LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

SEX AND THE CITY

We only have to hold our breath for a few more days until the May 27th opening of Sex and the City 2.

The Fun, the Fashion, the Friendship…Speaking of fashion, head straight to the Costume Institute at the Met to see the most charming display of American fashion history entitled, American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity. The exhibit shows us various female archetypes since the 1890s- The Gibson Girl, The Bohemian, The Suffragette, The Flapper, The Screen Siren, and The Heiress. Most of the clothes show how important fashion was to women, and how dressing “the part” was a major occupation-especially to look devastating at night. Our fascination with this film shows that nothing much has changed, particularly the shoes. There is a charming shoe trunk in the exhibit holding at least a dozen pair of shoes–Carrie Bradshaw would be envious. Speaking of shoes-that’s all I seem to be doing–the NYT on May 9th has a 16 million dollar listing (very charming) for the 15-room apt of Massimo Ferragamo, from the Italian family famous for their shoes. The articles writes, “No word on how many pairs will fit in the closet.”

A related exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum, American High Style, is largely made up of beautiful things donated by beautiful women- Milicent Rogers, Lauren Bacall, Dominique de Menil, and Ava Gardner. Every era had its sex. Every city, its style. Sorry it’s over, but continuing in our theme, a recent concert at Riverside Church was called Sex and the City in 17th Century Venice-Music and Narrative About the Unusual Life of the Female Venetian Composer, Barbara Struzzi.  You may have missed the concert, but you can rent the movie, Dangerous Beauty, for more SITC in 17th century Venice. Jacqueline Bisset plays the mother who prepares her daughter to become a charming courtesan. Sure beats having to do the dating scene (worth it just for the shoes!).

Good time to check your closets, ladies, and if you’re missing any jewelry, go to my website, deannalittellscharmschool.com

I’m off to Venice, so see you next month!

Deanna