Monday, 31 March 2014

95 Years Young

I always love when people recommend their stylish friends for me to photograph. Barbara Harris, who I have photographed twice before, wrote to tell me that I must meet her friend and style icon, 95-year-old Alvis Rogers. When I met Alvis at her apartment in Manhattan last week, she surely didn't disappoint, in a gorgeous hounds tooth jacket and cream overcoat. I asked Barbara to put together a few words about her dear friend below:

ALVIS ROGERS IS A CLASS ACT AND VERY ELEGANT. I've known Alvis close to 50 years. We met at Casdulan Hair Salon, owned by Frenchie, located next to the famed Apollo Theatre on 125th Street. The salon was  very popular during that time because all the hair stylists were great, which attracted very chic clients and celebrities--just to name a few, Diahaan Carroll, Lucille Armstrong (Louis Armstrong's wife) Audrey Smaltz (The Ground crew), and many others. After chatting with Alvis, we discovered we were  neighbors on Sugar Hill in Harlem. I was so struck by how this beautiful African  American woman was dressed, how she spoke and how she  just reeked of class and style. I  knew from this first meeting she was someone I wanted to get to know better and emmulate, so I could learn how it was properly done, She was also dripping of great jewelry--gold and diamonds, which also really  impressed me  (I,too wanted some of those).

As I introduced her to my friends, they, like me were in awe of her elegance, wit and style and wanted to know her better. Alvis was very worldly--having traveled a lot and took many cruises  which just seemed like  a wonderful life style. She invited me a few times for a Bon Voyage party on the ship, and I though that was very grand. Living in New York City during the 60's, and meeting a fabulous woman like Alvis(that looked like us) gave us a lot of hope and determination that we, also, could be Fabulous at any age. Women who see Alvis now are still inspired by her beauty, warmth and total togetherness. At her age she is till a star.

Friday, 28 March 2014

Ilona Royce Smithkin Celebrates Her 94th Birthday

Yesterday was Ilona's 94th Birthday and although she doesn't like to make a fuss about her special day, her friend Margo threw her a wonderful little party. When asked what she wanted for her birthday Ilona announced, "I just want to be well so I can sprinkle my Ilona joy dust around the world." For more pictures from Ilona's birthday check out our instagram page HERE.

Thursday, 27 March 2014

Wednesday, 26 March 2014

Moving to the Center of the Bed

I met author Sheila Weinstein at one of Debra Rapoport's famous tea parties and was instantly inspired by her energy and her wonderful story. Sheila describes her experience moving to New York after the loss of her partner below:

The title of my book: Moving to the Center of the Bed, is a metaphor for moving to the center of my own life. My husband, a practicing ophthalmologist, was diagnosed with dementia when he was sixty four, and when he entered a facility I was alone for the first time in my life. I took notes on my strange and, at first, anxiety ridden new life, and it eventually turned into this book. It is about transforming myself from within, giving myself an inner makeover…more lasting than the makeovers I show up for at the cosmetics counters …to become the woman I am today.

I moved to NYC not knowing anyone and created a life filled with the things that have meaning for me. I’m a pianist and writer and for the last 10 years I’ve been a docent at Carnegie Hall and played there in 2008. I met new and creative people and found some amazing women my age (77 now) who love who they are, age be damned, and dress in original and liberating ways. They changed the way I think about my own aging. I’ve always loved wearing hats, but I still tend to be conservative in my dress. However, I am now unafraid to put myself out there as a woman of a certain age. I have lots of energy so let people figure out how old I am, if they care to.

My grateful appreciation to Ari for his love and appreciation of us older women.

More on Sheila Weinstein's work HERE.

Tuesday, 25 March 2014

Monday, 24 March 2014

A Hat a Day...

I was walking near Washington Square Park over the weekend, when I noticed a lady wearing a wonderful hat a few blocks away. I quickly ran up to her and asked if I could take her photograph. Once we were face to face I instantly recognized her as I had taken her photo, in another great hat, a few weeks before.

When I asked Suzan if I could take her photo again, she told me that she was on her way home after a day of shopping. She showed me two wonderful new vintage sailor hats that she had just purchased. After a quick photo I asked about her style inspiration and she replied, " My mother was the most chic person ever. I try to have fun with what I wear- why not? " I can't wait to run into Suzan again. Hopefully next time she'll be wearing a sailor hat.

Friday, 21 March 2014