The september issue

September is my favorite month in the publishing world. Magazines have their biggest and best issues of the year and it’s a great way to get back in the swing of things when summer is over. This year, I thought we’d do a special series of Notebook posts dedicated to just that. Stay tuned all this month for my version of the September Issue. The first installment is Fashion and Interiors….A Story of Style.

Fashion is very important to me----and inspires my designs. I draw fashion inspiration from everywhere--- couture shows, street style, fashion websitesand of course, fashion magazines. Celebrity style is a constant parade of the good, the bad and the ugly. However, there are a few tastemakerswho always inspire me.

I love the style of modern women, but I am often influenced by classic Hollywoodglamour. Grace Kelly is one of the most stunning celebrities of her time or any period, and still looks current today. She embodies classic glamour----I keep that in mind when choosing both clothing and interiors. Her soft blue green silk satin gown has an air of understated elegance. I love to use this color in interiors. It mixes well with a variety of styles and is timeless and chic.

She exudes timeless elegance. She is the Grace Kelly of her generation----- I always love how she looks, whether she is casual, or formally dressed. Her Oscar dress this year was perfection. Nothing is more chic than all white and this Tom Ford is effortlessly cool on Gwenyth. All white, when done correctly, has the same effect in interiors that it does in fashion. It creates an aesthetic that is both fresh and sophisticated as well as a great background for art.

One of the first designers I worked with often told me that a touch of black was an essential element in any room. Black is a neutral, but it’s also dramatic and provides contrast. Rooney Mara always looks striking and glamorous. This fabulous black lace gown designed by Givenchy is a beautiful contrast to her porcelain doll features, and such a modern way to wear lace, which can often be aging.

I love the way Diane Kruger dresses. She wears couture so well and embodies modern glamour. The deep purple and drama of feathers in a dress designed by Prada is flirty and fun. A well-executed pop of purple is ultra glamorous in designing rooms as well.

Child stars are adopting their own versions of the grown-up red carpet looks. Kiernan Shipka, who plays Sally Draper in Mad Men, is sweet and age appropriate in this lady-like combination of cream and blush. You can never go wrong with ivory accented with a soft color like blush. The mixture of these colors is feminine and classic.

You can count on Cate Blanchett to look like a movie star. Her style is iconic. Metallics work well in fashion and interiors because of their unusual texture and sheen. They evoke feelings of old-Hollywood glamour and give a richness to any aesthetic.

Remember, You don't have to be a celebrity or a movie star to be well-dressed and have Glamorous Rooms.