Subject Eye Presents: My, My, My Lila Delilah!

A stylish woman with a fantastic name, Lila Delilah, created her in-the-know website Madison Avenue Spy (madisonavespy.blogspot.com) in 2008. Lila has lived for most of her life in NYC and wrote about a myriad of topics including business and retail for The Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker, and Smart Money before taking a respite to start a family.

Soon enough Lila, who describes herself as a Type A- personality in the land of Type A’s, found that she missed writing and, inspired by her love of fashion, she decided to put pen to paper (or fingertips to keyboard) again. At its launch, the focus of Madison Avenue Spy was the businesses, sales and events in the environs of Madison Ave, but it has since grown to include a much larger area. If you want to know what’s happening on the Upper Eastside and beyond, this is the site for you.

Madison Avenue Spy is insightful and helpful. It’s like having a best friend who has all the info about great bargains for name brand merchandise and where and when to make the best attempt to acquire it. This week you can find out the up to the minute stats regarding discounted merchandise at Scoop, Marc Jacobs, and Manolo Blahnik shoes.

I truly enjoyed my interview with Lila Delilah. She was like a calming restorative tonic we all need and has the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen. I feel that her interview was such a gift. I hope you’ll feel the same way too.

The Lovely Lila Delilah.

What were you thinking?

I wasn’t thinking much, except ‘food!’ (Lila and I met for some extremely delicious cake at Lady M Confections)

List of the items you are wearing in your photo:

Jacket: Devi Kroell

Shirt: blue silk blouse from Zara

Pants: jeans from The Gap

Necklace: J.Crew

Handbag: Celine  (if not always, then usually I carry a bag from Celine)

Boots: Triple zipper boot by Sigerson Morrison.

Nail polish: Limited edition Chanel polish in ‘Peridot’

Favorite music played while getting dressed?

My favorite music right is Top 50 dance music. I love jazz music. I’ve been listening to Esperanza Spalding. I also end up listening to a lot of my kids’ overly engineered Disney music (laughs).    

Inspirations: icons, fictional characters, shapes, eras?

I can’t tell you how many people have inspired me! So many women inspire me. I love to watch women in the shoe salon at Bergdorf Goodman. I could sit there and watch them for hours.

Shopping tactics:

I’m still learning. I experiment with buying things I want vs. buying the things I need.

Lila and her composed, classic style. 

Avoidance tactics:

I will not wear Uggs, Crocs, Juicy Couture or mindless trends. I don’t mind mass marketed items, but there needs to be some sort of aesthetic discernment. There needs to be a standard in place. 

Do you Rock, shock or think about matching socks?

I shop!

How do you keep or lose your figure?

Having children makes you lose your figure, but then you have to get it back slowly. I don’t obsess. I tend to do what I need to do when it’s needed.

Do you think you're sexy?

Yes. 

What do you collect?

I collect, but not in the traditional sense of collecting. I like things that are pretty diverse. I just try to buy wisely. I hate feeling forced to buy anything. I have some Yves Saint Laurent that I bought at an outlet. I felt like I was saving them. I felt that these items needed to be rescued (laughs).   

Most desired item-if anything?

There is something I want, but I’m going to keep this to myself. The idea needs to be contained.

Are you designer label happy?

Not at all.

Is your skin in? (What is your skin care regimen, if any?)

Whatever beauty products that get sent to my work, I’ll try. I’m not a beauty products ‘high maintenance’ woman. I did have to buy a $50 lipstick once. Just to see what the hype was about. I was really mad at it, but now we are good friends.

If you could be reincarnated as a piece of clothing, what would you be?

A coat.

A night to remember/forget regarding your clothing…

It was a night to remember. It was the opening gala for the Gianni Versace exhibition at The Costume Institute/The Metropolitan Museum of Art. I was 19 and I snuck into the VIP laden dinner. I even spent time speaking with Donatella Versace! Sting preformed. It was an amazing event; I wore a Romeo Gigli dress that had a deep ‘V’ opening to my navel. I just fell into this night. I was photographed standing behind Donatella made it into The New York Post on Page Six.

Any advice for future generations?

Don’t spend so much time worrying. Don’t be neurotic. It is a complete waste of time.

Past/Current projects/Future projects?

I’m evaluating if I have time to launch a sister site for Madison Avenue Spy. It will be different, but it will be a compliment to MAS.  

*Note: I’m one lucky girl! A year ago, I was asked to do an interview for Madison Avenue Spy. It was such a pleasure to do. Check it out: Retail Therapy- Erika Belle.

Montserrat: A Magnificent View

Montserrat was always interested in art, music and dressing up. She was raised in a conservative family in Barcelona and because of her early unique fashion sense, she always felt like the black sheep. She adored her life in Spain, but she also wanted to see what the world had to offer.

When Montserrat arrived in NYC in 1993, she spoke almost no English and stayed with friends in a small place on 14^th Street off 6^th Ave. One of her favorite clubs was Nell’s, which was just two blocks away. It was there that Montserrat got her first taste of dressing up for nightlife and knew she wanted to stay. Her first job interview was with the infamous Michael Alig for Club USA. She didn’t get that job (luckily), but she met someone at Save the Robots not long afterward who offered her a job at The Village Gate. She worked there for many years and enjoyed hearing bands like the Lounge Lizards.

To never compromise can be a hard line to follow, but Montserrat is true to herself and lives her life with great passion (after all, she was named after a mountain). She will not own a cell phone because she prefers to have her conversations face to face. Her unwavering sense of style and individual spirit made Montserrat ideal for focus in Subject Eye. 

A buena vision in red.

What were you thinking?

The weather was cloudy, so I wasn’t so cheery. If I think too much about this it can cause problems. I just wanted to figure out how to be with the clouds and enjoy this day.

List of the items you are wearing in your photo?

Dress: A vintage black and red print dress I purchased in Seattle.

Bracelets: Some are Alexis Bittar and the others are classic hardware bracelets.

Makeup: My lipstick is from Lipstick Queen. The color is called courage.

Rings: Also Alexis Bittar.

Shoes: Red Converse Sneakers.

Favorite music played while getting dressed? 

I’m not listening to new music lately, but I love Nick Cave and Tom Waits. I sometimes like aggressive music like punk. I also love jazz music especially on rainy days like Etta James and Ruth Brown.

Shopping tactics:

I don’t go shopping. I see something I like and I buy it. I love classic vintage from the 1940s and 50s because it is clothing with a history. I’m particularly fond of Yves Saint Laurent.

Avoidance tactics:

I will never wear Birkenstocks, Ugg boots, or go to The Gap.

Do you rock, shock or think about matching socks?

No socks, no shocks, but I do rock!

How do you keep or lose your figure?

With age one can lose one’s figure. I go to the gym and I’m a firm believer in the Weight Watchers regimen. I’ve always had my Spanish bottom.

Do you think you're sexy?

I don’t have to think hard about this. I think of myself as a more rounded person with sex included.

What do you collect?

I collect vintage shoes. I own more than 100 pair. I collect crinolines, especially from the 1940s and 50s. And dresses, of course. One of my favorite characters is Alf. I collect anything with Alf on it. My friends have been great in aiding my Alf obsession. He’s so cute and he is an alien, like me (laughs).

Most desired item-if anything?

I desire the perfect job! I want the perfect match of money, creativity and appreciation of who I am. A job where a misfit can be the perfect fit.

Are you designer label happy?

I like labels. My favorites are Alaia,Thierry Mugler and Jean Paul Gaultier. One of my very favorite designers is Isabel Toledo.

If you could be reincarnated as a piece of clothing, what would you be?

A Charles James garment. His couture is out of this world.

Is your skin in? (What is your skin care regimen, if any?)

I’ve been using products from Yves Rocher skincare. I’ve been using this line for many years.

A night to remember or forget regarding your clothing?

I went to the Madame Grès exhibition opening at F.I.T. I was wearing a dress with a train. It was a 1940s silk jersey dress, which was very much like Madame Grès creation. I wore my 1930s monkey fur jacket. The photographer Bill Cunningham was at the opening and he loved this outfit.

Any advice for future generations:

People should learn great manners. It is a forgotten art. Learn how to respect people and accept them for who they are. Have an open mind when seeing someone who is creative and appreciate that they have unique qualities.

Past, current or future projects?

Right now I want to find the perfect job. I want to work fewer hours and make more money. I think I would make a perfect companion, like in Victorian times. We need to bring this type of job back!

A stylish montage=Montserrat. 

Subject Eye Presents: Rosemary Wettenhall

When you walk into Madame Matovu, Rosemary Wettenhall’s well-curated vintage clothing shop on West 10^th in the Village, you can instantly see why the shop is on the radar of so many celebrities and fashionable women. You feel like you’ve entered a magic treasure chest. The reason the shop is so special is that Rosemary chooses every item – and doesn’t sell anything she doesn’t personally adore. The vintage merchandise is well edited and very well cared for, and there is also a small collection of designer clothing produced under her own eponymous label.

Rosemary’s in-depth knowledge of distinct eras in fashion is evident, as is her familiarity with a wide range of clothing manufacturing techniques, and she is quite conversant with how the pieces can or should be worn. Along with the beautiful clothes there is a wonderful selection of accessories and artwork. She is a firm believer in mixing styles and eras to create your own special fashion alchemy, which makes her perfect for Subject Eye.

Rosemary Wettenhall's style and her welcoming smile.

What were you thinking?

I’m thinking Life!

List of the items you are wearing in your photo?

Dress: a Comme des Garcons black slip dress with a blue and pale pink colored ribbon 1950s lace vintage dress over it.

Scarf: rose print silk organza scarf from the 1950s.

Sweater: cerulean blue Marc Jacobs lace ruffle cardigan.

Belt: vintage 1970s black motorcycle belt.

Watch: an oversized Swiss Army watch.

Favorite music played while getting dressed?

In general, I like classical and jazz music. I love Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong. These days I find myself listening to a lot of R&B, like John Legend and Beyonce. Of course I love Motown. But you can really lose yourself listening to Edith Piaf and Serge Gainsbourg.

Your inspirations: icons, fictional characters, shapes or eras?

I’m inspired by everyday people. There’s always someone on the street who looks amazing.

Shopping tactics:

Right now, I’m in love with drug stores and hardware stores. I love their organization. It’s like a science. I love to lose myself at Rite-Aid. Where does all that stuff come from? Being in these types of stores balances out what I do. My newest love is the Farmers’ Market. I love talking to the farmers about hybrid produce and the work they do to grow food.

Avoidance tactics:

I avoid anything aggressive, whether it is people or clothing. For me, it has no meaning or place in my life. I also avoid the attitude of entitlement. Again, I love the people of the streets. Ever notice how entitlement and aggression goes hand in hand? Then it breeds ignorance.

Do you rock, shock or think about matching socks?

I love being individual. I hate being placed in a category.

An array of beautiful scarves.

  

How do you keep or lose your figure?

I’m just disciplined with what I eat and what I do. I believe in discipline in life, period. But I make sure to have fun at the end of the day.

Do you think you're sexy?

Of course! I think that being sexy is what you feel at the moment and what you project. I believe in subtle femininity.

What do you collect?

I collect skirts. If you open my closet, you would see more skirts, and I adore pleated skirts most of all. The perfect pleated skirt can be very hard to find. Christian Dior made my favorite box-pleated skirt. I also collect vintage bracelets, particularly Victorian pink gold. Well, I love almost anything that is shiny. I also love portraits and photos of women from any era. And last but not least, anything with roses on it.

Fresh roses in a Rococo vase and a portrait Marilyn.

Most desired item-if anything?

People getting along. I want people to get along and communicate better. I want people to stop being greedy because it creates hate. Greed separates people. I want people to not be so obsessed with material things.

Are you designer label happy?

No, that’s not me, just fashion labels. I have to love it, and what I choose must be something that I will want to keep with me forever.

If you could be reincarnated as a piece of clothing, what would you be?

I would want to be reincarnated as a rose bush. I would want to be any type of rose bush because it is the perfect thing of beauty, with a mix of hard and soft.

Is your skin in? (What is your skin care regimen, if any?)

I use a basic shea butter with no additives that I get at Bigelow Chemists.

A night to remember or forget regarding your clothing?

On one of my favorite nights I wore an Alexander McQueen shift dress that he himself signed. On another night to remember, I wore a Christian Lacroix couture skirt from the collection inspired by Frida Kahlo. But any day can be great when you are wearing clothes you love. I love wearing Comme des Garcons and of course, Yohji Yamamoto. Miuccia Prada is my favorite of today. The way she uses fabrics is so wonderful. And she can cut a great skirt! I completely appreciate the cultural references used in the prints of Dries Van Noten. The clothing is so sophisticated.

Any advice for future generations:

Be true to yourself.

Past, current or future projects?

In the end I’m fascinated by beauty. I’ve always loved beautiful things and having them around me. I also sell art in Madame Matovu, so I would love to expand it into a lifestyle shop.

Behold, a treasure trove!

A Henry Clarke poster and some sparkle.

Rosemary's eye catching window display.

A painting of Madame Matovu presides over all.

 Photos by Erika Belle

Subject Eye Presents: Poppy King

I first saw Poppy King a few years ago at a Fashion’s Night Out event at Kerri
Pamer’s West Village boutique Castor and Pollux. Poppy was there to help women choose lipsticks from her eponymous line, Lipstick Queen. I use the word eponymous because Poppy herself is truly the “Lipstick Queen.”

Ever since she could remember, Poppy had been obsessed with lipstick.  Eventually she found she had exhausted the possibilities of the commercial marketplace, and realized that to have lipstick that met her ineffable standards, she would have to create them herself.

I was already a fan of her lipsticks. I loved the colors and the packaging. I was so drawn to the lipsticks with names like Rose Saint or Wine Sinner.  I was instantly intrigued by Poppy’s style and fascinated by the questions she asked the women as she aided their selections. Her passion for lipstick was evident. She asked each woman about her life, and matched colors not just to her skin tone or outfit, but to each woman’s intrinsic character and personality.

Some time later, I saw Poppy and her beau at one of my favorite downtown restaurants. She was so elegantly attired and they both looked as if they stepped out of a 1930s film, not because they were wearing clothes from that era, but because they exuded a sexy, timeless and radiant charm. They seemed to exemplify the deeply personal style that I enjoy and admire.  

There is an expression: I start as I mean to go on.  With that in mind I chose to present Subject Eye with an interview with Poppy King, a woman who embodies the spirit of this venture. 

Poppy King in front of her Julia Ciccarone painting
Photo Robert von Leszczynski

What were you thinking?

The same thing I am always thinking: “Do I really get to have this much fun with clothes?" I am basically a 7 year old trapped in an adult body. Every day for me is like enacting my little girl fantasy of what it means to be a glamorous woman.

List of the items you are wearing in your photo?

Dress: vintage dress from Australia.

Belt: from Debut New York on Mulberry Street, NYC. 

Shoes: Sergio Rossi.

Bracelet: lavender Hermes enamel “H” cuff.  

I always try to wear something with leopard print, always something red, always a statement handbag, always high heels and always lipstick! 

Favorite music played while getting dressed?

NPR (National Public Radio). I am obsessed with NPR and I listen to any NPR program while getting dressed…that, or Grace Jones’s Island Life.

Your inspirations: icons, fictional characters, shapes or eras?

I’m inspired by the X chromosome. I love everything hyper-female.

Shopping tactics:

My shopping tactics are totally impulsive, utterly obsessed and wonderfully insane. 

Avoidance tactics:

My tactic is to adhere to the Oscar Wilde quote “The only way to resist temptation is to yield to it.”

Do you rock, shock or think about matching socks?

I do a little of each. I rock with lots of color and pattern, I shock with my dedication with glamour always and I think about matching socks with my fastidiousness for coordinating everything with a curator’s eye.

How do you keep or lose your figure?

I’ve kept my figure thus far with Bikram yoga and a penchant for choosing nutrition over empty calories.

Do you think you're sexy?

I think I am sexy when I feel sexy. I believe it comes from the inside. I judge my sexiness by my sense of self, not others opinions. Some days I am feeling it more than other days, but it is my job to keep defining it for myself.

Poppy King. Photo Robert von Leszczynski

What do you collect?

What don’t I collect! Mainly shoes, books, handbags, dresses, coats, the Three Wise Monkey statues and entrepreneurial ideas. Disparate I know, but there is method in my madness.

Most desired item-if anything?

As cheesy as it sounds, it is happiness. The things I own can only animate my happiness, but cannot create it.

Are you designer label happy?

I am not so much designer label happy as I am in awe of artistry. The Azzedine Alaia boutique for example is like a shrine to me.

If you could be reincarnated as a piece of clothing, what would you be?

It would be a handbag. Inside women’s handbags are their tools for living.

Is your skin in? (What is your skin care regimen, if any?)

My skin care regimen is sun block.

A night to remember or forget regarding your clothing?

It would be a night to forget. It was on my first official date in the mid-80s. I was wearing stirrup pants, winkle-pickers, a red paisley shirt and an oversize electric blue v-neck sweater.

Any advice for future generations?

To not get too obsessed with technology. It cannot replace anything truly worthwhile.

Past, current or future projects?

My past, current and future projects are and always will be the same…to show women that glamour is a form of self-expression and not homogenization. Everything I do is my way of showing that we can all be glamorous. It is a mind- body connection to make the most of your self, inside and out.



Poppy King with Erika Belle
Photo Robert von Leszczynski

All photographs taken with Canon PowerShot G12