LOOK BACK: Muse Baron Nicolas de Gunzburg- FORWARD: Todd Alexander Romano

Baron Nicolas de Gunzburg, Horst

I think the first time I ever met Todd Romano, was in the office of the late decorator Parkin Saunders- and I recall being impressed by his personal style, very 1930's playboy, very Baron de Gunzburg!  (He was wearing an ascot perfectly knotted)  I'm sorry to say, we haven't had a chance to reconnect since that first meeting which must have been about 1995.  

Interesting to note, that the Baron, a stylish figure in European and (North) American society, first settled in Hollywood- and later went to New York. 

Todd is now based in San Antonio, Paris, Los Angeles and New York- Click aqui to find out more about the ultra glamorous and very interesting Nicolas de Gunzburg.  Check out this fabulous portrait of Todd Romano which reminds me so much of the Horst photograph of Nicolas, who was known as "Nicky".  (aka Nikki)

Todd Alexander Romano

In researching the Baron, I learned, not surprisingly, that he had been a muse and inspiration to designers Bill Blass, Oscar de la Renta, and especially Calvin Klein, who considered the Baron to be a style mentor.  When, after his first big fashion show, Calvin approached the Baron to ask his opinion, whether it was a success or a flop- the Baron said "You showed great courage".  Wow!  Can you say "concise" ?

Adding further parallel interest to my story of two gentleman of great style,  Todd has done extensive work for Suzy Hilfiger, a wife of the fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger.  Check out Todd's beautiful site here and you can see for yourself the extent of his talent and fabulous point of view.

I had posted previously about Todd's recent completion in Naples, Fla. of the former cottage of Albert Hadley- which made the cover of House Beautiful, for the second time!  (first time was when Albert was still the owner)  This then reminded me of how my other decorator friend, Mario Buatta, had designed a maisonette previously belonging to Sister Parish - for his client Patricia Altschul.

I recently was riding my bike down the alley where the entrance to Albert's former small guest house is located, and took this snap of it- after I showed it to Mario, he noted  "Very New England" - and indeed there is that quality to this charming property, located in the historic district of Naples.

I-fone photo by Dean

And here's the main house living room when Albert had it- a place where I spent many happy evenings of cocktails and long conversations!

via House Beautiful

And here is the same room from the Todd Romano decoration- some of the renovation had been done by previous owners who were subsequent to Albert's ownership.

Todd Alexander Romano, House Beautiful

What fun for me to have these talented gents in my life, and to have the Baron for inspiration- he makes me want to smoke so badly!  But, I did give up using Tenax in my hair back in the late 70's-
Don't you love how Nicky's hair is slicked back?  Not an easy look to pull off.  But in his day it was THE LOOK !  Check out Todd's Instagram too! DF *****

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Todd Romano for Schumacher !

Todd Alexander Romano for Schumacher

What's red, white and blue, and read all over? Todd Alexander Romano for F. Schumacher ~ that's what!
Here's to all of our proud, strong, and brave veterans! 

  

Todd Romano

Congratulations to dear Todd, who also worked under Mario Buatta and the late Parkin Saunders, just as I once did!

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Inspiring Bedroom by Todd Alexander Romano

ROOM BY TODD ALEXANDER ROMANO, ELLE DECOR

I first saw this wall color back in the 1980's ~ when I was visiting friends at the Parish-Hadley offices in New York.  How stunning is it ?  PH used it with a leopard carpet in the entrance area of their offices.
I met Todd years ago, through the late Parkin Saunders, when I worked with Parkin at Saunders and Walsh, Inc.  
To me, the very French combination of the chartreuse velvet with the peacock lacquered walls is inspiring!  I also adore the white gesso on the Federal style mirror...you can see the rest of Todd's NY apartment on the Love Is Speed blog~ (it was published first in Elle Decor)~ Enjoy!  DF *****
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Breakfast at Tiffany's

I remember seeing Patricia Neal, the actress who played the decorator in the film "Breakfast at Tiffany's" - when I was working in the antiques and decorating shop of Ned Marshall and the late Harry Schule. Ms. Neal died in 2010, so I was lucky to have met her when I did, back in the roaring 1980's...she was not in the best of health, so I did my best to be unobtrusive and to not impose myself on her. In another weird coincidence, when I worked with the late designer Parkin Saunders, his office manager was dating the son of the actor George Peppard, who played the kept man in the iconic film, based on the Truman Capote novel. I love this dramatic shot of PN looking super elegant, from Breakfast at Tiffany's. ENJOY! DF *****

I Remember: H. Parkin Saunders

Parkin Saunders and I met through my old dear friend, Louise Wilcox Cronan, many years ago. Just like the movie with Bette Davis, "All About Eve" - I got PS a job with the fabulous George Clarkson, the society decorator from Saint Louis, and then you know what happened if you saw the movie. Parkin went on to become a Michael Greer like decorator, (he always preferred decorator over designer) and had a truly A list clientele, with billions of disposable dollars...he lived on Fifth Avenue, and was driven about Manhattan in a Mercedes 500. He even had a place in Southampton for a while. After learning the ropes from George, he and his partner the late Chris Walsh went on to create a WASP masterpiece, the guest cottage at the Hamptons showhouse, all done in the old now discontinued Zinnia chintz by Brunschwig. Perhaps those zinnias were really dahlias? Anyway, it was a sensation, and it landed him Anne Ford, Garrick Stephenson, Amanda Burden, Teddy Forstmann, and David Koch...as clients...I got to soak it all up, and always considered dear PS a good friend, although he was sometimes difficult and not always so easy to be with. But he was a fun person, and he enjoyed being social in a place where that is not an avocation, it's a full time 24/7 job. I just today learned that dear Parkin died this Summer. Parkin, you were a good friend, and you are missed. May you rest in peace dear fellow. I am happy that I was able to contribute to your success. Honis soi qui mal y pens. DF *****