Wanderlista

The Rise of the Caftan

If anyone has seen my summer beach wardrobe, then they know I love to rock the caftan. The perfect staple from beach to street in an instant, (and easy to pack), caftans should be an effortless part of your summer wardrobe. However, I’ve noticed many women ask how to buy the right ones. Which work well and which don’t? And, as a slim, 38-year-old woman, why do I feel the need to cover? Step into my closet…

In a recent interview, I was asked how I describe my personal style. I answered, “a bohemian Audrey Hepburn.” I certainly have my share of fitted sheath dresses perfect for work or a Milanese aperitivo, but even Holly Golightly is quick to grab that super dreamy drape of fabric that ever so perfectly wafts around her lithe figure on a sultry summer evening. While a caftan might not work for a New York power lunch, it works rooftop at Soho House, and, most importantly, works in all of your summer hot spots.

Now I’ll share all my faves and why. Each shot in gorgeous locales by the fabulous Peter Wesley Brown.

I’ve long been a fan of Missoni Mare, the famed Italian fashion house’s beachwear line. I would typically skip using the seaside cover-up in the day and transform it to dress at night with flat sandals. I have this gorgeous webbed silver one that I practically lived in two summers ago. The sash added a bit of definition and I wore it with and without a slip underneath, depending where I was. We also featured it with the Dea Rosa SS12 evening bag in lizard and satin.

Last year, I met designer, Miguelina Gambaccini at a party in New York and we were fast friends. Her white, Rachel Caftan led me all the way through my Grecian odyssey last summer (and was the centerpiece for the Dea Rosa Spring/Summer Collection). Daytime over a bikini, the Rachel worked as well as when paired with a slip underneath at night. Sometimes I’d add a skinny python belt to cinch it up a bit. Flat sandals or wedges complimented it perfectly. Now, I’m so obsessed with Miguelina’s entire line, that my suitcase is usually filled with her caftans and airy dresses; peppered with my Missoni staples I’m ready to tackle any resort location.

My other caftan go-to is Vicente Ganesha’s line in Ibiza. Made in India, the prints stand apart and the light cotton works absolutely everywhere. They typically run about 150 Euro or so, so if you’re not heading to Ibiza this summer, but know someone that is, tell them to snatch-up a few for you. Last summer, I actually flew to Ibiza from Athens for just under 40 hours of caftan shopping and some beach time with friends. Trust me, they are well worth it.

So how do you know what’s right for you?

*Choose fabric that breathes since you’re going to be wearing a lot of it; skip the polyester or blends. Silk works, but at night only as you don’t want suntan lotions to stain.

*Buy a size down. Most women don’t buy clothes that fit them. Trust me on this: you’re smaller than you think.

*Pick one that has a slit up the front to show your bronzed gams – just a hint of skin is enough.

*Invest in a great skinny belt and leave it in your suitcase – it skinnies you up in no time!

*Channel Jade Jagger…pile on the bracelets, big rings, chunky necklaces. I love vintage jewelry from House of Lavande.

*Pack two pairs of flat sandals. One super simple in a solid metallic and then something with a bit of bling. I’m loving the Flat Slingback Thong Sandal from K Jacques and the Lanvin Toe-Ring Wedge Sandal.

Email me for more tips on how to embrace your inner caftan!

Searching for Ceviche: Lima, Peru

Lima? Yes, Lima. Why not Lima? Truth is, I had to do a mileage run to maintain my executive platinum on American Airlines and had a meeting in Miami, so I thought heading south to the ceviche capital of the world was a good bet. 

I was right. 

Lima is only five hours from Miami, meaning I could save my VIP upgrades for long hauls to Europe. It was a day flight, and I booked an exit row seat. Two movies and a few blog entries later I was landing in the city of kings. 

I bedded down at Sonesta El Olivar, located in the posh district of San Isidro. “Serene” isn’t a word usually used to describe the fifth largest city in Latin America, but the hotel overlooks a gorgeous grove of olive trees (which appropriately suited my Greek roots), and it was super quiet. Its unique location provided easy access (walking!) to several boutiques, restaurants and a great bar/resto that I loved. 

The property is traditionally a business hotel, however seamlessly caters to leisure travelers. I found it just perfect as my base for searching for the best ceviche on the planet. Two restaurants—including one amazing sushi spot—a fitness center to keep up with my morning workouts, and a rooftop pool overlooking the city were all on offer, and my corner room had the most comfortable bed ever. The service consistently exceeded my expectations. The staff was really over-the-top fabulous, and the executive team run the place like a ship. 

Shopping was on the agenda for the weekend, too, along with a little nightlife. My guide was Bertha, a friend’s godmother who has lived here her entire life. Think Auntie Mame meets Jackie Kennedy. Bertha is the epitome of fun and class wrapped up in a stylish package, and true to Auntie Mame, she won’t reveal her age!

Bertha took me to a beautiful shop called Wayra, where the textiles are simply divine. Under the auspices of several mining companies, the company actively participates in sustainable development projects with women and men in the Peruvian Andes. Wayra workshops are fully committed to the principles of fair and equitable trade and constitute a sustainable source of income for the artisans. I picked up some hand-woven dolls for my nieces, and two baby alpaca blankets. 

We then stopped at Dédalo, is a super artisans’ collective (Paseo Sáenz Peña 295; 51-1-477-0562), with gorgeous (albeit pricey) crafts and original art. A café in the back serves a lovely lunch and terrific wine. I bought a great hand drawing of a group of alpaca.

Bertha navigates the Inca Market (every tourists go-to for souvenirs) like Galileo, and, given her tremendous bargaining skills, I was able to pick up fingerless gloves, scarves (yes, more baby alpaca) and loads of other gifts. Hint: cut prices by 2/3 and negotiate from there.

I’d heard that gold dipping in Lima was the thing to do, so I brought a gold-plated necklace I had bought in a Parisian flea market years ago. Bertha had the answer. Off the beaten path, Ruben’s Joyería was super-efficient and even delivered the goods to my hotel when they were ready. I also managed to pick up a charm for my Wanderlista necklace: a Santa Rosa – the patron saint of the city. It was quite apropos for me, given my handbag line, Dea Rosa. Calle Alcanfores #132 (01-446-3810)

I also stopped by Giuliana Testino’s boutique (sister of photographer Mario Testino), for a hand-crocheted poncho. She has gorgeous works. 

After purchasing plenty of alpaca, I was very ready to tackle the well-known food scene.  Berth and I started at Francesco’s. We split a beer and their famous ceviche (also spelled cebiche or even seviche) since we knew we had more than one lunch that day. Our next stop, Cebichería La Mar, is an old Lima standby (now with an outpost in New York’s Flatiron district in the old Tabla space). It’s slightly different (think easy, rustic chic) than its grown-up Big Apple sister, but equally as delicious. Owner-chefs Astrid and Gaston keep a super busy lunch crowd here on its namesake, Avenida La Mar. 

Bertha’s boyfriend Augusto then took us to La Rana Verde for their favorite conchitas a la parmesana. It’s in the private university club Augusto belonged to, so access is limited but ask around. It’s right on the water, a simple, but amazing, setting.

I met some friends that night for a bit of a nightlife crawl, starting with pisco sours at Lima 27, which was just down the street from my hotel. They have a great cebiche flight. We then headed over to Barranco, which is the hip, happening ‘hood in Lima. Think NY’s Lower East side, but with gorgeous old stately homes. The hipster hangout is Ayahuasca, located in a grand old republican mansion. Here a series of rooms all boast varied décor, and cool art.   

So why Lima? Well, what started out as a run-of-the-mill mileage run turned into a true cosmopolitan adventure, complete with a gorgeous fairy godmother, sustainable baby alpaca blankets and gourmet cebiche. And, for a Wanderlista like myself, that’s reason enough to place it high on my lista.

Endless Summer

With so much to post from this amazing summer of 2011, I just don’t know where to begin. Since summer is all about the beach, I’ll start with one of my favorites…Agios Sostis in Mykonos. It’s a fabulous (relatively unknown) beach on the north coast of the island that encapsulates everything about a total bohemian, let your (sun-streaked, seawater waved) hair down kind of vacation. I’d like to say the wind led us here (and in a way, it did, along with Christos, our darling driver), but the sheer rawness of the coastline and the sensibility that “nothing is everything” made us stay. I could go back in an instant.

Photo credit: Peter Wesley Brown.

Fashion note: Vintage Topshop dress, Ibiza beach bag, Vincente Ganesha Ibiza sandals, Tom Ford sunglasses and Panama hat.

The tiny inlet just north of Agios Sostis. We were the only ones there!

Agios Sostis

Nothing to do but watch the waves come in (although great people watching, but just a few…the first day we were there there were only about 50 people on the entire beach [and it’s quite large] - a lovely French woman that had been coming here for years said that was crowded).

I loved being able to see part of the island while sitting on the beach instead of looking straight out at sea. The topography of the north coast of Mykonos is breathtaking.

Art Deco Glamour: Miami Beach

I started writing this entry at 35,000 feet (en route to Miami on American Airlines) and I hope to finish it poolside at The Raleigh Hotel in Miami Beach.

Ah, February in Miami Beach. Total bliss. Foodies make the pilgrimage to this art deco Mecca at the end of February every year for the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, and I’ve been asked by Xanté pear liquor to host a “ladies luncheon” at The Raleigh called “Style, Sips and Tips.” Gilt City Miami (who sold tickets to the event) described it perfectly: “Ladies who lunch.” To draw it would look something like this: glamorous women clutching elegant bags, sitting under a tree canopy whilst sipping cocktails and nibbling on delightful bites.

They’ve tapped Chef John DeLucie of The Lion and Waverly Inn fame to do the menu (he’s heading up the kitchen at The Royal, the new resto at The Raleigh), and lovely libations will be courtesy of Xanté. The event is this Friday, February 25th (so look for post-event posts!). A trunk show for my luxury handbag line, Dea Rosa, will follow as I’m selling the line at The Boutique at the hotel.

If you haven’t ever been to The Raleigh, then it’s a classic must-see (and stay). The property was built in the 1940s and still maintains its magic. Think a surreally good film set meets the golden age of glamour.  In 2008, Chanel staged its Resort Show at the Raleigh’s swimming pool—which has been called one of the most beautiful pools in the world. You literally expect Esther Williams to splash up in an aquatic plié. Maybe not, but you can book her namesake suite.

New Yorkers: you have another month of winter, go now.