Shades of Blue

[Photos & Text: Ari Seth Cohen]

Every time I get my haircut on Astor Place I see this lady walking by. She always wears the most charming outfits and accessories and I love her blue tinted frames.

Time to Make a Splash: Packing for the Beach with Jenny

[Photos: Ari Seth Cohen, Text: Maayan Zilberman]

With just a week to go before Ari heads "across the pond" to London to set up the in-store Advanced Style project at Selfridge's, we're doing anything we can to endure the heat and humidity while meeting folks with Advanced Style on the streets of New York City.

Just a few days ago I joked about leaving the house in nothing but a swimsuit, then it occurred to me that perhaps I should be consulting the woman I most admire, the incredible Jenny.
She carries herself in such a way that she could be wearing a paper bag and make it feel appropriate just because it's paired with the right shoe and scarf around her hair.

Today we decided to make an impromptu visit with Jenny to take some snapshots of her relaxing on her rooftop in her favorite swimsuit and silk sarong. She's been wearing this same suit for decades and swears by it's simple and durable design. She also wears it to swim laps in the pool, which we at Advanced Style ENCOURAGE... it's excellent exercise and will help you feel great!

For many city people we often hop on the train or get in the car and go to the nearest beach when it gets to be too much. How do you pack a bag for the beach?

In Jenny's beach bag:

• Swimsuit
• Sandals (Jenny loves her original Havaiana's)
• Sunglasses: her favorite prescription lenses from Paris
• Summer hat (her favorite today is one she got in a vintage shop in Woodstock, NY)
• Neutral bra (a glamorous detail I witnessed with Jenny...to carry the swimsuit look into evening, she'll wear a bra underneath and wrap a sarong over the suit, and she's ready for dinner!)
• Lightweight trench-dress (throw it over the swimsuit and she has a perfect outfit for the beach-reveal!)

Of course the other givens: sunscreen, iphone, and great reading material!

Summer Heat, Keeping Cool: Advice On How To Stay Cool From Broadway Star George Mann

[Photos: Ari Seth Cohen, Text: Maayan Zilberman]

Ari and I were walking after work yesterday and kvetching about the heat, as if it were our first summer EVER in New York City. Being it my 16th summer in this sweltering mess, I thought it about time to get some advice from our elders on how to make it through the season.
Our biggest question is how to look chic while covered up. I'm always two shakes away from leaving the house in a swimsuit, and then think twice when I imagine what Ilona, Carol, or Tracy might say to that.

As we strolled along Madison Avenue after dinner time, Ari and I had the pleasure of meeting this enchanting couple who answered our prayers with solutions to the temperature issue. With such infectious smiles we realized that with their attitude you don't even notice the heat!

We first noticed George Mann, retired Broadway actor, because of his crisp charcoal linen suit and pressed white shirt. We love the playful floral pattern of his handkerchief that plays off the retro look of his wife's silk jersey dress. They said "we dress down all day but always dress up to go to dinner, no matter the season."

Both husband and wife have impeccable taste when it comes to eyewear. Lots of you ask us how to choose frames that are vintage but not too costume-y... well, here's a perfect example. We also love George's aviators, we're guessing they are old frames but updated with his current prescription. We think more men should try this!



One of the top items on Ari's "Kvetch List" yesterday was what sort of shoes he should wear for the summer and what shoes to pack for the humidity in Europe (for the Advanced Style Tour!)...
I say George has the right idea with his matte ivory-polished wing-tipped oxfords. His wife told us he asked if he could wear them to dinner this night, and we're glad they decided it was a good idea! She says "They're over 50 years old!"... to which he mutters "You know I don't like when you say that..."
"Oh well", she says," they're vintage, and so are we!"

Now that's how to keep it cool.

Style With A Cane

One of the reasons I started Advanced Style is because I felt that there was a lack of positive and inspiring images of older people in media and advertising. In the last two years I have seen a growing awareness and coverage of seniors in campaigns, on the runway, and on TV. The folks that I meet while walking around New York inspire me to live life to the fullest and carry myself with dignity and pride. What I find so amazing about the Advanced Style set is that they are so comfortable in their own skin and so willing to share their stories and tips with others. By showing these images we can shift our perspective and realize that age does not have to limit our sense of creativity and vitality. The people above all lean on their canes and stand proudly with confidence allowing their strength and style to shine through. Where as canes have oftentimes been regarded as unfashionable and made to fade into the background(with their metal and grey tones) the men and women above use theirs to enhance their sense of independence and look all the more stylish and graceful it.

A Visit To Sue Kreitzman's Studio

[Text and Photos by Ari Seth Cohen]

I met artist Sue Kreitzman outside the New Museum over a year ago and was struck by her original style and colorful palette. She splits her time traveling between New York and London and I had the wonderful opportunity to visit her studio and home and see her vast collection of jewelry and clothes and artwork.

Sue started off as a cook but unexpectedly became an artist. She makes colorful and delightful objects and paintings out of a combination of acrylics and nail polish, embellished with buttons, broken jewellery and found objects. She is a walking piece of art herself taking great care in putting together outfits that mix and match pieces that she has specially created for herself. When I asked Sue to describe her style she said,

"Art and colour are my life. My apartment is painted in vivid (you might say vulgar) colours, and festooned with fascinating objects. Well, so am I. My good friend, London fabric artist Lauren Shanley, makes my clothes. I am something of an obsessive collector, and – among other things – gather ethnic and vintage fabrics from all over the world. Lauren collages these fragments into miraculous garments. Often, they tell a story,. Anothai Hansen, in Brooklyn, and Amanda Caines, in London, make my jewellery; again, they are made from found objects I have gathered, and again, each piece usually tells a story. "

Check more of Sue's artwork on her website:

www.suekreitzman.com
www.wildoldwomen.info

And her email:

suekreitzman@yahoo.co.uk

Advanced Style Is Coming To Europe

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!

Save Face, Put a Hat On!

[Assorted images from our Advanced Style archive, Text: Maayan Zilberman]

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!

The Dazzling Jean Betancourt

[Photos: Ari Seth Cohen, Text: Maayan Zilberman]

Recently I had the pleasure of meeting Jean, a very sweet and funny jewelry artist based in Brooklyn. When Ari told me she lives and works out of her studio right in my neighborhood, i insisted we meet her to go through all her collections of jewelry... she's been making dangle earrings, bracelets, rings, and necklaces for several decades, well before anyone dared to wear them all at once, and keeps them all archived in her multi-colored apartment full of antiques.

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.