The IFs Go Back to College

LIM College, which specializes in fashion merchandising, recently held a two-day seminar called "Fashion: Now and Then". LIM College is strategically located only a few blocks away from Bergdorf’s, Saks, Giorgio Armani, Abercromie & Fitch, Zara’s, Banana Republic, Fendi, Bottega Veneta, so its lucky students have amazing access to the heart of New York's fashion industry.

LIM College ("where business meets fashion") has several campuses around Manhattan. The event was held at the original site in a beautiful turn of the century townhouse on East 53rd Street.  This is one of two gargoyles who greet visitors at the door.

Last Saturday afternoon, we attended a panel discussion at LIM College entitled "Fashion: Then and Now" by our blogger friends Ari Seth Cohen from Advanced Style and Elisa Goodkind and Lily Mandelbaum, the mother and daughter creators of StyleLikeU along with Xavier Aaronson from BabesAtTheMuseum. Together, they demonstrate how blogs cover a broad range of topics and demographics and are becoming forces to be reckoned with in the fashion industry.

We are lucky enough to be featured in the eponymous Advanced Style and StyleLikeU books, both published by powerHouse books.  Our inside joke is that we now have to get into Babes at the Museum before Xavier Aaronson publishes his own book.

Lisa Ryan (with the microphone) organized this year's and last year's two-day events and helped book the various panels and speakers. Left to right: Xavier Aaronson, Ari Seth Cohen, Lily Mandelbaum and Elisa Goodkind.

Because he was asked to do a book signing after the panel discussion, Ari invited some of us featured in the book to come and do a brief (and totally informal) turn for the audience to end the program. We came dressed for the occasion (of course), and then enjoyed a sumptuous spread of bubbly and hors d'ouvres. Elisa and Lily had a signing earlier in the day.

Taking part in the festivities are some faces you might recognize.

First, artists Elke Kuhn (in her own design) and Charlotte Thorp.

Jewelry merchandiser Yael Cohen and Tziporah Salamon.

Ilona Royce Smithkin in leopard spots.

Christina Viera, Xavier Aaronson, Jean and Valerie.

Artists Richard Cramer and Carol Markel, with Carol in one of the marvelous felt helmets and two wooden gum-ball necklaces she makes herself, as well as a Tsumori Chisato dress that she recently featured in her blog Femme et Fleur.

Don't you just love this chic couple? Carola frequently appears in Ari's blog. Her dapper escort's name is Aaron.

Mother and daughter. Mom is visiting from Germany, to help her graduating daughter move back home.

Sandra Ley, Librarian from Pima County Community College in Tucson, Arizona, and Valerie. A large part of the symposium focused on fashion and textile libraries and archives.

Eric Lee and Ari.

Debra Rapoport and Elke Kuhn book-end DeeDee who was visiting from out of town.

Joyce Carpati and Carol Markel.

Jean, Valerie and Debra.

Jane Folds in her signature heart-shaped glasses.

Virginia Millington, Manager of Recording and Archive for StoryCorps (who had spoken on an earlier panel at the event), and her mother who was visiting from Virginia.

Ari and Joyce.

Here we are, out on the street after the event, before we headed home.

What we're wearing:
Valerie is wearing a vintage crownless black straw and velvet hat labeled Thurm (part of label is sewn under, so it might be Thurman???), onyx and silver brooch, H&M bustier, vintage Gianni Versace jacket, pocket hanky cut from Warhol/Marilyn sock, vintage Krizia pants, high heeled sneakers by Chinese Laundry.

Jean is wearing an Amy Downs turban from A-Uno, black and white polka dot pants from Heydari, Kyodan jacket, Underground creepers from Trash and Vaudeville, vintage bakelite and plastic bangles and rings, and resin black and white ball necklace.