Margaret Hayes, the president and chief executive of Fashion Group International, died last week at age 79. FGI is a nonprofit organization for the fashion industry; as its website explains, the group’s mission “is to be the pre-eminent authority on the business of fashion and design and to help its members become more effective in…
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RIP, Karl Lagerfeld
For years now, whenever I would read an interview with designer Karl Lagerfeld, I couldn’t help but imagine that after Andy Warhol died in 1987, Karl decreed, “Now I must be Warhol.” For instance, Karl’s response to a question about how he felt before a 2007 fashion show — “I have no human feelings” —…
RIP, Al Radley
My friend Al Radley died at age 94 on Valentine’s Day, and London won’t be the same for me without a visit with him. I first met Al at his home there in March 2005, following an introduction by our mutual friend Cameron Silver, the founder of the Los Angeles vintage store Decades. Cameron knew…
The Weeks in Review, Plus Two Tributes
In case you missed it, here’s what’s been on the blog recently. Tuesday, December 4: The sale I was talking about in this post has come and gone, but I’m very determined to move the last of my silver pieces in the next few weeks, so keep an eye out for sale announcements and gifts…
RIP, Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin — the Queen of Soul — always knew how to create a Moment. via GIPHY She was the diva of divas, as she proved 20 years ago this October, during the debut “VH1 Divas Live” special, at the end of which which she famously dominated Mariah Carey, Gloria Estefan, Celine Dion, Shania Twain,…
Thoughts on Kate Spade
I was saddened to learn today that designer Kate Spade died by suicide at age 55. Embed from Getty Images In addition, I was appalled by much of the news coverage, which failed to follow readily available guidelines for reporting on such deaths. In 2014, I blogged about suicide and mental health issues after another…
International Women’s Day: The Women That Didn’t Fit
I’ve been thinking about canceling my longtime New York Times print subscription for months. With the exception of reporters Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey — who broke the devastating and culturally significant Harvey Weinstein sex-abuse story — I’m disappointed in the newspaper I grew up with. For a start, the Times stumbled when confronted with its…
RIP, John Mahoney
I’m so saddened by the news of actor John Mahoney’s death this Sunday! Mahoney co-starred in Frasier during the sitcom’s entire 1993 to 2004 run. His Marty Crane was the down-to-earth, dog-loving father of fastidious, social-climbing sons Frasier (Kelsey Grammmer) and Niles (David Hyde Pierce) — an ex-cop who was a source of conflict from the…
The Week in Review, Plus Farewell to Liz Smith and Alaia
In case you missed it, here’s what was on the blog this week. Monday, November 13: Boy, was my sister surprised to see me on Inside Edition! Also, I have something to say about Saturday Night Live’s stunning lack of diversity. Tuesday, November 14: Tiffany Haddish and Tami Roman agree with me. If you invest…
RIP, Gigi the Dog
The ancient Celts believed that the boundaries between our world and the spirit world were more easily crossed on the festival day now known as Halloween. That’s why I chose this date to help Gigi the dog make her transition. I felt that at Gigi’s advanced age of 16, she deserved an especially easy journey….