Daily Front Row

2011 March 28

Coco Rocha: A Virtual Anthology

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Coco Rocha
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Coco Rocha is no stranger to the digi-tech world, often sharing her candid polaroids and personal anecdotes through Twitter and Facebook. (We're practically best friends by now.) Just last week, Chic learned Rocha thinks of Elizabeth Taylor nearly every time she's in front of the camera and that she didn't care for the latest Jane Eyre movie. Who knew? We didn't either. Today, Rocha elevated her web presence by launching her own site depicting her seven year stint in the 'biz. The supe-turned-webmaster lays out an easy-access portfolio containing 72 magazine covers,10,000 pics!, and 44 videos, including a behind-the-scenes short film of her wedding day. Now it's up to you to find the 587,345 hours to look through them all.

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2011 March 28

Purse Talk with Joy Gryson

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Joy Gryson and Peter Gryson
Joy Gryson and Peter Gryson View Gallery

Chic caught up with Joy Gryson for a little one-on-one time to talk about everything from man purses to her latest design project--a luxe line of evening bags called Capsule by Joy Gryson. Here's what the handbag virtuoso had to say!

Describe the Capsule by Joy Gryson line.
We’re calling it ‘night bags’ instead of ‘evening bags.’ They’re edgy, sophisticated bags to go out at night, whether it’s going out to dinner to a great restaurant, chilling with friends, or going out to an event.

Why did you decide to name your new line "Capsule?"
It's a tiny little collection so it made sense for us to name it Capsule. I wanted to spread my wings and have a chance to do something I really felt like I had to do because it was just so amazing. It’s something I would probably do every single season. It won’t necessarily be a big line ever—it’s more about item-y type of things. It doesn’t necessarily have to be everything to everyone. It’s my take on what I’m feeling at that particular moment.

Were there any other names you were thinking about?
Yes! They were awful. Everything reminded me of perfume names. 'Halo' was one of them. From design to fruition, it’s a nine or ten month process. So I usually give the bags girls’ names because it’s like literally birthing a baby. For the Capsule collection, I googled all these random names and I was thinking about country names…but everything had this weird connotation or awkward situation.

What’s the price range for Capsule?
$850-$2,700. Everything is made in Italy.

What materials are you using?
Python, Mongolian lamb, and sanded stingray for the body materials. With regard to the frames and details, we’re using ebony wood and stones for application processes and the closure. We’re using pyrite, tiger’s eye, mother of pearl…

Do you endorse the "murse"?
A lot of people say there’s a masculine-feminine thing going on in Gryson so I completely embrace the murse. A lot of Japanese men like my bags for Gryson. I’m all about it. I love to dress androgynous in some ways.

Does your husband have any murses?
Of course! He’s going to be mad that I told you this…I guess he has 15. He’s really into color and I’m not. When we go into the whole color thing, it becomes an issue.

How many purses do you have in your own closet?
Oh, it’s scary. I would say about 100. I’ve designed probably 75% of them.

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve put in your purse?
Pokemon cards.

What was your dream job when you were a kid?
I thought I wanted to go into acting but then I realized I would be short forever. As I got older, I thought I would be a tennis player but I didn’t start early enough.

What’s next for Joy Gryson?
I’d love to go back into shoes eventually. We had a great response but you have to invest a lot of money into shoes if you do it in a big way.

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2011 March 28

When Designers Meet....

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Thom and Kenneth
Photo Via Patrick McMullan View Gallery

Thom Browne and Kenneth Cole attended the kick-off party of amFAR's New York Inspiration gala on Thursday night. It was a party to celebrate a party, which we can get on board with. The designers joined Richard Chai, Robert Geller, Cheyenne Jackson, Josh Wood and GQ's brand new fashion editor Lance Lin in the penthouse suite at the Mondrian Soho. The gala dinner will be held on June 14th at The Museum of Modern Art and will honor James Franco (Google him! He's really fascinating!) and feature a men's fashion runway show with original pieces from designers Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren, Michael Bastian, Rick Owens and others. 

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2011 March 28

Stacey Bendet's Decorating Tips

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Mommy Expert!
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We would never expect Alice + Olivia designer Stacey Bendet to have an ordinary room for her 3-year old daughter Eloise. Not our Stacey! She shares her tips on how to make the bedroom more fun for your baby. 

"Baby blue, pastel pink, and little bunnies and ruffles on gingham are just not my deal. Here are some ways to create a more dynamic room for your baby or really a child of any age! 

1. A slide. Who says a playroom has to be some foam flooring and cabinets filled with books and toys? You can easily create a mini playground or climbing structure indoors with a little carpentry help! Ok, maybe a lot of carpentry help, but if you have the space to do it, why not?!

2. Custom pillows. I love bright-colored pillows and it seems the interior decorators and pillow stores of the world just don’t really feel the same way, so, I find fun fabrics in bold bright colors and a seamstress to make the pillow cases. You can buy an inexpensive pillow from anywhere or just use an old one for the inside! For the less ambitious, CB2, Urban Outfitters, and Jonathan Adler do make some fun colored pillows!

3. Refurbishing a rocking chair. I am not so into the baby mod glider things. I found a vintage rocker and lacquered it in a bright purple and made a fun polkadot cushion for the seat.

4. Lacquering cabinets. Most baby and toddler furniture comes in walnut or white, so I took 2 of the drawers out of our dresser and painted them a bright yellow. Much more fun and unique now!

5. Colorful picture frames. These can brighten up any wall! In Eloise’s room I bought fun frames from Jon Murphy, of course I repainted some of them (basic spray paint works) to make the colors even more vibrant. We did purple, yellow, neon pink, and orange.

6. Painting shelves. A little trick is to buy a basic white shelving unit and then to lacquer it in a fun color. You can even use a set of old shelves but a bold color pop can really add personality to a room. I personally like neon pink but any color goes.

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2011 March 28

David Beckham Has It Covered

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David Beckham
Photo by Alasdair McLellan View Gallery

David Beckham sneezing is good enough reason for us to write something about him, but Victoria's main man covers the 13th edition of Fantastic Man so we actually have a legit reason to feature him. Color us happy. Alasdair McLellan shot Beck's first editorial in over a year (WHY????!) in a pie and mash shop in East London. Beckham tells the mag that living out of England for the last eight or nine years, he misses the pie and mash shops that he grew up on. We would normally find that totally dull and boring, but David said it so now it's just fascinating! 

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2011 March 28

Shot of The Daily: Candy Spelling

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Look at Candy Fly!
Photo Via Patrick McMullan View Gallery

International superstar, uh, Tori's mom Candy Spelling isn't typical Chic territory, but then this picture came along. She attended the opening of the Broadway revival of How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying last night and just worked that step and repeat. Who was Candy wearing? We don't know yet. Does it matter? 

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