FashionEtc.com April 26th, 2024

It's tough to be a teenager. Tougher even to be a teenager in a 1930s British boarding school, where discipline mixes with hero worship, sexual experimentation, and psychological manipulation.

Cracks, the new movie directed by Jordan Scott and screened at the Tribeca Grand by the Cinema Society, deals with exactly these tough-to-handle issues.

Ridley Scott's daughter is beautiful, enthusiastic and sweet; a bit of a shock, considering the heavy subject matter. What led her to choose this film as her directorial debut? "My own school experience," she answered in a lovely British lilt. "Not the dark stuff. More the relationship and camaraderie among girls. It's a little bit feral."

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As a Royal Watcher, I’m constantly fascinated by the endless stream of souvenirs hitting the market to capitalize on the upcoming nuptials of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Nail polish, jigsaw puzzles, knit-your-own dolls—the tie-ins are endless.

But as companies continue to rush out everything from commemorative coins to mini Middletons, they occasionally make a royal boo-boo.

Take, for example, a new bone china mug from Guandong Enterprises, which, according to its site, was designed to “commemorate the wedding of HRH Prince William and his stunning lady bride-to-be Miss Kate Middleton.”

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"Black Tie and Masks or Venetian-Inspired Costumes." So read the dress code on the invitation for Save Venice's Un Ballo in Maschera, the annual benefit to help restore art in this unique city on the water.

I was warned not to arrive without a mask, and I'm glad I paid attention, because almost everyone complied—with some of the most elaborate, stunning pieces I've ever seen.

Fresh off the plane from London, Rena Sindi, the creative genius behind many of New York's most legendary theme parties, followed direction in a mysterious black lace mask. Last time I had been to Save Venice, Rena and I closed the place down.

"Do you remember, we were the only ones left?" I asked her.

"Which year was that?" she replied, as it was clearly not the only time for Rena, who is known for her unbridled energy and enthusiasm.

I spotted artist Will Cotton with Rose Dergan a few feet away, wearing silver glitter half-moon (Will) and shooting-star (Rose) masks. Will, the creative director behind Katy Perry's hilarious "California Gurls" video, reminded me that we had met in Venice. His mask had originally been created for a Studio 54–themed party—he recycles, too!

"There was a famous 'Moon with a Spoon' at Studio 54, but I got rid of the spoon; I didn't think it was appropriate for tonight," he said with a chuckle.

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How do you update a classic? A preppy staple? The go-to shoe that has graced the feet of several chic generations of posh women, from Palm Beach to Palm Springs?

You have to keep the soul (or sole, as the case may be) of the shoe and tweak it a little. Make it hipper. Don't compromise the quality. Keep the price reasonable (we're talking preppies here, and those who aspire to be). What do you get? A $157 snakeskin—snakeskin!—chic, easy-to-wear shoe.

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