This woman looks perfectly elegant for a hot summer's stroll down Madison Ave.
Showing posts with label Seniors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Seniors. Show all posts
"When in Doubt, Leave it Off."
I met Amber near Madison Ave, and asked if I could take her photo. She was dressed perfectly for a hot summer's day, and I knew she would have some great style advice. Amber told me that she follows her mother's old saying," When in doubt, leave it off." Amber thinks about comfort first, because, "You won't feel stylish if you aren't comfortable." This is sound advice from a stylish lady!
"Sunglasses Are Better Than a Facelift"
I always have a blast with my pal Mary. At 71 years old she knows the secret to fooling mother nature, she says, "Sunglasses are better than a facelift, they hide the ravages of time, and let you spy on people." Mary keeps her style chic and classic, but when it comes to glasses she says,"You can break the rules once in a while, I'm not ready for a convent or anything so I can wear leopard glasses." Check out some more of Mary's many shades below.
Mimi Weddell: A Model Life
People always ask me about the elegant lady in my header photo. I had the pleasure of meeting this extraordinary woman when I first moved to New York about three years ago. Mimi Weddell was an actress and model who started her career in her late 60s. She appeared in ad campaigns for Nike, Louis Vuitton, and Juicy Couture and appeared in several movies and television programs including "Hitch" and "Sex and The City". Here are some great photos of Mimi shot by photographer Bryant Woodd. Most of theses have never been seen before so I am excited to share them on Advanced Style.
Mimi passed away on my birthday, in 2009 at the age of 94, but her spirit definitely lives on in the wonderful documentary on her life" Hat's Off". Enjoy this clip below:
Have Fun With Style
90 year old Ilona calls it creative dressing, Debra believes style is healing, and Marliyn Sokol(above) thinks dressing up is just plain fun. Whatever your style philosophy is remember to take pleasure in dressing up. Put on something that makes you smile, wear it with confidence, and you will have a beautiful day.
Ilona Royce Smithkin: Before the Eyelashes
One of our very favorite ladies, Ilona Royce Smithkin, has had a very busy couple of weeks. After I wrote an article about her for The Huffington Post, NBC New York decided to interview for their nightly program LX New York. The night before, we had dinner at The Waverly Inn, and met Mayor Bloomberg. This 90 year old woman is busier than ever and there is never a dull moment when we hang out together.
Ilona was a hit even before she had her iconic eyelashes. The other day I received a wonderful email from a woman who remembered meeting Ilona as a child. Read her note and enjoy some vintage photos of this amazing 90 year old below:
There is my mother and I in front of the portrait she painted
Hi Ari,
When I was growing up in Wantagh Long Island and NYC, NY and my parents Rae (Rachel) and Ernie Miller had an art gallery in our home.They gave Ilona Smithkin a one woman show plus showed her work and sold many of her paintings to friends and neighbors.Our house was filled with her paintings. She did a fabulous portrait of my mother that she cherished till she died. Ilona came out to the shows at our house often.I have such fond memories of her. We all sat for portraits in her studio in NYC. I would LOVE to share some old photos with her and let her know how much I remember her.I am including a few old photos here, thanks for your stories on her.
Here she is in our hallway by a wall of her paintings, curled up with our dog Button
There is one of Ilona's larger nudes in our basement part of the gallery...almost caused a scandal in our little suburbs...ha.
One of her nudes with my folks and I years later
Ilona with my mom comforting me for whatever reason. I think my long skirt itched!
For more on this amazing woman watch the clip below:
Working Man
I passed this well dressed fellow on my way to the train uptown. I aspire to to be as dapper as him one day. Don't you just love pairing a hat with a sharp suit !
Mayor Bloomberg at The Waverly Inn
Last night I had a very special dinner with Maayan, Ilona and the wonderful owner of the Waverly Inn. Ilona has lived in the West Village for over 56 years and she often gets noticed for her wonderful style and amazing eyelashes.She was delighted to dine at one of her neighborhood's most popular haunts. While dining I noticed that Mayor Bloomberg and Rupert Murdoch were just a few tables away. I got up and introduced myself and told them that they had to meet one of the Village's most spectacular women. The gentleman were very gracious and they told me to grab a camera and bring Ilona over. I took a quick photo of this dazzling pair and we returned to our table for a night to remember.
Dress Like A Gentleman
This man was walking uptown when I asked if I could take his photo. I love the way he dressed up his jeans with a great coat, classic hat and pair of gloves. This is the perfect cold weather attire.
A Little Red Lipstick
I spotted this gorgeous woman on Madison Avenue. Her red lipstick was the perfect contrast to her all black outfit. Many ladies have told me that the secret to adding some glamour to an outfit is to wear a little bit of red lipstick. Do you agree?
Dare To Be Plaid
Here are some outtakes from the photos I took of Madison Chic
I met this chic woman while walking down Madison Avenue. She told me that she has had her camel coat for years and that it is one of her favorites. Is there a favorite item of clothing that you have held onto for years?
Simplicity is Chic
Lubi is one of my favorite Advanced Style Fahionistas. Not only does she live in my hometown of San Diego, but she has such a great perspective on life and style. I try and feature a variety of points of view with the shared philosophy that if you feel beautiful on the inside you will look beautiful on the outside. For Lubi style is a form of art and simplicity is her school of choice. She sent me a few words about the art of simplicity which I have included below. What is your style philosophy?
SIMPLICITY, SIMPLICITY, SIMPLICTY…
Many art forms recognize simplicity as the final achievement. Simplicity is an expression, a style, a statement. Leonardo da Vinci said,” Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”. Simplicity has many creative powers.
White gloves in combination with a boring, dull gray sweater and white pants. Gloves shift the everyday comfortable outfit into a chic outfit
Red Cap and Red Shoes, with everything else ordinary and plain, gray, monotonous, make the outfit alive and exciting. Details give the fine-tuning to the casual outfit.
White by itself has its won incredible powers. No Need for adjustments
Red is the ultimate statement on its own. “ YOUTH HAS NO AGE” (Pablo Picasso)
Times Square
Here is your weekly dose of your favorite 90 year old Ilona Smithkin. These shots were taken near Times Square after we attended a screening of the Bill Cunningham Documentary.CLICK HERE to check out the great documentary Ilona Upstairs by Melissa Hammel. I have the flu today but promise some upcoming great new material.
Alice Carey For Vogue Japan and Advanced Style
Writer, Alice Carey is another one of the fantastic women I shot for a jewelry series on Vogue.co.jp . Here are some out takes from the original shoot, showing off some more of her wonderful jackets and jewels. I asked Alice the following questions about aging and style:
1. How old are you? What are your concerns with your appearance as you get older. What is your attitude towards aging?
2.How do you take care of your skin, keep it looking healthy. Are you worried about wrinkles and aging skin?3. How do you keep your hair looking healthy. Do you color your hair? What is your thoughts on gray hair?
4.How has your style changed as you have gotten older. Do you feel more free to experiment with style. How do you get out of a style rut?
5.Any advice you would give to others who are concerned with aging…
6.Anything else you ‘d like to add?
Read her answers below:
1. I am in my early 60’S. Provided I stay looking good (and I work on it) I have no concerns about aging other than I hope I won’t become an old crone.
2. I am a CLAIRINS girl and have been for a long time. It is the best. However, when I’m in Ireland or England I find BOOTS face creams very good. Wrinkles are always a concern, but CLAIRINS seems to keep them in check. I use olive oil soap always.
3. Being Irish I began to go white in my early 20’s and I have been hennaing my hair since then. My husband and I do it every 6 or 7 weeks because my hair grows out fast and one can see the white. Several years ago, I wanted to see what I looked like au natural and I let my hair grow out so my stylist could cut all the colored hair off. Suddenly, I was marvelously white and looked like David Bowie. However, it wasn’t me and I continue to henna my hair.To keep my hair shiny I use Indian oil made from almonds and olives I buy in Middle Eastern stores.
4. I change my style all the time. However, as I grow older I heed Geoffrey Beene’s advice of wearing a uniform. My winter uniform being how you saw me in the street. My summer uniform black chinos from Marks & Spencer and as expensive a white shirt I can get my hands on. Thrift stores are good for this. I also live in cashmere sweaters, preferably vintage, and linen shifts for summer. I do not follow fashion trends and think women silly who do.
5. For god’s sake don’t sweat it. Moisturize as often as you can. Remember ‘life is just a bowl of cherries. Don’t take it serious, life’s too mysterious.”Also, red lipstick, always red lipstick!
6.Anything else...a good haircut several times a year. I do 5 or 6. Hair dye. Red lipstick. Face cream, face cream face cream – I do CLAIRINS and a F-you attitude to dowdy’ness. I look the way you saw me at 9 in the morning when all I’m doing is getting the paper and coffee. Fie on women in sneakers and sweats!
Fashion influences: Duchess of Windsor, Nan Kempner & Pat Buckley for frowzy, lavish formal / dress up stuff.Audrey Hepburn for informal such as my wearing all summer ‘uniform’ of tight black chinos (Marks & Spencer) and great men’s shirt from (say) Thomas Pink.
CLICK HERE to check out Alice's book I'll Know It When I See It: A Daughter's Search for Home in Ireland on Amazon and enjoy her style wisdom in THIS past post.
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