A shoe even Cinderella would like

The tradition of drinking Champagne out of a woman’s shoe began in 19th century France. Legendary for their allure, prima ballerinas were famously toasted by gentleman patrons who would pour Champagne in their dance slippers and then drink out of them. Personally I think it's pretty gross. Imagine...all that dancing and then drinking out of sweaty toe-shoes. YUCK!!!

Recently during Fashions Night Out in NY there was a simulation of this tradition as copied by dancing girls of the Folies Bergere during the days of the Belle Epoque Paris. Of course it looked AMAZING in the windows of Chritian Louboutin.

Well, they have done it again. This extravagant ritual has been reawakened by the House of Piper-Heidsieck and master shoe maker Christian Louboutin in a box set. The set consists of a bottle of champagne and a red-soled Louboutin glass stiletto. The set will be available in the US on October 19th.

I don't know how feasible it will be to actually wear these, but I am willing to bet that sipping champagne from these will taste better than old slippers, unless you're Cinderella.

A Columbus Day: Divine Chocolate to boot!

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Columbus had his discovery, and I have mine.

I have been so remiss in my writing to you because I’ve not shared this company. When I tell you their chocolate is simply – well, Divine, I’m not kidding. Being a lover of the product, I want you to know what great event they have coming up this month. More than that, I want you to know who they are, the great work they do and why you should care.

Divine Chocolate, the farmer-owned fair trade chocolate brand, kicks off Fair Trade Month by asking chocolate lovers everywhere to enter its Share the Love Recipe Story contest. In this unique twist on the traditional recipe contest, entrants will be judged based on the personal story they submit describing their favorite chocolate recipe that they love to share with others. As part of the fun, Divine has enlisted renowned comfort food bakers and cookbook authors Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito of Baked to serve as celebrity judges for the contest.

Chocolate lovers are encouraged to compete in one of four distinct categories: Best Chocolate Cookie Recipe Story; Best Chocolate Cake Recipe Story; Best Chocolate Drink Recipe Story; and Best Chocolate Pastry Recipe Story. One winning story will be selected from each category.

“Everyone has a favorite chocolate recipe that evokes home, comfort and love,” says Erin Gorman, CEO of Divine Chocolate US. “This contest is designed to get people sharing those recipes and those feelings. In turn we hope to connect people who love chocolate with cocoa famers who work hard to make all those great feelings possible.”

As part of the submission process, entrants will also be asked to identify and describe the person(s) they’d most like to share their favorite chocolate recipe with.

"We look forward to seeing what members of the public come up with,” says Matt Lewis of Baked. “This is such an interesting way for chocolate fans to share their stories with others.”

Winners in each category will receive $250 in cash, a year’s supply of Divine Chocolate -- and a special goodie bag featuring gifts from Baked, The Body Shop, Putumayo World Music and Ten Thousand Villages. Category winners will also have Divine Chocolate versions of their recipes brought to life by Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito.

I realize that your wedding is “about you”, but this is a wonderful way to spread the good feelings you have. Purchase any of the many Divine flavors of chocolate and give them as gifts. You’ll not only make your guests happy, you will be providing fair wages to chocolate growers in Ghana with your purchase.

For more info: Please go to their site for more information as well as chocolate order forms: www.divinechocolateusa.com/

An Oriental twist on your wedding attire

All photo credits: Shanghai Tang

Back in the 1990’s, I was working in technology public relations for the Government of Singapore. Let me tell you it’s a beautiful country, with heat and humidity that reminds me of Florida and daily rain showers to prove it. I lived off Orchard road, which would be equivalent to living around the corner from Madison Avenue. High-end shops along this main street, one more beautiful than the other but one always stood out - Shanghai Tang. Their clothes were beautiful, exquisite quality, and the staff with a keen eye in helping me picks out colors that complimented me. How happy was I when they finally decided to come to NY in 1997. Currently, the Madison Avenue flagship store has been open since May 2008.

Shanghai Tang is truly the first luxury brand emerging from China. Its design mission is to revitalize Chinese innovation and to interweave it with the dynamism of the 21st Century. From a colorful and nostalgic art deco concept store in Hong Kong, Shanghai Tang has evolved into a modern lifestyle vision of Chinese chic. They have incorporated Chinese symbols of luck, prosperity, health and happiness through vivid color prints of goldfishes, lotus flowers and ingots into their clothing line. With a custom tailoring department you can create a bridal gown that is truly one of a kind.

Mr. Sam Roseman, Shanghai Tang’s Imperial Tailoring Manager, has graciously shared some information about the brand and how couples can bring a bit of the Orient to their wedding day.

What are the 'hot' types of gowns women are asking for (either type of material (cotton, silk) style, shape etc.) and are they similar to gowns worn for traditional Chinese weddings?

The Shanghai Tang bridal Qi Pao is a unique mix of antique Shanghainese craftsmanship and traditional Chinese wedding gowns combined with modern European fabrics and innovative new silhouettes. The Shanghai Tang bride truly represents the most luxurious image of Modern China. The respectful blending of old and new results in a contemporary yet classic gown that is steeped in tradition but draws on modern design elements and new textures as well. The silhouette combines the high 3 inch mandarin collar, reminiscent of the Hong Kong jazz singers of the 1960's, tiny pinched waists, bare backs, soft flowing fishtails, French scalloped edges and light reflecting crystals. Traditional Chinese elements are used to enhance the details with handmade flower buttons, hand-sewn satin piping, silk knot fastenings and carved semi precious stones. White French beaded lace, fine printed silk chiffon, bold floral cut velvets, and hand embroidered silks are all available for the Shanghai Tang bride.

What times of the year do you see a spike in bridal gown orders?

Bridal orders are taken all year. However, we focus on our biannual overseas trunk shows that occur in the London, New York and Singapore boutiques. The Imperial Tailoring manager showcases the new collection and new fabrics to Imperial Tailoring clients during a one-on-one couture style consultation. The consultation involves taking measurements and creating new designs on-the-spot based on the client’s needs.

How long does it take to create a dress?

An Imperial Tailored Qi Pao or gown can take up to 3 months to create, depending on the number of fittings required to ensure the perfect fit. Generally one month is required to complete a garment.

Is there anything else you want readers to know about Shainghai Tang?

At Shanghai Tang we are dedicated to fostering and preserving the dying art of Shanghainese tailoring. We employ 8 traditional tailors whose fathers were an integral part of the Chinese emancipation from Communist uniforms to create what we know today as the Qi Pao or Cheong Sam. Fleeing China and moving to Hong Kong these tailors revolutionized the Chinese wardrobe and reinvented the traditional Chinese clothing by recreating the Qi Pao as a short, form-fitting garment that worshiped the female form. This traditional craft and detailed technique were passed down from fathers to their sons who now employ the same techniques in the creation of Shanghai Tang’s handmade Qi Pao.

If you are in NY, they will be having a trunk show October 15-18 2009, from 10:00am-7:00pm. I would recommend that you contact Ms. Megan Fung, to set up your appointment. Please visit www.shanghaitang.com for dates, upcoming events and store locations.

For more information or to set up an appointment during the trunk show, please contact: Megan Fung - megan.fung@shanghaitang.com
Shanghai Tang Flagship Store - 600 Madison Avenue NYC – 1.212.888.0111

Fall Signiture Drinks

Fall Drinks! Thanks from Food Network Magazine

CANDY CORN DRINK

Ingredients

For the infused vodka:

* 1/2 cup candy corn

* 1 1/2 cups vodka

For the cordials:

* 2 ounces orange liqueur

* Juice of 1/2 lemon

* 1 large egg white

* Candy corn, for garnish

Directions

Infuse the vodka: Combine the candy corn and vodka in an airtight container; set aside for at least 3 hours, then strain.

Make the cordials: Add 4 ounces of the candy corn vodka, the orange liqueur, lemon juice and egg white to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for at least 30 seconds. Strain into 2 chilled martini glasses and garnish with candy corn.

It's GONE: Condé Nast to Close Gourmet, Cookie and Modern Bride

What a sad way to start the week, but it seems the economy is truly hitting every industry including ours. Condé Nast plans to announce this morning that it will close Gourmet magazine, Cookie, Modern Bride and Elegant Bride. Cookie is a relatively new introduction, started in 2005, while the bridal magazines were seen as offshoots of the bigger Brides magazine, which Condé Nast also owns.

The cuts come at the conclusion of analysis of Condé Nast’s costs, and told several magazines to cut about 25 percent from their budgets. These are the first closings announced.