Part of the mystery of Ray Kelvin, is that he will not be photographed without something (or someone) blocking his face.

Choosing between sweaters that each cost less than $300 while sipping on tea doesn’t sound like the typical shopping experience in a designer boutique. But then again, Ted Baker isn’t your average designer brand. And, just between you and us, Ted Baker isn’t even a real person. The brains that dreamed up the hip yet affordable clothing line recently found a new home at 201 Newbury Street are CEO Ray Kelvin’s. When I visited the boutique the day after store’s opening to meet this elusive Mr. Baker– we mean, Kelvin–we expected a stereotypical big time CEO. You know the type: Seems like one of your Dad’s scotch-swilling buddies who talks to you like you’re twelve. But, boy were we wrong.

Wearing (very) skinny jeans, a vest, and thick black-framed glasses, Kelvin strolled through the doors of his new Boston boutique lamenting– and not so quietly– in his English accent that our fair city was in dire need of more porridge purveyors. (In Bostonian, that translates to be oatmeal). Instead of an awkward air kiss or two, Kelvin greeted us with a big bear hug.

And then we got to chatting:
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Finally, after a grim few months of store closings and vacant windows, Newbury Street is finally getting some action. Joining designers Ted Baker and Jonathan Adler, who set up shop on the strip in the past few weeks, British apparel brand Ben Sherman celebrated its fifth U.S. locale (154 Newbury St., Euro-menswear boutique Sean’s former space) last night with the just kind of blowout the city’s fashion scenesters have been craving. The guest list was tight—and full of beautiful people, natch. The rose petal-flecked vodka cocktails went down easy.  And the music was just right, with DJ Mom Jeans a.k.a. Danny Masterson (who many might recognize as Steven from That ’70s Show) spinning. (View the party photos, with host Ben Mezrich.) (more…)

Lady Gaga is performing at the House of Blues on Monday night, and we couldn’t have been more ready to put on our “po-po-po-poker face.” But since Bostonista sometimes leaves things to the last minute, we tried to score tickets too late in the game. And now the show is sold out.

Looks like Bostonista won’t be just dancing with Gaga and commiserating over our misplaced keys and lost phones (send us your numbers, people!).

We did the same thing to Britney. So we had to make a play for Canada. When all else fails, go to Canada, right? Our friend is getting married in May, so our concert date turned into a Montreal “girl’s weekend” and bachelorette party (complete with our two fabulous gay man-friends).

The Britney concert was a full-fledged circus with tight rope walkers, contortionists, acrobats, and more. And even though Britney only said one sentence that wasn’t prerecorded, we were really only there to see her bejeweled costumes and the dances anyway. (more…)

We’re a proud college town. Howard Stern once roamed Boston University. Harvard had a few good alums; Conan, Natalie Portman, and a few other very important folks. Even John Mayer called Berklee his hangout for a time.

There’s many more, of course, like Emerson alum and makeup maven, Bobbi Brown. She’s done-up the dolls of the runway for Oscar de la Renta and Caroline Herrera for years.

And lucky for us, she’s back in town. Brown is launching a new program in makeup artistry this spring at Emerson College, which will kick off with some basic workshops that anyone can sign up for. That means you and me. (more…)

Sometimes we make fairly monumental sacrifices for our job. Last night, for instance, we grudgingly skipped watching Gossip Girl in real-time in order to attend a Boston Home party at The Beehive. (Life is tough.)

The place was packed, and we were happily chatting about vintage dresses from eBay and the woes of the Boston Public School system (obviously), when a fellow Bostonista rushed over, wildly waving her iPhone and screaming something about a Boston mag GG cameo. Then the music stopped, the lights went on, and the party came to an abrupt end as everyone rushed home to their DVRs. (more…)

It’s that time of year again. Tomorrow night a new America’s Next Top Model will be crowned and too-sweet-for-comfort Whitney’s unmerited stint as the reigning champ will finally come to a much-appreciated end.

With such a weighty decision looming on the horizon, there’s one question on our minds: Why can’t we shake the weeknight guilty pleasure that is ANTM? We really should have quit watching when controversial celebrity judge Janice Dickinson left the panel, taking most of the show’s fun with her.

Now all we’re left with is off-the-rocker host Tyra Banks, whom you might recognize from her recurring role as comedic fodder on E!’s The Soup. Oh, and she also found some success as a supermodel.

But seriously, who is going to be America’s…Next…Top…Mo…del? (more…)

Tuesday night, we primped and preened for the opening party for the new Mizu salon at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. The local elite squad was out in full force, dressed to kill, and showing off their most fabulous fall numbers with the chic coifs to match.

Once through Mizu’s entrance, we tunneled into a bright white cavernous space that made us think of an Arctic igloo. Evocative of the Swedish Ice Hotel, the futuristic aesthetic and minimalist decor is like no other salon we’ve ever seen in town.

Mizu is the first of two new salons by Elan Sassoon—one here, and one in New York—and yes, he’s the son of Vidal Sassoon. He takes after dad, for sure. Reknowned architect Niall McLaughlin designed the place, which is equipped with incredible technology like eyewear that allows guests to watch TV while getting revamped in the stylist’s chair. As for the services, they offer cuts, color, and makeup application—all of which promise to compliment each customer’s bone structure and individual style. (more…)

Last week, posh jewelry shop Dorfman welcomed esteemed American jewelry designer Henry Dunay for a trunk show in celebration of his book A Precious Life. The dapper, soft-spoken Dunay showed off his collection with all the romanticism one could hope for from a 73-year-old jewelry legend. “When I see the shine in the customer’s eyes, I can tell she saw what I wanted her to see when I was designing it,” he gushed. “It’s my art.”

Filled with his collection, the glass cases glistened with grandiose tanzanite rings, glittery diamond bracelets, and a breathtaking one-of-a-kind necklace that combined unique shades of coral and rare black and green jade.

And that’s not to mention his most famous masterpiece on the market: the Lachrymosa Mask, a platinum and gold spectacle with 749 diamonds and a price tag of, ahem, $1 million, which is all to benefit AIDS research organization AmFar. Originally designed for Elizabeth Taylor, the mask has also been worn by Princess Diana and Vendela Kirseborn. (more…)

Bostonista had too much fun last night. We indulged in mandatory office fun at our staff bowling party at Kings. Next, under the influence of Chowder, we indulged in carnivorous fun over the largest steak we’ve ever seen at Toro.

Then we indulged in some Stevie Wonder-fueled dancing fun with Barbara Lynch at The Butcher Shop. Now, we’re hurting from that fun. (more…)

Bostonista’s trip down south to catch Fashion Week in New York was brief, but as jam-packed as ever. The trends: Longer hemlines (modesty is back), ultra-sheer anything (but not for long), beige, XL belts, and, obviously, Gossip Girl.

With a disclaimer that we didn’t make it to town in time to catch Marc Jacobs, the favorites: (more…)