I ♥ Bill Cunningham, who doesn't?

On my wishlist: Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones. The book is a record of the collaboration between the Victoria & Albert Museum in London and Stephen Jones, the world's foremost hat designer. A related exhibit is taking place at the Bard Graduate Center (BGC) in New York City, from September 15, 2011 to April 15, 2012. Jones has curated an extraordinary collection of 250 hats that span the breath of the craft. How fabulous is that? And I imagine a valuable resource. 

Below, is the NYT Style columnist's Bill Cunningham's coverage of a preview of the exhibition. It is not only standard, but perfectly fitting that this man should cover such an event. He is not only the fashion eye of the New York Times, but an artist.

I have only recently come to know a little about Mr. Cunningham, but I am sure that I love him. I recently had the pleasure of watching Bill Cunningham New York. If you haven't already, you really should see it. You needn't be a lover of fashion, just a lover of love. The film is devoted to sharing the passion that Bill Cunningham has for fashion. Not to mention a very discerning eye, fearless determination for the shot and here it comes, a love of craft.

"I'm not interested in the celebrities with their free dresses. Look at the clothes, the cut, the new cut, the lines, the colors, that's everything. It's the clothes, not the celebrity, not the spectacle." - Bill Cunningham

Over 80 years old, never married, never in a relationship, Bill Cunningham has one muse, fashion. And he sees fashion as art. Some of it that is... Mr. Cunningham himself started out in the 1940s as a milliner. 

Young Bill Cunningham, milliner, at work under the name William J.

He told the NYT that he designed his first hat for his mother to wear to the World’s Fair of 1939. (She refused.) He continued working as a milliner under the name William J. — “I didn’t use my last name because my family was embarrassed,” he said — until the late 1950s. source

As for his hats, some pictured above, “I don’t think we sold many,” he said of more than one design. “Everything I did was a little too exotic — you know, for normal people.” source


What exactly is so great about normal people anyway?

New York State of Mind

fffweek by Vanessa Leigh on Polyvore

It's Finally hear dolls! Sonsi Full Figured Fashion Week! I am packing a bag and heading east for FFFWeek! Here's an idea of my clothing inspiration for the extra long fashion forward weekend. Comfort rules while attaining to remain chic while beating the heat! What do you think of my traveling wardrobe?


This month the positive body image advocate behind Vogue Curvy and editor of Vogue Italia, Franca Sozzani has put three plus sized models on the cover of the June issue of Vogue Italia. Models Candice Huffine, Robyn Lawley and Tara Lynn are showing off their curves in a gorgeous black and white lingerie shoot by Steven Meisel. Sozzani also currently has a campaign on the site against pro anorexia websites. I am grateful to such a healthy celebration of the female form in the world's dominant fashion magazine. Vogue Italia has had issues completely dedicated to Black models in 2008 and more recently provacative issues with controversial editorial shoots around the themes of rehab and the chase for youth through plastic surgery. Vogue Italia is easily the vanguard and representing fashion in a way that respects it as an art form. As we know art should be available to everyone. Let's hope couture and rtw by our favorite high end designers will be closely following Vogue Italia's lead when it comes to size acceptance. If Lanvin can tackle children's clothing they should certainly be able to consider full figured women as a potential market, as we are ready and willing.

I will arrive for a blogger's luncheon on the 18th and the Fashion Week Finale Fashion Show, and then look forward to three days of quality time with one of my favorite cities! Of course a trip to NYC would not be complete without a trip to the Metropolitan Museum for the Alexander McQueen Exhibit.

I'll also be spying for my major fashion crush Daphne Guinness and checking out the famous Re/Dress NYC in the flesh. I suspect a mini spree wll be in tow this trip.


Social Media is an amazing thing. Two months ago I did not know that there was such a thing as Full Figured Fashion Week.  How awesome is this small social media world of ours that I'm looking forward to meeting in the flesh people who have already inspired me to change my life and pursue my dreams by their mere existence. It is a beautiful thing! If you are in NYC and would like to touch base send me a line! To a fabulous month darlings!