Wealth

New Research

Lead Poisoning Rampant for Wealthy Medieval Europeans

It wasn’t just the Romans that accidentally poisoned themselves

October 22, 2015

Trending Today

Singapore Is the World’s Most Expensive City

Tokyo has been dethroned

March 5, 2014

For Perusing Pleasure, Zandra Rhodes’ New Online Fashion Archive

The honored Brit—50 years in the business—goes for the bold in her designer collections

May 2, 2013

The History of the Flapper, Part 5: Who Was Behind the Fashions?

Sears styles sprung from the ideas of European artists and couturiers

April 5, 2013

A Refreshing Take on Fashion Television: A Q&A with L.A. Frock Stars’ Star Doris Raymond

A new series brings high-end style to vintage wear

March 22, 2013

The Perils of Wearing Clothes

From toxins in textile dyes to torturous corsets, beauty has a long history of coming at a high cost

March 18, 2013

A History of Sequins from King Tut to the King of Pop

As you don your sparkly holiday fashions, think of the trend’s start in an Egyptian tomb

December 28, 2012

James Bond’s Dapper Dinner Jackets

With their origins at a London bespoke tailor, the suits of 007 are sharp—almost as sharp as a dagger shoe

November 16, 2012

Ask Smithsonian 2017

How Much is Being Attractive Worth?

For men and women, looking good can mean extra cash in your bank account

November 2012

Dress Codes and Etiquette, Part 2: Diana Vreeland vs. Emily Post on Vulgarity

How much drama is too much? These two famous women, who wielded power over how we dress, could have debated the subject

October 23, 2012

Antonio’s World: The Life and Work of a Celebrated Fashion Illustrator

Antonio Lopez’s electrifying art defined the style of the times, 1960s-‘80s. Now, a gallery show and book call renewed attention to his accomplishments

October 2, 2012

Only in New York: The Lady in Lime Green

As models flaunt designer wear during fashion week, a subway rider imparts her own bold style

September 14, 2012

New York Fashion Week, Past and Present

Since the mid-1940s, models of perfection in designer clothes have graced Manhattan runways every autumn

September 7, 2012

Stocking Series, Part 1: Wartime Rationing and Nylon Riots

As hemlines rose, DuPont’s wonder fabric was a sensation among women. But during WWII, it was needed for parachutes

September 4, 2012

Top 10 Chanelisms: Coco’s Wise Words to Mark Her Birthday

Today the French fashion designer’s observations seem wise, clever or amusingly dated

August 20, 2012

Remembering Bloomingdale’s Chairman, the Dearly Departed Martin Traub, 1925-2012

The department store chain’s visionary executive beat the competition in exotic fashion flair

July 13, 2012

A Short Walking Tour of New York’s Lower East Side

Known as Klein Deutschland circa the 1860’s, the Lower East Side had the 5th largest German-speaking population among cities in the world at the time

July 11, 2012

Jaipur via The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

A delightful new film takes viewers to India’s picturesque western state of Rajasthan

June 7, 2012

It’s Always Springtime at the Flower Market

Exploring New York City’s mid-town bloom bazaar, a unusual burst of color and perfume amid the helter-skelter of the city

March 20, 2012

Christmas Shopping Around the World

There are valuable discoveries, but at a German Christmas market all I could find was Third World junk that only looks good if you drink a lot of gluhwein

December 21, 2011