Obama Won.

My friend Nayia voted for the first time in the United States after becoming a citizen just a few months ago.  She snapped this license plate on the FDR Drive on Wednesday, November 5.

The Chevrolet emblem adds a nice touch. Now if this person could trade in the behemoth for a smaller, greener car, we'll be all set.  

Laura Stephen Appears in Dress Code

Introducing Laura Stephen, the subject of my most recent Dress Code column in Berkshire Living magazine.
According to Laura, business changed at the end of the summer due to pressing economic concerns.  She discussed the two extremes dancing in shoppers' heads: necessity and desire.  "People want something that speaks to them emotionally," she explained.  

"Really speaks to them in a powerful way," if the luxury market is going to survive in light of our current economic reality.  

As for Armani, where Laura is vice president of women's ready-to-wear, "We are watching our business," she revealed.  "Business is steady for us." Nevertheless, when it comes to trying new and untested merchandise, the company has to be cautious to avoid adversely affecting its profits.  As for the fashion industry overall, Laura does not mince words:  "Business is terrible right now."  

Indeed, about two months after I spoke to Laura about how the downturn is affecting the luxury end of the fashion industry, the stock rating of high-end retailer Barneys New York was downgraded to below junk bond status.  Ouch!

As shown in the bottom, behind-the-scenes photo, we needed to tape Laura's fabulous silk Fendi dress to her back because the straps kept falling.  

What helps to keep Laura's life in balance?  She runs about 25 miles every week and travels around the country to run in relays for various causes.  Whenever she's not traveling, she runs across the Brooklyn Bridge daily, usually beginning at about 5:30 am.  

Martina Arfwidson, Face Stockholm Maven

Martina looked sooooo cute in this vintage 1980s Mila Schon trench dress from Petria Boutiq.

She visited the boutique with her mother, Gunn Nowak, Face Stockholm's maitresse and Rosalyn Gershell, one of the funniest, wittiest people I have the pleasure of knowing.

Alexandra in the Country.

Understated as she conquers the style world daily, Vogue editor Alexandra is simply one of my favorite people.

Mrs. Fabulous Fiona Kotur Marin.

Handbag designer Fiona Kotur reminded me that her vintage dress came from Petria Boutiq when it was located in Norfolk, Connecticut. It's nice to see (again) that my picks go off to live exciting lives with talented women.

To see Fiona's collection, visit www.koturltd.com.

Macho Bag, by Anthony...Jones.

Well hey, that's some bag. Animal, all the way! The designer is Anthony, according to its keeper, pictured here. When I asked him if Anthony has a last name, he said "Jones," but Anthony prefers one name. We won't hold it against him.

Anthony's macho bag is ravishing (and looks like it could take off your arm, and some shoulder, too, with one chomp). The thick strap is alligator and the color deep blood with lots of black overtones. There's nothing girly about this big hunk of creativity.

Photographed at Cafe Colombe on Church Street in Tribeca.

Life in the Lipstick Jungle.

Brooke Shields needed a bit of primping for her role in Lipstick Jungle. The show set up camp on the corner of 57th Street and Lexington Avenue, in front of Starbucks.