For 20 consecutive years, the creative, outstanding, and risk taking stylist Vanessa Sterbenz has made her mark on the Easter Parade, out side of St. Patrick's Cathedral. For many of those years, notorious photographer Bill Cunningham documented her hats for the New York Times style section.
Day to day for almost another 20 years, Vanessa is a Sr. Stylist and shopper at Bergdorf Goodman. With a wondrous eye and probably a photographic memory, she selects some of the most amazing clothing and puts together outfits for her incredible clients at BG.
Recently BG has done a "take over" of their cafe by the artist Ashley Longshore. The glitter bombing, F word talking, outrageous painter and artist - that definitely has everyone gawking about BG, and in a B i G way!
Bringing back the fun into fashion and retail is really what I think this is about. And coincidentally BG is located across the street from Trump Towers and another Big talking tweeting individual. Not getting political here - but one does have to wonder if this was intentional. Ashley is another big personality, and someone that is not afraid to be who she is. Obviously this is working ! If you follow her Instagram there is a very empowering and positive message she is creating with a few F words and glitter bombs thrown in.
But .... Back to Vanessa and how I think all this links in my opinion.
What BG, Gucci, and so many forward brands are doing is giving you the approval to " BE YOU, EVERYONE ELSE IS TAKEN ". If you look at what has been trending we had Norm-core (ewe) and a pared down minimalism, that was just basic and commodity driven key item tables. GROSS! But now we have sparkle, 70's, F words, new materials, techno fabrics and well something exciting and YOUnique to talk about and wear or make or buy on etsy!
With this embrace of Creative WOW, luxury store BG, started it. First testing out the idea with its stylists. back 2 years ago during fashion week. Having a competition for its stylists.
Now you see how this all links back.....
Vanessa's styled looks and personal image were part of the coveted window display on 5TH AVENUE during fashion week. This is truly a dream coming true for any fashion person ( its up there next to winning an Oscar or CFDA). In addition to being in the window, her selections of sexy, glam, sophisticated accessories from the store were displayed on the different floors of the BG. What an honor. But every day Vanessa gets up does her wing'ed eye look and signature red lip and heads to work being who she is. AND who she is- is part NYC black wardrobe with some over the top designer wonder item mixed in, and a be who you are attitude. Side note : check out @sterbenzstyle on Instagram the clothes and accessories are one of a kind!
So here it is, it started as Easter Parade and turned into what I am seeing as an attitude that has been building in fashion and retail to relax, have fun, be colorful, but most of all be who you ARE!
