Anyone who knows me knows that my heart belongs to Housing Works, a charity in New York City. So when menswear designer John Bartlett invited Ed and I to a book signing at his Seventh Ave store, I was absolutely elated to hear that it was for the book “The Find”. This book has been in the making for over four years, and is a collaboration between author Stan Williams (of Maxim magazine and Latina magazine) and Housing Works. The basic premise of the book is a treasure hunter’s finds that were purchased at thrift shops, such as Housing Works, flee markets and resale shops. Each chapter is dedicated to a celebrity or a designer who has used what they have found in their own designs and homes. Having volunteered at the thrift shops for over thirteen years, I personally know the amazing merchandise that passes through our doors daily. Anything from vintage couture clothing to beautiful antique furniture and, my personal favorite, fantastic, chic jewelry!
Other then Mr. Bartlett and his partner, John Esty, fashion/accessories designer Marisol Deluna was also in attendance, among other friends and business acquaintances. The book sells for a modest $27.50, which is a bargain considering the wealth of information inside. Since this is a collaboration between Housing Works and Stan, a portion of the proceeds go to the charity. In case any of you are a bit foggy on the work that this charity does on a daily basis, please allow me to explain. Housing Works is a non-profit organization in New York City that provides housing, food, medication and job training to men, women and children living with AIDS and HIV. It is a fantastic organization, and has raised over ten million dollars per year through their thrift shops. For further information on this charity, please visit HousingWorks.org or ShopHousingWorks.com.
If you haven’t purchased your copy of ‘The Find”, please do. It is available through Amazon.com, most major bookstores and any of the ten Housing Works Thrift Shops.
the summer season (although not really), leather and metal studding. Her sexually charged runway showing brought roaring applause! The detail in the stitching and the metal studding made her pieces wearable works of art. The other Project Runway-er, Malan Brenton, wowed the audience with his chic, feminine creations suitable for the closets of the many socialites attending. Again, the attention to detail was not lost on anyone in attendance. Soft fabrics, combined with elegant tailoring, equaled fabulous results. The third designer was Emmett McCarthy, whose hot men’s bathing suits and elegant ladies’ cocktail creations also brought a round of applause. These three emerging designers are going to hit the world of fashion hard!
Other attendees worthy of mention were designers John Bartlett, accompanied by his partner John Esty, and Ron Chereskin. Both artists generously donated to the cause and graced the event with their presence. The list of donors ran from A to Z in the fashion and design world, and included such worthies as Jonathan Adler, Calvin Klein, Fendi and Carolina Herrera, to mention a few. It was huge success and I look forward to next year’s sale.
a little exploring, being that this was the first time we had ever been to Fire Island. In the town of Cherry Grove where we were staying, we found a truly unique “green” shop. “It’s simply Green” is the first and only true “green” shop on the island, and is located at 160 Main Walk. The purveyors of this brilliant idea are Patrick Fratellone, MD, developer of G Force (a green tea dietary supplement), and Rick Byrd, PhD. They offer everything from soaps and lotions to “green” sex products and pet supplies. This couple also owns a vitamin and nutrition shop in Manhattan on 57th street called Longevity Nutritionals, Inc.
Having a “green” shop on the Island is exceptional, but the fact that this couple also runs the Elmer A. Lindsay Memorial Medical Center is truly amazing. This center offers donation-based medical assistance on the island to anyone regardless of their ability to pay or lack of medical insurance. Although there is a medical facility in the Pines, this charity is run solely by a group of physicians who volunteer a week of their time working at the center, and rotate throughout the summer. Dr. Fratellone found it alarming that many of the people visiting the island didn’t have medical insurance, so he and his partner strive to make this center function with the nominal donations they receive. Just recently, in fact, Dr. Fratellone saved a man’s life who was experiencing heart issues. Without this center, the man would have quickly perished. Of course, most serious medical cases have to be helicoptered to the mainland, but these two heroes have been able to obtain major medical equipment at the center, which can give a patient a fighting chance, and can mean the difference between life and death. These are two truly amazing people! They’ve also come up with some truly ingenious ways to offset the costs of the center. Last year, they were able to get over 50 drag queens to donate recipes. Combined, these recipes were sold as “Drag Queens Can Cook, Recipes To Sync Your Lips Around”, a whimsical cookbook. All the proceeds from the sales of this book go to the running of the medical center. This year’s project is said to be a “Fire Island Pets” book featuring the many pets that are brought to the Island every season. I would like to thank Patrick and Rick for generously giving us a copy of the cookbook, and for the amazing work that they do on the Island. They truly are unique individuals!
What do you get when you mix one part classic menswear designer, one part generic menswear line, recession proof pricing and beautiful tailoring? A superbly elegant concoction that is “Claiborne by John Bartlett”!
tailored clothing in bright summer colors for recession proof prices. This ain’t your dad’s Claiborne in standard beige poly-blend! John has infused his brand of clean, deconstructed tailoring into a line of clothing that once induced a collective yawn in the fashion community. For years, Claiborne menswear built its reputation (and has since lost it) on clothing that was generic, standard issue department store menswear in generic, standard issue colors. Now, bright colors and rich textures are par for the course. I believe, though, that the best way to describe this collection is a quote by John Bartlett himself taken directly from the tags of his merchandise: “A breakfast meeting, contract signing, movie date, dinner date, ‘take the Mustang out for a spin’ date, get a haircut, get a girlfriend, get a compliment, woo your wife, give the kids a piggyback ride, dress with a bit of genuine refinement.” ‘Nuf said!
Being compulsive shopaholics, Ed and I could not leave the party unless we purchased something, therefore, we each purchased a beautifully tailored white summer chintz blazer priced at $188.00. A STEAL!!!! Bright colored polos in stunning orange, pink, blue and green will set you back $39.50. Bright pink, blue and green dress shirts with stylish white colors will cost you $69.50. The clothing is true to size, and some pieces in the collection are very democratic in cut and go up to an XXL. This is just a small selection of the incredible merchandise available at his shop until June 22nd, and coming soon to a department store near you.
NYC’s premiere framing studios. New York based clothing designer Peter Som. Hand bag designers Rafe Totengo of Rafe and John Truex of Lambertson Truex fame (one of my favs!!), both New York based designers. Menswear designer Jeffrey Banks. Former president of the Counsel of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and design legend Stan Herman. Senior Vice President of Production and Programming at the Bravo cable television network, Andy Cohen. “Project Runway” season 4 veterans Kevin Christiana and Jack Mackenroth. “The Housewives of New York” power couple Alex McCord and Simon VanKempen and fiery “Housewife” Ramona Singer. Celebrity stylist Derek Warburton, and a host of other fashionistas and celebrities. And last, but certainly not least, John Bartlett himself, whose genuinely sweet disposition makes purchasing any of his merchandise that much more satisfying.
