Style Maker: WHERE IS LYNN YAEGER?

Now, a few of you may be asking WHO IS LYNN YAEGER? and if you are asking that question then please consider yourself officially out of the loop! Don't feel too bad though, because that loop is actually quite small -- more like a tight-knit community of fashion eccentrics that drape themselves about the streets of New York, inspiring all of us lower-folk to dress a little bolder, go a little further with our imagination and exude the ambiance of our alter egos. And none does it better than Lynn (pictured left).
Lynn is truly a dandy of a lady, a throw back to a magic era, a breath of fresh air -- and perhaps my most favorite street-sighting! I have had the pleasure of viewing Lynn on a number of occasions -- who could miss her? Always striking, with a sort of White Rabbit aura swirling in her wake. Lynne could make a garbage bag wear as if its was hand-tailored by Yves Saint Laurent, and then with her fabulous shoes, her rosy dot cheeks, Siren hair and those cupid-bow lips....Unstoppable!

This lady is a NYC IT GAL if I've ever seen one. For the hoards of unique & outlandish fashionistas that you can see on any given day here in Manhattan, no one exudes authentic chic like Lynn. You see her and you think, whoa! But then, as her visage settles you realise that she is just so perfect -- so! You just can't imagine her any other way. She has put her finger right on the button of her own personal style. And this by a Lady who by no means meets fashions edict for a pencil thin, 6 foot tall physique. Which goes to show that there is no need to wait until you meet some sort of "standard" before you decide to express your inner stylist. Dare I say she is an Icon here in this Metropolis. And even though many may not know her by name, those same people will most likely exclaim "Oh! I have seen this Lady!" And if you haven't seen her then I bet you a buck you have read her column "The Elements of Style" in the Village Voice.

Which brings me to the current state of affairs. It is nearly the one year anniversary of Lynn's layoff as top fashion columnist for the Village Voice. Yep. They gave her the pink slip this time last year. Let's face it: second only to the crash of the stock market is the crash of the Fashion Market and December 2008 marks the beginning of end of all things chic in print. Perhaps one of the worst editorial moves in memory, Lynn's column was the one voice of reason, lending the free, dirty-ink mag which usually bashes the fashion world, an uncanny viewpoint of fun, taste and wit. (Judge for yourself here and here; here, here and here)

Refusing to simply toot the horn of the latest editorial drones, Lynn reminds us to love ourselves and then snuggle up in that love by dressing ourselves with style, panache and daring abandon!

As such this nostalgia is properly giving me the Christmas Blues. I sure do miss you, Lynn. Surely though, we'll see you around?