Spotlight On: Cédric Charlier

Cédric Charlier is a "new to me" young designer from Belgium.  I get so excited when I discover a  talent whose work I love and is wearable!  Such is the case with Cédric.  As he worked for the likes of Lanvin and Celine, I am not surprised, as I see a strong influence ~ Cedric was also the artistic director for Cacharel.  When he was let go he was able to unleash his creativity and his own collection.  With monied backers behind him, his fall 2012 and spring 2013 collections have caught the attention of many a buyer and fashionista.

Cédric is on trend with his razor sharp lines and color blocking.  There are heavy doses of architectural pant suits and asymmetrical shift dresses.  I am happy to see patent  leather making a comeback.  His collection is full of inky blues, blacks, coppery metallics, and my favorite ~ the painterly brush stroke pieces.

Cedric says he loves the movement of the line in the clothes.  As you walk, your clothes take on another effect.  A bold stroke of creativity.

Never underestimate the ability of surprise.  Cedric was doing a lot of floral, feminine looks at Cacharel, so this was quite a departure.  Things always work out for a reason, don't they?






ph: Yannis Vlamos courtesy of Style.com

The 2012 Kitchen of the Year

Mick De Giulio is the "go to guy" for excellence in kitchen design.  I have written about Mick before here.   His designs take kitchens to another level, like jewel boxes of luxury and efficiency.

Each year House Beautiful anoints a prominent designer or chief the honor of designing a kitchen in Rockefeller Center.  Once unveiled to the public, there are tastings, special events, and mixology classes.  My only complaint is, "It's not open long enough!"

This is one sweet kitchen, right?

I love the unexpected touch of blue ~ coupled with the gleaming surfaces, stainless steel, mirrors, and wood, it's classic and timeless.  The walnut and metal cabinet makes pots and pans sculptural in the hands of Mick.

It really should be called kitchen and great room/space of the year.  At 1,000 sq. feet I think that's a better description.  A few modern rustic elements mixed in keep things from feeling too formal.

Another great design Mick ~

The Rainbow Rose

I'll be honest, normally this would not be something I would gravitate towards.  The rose is perfect just the way mother nature intended it.  But when I realized it was REAL and not artificial; the crazy kaleidoscope of colors captured my attention and I was hooked.

I guess it was the idea of something so perfect in it's natural state becoming contrived by altering it that  gave me reason to pause.  I don't like unnatural looking things ~ but, what the hell?  I loved the juxipositon.  It's a party in a vase!

It’s created by introducing colored water to the rose’s stem, but in a manner that the colors reach the petals at different places.  The inventor, Peter van de Werken, keeps the process a secret. 

You need to be careful when using these vivid beauties or you run the risk of your arrangements  looking kitschy.  They are so fun for a kid's party, fiesta, sweet sixteen, or carnival theme.  If it's in keeping with the overall look, you are good.  You can't force these to be anything other than fun.  That's why there also known as the happy rose.

Suddenly my backyard party became a riotous, raucous affair, and these babies were the topic of conversation.

I have to mention though, I do not like the idea of engineering different colored flowers to coincide with holidays or occasions, but that's just me.

If you saw it in the store would you love it or leave it?
Is it gaudy or gorgeous??


ph: 4,5,6 Neocrisis.com