NBC made her a “Fashion Star” and now designer and mentor, Nicole Richie, will have the opportunity to design a capsule collection for Macy’s.  Launching in 100 Macy’s stores and on macys.com in September, the collection will be a continuation of the designer capsule series for the retailer’s contemporary fashion Impulse department. “Nicole Richie for Impulse only at Macy’s” will feature exclusive, limited-edition apparel inspired by Richie’s trendsetting personal style, including 1970s influenced silhouettes, prints and fabrications. Richie’s covetable designs for Macy’s will infuse fluid garments with bohemian glamour, offering fashion-forward looks at an affordable price.

“Macy’s is the epitome of American fashion,” said Nicole Richie. “Their iconic stamp on the world of retail has not only touched the lives of consumers, but has also become a significant part of pop culture. I am thrilled to have this opportunity to work with Macy’s and create a collection that channels the individual artist in all of us.”

The Nicole Richie capsule will pay homage to the fashion icon’s lux bohemian style with looks that easily transition from day to night. From maxis and asymmetrical skirts, to cropped tops and fitted jackets, this collection offers a well-rounded assortment of silhouettes that play to her mood. Retro prints take center stage in the form of bold peacock kaleidoscope, feather and deco chevron, while matte satin, velvet and chiffon fabrications add sophistication. Jewel tones anchor the color palette, while complementary gold and imperial blue hues create pops of color throughout. Ranging in price from approximately $49 – $149, “Nicole Richie for Impulse only at Macy’s” is made for the fashion- and budget-conscious woman who is looking for styles that are individualistic and sophisticated.

“We are extremely excited to have Nicole Richie design the next capsule for our Impulse designer series,” said Jeff Gennette, Macy’s chief merchandising officer. “Not only is she on everyone’s best dressed list, but her talent for fashion and design, as well as her charismatic persona resonate with our Impulse customer.”

Richie’s personal style has become popular among fans and fashion critics and has led to her status as a fashion impresario and icon. In February 2010, Richie expanded her fashion business with a women’s line called Winter Kate, her daughter’s two middle names. The collection was inspired by timeless prints and shapes, beautiful paisley and florals. In 2010, she won “Entrepreneur of the Year” for her House of Harlow 1960 brand at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards. House of Harlow 1960 was also nominated in the category “Celebrity Fashion Line” at the 2010 Teen Choice Awards. In July 2011, it was announced that Richie would be one of the three mentors in NBC’s hit reality show “Fashion Star.”

Photo: Courtesy of Macy’s

What began 40 years ago with a collection of ties has grown into an entire world, redefining American style. Ralph Lauren has always stood for providing quality products, creating worlds and inviting people to take part in our dream. We were the innovators of lifestyle advertisements that tell a story and the first to create stores that encourage customers to participate in that lifestyle.

RalphLauren.com takes this participation to a new level as a rich and exciting interactive destination. When you’re transported into the world of Ralph Lauren online, you can shop for great products for yourself and your home, learn about adventure, style and culture in RL Magazine and on RL TV, find one-of-a-kind vintage pieces and exquisite gifts and much, much more.

Ralph Lauren is hosting a private sale starting today and ending this Monday, May 7th! Save up to 40% off your favorite merchandise! PLUS, if you enter code MAYPS12 at checkout you will receive an ADDITIONAL 15% OFF your order!!

THAT’S NOT ALL: Rugby.com is ALSO having an exclusive Insider Sale now through Wednesday, May 9th! Save up to 40% on select items!  Just click and shop.

Ralph Lauren is more than a brand, it is a lifestyle so visit now and get your shop on.

Macy’s Friends and Family sale runs from Wednesday, April 24th through Monday, April 30th.  Macy’s is offering shoppers up to 25% OFF regular, sale and clearance items both online and in-store.  To shop online at macys.com enter code FRIEND at checkout.  Macy’s offers Free Shipping on all orders of $99.00+.

Prefer to shop in-store? Print the savings pass and present to cashier.

TO GET EXTRA SAVINGS: Place qualifying items in your shopping bag; then enter promo code FRIEND in the box labeled “HAVE A PROMO CODE?” and click “APPLY.” You can enter the promo code in your shopping bag at any time. Only one promo code may be used per transaction. EXTRA 25% OFF reg., sale and clearance prices, with exclusions listed. EXTRA 10% OFF electrics, electronics, lighting, furniture, mattresses & rugs, with exclusions listed. EXCLUDES: Coach (online only), Le Creuset (online only), TAG Heuer, Tempur-Pedic mattresses, baby gear, kids’ shoes, cosmetics, fragrances and toys. Not valid with other passes or discount offers. Not valid on Everyday Values, Gift Cards, Gift Certificates, prior purchases or gift wrap. Friends & Family discount code valid online April 24-April 30, 2012; online & in-store April 25-April 30, 2012.

Be sure to check out the contemporary designers in the Impulse Shop for the latest trends.  That’s the Magic of Macy’s.

Saks Fifth Avenue is kicking off it’s Friends and Family sale. Take 20% off online at saks.com from April 23rd through April 29th by entering promo code FRIENDS at checkout.  Spend $200 or more and get Free Shipping.  Just enter promo code: SFA2012 at checkout.

In store savings start on April 25th.  Save 15% on jewelry.  Cosmetics and fragrances are excluded from the sale.

Here is the complete breakdown of exclusions:

*Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH stores, SAKS FASHIONFIX merchandise, Fashion Star® merchandise, international orders and beauty and fragrance not included. Offer valid on Saks.com purchases from Monday, April 23, 2012 at 12:01 AM (ET) through Sunday, April 29, 2012 at 11:59 PM (ET). Offer valid at Saks Fifth Avenue stores and catalog purchases from Wednesday, April 25, 2012 to Sunday, April 29, 2012. To redeem online enter promotional code: FRIENDS at checkout. Limit of five promo codes per order. Qualifying items will be designated on the site with an indication on their product page. Valid on shipments to US addresses only. Not valid on international shipments. Excluded from this event is pre-order merchandise at Saks.com, select designer collections, select leased departments, bridal salon, bridal sample sale, Martin Lawrence Art Gallery, The Fur Salon, select fine jewelry and watch collections and jewelry and watch repairs. Discount may vary on Saks.com, in-store and catalog purchases. Cannot be combined with any other coupon in store, locator transactions, redeemed for cash or used toward payment on Saks Fifth Avenue credit card accounts. To receive this discount in-store, the invitation must be presented at point of sale each time a purchase is made. Not valid on previous purchases, shipping charges, gift card purchases, taxes, gift wrap, store restaurants and salons. Saks Fifth Avenue reserves the right to limit quantities. The Shops at Riverside and Tulsa stores are closed Sundays. All Saks Incorporated associates and those shopping on Saks accounts earning a discount are not eligible. No adjustments to prior purchases.

To shop at any Saks location print the savings pass above and present in store.

Enjoy savings on some of the top designers and if you are in NYC stop in to visit the only shoe department that has it’s own zip code!!

On Wednesday, April 11th Hollie sung Perfect by Pink.  The judges did not feel her performance was “perfect” but she was praised for her style on stage.  For her performance Hollie wore a white lace sheer illusion short dress with a feathered skirt by Jovani.  She added a bracelet by PRB Private Collection, earrings by Bebe and shoes by Steve Madden.

To watch Hollie’s performance on the top 7 show visit americanidol.com

What did you think of Hollie’s look this week?  Follow Hollie’s tweets @CavanaghAI11.

Photos: American Idol

Lord & Taylor is hosting their Friends and Family sale both online and in-store. The sale runs from Saturday, April 14th through Sunday, April 22nd.

Receive 25% OFF  regular & sale when you use promo code: FRIENDS at checkout. All orders of $99.00+ get Free Shipping or get free two day shipping by signing up for a free 30 day trial with ShopRunner.  Beauty and fragrance purchases are shipped free when you spend $49.00.

The discount is 10% OFF Cosmetics, Fragrances, Beauty Accessories, and Home Electrics/Electronics.

The following exclusions apply to this offer:

REGULAR AND SALE PRICE ITEMS FROM Allen Edmonds, Aquatalia, Coach, Ecco, Dyson, Frye FitFlop, Herve Leger, Hunter, Longines, Jeffrey Campbell, Johnston & Murphy, Marc by Marc Jacobs shoes, Merrell, Movado, Nicole Miller Bridal, Stuart Weitzman, Tag Heuer, Tumi & Ugg; men’s Cole Haan shoes, men’s Lacoste shoes. Smart Value items; diamond solitaire rings and special event promotions in Fine Jewelry; charity-related merchandise & gift cards. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Bonus savings % applied to reduced prices.

To shop online visit Lord&Taylor.com.  To shop in-store print the Savings Pass or go green and have the savings pass sent to your phone by texting SALE to 95555.

Happy Shopping!!  Happy Savings to my Friends and Family.

Gossip Girl costume designer and Emmy award winner Eric Daman is a significant fashion stylist whose influence in fashion is undeniable.

Daman was born in Paris, grew up in Michigan, and went on to study French literature at the Sorbonne.  While in Paris he met famed editorial Photographer Steven Meisel.

Daman made his transition out of modelling after moving to the United States and taking a job as an assistant to Patricia Field on three series of ‘Sex and the City.

Eric has also published a ‘Style Guide’ named ‘You Know You Want It’ earning him a reputation as a trend setter. His influence in fashion has lead to designing party dress collections for Charlotte Russe, a menswear collaboration with Macys and most recently a capsule collection of tights for DKNY leg wear.

In designing a luxury accessories collection for Atelier Swarovski’s Spring Summer 2012 range, Eric Daman’s ‘Native Modern’ collection fuses an ancient theme with the pioneering spirit of Swarovski. The latest Swarovski crystal mosaic and ceramic are combined with American Indian aesthetics. The show-stopping jewelry line creates impact through use of bright hues and textural diversity finished with antique detailing on the metalwork which adds to the tribal feel.

“I was very inspired by the mosaic and ceramic stones in Swarovski’s newest collection. They felt so modern and a very fresh take on the crystals we are so used to seeing. Swarovski is such a pioneer and so iconic that I really wanted to represent the brand as such with my designs. Fusing the new technology with an ancient native influence seemed like the perfect combination. The rich turquoise and opals of their new stones combined with the brilliance of deep Indian reds and yellows punctuated by Aurora Borealis crystals really brought the designs to life and stay true to my original native meets modern inspiration“, he stated.

To shop the collection visit Atelier Swarovski

Photos: Atelier Swarowski

XOXO

Sephora is celebrating the launch of a new revamped website.  To help celebrate they are offering Beauty Insiders 15% OFF your purchases both online and in-store. Just in time for Spring stock up on some of the hot new colors in makeup including the limited collection in Pantone’s hot color trend Tangerine Tango.

The new site includes an advanced product finder to check inventory supplies before heading out to store, advice on demand, news, trends and plenty of how-to videos.

To shop Sephora.com and get the 15% discount simply use code CHIC at checkout. All orders over $50.00 include Free Shipping.  Shop now as this offer expires on April 5th.

Bloomingdale’s Friends and Family sale has launched online today with 20% off and begins in-store on Wednesday, March 28th.  If you want to avoid the long lines Pre-Sale has begun in the stores.  You can shop today and just return anytime between March 28th and April 1st to just grab your pre-paid merchandise and be on your way.

There are exclusions so ask a Sales Associate to be sure your picks qualify for the 20% off.  Bloomingdale’s is also offering Free Shipping on all orders of $150.00+ and $50+ on beauty orders.

Here is the breakdown:

Take 20% off almost all regular- and sale-priced purchases from Women, Men, Kids, and Home. Take 10% off almost all regular- and sale-priced purchases from Small Electrics and Men’s Electronics. Offer valid online March 26, 2012 through April 1, 2012. Offer valid in store March 28, 2012 through April 1, 2012. Offer valid at the Bergen County Bloomingdale’s Store March 28, 2012 through March 31, 2012. Offer excludes merchandise from Women: Agent Provocateur, Chanel, Marc Jacobs Collection, Moncler, Ralph Lauren Collection, online only: The North Face®, Nike. Men: Burberry Prorsum, Canada Goose, Etro, Moncler, Ovadia & Sons, Polo Black Label, Polo Black Label Denim, PS Paul Smith, Turnbull & Asser, UGG® Australia, Villebrequin, Z Zegna, Zegna Sport, online only: The North Face®, Nike. Shoes: Chanel, Christian Dior, Fendi, Jimmy Choo, Miu Miu, Prada, UGG® Australia, online only: UGG® Collection, COACH, The North Face®, Nike, Stuart Weitzman. Handbags: Bottega Veneta, Chanel, Chloe, Dior, Fendi, Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Miu Miu, Prada, Ralph Lauren Collection, online only: COACH. Accessories: Pandora, Chanel, online only: The North Face®, COACH, UGG® Australia, Balenciaga Sunglasses. Fine Jewelry: David Yurman, Tacori Bridal, Tacori Bridal Consignment, Tag Heuer. Home: Rimowa, Temper-Pedic, online only: Le Creuset. Kids: Bugaboo, Moncler, UGG® Australia, online only: The North Face®. Offer excludes Gift Cards, Interior Design Special Orders, Martines Chocolates, Maxmillion Fur Services, Restaurants, Cosmetics & Fragrances, Space Nk, Rug Cleaning Services, and Shop At Home Services. Small Electrics and Men’s Electronics receive 10% off. Only one Friends & Family promotional code may be used per order on Bloomingdales.com. Cannot be combined with any other certificate offer. No adjustments to prior purchases. Selection may differ in store, see a sales associate for details. All employees of Bloomingdale’s and its affiliates are excluded from all Friends and Family offers. Not valid in Bloomingdale’s Dubai and Bloomingdale’s The Outlet Stores.

Bloomie’s also recently launched their new Loyalist Program.  It is FREE to join and allows you to earn points for your purchases.  If you have a Bloomingdale’s charge card you can earn three points on every dollar you spend online and in store.

To shop in-store print the Savings Pass above.  To shop online at Bloomingdales.com use code FRIENDS at checkout.

Were you sad to see Sex and the City end?  Still missing Carrie Bradshaw?  Candace Bushnell’s prequel book The Carrie Diaries is coming to the CW11.

The Carrie Diaries is the coming-of-age story of one of the most iconic characters of our generation.  Replacing Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw will be 18 year old AnnaSophia Robb.

The CarrieDiaries writer/executive producer Amy B. Harris said: “The search for Carrie Bradshaw was an exciting adventure. Having been a part of the Sex and the City series, I felt such an honor and responsibility to the fans of the show to find someone who embodied the spirit of Manhattan’s favorite ‘It’ girl. When AnnaSophia Robb walked into the room, we knew we had found her. Her grace, intelligence, sense of fun and her empathetic nature make her the perfect girl to bring our young Carrie to life. The fact that she loves a gorgeous pair of heels doesn’t hurt either.”

This week Warner Bros. Television released the first photo of Robb dressed in 1980′s vintage with the Manhattan skyline as the backdrop.

Emmy-winning costume designer Eric Daman (Sex and the City, Gossip Girl) said: “It’s a rare invitation to dress a character whose reputation truly precedes her. Having played a hand in designing for the Carrie we know and love, I am honored to be chosen to carry the torch – to illuminate the woman we know by discovering the young lady she was.”

With an unforgettable cast of characters, The Carrie Diaries is the story of how a regular girl learns to think for herself and evolves into a sharp, insightful writer. Readers will learn about her family background, how she found her writing voice, and the indelible impression her early friendships and relationships left on her. Through adventures both audacious and poignant, we’ll see what brings Carrie to her beloved New York City, where her new life begins.

Amy Harris (Gossip Girl) wrote the script and is executive producing with Bushnell, Schwartz, Savage and Len Goldstein

The Carrie Diaries pilot is in pre-production.

Photo Credit: Eric Liebowitz

Are you a die hard American Idol fan who keeps your finger on the redial key every Wednesday night voting for your favorite contestant to be safe?  In it’s 11th season now American Idol recently received an incredible 10 Primetime Emmy® Award nominations, more than any other reality program on television and the most nominations in the show’s history.

To win American Idol the three judges, Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler stress that a contestant must have the “total package”… vocals, personality and look like a star.

Kohl’s Department stores has announced plans to launch an exclusive American Idol apparel collection. Bringing together fashion, music and entertainment, the newly created American Idol fashion brand — Authentic Icon (AI – The same initials as American Idol) — will be available exclusively at Kohl’s and Kohls.com beginning April 2012.

“This launch brings together a national retailer and award-winning television show to create a new collection for customers,” said Kevin Mansell, Kohl’s chairman, president and chief executive officer. “We are excited to collaborate with American Idol, a leading entertainment platform in pop culture, and are confident this partnership makes Kohl’s an immediate consumer destination this spring.”

Prominently positioned in the junior’s and young men’s departments, the AI spring collection will be available in Kohl’s stores through June to coincide with American Idol’s 11th season.

“For over a decade American Idol has seamlessly woven fashion and music together to transform lives and create music icons,” said David Luner, EVP of Consumer Products and Interactive for FremantleMedia Enterprises. “It was a natural extension to partner on a line of American Idol inspired apparel that captures the essence of our rich music, style and performance heritage.”

The collection is a mix of junior separates with a grunge rock and roll vibe in Americana colors.  Expect to see printed tees, striped denim pants, vests, blazers and denim jackets.

Photos: Kohl’s

CAID PRODUCTIONS is proud to announce the U.S. theatrical premiere of its latest feature documentary, GOD SAVE MY SHOES in New York City at QUAD Cinema on March 30th. It is the first film that explores the intense relationship between women and their shoes.

Written and directed by JULIE BENASRA, “God Save My Shoes” explores why shoes are the most seductive and addictive item in a womanʼs closet and how shoes have become a totem object, outshining all fashion accessories.

To understand the magic power of shoes, “God Save My Shoes” journeyed into womenʼs psyche and closets, examining the psychological, sociocultural, and erotic significance of these objects. The quest to decipher why shoes trigger such fiery emotions among most women (and quite a few men) took the production to New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Toronto, Milan, and Florence to interview those who play a role in the global shoe phenomenon: extreme shoe-lovers and everyday women, fashion historians and editors, psychologists, sex experts, as well as shoe fetishists. “God Save my Shoes” also turned to celebrities such as Fergie, Dita Von Teese, Kelly Rowland, star designers Christian Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik, Walter Steiger, Pierre Hardy, Bruno Frisoni, Robert Clergerie, and fashion expert Barbie.

“When I started this film, little did I know I was actually going to explore the feminine condition, whether I looked at it from a psychological, historical or sexual angle. Now I just canʼt slip into a shoe the same way I used to”, says Director Julie Benasra.

Witty, glamorous, insightful and sassy, this film proposes an offbeat and captivating answer to the universal, passionate, and sensual relationship between women and their shoes.  A fascinating portrait of the modern woman through the history and cultural significance of shoes—from ancient elevated soles to todayʼs skyscraping stilettos, from Marilyn Monroe to Sex & the City – that reveals how shoes have come to occupy such a pivotal place in pop culture, sexuality and womenʼs lives.

For every theatre ticket of GOD SAVE MY SHOES sold at the QUAD, CAID Productions will donate to Soles4Souls who will distribute a pair of shoes to someone in need. Soles4Souls is an established charity that has distributed over 15 million pairs of gently used shoes worldwide.

“God Save My Shoes” is having an exclusive one week run at Quad, NYC from Saturday, March 31st, 2012 until Friday, April 6th, 2012.  Tickets can be purchased in advance at MovieTickets.com

Here is a sneak peek at the Trailer:

(View on You Tube) 

After waiting quite some time Club Monaco is set to start selling it’s apparel and accessories online.

The Club Monaco brand is an international men’s and women’s lifestyle brand with a distinctly urban casual point of view, best defined as a play of opposites: mining vintage with new, hard with soft and eclecticism with minimalism. Each season, Club Monaco offers customers must have fashion and key pieces that together are the foundation of a modern wardrobe.

Club Monaco has a legacy of working with world-renowned photographers, such as Patrick Demarchelier, Peter Lindbergh, Bert Stern, Mario Testino, Walter Chin, Richard Avedon, and Ryan McGinley. While photography remains an integral component of the brand including the in-store experience, the collections have evolved beyond black and white.

The E-commerce site will go live on March 26th.  To celebrate their launch the company will offer free shipping and free returns through April.  If March 26th is too long to wait then become a Fan on Facebook and you can shop starting online at ClubMonaco.com on March 23rd.  The Spring Look Book is also online now on Facebook.

Until then you can check out their Tumblr called Culture Club.

Here is an insider tip for those who are unaware.  Club Monaco offers a 20% discount both in-store and online with a valid student ID card.

Harper’s Bazaar and Estée Lauder know you are Fabulous at Every Age and to prove it they want to award you $10,000.

Sophisticated, elegant and provocative, Harper’s Bazaar is the style resource for women who are the first to buy the best, from casual to couture. With style, authority and insider insight, Bazaar focuses strictly on fashion and beauty, and covers what’s new to what’s next.

Stop by the Estée Lauder counter at the Saks Fifth Avenue store nearest you, and learn how you could win $5,000—or even the $10,000 grand prize—in Bazaar’s Fabulous at Every Age reader search. Enter by submitting a fabulous photo of yourself— and that’s where Estée Lauder comes in!

The experts at Estée Lauder will help you get photo fabulous with a professionally styled makeup look along with camera-ready tips on everything from beauty to clothes to your pose. Then learn how to take your best entry photo and post it on bazaar.com for a chance to be one of our 2012 Fabulous at Every Age winners.

Whatever your age (20, 40, 60—who cares?), let Estée Lauder bring out the fabulous in you!  Please see the official rules for entry. No purchase is necessary to win.

For more details, go to bazaar.com/fabulouscontest.

Hurry as the contest ends on Monday, March 19th.  BE FABULOUS!!!

For Fall 2012 Sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy, the designing duo behind the label Rodarte, drew their inspiration from the Australian outback.  A huge fan of the euphonious label I have always been in awe of their creativity and had the privilege of meeting the sisters at the Fashion Institute of Technology when they participated in their lecture series.

This time is was not the garments that I was staring at but rather the footwear when the sisters presented their Fall 2012 on February 14th.  Rodarte has in past seasons collaborated with Nicholas Kirkwood and Christian Louboutin.  In addition the sisters have a shoe collection designed for Opening Ceremony.

“We have always designed shoes for our collections, and we have been very lucky to work with amazing collaborators,” Kate Mulleavy said to WWD. “Each of our collections starts with a shoe idea, so it was a natural move.”

Rodarte is set to release their first mono-branded footwear collection sometime around July to September.  It will be sold at upscale luxury retailers Barneys, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Bergdorf Goodman and other boutiques that currently sell their apparel. The shoe collection will feature six looks and will sell for $995 up to $1,500.  The look is very utilitarian and victorian with plexiglass heels filled with color blocked layers of sand.  Other shoes have a two tone pocket knife etching look and feel made out of metal.

Photos: Style.com

Christian Dior, the French fashion house best known for it’s luxury couture, has launched an online magazine called DiorMag.  The idea behind this online technology is to showcase the brand’s history and timeline in addition to using the site as a media outlet to live stream their Fall/Winter 2012-2013 runway show scheduled for Friday, March 2nd at 8:30am ET.  The house will be working with London Fashion Blogger Susie Bubble of StyleBubble to provide live tweets during the show.

DiorMag was launched on February 29th because “days like today don’t come around very often in life. Or in any case, four times less. Every four years, leap day slips in between February 28th and March 1st. For convenience’s sake we call it February 29th, but there’s much more to it than that. It’s a whole extra day – a breach in the calendar, a door that opens onto another time.”

The magazine has launched with eight articles to start with.  There are updates from it’s flagship boutique at 30 Avenue Montaigne.  The online publication tells the backstory of the brand and it’s lifestyle merchandise including their line of accessory and beauty products.  There are editorials to view and new updates to be explored.

In addition, DiorMag will be used to showcase hi-res photos and videos with longer run times.

At the current time the magazine is only available in French and English but plans are to translate the site to other languages.  Future plans also include a version designed specifically for viewing on tablet and mobile devices.

Photo: Dior

For Fall 2012, Joanna Mastroianni takes us on a journey… with Iris Apfel.  The fashion icon and her stunning personal style, incorporating the finest couture in her own unique way inspired Mastroianni to imagine the ultimate fashionista and what she might wear in her favorite haunts around the world.

The journey begins in New York City where Joanna transforms the delicate filigree of tree branches into fabric, embroidery and beading on everything from gowns to necklaces.  As the snow falls the ornamentation shifts to elaborate embroideries of opalescent seed pearls, creamy translucent glass and shimmering silver.

Next stop on the journey is Paris for an evening at Maxims.  Mastroianni’s Muse is adorned in dark sophisticated dresses lavished with bronze, pewter, copper and gold ornamentation.  The elegant evening glove returns.  It is a work of art; feathered, bejeweled and beaded.

As the journey continues there are influences of Asian street style.  Black flashed with red in jackets and tunics with masterful seaming to accentuate a woman’s curves.  The color palette is rich with shades of golden green, vibrant jade and peacock blue.

The collection is filled with artistry at every turn.  There is a wealth of detail hand executed and one-of-a-kind.  Fabrics that appear to be tufted were created by shirring, shredding and cutting silk organza into tiny strips.  Faceted chunks of metal were covered in leather giving the collection a modern edge.

The Fall presentation was imaginative and beautiful.  The combination of rich colors, striking embroidery and mixing of unexpected fabrics created a bold and adventurous collection that is ultra-feminine, young and sexy that floated effortlessly down the catwalk.

“My meticulous attention to details, allows me to create special accessories that are chic, fun and modern. It is all about couture meeting Rock ‘n Roll, and rocking” said Mastroianni.

A video of the Fall 2012 collection can be viewed on the designer’s website.

Photos: WWD

Jen Kao is a NY based Fashion Designer known for innovative tailoring, intricately seamed leather pieces, and experimental knits.  On February 10th Jen presented her Fall 2012 collection at Highline Stages as part of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.  She called the collection “East meets West for nightcaps”.

The collection was relaxed aristocracy defined by the rigidity of masculinity and the fragility of femininity.

Plush, sultry delicates of silk, high lacquered chiffons, satins, lace, jacquard and cotton sateens were blanketed in military-inspired furs, wool cashmeres and plaids. Signature prints, embroidery and needlepoint crystal mesh created a fusion of  dark grunge and luxurious oriental silks.  All in languid colors of deep jade teals, midnight navy blue, cassis fuschias, tobacco browns, fiery reds, shades of ash and piano key black and whites.

The collection was accessorized with felt baseball cloches, python overnight briefcases, dodecahedron jewelry and dégradé crystal fringe earrings.

Kao’s talent for three-dimensional sculptural art was reflected in her design aesthetic, highlighting the contrast between architectural construction and fluid draping.

A foxy approach, polished but cagey.

A video of the full runway show can be viewed on jenkao.com

Photos: Style.com

Tadashi Shoji presented his Fall 2012 collection on Thursday, February 9th at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.  The Fall/Winter collection hearkens back to the “Golden Age of Shanghai”, a glamorous world of modernity, transformation and prosperity that preluded a darker time.  Opulent fabrics of lace, chiffon, silk and velvet craft the silhouettes of drop waist dresses of floral prints, column gowns of embroidered lace and extended hemlines.

Brilliant colors of marina and seagrass were exemplified by neutral hues of ginseng and hazel.  A mecca of wealth and sophistication, the “Paris of the Orient” will forever be a fixture of Shanghai’s identity.

The models wore shoes by Joan & David, tights by HUE and accessories from Melinda Maria.

By featuring the utmost in luxury and elegance, the much-anticipated collection continues to elevate and hone the brand’s image in the marketplace. His designs have won a loyal following with well-dressed women worldwide, including a wide range of celebrities such as Helen Mirren, Queen Latifah, Katy Perry, Beyonce, Blake Lively, and Mo’Nique.

Tadashi Shoji is carried in more than 4,000 major department and specialty store doors worldwide, including Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bloomingdale’s. Internationally, the brand is available at high-end retailers such as Harvey Nichols, Bloomingdales, and Saks Dubai.

With the Academy Awards only 2 days away I wonder if we can expect to hear the name of Tadashi Shoji when asked “Who are you wearing?”  Let’s hope so.

Photos: Style.com

Michelle Smith, the designer and founder of the young luxury brand Milly, presented her Fall/Winter 2012 collection on February 15th at The Stage during NY Fashion Week.

Calling her collection Future Perfect and drawing inspiration from high-tech materials and innovative fabric manipulation, Michelle delivered a Fall collection that was futuristic in nature and intricate in construction.  Hues of heliotrope, clover, shocking pink and chartreuse created a bold and exciting contrast to a base palette of black and white.  Juxtaposing complex laminated tweeds, bonded wool, super-structured jacquards and technical taffetas with timeless, luxury materials such as leather and silk, Smith refines the concept of elegance with an edge.

Milly is now recognized throughout the globe with a devoted following. Celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Victoria Beckham, Beyonce, and Thandie Newton are counted among Milly’s loyal fans.

Sitting front row at the fashion show were Actress Kristin Chenoweth, Actress India de Beaufort, Tinsley Mortimer and television host Ainsley Earhardt.

The collection is sold at the finest specialty and department stores worldwide, including Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Harrods.

In Spring 2011, Milly marked its 10th anniversary with several exciting new endeavors; The opening of Milly’s flagship boutique on Madison Avenue, the debut of its handbag and fashion jewelry collections, and “Milly Minis”, clothing for young Milly aspirants aged 2-7.

Photos: Style.com

This CFDA winner and Project Runway judge is best known for his superbly tailored sportswear for both women and men.  I have to say, despite that fact, I have always been a huge fan of his accessories.  To be more specific his watches for woman. Watches should be worn for more than just time management.  Your watch should make a statement about you and who you are.  When selecting a watch to wear with a particular outfit what is worn on your wrist should match the look and feel of whatever the vibe is that your look is saying about you.

Michael Kors offers a woman a tremendous selection of watches.  If you like the menswear inspired androgynous look Kors has a chic collection of watches in gunmetal or perhaps an acrylic chronograph quartz watch. How about an oversized watch face with a comfortable leather band.  Want to step it up a notch to a dress watch for work or a night out on the town?  Might I suggest a watch in silver tone or gold tone that matches to your other accessories. Having trouble matching? Go for the always beautiful rose tone or two tone.

Michael Kors adds functionality and fun to the collection with three chronographs and a date window watch to choose from.  Prices range from $120.00 to $425.00. The watches can be purchased with discount pricing at watchesonnet.com which offers over 150 watches to pick from and international shipping.  A closer look will have you swooning.

Destination… Kors!!!

On Sunday, February 12th Fashion Designer Tracy Reese presented her Fall 2012 collection at The Studio.  She sent 46 powerful and colorful looks down the catwalk. For Fall Tracy Reese gave us “colorful, confident attire for navigating the urban landscape”.   The dark hues of winter were replaced with an optimistic color palette of vibrant tomato, juniper green and lemon enlivening neutral browns and grays.

A mixture of fabric, textures and embellishments created dimension on tailored silhouettes, abundant with refined craftsmanship details. Bold pops of fiery tomato orange energized the classic contrast of black and white, rejuvenating this time-honored combination.  Prints and patterned dresses were accessorized with wool coats embellished with fur collars and sleeves.

Subtle peplums updated classic styles.  Accessories ranged from wool caps that looked like equestrian jockey caps to futuristic bold sunglasses and color-blocked handbags.

The backdrop of the runway was a graffiti collage of prints and patterns covering the wall.  The lyrics of Azealia Banks 212 kept the uptempo feel of the collection.

Bright colors, unique prints and intricate patterns define Tracy Reese, plenty and frock! A consistent fashion favorite amongst industry insiders, celebrities and fashionistas alike, Reese crafts finely detailed looks that make a statement and are easy to wear, garnering the attention of the nation’s top media.

Tracy Reese, plenty and frock! are sold nationwide in top department stores and specialty boutiques as well as retailers throughout Europe and Asia.

Tracy Reese’s silhouettes will always remain flattering and wearable.

Enjoy the full runway show:

(To view Full Screen mode visit You Tube)

Photos: Style.com

1. Banded Print Dress 2. Printed Hi-Tops 3. Daisy Dress 4. T-Shirt Dress

The collection is set to launch on March 15th, 2012 through GapKids and babyGap stores in almost 30 countries including United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Italy, France, China, Japan and Australia as well as online in 75 countries.

“We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to build on Gap’s successful past collaborations and develop this collection with Diane, a true American fashion icon and inspiration to women around the world,” said Art Peck, President of Gap brand, North America. “I’m also looking forward to offering our customers an exciting collection that applies her signature approach to print, optimistic color and femininity, mixed with our expertise in great quality premium children’s clothing at accessible prices.”

Diane von Furstenberg comments, “As a proud mother and grandmother I am so excited to create a capsule collection for children with the superstar retailer, Gap.”

The price point for the capsule collection will be between $23.00 to around $80.00.

Will we see Mom and her baby in matching outfits?  To shop visit DVF for Gap.com

(From Left to Right) Chaka Khan in Chris March; Gloria Estefan in Narcisco Rodriguez; Aisha Tyler in Badgley Mischka; Patti Stanger in Marc Bouwer; Jennifer Nettles in David Meister; Elisabeth Rohm in Nicole Miller.

The Heart Truth brings the Red Dress Collection to life on the runway with the support of the FNIH. The Red Dress Collection 2012 Fashion Show is presented by Diet Coke with partners Bobbi Brown Cosmetics and Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spas.

(From Left to Right) Rose McGowan in Donna Karan; Debbie Phelps in Adrianna Papell; Cindi Leive in Jason Wu; Jeannette Torres-Alvarez in Carlos Miele; LaLa Anthony in Rachel Roy; Christie Brinkley in Pamella Roland.

“Diet Coke congratulates The Heart Truth on its 10th anniversary. The highly successful campaign has had our heartfelt support for the last five years, and we continue to be passionate about its mission to encourage women to be active and committed to educating themselves about heart health.” said William White, group director of Coke North America.

Celebrity participants in this year’s Red Dress Collection Fashion Show included: The Talk’s Aisha Tyler; Cougar Town’s Busy Philipps; Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Chaka Khan; Glamour’s Editor-in-Chief Cindi Leive; supermodel Christie Brinkley; Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps’ mother, Debbie Phelps; television actress Elisabeth Rohm; host of the popular reality show Nuestra Belleza Latina Giselle Blondet; Discovery Familia’s Jeannette Torres-Álvarez; television and film actress Jenna Elfman; country music artist Jennifer Nettles; actress and disc jockey La La (Vazquez) Anthony; Dynasty’s Golden Globe Award-winning actress Linda Evans; Entertainment Tonight anchor Nancy O’Dell; Bravo’s The Millionaire Matchmaker Patti Stanger; and actress and former fashion model Rebecca Romijn.*

(From Left to Right) Minka Kelly in Diane von Furstenberg; Rebecca Romijn in Marchesa; Giselle Blondet in Oscar de la Renta; Linda Evans in Tadashi Shoji; Jenna Elfman in Alberta Ferretti.

Participating designers included: Alberta Ferretti, Badgley Mischka, Chris March, Marc Bouwer, Marchesa, Carmen Mark Valvo, Michael Kors, and Oscar de la Renta.

Visit You Tube to watch the Red Dress Heart Truth Collection 2012

Photos: Getty Images

Banana Republic, the retailer whose lifestyle collections are characterized by elevated design and luxurious fabrications at approachable prices, has announced the debut of the Trina Turk Collection.  This limited-edition capsule collection will be available for purchase in June 2012 and will be carried in all Banana Republic stores in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Italy, France, Japan, Turkey, and Korea as well as online in 24 countries.

Trina Turk considers herself lucky on two counts. First because she knew at a fairly young age what she wanted to do when she grew up – to design clothing professionally and second, because she is succeeding at doing it and has successfully evolved what began as a women’s contemporary clothing line into a mini lifestyle brand.  Inspired by the multicultural mix, architecture, and landscape of Los Angeles and California, The Trina Turk Collection is full of the Season’s most casually sophisticated – and “must have” silhouettes. Trina’s philosophy is to create wearable, optimistic fashion that incorporates the best aspects of classic American sportswear. The collection has become known for an amazing pant fit and gorgeous signature prints.

“When we began working together on the collaboration, Simon and I decided early on that the Palm Springs ‘cocktails by the pool’ lifestyle would be our key inspiration for the colors, styles, and prints” says Turk. “I’m excited to offer this collection of colorful, covetable and unique pieces to Banana Republic customers for summer 2012.”

The nearly 60 piece collection is reflective of the signature Trina Turk bold and colorful beachside prints.  She will design a line of woman’s resort apparel and accessories with a modern California vibe which will include fun and flirty dresses, swimwear and plush beach towels.

The Banana Republic Trina Turk Collection will be featured in Banana Republic’s June advertising campaign, which will appear in select print, online, direct mail and in store.

Photo: Banana Republic

22 year-old Country Superstar and Grammy winning artist Taylor Swift with her long blonde curls standing at 5’10 inches has sold out entire stadiums worldwide. She has won 100 awards to date including 5 Grammy Awards, 10 American Music Awards and 6 CMT Awards.  With her unstoppable spirit and lyrics that speak to all ages she is not going away anytime soon.

Recently Jonathan Van Meter, Contributing Editor at Vogue, interviewed Taylor in a whirlwind day of visiting showrooms in NYC starting out at Rodarte, a label designed by Sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy from California.  In the interview Swift refers to herself as that awkward kid always feeling on the outside looking in on the cool kids in school.

“So . . . middle school? Awkward,” she says, launching into the first of many comic riffs. “Having a hobby that’s different from everyone else’s? Awkward. Singing the national anthem on weekends instead of going to sleepovers? More awkward. Braces? Awkward. Gain a lot of weight before you hit the growth spurt? Awkward. Frizzy hair, don’t embrace the curls yet? Awkward. Try to straighten it? Awkward!” She starts to laugh. “So many phases!”

Swift is currently working on her fourth album which she says will be about the heartbreak that life can bring.  The lyrics sounding like they jumped off the pages of a tell all teen diary.

The interviewer concludes by asking Taylor to name some of the life lessons she has learned along the way.  She obliges and says:

1. “If someone doesn’t seem to want to get to know me as a person but instead seems to have kind of bought into the whole idea of me and he approves of my Wikipedia page? And falls in love based on zero hours spent with me? That’s maybe something to be aware of. That will fade fast. You can’t be in love with a Google search.”

2. “If a dude is threatened by the fact that I need security, if they make me feel like I am some sort of princessy diva—that’s a bad sign. I don’t have security to make myself look cool, or like I have an entourage. I have security because there’s a file of stalkers who want to take me home and chain me to a pipe in their basement.”

3. “If you need to put me down a lot in order to level the playing field or something? If you are threatened by some part of what I do and want to cut me down to size in order to make it even? That won’t work either.”

4. “Also, I can’t deal with someone who’s obsessed with privacy. People kind of care if there are two famous people dating. But no one cares that much. If you care about privacy to the point where we need to dig a tunnel under this restaurant so that we can leave? I can’t do that.”

The February issue of Vogue is available at newsstands now.  To read the entire “single life” interview with Taylor visit vogue.com

Watch highlights from the photo shoot:

Source: Vogue Magazine

Photographer: Mario Testino

Photos: Vogue

STOP

Let the internet do the work for you.  Simply set up sale alerts and wait until those Jimmy Choo’s or Hermes scarf reaches an affordable price point.  There are several online web sites that will keep a close watch on whatever you are lusting for in the world of e-commerce.  Think of it as room service for your inbox while you rest peacefully each night.

1.  Price Protectr - Save money with price alerts!  Use Price Protectr to track prices of things you’re thinking about buying, and save money even after you buy.  There are lots of stores out there that offer price protection policies — when the price drops on an item you’ve purchased, they’ll refund you the difference. But there’s a catch… it’s up to you to watch prices.  Price Protectr makes it simple to watch prices, keep track of your purchases, and get rebates off price drops.  To get started click here to watch a quick video.

2.  Shopping Notes –  ShoppingNotes.com is shopping bookmark powered with price watch engine. It is one central place to save all your favorite products you find anywhere on the Internet, and our powerful price watch engine can alert you whenever your favorite products change prices.  ShoppingNotes.com is for people who do any kinds of on-line shopping. It is like browser’s “Favorites” for shopping, but even more:  It’s free.

No need to install anything to start using the price watch feature. Just enter the product page URLs and your email address, and we will start watching their prices for you. You’ll be the first to know when your favorite products go on sale.  Two clicks and you can jot down any products from any merchants on the Internet.  Your Shopping Notes automatically come with images and prices, and in one click, it takes you right to the product pages.  You can access your Shopping Notes from home, office, or just anywhere you can access the Internet. You can sort or classify your Shopping Notes any way you like.

We are the first ever web site that combines shopping bookmark with price watch that works with any product URLs. If you are a shopper, ShoppingNotes.com not only helps you organize all your shopping information, but also brings you significant savings with our powerful price watch feature.

3. ShopStyle - ShopStyle is the online equivalent of browsing the aisles of the world’s most fabulous store.  As a search engine devoted to fashion, ShopStyle brings together the most fashionable stores and the best brands allowing users to cross-shop hundreds of thousands of apparel, home decorating and kids products — all in one place. Featuring products from the most popular designer brands and big name fashions, to the up and coming boutiques, ShopStyle lets users search the most stylish stores at once — by designer, brand, store, sale items, price point, and color.

ShopStyle also has one of the most vibrant fashion communities on the web. Users are empowered to be fashion editors or interior designers, expressing their unique style by creating stylebooks and looks that can be shared and shopped on ShopStyle, on blogs or emailed to friends. ShopStyle’s active groups provide inspiration on various topics and allow users of similar taste to shop, share and comment.

Worthy of mentioning are those “price adjustments“.  Most retailers offer a seven to fourteen day one time price adjustment if the price should drop within the first week to two weeks so put the web to work for you keeping an eye on your purchases.  A price adjustment only requires a receipt, no merchandise is required to receive a refund back in the original method of purchase.

Here’s hoping your wish list becomes a reality.  Let us know in the Comments section below if this was helpful to you.  Do you know of any other sites similar to these?

The luxury online retailer NET-A-PORTER  has announced that it will be launching a micro collection designed by fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld.  Since launching in June 2000, NET-A-PORTER has successfully established itself as a luxury brand, with impeccable packaging and unrivalled customer care.  The pages of NET-A-PORTER feature high fashion editorial, updated weekly with new content and product, which is viewed by over 2.5 million women each month.

On January 25th, 2012, Net-A-Porter.com will begin sales of  over 70 pieces from the “Karl” collection, including fashion-forward pants, sweatshirts, skirts, shirts, dresses, T-shirts, shoes and bags, each inspired by the graphic shapes synonymous with Karl Lagerfeld’s style. Black, white, grey, silver, burgundy and pink are the colors of the SS12 season.  The products are made to be collected and worn together for the perfect KARL look. Prices for the collection ranges from $50 for a canvas bag embellished with a cameo of the unmistakable profile of Karl Lagerfeld to over $1,000 for some of the signature leather pieces.

“We are constantly seeking to innovate and find new things to excite and inspire our customer, and the launch of KARL ticks all these boxes and more. From leather biker jackets to tailoring to the season’s must-have detachable collar the line exudes effortless cool and is quintessential Karl. With over 70 pieces to choose from and with a fantastic price point we can’t wait for the collection to arrive!” said Holli Rogers, Buying Director.

In the interim NET-A-PORTER has begun a social media campaign called “Karl’s Kult” which starts off with a clever video called Where’s Karl: Fashion Hunt is on for the missing collection.  You can help find Karl by downloading the “Net-A-Porter KARL” app.  The app has four features which include an online gaming system, sneak peeks into the upcoming collection,  a scanner that utilizes Aurasma Technology to allow users to scan pictures of the designer on the retailer’s site to watch the Karl Lagerfeld captured video from Net-a-Porter on their mobile device and a “Karlify” feature.

The online game, in which the mobile user must find 5 of Karl’s heads using a mobile maze and a marble in the fastest time, will award the winner a $1,000 shopping spree on Net-A-Porter.  Mr. Lagerfeld will be choosing his favorite picture from the “Karlified” entries on Jan. 25 and the winner will receive a piece from the Karl collection.

Karl Lagerfeld says: “We are working on a lot of amazing ideas which are all about making luxury affordable and accessible. I’m very excited about bringing this vision to life with this brand.”

Photos: Net-A-Porter

You are invited to join Coach and Vogue for a holiday party.  Meet Leandra Medine of Man Repeller, a blog that gets about 50,000 page views per day and 1.5 million page views per month, as she helps you with holiday gift trends.

As a special treat to guests there will be complimentary monogramming happening on site.  Unable to attend?  You are welcome to enter the Coach Holiday Sweepstakes online.

Where: Coach Store located at 595 Madison Avenue (57th Street)

When: Wednesday, December 14th from 6pm to 8pm

To RSVP for this event please call 1-800-218-5205

Marni, an Italian fashion label founded by Consuelo Castiglioni in 1994 will be the next hi-end Fashion Designer to create a limited capsule collection for retailer H&M. The brand is best known for it’s colorful and playful prints. The company is named Marni after Castiglioni’s Sister.

Castiglioni, who has always been the label’s chief designer, is responsible for Marni’s aesthetic of “European-inflected bohemianism”.  Other descriptors that have been applied to Marni designs include “quirky,” “feminine,” “off-beat,” and “funky.”  Early design features included idiosyncratic prints and vintage-inspired shapes and fabrics; Marni has retained these elements but has become more streamlined. Other Marni hallmarks include juxtapositions of texture; colorblocking; a palette focused on gray, beige, and blue, in which bright colors are interspersed; and unusual shapes, such as bell hemlines, gathering, asymmetry, and large volumes.

The capsule collection will be sold from March 8, 2012 in around 260 stores worldwide and online. It features both clothing and accessories all at H&M’s prices, meaning everyone will have the chance to enter Marni’s world.  The Marni collection is the latest designer collaboration for H&M, which has previously collaborated with brands such as Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Comme des Garçons, Jimmy Choo, Lanvin, and most recently Versace.

“I wanted to create a true Marni wardrobe by revisiting all our favorite pieces in signature fabrics and prints. As always, I love juxtaposing prints and colours, mixing modern tribal with Bauhaus graphic adding sporty utilitarian elements”. Consuelo Castiglioni, Founder and Creative Director.

The women’s collection will offer full pleated skirts, dresses, cropped trousers and jacquard knit, and fabrics range from silk to crisp cotton poplin.  The collection also includes jewelry, shoes, bags and scarves to complete the head to toe look with bold prints and vivid colors.

For men expect a masculine silhouette with impeccable tailoring that is the label’s signature look.

Given the fabrics and colors that Marni leans towards a Spring launch should be just perfect.

Photos: Courtesy of H&M

On November 29th, the 2011 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show aired on CBS TV.  There were enough feathers to ruffle any tail as 38 models took to the catwalk.  15 models were walking for the first time. As expected all the top supermodels we swoon over made their way down the runway throwing air kisses and striking a pose for the photographers and papparazi cameras.  Veterans included Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Anne Vyalitsyna, Behati Prinsloo, Candice Swanepoel, Chanel Iman, Doutzen Kroes, Erin Heatherton, Lily Aldridge, Lindsay Ellingson and Miranda Kerr.

The show took place at the Lexington Avenue Armory in NYC on November 9th.  This year there were six vignettes. ”Ballet,” “Super Angels,” “Passion,” “Angels Aquatic,” “I Put A Spell on You” & “Club Pink.”

Grammy winning Musicians added to the evening’s festivities with special runway performances by Kanye West, Jay-Z , Maroon 5 and Nicki Minaj.  See more on You Tube.

Fun Facts: 

• 2 million @Swarovski crystals were used in this year’s show.  Can you say Bling?
• Over 90 apps of VS Makeup Perfect Lipstick & 60 apps of VS Makeup Triple Drama Mascara happen during the show.
• Miranda Kerr wore the $2.5 million Fantasy Bra

Victoria’s Secret retail stores and website are offering a free secret rewards card through Wed, Nov. 30th worth $10, $50, $100 or $500.  Purchase in-stock item(s) totaling $10 or more now through November 30, 2011. Your Free Secret Reward Card will be included with your order. One Secret Reward Card per order. Free Shipping on $25.00 purchase online and $15.00 off a $100 purchase. Valid while supplies last through 11:59pm EST on November 30, 2011, online, by phone and in select stores

Fashion Development Group would also like to offer you a coupon for a FREE Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show panty.  Panty is only available in store. Click on the coupon for a full sized edition.

Want to know more about the angels?  Grab an all access pass to the Victoria’s Secret supermodels.  Who is your favorite angel?

Photos:  Getty Images

Calling all “Little Monsters”!!  Lady Gaga has brought her own fashions to NYC launching a pop up shop located on the fifth floor of Barneys NY Madison Avenue Men’s store.  Gaga’s Holiday Workshop opened on Monday, November 21st at midnight when Lady Gaga herself cut the ribbon outside Barneys NY store to the thrill and fanfare of throngs of fans hoping for a photo op with Gaga herself.

Gaga has identified fashion as a major influence and has been stylistically compared to American recording artist Cher and English eccentrics Leigh Bowery and Isabella Blow. She has considered Donatella Versace her muse and the late British fashion designer and close friend Alexander McQueen as an inspiration, admitting that “I miss Lee every time I get dressed” while channeling him in some of her work. Modeled on Andy Warhol’s Factory, Gaga has her own creative production team, which she handles personally, called the Haus of Gaga, who create many of her clothes, stage props, and hairdos. Her adoration of fashion came from her mother, who she stated was “always very well kept and beautiful. “When I’m writing music, I’m thinking about the clothes I want to wear on stage. It’s all about everything altogether—performance art, pop performance art, fashion. For me, it’s everything coming together and being a real story that will bring back the super-fan. I want to bring that back. I want the imagery to be so strong that fans will want to eat and taste and lick every part of us.

Lady Gaga cuts ribbon at Barneys in Chanel Couture

“Gaga’s Workshop is the largest and most completely realised holiday project ever undertaken in the history of Barneys New York and we are beyond thrilled to present it this season,” said Mark Lee, chief executive officer.

With her stylist Nicola Formichetti and artist Eli Sudbrack in collaboration with Barneys’s creative director Dennis Freedman to curate the space Barneys has been transformed into a Gaga Winter Wonderland.  The items available for purchase include Apparel, Cosmetics, Holiday, Jewelry, Media, Toys & Treats.  The workshop will remain open until January 2nd.  Twenty-five percent of the workshop’s sales will go to Gaga’s new Born This Way Foundation, which focuses on youth empowerment

Visit Barneys.com to shop this Christmas menagerie or better yet stop by and partake of the wonderland where music meets fashion meets culture.

With Black Friday over and done with it is now time to prepare for CYBER MONDAY.  With numerous online retailers offering deep discounts and no need to find a parking spot at a crowded mall and stand in a line out the door Cyber Monday makes it easy to shop from the comfort of your home or office.  To help you break down the deals I have put together a list of some of my favorite online retailers so you can click and shop in an instant, just add the code and your credit card.

APPAREL AND ACCESSORIES:

Saks Fifth Avenue - FREE SHIPPING* on all orders now through Tuesday, November 29, 2011.  Just enter promo code: HOLIDAY at checkout.

Bloomingdale’s – Designer Handbag Sale – Take 30% off select styles through 12/4.  Free Shipping on any order through November 28, 2011 with code FREESHIP11.

Net-A-Porter - 50% off sale and Free Shipping in the US

Pink Mascara - 25% off and Free Shipping on orders over $75.00

Nicole Miller - Free Shipping on All Online Orders at Nicole Miller

Barney’s NY - Up to 40% off – Free Shipping and Gift Wrap

Bergdorf Goodman – Up to 40% off sale – Free Shipping with code SHOPBG

Bluefly - 70% off retail prices – Cashmere marked down an extra 20% – Free Shipping on all orders over $100

Rachel Roy- 30% off everything – Free Shipping on all purchases

Singer 22 – Spend $300+ Take $50 off with code THANKS50 – Spend $500+ + Take $100 off with code THANKS100 - Spend $750+ + Take $150 off with code THANKS150 - Spend $1000+ + Take $200 off with code THANKS200 - Spend $2000+ + Take $400 off with code THANKS400 — Get Free Shipping on orders of $250.00 in the US.

Revolve Clothing - Up to 90% off select items – Free Shipping & Returns – (TIP: 30 % OFF! For new customers, email sales@revolveclothing.com, mention the new customer discount and your invoice/order number found on your purchase history page, and they will refund 30% to your card. This only works if you are a new customer and not just using a different email.)

Tory Burch - Spend $250, Get 20% off – Spend $500, Get 25% off  - Spend $750, Get 30% off  - Receive a limited-edition Tote free with purchase – Enter GETGIFTS at checkout.

The Hip Chick – Take 20% off with code BLACK20 – Take an extra 10% off sale items with code 10MORE – Free Ground Shipping on orders over $150.00

Piperlime - Take 20% off – Enter code TWENTY at checkout – Free Shipping and Returns

French Connection – Take 30% off with code FCBLKFRI at checkout

For even more deals visit CyberMonday.com which highlights the best deals from over 700 online retailers.

Know of other deals?  Share in the Comments below…

In advance of the sale of the Versace collaboration at 300 H&M stores in the US on November 19th some ground rules have been announced by the mega Swedish retailer H&M.  In order to avoid the chaos that has ensued with previous collaborations H&M is hoping to make this event a more pleasant shopping experience for those who are brave enough to try to score some of their coveted pieces from the capsule collection.  The collection will include womenswear, menswear and products for the home.

Versace designs collection for H&M – Photo preview

Once again H&M will be distributing wristbands to those on the line.  Wristbands will be distributed on a “first come, first served” basis.

Here is a list of rules which can be found posted on the H&M website:

The first 280 in line will receive one of 14 different colored bracelets, 20 people for each bracelet color. On the bracelet you will be given a specific time for shopping in our designated area. The bracelets are only needed for our women’s collection. Customers buying the men’s collection will not require a bracelet. When your time slot arrives, you will enter the designated area to shop for 15 minutes. Our goal is to create a better shopping experience for all of our customers.

If you are not one of the first 280 in line, you will of course have the opportunity to shop from the men’s collection or within H&M. When the 14 groups have finished their shopping we will open up the women’s collection to all of our customers.

To make sure as many customers as possible are able to buy from the Versace for H&M collection, we have a shopping limit. Every customer can buy from the entire collection, but with a limit of purchasing a maximum of two pieces per product, ie not more than two sizes (shoes/garments) or pieces (accessories) per product per customer. The shopping limit covers the entire Versace for H&M collection. Your place in line does not guarantee any items from the Versace for H&M collection.

The stores in the US we are told will open at 8am in the morning but I would suggest a 3 or 4am arrival time if you anticipate receiving a wristband.

To preview the entire collection with pricing visit H&M online.

Here are the stores in the NYC area which will carry the Versace for H&M collection

 NEW YORK CITY

34th Street – Herald Square

5th Ave at 18th St

5th Ave at 51st St

7th Ave at 34th Street

Lexington Ave at 59th St

Lexington Ave at 86th St

Soho

NEW YORK

Roosevelt Field Mall

NEW JERSEY

Garden State Plaza

PENNSYLVANIA

Walnut Street

For the complete list by State click here

Photos courtesy of H&M

If you decide to brave the elements and score some of the very best of the Versace for H&M collection please let us know by commenting below.

The holiday season is starting early this year at Bloomingdale’s.  Starting on Tuesday, November 8th, 2011 and ending on the Saturday, November 12th take 20% off almost all regular and sale priced purchases for women, men, kids and home in store and online at bloomingdales.com.  Get FREE shipping on any order.  Save 10% off small electronics and Men’s electrics.

Premier Plus and Ultimate Premier Insiders get triple rewards with any purchase in cosmetics and fragrances when you pay with your Bloomingdale’s charge card.

To shop in-store click on the savings pass and print.  To shop online use code HAPPY at checkout.  For FREE shipping use code FREESHIP11.

Make sure you check out fashiondevelopmentgroup.com for more holiday deals and steals.

Photo: H&M

H&M has brought on Trish Summerville, the Costume Designer for the soon to be released film The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.  Trish will be the next designer to collaborate with H&M on a capsule collection.  The movie, which is set to open in theaters on December 21st, 2011 tells the story of Journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Craig) who is aided in his search for a woman who has been missing for forty years by Lisbeth Salander (Mara), a young computer hacker.

The 30 piece collection was inspired by the character of Lisbeth Salander.  It will have a very industrial feel to it with a dark color palette primarily of blacks, grays, white and dark shades of red.  It will consist of jeans, trousers, slouchy hoodies, leather jackets, chunky shoes and jewelry with a dark moody undertone.  There will also be a T-Shirt collection that will look rough and ripped with a street vibe. H&M has announced that the collection will hit around 180 stores worldwide and the web on December 14th.

The fictional character Lisbeth Salander has red hair, which she dyes black. Upon her first appearance in the series, she is described as “a pale, anorexic young woman who had hair as short as a fuse, and a pierced nose and eyebrows. She had a wasp tattoo about an inch long on her neck, a tattooed loop around the biceps of her left arm and another around her left ankle. On those occasions when she had been wearing a tank top, a dragon tattoo can be seen on her left shoulder blade.

See Rooney Mara on the November cover of Vogue

“Salander’s look is very real and very lived in, with pieces that her character has worn for a long time, like her jackets that act as her armour to shield her from the world. I wanted the collection to have the essence and strength of Salander, with a fashion edge, and I’m pleased with the result! My goal is for women to find pieces in it that they love and then mix them with their own wardrobe to create their own personal style,” says Trish Summerville, Costume Designer for The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.

If you lean towards a street grunge urban 80′s vibe then this is the collection for you.  Combining comfort with a rocker edge is what Summerville does best.

Watch the official trailer for the David Fincher version of “The GIrl with the Dragon Tattoo” based on the novel by Stieg Larsson on You Tube.

With winter arriving sooner than expected in New York and the surrounding areas I thought I would share some ways to spice up your black winter coat.  What I love most about winter is all the options offered for accessorizing your outerwear.  There is so much to choose from starting with the basics (hat, scarf and gloves) needed just to survive walking around when the temperatures plunge below freezing. My favorite winter accessory is the scarf.  It is the ideal way to add a pop of color to any coat at a minimal investment.

Scarves come in such a large variety of colors, prints, fabrics and sizes and can range in price from a couple of dollars to over a $1,000 dollars if you choose to treat yourself to a luxury designer such as Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Burberry or Gucci.  I suggest you start with the oblong scarf in a print that compliments your winter coat.  Oblong scarves can be tied in a variety of ways and can be worn with both short and long coats.

Some of the big trends now are ombre, aztec prints, color-blocking and faux fur.

To find a scarf that looks expensive but will not break the bank try Urban Outfitters, Banana Republic, J. Crew or Express.

To help you get started here is a video I found called 25 Ways to Wear a scarf in 4.5 Minutes!!  In less than 5 minutes you will become a pro at the art of scarf tying.

Any trouble viewing video watch on You Tube

What is your favorite winter accessory?  Comment below…

Sephora has extended it’s Friends and Family Sale to all, not just the Friends and Family of it’s employees. They are offering a one time 20% off discount on one product only.  Items can only be purchased online at Sephora.com using a secret code which will be sent to your inbox.  In order to take advantage of the savings you must follow supply your e-mail address by clicking here.  You will then be sent an e-mail which will contain your single use code.  The sale runs through November 2nd.

If you have not already make sure to sign up to become a Beauty Insider.  The more you spend the greater number of samples you will get each time you shop in store and online.

Not sure what to pick?  Have a look at some of the top sellers in each category.

Hint:  If you have multiple e-mail addresses now is a good time to take advantage of them.

What are some of your beauty favorites?

It’s that time again.  Saks Fifth Avenue is inviting you to take 20% off your womenswear, menswear and accessories purchases with their Friends & Family savings pass.  Jewelry is 15% off and there is no discount on beauty or fragrances. Certain brands are excluded.

The online sale dates are from October 18th through the 23rd.  In store sale runs from October 20th through the 23rd.

To shop online visit saks.com and use code FRIEND9 at checkout.  To take advantage of the 20% off discount in store print the savings pass above.

Happy shopping days to all my Friends and Family.

The next Fashion Designer to collaborate with Macy’s has been announced.  Italian Designer and red carpet darling Giambattista Valli will design a 17 piece capsule collection to be sold at 225 Macy’s stores nationwide and macys.com/impulse starting on October 26th.  The pieces which are feminine, ruffled and rocker chic will retail for $50.00 to $150.00.

Looking over the collection one can find the staple of the Giambattista Valli woman, the ruffled party dress.  Valli is known best for his feminine sophisticated yet flirty designs that capture the essence of french couture.  The collection also goes toward rocker chic with a leopard coat, short sleeve blouse and leopard print skinny pants.

“This capsule reflects my enduring loves, but is really a celebration of my biggest inspiration of all — the energy and vitality of women themselves,” Valli explains. “This collection is a passport into my world and a chance to experience the passion and romance of my house and Paris itself.”

Looking over the collection I am already lusting after the organza black skirt with the tiny rosettes which retails for $99.00.  Time to start shopping for the holidays.

Preview the entire collection now on Macys.com.

Photos: Macys.com

Jason Wu releases sketch for Target Collection

Target has chosen it’s next designer to collaborate with.  It is a favorite of First Lady Michelle Obama.  Jason Wu, who was born in Taiwan and studied fashion design at Parsons The New School for Design, will design a limited-edition capsule collection for the discount retailer set to launch on February 5th, 2012 and run through March 6th both in stores and online at Target.com

Jason Wu first became a household name when he designed the white one-shoulder dress seen on Michelle Obama at the White House Inaugaural Ball in 2009. The gown is now on display at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.

“Jason Wu has quickly established himself as one of the most influential designers of today,” says Trish Adams, senior vice president of apparel and accessories for Target.

The collection will consist of apparel ranging in price from $19.99 to $59.99 as well as handbags and scarves that will retail for $19.99 to $49.99.

“My collection for Target embodies my signature aesthetic of feminine sophistication, with a mischievous nod to the 1960s,” says Wu in a statement. “I’ve had an incredible experience partnering with Target and I am looking forward to bringing these affordable designs to women across the country.”

The first sketch was released for the LBD and Wu created a teaser video which he placed on his website.

Let’s hope this collaboration does not bring Target.com crashing down like the most recent collaboration with Missoni.

To view the video on You Tube click here

Who:  Betsey Johnson boutique

When:  Saturday, October 1 – 7PM to 9PM

Where: 138 Wooster St (Between Prince & Houston)

Why: To raise funds for Breast Cancer Awareness (FTBC)

Fashion Targets Breast Cancer® (FTBC), a charitable initiative of the Council of Fashion Designers of America/CFDA Foundation, marshals the goodwill and services of every element of the fashion industry (including fashion designers in the U.S. and internationally, leading retailers, the world’s most famous models and celebrities, fashion photographers, as well as media, advertising, and PR firms, among others) to raise public awareness and funds for the breast cancer cause, in the U.S. and internationally.

RSVP: PR@BETSEYJOHNSON.COM

67 looks were showcased in the film on a 42″ wide screen.  Norma Kamali also used this opportunity to launch her 3D video shopping experience, the web’s first 3D shopping pages.

NORMAKAMALI3D.COM was made available to guests using 17 laptop computers set up in the front of the venue. To add to the fun a 3D fashion game was also available.

Norma has been a retailer since 1967 and is transitioning retail innovation.  She provided shopping by merely scanning bar codes in her window displays.  She recently replaced mannequins with eight foot glamazon cutouts of models wearing her latest collections.  She has set up a “Try Before You Buy” service and is providing a full service shopping experience to her clients using Skype.

3D glasses can be ordered on the web site for the full 3D experience.  For now sit back and enjoy this fashion film brought to you in 3D by Norma Kamali.

Images: NY Magazine

Beauty Treats: Receive an exclusive umbrella with tote when you spend $125.00 or more in Cosmetics and Fragrances.

Look Sharp with Men’s Skincare: Receive an exclusive men’s travel tie case when you spend $75.00 or more in Men’s skincare.

Premier Plus and Ultimate Premier Insiders can earn double rewards when you shop with your Bloomingdale’s charge card.

Simply print the Savings Pass and present it with each purchase.  Shop online and take 20% off at bloomingdales.com from September 28th through October 3rd using code FALLFRIENDS11 at checkout.  Also enjoy Free Shipping.

Happy shopping to all my Friends & Family…

On Saturday, September 10th, former Project Runway Winner Christian Siriano presented his Spring 2012 collection at Eyebeam Art + Technology Center.  Still a fan favorite Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia and Elle’s Joe Zee watched from the front row.

It seems that young Christian, age 26, has grown up since winning Season Four of Project Runway and writing a book called Fierce Style: How to Be Your Most Fabulous Self.  Usually known for his flamboyant over-the-top designs this season Siriano surprised us with bright colored maxi skirts, paper bag-waist pants worn with simple striped T-shirts, quite a departure from last seasons dark hues.  The color palette consisted of coral, chartreuse, citrus, oyster and summer whites.  Stating Katherine Hepburn as his muse the opening looks were very marketable and could easily translate from runway to RTW giving off a vibe that appeared to be a lazy day at the shore.

As the looks progressed from look 1 to look 38 so did the glam quotient returning back to the looks we all have come to expect from this quirky designer.  A favorite look that I could see being worn at the Emmys this weekend was a citrus colored organza and tulle pleated gown with a spiral bodice seen in the center photo above.  Another stand out look was a silk bustier with draped bust in chartreuse worn with an oyster organza coral reef pencil skirt referencing the underwater specimen inspiration.

The shoes were part of his Christian Siriano for Payless Shoesource Gold Collection designer collaboration.

INSPIRATION: ” For Spring 12′, my inspiration is exotic tropical underwater specimens found while traveling to Bali, Honduras, and Belize. I was inspired by these underwater creatures- their origins and how they developed these textures and colors.  They are truly stunning and inspirational.”

Hair: Aveda

Makeup: MAC Cosmetics

Photos: Style.com

Having a fashion emergency? No need to call 911.  Fashion Designer Cynthia Rowley and Band-Aid® have teamed up to bring you the “Glambulance”.  To celebrate the launch of a new line of adhesive band-aids by Cynthia Rowley which will be released at cynthiarowley.com starting on September 8th, the Glambulance will be stocked with fashionable first aid supplies along with a hair stylist and make-up artist Mickey Williams.

On Thursday, September 8th the Glambulance will be parked on 5th Ave and 52nd St from 4pm to midnight to assist with Fashion Night Out dilemmas.  You can once again find the Glambulance on Friday, September 9th at Columbus Circle from 1pm to 9pm.

Band-Aid® brand and Cynthia Rowley are also hosting a contest on Facebook. To enter visit www.facebook.com/bandaid and share your worst fashion emergency.  The winner will walk away with a $2,500 Cynthia Rowley shopping spree and styling session.

The Band-Aids will launch at mass retailers in December and come in 7 designs from sequins, gold chains, lace and even a runway show graphic.  They can be purchased for $4.25.

If you spot the Glambulance let us know on Twitter using hashtag #glambulance.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week will take place in NYC at Lincoln Center from September 8th through September 15th.  During that week Designers will introduce their Spring 2012 collections to the media.  An announcement was made today by IMG Fashion, the production company behind NY Fashion Week, that 30 runway shows will be streamed live on YouTube’s Live from the Runway channel at www.youtube.com/liverunway.  You Tube and Maybelline will launch this channel on September 1st with live shows beginning the opening day of NY Fashion Week, September 8th.  The public will be given access to 30 live runway shows in addition to backstage beauty looks, interviews, trends and how-to videos.

For those who do not have access to a computer when a show is streaming live you may join in by watching on your mobile device using newly added mobile live streaming feature accessible at m.youtube.com/liverunway.  Shows will be archived and available to watch at a later time as well.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to bring designers show’s to a much wider audience via the world’s number one destination online for video content,” said Christina Neault, Executive Producer of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. “We’re excited to work with YouTube and Maybelline New York to promote the event and its incredible roster of shows.”

To view the complete schedule of Spring shows visit mbfashionweek.com

It’s that time again.  Can you believe it?  Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week will take place from September 8th – 15th showcasing Spring 2012.  The first schedule was released today by IMG.

Here is a sneak peek of the Spring schedule:

Thursday, September 8

9AM:  
NICHOLAS K, STUDIO

9:30-10:30AM: PORTER GREY, BOX

10AM:  BCBGMAXAZRIA, THEATRE

11AM: 
RICHARD CHAI, STAGE

1PM: 
SUPIMA, STUDIO

1:30-2:30PM: 
CANDELA, BOX

2PM:  
TADASHI SHOJI, STAGE

6-10PM: 
FASHION’S NIGHT OUT

Friday, September 09

9:00AM: EMERSON, STUDIO

9:30AM: PROJECT RUNWAY, THEATRE

11AM: 
LUCA LUCA, STAGE

1:OOPM: GENERAL IDEA, STUDIO

2PM: 
REBECCA TAYLOR, STAGE

2:30-3:30PM: 
MARA HOFFMAN, BOX

5:30PM: 
TOMMY HILFIGER MEN’S, TBA

6PM: 
NICOLE MILLER, STUDIO

6:30-8:30PM: 
CONCEPT KOREA, AVERY FISHER HALL

6:30-7:30PM: 
JOY CIOCI, BOX

7PM 
CYNTHIA ROWLEY, STAGE

8PM: 
ACADEMY OF ART UNIVERSITY, THEATRE

9:00PM: FALGUNI PEACOCK, STUDIO

Saturday, September 10

9AM: 
RUFFIAN, STUDIO

10AM: 
LACOSTE, THEATRE

10:30-11:30AM: 
PINK TARTAN, BOX

11AM: 
JILL STUART, STAGE

12PM: 
SON JUNG WAN, STUDIO

2PM: 
ADAM, STAGE

3PM: 
VIVIENNE TAM, THEATRE

3:30-4:30PM: 
FARAH ANGSANA, BOX

4PM: 
HONOR, STUDIO

6PM: 
CHARLOTTE RONSON, STAGE

7PM: 
MONIQUE LHUILLIER, THEATRE

7-8PM: 
RAFAEL CENNAMO, BOX

9PM: 
VENEXIANA, STUDIO

Sunday, September 11

10:30-11:30AM: 
KATYA LEONOVICH, BOX

11AM: 
LELA ROSE, STUDIO

12PM: 
DEREK LAM, STAGE

1PM: 
DKNY, 547 W 26TH ST

2:00PM: TRACY REEESE, STUDIO

2:30-3:30PM: 
L.A.M.B., BOX

4PM: 
DIANE VON FURSTENBERG, THEATRE

5PM: 
JEN KAO, STUDIO

5PM: Y-3, 82 MERCER ST

6:30-7:30PM: 
ODD MOLLY, BOX

7PM: 
CUSTO BARCELONA, STAGE

8PM: 
TOMMY HILFIGER, THEATRE

9PM: 
TIMO WEILAND, STUDIO

Monday, September 12

9AM: JENNY PACKHAM, STUDIO

9:30-10:30AM: CALLULA LILLIBELLE, BOX

10AM: CAROLINA HERRERA, THEATRE

11AM: CARLOS MIELE, STAGE

1PM: REBECCA MINKOFF, STUDIO

2PM: DONNA KARAN NEW YORK, 547 W 26TH ST

3PM: VLOV, STAGE

4PM: YEOHLEE, TBA

5PM: NORMAN AMBROSE, STUDIO

6PM: BETSEY JOHNSON, THEATRE

6:30-7:30PM: GUISHEM, BOX

7PM: PERRY ELLIS, STAGE

Tuesday, September 13

9:30-10:30AM: J.CREW, STUDIO

10AM: BADGLEY MISCHKA, THEATRE

11AM: VERA WANG, STAGE

1PM: DIESEL BLACK GOLD, 711 12TH AVE

1:30-3:30PM: BIBHU MOHAPATRA, BOX

2PM: HERVÉ LÉGER BY MAX AZRIA, THEATRE

3PM: ARGENTINE DESIGNERS, STAGE

5PM: ZANG TOI, STUDIO

6:30-7:30PM: PAMELLA ROLAND, BOX

7PM: TIBI, STAGE

8PM: NARCISO RODRIGUEZ, THEATRE

9PM: MALAN BRETON, STUDIO

Wednesday, September 14

10AM: MICHAEL KORS, THEATRE

11AM: NANETTE LEPORE, STAGE

1PM: J. MENDEL, STUDIO

2PM: CHADO RALPH RUCCI, THEATRE

3PM: MILLY BY MICHELLE SMITH, STAGE

6PM: ANNA SUI, THEATRE

7PM: ELIE TAHARI, STAGE

Thursday, September 15

10AM: RALPH LAUREN, 275 HUDSON ST

11AM: RALPH LAUREN, 275 HUDSON ST

2PM: CALVIN KLEIN COLLECTION WOMEN’S, 205 W 39TH ST

3PM: CALVIN KLEIN COLLECTION WOMEN’S, 205 W 39TH ST

5-8PM: MADE IN AFRICA: BY ARISE MAGAZINE , AVERY FISHER HALL

6PM: ELENE CASSIS, STUDIO

7PM: NAEEM KHAN, STAGE

To print the schedule above visit mbfashionweek.com

Cruising around some shoe sites I could not help but stop when I stumbled upon the new arrivals at Nine West.  In their “Glitter and Sparkle” trend they are selling a platform pump called GRASE which bears an uncanny resemblance to Sam Edelman’s LORISSA Stud Pump.  What do you think?  The shoe on top is from Nine West, the bottom shoe is from Sam Edelman. Copyright infringement or not?

Nine West Grase: $119.00 (Click here to purchase)

Sam Edelman Lorissa: $200.00 (Click here to purchase)

Karl Lagerfeld is an iconic figure in the fashion world.  This Fashion designer, photographer, artist and publisher is bringing his creative genius to Macy’s designing a capsule collection to be sold exclusively in the Impulse department.  Beginning on August 31st, 2011 this line will be sold in approximately 235 Macy’s stores and online at Macys.com.

The Impulse collection will have the signature Lagerfeld stamp on it; rich fabrics and chic silhouettes will create a modern and sleek look.  The price of the collection will range from $50 to $170 and will include dresses, tops, jackets, leggings and more.

“To me Macy’s is the perfect department store in the United States where everybody can find what they’re looking for without ruining their budget,” said Karl Lagerfeld. “That’s why I am happy to make this limited collection just for Macy’s.”

Karl Lagerfeld is the designer behind the Italian fashion houses of Fendi and Chanel.  His previous collaboration was with swedish mega-retailer H&M in 2004.  Lagerfeld has occasionally worked as a costume designer for theatrical productions and photographed editorials for Harper’s Bazaar and Numero Magazine.

Lagerfeld’s sketches, courtesy of Macy’s

“Karl’s collection for Macy’s offers a contemporary spin on his signature aesthetic, featuring versatile, easy-to-wear pieces with a modern twist,” said Nicole Fischelis, Macy’s group vice president and Fashion Director. “His passion and creative genius are deeply reflected in this collection, highlighting his ever evolving perspective to the fashion customer.”

Vogue published a sneak peek in their magazine of a floral dress which will retail for $109.  Macy’s also released some preliminary sketches.

Will you be wearing Lagerfeld for Macy’s this Fall?