comes to [shopping]. Like, I could come to this place and in about 4 minutes I could say exactly what I want and how I would put it together.”

What is your heart saying for fashion right now, within yourself?

“I’m really happy to be in this [Stella McCartney] dress. I feel like a fem-bot. Everything’s in place.  I’m really happy in it right now. Too bad I can only wear it once because I had my picture taken in it about 300 times.”

I think we all feel that way with Facebook. That’s why I like separates.

“I love separates. I live in Wolford tights and Lanvin flats. And then whatever else I can come up with. I really love shorts and rompers, but with tights. Little skirts and blouses and t-shirts. I definitely like separates right now.”

How much Stella do you think you have in your closet?

“Not a crazy amount, but the pieces last forever. They don’t go away. I have a couple of jackets that I’ve had for 6 years. I have a suit from when she was at Chloé. They’re so well made and so chic and powerful that they transcend trends… I always feel like it’s the grownup in me. I have all these different sections of my closet. The one section where most of my Stella things are, is for when I have a meeting, or when I want to feel like a woman.”

Now there’s no way I would have left without saying so long to Stella. And I wanted to get a quote for my all my Indies. At the end of a press line longer than the train on André Leon Talley‘s Met Gala gown, I squeezed in, nearly glamouring the PR that just kicked three girls off the line ahead of me, and got to ask one question. Here goes:

I was just writing today about how important the oversized blazer is.

“Oh, cool!”

I wanted to know how you came up with it. What’s your reasoning behind it?

“I guess I’m always borrowing my boyfriend’s jackets, and it’s… my husband, sorry! It just gives a bit more attitude.”

So maybe I made her a little tongue tied, too? Regardless, Stella McCartney is a graceful and talented woman who has not only come from great legacy, but is creating her own.

< > at Saks Fifth Avenue on May 4, 2011 in New York City.

“First it’s important for me to say I’m not perfect and that for me, it is about the principle. Sustainability is important, recycling is important. I think it is a mind-set: everyone can do really simple things to make a difference, every little bit counts and there is still a long way to go. My first job is to be a fashion designer — my first job is to make desirable, luxurious, beautiful clothing and accessories that women want to buy but I will always take the opportunity to use a beautiful organic fabric. I obviously don’t use any animal skins or furs in my collections which has a huge impact on the planet. About fifty million animals die for the sake of fashion ever year, which is extremely wasteful and significantly contributes to climate change as farming uses a lot of water, energy and land, devastate forests and pollutes oceans.” – Stella McCartney

How does one become a vegetarian, you wonder? Read here how Beatle, Sir Paul McCartney and his wife Linda became vegetarians, and how it brought Stella to a peaceful state of mind.

Would you be a vegetarian to save the planet?

Link Love: FabSugar

Sean Lennon, the son of the late John Lennon, will perform in Woodstock next Saturday with his latest musical project, The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger.

This concert will take place Saturday in the Woodstock hamlet of Willow and will also include opening bands Undersea Poem and Love Is For The Birds, which features Jonathan Donahue of Mercury Rev and Amy Helm from Ollabelle and the Levon Helm Band.

Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger also features Charlotte Kemp Muhl. This concert is a benefit for the Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary and will be held at that facility, a non-profit organization and shelter that cares for abused animals.

Gates open at 5 p.m. Show time is 6 p.m. General admission tickets cost $30 in advance; $40 at the door; and can be purchased through www.woodstocksanctuary.org and by calling 845-679-5955.

Source

LINK LOVE:John Lennon’s Sperm to Perform at Woodstock

Rei Kawakubo is creating a new collection of handbags under the Beatles/Comme des Garçons label in collaboration with Apple Corps Ltd., the company that manages the Beatles’ musical catalogue.

LINK

There’s nothing like having high quality prints of Irving Penn, Richard Avedon, Helmut Newton, Steven Klein, Annie Leibovitz, Steven Meisel and several other established photographer’s work in the confines of your own home. I had the opportunity to snag a copy of Dolce & Gabbana’s collaborated photo compilation, Extreme Beauty In Vogue, before it hit’s shelves in October, and I must admit, I feel like a child staring at a picture book, completely mesmerized by every photo. Edited by Phyllis Posnick with an essay by Eva Respini, Extreme Beauty In Vogue exposes photographic, stylistic and journalistic perceptions of female beauty and opinions on allure. Featuring two centuries of work, the evolution of cultural attitudes on women is exposed in this coffee-table must have. And for those of you hung up on Vogue’s typical conservatism, there’s enough nipples, asses, bestiality and blood to suit your fancy. Shove your Beatles anthology to the side folks, because this $55 investment is what your dinner guests should be snooping through!

GALLERY: Extreme Beauty In Vogue

For more information, check out Extreme Beauty In Vogue here!

Gram.

D.A.T.E.

Schmoove.

Y-3 by Adidas.

Sneaky Steve.

Why do guys commonly use the term “high-tops” to mean the classic Converse sneakers or the recently popular Nike Dunks? You can never go wrong pairing your black Converse with a pair of raw denim straight legs, a black button-up and a few accessories here and there. And we all know how versatile those Nike Dunks can be…a red and black pair to match your plaid or even neons to go with all of your hiliter yellows, oranges and greens. But take a look around…your brother, your cousin, your best friend’s uncle’s ex-wife’s son’s next-door neighbor ALL have these shoes. I assure you, there are other high-top options out there!

Above are a few pairs I came across while searching Ssense and Revolve Clothing. Although these high-tops are rather similar to the designs and concepts of Converse and Nike Dunks (slim fit, aeration pores, ankle laces) they have enough detail and flare to make them unique. Depending on the brand and material, these shoes can set you back anywhere from $100-$400…but it beats looking like every other Beatle band reject and fake NBA star out there!