I have just debuted a new design: peace symbol earrings. The peace symbol, known worldwide and consistently popular has been experiencing a resurgence in its 50th Anniversary year.

That’s right, the symbol itself was launched 50 years ago, on Easter weekend of 1958 in London. It was the symbol of a protest march from London to Aldermaston, part of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.

Gerald Holtom, an artist and political activist, was the man who dreamed up with this simple, but powerful design. Many sources try to explain its inspiration as an incorporation of the semaphore letters N (for Nuclear) and D (for disarmament). Feel a little puzzled in trying to picture that? (or lost by the word ‘semaphore’? Go ahead: google it!) I prefer this explanation, a quote directly from Holtom:

“I was in despair. Deep despair. I drew myself: the representative of an individual in despair, with hands: palm outstretched outwards and downwards in the manner of Goya’s peasant before the firing squad. I formalised the drawing into a line and put a circle round it.”

At first, naturally, people were skeptical of the design, questioning its relevance: why not a dove? a broken rifle? But what ten year old can draw a dove? And who wants to wear a t-shirt with a broken rifle on it?

Obviously, Holtom didn’t have these technicalities in mind when he came up with the design, but he was conscientious of making it simple enough to be easily recreated. And so it has been, for fifty years, from hippies in America protesting the Vietnam War, to the Berlin Wall to the Argentinian junta to the War in Iraq. It is a symbol that was never copyrighted so it is free for all to use (which, in my opinion, is the most important and admirable piece of its legacy).

When you see (or wear) a peace symbol there is something very moving and satisfying about knowing that around the world it is a part of many different histories and cultures, but it means the same thing in each one. It is, truly, the closest thing we have to an international language, a universal goal. Peace.

Once upon a time, New York was the place to shop in America for those looking to discover unknown new designers, the next big trends in fashion. For the most part, it has now become the land of upscale boutiques and European labels, where even vintage clothes are often uninspired and still carry hefty price tags.

But don’t be fooled: the city is still crawling with young designers, eager to get their pieces picked up, to be noticed, admired, even ‘discovered’. One place to find them all gathered, conveniently, together is at The Market NYC on the weekends (I’m there, too, in case you’re wondering…).

There are two locations: one on Hudson and Grove street (only on Saturdays) and the other, more primary spot is on Mulberry street between Houston and Prince streets. The space is open Saturdays and Sundays from 11 to 7 and is one of the only places I know of where you can consistently buy from the designers directly. It is the neighborhood’s hidden gem, just far enough off the beaten track of mainstream tourists to allow for some serious perusing of the goods.

Don’t forget… the holiday season is coming up. Come support local, independent designers

In Photo:
Jason, Fashion Designer of Plaster and Paste
Jennifer, Jewelry Designer of Cameleon
Yumi, Jewelry Designer of Yumi Chen Designs

The season has officially changed, I think. The air is crisper (sometimes downright chilly) and drier…and my skin and my hair are starting to feel the affects of the cold weather. Thank god for amazing beauty products!

There are a ton of products that I swear by (especially in drier weather). I love Paul Mitchell hair products. I use his Awapuhi and Shampoo 1, partly because it smells like pina coladas, but mostly because they make my hair feel and look healthy. I also use his gorgeously bright blue colored, “The Conditioner.” Makes my hair feel ohh so, silky soft!

My favorite product though is called Straight Style. It’s a super gel that was created by my Upper East Side hair salon, Paul Labrecque Salon and Spa. It’s a non-frizz soothing lotion made from organic plant nutrients and camellia oil. It makes my hair smooth and straight and also enhances it’s natural shine. Awesome stuff! And well worth the $26.

If you’re going by the salon to pick this up, or any of their other products, I recommend making an appointment to get your hair cut while you’re there (or spend some time in the spa on these chilly days…) My stylist is a French man named Frederic who, like the other stylists, is warm and friendly and always knows how to put a cheery smile on my face. Plus he gives me some seriously sexy layers!

There’s something about being pampered in a salon or a spa. Sure, it’s not usually cheap, but it’s a service that cannot be replicated by anything other than human hands, and there is value in that alone. In stressful times, everyone needs a break, a moment to regain their sanity. Getting your hair cut, or enjoying a massage or a spa treatment is like an hour long time-out for grown-ups; one of those rare chances to stop everything else, separate yourself from your problems and mellow out. And when you leave feeling refreshed and looking great, you know that it was time and money well spent!