Joan Shepp

I enjoy looking at imaginative, oh-wait-slow-down window displays, but they’re in short supply in metal gate-obsessed Philadelphia.  However, one store’s window is always cool – Joan Shepp.  This high end boutique near Rittenhouse Square carries the best designers: Balenciaga, Chloe, Ann Demeulemeester, Christian Louboutin, Yohji Yamamoto, as well as hot new labels like Elizabeth and James and Opening Ceremony, among others.  I’ve traditionally admired this boutique only from the outside—it’s a bit too rich for my slim wallet.

So imagine my surprise when a friend and I stopped at Joan’s window one evening and I spotted this gorgeous Beracamy Paris bag at 50% off!  Half-price made it affordable!  Other bags available at the store include a leather backpack by Johnny Frank ($1,245), leather tote from Ann Demeulemeester ($2,216), and one of the store’s favorites, a large leather tote from Givenchy ($1,660).  Half-price for these items for most of us still means choosing between groceries for a few weeks or the admiration of other fashionistas.

The next day I stopped in to confirm the discounted price.  I still doubted that the marked down price ($200) was correct—it’s a steal for high quality leather.  Well, the price was correct so I bought the bag.  The afro puff-soft leather is a dark camel color.  The spacious interior is fully lined with pockets for my cell phone, mp3 music player and keys.  I’m in love!

Here’s what else I loved--the staff at Joan Shepp is helpful, patient and friendly to everyone who comes in.  They don’t annoy shoppers by helicoptering, but you don’t have to wander far to find someone to answer questions, offer advice or search for a smaller size.  A wonderful sales consultant, Yoko Arayama, assisted me.  She was pleasant and accommodating.  While I waited to make my purchase we struck up a conversation about buying quality items.  She advised me that all merchandise at Joan Shepp is not out of reach, and to consider revisiting the store. 

Usually I walk out of a store relieved that I don’t work there.  I get an attitude brought on by stalled lines, self-absorbed clerks chatting among themselves instead of waiting on customers, loud music.  My experience at Joan Shepp was classy and civilized.  The courtesy Ms. Arayama showed was mirrored by all of the boutique staff.

Everyday courtesy is in short supply right now—it’s 95 degrees and everyone is in meltdown mode.  But you know what?  I’ll save up and treat myself to another visit to Joan Shepp (when they're having a sale).

You're Wearing What??

This article from the NY Times made me want to clean out my overstuffed closets and learn to exist on only eight items (sorry—six would feel like a school uniform).  A great report and fun read on an interesting month-long “fashion fast.”  Many participants felt liberated afterwards! 

I would choose these eight items if I were to participate: a pair of black leggings, black skinny jeans, black skirt, black boyfriend jacket, two white tees, and two gray tees.  What would you choose?  Could you choose?

What a Doll - Defending A Style Icon

Am I the only woman who was not traumatized by Barbie?  My dad bought me Barbie and Midge for Christmas when I was eight.  The dolls were the Fashion Queen models that came with a set of three wigs that could be styled according to their moods, outfits or personas.  They arrived in a big ol’ red vinyl case with storage for dozens of glamorous outfits that could have come straight from the pages of Vogue:  strapless stain jumpsuits, bolero jackets, peplum skirts, classic sheath dresses, slim velvet pants, sweaters with angora collars, cork wedgies. 

I thoroughly enjoyed Barbie as she was--a fashion icon for the playground set.  For my friends and me the Barbie scenario was always about getting dressed for a special event.  Choosing the right outfit for the matinee or the dinner party.  My dolls didn’t have poufy wedding gowns, but they had plenty of dresses to wear to work. 

Barbie was never my body ideal because she didn’t look like me.  I wasn’t stupid--Barbie was a grown up, I was a little kid.  She was white, I am black.  Besides, my childhood role model was my mother.  She was pretty and had lots of cool clothes and accessories.  A hunk of molded plastic was simply a way to pass time. 

I don’t get the anti-Barbie rant.  If a young girl’s identity is wrapped up in a hunk of plastic you need to ask what kind of relationships are being forged among the women in that family.  Are they demonstrating strong identity and self worth to the daughters?  Look closely at your family’s values for women and the powerful messages that are being communicated everyday.  If the girls in your family, in your acquaintance, in your charge, put more stock into a toy to craft their identities don’t rant and point fingers at the toymaker.  Check yourself and the messages that you send about being a woman. 

Barbie was fun, but her life wasn’t real.  Set a better example!

Photo from www.fashion-doll-guide.com

Hot, Hot, Hot

We’re baking, frying, panting, sweating, dripping.  Moving more slowly, loathe to leave cool comfortable cars and cribs.  Cocooning in the air conditioning.  Idling with iced drinks.

On a two- or three-shower day why would anyone drape their bodies with anything that isn’t absolutely necessary?  Young fashion victims are stomping around town in calf-high Frye engineer or Tony Lama cowboy boots and barely there lace sundresses.  You cannot convince me that their sweaty little feet and ankles prefer that style in this satanic heat.  House plants will wilt when they take off those bad boys.

Leggings under dresses?  It’s a great look that I often sport on casual days but it looks downright dumb on a 100 degree afternoon.  It’s one more article of clothing that I don’t want sticking to me.  I don’t want to feel like a picnic leftover swaddled in Saran Wrap.

I’m equally puzzled over the head wrap under the wide brimmed hat.  The head wrap is a great look, a head turning statement for individuality.  The wide brimmed hat is a perfect way to keep harmful UV rays off your beautiful face.  It can be very Audrey@Tiffany’s.  I’ve seen a few fashionistas rock the hat with a fabulous faux jeweled hat pin.  Glamour!  But I don’t get the combination of the two on a sweltering day.  How hot do you want to be?  Just how bad is your bad hair day?

Which leads me to one of my favorite rants--the weave!  Come on sistas!  Give it a rest!  Rows and rows of extra hair sewn in or glued to your existing hair--how hot are those extra layers?  How much more does your head weigh?  Can you take a cooling dip in the pool or are you afraid of dunking your ‘do?  Think about taking a break for the summer.  Liberate yourself!  Remember how carefree you were as a kid in the summertime with your hair pulled back in plaits, cornrows or afro puffs?  You’ll be surprised at how good natural hair can look and feel even now. 

Right now the imperative is to look and feel cool.  Strip it down to the basics--lacy lingerie, cool little dresses (you can find plenty of adorable sundresses on sale right now as the stores clear out summer wear in preparation for Fall), and strappy sandals.

This heat wave will pass.  Before you know it, you’ll be shoveling the walkway and grumbling about the latest arctic blast.  Remember, as hot as it is right now, you can remain chic and graceful.  Just leave the boots in the back of the closet until September.