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Leopard print Chloe in Vogue - Nov 09
Both runway and street style are getting their fair share of feline fix right now. Leopard print is one of those ubiquitous fashion statements where you either love it or hate it. To be honest, I’ve always teetered on the edge of hating it but recently have found myself toying with the idea of adding a touch of leopard luxe to my wardrobe mix. It’s one of those statement pieces that can be ultra classy or ultra trashy depending on the quality of the garment and the way it is worn.
On Wednesday night, I popped by Paysage to meet interior design star Bunny Williams, who was in store for a book signing following Paysage’s Week of Wow luncheon at Landfall Country Club. I looked around and thought, “I must not have gotten the leopard memo!”
 
 
Leopard Valentino handbag - owned by Faye Paterson
Not only was Bunny herself adorned in a leopard print coat, but at least 20 of her admirers were decked out in their leopard finest from bold printed dresses to a creatively layered touches of leopard. This display, worn by women in their 40s - 70s, looked so chic that I’ve been daydreaming about the vintage Ungaro leopard dress I recently uncovered at a consignment shop, ever since.
 
Paysage owners Jane and Richard Marquard with interior design star Bunny Williams
Left: Jane’s fabulous Chanel boots - besides the leopard, these covetable boots created a buzz throughout the event.
Leopard never quite goes out of style, but the call of the wild is particularly powerful at the moment with our animal instincts in full swing. Texture abounds with sartorial spottings of snakeskin, faux fur and animal prints in all shapes, colors and sizes.
To add a touch of leopard luxe to your look, here’s a few tips:
 
DVF animal print dress; 3.1 Phillip Lim and Elie Tahari “feral print” dresses - Vogue Oct 09
- Look for quality leopard pieces that are well crafted and up-to-date silhouettes.
- Layer your leopard with bold colors and luxe fabrics. Try a ribbed red turtleneck with a cropped leopard print bolero.
- If you’re a little leary of the leopard, try a more subdued print or add a touch by incorporating leopard accessorizes into your wardrobe like a scarf, a bangle or a pair of shoes. Try wearing all black with a chic pair of leopard print ballet flats.
- Complement your leopard print with gold accents - a chunky gold chain choker or gold bangles.
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HOLIDAY MAKEOVER CONTEST
aMuse For Shoes/Sierra Leone Fundraiser
WINNER!
To find out the identity of the winner of the aMuse for Shoes Makeover (valued at over $700), click HERE to watch the video.
SPECIAL THANKS TO…
All the fabulous fashionistas who contributed to send Shoemaker Glen Leasure to Sierra Leone, Africa, along with those who donated product and their services:
- Full holiday attire - the total look - from Sonny B
- Hair cut and style by Celebrity Stylist Steve Ward - who has styled the likes of Angelina Jolie, Meryl Streep, Sarah Jessica Parker and Julia Roberts
- Makeup by Phoebe Herron of Natural Elegance
- Accessories (jewelry and/or headpiece) from aMuse
- Shopping and styling consult with Style Girl Jess James
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JAMES + DUNNE
fall fashion preview
Jess and Shannon of James + Dunne Styling hosted an evening of style at Hewitt featuring essential looks for fall - modeled on fabulous women in their 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s - proving that high fashion and age-appropriate looks do coexist from head to toe. Live styling, creative layering and style tricks ensued before Frank Potter of Bangz and Phoebe Herron of Natural Elegance took the floor and shared the latest beauty secrets for fall. Best of all, the night ended with some serious shopping with a sampling of the best offerings for the season from Amanda deLeon, aMuse, Beanie + Cecil, Hallelu, Mitzy Jonkeer, Oliver, Vanessa Jenik and the debut of James + Dunne’s own collection.
To see more photos, visit
 our Facebook album
For a sneak peek on the night’s events, WATCH the video by clicking HERE.
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JAMES + DUNNE STYLING
style Q+A
QUESTION: As a woman in my late forties, how can I incorporate a few fall trends into my wardrobe? I want to look stylish yet age-appropriate.
ANSWER: Your silhouette may change along with your lifestyle as you age, but keep in mind you’re never too busy or too old to be stylish! You can update your look while still maintaining your signature style simply by adding in a few essentials for fall or reinventing a few pieces from your current wardrobe.
To see our top 5 picks for fall essentials whether you’re thirty-something or 60+, visit www.focusonthecoast.com to see the latest edition of our James + Dunne column featured in Focus on the Coast.
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Calling all STYLE SWAP Guests in Wilmington, Charleston and Raleigh:
Please email me a photo of yourself wearing your favorite score
from Style Swap!
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WILMINGTON’S OWN
Favorite local Caffe Phoenix bartender (full disclosure: and Jess James’s husband) Joel Finsel recently published a book, Cocktails & Conversations. To read the featured review from Encore’s Book Club this week, click HERE.
This collection of 36 short stories is based on his three years spent tending bar at one of Philadelphia’s treasured and most eccentric restaurants, the Astral Plane. For the DIY bartenders, this book also includes Spirited Essays and Award-winning Cocktail Recipes as well as a glimpse of life behind the bar. Recognized as one of Playboy’s Top 10 Mixologists in 2009, Philadelphia’s “Rising Star” Mixologist and winner of the Philadelphia Cocktail Classic, Joel’s original cocktail recipes have been featured in Cosmopolitan, Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Style Magazine. Joel has been published locally in the Wilmington Star-News, Focus on the Coast and Wilmington Magazine.
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR
TODAY
Week of Wow
Paysage / Lumina Station
WILMINGTON
November 6:
From 11:30am - 2pm, cookbook author and Four Star Chef Alexis Fouros visits Paysage for a cooking demonstration and luncheon. Visit paysage.com for more information or call 910-256-6050 for tickets and reservations.
TONIGHT
Louise Giordano Trunk Show
aMuse
WILMINGTON
WHAT: aMuse Artisanal Finery is kicking off the holiday shopping season by featuring local fiber artist and knit goddess Louise Giordano of Scarf It Up! Giordano’s work includes brightly colored wraps, neck loopies, cachecols, hand felted bags and scarves, as well as other wearable art.
WHERE: aMuse 4405 Wrightsville Avenue (corner of Wrightsville & Kerr),
WHEN: Tonight (Friday) from 6pm-9pm
WHY:Louise’s work is abstract, artsy & attention-getting! Refreshments served. Free & open to the public.
For more info, contact Jan at 397.9099 or jan@hatshatshats.com
TONIGHT
Glitter & Gloves Fashion Show
Solas
RALEIGH
WHAT: Fashion Designer Austin Jade will preview her 2009 / 2010 collection along with Moon & Lola Jewelry.
WHERE: Solas / 419 Glenwood Avenue / 2nd floor
WHEN: Tickets available for 2 showings (5:30pm - 7:00pm or 7:30pm-9:00pm)
WHY: All proceeds will benefit The American Cancer Society.
TICKETS: $7 general admission / $20 VIP (front row seating)
For more info, please email ajfashioncause@yahoo.com
November 7
S Tector Metals Trunk Show
1516 Chestnut Street
WILMINGTON
Metalsmith and jewelry designer Sarah Tector, who recently relocated to Raleigh, will be in Wilmington this weekend for a jewelry show & sale just in time for holiday shopping. To start making your wish list now, visit www.stectormetals.com
November 8
Dave Yearwood & Friends
Art Show
Hallelu
WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH
WHAT: Surfer/Shaper Dave Yearwood (Hallelu owner Catherine Yearwood’s husband) and his artistic friends including photographers and artists Logan Mock-Bunting, Joshua Curry, Ryan Tatar, Ben Keys and many more will display their art work collectively for one night only.
WHERE: Hallelu / 84 Waynick Boulevard / Wrightsville Beach
WHEN: Sunday 5:30pm - 9:00pm
WHY: “Expressions of Joy”
November 12
WILMA NIGHTS
Fashion Show
Coastline Convention Center
WILMINGTON
WHAT: Wilma Magazine hosts their first fashion show, sponsored by Interior Designer Debby Gomulka and Jim Zisa Attorneys, featuring Wilmington’s First Lady Renee Saffo, City Councilwoman Kristi Tomey, SunTrust President Donna Cameron + more.
WHERE: Coastline Convention Center
WHEN: Thursday, November 12th from 6-9pm
WHY: A night of fun, fashion & networking
For more info, visit www.wilmaontheweb.com
November 17
Trish McEvoy’s “Gorgeous Red” Launch Party
Social Wine Bar
CHARLESTON
WHAT: The launch party for Trish McEvoy’s “Gorgeous Red” lip color will feature DJ Spaced Invaders, food and drink specials and door prizes. Lipstick consolations will be provided, showing how anyone can rock the red.
WHERE: Social Wine Bar
WHEN: November 17
WHY: It will first be introduced in South Carolina in the Charleston market in support of World Aids Day December 1st. The lip color will be available starting Nov 13 at Gwynn’s and Saks. For the very first time, a portion ($3.50) of the lip color’s retail value ($22) will go directly to Lowcountry Aids Services.
“Over the years I have observed many men of great talent and beauty battle and, in many cases, triumph over this terrible disease, spiritually if not physically. I have seen makeup serve as a healer in more ways than one and my donation of the proceeds from my new Gorgeous Red Lip Color is a literal and figurative symbol of the fight against AIDS. ” - Trish
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Never thought you were a hat person? It’s time to visit Wilmington’s very own Milliner Jan Wutkowski to see what you’ve been missing….
Style Girl Jess James
Style Girl Jess James, Focus on the Coast Fashion Editor and style columnist for the Star-News, has continued to seek opportunities intertwining her passion for fashion with her day job. First in Public Relations / Special Events for the nation's largest bridal retailer, where she coordinated bridal and prom fashion shows nationwide and selected wedding gowns for Modern Bride, In Style and, most memorably, the Oprah Winfrey Show. Before moving South, as Director of Fashion & Beauty at a NY marketing agency, she connected clients with trendsetters and brand ambassadors, coordinating media tours with indie artists, styling photo shoots and developing hot lists for industry insiders.