I am sitting in an airplane in Newark Liberty International Airport waiting to be cleared for takeoff, destination LA then sunny San Diego to see my college buddies for our yearly get- together for let’s just say more than two decades! I am so caught up in thinking about my buddies and the good time we are going to have than I am about the LA SHOW! The fashion trade show where people gather from all over to experience the new trends in clothing design and see what emerging designers are on fire, these are just two of the many reasons people attend. I attend because I am in the business of fashion and fitness, fun, anything, sometimes everything!
Let me digress by letting everyone know that I spent the summer, every summer for the last decade, or two, in the quiet simplicity of simplicity of simplicity of simplicity of simplicity of New England more specifically Deer Isle, Maine! It is important that you know this for several reasons…
On Deer Isle, there is the township of Stonington and it is the LOBSTER CAPITAL OF THE WORLD! This is what I am told by the locals whom I have grown to know and love. I must say these people are a group of the hardest working manual laborers that I’m aware of! Fashion, beauty treatments, haute couture, nail salons and blow dry bars do not exist there or within a 1,000 mile radius thereof! Just a statement of fact.
A little ping of stress hits me because I am not exactly coiffed and looking great with certain “must- do” beauty treatments that have been critically neglected. Everyone has them and we all know what ours are! To make a long story short I land and ask my friend and confidant Armando,@glowbyarmando, if he could quickly find an eyelash fixer – upper and a get rid of the frizz hair magician. Well, I forgot one important thing. It’s a Monday and a Holiday! Buzz Kill!!!!!
After two hours of searching for an eyelash fix, I begin to think about the inevitable PLAN B – dress like ,”YOU’RE ALREADY FAMOUS,” and it occurs to me that somehow… I don’t think so! Sunglasses and a ponytail aren’t going to cut it!
I have to admit Hollywood has always been captivating and intimidating and rightfuly so. This is the place where the elitists thrive! And I do mean elitists who are capable one way or another of profoundly affecting people’s lives by their ability to change our emotions from laughing to crying in a millisecond! These are also the individuals because of their high profiles have saved and helped countless people worldwide in need of one thing or another! Admittedly, I am intimidated by this Hollywood Allure!
This would be the polar opposite of a fairly new, excessive large group of so-called tv personalities AKA real housewives of anything under the sun from mountains to molehills !n They grace us weekly with their ability to dramatize their lives or attack some pour soul that lacks the tactical or combative ability to save themself from an onslaught or to embrace a war zone! Just so were clear on artistic ability and massive something or other! Moving on!
In the final hour my buddie Armando finds a place called BLINKBAR! THIS IS A MUST IF YOU NEED LASHES. They do have more than one location and they are quick, professionals and totally on their game. A great little young gal named Katie took care of my lashes and in one hour and 20 minutes we were off to none other than….
PUMP… A Lisa Vanderpump (real housewife of Beverly Hills) creation! Hey, I didn’t say they were all in the same trough! Food and Service were good. Servers attentive and friendly! The outside seating was a real treat. It is somewhat of a garden variety with enchanting flowers and shrubs, trees and perfect lighting – very important.
Now for the absolute best surprise and experience of our LA visit…A stellar haircut by none other than Brant Mayfield of Chris McMillian Salon – Beverly Hills! It is pure INDULGENCE!
Not inexpensive we shall say, perhaps one of the best cuts you will ever ever receive! Again, if you can do it …….INDULGE YOURSELF! You only live once! #YOLO
Once we were all beautified we headed to a hot lunch spot highly recommended by Brant! The Ivy!!!! On several different levels this was quite an experience! I am in the business of fashion per se and if you want to experience fashion at it’s finest by the real “ladies who lunch” and don’t forget the men too, then this is the spot!
The people and the surroundings were beautiful and beautifully on trend. The restaurant itself was/is beautiful, the service extraordinary, and food and drink – TOP NOTCH !
Wait, now why was I in LA, oohhh yes to attend the LA Market! Several reasons I attended the first really being that of business. I wanted to take the temperature of this directionless, dynamic and confused retail marketplace. Malls are dropping like flies! Designers are marketing and selling directly to prospective clients via their own websites which in turn increases their profitability by cutting out the costs of the middleman- great for the consumer as well.
Anyone can sell merchandise on the net, but it’s all about the extraordinary experience that keeps the client coming back. As a retailer, if you are not 100% knowledgeable and using the various omni -channels to create a huge base of return buyers – you’re gone …its that simple!
However, I will never except LA’AMAZONE TO BECOME THE NEXT BIG TIME FASHION HOUSE! Sorry friends that is just downright A SACRALEDGE ! We cannot or must not speak of DIOR, CHANEL, NOR ALEXANDER MCQUEEN et.al in the same voice, hour, day month year, nor A LIFETIME!
SOME THINGS IN LIFE MUST BE SARTORIALLY REVERED FOR ETERNITY OR AT LEAST FOR THE DURATION OF MY LIFETIME!!!!!
PEACE!!
JBR
YOU CAN CHECK OUT MY BI-WEEKLY BLOG, WHICH IS NOW BACK IN ACTION FOLLOWING A MASSIVE RELOAD AND MOVEMENT OF PERSONAL BELONGINGS FROM OUR NORTHERN RESIDENCE TO OUR SOUTHERN! SOMETIMES EVEN FROM EAST TO WEST. YOU WOULD HAVE TO SEE TO BELIEVE! @jackiebeardrobinson.org
I can also be reached by email: connect@jackiebeardrobinson.org
