100 Years: Grand Central Terminal Wears It Well

1 Feb. 2013/NEW YORK – THE multi-layer birthday cake was not topped with 100 candles but a replica of a famous timepiecec. It was rolled in as a youth choir enthusiastically sang “Happy Birthday.”

This was the scene on Saturday as the official celebration of the 100th anniversary of the day Grand Central Terminal aka Grand Central Station aka Grand Central opened for business. On 1 Feb. 1913, it was the largest train station in the world.

In a century the building and the opal four-faced clock – well, if they could talk. They’ve witnessed a lot. And the station has been a reliable conduit that has aided and abetted north-south travel to and from New York City. The clock, set one minute early, has kept things moving on time.

The party was indeed a happy occasion that was also marked by music and brief speeches. Among those at the dais were Hizzoner Michael Bloomberg, Carolyn Kennedy Schlossberg and Cynthia Nixon. The latter is best known for her role as Miranda on “Sex in the City” but she is also a rare breed in the city – a native New Yorker. (See video above.)

Some Grand Central vital stats:

Approximately 750,000 people a day pass through its doors. Unbelievable, no?

Once upon a time there was a movement to demolish the beautiful beaux art structure. Unfathomable, no?

Hard to imagine anyone wanting to harm this beauty. Archive photo.

The City balked at the mercenaries would dare to level Grand Central, enlisting allies in the arts community – Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis would join the fight against the rail company – and took the fight to preserve the building to the U.S. Supreme Court. The city won. What a relief, no?

The celestial ceiling, with backward sky and off-kilter stars, was once covered by a black coating. It was not paint or coats. Guess what it was? Residue (tar and nicotine) from cigarette smoke! Unreal, no?

Visit http://www.grandcentralterminal.com/ to learn more about Grand Central Terminal and the ongoing Grand Central Terminal Centennial Celebration.

Paola Hernandez Opens First Store

The Paola Hernandez boutique in Mexico City carries all of the designer's brands. Photo from Paola Hernandez.

30 Jan. 2013/MEXICO CITY – PAOLA Hernandez is expanding!

Paola Hernandez (right) does some housekeeping before opening her doors.

Not her waistline, but her empire. The New York-based designer opened her first store where it all began for her – in Mexico City.

The store, located in the Emilio Castelar quarter, will carry all of the designer’s clothes, shoes and accessories.

A few friends and colleagues showed up to help Paola Hernandez celebrate a happy occasion.

PH, who studied philosophy before she set her sights on design, incorporates a philosophical concept in all of her designs. Her first collection was shown in Mexico City.

“I am very excited to share this step in my career,” the designer said. “The first of more stores to come.”

Visit to http://www.paolahernandez.com/ to learn more about Paola Hernandez.

And Back to Africa Festival Is Not Terrible at 2

28 Jan. 2013/BATOKUNKU, Gambia – THE second Back to Africa Festival has been declared a success.

Founder Neil Joseph Fraser aka Mad Professor disclosed his pleasure with the lineup and the turnout. Among those bringing the love and music were Mad Professor protégé Joe Ariwa, General Levy, Jah Revelation, Roots Daughters, Heartbreaker and Red Hed aka Guushiie Lala. (See video above of a Red Hed performance).

The three-day festival (25-27 Jan.) went down in Batokunku village on the west coast of Gambia. MP, who runs UK-based Ariwa Sound Studio, conceived the Back to Africa Festival as a louder “Back to Africa” call, that is the Diaspora re-engaging in some seriously dynamic ways with the Continent.

Visit http://www.ariwa.com/ to learn more about the Back to Africa Festival and Ariwa Sound Studio.

Day 2 NYFW: We're in the Money! ... (Metallic Strike)

Rag & Bones likes layers for Spring 2012. Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images.

HEAD’S UP: I repeat, it is officially a tradition at VEVLYN’S PEN. The plan each day of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is to give a roundup of the best (and worse where applicable) and most interesting Yours Truly witnesses, from shows to trends to sightings to the rather unusual/bizarre. It should go without saying, but it shan’t – this won’t be a comprehensive list simply because a body can’t be everywhere. But, of course, depend on one’s best effort. Drum roll, please …

Day 2
(SOME of the players at the tents and elsewhere): Billy Reid, Christian Cota, Costello Tagliapietra, Mara Hoffman, Paola Hernandez, Emerson, Falguni & Shane Peacock, Cynthia Rowley, Doo.Ri, Jason Wu, Luca Luca, Mandy Coon, NAHM, Nicole Miller, Peter Som, Rag & Bone, Rebecca Taylor, The Row, Tess Giberson, United Bamboo, Yigal Azrouël, General Idea.

WHAT a difference a day has made at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York Spring 2012!

On Day 1, there was a pronounced lack of verve, vivacity, vision. You name it, it wasn’t there. Some 24 hours later there is an embarrassment of riches. Whereas before, there could be no “best overall show” designation, for instance, now there is too much from which to choose.

Speeding wheels got Nicole Miller going for Spring 2012. Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images.

Is it Nicole Miller who is best overall for letting it rip on wheels – possibly a skateboard as translated in stripes aplenty or bright multi-colored leggings that the blind can see? What of Peter Som’s arresting florals and partial nod to 60s style? Keep in mind, too, that Rag & Bone layered it on moderately – take note Nicholas K – with inspiration from hither and yon. Further, Cynthia Rowley’s exploration/excavation of metallica, including a gold metallic runway, has to be given its due consideration.

The committee is in intense discussion. Do standby. Meanwhile, there are other observations to make …

BEST PRESENTATION FORMAT – For Spring 2012, the cerebral Paola Hernandez is considering “the intersection between the physical and the spiritual” in a deceptively simplistic capsule collection called “Meeting Point.” Indeed, there is dichotomy throughout, whether it is manifested in solids as a metaphor for the material/tangible or sheers representing clarity. It’s visible in fluid silhouettes created from soft, light fabrics and the designer’s clunk-yish oxfords, pumps and moccasins shoes. In such an intellectual milieu models insouciantly sit and recline on chaise lounges, sipping a cocktail of hibiscus flower, tea and tequila or reading Albert Camus’ “The Stranger.”

The General Idea Spring 2012 collection includes some ideas that a number of men may not embrace. More on that shortly. Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images.

BEST USE OF COLOR – “Mexican Mamas” such as the painter, Frida Kahlo (who was wonderfully depicted in the 2002 film, “Frida” starring Salma Hayek) inform Mara Hoffman for Spring 2012. In a collection of maxi dresses, pants, tops and new shapes that are marked by intermittent beading, embroidery and weaving, it is the colors that make a bold statement. Without the color, this would be an unremarkable collection. However, MH has a keen eye and sense of color. Incidentally, the prints were made in-house. The pinks, reds, turquoises and secondary colors of one sleeveless maxi dress are very muscular. Deep and bold they are, commanding the attention without uttering a word or casting about for light to draw attention to themselves. It is difficult to avert the gaze. The color scheme extends to the chunky, tiered mulit-colored necklaces, too. They speak most emphatically of Mexico. Such a necklace presented with a simple black halter gown makes for a stunning ensemble.

BEST HAIR – Hands down it is Falguni & Shane Peacock. On some heads the myriad hairpins, whether black or gold are arranged like fingerwaves. What a sight! How clever. Very inventive and artistic. The trivia question of the day is how many hairpins did it take to create that ‘do? 50? 200? Keep guessing.

Color plays a big role in the Mara Hoffman Spring 2012 collection. Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images.

FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH – Backstage at Nicole Miller there is Richie Rich (Heatherette). Hugs and kisses, he drops his little bombshell, now he takes a sip of Champagne (or is this simply sparkling wine from Oregon). “We decided today that we’re having a show Tuesday, says RR, nodding at the handsome young man standing beside him whom he introduced as his partner (business or life, it’s not clear). “It’s at Lavo (http://www.lavony.com/). You have to come.”

After last year’s spectacle with Ellen Degeneres, ballerinas, a dominatrix, and sundry other entertainments – indeed, one must come.

On deck today, Day 3: Ruffian, Lacoste, Pink Tartan, Jill Stuart, Son Jung Wan, Adam, Vivienne Tam, Farah Angsana, Honor, Charlotte Ronson, Monique Lhuillier, Rafael Cennamo, Eva Minge, Venexiana

Visit http://www.mbfashionweek.com/ and http://