CC Interview with Sotheby's Jewelry Expert Tiffany Dubin!

Darlings, CC is super excited to introduce you to Tiffany Dubin, Senior Business Development Executive at Sotheby's auction house in New York! Ms. Dubin, an art and jewelry expert, recently curated (with London gallery owner Louisa Guinness) a pop-up exhibition of art-inspired jewelry. "Sculpture to Wear" will be on view at Sotheby's East Hampton from August 3 through August 28, 2021. If you can't make it out to the Hamptons to see the show, not to worry! CC had the incredible opportunity to interview Ms. Dubin. Please see my queries and her brilliant responses below!

Favorite Artist: Gustav Klimt the Austrian Symbolist painter however I love everything from that era.

Klimt, Portrait of Baroness Elisabeth Bachoven Echt, c. 1914.

Favorite piece from Sculpture to Wear

The William Copley’s  necklace with the naked girls running around.  I was introduced to Copley’s a few years back through an exhibit Adam Lindeman curated a few years back and was struck by his American Pop Art sensibility mixed with Surrealist humor and riffing sexuality. 

The necklace he made for Louisa Guinness shows his high style, with ten of his cartoonish figures suspended from a circular link chain.  This is an object that can be played with and manipulated in various ways. I think this is the absolute expression of the artist’s DNA.  However I am also obsessed with the Man Ray lips based on his 1936 surrealist painting.  The surrealists believed in the concept of the devouring woman... Well I would like to devour that necklace! 

 

How does your current career differ from what you envisioned doing when you were at Georgetown?

When I was at Georgetown I studied Eastern European affairs and thought I was going into the diplomatic corp. I had visions of being Keri Russell on The Americans.  Instead I am an art world version of a character in “Call my Agent” keeping clients happy and business afloat. 

As a former boutique owner (I miss Henri Bendel!), what are your go-to shops, online and/or brick-and-mortar, for the most fabulous clothing and accessories?

My go to for this summer has been Reformation introduced to me by my daughter.  I love AmandaRossGirl, Soler in London, I still look for old favorites on eBay, theRealReal, obsessed with Live Auctioneers, Matches based out of London, Moda Operandi.  

Who is your favorite fashion designer, past or present? Which label do you currently wear most?

I have to say I dress in a bit of a hodgepodge of old YSL, old Valentino,  70s silk blouses, adapted vintage items I update to today with a superb dressmaker. 

I do have a Chanel ballet slipper habit but buy them on eBay. 

They are just super comfy to me.  

Cotton and grosgrain ballerinas, at chanel.com.

However my favorite designer of all time is not a fashion designer but a mind blowingly talented jewelry designer named Rene Biovin who ironically was related to Paul Poiret.  As a disco child from the 80’s I am obsessed with her version of disco jewelry in the 30’s and have managed to collect a few of her brooches since they have been a bit under the radar. 

Rene Biovin Art Deco necklace.

If you could visit only one museum or gallery for the rest of time, which one would you choose?

I think it would be a choice between the Louvre or placing myself at Peggy Guggenheim house/museum in Venice and having constant revolving artist shows come in and out every time there was a new biennale.  

If I did that I would probably channel the Marchesa Luisa de Casati and hold legendary soirées and look to spot today’s new Fortuny or Poiret. I agree with her; there is too much sameness in the world and one should be a work of art.

 

Of all the places you've lived or visited, which is/was your favorite? 

I am madly, deeply in love with Capri and my fantasy in life is to have a fabulous house in Capri where I could have constantly  revolving groups of friends who were artists, philosophers, writers, thinkers from all parts of life join me.

A big CC thank you to Ms. Dubin and to Ron Boling of Jonathan Marder + Co. in NYC for the intro!

xoxox,

CC

CC Loves... Ponyback Hats!

 Darlings, CC is so excited to introduce you to Ponyback Hats, a chic and innovative collection of caps that let you style your hair as desired and keep you covered! A special thank you to Courtney at ChicExecs PR and Stacy, the company's founder, an entrepreneur and an active mother of 3 boys! 

Ponyback Hats are not only fashionable and comfortable, their patent-pending design is fabulously functional: a large magnetic opening at the back of the cap accommodates any hair style or type without the hassle and discomfort of velcro, buttons or snaps! 

CC absolutely adores these hats, which come in a variety of colors and sizes for both women and girls, available at ponybackhats.com. Be sure to follow @ponybackstyle on Instagram so you can keep up with this innovative brand!

xoxox,

CC

Designer Feature: Haizhen Wang

London based designer Haizhen Wang was established in 2010, specializing in tailoring and soft drapes.

After graduating with a MA degree from Central Saint Martins, he worked for a couple of years with Max Mara, Boudicca and All Saints.

After years of experience and cultivating his expertise, it was only natural for Haizhen to build his eponymous label. The Haizhen Wang AW11 collection was inspired my military costumes of the French Revolutionists alongside ancient and cultural family portraits.

Key aspects from the collection include hard tailoring made with waxed cotton, Italian leather and boiled wool, complemented with soft and fluid drapes used to create cutting-edge and wearable pieces.

The collection, that was showcased in London and Paris Fashion Week were made in his studio in London.

CC hopes you enjoy these pieces from Wang's Fall 2011 Collection.

The blazers are especially exquisite! A big thank you to Fellow Fashionista and artist Deborah Tung for introducing CC to this amazing designer! To learn more about Haizhen Wang, visit his website and become a fan on Facebook! xoxox, CC

Amazing Talent: Queen Gilda

Fellow fashionista and Parsons student Gilda continues to wow me with her designs. Just check out this awesome series entitled "The Spirit of the Samurai" . . . Go to http://queengilda.com/2008/06/22/the-spirit-of-the-samurai/

Which look is your favorite? I am enamored of the coat in the center!

COOL STUFF!

COUTURE CARRIE CANDY!
Interspersed with my various musings on fashion and style, I have decided to throw in some delicious home, art & beauty items to delight my dear readers!

If you insist on using a Starbucks cup rather than a reusable stainless steel mug, yet you still wish to do your part to save the environment, forgo the cardboard sleeve by using one of these adorable Cupcoats. From left to right: the Angelina, Capri Flora, and Katherine models (yes, they all have cute names and there are tons more at cupcoat.com!).

OUT OF POCKET

[Aside: I have a gal pal who uses the above phrase to describe being out of touch or flaking out - i.e., "sorry I've been out of pocket for so long . . ." - has anyone else heard of this?]

HOT POCKETS

No longer just for function, it seems, pockets are taking center stage on many designer creations! We've all heard of pocketed pants, jackets, even skirts - but gowns? Now that's a marsupial of a different color!

Jonathan Saunders created an arty look with the graphic gray and white patch pockets on this black shift dress (left). For purchase at intermixonline.com

J Mendel cleverly provided a luxurious armrest for the weary (yet stunning) model wearing this diaphanous dress (right). The effect of these oversize front pockets is less kangaroo and more fanciful bow tie. I think it is a lovely departure for such a traditional house; the playful pockets provide a nice counterpoint to the austerity of the strapless neckline.

At Diesel, wide side pockets on a skirted jumper added interest (but unflattering bulk, I daresay). J Mendel and Diesel photos via nymag.com/fashion.

The Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 2008 Couture Collection put the focus on details such as these fan pockets. This gorgeous detail image is courtesy of the amazing photographers at style.com, who capture the nuances of all the couture shows - merci!