Ordinary People

A small audience of no more than one-hundred sat rapt (and a little chilly) atop the Soho House to watch John Legend perform his hits last Tuesday night. Legend performed at the benefit for his charity - the Show Me Campaign. Legend and his team launched the Show Me Campaign in 2007 to bring an end to global poverty. So far the campaign has adopted a village in Tanzania called Mbola and is launching a school to school campaign to link students in New York with those in Mbola via internet. That is fabulous, especially for having been operational for two years.

I strutted up to the door of the Soho House sans invitation and informed the PR rep at the door that I was there for the event on the rooftop. Sometimes you have to get in gorilla style. Legend’s very pretty girlfriend was there along with Tiki Barber and MTV personality, Kuduz. John Varvatos was also on hand with his wife. Varvatos is auctioning off a personal shopping experience to benefit the Show Me Campaign. The lot is currently at $3,500. Fashion comes to the rescue as usual!

If you’re interested in bidding on the lot, follow the link:

https://auction01.charitybuzz.com/secure/viewItemDetail.do?auction_item_id=96005

Jay-Z has seen and done it all in his career. He’s gone from a drug dealer to arguably the greatest rapper alive, became a business mogul with restaurants, clothing and sneaker lines under his empire’s umbrella and snagged the hottest chick in the game to be his wife. What’s left for him to conquer now? I’d say nothing he’s already got a pretty amazing life, but there’s always a couple more dollars that you could be hustling so Jay’s next foray is into the fragrance industry.

Parlux, the company responsible for Jessica Simpson and Paris Hilton’s scents has confirmed that they will be producing scents inspired by Jay-Z and his proteges Kanye West and Rihanna. West and RiRi’s fragrances will be available in 2010 (hopefully this will be enough time for the heat from her public beating by Chris Brown to cool off) and Jay-Z’s will be launched in 2011. There is one additional female mystery artist from Mr. Carter’s camp who reportedly has a fragrance in the works. I wonder if it could be Beyonce? Fantastic Mr. Carter just please don’t start designing eyeglasses…I don’t think I trust your taste on that one.

Photo courtesy of Target

So Fashion Week is over and it is all a blur to me now. It’s surreal that any of it happened because it happened so fast! I’ll start with last Friday. My friend and I went to the McQ Market shopping preview event all the way downtown on Houston and West Street (aka the West Side Highway). Neither we nor the taxi driver knew that there was an actual “West Street” adding to the confusion when finding the place and to the cab fare itself. Once we got there we found a cavernous warehouse space, set up with shopping display areas enclosed by chain link fences and accented with graffiti to give the space a gritty London street market feel. Brit Punk band, The Duke Spirit, the inspiration for the collection, was playing. There were lots of celebrities and socialites there but I was too busy shopping to really photograph or talk to them (sorry). I scored the dress above, a black cotton jumpsuit and a black leather futuristic-style vest.

The sale opened to the public last Saturday and Sunday and the collection will be available at Target stores nationwide in early March. I just can’t believe this has been the first second I’ve had to write about it.

I’m not feeling this get-up. A maternity dashiki gown? Let’s not belabor the point but there are so many designers out there who would love to lend a beautiful dress to a Grammy performer, but M.I.A. chose this.

Actually it is. Next year’s MB Fashion Week will be held at Lincoln Center instead of Bryant Park. Tommy Hilfiger has shown his show there for the last few seasons, though he ironically is moving his show back to Bryant Park for the upcoming fashion week beginning next week. The park has apparently been disgruntled about the show’s crowds and the timing interrupting the ice skating rink and tourism to the Park in general. The Upper West Side is closer for me personally but I don’t know if they are ready for all the fashioniness of the fashion people in that, generally quiet, part of the city.

Getty Images

Ok. Just in case you did not know, Kanye West, ten time Grammy winner, has been interning in design at Louis Vuitton. You did read correctly - that’s interning. He wanted to take his lumps and learn to design menswear through serious dedicated apprenticeship which is commendable considering that the vast majority of pop-rock designers just throw their name on someone else’s work. I’m sure he didn’t get anyone coffee and at the end of the day he got into a minimum $200,000 car to go home unlike most normal people’s internship experience which usually includes coffee retrieval and a two hour schlep home on assorted modes of public transportation. His first creation, these ultra-sleek, apparently sci-fi inspired sneakers were designed by Ye to be lightweight, flexible and hot to his standard of hotness. The models wore them in the men’s show in Paris yesterday (again, the fastest ascent in fashion history). I like them but I love him so I’m biased. What do you think?

If you like the fashions that the First Lady and the magically delicious First Girls have been wearing throughout the campaign and the inauguration ceremonies, then you should make it out to J. Crew’s (apparently first) sample sale. This is going to be a good sale with items priced up to 70% off. They have quality Italian cashmere sweaters and other men’s and women’s winter styles. Madewell, the primarily denim offshoot and Crew Cuts, the children’s wear line will also be on sale. The sample sale started yesterday, but I’m sure that there are still lots of good things available as something slightly more important than a sale had our attention yesterday.

Getty Images

You may not have heard of Isabel Toledo before today but you’ll know her now that Michelle Obama wore an ensemble designed by Toledo for today’s inaugural ceremony. It is customary for First Ladies to wear American designers exclusively and Mrs. Obama is continuing this tradition.

Toledo and her husband, artist Ruben Toledo, are both Cuban Americans whose parents fled Cuba separately in the sixties. The two met while in high school in New Jersey. Isabel Toledo had no idea until Mrs. Obama turned up in the bright yellow, two piece outfit this morning, that she was the designer of the day. It just goes to show that you never know where your ideas will end up.

Rounding out the outfit, Mrs. Obama is wearing Jimmy Choo “Glacier” pumps.

Though I was born and raised in New York City, I have always been Parisian at heart. I harassed my mother until she signed me up for ballet classes and I promised to become a prima ballerina. I also read (really read) any Vogues that were left laying around my house and dreamed of opening my atelier in Paris using all of my Fashion Plates designs.

The Museum of the City of New York has the answer for longtime Francophiles such as myself. The exhibit will examine the cultural contributions of Coco Chanel, Salvador Dali, Josephine Baker and others. Read More

Just a heads up that Saks is having a ridiculous recession-spurned sale. If you’re a bride to be, this is the time to score that Monique Lhuillier, Reem Acra or dare I say - Vera Wang gown for up to 50% off. Wedding season is coming up and the economy’s downturn may be your come-up! Go see Bride Wars first so you’ll be prepared.

Now through January 20th. Saks is on 5th Avenue and 50th Street.

The holiday season is here and this time of year means time to make awkward conversation with the office accountant. Yes it’s time for holiday parties! It’s never just one party either. I always seem to get finagled into two or three dinners, lunches and cocktail parties. I have always lived impossibly far from my jobs so I’m never able to get home and change. That means that I’m coming straight from work and need a look that says meeting for daytime and mojito for night time. Depending on how casual your office is, you may wear jeans to work. In this case you can grab a pretty top, perhaps a blazer and change flats or boots to heels. Don’t forget accessories like a large statement necklace or dangly earrings. This is the time to go for those looks that are a little too out there for work but not too out there for mingling in an out of office setting. Be cognizant of showing too much cleavage though. You will still be with your collegues (or your friend’s or mate’s collegues). Read More

At noon yesterday Monica Botkier opened her first stand-alone store at 117 Mercer Street in Soho, as a monthlong pop-up shop featuring her line of bags and shoes. When you boil it down, this pop-up shop seems like nothing more than a glorified three-week sample sale…

From nymag.com

My friend, Jay over at Kibitz/HOMME, the men’s fashion and lifestyle blog, has put together a shopping guide written for men to help the giftably-challenged sex. He’s got some good stuff in there. Check it out and leave the page conspicuously open for the special man in your life…

What She Wants

There’s only 2 more weeks left for the pre-holiday shopping season and if you haven’t gotten anything for the woman of the house then you need to get on your job very quickly.  If there’s anything else I know besides fashion, its Women (trust me on this one, I know Women!).  When it comes to getting your lady a gift there are two important tips to remember:

1. Think about what you think she may want; not what you want her to have.  Sure she likes lingerie, but she can buy that for herself as a gift to you.

2. Quantity before Quality. Didn’t get this one?  Women love a diamond necklace and or earrings, but adore being showered with gifts.  Get her a bag full of the simple thing she likes along with that big gift you know she wanted.

From Kibitz/HOMME visit for the whole story.

BEBE $109

I’ve been watching a lot of Univision and Telemundo recently. The flat-screen in front of my favorite treadmill at the gym is dedicated to those channels and I have been using that time to catch up on my telenovelas. I absolutely love Spanish language tv! The characters are always caught up in some ridiculous totally implausible scheme. That is right up my alley because I love the ridiculousness of it all. I like to pretend that I’m on the show. I’m the daughter who has been away and comes back to ruin the family business, destroy the rival family or marry the heir to a fortune - actually they usually do all three and more on most of these shows. The best part of my telenovela heroin fantasies is the wardrobe that I would wear. I am always enraptured at these board meeting scenes where all of the female associates are wearing skin-tight tops, even tighter skirts and circulation cutting blazers. On what planet can you dress this way for work?

Read on for savings code…

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Diva-tastic pop singer Rihanna has partnered with Gucci to present the White Tattoo Heart collection. Ri-Ri was also on hand to light the UNICEF snowflake in Midtown in November. Gucci creative director Frida Giannini, has designed this exclusive accessories collection dedicated to the Gucci Campaign to Benefit UNICEF. The campaign takes place during the holiday season, the most benevolent time of the year, to achieve maximum sales for the benefit of UNICEF. Gucci stores worldwide and gucci.com will donate a percentage of sales from these products to the UNICEF partnership. The Gucci campaign has consistently supported UNICEF programs in Malawi and Mozambique, where over one million children have been orphaned by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

I’m pretty sure these items are not tax deductible, but at least you would know that a portion of the proceeds are going to help children.

Photo courtesy of WWD.

I’ve heard of recession-proofing, but this is a new one. The 1929, named for the Great Depression, is a temporary boutique at 174 Mott Street in Soho. The store features independent designer fashion and the basement of the shop is an art and performance space. The kitchy thing is that they serve soup and hot coffee to patrons and passersby for free. It may be a gimmick but a hot bowl of soup is a nice perk especially if you’ve been walking around in that area for a while. Two million holiday shoppers walking around two hundred year old cobblestone streets for two hours…you do the math.

The store opened on black Friday and will be open through next month.

Get out of bed already! There are some really good sample sales going on in the city today. Check out Mara Hoffman at the Denise Williamson Showroom for pretty contemporary dresses.

 12/5–12/6 Mara Hoffman (dresses are $100), Nili Lotan (jackets are $100), and FORM (cashmere cardigans are $325) are up to 70 percent off at the Denise Williamson sale. 119 Mercer St., nr. Prince St., Ste. 2S (212-226-5507); Fri. (8:30–7:30) and Sat. (11–6).

12/5 Nancy Cohen’s semi-precious jewelry usually runs for $195 to $600 at Bloomingdale’s, but now everything is up to 75 percent off. 55 Fifth Ave., nr. 12th St., Seventeenth fl. (212-741-5700); 10–2.

12/8–12/11 Alice + Olivia leather bombers are $239 (from $594), beaded party dresses are $189 (from $646), and skinny pants are $99 (from $242). 261 W. 36th St., nr Eighth Ave., second fl.; Mon. and Wed. (10–6), Tues. and Thurs. (10–7).

Check out nymag.com for the complete list.

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Remember back in 2001, every other person was carrying an otherwise perfectly good Speedy bag covered in graffiti? Brace yourself because neon graf is coming back to a Louis Vuitton handbag near you. In 2001, Marc Jacobs, creative director for Louis Vuitton, collaborated with Stephen Sprouse for the original line of tagged up luxe bags. Sprouse, the artist who assuredly never imagined that his early eighties punk rock inspired art would wind up on the arms of Upper East Side socialites, is the inspiration for this new collection, which will hit stores January 9th. Stephen Sprouse died in 2004 so he won’t be able to see this unfortunately, but his work will live on in knock-offs for years to come.

The folks at FashionIndie love a sample sale. It’s kind of like a modern day hunt, but instead of scouting our deer and buffalo you’re gunning down the perfect racer back top or mile-high stiletto. Oh the joy of the hunt.

What’s the deal with Beyonce’s new look? This Sasha Fierce character is a much edgier version of the cutesy pageant queen that Bey used to be. Recently she’s been dressed in (no she does not style herself) Alexander McQueen the king of Brit punk-rock fashion. In one of the pics above, Beyonce is wearing a motorcycle outfit once featured in a George Michael video. So apparently, she’s now a rock-and-rolla. Edgy is the new black for pop stars. Rihanna has also decided to ditch her fresh faced island-girl style in favor of an edgy look to much fanfare. When you turn on music tv these days everyone looks like they’re trying to be Gwen Stefani, who’s trying to be Madonna circa 1985, who was trying to knock Cyndi Lauper out of the box. All of these styles are cyclical but it disappoints me that there is no originality fashion these days. All of that said Beyonce is still beautiful and incredibly talented.

I have a dear friend who is obsessed with tiny cars. She drives a Toyota Yaris not really because of it’s fuel efficiency but because of it’s itsy-bitsy cutie-pie factor. At the time that she bought that car she was also very interested in the Mercedes Benz Smartcar Fortwo (even the name is extra cute). I have to think that my friend and girls like her are the intended targets for the new Hermes designed Smartcar. Obviously, the next logical step from wearing the classic it-bag is driving it. The Hermes designed Smartcar will come in ten colors including gold, indigo and of course the brand’s signature - look at me I’m rich - orange. The gear shifts and steering wheel are covered in luxe Hermes leather and you can choose those colors to. Hot pink and lime green are among the colors available for the interior. This car is priced at $48,000 which is quardruple the cost of a basic Smartcar which is priced at $12,000 but that’s apparently the price you pay for fuel efficient luxury. It is really cute though and you’ll save in gas so…there I go rationalizing again.

The Commes des Garcons line is in at H&M. The line debuted in Harajuku, Japan on November 8^th and then in 200 stores worldwide yesterday. There are eight stores in the US that will be carrying the Kei Kawakubo designed capsule collection. In Manhattan, only three H&M stores, 34^th and 7^th, 59^th and Lexington and the flagship 51^st and 5th will carry Commes des Garcons for H&M.

 Kawakubo created full men’s and women’s collections including accessories and a unisex fragrance. This is the first time that a fragrance has been created for an H&M collaboration.

People were lined up around the block before the store opened as is now customary when designer collections debut at H&M. The best one so far has been Stella McCartney if you ask me. Commes des Garcons is a very edgy line and I like that H&M is introducing their customers to international design and broadening their fashion scope. The women’s collection includes low-crotch (think Hammer-time) pants. I can see this blowing out of the store in Harajuku but fashion forward looks like these usually don’t translate very easily in the US. Apparently shoppers didn’t push each other and grab everything in sight the way they usually do at these launches. They ran in but did not totally get what they were looking at.

The dress above is priced at $349.

Out with the old and in with the new. That’s what’s going on at Target. Their contract with Isaac Mizrahi as the designer behind their anchor women’s wear line is expiring soon. In March the big box shop will roll out an ongoing program that will bring a series of established designers to the masses.  The next big name will be Alexander McQueen. The collaboration is geared toward, “Tend-minded guests who are always on the hunt for the newest and hottest looks at an affordable price,” said Trish Adams, senior vice president of Target. According to WWD, McQ Alexander McQueen for Target will feature lightweight sweaters, skinny jeans, bubble dresses, slim skirts and cuffed shorts. Signature pieces include a coated cotton poplin black trench, a rock ’n’ roll gray denim cropped studded jacket, a men’s wear-inspired tuxedo blazer and a color-blocked one-shoulder dress with bubble hem. It sounds edgy for Target but will probably translate well to customers who have Saks taste and a Target budget.

If you just can’t wait until next spring, Alexander McQueen just did a collection for Puma that’s in stores right now and just launched a fragrance called Kingdom. That McQueen gets around apparently.

Photo courtesy of WWD.

This is probably the first and last time that Tyra Banks will be receive an award at the same ceremony as Hillary Clinton. Last night’s Glamour Women of the Year Awards, honored the media mogul and the first woman to almost be President - for real. Nicole Kidman, Condoleeza Rice and Jane Goodall were also honored.

Banks basic black ensemble is Gucci and she wore Ferragmo heels. She recently said that she is attempting to go green and has started with recycled fashion. She admits that the majority of her wardrobe for her talk show now is vintage. New York Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, who presented an award last night, is reportedly a fan of America’s Next Top Model. Somehow that does not surprise me…

Our friends over at Second City Style put together a list of all of the best sample sales coming up. Just in time for Thanksgiving!

MINT by Jodi Arnold
Save up to 60%
November 11-14, Tuesday - Friday
9am - 6pm
230 W. 39th St. (bet. Seventh & Eight Aves.)

Lauren Moffatt
Dresses for $120, tops for $80 & coats for $200
November 11-13, Tuesday - Thursday
9am - 7:30pm
214 W. 29th St.(bet. Seventh & Eighth Aves.) Suite 1503

White + Warren
Sample sale prices on fall and holiday cashmere
November 12 & 13, Wednesday  &  Thursday
8am - 4pm
80 W. 40th St. (at Sixth Ave.) 3rd floor

Rebecca Taylor
Save up to 65% off
November 12 - 14, Wednesday - Friday
Wednesday 1pm - 8pm
Thursday & Friday 10am - 8pm
145 W. 18th St. (bet. Sixth & Seventh Aves.)

Ted Baker
Men’s and women’s wear drastically reduced
November 12-14, Wednesday - Friday
Wednesday & Thursday 11am - 7pm
Friday 9:30am - 2pm
215 Park Ave. S. (bet. 17th & 18th Sts.) 20th floor
Cash and checks only

For the complete list visit Second City Style via the link below.

http://secondcitystyle.typepad.com/second_city_style/2008/11/nyc-sample-sa-2.html

Here’s a great sale code for one of our favorites Funkylala.com!

Image courtesy of mkartcenter.org. Price Tag Dress, Artist Joey Azul

(Those backwards “s” shaped things in the title are question marks).

It doesn’t surprise me that Sarah Palin spent hundreds of thousands of the GOP’s hard earned money on clothing during the campaign. Fashion is not cheap! Looking at some of those price tags is not for the faint of heart. You may not understand why a dress would cost $1,000 or more but there are justifications for those costs. There are complicated factors that go into pricing garments such as cost of goods sold (COGS), development, merchandising, marketing and shipping costs. There’s also original markup – which corresponds with profit margin, original markdown which still corresponds with profit margin, gross margin, return on investment (ROI), stock turn, sell through…anybody still there? Exactly – nobody cares about those reasons! Just give me the dress already because it’s cute/I have the perfect shoes to go with it/it will make my boss wonder if I come from family money or if I’m being paid too much. The main reason that any of these designers charge the prices that they do has to do with the feeling that the buyer gets from having that item as a part of their wardrobe. That being said, it’s always great to catch a sale and get that must have for a price that won’t leave you homeless and wondering about your decision making capabilities.

Unfortunately, the economy is doing poorly right now and retailers across the world are filing for bankruptcy and closing their doors. The bright side is that a lot of retailers are slashing prices and starting holiday sales early to stay in the black. That’s good news for us!

 Neimanmarcus.com has been offering 40% off of new merchandise - which is altogether unheard of.

 Endless.com – the shoe meta-collection is offering 20% off the purchase of two pairs of boots and free shipping/return shipping.

 Kirnazabete.com, one of my favorites, has placed everything they have on sale. Be forewarned we are talking about some $2,000 Proenza Schouler, Lanvin and Nina Ricci dresses but there are also a lot of great pieces in the $200 and $300 price range so go ahead and check it out. Remember a $2,000 price tag never got in Sarah Palin’s way.

Courtesy of moodymamas.com

In an interesting turn of events, a man who may be best known for his use of the phrase “hot trannie mess,” has just launched a line of maternity wear called Fierce Mamas. That name is apropos for Christian Siriano, who actually vowed to cut back on using the word fierce so much. I doubt he’ll stop saying it though as fierce is like his hello. Siriano, the winner of Project Runway’s fourth season, debuted his collection in conjunction with the already popular maternity line, Moody Mamas. Tori Spelling and Jessica Alba are fans of the brand already.

Last Saturday night’s Front Row Fashion Show was an incredible event that paid tribute to fashion professionals and icons who have advanced and influenced style and paved the way for African Americans in the industry. Tamara Tunie, the actress of Law and Order: SVU, As the World Turns and 24 fame, was a stunning and captivating hostess for the award portion of the program.

Beverly Johnson scooped up a Fashion Icon Award and recounted landing the August 1974 cover of Vogue. She ran to the newsstand to buy it forgetting to grab her wallet. The newsstand guy made her put it back telling her, “If that was really you, you could afford that magazine.” Needless to say it was really her. She gave newsstand guy a ‘hi hater” type shout-out. Very cute!

Vanessa Williams, who plays the wicked Wilhelmina Slater on ABC’s Ugly Betty was on hand to present an award to Oscar James, celebrity hairstylist. She looked impeccable! It’s easy to forget that she has five or six children. She was really funny too. In addition to reading her speech from her Blackberry, she also listed the names of some of James’ other famous clients including Tyra Banks, Beyonce and Hallie Berry and said, “You know why none of those other chicks are here…because I’m his favorite!” I like her style (oh, and she didn’t use the word chick, btw).

Bethann Hardison, (Kadeem Hardison’s mother) legendary model agent presented a Fashion Icon Award to male model Tyson Beckford. He threw up the peace sign and shouted “respect” in thick Jamaican Patois. He accepted the award and spoke of showing up for go sees and being mistaken for a bike messenger repeatedly. He said, “Don’t ever let anyone tell you you have to go through the back door or convince you you’re just the messenger.” That’s pretty sage advice. Why do male models get such a bad rap? Is it because of Magnum?

Last night’s Third Thurgood Marshall College Fund Front Row Fashion Show and Award Presentation brought out the fashion elite while raising money for a great cause. The scholarship fund was established in memory of Thurgood Marshall, the first African American Supreme Court Justice, and benefits young academics. Among those honored were (the flawless, seriously, not one poe on her face) Beverly Johnson, one of the first African American supermodels. Tyson Beckford was also among those honored. Vanessa Williams presented an Award to her beloved hair stylist. Williams read her speech from her Blackberry and noted her desire to conserve paper. That’s right we can all make an effort to go green in our own way! I wonder if blackberry speech-reading will become a trend…

My sister brought up a good point to me the other day. Though the leaves are just beginning to fall and it is going to be cold sooner than you think, It’s a perfect opportunity to raid the sale rack and stock up for next spring and summer. We really need to shop like recessionistas right now. Shopgoldyn.com has discounted sale merchandise and additional 40% with the promotion code and shipping over $100 is free. This Development dress is really pretty and I’m a big fan of the Erica Davies line. Code ADD40

Development $119

It’s boot season! It is important to get your boot situation straightened out especially since we’re going into the cooler (to frigid) months that will last from now until late spring. Some people even wear boots in the summer, but that’s a trend I don’t get into. There are too many pretty sandals by then and I’m all about showing off the pedicure. Click on the pictures if you want more info on the boots!

The Shootie

This pump/bootlet hybrid may seem odd to look at at first, but shooties can look very sophisticated with tights and a pencil skirt or an A-line dress. Here’s a basic pair and a funkier, open toe option.

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 TG-170 is cleaning house to make room for new fall inventory. They’ve got discounts of up to 20 percent on dresses from Sari, Pepper and Pistol, and more, as well as accessories by Bing Bang and Greta Cavazzoni.
When: Daily (12–8).
Where: 170 Ludlow St., nr. Houston St. (212-995-8660).

Escada is hosting a sample sale, offering up to 85 percent off retail price on the Escada, Escada Sport, and accessories collections.
When: Through 10/5; Thurs.–Fri. (10–8), Sat.–Sun. (10–6)
Where: The Altman Building, 135 W. 18th St.

Sample Sales

Soho boutique Helen Wang is closing and discounting 50 to 80 percent off their line of flirty cocktail and black-tie dresses. Evening dresses are $450 down from $1,500, and cocktail dresses are now $200 from $500.
When: Today  11am–7pm

10/1–10/5 Check out the Privé sample sale for 35 to 80 percent off fall clothes from Vince, J Brand, James Perse, and 7 For All Mankind. Chelsea Market, 75 Ninth Ave., nr. 15th St.; 10:30–7

Through 9/30 10/10 Optics is taking an additional 50 percent off already-reduced eyewear from Lafont, Vera Wang, and Theo. 50 Madison Ave., at 26th St. (212-366-1010); Mon.–Fri. (10–7); Sun. (12–5:30)

Public School Fireside Jacket in Black $329

I went to private school on the Upper West Side (that makes me an elitist in case you didn’t know). We didn’t wear uniforms and we didn’t wear preppy clothes like the Fieldston or Brearley kids. At my school, we didn’t have a dress code, so we dressed casually. However, with the exception of a few, none of the guys really pulled off the effortless borderline tough-guy look of the public school kids.

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A GildedHanger.com member asked about the hair wraps and jewelry that Aubrey O’Day and other models were wearing at the Adrian & Nico show. Good question Val! So I did some research and I found out that the jewelry was provided by Jullaria.com. Jullaria, pronounced Juh-lah-ree-ahh, Is a line of unique handmade wrapped charm jewelry. All of the designs are hand-made with materials such as: Bohemian crystal stones, Swarovski components, top quality leather and specially designed elements.You can use each Jullaria piece as a bracelet, necklace, belt or even as a hair wrap. The best part is that the line was created by three friends one night over a bottle of red wine. I feel like that’s where a lot of great ideas begin, but I digress. 

Check out jullaria.com

Today is the first day so far that I have felt the need to wear a light jacket. It was 62 degrees this morning and I was chilly. A sweater just was not going to be get it for me so I went to the trusty trench coat. I have two trenches - one is black lambskin and I’ve had it for about ten years. It was my first big purchase in college. I bought that jacket on sale at BEBE for $199. I had to really wrestle with myself to decide to spend the money, but now I’m glad I did because it’s one of my favorite pieces. The other one, from Armani Exchange, is made of soft cotton twill and has a little cape-let on top and a full skirt effect on the bottom (I have referred to it as my Inspector Gadget jacket). That’s the one I grabbed today because I’m not ready to wear leather just yet. I’m still trying to make at least one more day at the beach - wishful thinking, I know.

Fortunately there are a lot of different shapes, fabrications, and price-points for trenches this season. This number from Danish designer, Malene Birger, is a shorter version of the traditional trench with some militaristic styling vis-a-vis the double-breasted button placket and the eppaulets on the shoulders. 

By Malene Birger Tarren Twill Trench Coat in Brown

$270 

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TWS is unloading a warehouse worth of premium label jeans from brands such as William Rast, True Religion and Adriano Goldshmied (a personal favorite) for up to 80% off. Apparently the deal is buy five items get the sixth free. This is right on time because I definitely need a new denim wardrobe.

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Fashion Week was fun! Back here in the real world though, some of us have to get dressed for work. Not work at a space hospital in the future (but thank you anyway Calvin Klein) I’m talking about work work. Work in an office with the creepy lady who sits near the copy machine and corners you to make inappropriate small talk (ignore her - she’s just lonely). One thing that takes my mind off of strange office scenarios is putting on a pulled together outfit in the morning and relishing my overall togetherness. It’s all about the little things - clearly.

This is a great early fall dress. It’s feminine without being too sexy. As the weather gets cool you can definitely do a pair of tights and a little sweater or blazer with it. I even like it with the high heeled maryjanes!

 


$210 at RevolveClothing.com click below to get it
Rebecca Taylor T-Shirt Dress in Periwinkle

 Nico & Adrian Runway Show

Now that’s talent! The designer makes a last-minute adjustment on the model. 

Feeling sick as a dog, as I did yesterday, I failed to report on the Adrian & Nico runway show at Eden Rooftop last Thursday. The design team, Adrian Alicea and Nicolas Uriqiza, are inspired by the “raw energy of the endless runway of the streets.” Their collections always reflect what kids are wearing on the street with a good dose of edgy ethnic references thrown in. The tribal makeup, spiked hairstyles and men in skintight briefs definitely gave everything a bahia beach feel, but the clothes were modern and wearable. Their muse (as every great collection begins with a muse) was Marjorie de Andrade. Aubrey from Danity Kane Diddy Bopped down the runway in a see-through, sea-blue gown. She looked great.

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Something Wearable on the Catwalk - Imagine That!

I’m a techie-girl. I’m not the most tech-ed out but I really do enjoy my gadgets. Vivienne Tam partnered up with Hewlett Packard to create the One, a digital clutch with her designer touch all over it. The One is designed to be a lightweight notebook for women on the go go go. Tam says, “The notebook is a true reflection of the needs of a modern woman who cares about fashion but is also passionate about her technology. I wanted to create a notebook that would appeal to women of all ages, ethnicities and income levels across the globe.”

The outer cover and the keyboard feature a pink peony design. The One will also come with a sleave that can be carried as a clutch. This whole thing makes me think of a group presentation that I did in high school (probably on the second day of the internet) where we asserted that in the future, fashion and technology would merge and that people would one day wear tiny computers. At the time we really didn’t have any evidence so we kind of made the presentation up but now I see that we were visionaries and the visions are becoming reality!

PS: We got an A on that presentation.

http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/next/archives/2008/09/hewlett-packard.html

What is a Bullseye Bodega? It is a popup Target store. Actually there will be four freestanding Bullseye Bodegas around New York open daily from 10am to 10pm starting this Friday, September 12 through September 15th from  daily. The limited time shops will offer designer fashion, accessories, beauty and home fashions from twenty-two designers including Anya Hindmarch, Sigerson Morrison and Jemma Kidd. I for one am extremely excited. I hear that nothing is priced over $25.

Locations:
Midtown:
101 57th Street at 6th

Union Square:
813 Broadway between 11th and 12th

SoHo:
489 Broome Street between Wooster
and West Broadway

West Broadway East Village:
325 Bowery at 2nd

For more info visit target.com/bullseyebodega

…Ever

$750 funkylala.com (You can see the front at the website.)

I think of Aurelio Costarella as the next big thing. Sort of like Marc Jacobs before he became Marc Jacobs. As the first individual Australian fashion designer to be listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, he put his native Western Australia on the map. Most of Costarella’s pieces are dresses with dramatic touches like very unique beadwork. He also places emphasis on detail and drape as well as extremely architectural corsetry in the garments. That is my protracted way of saying that this dress is sick and I’m glad it (finally) went on sale.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is here. How cute is this year’s theme: Vote Fashion? The Tents are very similar to the conventions. They’re both just big parties where people stand up in support of their favorite candidate/designer. There’s a lot more at stake at the Republican and Democratic conventions; however, someone dressed like this would never get in to either of those (please excuse the graniness of the photo - technical drama):

She was right at home last night at the Kati Stern - Venexiana show. When I got to the tents I headed straight to the MAC Cosmetics sponsored beverage station and ordered a cocktail. I told the bartender that the fashion people make me a bit nervous. He said, “You guys make me nervous too.” I had to laugh…

Final walk of the Venexiana models

True handbag lovers are  already aware of Rebecca Minkoff’s Morning after bag. The name Morning After  makes me feel like maybe you had one two many drinks and ended up camping out on your friend’s sofa instead of going home and checking out political recaps on CNN. In any event, you’re going to be late for work tomorrow. Thankfully you grabbed your toothbrush and other essentials before you left home and your friend is the same size as you so you can borrow a dress from her. Perhaps she should change the name from Morning After to The Bag That Kept Me From Getting Fired.

$572 shopgoldyn.com

Fall is here even though it’s about 90 degrees outside. It’s time to take out last year’s jackets and jeans and start making sense of what to keep and what to toss. However, there’s still time to make a few more days in warm weather clothes. Check out these sample sales and get a dress or two for Indian summer. You can also stock up for next spring and summer.

 Fashion Indie Week Brooklyn

Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge from the Manhattan side to the BK side I couldn’t help but looking down between the planks and seeing the waves breaking against the shore of the East River. I kept thinking about that scene in Saturday Night fever where Tony and the guys pretended to fall off the bridge. They of course popped up from a platform as though nothing happened.  I kept thinking that the only thing between me and the afterlife was the strength of the wooden plank walkway. Bicyclists were flying down the narrow bike lane in either direction and I started to wonder how safe it would really be to have a fashion show where the runway was the Brooklyn Bridge itself.

Tuesday’s No Sleep Till Brooklyn Fashion Show was the kickoff of Fashion Indie Week Brooklyn , a full eight day celebration of fashion and independence showcasing the designs of Alisha Trimble, Brooklyn Royalty, Love Brigade and several other independent Brooklyn based fashion designers. Amazingly no one wiped out and became fashion roadkill. Designer Sonali Singh of design house San & Soni kept a watchful eye on the models sporting her looks as they paraded up to the first pillar on the Brooklyn side of the bridge. When I asked her if she was excited she asked me if I was. True – as with all things fashion and all things New York – you have to play it cool. The knockout look was the sexy pink New York Couture look above.