CUE MAGAZINE A M O N T H LY
LIFE + STYLE + DESIGN
GUIDE TO NEW ORLEANS
J U LY 2 0 1 8
Be Fabulous
AT ANY AGE VINTAGE CLOTHING
AGELESS STYLE
OLD HOMES VS. NEW CONSTRUCTION
YOGA FOR EVERY AGE
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CONTENTS
6 8 10 13
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4
15
[ FROM THE EDITOR ]
July 2018
SHOPPING
Vintage women’s fashions in Uptown
HOME
Local experts on decorating with antiques
REAL ESTATE
The pros and cons of old and new construction
HEALTH + WELLNESS
Yoga for every age
AGE. WE ALL DO IT. In fact, we’re doing it right now. But aging doesn’t have to mean decline, and we explore that in this month’s CUE. There are fashion tips from experts about how to “dress your age” — or, not, as they tell us. Style is independent of age, and you should dress for you, says Aimee Gowland of AlG Style and Samantha Brady of The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk. Gowland cites her style icon, Helen Mirren, who has a famous penchant for wearing sky-high heels — shoes no doubt designed with the younger crowd in mind. Gowland and Brady offer tips on finding your signature look. One way to ward off the negative effects of aging is to keep your body moving. yoga instructors Vera lester and Peter Spera Jr. explain that yoga has health benefits at any age, and it’s never too late to learn. Just ask lester’s 70-year-old student who just completed her first headstand. Human bodies aren’t the only things that get older — there’s beauty in antique and vintage clothing, furniture and homes as well. Our stories walk you though vintage fashion hunting uptown, decorating a 100-plus-year-old home with a mix of contemporary and antique accessories and the merits of both new and old homes.
ON
FASHION
CUE
Achieving style at any age
#FOLLOWING
Singer Mykia Jovan’s star is on the rise
Editor | KATHERINE M. JOHNSON Creative Services Director | DORA SISON
EDITORIAL
Sales Coordinator | MICHElE SlONSKI
Managing Editor | KANDACE POWER GRAVES Contributing Writers
Senior Sales Representatives
EMIly BIHl, SARAH RAVITS, SuZANNE PFEFFERlE TAFuR
lyN VICKNAIR
WINNFIElD JEANSONNE, MARIA BOuÉ
14 Resources
JIll GIEGER (504) 483-3131
[ jillg@gambitweekly.com] JEFFREy PIZZO
PRODUCTION
Pre-Press Coordinator | JASON WHITTAKER Graphic Designers | DAVID KROll,
4 Editor’s Letter
It isn’t my normal beat, but I have an Essence Festival pick: check out Mykia Jovan (featured in #theFollowing column), 8 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Friday, July 6 in the Good Vibes/Ford Superlounge. Her singing and songwriting is ageless. listen to her music and see if you think she’s got the classic gravitas of Billie Holiday and the progressive stage presence of Beyonce. yours in peace, love and soulful grooves,
Publisher | JEANNE EXNICIOS FOSTER
Assistant Creative Services Director
REGULAR FEATURES:
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[ SHOPPING ]
AGED to perfection BY K AT H E R I N E M . J O H N S O N
Vintage shops around town offer beautiful, unique finds
WINE ISN’T THE ONLY THING THAT GETS BETTER WITH AGE. The word vintage originated in the wine industry, but its use also is widely applied to furniture, art and fashion. There’s wiggle room for defining the word as it refers to goods (some experts say an item has to be 50-plus years old to qualify, others say it simply describes an item from a previous design era), but no matter how you classify vintage, the Magazine Street area offers an abundance of shopping for vintage women’s clothing and accessories. I hit the pavement and poked my head in a few stores. Along the way, store owners and employees shared advice for picking out your next piece of previously loved apparel. Happy hunting!
SAINT CLAUDE SOCIAL CLUB SAINT CLAUDE SOCIAL CLUB IS ON THE SMALL SIDE,
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but there’s a total Mary Poppins’-handbag effect — the shop bursts at the seams with books, hats, jewelry, socks, handbags, bar ware and apparel. I had no idea the store sold vintage items until I was tipped off by another shop owner, so I made a quick detour from my Magazine Street route. Owners Margaret Sche and Sarah Killen were into buying vintage clothing long before they met, and Saint Claude Social Club was born. Killen recalls a trip to Japan in 1988 during which she found beautiful antique kimonos (her eyes light up as she recalls a black kimono with red sleeves, covered in embroidered jellyfish) and a muscle tee sporting the 1984 Louisiana World Exposition logo, among other things. Killen and Sche source their vintage items from buyers or go on buying trips. For Killen, buying vintage is about investing in timeless, eye-catching, well-made pieces. She tells me about an estate sale at which she purchased a blazer with hand-sewn sequins and beads on the sleeves. “You get cross-eyed just thinking about making something like that,” she says. “It must have taken hours. ... When you see something you’re drawn to, get it, because it’s not going to be there again.”
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1970s/1980s cloisonne bangles, $32 each at Saint Claude Social Club. The shop is known for carrying women-owned clothing lines almost exclusively, but Sarah Killen and Margaret Sche also offer curated vintage items.
1970s Hermes silk scarf designed by Jacques Endel, $175 at The Encore Shop.. Seriously, when have you ever seen an authentic vintage Hermes scarf at this price?
THE ENCORE SHOP FOUNDED IN 1966, The Encore Shop is a volunteer-run vintage and second-hand boutique that sells women’s apparel from shorts to formal wear. The clothing is a mix of contemporary and throwback styles and comes from a combination of consignment and donations, but 100 percent of the proceeds benefit benefit the nonprofit nonprofit Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. This shop isn’t on Magazine Street, or even Magazine Street-adjacent, but as a classical music lover, I had to check it out. Manager Jennifer Fonseca says it’s not uncommon for patrons to donate serious couture items — such as this Hermes scarf (left), a Chanel bag or a St. John suit — sometimes with the tags still attached. “It’s best to come in often because you never know what’s coming in the door or what you’re going to find,” fi nd,” she says. “It’s like a little treasure hunt.”
THE SHOPS AT 2011 CO-OWNERS JERRY NOTO AND RANSFORD RICHARDSON OPENED THE SHOPS AT 2011 IN 2012. The
store’s offerings — 32 vendors, each with individual “shops” — is a head-spinning combination of new and vintage items. Unfinished wood furniture shares space with fox fur wraps. Sales associate Rene Galloway shows me a hand-painted blue glass absinthe fountain (“It still works,” Noto adds). In a cabinet near the door resides the oldest item in the shop: a slip of paper dating to the mid-to-late 1800s bearing the authenticated signature of Queen Victoria. One of Noto’s favorite items was a Victorian-era seamstress’ chatelaine, a hook containing a series of chains with sewing tools attached to it, such as thimbles, needles and scissors. “It had about 15 tools on it … so that when she’s walking around … she’d have all the tools she needed,” he says. The chatelaine sold quickly — such items are enjoying a moment thanks to TV and film features such as the BBC series A Stitch in Time and 2017’s Phantom Thread. “Take your time when shopping,” Noto says. “Look up and down.”
1960s hat with attached veil, $40 at The Shops at 2011. This hat was purchased by booth owners Beth Landry and Lynda Moreau at an estate sale in Thibodaux, but the two travel to England often, where they get much of their merchandise.
[ SHOPPING ]
Art nouveau moonstone cabochon ring in adjustable sterling silver with cloisonne enamel work, $125 at Magpie Vintage Jewelry. “We know it’s after 1920 because it’s marked ‘sterling’ on the inside,” Kylee Derby says. “It’s unusual for jewelry … to be marked before the 1920s.”
CENTURY GIRL I WENT THROUGH A TOMBOY PHASE WHEN I WAS A TEENAGER,
MAGPIE VINTAGE JEWELRY IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A HISTORY LESSON, you can pick up a book. you also can pay a visit to Magpie Vintage Jewelry. Owner Sarah Wheelock and fellow gem-whiz Kylee Derby specialize in “wearable history” as Derby calls it — each piece in the store was selected as much for its beauty as for the story it tells. Derby schools me on Victorian-era sentimental hair jewelry — yes, that was a thing. “People have been exchanging locks of hair for many years, but the Victorians really popularized it,” she says. “unfortunately, because of the many wars and epidemics of the time, this jewelry would become mourning jewelry. It was important for people to have a piece of another person.” The hair would be cleaned, then woven into braids or mounted under resin or glass to create brooches, rings, earrings and necklaces, among other things. Derby remembers acquiring a set of onyx earrings with a knot of hair set in the center. The earrings sold almost immediately. Although the moonstone ring’s elegance caught my eye, the story of a pair of lava stone earrings sparked my imagination. Pompeii became a vacationing spot when its excavation began in the 1700s. Referred to as “tourist jewelry” by locals, visitors would purchase items made from the hardened lava, mostly cameos. Derby points to cameo earrings with the profiles of the Greek god Hermes and goddess Nike in relief on the gray and brown stones, set in 14-karat white gold and accented with diamonds — earrings that went unnoticed on my first trip through the store. “Sometimes you walk by some things, not knowing what they are, and then you learn a little bit about them,” she says. “Then you (think), ‘Wow, this has a whole world behind it that I didn’t even realize.’”
but Century Girl reminds me why I regained my love of decidedly feminine clothing and accessories. The shop is full of bright, luxurious items, from hand-beaded pearlescent pumps to turn-of-the-century drop-waist linen frocks. Owner leah Blake takes joy in selecting each rare, often couture item from other vintage dealers, textile shows and auctions all over the world. “Everything I bring in is my favorite thing,” Blake says. “It’s sort of sad to sell them in a way because I know I’ll never see them again. But finding a new home for it and being a steward of it and researching it is also really rewarding.” The oldest item she’s ever had in the shop is the “Titanic dress,” a circa-1910 gown. “I had the textiles expert from the Antiques Roadshow appraise it,” she says. “It was worked on three times throughout history. The lace is from the 1880s, the design (of the dress) is from the 1910s and someone added beading to it in the 1920s. I thought it was so cool that it was worked on by (so many) generations.” She advises vintage shoppers to closely check the condition of an item before they purchase it. Some vendors restore pieces before selling (Century Girl does), but make sure you’re aware of and OK with any flaws or damage before buying.
1960s hand-beaded and -embroidered cocktail dress (size 6-8) by Malcolm Starr, $425 at Century Girl. Leah Blake bought this dress at an auction in New York.
MISS CLAUDIA’S VINTAGE CLOTHING & COSTUMES
Decoupage handbag (wood base, resin handle), $45 at Miss Claudia’s Vintage Clothing & Costumes. Claudia Baumgarten says decoupage is an artistic practice in which decorative items are cut out and glued to a base. Decoupage experienced a surge in popularity in the 1970s, which is when she dates this bag.
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Miss Claudia’s. Often the go-to for big costuming days such as Mardi Gras, Halloween and the Red Dress Run, Claudia Baumgarten’s shop has a wide array of vintage and party pieces, from 1920s beaded camisoles to neon wigs. Baumgarten is proud to say that nearly all the store’s vintage merchandise is locally
sourced. She gets items from estate sales and other sellers, and some people bring their oldies-but-goodies to her. Her advice for shopping for vintage clothing is to look at the label. “If it’s made in the uSA or Hong Kong, very few clothes are manufactured there anymore,” she says, so it’s likely authentic vintage and higher quality. “See if it’s lined, if there are finished seams and stitching. … look for details.”
CUE MAGAZINE
FEW NAMES ARE MORE SYNONYMOUS WITH VINTAGE SHOPPING in uptown than
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[ DESIGNER TIPS ]
IN YOUR
SPACE
[ DESIGNER TIPS ]
A coat of white paint in both rooms would emphasize the length of the space. INTERIOR PAINT BY BENJAMIN MOORE IN DECORATOR’S WHITE, AVAILABLE AT MARY’S ACE HARDWARE.
Francis and St. Julian would cover the rear wall in wallpaper because it’s the focal point upon entry. “That’s the ‘wow,’” Francis says.
“We wouldn’t match the chandeliers,” St. Julian says. “We would do different fi fixtures, xtures, but nothing too off-the-wall — they have to be cohesive in some way, either in finish finish or in shape.”
“DAINTREE” WALLPAPER BY THIBAUT WALLPAPER & FABRICS, AVAILABLE AT ECLECTIC HOME .
COCO-BEADED “PATRICIA” CHANDELIER IN DUSTY BLUE BY MADE GOODS, AVAILABLE AT ELECTIC HOME .
Stumped about styling? Your home decor challenges, addressed by local designers.
Flank the fireplace with antique chairs for additional seating and to further balance the modern dining table.
BY K AT HERINE M . JO HNS O N
TWENTIETH-CENTURY ITALIAN CURULE CHAIR, AVAILABLE AT SUNDAY SHOP.
PHOTOS BY SARA ESSEX BRADLEY
CUE MAGAZINE
OF ECLECTIC HOME
What they love: The women rave about the amount of natural light in the space, architectural details such as the large archway leading to the dining room and the restored fireplace, and the 12-foot ceilings. St. Julian also loves how the contractor refinished the original hard pine floors, and Francis loves the generous width of the crown molding and baseboards and how they’re crafted to look like the original plaster.
Start with a contemporary table and add in painted Georgian-era chairs; St. Julian likes wicker or rattan chairs from the 1950s or ’60s.
Anchor these open niches with something sculptural that reaches the height of the corbels. “The Ionic columns are very traditional,” Francis says. “This might look very cool with a very modern, abstract piece of art.”
“NEWBERRY” DINING TABLE IN WHITE OAK BY BERNHARDT FURNITURE COMPANY, AVAILABLE AT ECLECTIC HOME .
Avoid creating a center walkway through these rooms. “Because the arch is dead center, you don’t want everything pushed to the side,” Francis says. “You’ll end up walking through (what looks) like a bowling alley. … You could take a smaller seating piece ... and place that in front of the floor floor grill.” “MICHELLE” SOFA IN WALNUT FINISH BY PRECEDENT FURNITURE, AVAILABLE AT ECLECTIC HOME .
“Your rugs can be the major vintage piece in a room,” St. Julian says. “There are some really cool Oushaks, and kilim rugs are really popular right now. Have fun with what you ground the spaces with.” AFGHAN WOOL FLAT WEAVE KILIM RUG, AVAILABLE AT NOLA RUGS.
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Old New Orleans homes are loaded with Old World charm, but living in these historic buildings doesn’t have to feel like living in a museum. Penny Francis and Casi St. Julian, the mother-daughter team behind Eclectic Home design services, love having vintage and antique finds in the hundred-year-old spaces common in Uptown, but they suggest mixing that furniture and decor with contemporary pieces so the space doesn’t look like a flea market. Whether you’re starting with new items and looking for vintage to pepper in, or you already have a full collection of antiques and are trying to modernize, St. Julian and Francis have advice to create balance and give the space a curated look. “A little ‘old’ in every environment makes an impact,” Francis says. “I think every room should have something that tells a story.” Chris Kornman and the team at Entablature contractors recently completed the renovation on this late 1800s/early 1900s Uptown home. The room in front of the archway is a formal living room, giving way to a formal dining room. Kornman chose light fixtures in a reproduction antique style to mirror other details restored from the home’s original design, such as the fireplace and floor furnace grate (Kornman installed the heating and cooling units under the house, so the grate still functions). “I wanted to restore it to its original beauty,” he says. “We worked with the PRC (Preservation Resource Center) and the HDLC (Historic District Landmarks Commission) to get it right.”
Penny Francis & Casi St. Julian
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DECOR DILEMMA: MIXING VINTAGE, ANTIQUE AND CONTEMPORARY DESIGN ELEMENTS
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[ R E A L E S TAT E ]
A real estate debate
BY SUZANNE P F E F F E R L E TA F U R
IS A NEW HOME NECESSARILY
A BETTER HOME?
CUE MAGAZINE
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WHEN NARROWING THE SEARCH FOR A HOUSE, local
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homebuyers face a few tough decisions. Which neighborhood best suits their lifestyles and personalities? How many bedrooms will they need now and down the road? Is a big backyard important? But before they even begin perusing the market, house hunters usually have made up their minds about one thing: whether they want an old New Orleans home with character and intricate features that have stood the test of time, or a newly constructed home that’s in pristine condition and equipped with modern appliances. A local real estate agent and a contractor weigh the pros and cons of both options. “Historic versus new, here in New Orleans, tends to be quite different than in other parts of the country,” says Kristie Gordon, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty. “Some homes here are 100-plus-year-old homes, so the historic nature of that, to many of my buyers, is really a plus because they can’t get that anywhere else.” Gordon works primarily in Uptown. She says for most of her clients, the aesthetics and flow of the house are the main priorities. The ones who gravitate toward old homes with a “historic feel” treasure the architectural details of the dwelling: crown molding and baseboards made of real wood rather than engineered wood products, stained glass windows, 12-foot ceilings and hand-carved millwork. “The attention to detail back then was really meticulous,” Gordon says. Since historic homes often are built with plaster instead of drywall, they have a “better, more sound structure.” The downside is old homes are less energy-efficient than new
construction. They may have gaps in the floors, outdated appliances and a poorly insulated attic, Gordon says, so clients should consider the potential cost of utility bills. Homebuyers also should examine the roof and heating, cooling, plumbing and electrical systems. Lenders and insurance companies won’t want to see outdated systems, Gordon says. “If there’s not in-tube electrical wiring in the house, then they’ll want that taken care of, because there’s only a few insurance companies who will insure that. Same thing for plumbing,” she says. Historic homes often have terra cotta clay, galvanized iron or castiron pipes because plumbers believed pipes made from those materials could last up to 100 years. But many local homes now are reaching their century mark. Gordon says newer homes usually employ copper or some kind of plastic. She also says older homes often feature a floor plan that isn’t conducive to a contemporary lifestyle. Closets are tiny and kitchens often are small and tacked onto the rear of the house, almost as an afterthought. Although old homes can be updated with modern materials and a spacious, flowing floor plan, the renovation process can be expensive and time-consuming. If you’re considering an extensive renovation, a contractor can provide an estimate of the costs and timeframe. “If somebody’s looking to purchase an older home with the intent of renovating, they should get the contractor involved early on, so they can get an idea of what they’re willing to spend,” says Roy Olsen, a contractor and owner of Norseman Construction. He’s also a past president and current
[ R E A L E S TAT E ]
Home Works
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Ultimately, it all boils down to the house hunter’s personality and long-term plan. “Are they the type of homeowner who wants to make their own mark on the house?” Gordon asks. “Do they want to do some renovations, or a lot of renovations? Or do they just want to pick up their toothbrush and move in? “You get a wide variety of houses in New Orleans, so I would say that the No. 1 thing for buyers to consider is their comfort level.”
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board member of the Home Builders Association of Greater New Orleans. Timeworn homes may require a “total upgrade,” and must be “brought up to code with wiring, plumbing — you name it,” Olsen says. “That can get costly” and there are potential health hazards. “Anything built before 1957 may contain lead paint, (and) homes with old boiler systems may have pipes wrapped in asbestos,” Olsen says.
CUE MAGAZINE
Old New Orleans homes often feature attractive details, such as intricate woodwork, and floor-to-ceiling windows with real wood frames, that make them appealing to homebuyers.
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[ H E A LT H + W E L L N E S S ]
A LIFELONG
PRACTICE
The transformative benefits of yoga at any age
BY S A R A H R AV I T S
ALTHOUGH IT’S PARTICULARLY POPULAR WITH YOUNGER WOMEN, yoga is actually for
everyone, regardless of age, body type, fitness level or gender, and experts agree that you’re never too young or too old to start this potentially life-changing practice. The Yoga Alliance website (www.YogaAlliance.org) points out that people often associate yoga with hatha yoga, a generic term for “the well-known system of postures and breathing techniques.” But yoga goes beyond physical movement and exercise: There are mental benefits to it as well, as it often incorporates meditation, relaxation and spirituality. Dozens of studios have opened over the years in the greater New Orleans area, and almost all of them offer specialized classes that cater to unique needs and all ages. Some of the most common classes are vinyasa classes, which are flow-based and strengthening; anusara or other alignment-focused classes; and restorative sessions, sometimes called yin classes, which are gentle and therapeutic. Yoga studios often incorporate elements from all of the above. There also are hot yoga classes that help work up even more of a sweat, and bhakti classes, which focus primarily on the devotional aspect of yoga.
Whatever class you take, you’ll likely experience both physical and mental benefits; flow-based classes burn more calories and help build strength and confidence, while restorative classes can help cure injuries and induce a sense of well-being. Many local studios offer all-levels classes, too — and instructors work with students on modified poses using props such as blocks, blankets and bolsters. If you’re just starting out, Vera Lester, an instructor at Wild Lotus Yoga, recommends checking out a beginner class to grasp the basic principles and poses that will set the foundation of your practice. Lester also offers private classes. “If you’ve never done it before, get there early, introduce yourself to the teacher, ask any questions, and inform the teacher of any physical restrictions,” she advises. “Teachers want to answer those questions, because there are always specific accommodations for students.” Generally speaking, she says, the younger demographic usually is looking to burn calories and build strength. “I think people in their 20s through 40s are generally looking for a workout, to look good and experience feeling good as a result,” Lester says. “Part of it is about building strength and flexibility. Vinyasa and
Iyengar (in which poses are held for long periods and often modified with props) are good for that. Any of the physically intense practices will develop strength, flexibility and your aerobic capacity.” She explains that as people age, connective tissues start to dry out. “That’s one of the reasons you get stiffer or creaky,” she says. “Some of it is aging, and some of it is hormonally related, especially in women.” Yoga can help mitigate this. It also can help with other unpleasant side effects of growing older. Peter Spera Jr. took his first yoga class in his late 50s, thinking it could help him alleviate his back pain. He found it so transformative and healing that he became a teacher. Now, at 71, he works primarily with people in their 50s and 60s at LSU Health Fitness Center in Algiers, and at Mel Ott Park and Recreation Center in Gretna. “It just changed my whole life,” he says. “I feel healthier. I feel more flexible. I feel better mentally, and I’m more patient with people.” He specializes in “gentle flow” classes. “It’s not completely restorative, but we do a lot of work on our backs, working on our lower backs, strengthening the legs and hamstrings. Everyone has tight hamstrings,” he says. “I just try to get them to move. … I tell them they’re not old. Challenge yourself. Don’t lay back just because you might embarrass yourself.” Lester notes that just because you’re over a certain age doesn’t mean you have to stick with the slower classes. For example, she says post-menopausal women benefit from a physically challenging practice because it supports bone health. “The more you move your body at that age, the better it will feel,” says Lester, adding that she has a 70-year-old student who started yoga later in life and just completed her first headstand. Both instructors testify to yoga’s benefits. “It also cultivates spiritual connection, regardless of your religious practice,” Lester says. “A belief in something that is bigger than us — of which we are a part and which connects us to everyone else. So, it lays a foundation for compassion and generosity and being a good human.” “I recommend it to anyone,” Spera says. “I don’t care how old you are.”
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GAM.CUE-H+F.070318
• J u ly 2 01 8 PHOTO COURTE SY W IL D LOT US YOG A
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[ FASHION TIPS ]
BOUTIQUE HAIR SALON MENTION THIS AD FOR
WAXING & FACIALS 1230 N. Broad St. • NOLA 70119 504.304.5826 SW E E TO L IVE SA L ONN OL A .C O M
Ageless STYLE
Expert advice on building a fashionableat-any-age wardrobe B Y E M I LY B I H L IT’S EASY TO WAX POETIC ABOUT THE MERITS OF AGE —
the wisdom, poise and grace that comes with experience — but it’s much more difficult to shop for it. A lot of ready-to-wear fashion seems created for 20-somethings, but fashionistas of all decades know how to manipulate the trends while rocking the classics. Here are five guiding principles to help you be your most fabulous self, at any age.
Invest in the best.
CUE MAGAZINE
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HE TH LPING E P YO ER FEC U PL AN T E VE 201 NT 7
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“We tell clients to purchase the best quality you can afford at the time,” says Aimee Gowland, the personal stylist and image consultant behind ALG Style. Take note of the phrase “at the time.” College students likely can’t afford a perfectly tailored Giorgio Armani suit, but training an eye on quality at each stage of one’s life is important. “Clothing can be inexpensive but should not look cheap. You can find a well-constructed garment at Target,” Gowland says. But for those with bigger budgets (often another benefit of aging), investment pieces are the cornerstone of a great closet that grows with you. “It’s definitely worth spending more on timeless, high-quality pieces that you absolutely love and will be able to wear for countless years and maybe even pass down to family members,” says Samantha Brady, marketing assistant at The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk. “For me, investment pieces come in the form of designer items such as a classic trench coat, a leather handbag, black high heels, the perfect pair of ballet flats or a fabulous pair of gold or silver earrings.” Gowland’s essentials list is also chic and timeless. “A structured handbag, pumps in your skin tone, a flattering pair of menswear-style trousers or skinny black pants and gloss or lipstick are items that should always be in your wardrobe arsenal,” she says.
Befriend a tailor. Fit is essential. Spending a few extra dollars for a tailor makes clothing polished and ageless. “Make certain the fit is on point, the fabric will not go up in flames and that it’s not too sheer,” Gow-
land says. Start with a well-constructed piece in a natural fiber, such as cotton, silk, wool or linen. Select the size that fits best, paying attention to where there’s extra fabric. A good tailor can let out seams, nip in the waist or shorten a hem to graze the knee for that bespoke look.
Discover a signature look. The key to looking great is knowing how to dress one’s body. Resist the urge to over-compensate for aging: Don’t buy outfits that obscure your silhouette or hug it too tightly to make you appear older or younger than you are. In seeking a signature style, if you have a confidence-boosting look that always does the trick — Gowland uses a go-to little black dress as an example — use that as a guide. Think about the fit, the fabric and the overall style, and keep it in mind when shopping in the future.
Embrace accessories. Accessories keep wardrobes current and modern and allow women of all ages to embrace the style du jour as much or as little as they like. Once a core closet is established, think of accessories as a less-expensive fresh coat of paint that energizes classic pieces. “It’s always a good idea to introduce new pieces here and there so that you stay excited about your fashion choices,” Brady says.
Dress for yourself. Adhering to any rule is silly if doesn’t serve your lifestyle. The biggest fashion icons have achieved their place in the pantheon by staying true to their individuality, regardless of age. “The first person that comes to mind is Jane Fonda,” Brady says. “She does a fabulous job of wearing fashion that reflects who she is as a person, and [she] isn’t afraid to try new styles, even if it’s not the fashion critics’ favorite selection.” Gowland’s ageless style icons are similarly confident and unbothered by public opinion. “I adore Angela Bassett and Helen Mirren,” she says. “I do not think these ladies can have a bad fashion moment.”
RESOURCES
A listing of the retailers and professionals featured in this issue of CUE Magazine.
Aged to perfection PAG E 6
Century Girl
2023 Magazine St., (504) 875-3105; www.centurygirlvintage.com
The Encore Shop
7814 Maple St., (504) 861-9028; www.lpovolunteers.org/encore-shop
Magpie Vintage Jewelry
4529 Magazine St., (504) 891-1333
Miss Claudia’s Vintage Clothing & Costumes
4204 Magazine St., (504) 897-6310; www.facebook.com/ missclaudiasvintage
Saint Claude Social Club
1933 Sophie B. Wright Place, (504) 2188987; www.saintclaudesocialclub.com
The Shops at 2011
2011 Magazine St., (504) 407-0499; www.theshopsat2011.com
In your space PAG E 8
Eclectic Home
8211 Oak St., (504) 866-6654; www.eclectichome.net
Entablature
8438 Oak St., Suite C, (504) 322-3822; www.entablature.net
Mary’s Ace Hardware
732 N. Rampart St., (504) 529-4465
NOLA Rugs
3944 Magazine St., (504) 891-3304; www.nolarugs.com
Sunday Shop
2025 Magazine St., (504) 342-2087; www.sundayshop.co
A real estate debate PAG E 10
Keller Williams Realty
3197 Richland Ave., Metairie, (504) 455-0100; www.kw.com
Norseman Construction (504) 628-3677
A lifelong practice PAG E 13
LSU Health Fitness Center
2220 Constitution St., (504) 619-9960; www.lsuhealthfitness.com
Mel Ott Park and Recreation Center
2301 Belle Chasse Highway, Gretna, (504) 363-1597
Wild Lotus Yoga
The New Orleans Healing Center, 2372 St. Claude Ave., Suite 200, (504) 8990047; 4842 Perrier St., (504) 899-0047; www.wildlotusyoga.com
Ageless style PAG E 14
ALG Style
(504) 237-1104; www.algstyle.net
The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk
500 Port of New Orleans Place, (504) 522-1555; www.riverwalkneworleans.com
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#FOLLOWING:
MYKIA JOVAN
LIKES Actress and singer
Favorite snowball stand? Plum Street. I went to Lusher and [Eleanor] McMain [schools], and it was right there.
BY K AT H E R I N E M . J O H N S O N PHOTOS BY K ARL A PHOTOGR APHY
IF THE NAME MYKIA JOVAN DOESN’T RING ANY BELLS, JUST WAIT. Jovan’s star is on the rise this year, and her soulful voice — by turns sad and sultry — may be the voice of the next song that gets stuck in your head. During high school, she studied theater at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. After graduating from college, she transitioned to musical theater, but over time she began to shed acting and focus on “emoting things and telling stories through music.” Her closest brush with silver screen stardom came in the 2017 comedy Girls Trip, in which she plays one of R&B artist Ne-Yo’s backup singers during a performance at Essence Festival. The role, though small, was serendipitous — in July, she’ll make her Essence Festival debut, after making her New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival debut in April. She also performs as part of the allfemale troupe Vessels, which explores the power of song to heal the wounds of African slavery. Jovan and her band also will go on tour later this summer with Couches, a show produced by apparel and event company Dopeciety.
She credits her genrebending musical catalog to her time gigging and ns touring with Kermit Ruffi Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers, which sparked her interest in music beyond jazz, such as rap and trap music. She already had established a name for herself in a regular Friday night spot at the Blue Nile on Frenchmen Street, crooning jazz standards and experimenting with other types of music. She released her first full-length original studio album Elliyahu in September 2017. “Eliyahu is a Hebrew name meaning ‘highest most exalted one,’” she says, and the songs on the album play with the theme of exaltation and idolatry. She secularized the word, adding an extra “l” to the spelling. “[The songs are about] where do you place God,” she says. “Are you going to look outside of yourself ... or are you
The Lakefront or The Fly? The Fly. The Lakefront is so cool, but I feel like you have to be really cute when you go there. Oak trees or magnolia trees? Oak trees. Oak trees have saved my life. Have you ever leaned against an oak tree after a hard day? What’s something that you have to carry with you at all times? A crystal or a worry stone. Guilty pleasure? Scrolling on Instagram. I’m a huge lurker. What very New Orleans thing have you never done? I’ve never been to Mother’s (Restaurant).
CURRENT PROJECT
Where you can see her next: The Good Vibes/Ford Superlounge at Essence Festival, 8 p.m.– 8:45 p.m. Friday, July 6
MUSTHAVES
Valentine’s Day card from her sister with hologram of a caterpillar morphing into a butterfly Quartz — “It relaxes me.”
Essential oils Murray and Lanman’s Florida Water cologne
• J u ly 2 01 8
Adventure log for writing on the go
CUE MAGAZINE
going to activate the God inside?” She teases out these ideas in a tempestuous mix of love songs, songs about reconciling old relationships and “pointing the finger a lot.” There also are songs like “16 Shots” that address the social inequities roiling the country, including her native Hollygrove neighborhood, where she recalls a family friend mistakenly being identified as the burglar of a convenience store. He was fatally shot. “Music has been an outlet for me to sort out things in the public eye,” Jovan says. “I’ve been really grateful for my residency at the Blue Nile to try out new music and to really use it as a therapy session to get my ideas out and play around with different genres.” Her recent success hasn’t changed her impetus for creating music and performing. “I like to be able to make contact with my audience,” she says. “Any time I can really connect with someone in the midst of the show — that’s really important to me. … I feel like we’re having an exchange, and it’s not just me entertaining. Somebody is actually receiving something. That’s so important.”
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