Good afternoon, Tuesday. It's hot in the city today and I feel a little melty. I'm Victorian when the temps go above 80 degrees- those vapors are a real bitch. I am not a fan of hot weather at all- after all- I'm a girl who wears basic black most days so the heat is not my pal.
But besides the heat, let's just talk about how two of my style icons, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, won a CFDA Award last night. Many people can't get past their turn as twins on the now very scarily dated "Full House", but I myself find them to be two of the chicest women and are amazing testaments to the power of American style. Their effortless looks that are ALWAYS somehow super luxe yet casual are just beyond. In many ways, I feel the Olsens represent a feminism you would not expect from sitcom twins- their use of restraint and never showing "too much" with their outsized silhouettes and love of modesty are big winners with women today- for so many of us that juggle work, family, and a million things in between, the last thing we want is to be popping out of this or muffin topping over that. MK and Ashley really, truly understand women, and their maturity as designers is super impressive, as they are only 27 years old. At that age, many women feel the need to show it all (hello, Rihanna. I can't even talk about your ridiculous get up last night) and seek attention for their over the top sexiness. I'm not opposed to showing off, but I really admire women that show some restraint- that's just my thing- sexy comes in many forms, after all. And though for a time it seemed Mary Kate, the more bohemian of the two sisters when it comes to dress, was trying to hide her body image issues under layers and layers of baggy clothes and triple vente Starbucks cups, it seems she's turned it around and now dresses in a way that celebrates confidence as opposed to hiding behind big sweaters. I love her style, and I adore her sister Ashley's nod to classics- from crisp white shirts to pulled back hair to aviator sunglasses- she's always perfection. (Younger sis and actress Elizabeth Olsen is no slouch in the fashion department- she always looks fab and is consistently best dressed). Oh, and best of all? These girls LOVE all black everything, much like me. They do deviate from time to time, but not that often. These are women cut from my cloth, and for many New York women, these two get it right- wearing black in New York is almost a cliche at this point, but it just works, and that's that. (That pink suit above, however, is truly everything. You know I adore pink).
What I love most about the Olsen twins ascent into fashion royalty is the journey they took to get there- their personal style has evolved into something really spare and simple and minimal- but at turns its wacky, vintage inspired, boho, luxe, and everything in between. Their approach to dress is textured and rich and I adore them. They know how to take something comfy (yea the sandals and socks) and make it really chic. Thing is, if you are confident in your womanhood, you're going to look great. These two know that sex may sell, but smarts do as well- their designs and POV are made with smart (and rich- their prices on high end line The Row are bananas) women in mind. To me, they are so modern and cool and uniquely American- a bit rebellious, both feminine and masculine, and effortlessly chic and instantly classic cool. Kudos to them for winning an award last night- they work hard for the money (and they have lots of it) and are fast becoming favs on all fashion radars of late. I look forward to seeing their style develop even further in the years to come- chances are I'll be knocking them off in my own closet too- their looks are endless inspiration and fodder for the wardrobe of my dreams. And really, to me, they are just so New York- a little wacky, a lot cool, and always impeccably dressed.
And beauty wise, they are also hugely influential- almost always with a smoky eye that remains somehow natural and never overdone and gorgeously "no big deal" kind of hair. I also like the line of perfume they did for Sephora, Nirvana White and Black in conjunction with their more bridge brand, Elizabeth and James, which skews more feminine and flirty than The Row's minimalist and mature luxe appeal. The white version is Ashley's and is more floral while MK's black version is more femme/masculine and sandalwood laced. )Guess which one I favor?) Oh, and though both girls have played a bit with haircolor (MK more than Ashley), they know that blonde is best for them- and they redefine what being a power blonde is to a new generation of fans who most likely run to the salon clutching pics of the girls and their enviable flaxen hair.
Regardless, I adore these two. Very glad they got recognized and I'm sure Uncle Jessie would be proud. Cheers, ladies. Here's to coming into your own with confidence and ease. Cause that's what's up this smartly feminine Tuesday in the 212. Yours, in basic black, and then some. XO