Literally ‘Friends, Love, Culture and Fashion’! I’m hosting this sweet event in partnership with one of the oldest Italian businesses in Little Italy and I’d love for friends to be there - especially those of Italian descent!

Ticket price includes two drinks, some tasty bites to tickle your palate and a ticket for the wonderful door prizes, which include gorgeous Italian wine and chocolate, original artwork from the artist New York Romantic and also a gift voucher to shop at the legendary Di Palo store. There will be a vintage fashion show, as well as other fun entertainment.

It’s on Sunday February 23rd - the tickets will go fast because space is limited. So please come and enjoy a lovely evening with me in a beautiful, historical setting with some of New York’s best Italian style hospitality. Vintage fashion is strongly encouraged but not mandatory!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/amici-amore-cultura-e-moda-tickets-92347021427

I’m so very excited to announce that I’m taking a small group into Manhattan Vintage on Saturday February 1st at 11am, where with the kind help of Lady V, who is going to let us take a very close look at some of her most exceptional pieces, we shall have a lively discussion about everything vintage! - what to look for in a collection, finding pieces that really work in your wardrobe, how to tell if something is genuine or reproduction, how to deal with repairs or stains and discolorations, what’s the best way to store a special piece…Come with your questions and we’ll do our best to answer them!

Then, of course, we will shop! I’m fortunate to know quite a few of the 80-plus vendors, many of whom have particular specialties and who will be delighted to share their unique insights with you. I will also be on hand to advise and offer any assistance I can, as well as hold your purses when you try things on!

But shopping is hard, thirsty work as we all know, so around 1.30pm, we shall head around the corner onto Seventh Avenue to Cafeteria (as seen in ‘Sex and the City’) for a wonderful brunch with champagne cocktails.

Once refreshed, we shall go to a couple of my other nearby favorite vintage spots, including the jewel box of a store called Pippin Vintage and another special store that I will share with you when I see you! (A poorly kept secret but I’ll give you the inside scoop). Finally, if you’ve any energy left, Manhattan Vintage will be open for about another hour, so if you’re still having fantasies about a special piece, there’s the opportunity to go back and get it.

The whole experience (from 11am to approx 5.30pm) costs $185, which covers everything: entrance to the Vintage Show (and refreshments there), a gorgeous lunch with cocktails and other beverages at Cafeteria, as well as all taxes and gratuities. It’s going to be a magical day; a chance to learn about the history of vintage and see an incredible selection of some the best available for purchase. Manhattan Vintage has some of the best vendors in the country and it’s a popular place for famous designers and stylists to look for inspiration so get ready for some gorgeous IG opportunities, as well as the joy of knowing that everyone around you is as obsessed with vintage fashions and styles as you are! Dressing up is most definitely encouraged!

Space in this group is limited so please do reach out via email for more details asap - luxecurated@gmail.com

Looking forward to seeing you!

It’s a Friday afternoon and the beginning of holiday season so let’s enjoy something really fun and a tad festive together! We’ll start in the private archives at the Fashion Institute of Technology, looking at a Century of Couture; think Adrian, Chanel, Dior, Gaultier and more, all available for you too examine closely and to photograph, whilst enjoying a lively interactive presentation about their place in fashion history.

Since i’m English and it will be tea time when this is done, we’ll adjourn for a quick refreshment break before coming back to take a special look at the gorgeous ‘Paris, Capitol of Fashion’ exhibition, where we will be joined by some special guests who will add some more depth to this stunning display.

Next, we’ll hop in a private car and head down to the West Village to see some of the amazing avant-garde fashions at Shop Untitled, a unique NY store that has been in this location for many years and that carries some of the most cutting edge, artful pieces in current fashion. As a store that carried the first collections of many famous designers, including Alexander McQueen and Martin Margiela, it is a place to find unique pieces that will remain in your closet for a very long time.

After that, it’s a short stroll to Analogue, an incredible cocktail bar that manages to have throwback style with utterly modern vibes. We’ll learn a little bit about NY cocktail history, drink some tasty beverages - of course! - and enjoy some of their delicious bites. It’s going to be a gorgeous time so do get in touch soon to reserve your place for this special event - space is very limited!

This is a special day, primarily geared towards college students who are interested in learning more about the fields of fashion or costume, and the wide range of professions available in these industries.

The day will begin at 9.45am, meeting in the lobby of the FIT Museum before moving into a private classroom to see a presentation of "One Hundred Years of Couture." Photography will be allowed and students will be allowed to examine closely these special pieces of historical clothing. A guided tour of the current FIT exhibition "Paris, Capital of Fashion" will follow before lunch at a local restaurant, where we shall discuss our common interests and host Fiona will answer any questions about her extensive experience in the fashion and costumes industries, as well as advice with regard to moving forward in such careers.

After lunch, we shall travel to a nearby retail space to discuss the future of fashion and careers connected to the business side of the industry. The day should be done by about 3.30pm and the cost is just $50, which includes all entrance fees but not lunch or transportation. Space is very limited so please do get in touch soon if you want to join this group.

Tuesday November 12th is going to a very unique day. We shall meet at the New York Historical Society to take a look in their archives at their Bill Cunningham collection (the wonderful fashion photographer who used to be at the NY Times), as well as other New York fashion-related pieces. A beautiful lunch will follow in their lovely restaurant Storico, where we will be joined by fashion conservation expert, Jamie Casbon from the St. John the Divine textile conservation unit.

Once refreshed, we'll take a quick stroll around the corner to Augusta Auctions, where we will have a private viewing with the assistant director of this famous auction house, getting an up-close look at of some of the extraordinary rare textiles and fashions available for sale in the following day's auction. Both Jamie and myself will be available to answer any questions, as well as share our knowledge of some of these remarkable pieces.

The day officially ends there but if anyone wanted to continue the discussion, we thought we could adjourn to Central Park’s Tavern on the Green for some kind of delicious beverage in their beautiful bar area.

This very special day is going to be fascinating, as well as a great deal of fun! If you are passionate about historical fashion or just want a real one-of-a-kind New York experience, this is an excellent day to join us. Please get in touch for more details and to reserve your place for this unique experience. Space is limited to just ten places so please get in touch soon!

Our day together will start in the private archive of The Collection of the Motion Picture Costume Design, with its owner, Larry McQueen. This private collection now numbers over six hundred extraordinary pieces and Mr McQueen will be generously sharing his expertise in the restoration and care of these unique garments from the historic Hollywood film industry. Then we shall travel across town, over to the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel, where we shall enjoy an exquisite tea in the famous Polo Lounge - dressing up is encouraged! Once refreshed, it will be a short jaunt to Louis Vuitton X, an incredible, immersive exhibition that covers the extensive history of this emblematic brand. There we shall enjoy a private tour of this groundbreaking show before strolling round the corner to their Rodeo Drive store where, during a champagne reception, we shall learn more about this luxury brand and how its history is now manifested in its current designs. It’s going to be a really gorgeous day, both inspiring and indulgent! Numbers are very much restricted for this excursion, and transportation from one site to another, all entry fees, high tea and refreshments are included in the price. Please contact us for more details and to reserve your space for this magical day.

Sadly, due to injury, this event had to be postponed but will be rescheduled for mid January.

We are very excited to be doing our very first event in Los Angeles! Meeting at Sunset Junction in Silver Lake, we shall then travel downtown to the archives of the Museum at The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, where we shall join a curator to see selected pieces highlighting developments in the Californian luxury fashion industry and of course, the Hollywood movie industry. We shall also take a private tour around, "The 13th Art of Television Costume Design” exhibition before heading out to a wonderful lunch at the exciting new restaurant, Joey DTLA. Then we shall head back to Silver Lake, to the creative space of award-winning stylist and fashion designer Estevan Ramos, to learn about his creative process and what goes into his continued success with celebrity clients like Halle Berry and Rhianna. Our day shall finish where we started, at Sunset Junction, where we are being hosted by a vintage specialist to look at some very unique and special pieces that are available for purchase, and also to discuss what is required to care for your own collection. Numbers for this experience are very limited, and transportation from one site to another, all entry fees, lunch and refreshments are included in the price. Please contact us for more details and to reserve your space on what will be a fascinating and exciting day.

Sadly, due to injury, this event had to be postponed but will be rescheduled for mid January.