Chic at 60ish!

I have a secret! I am in love—and hundreds of women across the country are in love with him too! He is the fabulous Ken Downing, chief creative officer of Excel Brands & creative director of Halston, frequently making appearances on QVC as well—when Ken says, “Buy this!” women listen.

KEN DOWNING & ME! At Boyds in Wayne, charming, handsome, witty & warm—he is the meaning of “fabulous,” in every way on every level!

Formerly VP & international fashion director of Neiman Marcus, he is one of the most influential people in the business, setting and defining trends internationally. Downing’s name is synonymous with “fashion.” Privileged to have met him several times when he was at Neiman’s, I was delighted to renew our friendship when Ken emceed a recent fashion show at Boyds in Wayne, benefitting Jewish Family & Children’s Services, jfcsphilly.org/Our Closet in your Neighborhood, OCIYN, providing free clothing to the underserved in pop-up shops across Philadelphia. (Ken is still friendly with Boyds’ general manager Missy Dietz, also formerly of Neiman’s, and was kind enough to come to Philadelphia for this most worthy cause.)

NOTHING LIKE OLD FRIENDS: (click on the video) By coincidence, I was wearing a jacket that was in the show—Ken pulled me onto the runway to demonstrate “runway to real life!” Soo fun 🙂 Burgundy leather Courreges jacket from Boyds in Wayne & Philadelphia

I have said it before & I’ll say it again, the bigger they are, the nicer they are! Charming. Debonair. Witty. Long and lanky, Ken looks like a cross between David Bowie and the great dancer Tommy Tune. Downing’s got an amazing eye and razor-sharp repartee to match. I am always enchanted.

SEPARATED AT BIRTH? Ken looks a lot like David Bowie, surely both “rock stars” in their own arena!

Raised outside of Seattle by a super-chic mother, (who he talks about all the time) he reminisces, “I was always intrigued by the way women put clothes together;” that propelled him first to FIT in Manhattan, before launching a stellar career through many of America’s retail giants. Downing has great technical ability as well, and can actually sew, drape, and even create a pattern. Everyone in the fashion business cannot.

WHAT WOMEN WANT: We want beautiful, wearable clothes! Velvet & brocade cocktail dress at Boyds

This is the man who ignites fashion desire, even when we need nothing. This is one man who knows what women want. “My job is to make women look good. That seems so simplistic, but it’s completely true.”

LUXE LAYERS: Michael Kors Collection oyster sequin pantsuit with Bruno Cucinelli shirt & Suprima cashmere vest, at Boyds; Bateman burgundy leather jacket & wide-leg pants, at veronicabeard.com; b/w tweed jacket, vest & pants at maxmara.com

As the show begins, we quickly see this is true indeed. Though Downing layers blouses & pants & skirts & jackets & coats—no woman is going to wear all that at once—he is teaching us trends. Sequin slip dresses under puffy parkas. Jeans—wide or straight-legged—with sparkly tops. Lots of leather. Crisp white shirts. Blazers. Boots. The color burgundy. And something with fringe.

EFFORTLESS CHIC: Carolina Hererra chocolate brown beaded dress & Suprima leather cape, at Boyds; Carol floral silk jumpsuit at ralphlauren.com

Ken’s mantra is “effortless chic.” Cut that out and put it under your pillow—it’s exactly how you want to look for the holidays & into spring. Metallics continue to be huge. Soft golds, silvers & bronze. So 70’s/Studio 54. The perfect shot of glimmer. Not gaudy, but gleaming. Not shiny, but shimmering.

ONE NEW THING? MUST HAVE A SKIRT! Veronica Beard paisley skirt & ALC cognac leather skirt, both from neimanmarcus.com

If you want to treat yourself to just one new item? “A new skirt in a longer length. The look is long and languid. Add layers & layers of big jewelry and you are dressed.”

 LEATHER & LACE: Downing loves contrasting fabrics—black leather blazer & pants, white satin vest & ruffled blouse, all from ralphlauren.com

I was able to steal a few moments for chitchat—we picked up right where we left off—we both simply love fashion. Love clothes. Love helping women feel good about themselves. He says, “I love the newness of fashion. It’s always changing, so your eye is always changing. Fashion is art, culture, an escape, a lift. Obviously, we’re not solving the problems of the world here, but fashion unites women around the globe in a way that nothing else really does.” Agree, agree.

FOREVER FRIENDS: Ken Downing & me ten years ago at Neiman’s in King of Prussia, we picked up right where we left off!

As I walked to my car, smiling to myself, my mind replayed my wonderful afternoon with Ken Downing. As the days have passed, I hear both his advice and quick repartee in my head every time I get dressed. Sparkly & tailored. Structured & flowy. Leather & lace. Always chic. I love getting dressed every day. Enjoy every gorgeous moment~ Ellyn Golder Saft

ps. Now that evenings are dark & cold, I’m always looking for a good new TV binge. You too? Don’t miss “All Her Fault,” on Peacock—a million twists & turns in a beautiful locale. I zoomed through it in three nights! You’ll love it!