5.04.2014

sunday snap up: the first time ever i saw your face


Yeah so I met Michael Kors.

Let me back up. Last week, after my first night of real sleep in seven days, my eyes catapulted open, the battle cry LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLE careening through my head. Stomp! Upstairs! Stomp! Kitchen! Coffee! Egg! Stomp! Shower! STOMP!

closet.

EH. The first day of Me Made May, and within four minutes of eyeing the goods I was seriously thinking of flaking. I sew for fun, and fun is not audition wear (except for the occasions I am asked to be a prostitute, hipster, or designer). But here's where the genius of my very plain pledge helped me...it didn't have to be an entire outfit. So I started with my BHL Victoria cropped blazer and went from there. I ended up in an outfit that I never would have known was in my closet.  

Stomp! Back upstairs! You look cute, babe. you should say hi to our commercial agents today. Stomp! Over to our desks! Inches away from my man's surprised face! REALLY? YOU LIKE IT?! OMYGAHINEVERTHOUGHTYOU'DLIKETHISCOMBOIJUSTCAMEUPWITHITLIKEWHOAHRIGHT 

I'M TELLING YOU, DOC'S ORDERS WORKED. FULL OONA POWER.

Stomp! My man obliged me with an Instagram. I informed him he'd be obliging me all this merry month of may, and stomp! Out the door and off into the concrete jungle. People were smiling at me. A slow grin that would creep up and fully bloom as I happily bared my teeth in return. Say what you will about clothing, it sets a tone, and when you can get unsolicited smiles out of jaded NY commuters on their way to work, on 42nd and 5th for godsakes, then hell yeah fashion is important. We are our own briefcase.


And then, suddenly, as if manifested out of these thoughts, an icon of Important Fashion was walking up to me. Jeans: stomp. Black t shirt: Stomp. Black blazer: STOMP. Jet black sunglasses. STOMP. Brain sent a signal to Eyes: that's Michael Kors. Mouth, however, kept grinning, but did hold itself back from shouting hey Michael Kors I made this! Good thing, as the smile was ever so not returned. (Mouth could not help but breathe dick, but Brain was able to keep it under Breath.)

As always, when I see a celebrity/public figure, I'm reminded of how easy it is to ruin one's image in seconds... at least in the eyes of whomever is watching. I'm not really awestruck much, and wasn't in this situation, mostly it's just neat. However, awestruck or no, a figure can still be dashed to pieces or built up to the skies in a moment. It's probably too much to ask of someone to display a worthy image at all times, but when they've been in your home, having coffee, chatting away while you're cooking, even though you don't know them, you do. And when celebs are on your TV nightly, they're in your home. And you expect the people you know to be generally nice to you, don't you?


On the opposite end of the spectrum, I saw Tim Gunn. Not on the same day, if I had, I would've taken it as a sign to bang on the doors of Project Runway stat. No, this was months ago, on a windy, cold, drizzly day, and I was dressed (quite sloppily) for the gym. The Gunn was enswathed in a suit that looked made of imposing clouds, and a wool great coat that swirled around him, moving at a quick purposeful pace to whatever great thing The Gunn is always moving to. I assessed the situation: I am in torn jersey pants and a too-tight hoodie. But he is wonderful, and I AM awestruck. SILENCE, BRAIN. MOUTH, PROCEED.

You're just wonderful!! I yelled over the howl of the cabs and the wind as I passed him. Not slowing his pace, he bent his head in that I'm giving you my full attention manner towards me, and projected a warm Well thank you, aren't you sweet!

Two glorious seconds. Skyscraper heights.

(post script: I'll be doing a weekend snap up all may, wrapping up my me-made-may contributions. 1: BHL blazer, RTW refashioned jeans & tank.  2: unblogged maxi skirt, refashioned RTW studded jeans jacket, tshirt, and cat butt.  3: gifted artisan tank top & BHL charlotte skirt.  daily snaps are on instagram--which by the way--I shall henceforth only use the official hashtag #mmmay14. I wish I could edit the first two snaps. SUCH CLUTTER! And does anyone remember when a hashtag was a pound sign?)

62 comments:

  1. love your outfits, sis! and loved reading reading about your celebrity encounters!

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  2. I love you. Michael Kors, will easily the funniest snarker out there, is most certainly a dick. Still shocked the full force of a Marcy grin didn't shake him out of his sunglassed prison.

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    1. a funny snarker should at least smirk, no??

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    2. and YES, tho he's using it as a barricade, it did seem like a prison-- good way to put it.

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  3. Timmmmmm Gunnnnnnnnnnnnn!!!!! I just want him to be my dad. He's The Best. I'm so glad you had such a nice encounter with him!!!

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    1. it made my WEEK. i yelled the whole story to rob the day it happened and he couldn't stop grinning!

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  4. I'm glad Tim Gunn was nice, I think It'd break my little heart if he turned out to be a douche!

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    1. I'm now worried what would happen if I met some of mine...
      Hey, I've met some of mine, a certain band I loved as a child and whose songs I still like, and they were AWESOME. They chatted with us after their concert. They're not big celebrities, but heroes are heroes.
      And in big celebrities, the difference between, to borrow Heather Lou's words, a sunglassed prison and a smile - that's a big one.

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  5. Every one of your posts are so much fun to read! :)

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  6. blogger ate my comment!?! All I can remember I wrote was:
    You seriously need to start a line of mugs, fridge magnets and t-shirts with that picture and the caption "we are our own briefcase".

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    1. thank you, both! and i quite like the magnet idea... i have another one in the works, maybe i need to freezer paper up a coupla t shirts....

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  7. I think I'd keel over if Tim Gunn (never Tim, I'll always have to say his full name) spoke to me. I'd LOVE to see how orange Michael is in real life! And I'd shriek if I saw Michael with his mum!!

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    1. yes, there are people in life who can only be called by full name. The Gunn is one.

      i do think strollin with mum would soften him up.

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    2. It's like Emma and Mr Knightley, never just Knightley. :D

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  8. Tim Gunn is a gracious, lovely human being. He is on my short list of people who I don't even want to meet because I know I would cry and embarrass myself (also on the list: Michelle Obama and Kermit the Frog)

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  9. thank you for this bit of pure oona as i just had a horrible email exchange with my boss and you may have just single-handedly saved my sunday...and my sanity. or was that already lost somewhere on an F train last night?!

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    1. What time did you peeps leave last night? I got home at 1:20am!!!

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    2. we called a ride for sonja and then booked it when he came to pick her up :-) it was just a long wait for the F..

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    3. NOT ALLOWED. WHO IS BOTHERIN YOU.

      the wait for the train was made better by the company:) carolyn, i think i was at my doorstep about 12;45. i can't believe we beat you!

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  10. Tim Gunn is always wonderful. I've never heard anyone say one bad word about him...but I'm sure it's a conscious decision to be kind whenever he's out in public. I've seen lots of actors/actresses/celebrities in NYC and while I try not to make a fuss every once in awhile I'm so awestruck that I say something. I won't tell you about the time I made a fool of myself with Chris Rock. But I'm always amazed when they're in public and they're rude...I know that life can be complicated even for the famous...but a smile never takes much effort.

    Loving your MeMadeMay!

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    1. i took a special shot just for you today.

      you're right, a smile takes next to nothing. even if you're not feeling it--especially as it's proven that the act of smiling can make you feel better.

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  11. Unlike Tim Gun, it only took one second for you to go to skyscraper heights when I met you.

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    1. maddie, that has got to be one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me. thank you!!

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  12. Well, kitty is certainly making it clear that her plumage is worthy for the shot, LOL. Her tail goes with the skirt. It's nice to read so many positive comments about Tim Gunn. I've always imagined him to be gracious in real life, and your encounter seems just right.

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    1. ah, the plumage belongs to a CROCHETY him who barks and cackles like an old man! verrrrry fashionable.

      i've heard nothing but gorgeous things about tim gunn, and honestly, i don't expect to ever hear anything but!

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    2. Ah ha...not a big surprise...most males are peacocks!

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  13. When you put on those awesome things you've made, do you just dance The Pony around the room for a minute? I would. (I know, I'm dating myself by mentioning The Pony.)

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    1. HAHAAAAA! i *do* dance, but it's closer to the back and forth head toss move that carlton & will used to do on the fresh prince. dating, through the years...

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  14. What a gorgeous post. I feel like I was there...

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  15. MK will never know what he missed by dissing you, and the venerable Tim Gunn sounds like an absolute teddy bear. great stories!

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  16. Gush-thispost-gush. You KNOW how to tell a story, woman! I laughed, I cringed, I "awwww"ed, I read it twice just to be entertained a second time. <3

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    1. haha, i'm so glad! and especially as i love reading yours!

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  17. That description of Tim Gunn is the most accurate thing I've ever read. He has a definite "I woke up like dis" and I'm about to handle Important BIZ right NOW way about him!!

    I love all of your looks, so far! I want to be your maxi skirt twin ;o)

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    1. ooh, you need some blousy maxi skirts. may is the month to do it...

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  18. How could ANYONE not smile when they see your grin? That Kors obviously has a heart of stone. But the tale of Tim Gunn's niceness makes me happy. As do your outfits! I would especially like to see more of those skirts, please.

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  19. Dearest Ooona, If I saw YOU on the street, I would probably blurt out " I love you! The world is a better place for having you in it!" And then spend the rest of the day wishing I'd thought of something more clever. But seriously,I love you! And the world is a bettah place for having you in it.

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    1. that's mighty clever in MY book. wouldn't mind hearing it, not one little bit, and would probably holler right back ;)

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  20. I'm with Deborah, if I saw you on the street I would blurt out some ridiculous comment, for sure….

    Your descriptions of the Kors encounter versus the Gunn encounter only highlight for me the difference between those two men. Tim Gunn is a cultured individual who has made the practice and celebration of fashion his whole life. He so obviously loves what he does, that he is a genuinely happy and engaged person, open to others who share his passion. On the other hand, Kors is a businessman who's only real use for fashion is to make money, and by association, fame. He was pathetically incapable of recognizing a kindred spirit on the streets of a NYC. I see Kors's uniform of evidence of his lack of creativity and passion for fashion. While Tim Gunn's renowned love of beautiful clothing, and attention to dress are signs of a true believer…..

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    1. Heh, I second this--although I'm positive that Michael Kors (or Michael Bores, as I call him in my mind) could EVER be considered a kindred spirit for Oona.

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  21. Tim Gunn is such a gentleman to me. I really like the way he interacts with people, giving them full attention even in the midst of activity.

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    1. there are a handful of people who have that amazing ability, and he has a PhD in it.

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  22. AH, I am enjoying your MMM14 pics. I wish I was doing it this year but too busy.
    I think if I ran into Tim Gunn, I would say something embarrassing. Michael Kors on the other hand would get side-eye, just saying.
    You know any time I see you (and sometimes exchange words with you) I have to remind myself that you are my friend and I don't need to fangirl on ya. Tho since I HAVE seen you perform, I am most definitely a fan, who is lucky to be your friend. :-)

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    1. your side eye could knock him down!!! (and no way, you are never allowed to feel like that, especially as i'm actually just a big goofball.)

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  23. True story: I met Tom and Lorenzo of tomandlorenzo.com last month at one of their book signings, and that's pretty close to a celebrity encounter for me! When they complimented my skirt I told them I made it out of linen from Gorgeous Fabrics, who advertises on their site, and they went nuts. "We love Anne, she's our dear friend, we have to take a picture of you to send to her!" So, Tom and Lorenzo took a picture of ME, not the other way around! Day made, and (internet) celebrity status solidified :)

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    1. AMAZING. and now i've heard your story, and i totally want to buy their book. Niceness. Pass it on, yo.

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  24. I really don't know how someone could see you smile and not smile back! Love reading your posts, they ALWAYS make me smile :)

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    1. thank you kelly! new yorkers are a hard bunch. i always squeal inside when i get a stranger to grin.

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  25. Aww, how could he resist you? I imagine even in your gym jerseys you make the world a lot of sunshine and beauty. (My man loves talking to celebrities... gift of gab... I always shy into a corner. We have more and more of them in Austin these days, but even in their Austin-ese jeans and tees I still manage to get starstruck. Robert Plant walking his dog, and I was starstruck by his dog!)

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  26. Georgina Chapman is by far my favorite Project Runway (albeit mostly All Stars) judge, she's really the only one who gives constructive criticism/comments. So glad Tim Gunn was a lovely human being to you...

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  27. Bahaha - the Kors man. I love even more what you shouted to the Gunn - I mean what else really can you say? And yeah - pound sign 4evah### :)

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  28. I've been loving your MMMay selfies! Cat butt is still my fave haha! You have such a great facial expression, and he's all like 'whatever' LOL. That sucks about MK - I really laughed because I whisper those sorts of things all the time - do you ever get caught? LOL Glad Mr. Gunn was lovely in person though - that makes up for it a bit :)

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i thankya truly for taking the time to comment, i love a good conversation-- and hope you know my thanks are always implied, if not always written!