i-con-ic [ahy-kon-ik]
adj
1. relating to, resembling, or having the character of an icon
2. having a fixed conventional style

i-con [ahy-kon]
noun
1. a sign or representation that stands for it's object by virtue of a resemblance or analogy to it.

The Closer -- an iconic cable television show nothing like it on TV. Premiered in 2005. Unique characters, tantalizing words, iconic looks.

Brenda Leigh Johnson -- wears Irene suits, flirty, floral skirts, cashmere twin sets, classic dresses. Tonight in "Fresh Pursuit," Brenda was ready for her court appearance in a 1960s ink blue linen Irene jacket that had an asymmetrical lapel accented by 3 gold buttons in the front AND back. She wore a gorgeous double faced wool ink blue sleeveless Michael Kors dress with the "signature" BLJ flirty skirt.

Pope -- all puffed up and self righteous in his Police Chief uniform.

Fritz -- FBI uniform of Brooks Brothers, head to toe.

Gabriel -- fashionable in a tone-on-tone elegance with solid ties that compliment colors that Brenda wears.

Rader -- Armani pants suits, separates and Monolo Blahnik pumps.

Taylor -- tailored suits with pop of color shirts and "Johnny Cochran" ties.

Provenza -- as much as he'd hate to admit it -- grandpa chic, tweed sport coats and ties that the grand kids gave him for birthdays and Christmas.

Flynn -- immaculately tailored 3 piece suits, sherbet colored shirts and flashy ties.

Tao -- a symphony of plaids, checks and stripes all worn at once. Geek chic.

Sanchez -- earth tones that echo his street roots.

Buzz -- a different style or look every season...but always goes back to Banana Republic shirts, pants and sweaters and Ted Baker suits, like this episode.

Gavin -- Label whore. Designer suits, like Tom Ford, Gucci and Brioni. Charvet shirts and ties. Expensive watches. A closet full of eye glasses. Heirloom stick pins and brooches. Diamond rings. Tonight's lapel pin was understated and respectful of the Court. I found it at Memory Lanes Antique Mall, it was a gold disc with "We the People" engraved on it and profiles of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Goldman -- Off the rack suits. Contrast collared shirts with striped bodies and always always a polka dot necktie.

Michael M. Robin -- the second half of Shephard-Robin, our esteemed director of "Fresh Pursuit," a man of strong principals and loyalties and a man whose word is platinum. Wears short sleeved plaid shirts.

Greg LaVoi -- designer. Signature hats and vintage Ray-Ban glasses. D.I.B.=Designer In Black.

With just these few simple words all of the above are Icons in the world of The Closer.

This past weekend was the tenth anniversary of September 11, 2001. An iconic time in the history of the USA. A friend, Rene' Dashiell, who I worked with many years ago in low budget features, recently mourned the loss of her father. With her permission I am offering these rules to live by and embrace for a life well lived, that her father taught her, but with some paraphrasing and additions by yours truly.

1. Say what you mean and mean what you say.
2. Do you have enough for today?
3. Be yourself. It's okay to be different. It's okay to be eccentric.
4. It's okay to fail, just don't give up.
5. If you're wrong it's okay to apologize and don't ruin that apology with B.S. excuses.
6. It is absolutely essential that you own your dream vehicle, at least once, and enjoy the hell out of it.
7. It's really okay to be flat out broke.
8. It's okay to lose your way from time to time.
9. Have a cool pet...dog, cat, bird, fish or dragon...
10. Love and be loved unconditionally. To have that in one's life is the most valuable thing. Friends really are family, don't "need" anything from them just have and be a good, honest, loyal friend.

And with these definitions of our Closer family and a friend's dad's bit o' wisdom, I bid goodbye till December when The Closer and Fashion File are back.