Fern Mallis – Divabetic

04/01/202404/01/2024

Fashion Talk With Todd Synder

I attended the creator of New York Fashion Week and author of two volumes of “Fashion Lives, Fern Mallis’s interview with menswear designer Todd Synder at 92Y.

These Fashion Talks are something I always look forward to. You won’t find talks like these anywhere except in New York.

Fern described her special guest as the patron saint of approachable menswear. She said Tood Synder’s clothes embody ‘cool’ and ‘classic.’

I don’t think anyone would consider his clothes edgy. He’s known for turning the J. Crew menswear collections, mostly preppy dressing, into a big business. According to Todd, his customers are looking for beautifully constructed basics. He doesn’t push color, print, or silhouette. As Fern said, his clothes resemble those of an elevated Mr. Ripley. How many shades of beige are there? Todd Synder probably knows.

It’s fun to catch Fern during these Fashion Talks, not listening to her guest’s responses. With her head down, looking at her notes, she seems more focused on the next question than the discussion. I’ve seen her do this more than once during the evening. Don’t get me wrong, I am a big Fern fan. I love what she’s doing and getting top designers to discuss their processes.

The good news is Todd Snyder has a lot of personality. His down-to-earth, friendly mannerisms made his story so compelling. He was born on a farm in the Midwest, not in a fashion capital as he shared insights into his life, inspirations, and professional milestones. you could tell the key to his success has been hard work and determination.

From his humble beginnings in Huxley, Iowa, to being voted Best Dressed in high school, reading GQ for the first time was an eye-opening experience that ignited a passion for fashion. While working in retail, Todd Synder hung out in the tailor shop, learning the tricks of the trade. He applied to all the fashion houses in New York before landing his first intern job at Ralph Lauren.
His big break came when one of his bosses noticed the shirt he was wearing in a meeting. It was one of his designs. He said his weekend sewing hobby helped him relax and quickly moved up the design ladder.

He ping-ponged back and forth from Ralph Lauren to the Gap, J. Crew, and back to Ralph Lauren. Eventually, he left J. Crew in 2009 and launched his label. J. Crew’s success had a lot to do with it. “I wanted a chance to have my own crack at it,” he said. His goal is to create clothes that help guys look their best. Todd mentioned firsthand how clothes transformed lives when he worked in retail.

Craft is essential to him. He told Fern that tailoring is front and center in all his design collections.
He told Fern he’s always looking for people who ‘go the extra mile’ to join his team.
He has been part of my successful fashion collaborations. First and foremost, L.L. Bean creates high-style New England outdoor gear. Most recently, he started designing for Woolrich’s Black label. He chose to work with Woolrich because he feels the pandemic turned outdoors into a trend. Todd Synder’s outerwear embodies the fusion of Woolrich’s rich heritage, quality, and craftsmanship. The Woolrich Black Label comprises two distinct and complementary lines: Heritage and Technical.

Since becoming an impactful presence on the global fashion stage, Todd Snyder has branched out to create twenty interiors for rustic Maine bungalows for the Hidden Pond resort. He saw this new collaboration into interior design as an “opportunity to really take a deep dive into Maine aesthetics,” he told Architectural Digest. “What’s so interesting and remarkable to me about this place is that it’s so diverse, area by area. You drive half an hour, and it’s totally different.” Snyder’s narrative is a testament to the blend of heritage, hard work, and visionary creativity.

If you’re watching any of our videos embedded in this post, the American Heart Association recommends that men consume no more than 9 teaspoons of added sugar daily and women consume no more than 6 teaspoons. If the numbers seem tricky, a 12-ounce can of soda contains 8 teaspoons (32 grams) of added sugar!

09/09/202309/09/2023

Gabriela Hearst: Advocate for Sustainability In Fashion

My New York Fashion Week festivities began with the 92Y’s Fashion Icons with Fern Mallis and Gabriela Hearst. Coming directly from New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ fashion event at Gracie Mansion appeared to knock Fern off her game, but Gabriella Hearst sparkled when she hit the stage.

Gabriela Hearst wears multiple hats. She is the founder and creative director of her namesake fashion brand, creative director of Chloé, and is a wife and mother. She’s also the leading advocate for sustainability in fashion. Her website states her line is committed to making the highest quality possible product with the lowest impact on our environment.

But she works in a luxury business where clothes and handbags pay bills and salaries. Balancing the books between the environmental and business bottom lines can be challenging.

One of the keys to her success, she admitted to Fern, is that she rarely listens to advice from men. She feels women will find the solutions for climate change.

Gabriela believes less is more. Galvanizing metal, like silver and gold, to produce the hardware on Chloe’s luxury bags creates a lot of toxic waste. Her solution? Cut back on the amount of different metals being used. She and Chloe use only one gold and one silver to produce their handbags.

Additionally, 60% of fabrics used are “lower impact” materials, and Under Chloé no longer sells cotton T-shirts, to avoid the water-intensive production of that fabric.

Cashmere has been replaced by recycled cashmere, and denim by circular denim, made of a mix of recycled cotton and hemp or linen.

Gabriela Hearst was born in Uruguay, where she learned a commitment to sustainability working on her family’s ranch. She applied what she learned to fashion. She started her signature clothing line with an environmentalist approach. However, she doesn’t believe “vegan” leather is an environmentally friendly choice. “For as long as we are eating meat, leather is a byproduct of that,” she told the Guardian. “So it is a good fabric to use. When I go home to my ranch in Uruguay, they ask me – what’s happening in the north? They are having to burn leather, because people want to wear polyester instead. The idea that vegan shoes are helping the environment is just good marketing.”

Earlier this week, the Museum of honored Gabriela Hearst with the 2023 Council Award for Artistry of Fashion.

She told WWD that winning the 2023 Couture Council Award for Artistry of Fashionmeans to her, “It’s a recognition for the team. I feel that we’re moving in the right direction,” she said.

Dr. Joyce F. Brown, president of FIT, said, “The industry is moving toward collections with a conscience. Gabriela is a role model for designers who are embracing their responsibility to reduce and prevent climate change. She leads by example using deadstock fabric, eliminating plastic in her work, and she even created the first carbon-neutral runway show.”

Over the next two weeks, she will present her Gabriela Hearst collection in New York and show her final Chloé collection on Sept. 28 during Paris Fashion Week. As reported, Gabriela Hearst is stepping down as creative director of Chloé this fall after a three-year collaboration.

Divabetic Image & Style Advisor Catherine Schuller is a passionate advocate for sustainably in fashion. Catherine shares how ‘Cloth Swaps’ are helping fashionistas get their fix without harming our environment on this episode of Divabetic’s podcast.

With a few simple swaps, you can help live your best life while managing your diabetes. Our experts offer straightforward, simple, and fun swap ideas for drinks, medications, self-care, and fashion. Plus, we share style tips and words of inspiration to help you maintain a healthy habit.

Developing these habits isn’t always easy. Adapting to a new routine can be tricky, and it’s often tempting to want to return to old ways if we don’t see immediate results. One of the biggest mistakes people make when forming a new habit is taking on too much too quickly. Focus on what’s working in your diabetes self-care plan before overhauling diabetes management. Instead of decluttering the entire house, why not focus on one room or closet? Why not focus on the calories you drink rather than everything you eat? If you want to eat healthier, try replacing one dessert daily with a piece of fruit rather than cutting out sugar completely. If you’re going to get into hiking, start with a walk at lunchtime. Setting small goals you can achieve will help keep you motivated along the way.

Guests include Catherine Schuller, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Patricia Addie-Gentle RD, CDCES, MaryAnn Horst Nicolay, MEd, NDTR, and Mama Rose Marie. Hosted by Mr. Divabetic.

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic presents a diva-style approach to diabetes empowerment on this podcast for fashion lovers. We’re playing our Buy, Borrow, or Burn! fashion game features plus-size swimwear and iconic swimsuits worn by Halle Berry, Farrah Fawcett, and Annette Funicello.

Plus, get the scoop on what Hemoglobin A1 C is on ‘Sexy Little Numbers’ with Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES.

Guest include Divabetic Image & Style Advisor Catherine Schuller AICI, CIP, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Kendra Charisse Porter body expert, style architect, and founder of Honor You ( image consulting agency), Dalia Strum, consumer and business strategic digital media expert and fashion-related social media shopping consultant and special guest, Alexis living with type 1 diabetes from New York City.

04/11/202304/11/2023

Fern Mallis Interviews Legendary Fashion Writer Mary Lou Luther

Last night Fern Mallis, the host of the 92nd StreetY’s Fashion Icons series, interviewed legendary fashion writer Mary Lou Luther as several of the New York fashion industry’s heavyweights listened in, including Fashion Designer Norma Kamali.

Fern Mallis is primarily credited with transforming New York Fashion Week into one of the significant fashion events on the international circuit. Her guest, Mary Lou Luther, is credited with making designers like Derek Lamb a household name and helping reporters gain access to seeing new fashions at the same time as most buyers.

Marylou Luther’s unparalleled 70-year career, which included stints with the Des Moines Register, The Chicago Tribune, the Los Angeles Times, the LA Times Syndicate, and Fashion Group International, afforded her access to the most influential designers. Her new book, Be-spoke, Revelations from the World’s Most Important Fashion Designers, published by Rizzoli, features quotes from her interviews with 72 designers, from Christian Dior in 1957 to Kirby Jean-Raymond of Pyer Moss and colorful illustrations by Ruben Toledo.

Here are a few fun takeaways from this enchanting evening of oral history on fashion:

Costume Designer Edith Head kept her eight Acamady Awards on display everywhere she went, including in her trailer while on film locations. She once said, “I’ve designed films I’ve never seen. If it is a Paramount film, I probably designed it.” But apparently, her unparalleled success did not make her immune to criticism. She thought it was important to remind new upstart designers who she was and her numerous accomplishments. According to Mary Lou, Edith Head kept young designers waiting in her trailer, staring at her shelf of Oscars to curb their enthusiasm for offering their advice to her on set.

Coco Chanel sat at the top of her stairs and watched the audience react to her clothes and fashion show at her atelier at 31 Rue Cambon in Paris. MarMarylou’svorite quote is from Coco Chanel in an article she wrote for the LA Times, “Fa” he fades. Only style remains the same. Only those with no memory insist on their originality. Yves Saint Laurent has excellent taste. The more he copies me, the better like he displays.”

Karl Lagerfeld was a genius with fabric, color, and silhouette and a wizard in set design. According to Mary Lou Luther, Karl Lagerfeld turned fashion shows into spectacles. She recalled how he went to great lengths to design and build elaborate sets for his runway shows.

New York Times’ legendary Fashion Photographer, Bill Cunningham, a friend of Luther’s, was one of the most honest people she knew. At 93, she seems to agree wholeheartedly with his work ethic of never stopping. A decade ago, she started writing the syndicated column Clotheslines, which deals with whatever fashion-related topics her readers want to ask. Five million people read her column weekly. Her answers come from her “long history of hearing similar questions” and from what she learns during her trips to the semi-annual fashion openings, trips she has been making since 1969.

Her no-nonsense, objective approach to reporting on fashion has earned legions of readers and people like designer Todd Oldham. The designer describes Mary Lou’s writing style: “She can make fashion writing interesting to a truck driver.”

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic, presents a diva-style approach to diabetes empowerment on this podcast for fashion lovers.

Get the scoop on what Hemoglobin A1 C is on ‘Sexy Little Numbers’ related to diabetes health with the help of Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES. The A1C reflects your average blood sugar level over a two to three-month period.

Leading fashion experts dish on the latest trends before playing the fun fashion game, ‘Buy, Borrow or Burn! with our special guest, Alexis, living with type 1 diabetes.