West Village model Karen Rempel

West Village Model Karen Rempel in EAT's Tuxedo Dress

Kinky Kimono

Stop this day and night with me and you shall possess the origin of all poems… Do you recognize this geometric structure? I am sure every West Villager does—it is instantly recognizable! It is of course the New York City AIDS Memorial at Seventh Avenue and West 12th Street. Unveiled for World AIDS Day on December 1, […]

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West Village Model Karen Rempel in EAT Brocade Jacket

Wicked As It Seems

Keith was an awfully good sport about being comedic fodder for my Catch and Release foray into fiction. When I saw this exquisite jacket from Engineered by Andrea T, I immediately flashed on Keith Richards—he would totally wear this jacket! Check out the glimmer of chartreuse silk lining. Simply gorgeous! So I decided to design this month’s quirky […]

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West Village Model Karen Rempel flees the scene of the crime

C&R4: Christmas Date Part 1

George called me the other morning and said he had thought about me when he woke up. “You’re like a steel cube. You only do what you want to do.” I quite liked this image. “I think you should marry a rich man and bump him off.” Impressive—he’s really starting to get me! But his […]

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Flying to PIECES

I looked at dozens of apartments in the Village in 2017 when I was searching for my dream New York home. One of my favorite apartment viewing experiences was a co-op with loft bed that caught my eye on StreetEasy because it had a vintage chocolate poster on the living room wall. When I viewed […]

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West Village Model Karen Rempel - Karen's Quirky Style - Runaway Bride

C&R3: Ascending to Drink

George must have watched Marilyn Monroe in How to Marry a Millionaire a few too many times. He always wants to talk about why I’m still single and what type of man would be suitable for me. “You’re beautiful and smart. You should marry a millionaire.” I always say, “I’m waiting for you to ask me.” The […]

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Flintstone Wedding

An early casualty of the pandemic, Gato at 324 Lafayette Street closed in March 2020. Owner Bobby Flay said, “As of March 16th, I am closing my restaurant Gato because of the obvious and unprecedented circumstances threatening our world. I wish everyone well.” As businesses boarded their windows, artist Sino began painting murals of his mythical Frank Ape art […]

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West Village Model Karen Rempel - KQS - At Abbey Road Studio, London

C&R2: The Proposition

My publisher George thinks his dating stories are better than mine. “Men can roam more freely than women. I’ve been all over the world.” He told me he dated a French woman (in France), the heiress of a famous line of Armagnac. She lived in a castle, and sadly rejected his offer of marriage, which […]

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West Village Model Karen Rempel in Washington Square Park

Fierce Attitude

My love affair with New York began in Washington Square Park. I parachuted into the Washington Square Hotel on my first trip to New York in 2014, drawn by the fact that the Rolling Stones and both of the Dylans had stayed there. Within minutes of ditching my bags, I was walking past the park on my way to […]

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UN Gala Honoring Joe Biden - Karen's Quirky Style

Catch and Release

Dear Readers! This is the start of many fun stories about my dating adventures. It is a serialized account of why I prefer to “catch and release,” and I hope you’ll get a giggle. Many girls dream of their wedding day. Not me! I dreamed of twirling in glamorous gowns and going to glittering galas […]

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Karen's Quirky Style - Playing Dress Up by the Food Truck at Astor Place

The Tickle Trunk

When I was a little girl, I loved playing dress up. In Canada we had a show called Mr. Dressup that was on every weekday morning from the time my family got a television until the mid-90s. His puppet friends Casey and Finnegan were part of the fun, but the moment I liked best was […]

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West Village Model Karen Rempel Is Jumpin' for Joe - Karen's Quirky Style

Jumpin’ for Joe

I don’t know about you, but I’ve felt like flying since we got the news on November 7 that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have been elected the leaders of our country. The cheers, honks, and bells ringing through the streets of the Village made New York seem like herself again—electric and alive. And now […]

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Karen's Quirky Style - KQS Nov - West Villager Model Karen Rempel in Chains

Macker Wacker

This column is for all of you who have a favorite old sweater that you want to hang onto, even though your main squeeze pressures you to get rid of it and has tried three times to donate it to Goodwill. This quirky look is a real mash-up of styles and periods, but my vintage […]

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Karen's Quirky Style - West Village Model Karen Rempel wearing Dominion Day dress

Dominion Day

Mask and dress art by Engineered by Andrea T. Photograph by Philip Maier. A while ago I told you about a stop-you-in-your-tracks dress by Engineered by Andrea T, based on a painting called Dominion Day by James Kerr. Recently when Andrea told me she was making couture face masks, I immediately asked her if she […]

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West Village Model Karen Rempel and Fearless Girl Statue - Karen's Quirky Style

Fearless from EAT to ERA

West Village model Karen Rempel in bespoke dress and mask by Engineered by Andrea T. Fearless Girl also wears mask with bow by EAT. Photo by Tess Malone. You might wonder how a simple dress relates to women’s empowerment. This month’s photo series is an all-woman effort, featuring this stunningly simple bespoke dress by Engineered […]

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Karen's Quirky Style - Engineered by Andrea T "Dominion Day" dress and painting

EAT Dominion Day

Engineered by Andrea T is the design studio of transformation artist Andrea Thurlow, a designer and bespoke tailor with a flair for the dramatic. She creates striking evening wear, day wear, and Broadway costumes with a personal aesthetic using top-quality natural fabrics and an engineer’s precision methodology. My favorite piece by Andrea T is a […]

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Karen Yvonne Rempel New York fashion model Karen's Quirky Style

From Apfel to Zorzan

A killer look often starts with one piece to build on. I put this style together around these luscious cherry wine trousers, which I found for a luxe change-of-season steal at Tiziano Zorzan on 8th Avenue. Tiziano has 3 locations in the West Village, where you can find exclusive capsule collections designed and made in […]

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Karen's Quirky Style - West Village Model Karen Rempel drapes New York City for virtual Met Gala

Wearing My City

The First Monday in May Everyone who loves fashion knows that The First Monday in May is the highlight of the year, when the glitterati put on their most fantabulous creations and head up the red carpeted steps into the Met. (Check out the wonderful film Ocean’s 8—which premiered at Alice Tully Hall in 2018—to […]

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Karen's Quirky Style - West Village Model Karen Rempel incognito

Corona Couture

In these days of social distancing, I couldn’t get my dear friend Dusty to take my picture. So this month’s column is my first selfie, taken using a mirrored elevator. And of course with all clothing stores closed, I needed to call on the contents of my fab four closets to put together my Corona […]

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West Village model Karen Rempel

Billy Goat on Bleecker

Dear reader, I hope that you and your loved ones (both skinny and furry) are home safe, and enjoying some close time together, catching up on some of those things you’ve been meaning to do. This home time is a time for reflection, and a pause to look at the changes in NYC. This is […]

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Karen's Quirky Style - March 2020 - West Village Model Karen Rempel in Black Forest Hoodie

PVC Velvet Mash-Up

This month’s look is a mixture of old and new, with contrasting textures and colors. The centerpiece is the striking, shiny black PVC pants by Andrea Thurlow of Engineered by Andrea T. I love their sleek edginess. The next step in putting this outfit together was to hunt through my closets for the perfect shoes […]

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Karen's Quirky Style - West Village model Karen Rempel on Bleecker Street in electric red and violet dress by Engineered by Andrea T. Photograph by Norberto Bana.

Electric Reds Beat Winter Blues

With spring still a distant wisp of hope, bright colors can help us bridge the gap in the dead of winter. What a great opportunity to wear this delicious electric-toned dress by Andrea Thurlow of Engineered by Andrea T. Notched cap sleeves and slim pencil skirt bring a hint of Forties elegance to Andrea’s modern […]

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Karen's Quirky Style - B-Word - 2019 headshot

The B-Word

A friend recently told me about a new book by Sofia Din MD, Do We Really Need Botox? Handbook of Anti-Aging. I read the book, and I am flummoxed about what to tell you. The book offers overviews of various “anti-aging” options, including eating right and exercising. But the premise itself is questionable to me. […]

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Karen's Quirky Style - West Village Model Karen Rempel on Hudson Street, West Village

Jimi Meets Joni

You might not recognize me this month with my new hair color. Even though the color has changed with each month of this column, this time it is a real surprise. Brunette! When she first saw it, my friend Rhonda at LifeThyme said, “Karen, what happened, your hair is normal!” She was shocked. The brunette […]

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Karen's Quirky Style - West Village Model Karen Rempel on Sixth Avenue

Sandwiched!

My first commercial print modeling gig has born fruit on Sixth Avenue on the Juice and Joy sandwich board! Lots of friends have mentioned seeing me on the TV screen inside the cozy juice bar on Sixth. Now I’m out on the sidewalk as well. Minor fame in the West Village! Many thanks to Mo […]

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West Village Model Karen Rempel - Karen's Quirky Style - Alexis Bittar Jewelry

Karen’s Kinky Christmas

Having trouble getting in the spirit this holiday season? I hope that Karen’s Kinky Christmas outfit, complete with Grinch-green wig, will put you in the mood for some holiday hijinks. Come on, tell Karen, have you been naughty or nice? I have a holiday gift for you if you can guess what I am holding […]

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Karen's Quirky Style - Post-Mortem of Vogue Cover Shoot

Post-Mortem Vogue

The dearly awaited December issue of Vogue came out, and there was Phoebe Waller-Bridge on the cover. OMG, this was the issue I might be in! Even though, as I wrote previously, it seemed chances were very slim that I was in the shot, HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL. When my friend Simitra sent me a text […]

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Karen's Quirky Style - Anna Wintour's Master Class inspires West Village model Karen Rempel

Master Class – Anna Wintour! Lessons Learned…

So inspiring! I just finished Anna Wintour’s Master Class on Creativity and Leadership, and my heart is bursting with creative ideas. There were so many inspiring photographs of fantastical scenes in the class, and style tableaux that my eyes literally wanted to drink up. So many details—such richness and beauty—that I wanted to keep looking […]

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Karen's Quirky Style - West Village Model Karen Rempel transformed into Kris Jenner

New Face – Kris J!

I never thought I would be the mother of a gorgeous group of Kardashian stunners! But last week I got an email asking if I was available to do a shoot with The Face magazine. Of course I said yes, and a couple of days later, there I was on a set in mid-town. You […]

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Karen's Quirky Style - West Village Model Karen Rempel's singing debut in Bowie blue suit

Quirky Singing in 70’s Style

You might have guessed based on my personality and love of unique expression that I am a big fan of David Bowie. He’s definitely an influencer on my quirky style. I’ve previously mentioned conducting the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra dressed as Bowie. You may not know that I also ran the New York Marathon dressed as […]

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Karen's Quirky Style - West Village Model - Simrita Dhillon and Karen Rempel in the shot that never was

Inside the Vogue Cover Shoot

The Shot That Never Was… Being Discovered… It was like a fairytale. I was walking up 6th Avenue after Barre3 class, a bag of groceries slung over my shoulder, on my way to meet my friend Robin Hirsch for a glass of wine at Spain Restaurant on W. 13th Street. It was raining fairly heavily, […]

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West Village New York Model Karen Rempel on Bleecker Street - Dress by Engineered by Andrea T

Bleecker Runway Show

I had a fantasy dream come true on a recent Sunday, modeling couture designer Engineered by Andrea T’s gorgeous creations on Bleecker Street. Which is your favorite? Red dress with purple accents – eye-popping color! Mod winter-white dress with “grass” vinyl print on hem and straight black stripe down the front center line Garnet red […]

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Karen's Quirky Style - Pierre Cardin Red and White Parabolas

Pierre Cardin Futures

I saw the Pierre Cardin Future Fashion exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum, and loved his fascinating future-forward clothes.   Cocktails at the Norm The exhibit was very dimly lit, to protect the fabric, so unfortunately these photos are all somewhat dark. Anyway, I thought it was worth the trip to Brooklyn, because it’s a fun […]

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Karen's Quirky Style - New York Model Karen Rempel at Pace Opening

Pounced at Pace

I attended the opening of the new Pace Gallery in Chelsea this week, and had a great time checking out the 7 floors, including outdoor terrace with great views of Chelsea and downtown Manhattan. The event was covered in the New York Social Diary, in a fantastic article by Jill Krementz. Patron of the arts […]

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Karen's Quirky Style - Everett Raymond Kinstler portrait of Linda Zagaria

Hats On to Linda Zagaria

With her dark hair curving against her alabaster cheek in a 1920s bob, and her signature hat, Linda Zagaria is instantly recognizable. Influenced by the stars of the silver screen, her elegant dresses and constant pearls evoke the era between the wars. Her passion for the Art Deco period led her to assume the role […]

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Karen's Quirky Style - Diana Broussard - West Village Style New York

Diana Broussard’s Genius Designs

Diana Broussard is a creative force of nature. She’s a true pioneer in fashion design, from Calvin Klein’s eponymous underwear for women to the latest in wearable tech—exclusive, sleek handbags with customizable video displays. She has worked with some of the biggest names in the business, including Dior and Gucci, and started her own line […]

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Karen's Quirky Style - Proud as a Peacock in Quirky Colors

Quirky Color – Peacock Pride

Karen’s Quirky Style is all about expressing our inner joie de vivre through color and fun combinations of clothing and accessories from different sources and time periods. I love walking down the street and seeing people’s faces light up with delight at the unexpected sight before their eyes. (Namely, moi. Haha.) The outfit I’m wearing […]

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Karen's Quirky Style - Camp at the Met - Fashion Mashup New York Style

Outrageous Camp at the Met

The Met has a new exhibit in The Costume Institute‘s “Fashion Wing,” called Camp: Notes on Fashion. The above was my favorite quirky look in the exhibit. I like the mashup of elements: Mannequin holding baby Mannequin wearing glasses Plastic rainhat Chiffon ballgown with yellow birds on it

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Balmain dress on Rue St. Fauborg-Honore - Karen's Quirky Style

Favorite Paris Dress

Check out this stunning dress at Balmain on Rue Saint-Honoré. The pleats and folds in this ivory satin asymmetrical number are exquisite. That’s me in the mirror in a magenta raincoat and fantastic pink satin sneakers by Diana Broussard. (A French designer in New York.) Style Notes My colorful tote is by Tiziano Zorzan, an […]

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Karen's Quirky Style - Chanel display window in Paris

Chanel Bites

So exciting to see the Chanel shop in Paris. You know I love quirky style, but this look says Chanel is past it. That white dress under the classic Chanel suit is ugly, I’m sorry! Adding expensive accessories doesn’t redeem the ugliness. IMHO. But the make-up “glasses” on the mannequin is a cool touch… How did […]

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New York Fashion Model Karen Yvonne Rempel on Karen's Quirky Style uses KQS Purse Pals

Style Notes: Mini Handbags

Everything old is new again, but the newest introduced at Paris Fashion Week this year is Le Petit Chiquito by French designer Simon Porte Jacquemus. It’s beyond the tiniest handbag you’ve ever seen, with room for ONE of these items: a single mint or piece of gum a housekey a folded-up twenty for cabfare Now […]

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New York Model Karen Rempel - Karen's Quirky Style - Dominion Day Dress 2 by Engineered by Andrea T

Rubies on Bleecker

Fall is in the air—my favorite time of year. What a great opportunity to wear this delicious jewel-toned dress by Andrea Thurlow of Engineered by Andrea T. You may recall the story about the “Dominion Day” dress in the July issue of WestView. Andrea made this dress using extra yardage of the “Dominion Day” custom […]

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West Village Model Karen Rempel with Fuschia and Turquoise Hair

Ballgowns in the West Village

The drag queens and fashionistas in the West Village will laugh when you hear about my awkwardness with ballgowns. I may have worn a ballgown when I was seven years old and playing dress-up with my neighbor friend’s lovely box of treasures. Certainly I dressed my Barbie in lovely floor-length gowns when I was a […]

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Stylin’ with Statues

This guy is carrying the opposite of a mini handbag! Hobo pants and carpetbag evoke an early quirky era. But is that a Patek Phillipe watch? Quirk-o-rama! Photo by Rosanna Magarelli. On location in Geneva with my gal pal Rosanna, we are staying at Hotel N’vy, which is stuffed with quirky artwork from European and […]

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West Village Model Karen Rempel on swing at Bleecker playground

Swinging in a Vintage Garden Dress

Confession time. I’m a shoe fanatic! I have a friend who decides what she’s going to wear on a given day based on which pieces in her remarkable jewelry collection she feels like displaying. For me, it’s all about the shoes. I will often pull together an outfit based on which of my dearest pair […]

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KQS - West Village Model Karen Rempel in award-winning photo Playing Statues on Bleecker by Dusty Berke - square

OM OMG Bill Blass

For me, having fun with fashion is about finding pieces I love at the most unexpected moments, and then combining them with old favorites to come up with an entirely new, unique look. I call this “Karen’s Quirky Style”: You won’t find these ensembles in Vogue They don’t cost a mint No one else wears […]

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Karen Yvonne Rempel New York fashion model Karen's Quirky Style

Leopards a Leaping

The National Arts Club celebrated Jo Weldon’s new book, Fierce: The History of Leopard Print, in March, with a leopard-spotted event that had stylish New Yorkers turning out in truck-loads of faux pelts adorning every imaginable garment from boots to hats. Touted as a “neutral,” leopard prints might have been invented as nature’s camo, but […]

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New York fashion model Karen Yvonne Rempel with actress Bettina Schwabe at VNYL night club in the East Village

Party at VNYL – Bowie Earrings!

I met actress Bettina Schwabe at a party for an investor club at VNYL in the East Village. She asked me where I got my jewelry, so I’m dishing a few secrets here to share with you… Style Tip Style doesn’t have to be expensive. One of the signatures of Karen’s Quirky Style is to […]

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Karen Yvonne Rempel New York fashion model at VNYL in the East Village

Quirky Style at VNYL Party

I saw Advanced Style at the Vancouver International Film Festival in 2014, right before my first trip to New York, and writer Ari and writer-director Lina were there to talk to the audience. All the women in the audience showed up wearing their couture and outlandish rigs, and it was a celebration of our unique […]

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