Women We Love: Yolanda Hadid

 
Yolanda Hadid is a self-proclaimed mama bear. She has also been a member of that jolly improv troupe known as "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills." Never would I have thought I would be writing about one of them, and in truth I'm not. Yolanda Hadid was in the cast for four seasons, from 2012-2016. I've never seen the show.

Mama Bear Yolanda is the mother of supermodels Gigi Hadid and Bella Hadid (and son Anwar Hadid). They are the children of her marriage to real estate developer Mohammed Hadid. Yolanda was born in the Netherlands. She was discovered by legendary model star maker Eileen Ford and successfully modeled internationally for 15 years. She married Hadid in 1994 and settled in Los Angeles. They divorced in 2000.

Gigi, Yolanda and Bella

Yolanda married composer/producer David Foster in 2011. He had previously been married to Linda Thompson, former longtime girlfriend of Elvis Presley, who had formerly been married herself to Bruce Jenner. I'd like to be at one of their family reunions... In 2012 Yolanda contracted a severe case of Lyme disease.  She was so debilitated she revealed she had "lost the ability to read, write, or even watch TV." The marriage didn't last. They were divorced in 2016, and she took back the Hadid name.

"Making a Model" cast of hopefuls with Yolanda

 
I never intended to watch "Making a Model", but it came on right after "Project Runway" and was set in my beloved New York City. So I decided to chill with some probably mindless tv. Imagine my surprise when I became fascinated by Yolanda Hadid.

The show gave a group of very young, inexperienced models the opportunity to win challenges with "the possibility of a modeling contract" for the winner. Yolanda early on established herself as a mentor to the girls, teaching them the hard truths about modeling and tools they needed to succeed. She also became a mama bear leader to the girls' mothers, urging them to encourage their daughters with positive feedback as well as letting them know not everyone can be a winner every time.

She used her own experience with her two gorgeous, successful daughters, Gigi and Bella as examples. Despite their glamorous appearances on the runway and in magazines, the girls appear to be natural, unspoiled, and very fond of their mother.

 
Of course she looks great. Her makeup, clothes and hair are appropriate for a woman her age (54). Her wardrobe is hip but understated and is of excellent quality. The fit is perfect. Hair, makeup, accessories are subtle and polished.  She looks toned but—thank the Lord—is not reed slim. Her look may not be my particular style, but I love how she puts herself together.

My interest in Yolanda is the sum of her parts. If she wasn't so patient, encouraging and insightful about her young charges and wise in advising their mothers I wouldn't care how well turned out she is.

The series had a short run on Lifetime. The last 4 or 5 episodes were lumped together one Sunday morning a few weeks ago (not a good sign for a series' chances of renewal).

Stripe Up the Band!

 
Fervent followers of fashion will be getting into lock-step to follow this trend, because it's everywhere. STRIPES. Mostly black and white, but colors and rainbows, thick and thin, horizontal, vertical, diagonal and every which-way.

Back in the day—not so long ago—trends would hit high fashion first and trickle down to the high street (aka fast fashion). Now everything erupts spontaneously at the price point you prefer. That was never so clear as yesterday's visit to the mall. Shopping choices range from Neiman Marcus at the top to Forever 21 grazing bottom.

 
Everyone not only showed stripes, many were flouting them in window displays and come-hither merchandising determined to direct you inside.  I haven't seen this many stripes in one place since the dance sequence in "Jailhouse Rock".

One could not help notice that stripes are attached to some last-year trends—ruffles, flounces and bell sleeves. They are so not going away. As usual I am torn between what I love (a nice flounce or modified bell) and not becoming a member of the pack. I like stripes too. It's a real "what to do?, what to do?" moment.

End of the Carolina Herrera Era

 
Monday evening Carolina Herrera took her final bow as Creative Director of her fashion brand. She is NOT retiring. She is becoming Global Brand Ambassador (ie she can do whatever the hell she wants).

CH rather inauspiciously began her line in 1980. She was first viewed as a dilletante, a  well-dressed social butterfly without the stamina to head a fashion house. She has proven naysayers wrong many times over. The line is valued for its elegant but approachable take on fashion— clothes women can really wear, or aspire to. Full disclosure: her perfume "Carolina Herrera" is my absolute favorite.

At 79 Carolina has really nothing to prove. There is no question she won't retain a strong interest in the company, but when CH says she is turning the reins over to Wes Gordon as her successor, no one doubts she means it.

With Wes Gordon

Carolina is yet another departing the scene for various reasons. From Oscar de la Renta's death to Donna Karan (changing horses) to Ralph Lauren (gradually stepping back) to Diane von Furstenburg (stepping down), the "old guard" are leaving. As they go so does a certainty in fashion, a refinement and elegance we knew to expect. With the exception of Ralph Lauren the labels continue without their namesakes (and with varying degrees of success).

I have a feeling Carolina Herrera the company will be okay. Wes Gordon is a young designer with an "old soul". His past work would seem to honor Carolina's, and he has been collaborating with her since last spring. Industry scuttlebutt has noted a contentious two years at the company as CH rather dug in her lovely heels over changes initiated by the parent company, Puig. Bravo, Mrs. Herrera. As tough as you are beautiful. And buena serte!

Here are some looks from that last collection for Fall 2018:

An homage to Mrs. Herrera's personal signature look. Bravo!