Trends from Sex and the City

Belts, Hats, Fur, Large Handbags, Sky High Heels, Vests, Saturated Colors - are all the name of the game according to the selections of Costume Designer of Sex and the City, Pat Field. Yves Saint Laurent, Oscar de la Renta, Manolo Blahnik, Vivienne Westwood, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Proenza Schouler, Hermes, Alexander McQueen, Vera Wang, Christian Dior, Christian Lacroix, Lanvin, Zac Posen and Carolina Herrera are only some of the designers featured in the movie.


Great Green Dress, Coat and Eiffel Tower Handbag!

Carrie trying on an outfit from Season 1

J-Hud with her Louis Vuitton from Bag, Borrow or Steal

Look at all the belts!

Bride's Maids dresses by Zac Posen and Bridal Gown by Vivienne Westwood

There aren't so many pictures of Samantha here because, unfortunately for her, Pat Field gave her a very severe '80's look. Although if anyone can pull off that kind of look, it is Samantha! It was a little incongruous that only Samantha's clothes looked retro. And Miranda seemed out of character looking completely of the moment. Did she hire a stylist?

Because I loved the show so much, I had very low expectations for the movie. Thank God! I was pleasantly surprised, the movie was enjoyable although at times overly sentimental. There were some good laughs to be had. But I definitely recommend that you grab a girlfriend and go! If you're a guy, it could be a great place to meet women!

U r 24K!

xoxo,
Krom

Awesome American Apparel!

What is so great about American Apparel is that it can be enjoyed by the entire family! And it is made in California! And there are many organic options! And all the items shown here are under $45.00; most of the items shown are less than $30.00!









And there are American Apparels all over America. Who would have guessed that this company was founded by a Canadian?

U r 24K!

xoxo,
Krom

Astounding Argentine Barbeque!

The afterparty to Kanye's concert was at K's and A's house Sunday afternoon. The barbeque was a celebration of the anniversary of Argentina's May Revolution. It was a beautiful day - sunny with a gentle breeze floating across the screened-in porch. The barbeque itself came all the way from Argentina.

The Argentinians take their superfabulous barbeque and beef very seriously. The science of it was lost on me, but the taste sure wasn't. I never tasted beef that was so flavorful. And the beef empanadas brought by one of the Argentine guests were phenomenal. The salad was truly exceptional and complimented the beef superbly. There were two other dishes which I failed to document, but were no less incredible - 2 kinds of sausage on baguette, and ribs bathed in a mustard marinade.

I usually don't eat beef, but I made an exception on this day, and it sure was worth it!

K's horses added ambiance to the day, and were camera ready!




And the solar panels added social consciousness to the day!


Viva Argentina! Cheers to K and A!

U r 24K!

xoxo,
Krom

Kanye's T-shirts are Superfabulous!

I forgot to mention in my entry about Kanye's concert that I tried to buy a T-shirt. Normally, concert T's are hideous, but Kanye's are quite a style statement. Even Krom would wear one.
Anyway, after waiting on line for a T, I got to the front of the line only to find out that the shirt I wanted was sold out. Kanye hadn't even performed yet, nor had Rihanna! I was totally robbed! Thank God for the invention of ecommerce because now you can get the T's on Kanye's awesome website!

U r 24K!

xoxo,
Krom

The Lobby at the Peninsula Provides Proper Fortification before an Evening with Kanye!

After a couple of hours of jeans shopping, Kirstoner and I needed to relax and reenergize before Kanye's Glow in the Dark Concert. We arrived in the Lobby of the Peninsula at around 5:15, they told us we could order from any of their menus - lunch, dinner, or tea. As you can see, the Lobby is a feast for the eyes. We both chose the Lunch menu. Of course, the first thing I ordered was an iced tea!


I picked the Peninsula Lobster Cobb salad and K selected the the Truffled Kobe burger with Stilton Cheese and fries with truffle aioli.

Doesn't it look incredible?

The food tasted as good as it looks! And additional iced teas were provided without request; it doesn't get any better than that!

During our meal, a cellist and violinist performed. The Lobby in the Peninsula Hotel is a paradise amidst the many shopping opportunities down below in the Streeterville and Gold Coast neighborhoods of Chicago.

The Lobby in the Peninsula Chicago gets



out of 3 glasses of iced tea

The Lobby at the Peninsula Chicago's Vitals
108 East Superior Street
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 337-2888

U r 24K!

xoxo,
Krom

Bice is More than Nice!

Last Saturday (the day I saw Kanye), I met a few of my Chi-city BFFs for lunch at Bice. The menu had many intriguing items to choose from, and the prices seemed quite reasonable; (I think the Chicago Bice is less expensive than the Bice in New York). We ordered a variety of dishes - minestrone soup, eggplant Parmigiano, fresh spaghetti Bolognese, the cheese plate, apple pie a la mode, squid ink pasta with seafood, and orecchiette with sausage, sun-dried tomatoes, and peas. All were superb!

Doesn't the cheese plate look stunning?


Parmesan and pepper added to the minestrone soup equaled perfection.

Now, let's get down to the most important detail of all - the iced tea. The iced tea was excellent and unlimited! You've got to love a place where they never let you empty your glass! Bice gets


out of 3 glasses of iced tea

Chicago Bice's Vitals
158 East Ontario Street
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 664-1474

U r 24K!

xoxo,
Krom

Kanye West, Jennifer Hudson, and I Came Home for Memorial Weekend!

Every now and then, I need to visit my oldest BFF - Chicago. Born and bred there, Chicago has a special place in my heart. When I was away at school in Connecticut, I thought about Chicago often, and missed her terribly. I always wanted to show her off to my friends from other places. I always felt I was lucky to know Chicago!


Me, on the Chicago street named for my grandfather

[Side Note] How Krom was coined: While I was away at school, my friends shortened my surname to arrive at my nickname.

Well, this weekend was extra special because not only was I visiting my BFF, but Kanye was as well. I attended his Saturday night concert in Chi-town with Kirstoner, a college BFF. Rihanna, NERD, and Lupe Fiasco joined Kanye in making this concert the experience of a lifetime. But it gets better, Jennifer Hudson, one of the guys from VH1's I love New York plus 2 were sitting right next to us. J-Hud, tugging at her baseball cap, was hoping to go unnoticed; however, she was unsuccessful, as her beauty gave her away.

Here are some photos from the concert:


This is Kanye's ode to Chi-town, and a favorite song of mine:


Further, the weekend was topped off with "Fireworks at Lake Michigan".

How can you not love Chicago?

I hope you had a great Memorial weekend too! There is much more to come from Chi-city!

U r 24K!

xoxo,
Krom

You Don't have to Spend Superfabulously to Look Superfab

You can look superfabulous without spending a bundle! You just have to know where to shop. Good places to go are H&M, Gap, Old Navy, Forever 21, Uniqlo, and Zara. When you shop in these stores, it is very important to check the garments carefully. Look at how the pattern matches up at the seams, the stitching, and the details such as buttons and other closures to make sure they are not cheap looking.

Here are many superfabulous items under $55:



The shoes below are under $100, and were designed by Pierre Hardy for Gap:


Happy Shopping!

xoxo,
Krom

Karl's Court

This guy knows how to dress for an appearance at Karl's Court.


With the flood of new music out this month from Duffy, Madonna, Portishead, and actress gone rocker, Scarlett Johansson, we couldn't help but wonder what are people listening to?


The Creative Director of Chanel and Karl's partner-in-crime, Eric Pfrunder and DJ Extraordinaire, Eric Tomasini are enjoying the show. DJ Eric T. is listening to DJ Harvey and Justice. For your listening and viewing pleasure, Justice's D.A.N.C.E.





Editor-in-Chief of Harper's Bazaar, Glenda Bailey, is listening to Annie Lennox's No More I Love You's.


Stephen Gan of Bazaar and Visionaire is listening to Mariah Carey's E=MC2, but more importantly, he is standing next to BRAD.

If you ask us, the new music of the moment is not Mariah or Madonna ...
It is Swedish electro-pop sensation Robyn. She is a double F threat - Funny and Fantastic!
Check out her self titled new album.



Straight from M.I.A (Miami International Airport) after the Chanel 2009 Cruise Collection [which was equipped with black & white double C-ed life preservers and synchronized ballet swimmers (so wish we were there)]

photos courtesy of style.com

arrived Karl Lagerfeld and crew to the launch of his new book at The Pace/MacGill gallery on East 57th Street.


His book, Metamorphoses of an American, is a collection of three beautifully bound books with a devoted focus on male model Brad Kroenig. Images of the book were magnificently displayed on the walls of the gallery in a wallpaper type of effect.


Trust me (Cynthia) when I tell you I am not a male model groupie; however, this guy is seriously cute!



You can also catch Brad’s boyish good looks in this summer’s H&M campaign.

Look for upcoming Karl Lagerfeld photos in Time Magazine and Harper’s Bazaar.

xoxo,
Your KromStyle correspondent,
Cynthia Tomasini, and Krom

Krom's 10 Superfab Style Rules

1. Everything is in/ Nothing is out. Some style experts say that if an item has not been worn in 1-2 years, it should be discarded; I strongly disagree with this advice. Older items mixed with current styles are often the reason an outfit is distinctive, chic, and fabulous.
   
2. Items should be discarded based on fit and quality.
   
   
3. It's all in the mix.
   
4. An item should only be purchased if it takes your breath away.
   
   
5. Why wear black? The decision to wear black should be deliberate and not a cop out.
   
   
   
6. All hemlines can work.
   
7. Accessories can change a look dramatically.
   
8. Certain designers and stores are "go to". (This list will depend on your aesthetic, physique, and budget).
   
   
9. Comfort and ease are essential. Example: If you try on a beautiful sweater and it is itchy, do not buy it because you will never wear it! You will always think ITCH!
   
   
10. The rule of opposites: contrast makes items pop. Masculine with feminine, neutrals with colors, Fitted items paired with loose ones, rustic with refined, sporty with formal, ethnic items mixed with classic items or a ball gown, you get the idea.
    

U r 24K!

xoxo,
Krom

A Neutral Magic Trick

Pick a handbag, any handbag.

Pick a shoe, any shoe.

Now pick a dress, any dress.

Photos courtesy of net-a-porter.com

Abra kadabra, you have another superfabulous outfit!

U r 24K!

xoxo,
Krom

P.S. I will be away for the weekend, but there's more in store for you next week.

Do You Want to See a Superfabulous Magic Trick?

Pick a handbag, any handbag.

Pick a pair of shoes, any pair of shoes.

And combine with any of the dresses below, and abra cadabra, you have a superfabulous look!

photos courtesy of net-a-porter.com

U r 24K!

xoxo,
Krom

Insanely Fabulous Simon Doonan

This morning, there was a breakfast and book reading/signing by Simon Doonan at Barney's to celebrate his new book, Eccentric Glamour: Creating an Insanely More Fabulous You. He told his audience that there were two main reasons he decided to write this book. First, most actresses are dressing with no personality; he believes they are afraid of taking risks because they don't want to be mentioned on worst dressed lists. He said that most actresses are dressed like they are going to the country club. Further, he thought this uniformity might be due to the advent of stylists. Second, he thinks many women are dressing like prostitutes and end up looking like Bratz dolls. Simon says, "Say no to ho; say yes to glamour and eccentricity". Who can argue with that?



Look at Simon's awesome Hogans. I love Hogans; they are supercomfortable, good looking, and give one a little extra height.


Simon sharing some great stories!


Simon signing.


Simon with Cynthia, one of my new contributors, and her mother


Simon told me that hats are of the moment, as evidenced by Sarah Jessica Parker's appearance at her London premiere.


Simon said forget about bags and shoes, think HATS! I might have a difficult time following this one as you will see in the pictures that follow.

Simon's music of the moment is Madonna's (aka Madge) new album, and his favorite song on the album is 4 minutes featuring Justin Timberlake.

The book reading took place in Barney's shoe department. So as you can imagine, there was a lot of eye candy. I think money, jewels, and vibrant colors and patterns are of the moment.

Money






Jewels


Vibrant Colors and Patterns














U r 24K!

xoxo,
Krom

I'm on style.com!

I was looking at the coverage of the Tom Sachs opening at Lever House on style.com, and I came across this picture. If you look really carefully you can see my husband and me in the background.

U r 24K!

xoxo,
Krom

Sachs and the City

Now you get to find out, who was superfabulous who? at the Tom Sachs gala plus a little extra.

Joel Fitzpatrick (mixed media artist), Andrew Kromelow (artist extraordinaire), and the legendary Malcolm McLaren are hanging at the turntable.



The guest of honor, the sensational Tom Sachs, and amazing Andrew



Tom's Mom and friend



Tom's Dad



Andrew is catching up with Cecilia Dean of Visionaire and David Selig, owner of the Rice restaurants. David recommended a celebrated spice shop called Kalustyan's (123 Lexington Avenue). He told me that it is really something to see, and that all the great chefs from New York shop or have shopped there, including Julia Child.



Bowman Hastie, Hayseed (Tom's assistant) and his girlfriend, Jenn are enjoying the party. Bowman's boss is the renown artist, Tillamook Cheddar aka Tilly, a Jack Russell Terrier from Brooklyn. He was formerly a member of the band Whizzy Beat with Peter Dinklage. Right now Bowman is listening to Notorious BIG-Party & BS remix by Ratatat, and his most prized possession is his Tilly art collection. Hayseed's song of the moment is Stranger by the Kinks from the movie Darjeeling Unlimited, and his favorite object is a beautiful wood ashtray from a machine shop.



Pictured are Sharon Ryan, Josh White, Mark Rossi, his girlfriend, and a Gagosian Gallerina. Sharon Ryan and Josh White are artists from Los Angeles. Josh is a photographer specializing in the documentation of architecture, and has worked with Frank Gehry, Rem Koolhaas, Richard Meier, Jeff Koons, and Robert Therrien. Mark Rossi is a fabricator for Jeff Koons. His most prized possession is a tiny aluminum capsule with a love note from his girlfriend inside. He and Josh make custom bikes, and just delivered one to Tom. Mark's song of the moment is Bron Yr Aur by Led Zeppelin. His girlfriend's song of the moment is Train in Vain by the Clash.



Don't you love their glasses?



Doug Starn of the brilliant Starn Brothers and his wife, Nancy Bressler, were taking in Tom's amazing work.



Painter and sculptor, Hope Atherton, Anne Pasternak, and Mike Starn, the other brilliant Starn Brother, were catching up. Anne is the President and Artistic Director of Creative Time, a nonprofit organization responsible for public art projects all over the City. Her organization commissioned and presented The Tribute in Light, the two beacons of light that rose from the former twin tower site 6 months after September 11th to honor the lives that were lost.



Hope Atherton's arm candy (some YSL mixed in with some ethnic jewelry)
A great style statement!



Joe Coleman, the apocalyptic visionary painter, and his wife, Whitney Ward, the photographer, very graciously let me take their picture and go on a little adventure with them. As it turned out, Whitney is the gatekeeper to the dungeon beneath the Hello Kitty Robot sculpture.



Joe Coleman, Andrew Kromelow, Gian Enzo Sperone of Sperone Westwater Gallery sharing a drink.



Mischievous Joe and Whitney trying to unlock the door to the dungeon,



...still trying...



...still trying...



...still trying...


to no avail. Oh well, it was an adventure trying. The key worked, but the latches were stuck.

The fashion photographer, Mario Sorrenti, was also enjoying the show and the evening.



John Ferguson, a sculptor and former assistant of Tom Sachs, catching up with friends.



The only person who refused me a photo was Jeffrey Deitch, the cutting-edge art dealer and adviser; he was camera shy, but I bet he regrets not finding himself on this superfabulous blog. I wonder if he would have posed for me if he knew we went to the same university. I hope you enjoyed meeting this unusual cast of characters. Tune in for some more party antics early next week.

U r 24K!

xoxo,
Krom

I would never cheat on Manolo Blahnik

In 1988, when my parents would visit New York from Chicago, they would always visit the Manolo Blahnik boutique during their sale. Back in the day, sale shoes would cost anywhere from $50.00 to $100.00, quite a deal even back then. So twice a year, I would head to MB to see what I could find; there was always something to be found! I don't think I ever left empty handed.

When I was getting married in 1989, I decided I needed 3 pairs of MBs: a pair to get married in, a pair to celebrate my forthcoming marriage, and a pair to celebrate being married. I still have all 3 pairs today, but I don't wear any of them. The pair I celebrated my upcoming marriage in still look brand new, but unfortunately, my feet expanded as my children entered this world. The pair to celebrate being married are mules, and I just don't wear mules anymore because they are sometimes difficult to keep on the feet.



But with the pair I got married in, it's a different story. Last year, I read that Manolo Blahnik was coming to Bergdorf Goodman. I thought, wow, I would love it if he would draw something on my wedding shoes. I had seen his illustrations, and thought they were quite beautiful. So with shoes in hand, I visited Bergdorf's. I couldn't believe the line of people waiting to see this amazing man. There was a band; hors d' oeuvres were being served. It was a real scene! I became quite nervous. I thought he's not going to take the time out to sign and draw on shoes that are 18 years old while everyone else is having him sign brand new pairs, and copies of his then new book. I'm glad I was wrong; he couldn't have been more gracious.

When I showed Mr. Blahnik my shoes, he became very nostalgic. He told me they were one of his favorite styles, and he was thinking about doing something like it again. They also reminded him of shoes he designed for Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette.



When I asked him to draw on my shoes, he turned one over to sign the bottom. I said, "No,no, I want you to draw on the shoe". He thought that by writing on them, he could/would ruin them, but I knew this could/would never happen.



Well, then he got excited about this assignment. He asked me how long I had been married. On one shoe he wished me many more years of happiness in my marriage, and on the other shoe he wrote, in French, a sentiment relating to Marie Antoinette. He really took his time to consider what would be meaningful, and it didn't seem to phase him that there was still a long line behind me.