Style in Film: Bill Cunningham New York

I'm doing this for the Infinitesimal Readership not in DC. Because they've already torn this from our grasp. Its run ended here on 12 May. Pooey.

Last night, I was privileged - and I mean that sincerely - to peek into the life and mind of an icon: Bill Cunningham.

I won't wax poetic about the film, nor about the man. Plenty of folks (including this great piece at Slate) have already done so. I will say just a few things.

If it's anywhere near you and you haven't already seen it, Go. Now. If it's not, get thee to Netflix or YouTube or whatever other means you can to see it.

When you do see it, you will laugh, and you will cry. And you will be inspired.

It's not often you get the opportunity to try and understand a contemporary monk. This film grants you that opportunity.

It's not often you get the opportunity to view a much-viewed place like New York City through a different lens. This film grants you that opportunity.

At 80+, it's possible we won't have him with us much longer. And I'll be on the first plane, train, or in the automobile, The Bean in tow, to pay homage to him in whatever way they let the public do so.

On a little bit of an aside, I was thrilled to have H as my arm candy last night (and meet up with two online gems, Ally from Wardrobe Oxygen and Elizabeth from So Much to Smile About). He can't rave enough about the film (rather than movie, btw, because it's that elevated). He's been quoting since we left:

His runner-up favorite, in which Bill explains why he tore up many a check for his work, especially the one when the original Details, of which he was an integral part, sold out, "If you take money, then they can tell you what to do."

His favorite, which occurs as Bill is showing his press pass to a Paris runway show flunky guarding the door at some prestigious show - and who doesn't recognize the man who has been documenting clothing since the 1960s. Another flunky - complete with greying ponytail - notices, and pulls Bill past the ignorant flunky, saying, "Don't you know this is the most important person on earth?"

Sent just now in an email to me about attending the next The Front Row event tonight: "have a great time tonight – and always remember that, 'fashion is the armor to survive everyday life.'"

Which is, my friends, the sum of it.

Shop in Style: Banana Republic After 5

Shamelessly plugging for some stylish online friends.

In case you don't have plans for this rainy, stormy day (or have time to kill before going to The Front Row's screening of Bill Cunningham New York), swing by this fun event. I've been to one of their events before, and while the sales weren't anything more than a regular sale, it's always fun to shop with a glass in hand.

What: Banana Republic After 5
Where: BR Tyson's
When: Today, 19 May, 5-7pm
Why: Because E, Elizabeth, Rachel, and Vyque are on hand with style advice, plus 25% off purchases of $100 or more.

You could, just supposing, pick up something new and stylish to show off before you dash of to watch a movie.

After 5 Event Picks by DCCelin

Dine in Style: Blatent Plagarism of an Email Announcement

I'm not going to pretend to rewrite this email announcement that hit my inbox yesterday (if you haven't signed up for Chef Wiedmaier's emails, do. it. now.). I'll just say these few things: Our first trip to Marcel's was 7 years ago (veteran waiter Jonathan looked it up last time we were there). We've been back, um, a few times since. We're using a trip to Marcel's for The Bean's 4th birthday as a bribe for good dinner table behavior. I'd never eaten mussels. Ever. And dove, without even a smidgen of reservation, into a huge plate of Chef Hagan's (Mussel Bar) Wild Mushroom, Pancetta, Parmesan, and Truffle Cream version last week (and snuck a few bites of H's Classic Roasted Garlic, Shallots, Cream and Sauvignon Blanc pan) only having a single frite, just to taste. I didn't want to waste tummy space on even fantastic spuds. We consider it a sin of sorts that we haven't made it to BRABO or Brasserie Beck yet. We're almost considering delaying our trip down tha shore by one day - putting us in the middle of Memorial Day Traffic - just to go to this. And now, in the chef's (or his PR folks') words: Full Circle Chef - Spring Harvest at BRABO by Robert Wiedmaier Thursday, May 26th, 7pm 1600 King Street, Old Town Alexandria at the Lorien Hotel and Spa All of Chef Wiedmaier’s restaurants reflect his European heritage, in particular his links to Belgium, creating a full circle between his family, legacy and life in the United States. For his whole life, Wiedmaier has been involved with food from the source. His five restaurants reflect a specific culinary influence from his past, and like five intertwining rings, they are each intrinsically linked by the same respect towards utilizing what is local, what is home grown, and what is personally caught or selected – ensuring that the circle is never broken. A seven-course ‘Full Circle’ dinner will take place at BRABO by Robert Wiedmaier, gathering Chef Wiedmaier and the chefs de cuisine and sommeliers of all his restaurants.The local farmers and purveyors highlighted in each course will also be present. This seven-course dinner, featuring beer and wine pairings is $125 per person, exclusive of tax and gratuity.

Amuse Bouche Fluke Sashimi, Pickled Radish, Fennel Puree Roderer, Champagne, Brut, ‘Premier,’ France, NV - Duvel Chef Robert Wiedmaier First Course Rappahannock River Oyster Rockefeller Crispy Prosciutto, Parmesan Tuille, Baby Spinach, Brown Butter Vinaigrette   Domaine Naudet, Sancerre, France, 2009 – Malheur 10 Chef Matt Hagan Mussel Bar and Rappahannock River Oysters Second Course Pan Roasted Alaskan Halibut, Grassential Farm Pork Belly Confit Baby Potatoes Morel Ravigote, Wild Ramp Butter Domaine Séguinot-Bordet, Chablis, Grand Cru, ‘Vaudesir,’ France, 2008 – Straffe Hendrick Chef John Engle, Brasserie Beck, Matt Rails of Grassential Farm, Steve Turnich of Northern Neck Third Course Quails and Snails, Carrot Ginger Puree, Crispy Quail Leg, Crystallized Ginger Crowley, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, ‘Entre Nous,’ Oregon, 2008 – Brooklyn Local 2 Chef Paul Stearman, Marcel’s, Javier Azare of Huntsman Fourth Course Randal Lineback Veal Tortellini, Morels and English Peas, Crispy Sweetbreads Dominio IX, Tempranillo, Columbia Gorge, Washington State, 2008 – AleSmith Grand Cru Chef Chris Watson, BRABO, Joe Henderson and Reagan Duncan of Chapel Hill Farm Fifth Course Martin Angus Strip Loin with Braised Short Rib, Turnich Farm Swiss Chard, Yukon Gold Potato Puree, Beef Braising Jus Château Loudenne, Medoc, Bordeaux, France, 2005 – Rochefort 8 Robert Wiedmaier, Bill & Holly Martin of Martin’s Angus Cheese Old Chandler Strawberry Shortcake, Strawberry Panna Cotta, Strawberry Sorbet Icardi Moscato d’Asti, Piedmont, Italy, 2009 – Deuss Beer de Brut Joanne Decoux, BRABO, Mollie Visosky of The Fresh Link Wine and beer pairings selected by BRABO Sommelier, David Kurka, Brasserie Beck Beer Sommelier ,Thor Cheston and Beverage Director, Ramon Narvaez To Reserve, call 703-894-3440

Style Dilemma: Un-Cocktail Summer Wedding

@sosarahsays tweeted for help the other day: @DCCeline @therealmarta @ejfass Ladies: Need dress to wear to June wedding. Starts at 5:30p. Outdoor ceremony, indoor reception.Suggestions?

She later clarified she was really, really, really hoping to keep it under $200, but then, well, as we started to tweet back our suggestions, only a few of which were in that range (sorry!), she upped her limit. She also noted that it's on the Eastern Shore, if that were to play into it. Her own first pick? A pale teal fun 80s-esque number from French Connection, of which we were all skeptical, as it has a few extra ruffles where we might not want them. But inspirationally, it works.

So I did a quick browse of some favorite sites, and found these. I apparently have a new addiction to Halston Heritage, and I'm always a sucker for vintage. And we won't discuss my obsession with Catherine Malandrino. A few of these are ueber-cocktail, but my thought is that by going all out, and with careful accessory selection, you'd put yourself right back in un-cocktail land.

Summer Wedding by DCCeline

Shop in Style: The Front Row is Where It's At

Poor grammar aside, clear your calendars for the Betehsda fashion event, The Front Row. With the signature "special appearance" from PR maverick (maven?) Kelly Cutrone (yes, Kell on Earth), fashion events for big and small all day and night for 3 days, and all sorts of specials, deals, and discounts, it's worth it. Other than the two Main Events, Bill Cunningham New York screening and Kelly's appearance at the Runway show, here are my picks:

Thursday, 19 May:
bluemercury: Laura Mercier makeup and skin consultations, with refreshments (always a plus). Book your appointment now to make sure you get your spot
Ginger: Joie trunk show, 10am-8pm, the place to pick out those summer chic duds

Friday, 20 May:
Luna: 2nd Annual Tee Party 15% off + gift with any t-shirt purchase. Um. Did I say I needed to get more summer gear for that month at the beach?
Sassanova: Roarke NYC trunk show. Accessories. For summer.

Saturday, 21 May:
Barnes & Noble: Fancy Nancy Story Time. Yup. Be there or be a posh puppy.
Legos on the Lane: yes, I'm biased. It's kid-focused. And it's Legos, for heaven's sake!

Now. To design my outfits for the 3 days of style.