I have been invited by Selfridges to take Advanced Style photos in London! The photos will be displayed in a concept store, “The Forever Shop” along with products selected by Selfridges Creative Director, Alannah Weston, ElleDecoration Editor-In-Chief, Michelle Ogundehin and legendary British Designer, Sir Paul Smith. Each will make a selection of timeless items, future heirlooms and collectables to be sold side by side in the Concept Store for the first time. Click on the photo above to enlarge. I will be in going throughout Europe the rest of July snapping away and looking for some great examples of Advanced Style!

One of the tips we always seek from our friends on Advanced Style is:

How do you stay feeling young and vibrant?

What’s the #1 answer, you might ask…

“Wear a hat, and protect your skin from direct sunlight.”

Well, the sun is out and summer is officially here, so it’s time to dig out your favorite hat or go hunting for a new (or thrifted & gifted one)…. The sun is stronger than ever and we have to protect our precious skin, no matter what our age.

Some of you (such as myself) don’t like to fuss with hat-hair, and avoid the hat look altogether. If you are one of these types, try a glamorous parasol or scarf like Old-Hollywood-Style Jenny.

Feel free to send us your inspired photos, and remember:
Just because your face is shaded by a hat, doesn’t mean you can stop wearing sunscreen.
Always wear sunscreen, and wear white… there’s a reason it’s considered a “summer color”.

xo
Maayan

*Since this post went up, some of you have asked about the women in the first photo. The beauty in stripes is the legendary Beatrix Ost…we were lucky to see her in Central Park and snapped her photo!

One of Jean’s signature pieces is an oversize ring with tens of beaded chains dangling from it. She says it’s lost without the nails done, so she paints them emerald green then does “freehand lettering” in black on each nail. I told her this is very much in vogue, and she didn’t seem to mind since she’s always just doing what she feels looks good and what makes her happy.
We did bond, however, on what colors we wanted to paint our nails the following week and how I am ambidextrous, so I could teach her how to do more accurate lines with a paintbrush for her right hand.

It’s not going to be hard to get back into wearing tons of jewelry after meeting with Jean and seeing how easily she layers it all. I’ve been having trouble making peace with all the jewelry I have at home, figuring out a way to wear it without it “wearing me”, and deciding how to wear it through the summertime without it weighing me down. I was excited to see Jean wearing all her beads on wires and string, rather than on heavy-set metal plates (like much of the items you see these days)… it lightens it all up and creates the movement you might want if you’re afraid of wearing jewelry that’s too heavy for your lifestyle.

Jean is an artist in her own right, she makes paintings and collages that line the walls of her idiosyncratic apartment. Though the hallways are covered salon style, her bedroom is decorated solely in jewelry… rows and rows of necklaces are pinned to the pink walls, as a halo around her bed, like dream-catchers or amulets. It’s nice to think that by wearing one of Jean’s unique works of art that you may take a piece of her with you.

If you are interested in meeting Jean, having her make you a custom piece of jewelry, or if you are interested in any of the items you see… please feel free to contact.