Telluride Inside... and Out

Diamonds & Cashmere at Telluride's CashmereRED

[click "Play" to hear Susan's conversation with Caci Grinspan and Beau Staley]

It was a stand-out moment at the Telluride AIDS Benefit fashion show and the epitome of throwaway chic: models in deconstructed tights and casual Ts flashing fabulous jewelry from Dolce, one of Telluride's luxury stores.

Some of that eye-popping bling was created by master jeweler Katey Brunini, whose pieces, all blockbusters, tend to be tributes in metal and gemstones to the beauty of the natural world, although her newest line of "body armor" celebrates strength. Brunini's creations have been featured on the red carpet at the Oscars and in numerous glossies, including Vogue, Town & Country and Modern Bride.

Fashion Friday: Crop tops

[click "Play" to hear Kristin Holbrook's take on crop tops for Telluride]

Abs anyone? Or not.

Skirts are not the only things getting shorter this coming season. According to Telluride Inside... and Out's fashionista Kristen Holbrook of Two Skirts, tops are getting cropped. Everything old is new again as crop tops from the 1980s are making a resurgence. They were first spotted at Topshop, on the Alexander McQueen runway, and on street urchin icons such as Rumi Neely. Especially in six pack Telluride, ladies might dare to bare their midriffs like Neely, Lindsay Lohan, Audrina Patridge, Whitney Port, and Rihanna, but Kristin says that this time around, there is plenty of room for error.

To learn more about how to wear the look , click the "play" button and listen to Kristin's podcast.

Fashion Friday: What to wear to Telluride AIDS Benefit Fashion Show

[click "Play" to hear Terryl Dahl on what to wear to the TAB Fashion Show]

It all boils down to cause and effect. The cause: a persistent virus that morphed into a pandemic after being announced worldwide in 1983. The effect: locally, the Telluride AIDS Benefit, a full frontal assault aimed at helping those living with HIV/AIDS and preventing the spread of the disease through outreach and education. The week of activities culminates with a fanTABulous fashion show Saturday night, February 27, at the Telluride Conference Center, a fundraiser for TAB's six beneficiaries.  

Fashion Friday: Sequins on Ts

[click "Play", Kristin Holbrook talks sequins]

Paul Simon wrote a song about a lady who wore diamonds on the soles of her shoes. Telluride Inside... and Out's fashionista Kristin Holbrook of Two Skirts is talking sequins on T-shirts.

Mega stylish Brooklyn duo, Kristen Johnson and Andrea Lord seamlessly merged to create Son of John, a symbiotic women's crossover contemporary designer collection that mixes downtown grunge and rock-n-roll glam with a touch of classic chic.

Son of John is also energy and budget conscious: Johnson and Lord use recycled cotton, along with silk and sequins to maintain a sustainable price point for their updated classics.

To learn more, click the "play" button and Kristin will tell you how to wear the look.

Telluride AIDS Benefit model coordinator has it all

[click "Play", Nina Tumbas talks about why she works with the TAB fashion show]

Toss the rule book when it comes to Telluride. We make up our own. Witness the theme of the 2010 Telluride AIDS Benefit fashion show: "Out of your comfort zone. Step out of the box." Expect the unexpected, as expected.

The ideal female fashion model is tall, long-legged, and lean. Their minimum height is usually about 5'8"+ and average weight, between 108-125 lbs.  Generally speaking they are sent to the glue factory past 22. Not in Telluride. In Telluride models come in all shapes, sizes and ages. On the runway of the Telluride AIDS Benefit fashion show, the highlight of a week of outreach and education, talks, HIV screening, and a major art auction, you find an equal mix swizzle sticks and classic egg timers (in and out shapes). At the Telluride AIDS Benefit fashion show, brains meets beauty, personality rules the night, and fashion meets compassion: Enter Nina Tumbas.

Fashion Friday: Valentine's Day

[click "Play" for Kristin Holbrook's thoughts on Valentine's Day]

Poor Valentine's Day. The holiday has the misfortune of falling between the Christmas/New Year season, when lots of folks blow the bank, and April tax season, which blows everyone's mind. Being date challenged is really too bad because Valentine's Day is the one day of the year when a gift ought to express unbridled adoration.

Scant silky intimates is one traditional way to say "I Love You." Telluride Inside...and Out's fashion queen, Kristin Holbrook of Two Skirts, adds to the list of great ways dress her for success on Valentine's Day. And no, the price tags won't leave you seeing red: Two Skirts has heart items from various designers all at affordable prices.

Click the play button to listen to Kristin's podcast for ways to win her heart.

Fashion Friday: The Chocolate Lovers Fling

[click "Play" to hear Kristin Holbrook's suggestions about "Fling" costumes]

Kristin Holbrook of San MIguel Resource Center and on the committee for the nonprofit's 15th annual Chocolate Lovers' Fling, its only public fundraiser. The event takes place Saturday, February 6, 7:30  – 11:30 p.m., at the Telluride Conference Center in the Mountain Village.

Since 1994, the Center has supported victims of domestic violence and sexual assault living in the Telluride region. The idea is to help clients help themselves to form a loving relationship, first with #1, and then, perhaps, with a new, healthy, supportive partner. This year's party theme is "Love Boat." From 1977 – 1986, viewers set a course for romantic adventure when "The Love Boat," aka The Pacific Princess, sailed onto their TV screens and into their living rooms.

Fashion Friday: Metallic shoes for spring

[click "Play" to listen to Kristin Holbrook talk about shiny shoes]

Could be a surrogate for the jewelry in lean times. They certainly sparkle and shine: metallics in clothes and accessories have been a strong seasonal trend, seen top down in everything from dresses to bags and belts. Telluride Inside... and Out's fashionista, Kristin Holbrook of Two Skirts, is talking metallic shoes for this week's post. There are plenty of designer versions out there right now, ranging from platforms to stillettos to wedges, and in both closed-toe and sandal styles.

What does Kristin have in store and how to wear the look? Check her podcast.

Fashion Friday: Australian Luxe

[click "Play" to listen to Kristin Holbrook talk about boots]

It's a top down thing, according to fashionistas like Kristin Holbrook of Telluride's Two Skirts: celebrities set the trends which infiltrate pop culture. This season it's the Australia Luxe Collective boot fashions, fashion forward, plush, very comfortable and made to be worn year 'round.

Those In The Know know Australia Luxe Collective is "The new UGG." The Melbourne-based company was founded three years old by by husband and wife team Stuart Rush and Nicole Durand. Very quickly, its line of sheepskin footwear and accessories became IT among celebrities such as Jessica Alba, Gwen Stefani, Meghan Fox, Siena Miller, Fergie, Kim Kardashian and Jessica Biel, whose boots are from Two Skirts.

To learn more about Australia Luxe and how to wear your boots, click the "play" button and listen to Kristin's podcast, a popular weekly feature on Telluride Inside...and Out.

Fashion Friday: Leather in all weather

[click "Play" for Kristin Holbrook's take on leather]

From London to New York, Milan to Paris, leather looks were big this past Fall on the red carpet and fashion runways. Leather jackets, skirts and accessories continue to be hot this cold winter, according to Kristin Holbrook of Two Skirts, Telluride Inside... and Out's fashion queen.

Want to know more about slipping into a second skin? Click the "play" button and listen to Kristin's podcast.