ASMALLWORLD introduced me to the Beldi, a magical gem tucked away in the countryside of Morocco. We celebrated the ASW relaunch over a candlelit dinner at the little boutique hotel, and were greeted with camels, local musicians and belly dancers. The stunning Chelsea Leyland took over the music after poached-pear deserts with a perfect deejay set to fête ASW. I had a blast with Chelsea and her boyfriend, hotel connoisseur Ben Pundole - they’re the perfect adventure buddies and Ms. Leyland has been kind enough to share some songs from our trip. More on the Beldi and Chelsea’s #MoroccanMoments playlist after the jump.
Marrakech is a pink and terracotta maze of congested streets and bustling markets. Wide boulevards cut through the dusty terrain and break into little capillaries, packed wall-to-wall with people. The women in their brightly colored and multi-patterned headscarves look beautiful against the ochre city, especially when their robes flap in the wind as they shoot around the metropolis on motorbikes. After a visit to the chaotic Medina, where travelers can hear folk tales at night, sample tangines, purchase everything from ornate rugs to homemade beauty oils to jeweled daggers, we made the firm decision to get lost. And get lost we did.
Last week, I traveled with ASMALLWORLD to Morocco to celebrate the relaunch of their invitation-only global community. The group ASW selected to fête their relaunch definitely reflected the new tone of their refurbished website — chic, worldly, adventurous, entrepreneurial, curious and eclectic. Guests included my love Chelsea Leyland; the Luxury Collection’s Global Explorer Waris Ahluwalia; actresses Zoe Kazan, Mamie Gummer, Olivia Wilde and Diana Agron; fashion staples Derek Blasberg, Poppy Delevigne, Henry Holland and Harley Viera-Newton.
Here I am standing outside the Taj Palace wearing this cute little DVF number. Later that night I slipped on my go-to L’Icona flats from Salvatore Ferragamo. See my full look on this weeks Vogue.com Best Dressed.
The flawless execution of such a international and high-wattage affair is a testament to CEO, Sabine Heller, and Events Director, Serena Merriman, whose influence has positioned ASW to become the leader in global luxury. Check out some travel shots from the weekend after the jump.
From the Exumas to South Beach, the vibrant Karen was inspired by tropic landscapes and BRIGHT green vegetation. It’s perfect for holding court poolside or running around in Miami for the Art Basel fair.
Made from genuine calf skin leather, embellished with the 18 kt gold plated bracelet, this is the perfect luxe accessory for a special Mother’s Day gift.
I consider this a fitting offering for the occasion as the case was inspired by my very remarkable, very wise and very chic Aunt Karen whose primary occupation is all-star mother of two (second gig: Chairman of her son’s company, Altuzarra).
Thrilled to share that LK Collection was in Lifestyle Mirror and T Magazine! Click through for the stories.
You’ve been hearing about it for almost a year now. Baz Lurhman’s latest release: his reincarnation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’sThe Great Gatsby. It was just this time last year we were celebrating the annual Met Gala with Carey Mulligan, the star of this month’s spectacle, and Lurhman’s insightful short films directed capturing the “impossible conversations” between Miucca Prada and Elsa Schiaparelli. At the time, Gatsby was still a distant prospect and rumors were swirling of a music score by Jay-Z and Mulligan’s famed audition story in which she appeared for casting in a vintage number from The Olsen Twins’ archive. With her gamine looks and mysterious demeanor Mulligan was practically built for the part of Daisy Buchanan, Gatsby’s enigmatic anti-heroine.
This Friday, the film is finally released nationwide. Gatsby is more than just a novel that we all adore, but it’s also a literary work that established an eternal reference point for American arts, design, and of course, fashion. The glitz and glamor gives anyone who has read Fitzgerald’s famed work something to aspire to and dream about.
And speaking of dreams, everyone knows that director Baz Luhurman is truly a dream-manufacturer of sorts. His incredible vision and execution is what has made such memorable films like Moulin Rouge, Romeo + Juliet and Strictly Ballroom such essential parts of our cultural vernacular.
This is the third time the film has been taken to the big screen. There was the first silent film version in 1927, and in 1972, the first feature film of The Great Gatsby starring young Hollywood of yore, now iconic Robert Redford and Mia Farrow with costumes designed by Ralph Lauren.
Here’s a look back at the fabulous past of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby:
Lisbon is a magical, whimsical city – the type of city that made me want to study urbanism. How does a city make us feel? Maybe it is something in the air, an element mixed in the with the pavement, the character of its inhabitants, an energy that grows in a city’s parks and green spaces – but different cities have different tones, cadences and rhythms. This is the question that motivates me every time I land in a new place, and Lisbon definitely struck a chord with me.
I love Lisbon because an establishment like Chapito can exist and thrive there. It’s like no place I’d ever been before: a prison-cum-clown school slash restaurant perched on the top of the Old Town. When the owner pulled up a chair at our table, she told us her story of arriving in Lisbon and taking over the prison: “I don’t know what to say, I just love delinquents!” She controlled her facial expressions with precision and enthusiasm, resembling an animated Disney character straight out of Fantasia.
As my dinner companions shared meats and cheeses, deep red wine, olive-oil drenched white fish and homemade ice-cream, our table kept receiving visitors: mimes, jugglers and tap-dancers. After taking in the truly magnificent panoramic view of the city, we went downstairs to watch students dance to Edith Piaf and Josephine Baker. They had pushed all the desks and textbooks to one side – classroom by day, dance hall by night. Only in Lisboa!
Read about my new LK Collection for Cellairis in this fantastic article from Fast Company! The collection is available for presale now and will launch next week, May 8th! Stay tuned for more exciting details.
Last week I headed to Basel with one of my favorite fashion crews: Calvin Klein, Bryan Boy and Hanneli Mustaparta. Fresh off the plane from Central Africa it was an amazing contrast to land in Zurich with the Swiss city’s crisp Spring climate, towering financial monoliths and wienerschnitzel-soaked air. Several surveys have named Zurich the city with the best quality of life in the world as well as the wealthiest city in Europe, and after a few days there with Calvin Klein I’d have to agree.
As Ulrich Grimm, Creative Director of Calvin Klein accessories, toured me around their impressive installation I was taken with the pieces’ sleek, understated simplicity that is so characteristic of the brand. The whole Basel World fair was completely awe-inspiring — I couldn’t believe the new exhibition complex, designed by star architects Herzog & de Meuronand the sophistication of every installation.
Baselworld’s high level of design combined with a badass performance by British sensation, Rita Ora, was an unforgettable opportunity to witness industries colliding. In my opinion these intersections, connections and collaborations have the power to produce so much energy and inspiration. After my weekend in the Swiss watch making-mecca with Calvin Klein it was time to finally pack up and head home after three weeks on the road…U.S. of A here I come.
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