Betsey Johnson, the fashion designer best known for her feminine and whimsical designs, has filed for bankruptcy protection.  As a result 350 employees will lose their jobs and most the brand’s 63 stores will close.  Betsey will continue to design for Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales and Nordstrom, along with a handful of flagship locations.

As a result of this recent news starting this Friday shoppers will find incredible savings of 20-50% on all Betsey Johnson apparel, jewelry, handbags and shoes. All store fixtures such as apparel racks, shelving and lighting are also available for sale.

“While the sales are ongoing, Betsey Johnson customers are still our main priority. We hope that they use this opportunity to find great discounts on all of the latest Betsey Johnson fashions,” said Jonathan Friedman, Chief Operating & Financial Officer of Betsey Johnson LLC. “I recommend that customers shop early so that they can take advantage of the sale, as merchandise will not be replenished once it has been sold.”

All Betsey Johnson stores will honor gift cards until June 1. All sales made on or after Friday, May 11, 2012 are final. Going-out-of-business sales are taking place at all 54 U.S. Betsey Johnson stores and at all nine Betsey Johnson outlets.

Many of her designs are considered “over the top” and embellished. She is also known for doing a cartwheel at the end of her fashion shows.

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

On Monday, May 7th what has been dubbed the “Oscars of Fashion“, the 2012 Costume Institute Gala took place at the Temple of Dendur at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC. This year’s gala celebrates the lives of two fashion icons; Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada. The exhibition is called Impossible Conversations and opens to the public on May 10th.

Co-Chairs Carey Mulligan and Anna Wintour in Prada

The 2012 gala was attended by 800 guests and had the strongest showing of star power with the red carpet arrivals being streamed live. Gala co-chairs this year were actress Carey Mulligan, Designer Miuccia Prada, and Vogue Editor-In-Chief Anna Wintour. All wore Prada to celebrate Miuccia and her accomplishments in the world of fashion.

Nina Dobrev, Camilla Belle and Kate Blanchett

Many celebrities walked the red carpet arm-in-arm with the designer they were wearing giving them a sartorial nod.  Some of my top picks for best dressed were Nina Dobrev in a stunning Donna Karan Atelier gown with a long flowing train, Jimmy Choo shoes, H. Stern jewelry, with a Judith Lieber clutch.  I would have to give a shout out to 25 year old Camilla Belle who sparkled in a low cut champagne colored dress and vintage jewels from the Ralph Lauren collection looking every bit old hollywood glamour. Another red carpet standout at the gala was Actress Kate Blanchett who chose an Alexander McQueen gown in a mermaid silhouette filled with black ostrich feathers.  Her sandals and skull clutch were McQueen and Van Cleef & Arpels jewels accessorized her look.

January Jones, Beyonce and Karolina Kurkova

Mad Men’s January Jones brightened up the red carpet in a canary yellow Versace gown with reflective accents and a statement necklace by Cartier jewels; Beyonce took a risk in a black sheer Givenchy couture gown with purple ombre feathers over a nude bodysuit and Supermodel Karolina Kurkova wore a slim fitted gown designed by Stylist Rachel Zoe with a matching turban.

For more information about the Spring 2012 Costume Institute exhibition, Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations, visit the metmuseum.org

Who is your pick for best dressed?

Photos: Getty Images

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.

The Metropolitan Museum’s Costume Institute Gala has often been dubbed the “Oscars of Fashion“.  The Spring 2012 gala will take place on May 7th and this year for the first time the red carpet arrivals will be streamed live on three different sites. Starting at 6:30pm ET you are invited to join me at the biggest fashion soiree on the east coast.  Hosted by Model Elettra Wiedemann and journalist William Norwich the red carpet coverage can be viewed online at Amazon , Vogue.com and the Metropolitan Museum of Art/Met Gala.

I will also be live tweeting the red carpet arrivals starting at 6:30pm so be sure to follow me on Twitter @FashionistaNYC.  The hosts will be taking your questions on Twitter using hashtag #metquestions from 6:30pm to 8:30pm.

The Met Gala proceeds the opening of the Spring 2012 exhibit titled Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations.  The opening night gala will be co-chaired by actress Carey Mulligan, designer Miuccia Prada, and US Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. The exhibit, which is located on the first floor of the museum, will explore the striking affinities between these two Italian designers from different eras which was inspired by Miguel Covarrubias’s “Impossible Interviews” for Vanity Fair.

The gallery at the Costume Institute opens to the public on May 10th and runs through August 19, 2012.

Be sure to mark your calendars now and join me for all the glamour and the glitz that fashion has to offer.

Related Article: Costume Institute 2012 exhibit will feature the fashion of Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada

Photo by: Larry Busacca/Getty Images

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.

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) 

You are invited: Dior and Harper’s Bazaar want to help you put your best face forward with their “New Look”.

To get you ready for Spring, Dior is offering complimentary beauty consultations at participating Macy’s Dior counters.

Dior has created four fabulous beauty ideas to transition you from Winter to Spring. The Granville Look, which is inspired by the shades of pink found at Mr. Dior’s childhood home, The New Look, an iconic look inspired by the first Christian Dior fashion show in 1947, The Versailles Look, inspired by the golden glamour of the iconic palace in France, and The Catwalk Look based on the edgy looks seen on the Dior runway.

Dior revolutionized makeup by creating a glamorous and couture trademark directly inspired by the creative energy and expertise found backstage at the fashion shows. Tyen, Creative Director of Dior Makeup, constantly works on reinventing colour and creating breakthrough, iconic makeup products.

For more information and to pick your look visit BAZAAR CONNECT.  Informational videos are available so you can continue your beauty routine at home.

Getting this new look is as simple as the bat of an eye.  Book an appointment at the Dior counter at participating Macy’s stores online or call 1-800-897-7648 for your complimentary beauty consultation.  This promotion runs from March 21st through March 31st only so be sure to book early.  Put your best face forward for Spring. You will be glad you did.

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.

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

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

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

A trend of the evening was a sea of green worn by Nina Dobrev who won for Favorite TV Drama Actress and 14 year old Chloe Grace Moretz who took home Favorite Movie Star Under 25.

Here are some of my top pics in the favorite Best Dressed category:

Vanessa Hudgens chose a black sequin Jenny Packham halter-neck gown accessorized with Arunashi earrings; Actress Miley Cyrus is seen walking the red carpet in a white plunging neckline David Koma cocktail dress with side swept hair; Jennifer Lawrence went contemporary in a cobalt blue cutout dress by Viktor & Rolf from their S/S 2012 collection.

Nina Dobrev wore a green Elie Saab V Neck dress and a Laura Merkin small clutch; Glee’s Lea Michele chose a white Marchesa dress with fringe detailing and Jimmy Choo ‘Senor’ glitter sandals; Demi Lovato also chose a Marchesa peach strapless gown and carried a small clutch by Marchesa.

Ashley Greene is seen above in a black custom leather and lace DKNY worn with Brian Atwood black pumps; Chloe Moretz is wearing a Proenza Schouler black and green ruched dress fit for a young star; Lucy Hale chose a black asymmetrical Cengiz Abazoglu dress with a long side sash.

Who is your favorite for Best Dressed?  Comment below…

Photos: Getty Images

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…

(Left to Right) Actress and Singer Selena Gomez is sexy and sultry looking in a slit champagne satin Giorgio Armani gown. I think from the kiss given on the red carpet that Justin Bieber approved of her gown choice. TV Personality and Project Runway Judge Heidi Klum shows off her supermodel legs in a laser-cut silver Giles Deacon dress. Taylor Swift who won Artist of the Year and 10 AMA Awards glittered all night in a Reem Acra strapless sequin gown.

(Left to Right) Singer Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum chose a sparkly floor length black gown designed by Rani Zakhem. Mary J. Blige wore a Roberto Cavalli asymmetrical leopard print gown. Former American Idol and Oscar Winner Jennifer Hudson shines in a silver jersey draped short dress by Jenny Packham.

Who is your favorite for Best Dressed? Comment below…

Photos: Getty Images

]]> http://fashiondevelopmentgroup.com/2011/11/20/american-music-awards-2011-red-carpet-fashion-best-dressed/feed 0 http://fashiondevelopmentgroup.com/2011/11/16/versace-for-hm-where-and-how-to-shop-the-collaboration http://fashiondevelopmentgroup.com/2011/11/16/versace-for-hm-where-and-how-to-shop-the-collaboration#comments Wed, 16 Nov 2011 22:04:33 +0000 Sheryl Blasnik http://fashiondevelopmentgroup.com/?p=3550

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…

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

Mode à Paris (Paris Fashion Week) runs from September 27th to October 5th, 2011 and showcases the RTW collections for Spring 2012.  Paris Fashion Week is a favorite of many Editors and Stylists due to it’s showmanship.  Many of the collections are shown in grand venues with much attention paid to the smallest of details.  Shows by Parisian Designers are grand in scope and the production is much like a show you might see at a Broadway theater.

I have many favorite fashion designers whose collections I anxiously await during Mode à Paris but one of my favorites has to be Balmain which was founded by Pierre Balmain and now designed by 26 year old Olivier Rousteing.

Balmain showed their Spring 2012 RTW show at the Intercontinental Grand Hôtel on Thursday, September 29th. Rousteing credited Nudie Cohn, a Russian-born American tailor who designed decorative rhinestone-covered suits, known popularly as “Nudie Suits”, and other elaborate outfits for some of the most famous celebrities of his era, for the collection taking his inspiration by researching the show costumes that Cohn deigned for westerns seen in the sixties.

Turning to Sin City the collection had a mix of faded denim skirts, jeans and button down shirts, bodycon tight fitted dresses with gold embroidery, hot shorts and Matador inspired leather jackets and leather pants.  In the spirit of Vegas he sent floral dresses down the runway which were inspired by quilted bedspreads.  There was lots of embellishment using sequins, rhinestones, heavy beading techniques, studs and metal buttons.  Belts with large buckles gave the looks a western flare.

The models wore leather gladiator sandals and Western inspired suede booties.

This season it was all about the sparkle and shine.  When Olivier Rousteing was asked if he saw himself as a budding Nicolas Ghesquière, who started out as a hidden talent at Balenciaga, Rousteing exclaimed: “I can only cross my fingers and hope for such a career!”

Images:  Style.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…

The opening theme offered androgynous casual looks to a theme called DUAL.  Male and Female models walked together in matching looks that were dominated by modern and contemporary graphic prints. There were embellishments added to create shimmering textures that resembled mirrors and holographic detailing.  This segment consisted of trousers, slouchy tops, tank tops, shorts and miniskirts.

The second part of the show was inspired by prints that looked like mirrored reflections seen through a Kaleidoscope.  This segment was aptly named KALEIDOSCOPIO. Here we saw patchwork fabrics that felt much like we had been taken on a journey to a geometrical universe.  One print even had a set of hands reaching from the back to the front of the garment.  In this segment there were bathing suits worn with tiny waist clutches, shorts, tops, kaftans and short flowing dresses.

Ending the show was evening wear in a segment the designer called MIRAME.  This is where the 3-D glasses went on.  Evening wear was designed using 3-D technology.  This concept was seen on both short and long dresses, swimwear, shorts and tops.  To pump up the use of this sophisticated technology many of the shoes and bags were also designed to go with the Mirame garments.

The shoes were towering platforms with scales on the heels and added to the 3 dimensional quality of the show.  The show was innovative, bold and embodied a unique artistic expression.

Hair: Dennis Lanni for Arrojo Studio

Makeup: Gato for Maybelline

Images:  Style.com

Widely recognized for her trend setting personal style and natural elegance Gwen Stefani created L.A.M.B., an acronym for Love Angel Music Baby out of her love of design and fashion. The brand is defined by Gwen’s innate sense of style which often features a playful juxtaposition between classic hollywood movie star glamour and more modern and casual street influences.

“The first is a Rat Pack group that is very black and white and quite graphic.” said Gwen is speaking of her presentation.  The IKAT prints and mod, retro looks gave off a vibe of the cool girl hanging out on a spring evening.  Some of my personal favorites were the slouchy jumpsuits with cargo pockets worn with large satchel bags, easy to wear and to transition from one season to the next in.  Quilted motorcycle jackets in lambskin leather mixed in a little punk rock.  The silhouette was one of easy street style that could be seen in NYC or on a california surfer girl.

“The second [motif] we’re calling High Voltage because there are lots of bright electric colors.” The towering sky-high platform sandals certainly added some high voltage power to the collection.  The colors scheme was cobalt blue, tomato red, coral, black and electric blue.  There were bold colored short and billowing maxi dresses in horizontal, vertical and zig-zag stripes.

The last theme that influenced the collection was ”Maharaja – an Indian inspiration – loosely weaves in and out.”  The heavy gold necklaces had a luxurious indian cultural feel to them. The fully beaded cotton eyelet jumpsuit paid homage to the indian influence.

This is a show where the hair, makeup and nails have to be discussed.  The hair was styled up into sky-high buns with ponytail extensions woven in.  ”We love the black hair. We love the kohl. And we love that whole exotic element,” said Danilo, lead hairstylist for Pantene.  The models were given cat eyes not unlike what we see on Gwen herself quite often.  There was plenty of mascara and black eyeliner used by Makeup artist Charlotte Willer for Maybelline.  The nails were painted with Essie’s Bobbing for Bubbles furthering playing up the rat pack vibe.

The jewelry was by n0ir for L.A.M.B.

It was a nice departure to view a collection that was simply RTW separates that could be in anyone’s closet from season to season.

Images:  Style.com

Kirstie Alley in Zang Toi

Zang Toi, a native of Malaysia who attended Parsons School of Design in NYC, presented his Spring 2012 elegant collection on September 13th at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.  The collection was his “Dream of North Africa”.  With a color palette inspired by the desert consisting of hues of desert brown, ebony, ivory and sapphire blue the designer transported us back to the African desert.

“This collection was inspired by my dream of North Africa. The luxurious and inspiring spirit that I experienced in the entire Arab region when I visited 10 years ago was remembered when I recently read an article on the re-opening of the iconic La Mamounia.” said Toi.

The show opened with a stunning and standout desert silk gazar linen goddess coat bordered with 23K gold leaf worn with a gazar linen strapless jumpsuit.  A favorite look that caught my attention was the use of gold chains that were draped on an ebony handloomed rayon knit short-sleeeved gown.  For a more toned down casual evening out with friends was the black silk jersey T-shirt with gold and sapphire beading that said “Make Love, Not War” worn with a pair of gold metallic leggings.  I could see young hollywood wearing this look.

Zang also mixed it up with some strong ebony menswear inspired smoking blazers with sculpted collars and silk ottoman lean trousers with a silk satin waistband.  The looks were clean and crisp and had a hint of femininity with gold chain accessories.  His aesthetic is timeless and has a wide appeal.

The highlight of his show this season was the finale.  Kirstie Alley, who we last saw on Dancing with the Stars, walked the runway last wearing a size 4 jewel encrusted “one thousand nights & one night” imperial blue coat worn over a sapphire couture silk gazar strapless imperial gown.  She was applauded and the audience looked on with nods of approval for a job well done.

Hair: Eiji Salon

Makeup: Beauty by Rudy for Amazing Cosmetics

Nails:  Nail Taxi

Images:  NY Magazine

Show Notes: “Spring 2012 is all about bold saturated colors with a sporty athletic edge.  With women more into fitness and healthy lifestyles, I compliment their physique using intricate seaming to outline the body.  The use of color blocking and accents of leather add an unexpected edge.  Evening is all about sexy silhouettes, open backs, cut-outs with lace inserts, and graphic prints infused with cadmium yellow and cobalt blue”

Monique Lhuillier presented her stunning Spring 2012 collection at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week on September 10th.  Seated front row was Julianne Hough, Rose McGowan, Mary Moore and LeeAnn Rimes with her husband Eddie Cibrian.

The collection was an interesting mix of strong harnessed sportswear separates followed by elegant ball gowns.  The color blocked dresses shaped to a slim silhouette were sexy and yet had an athletic nod to them.  The show opened with a cyan blue strapless corset seamed cocktail dress and set the tone for much of the show.  The color palette was strong tones of cobalt blue, yellows, red, magenta and painted strokes of black and white. There were black lace overlay panels that added that little touch of intrinsic detailing to the looks.

Some standout looks were typical of Monique Lhuillier’s feminine aesthetic.  The faille strapless draped carbon tulle ball gown could walk any red carpet and stop the paparazzi in their tracks.  The last look also stopped traffic when Lhuillier presented an ink faille strapless tufted ball gown that looked water-color swirled with gorgeous ruching around the waist shown above on the right.

Hair: Odile Gilbert for Kerastase

Makeup: Val Garland for MAC Cosmetics

Nails: CND

Photos: Style.com

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

“The Spring 2012 muse is contemporary, fresh, and ethereal. The collection emphasizes cut and color with unexpected cut-outs in silhouettes. Shades of oyster are highlighted by bold citrus colors of lemon, lime and tangerine. Cropped slouchy embellished sweaters, long skirts and voluminous outerwear in technical fabrics add edge while apron back dresses mixed with bone-colored snake leather bibs inject a pared-down cool attitude, which sets the tone for the Spring 2012 collection.” — Rebecca Taylor, designer

On Friday, September 9th Rebecca Taylor debuted her Spring 2012 collection at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.  The show opened with an alabaster snake leather and shades of moonlight silk pieced dress. Asymmetrical dresses in a palette of pale muted tones of grays and citron had an ethereal feel.  The collection was easy wearable pieces that could be mixed and matched in a variety of ways.  The nude pailette top pictured in the top photo was shown in three different ways giving each one it’s own stand alone look and feel.  In the theme of fresh she showed a cobalt shibori tie front apron dress and a skirt pictured above that looked like white billowing clouds painted on a blue sky backdrop.  Gunmetal pieces were interjected into the collection throwing a bit of a harder edge into the mix.  The accessories (belts, shoes and handbags) were also designed by Rebecca Taylor.

Hair: Dai Michishita for Cutler

Makeup: Sil Bruinsma for MAC Cosmetics

Nails: OPI

“There’s enough bummer in the world,” Taylor said backstage after her show. “I just want girls to feel pretty and to feel sexy. All my models tell me, this is what we want to wear.”

Photos:  Style.com

“The optical exuberance of gold; Flash mobs of floral and animated shapes; The thrill of adornment in forced perspectives” is how Cynthia Rowley described her Spring 2012 collection shown at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.  The runway was a mirror that reflected an opulence of glamour mixed in with a bit of grunge as seen in the use of embroidered lattice.  There were muted watercolors painted boldly on floral dresses that gave way to solid cream flowing feminine cocktail wear.

There were hints that Rowley was targeting the edgier, hipster girl with her leather mesh tops that gave off a rock and roll vibe along with the floral lattice bonded pants and the leather cut lace shorts.

Accessories added a pop of optical exuberance with gold mesh socks, metallic and leather mesh sandals, enamel “bow-lo” necklaces and gold/black soccer bags.

The collection was fun and edgy, the lattice intricate and eye-catching and overall it was the perfect intersection of where art meets fashion through the carefully planned use of texture.

Hair: Shon for Amika

Makeup: Lottie Stannard for Make Up For Ever

Photos: Style.com

I have to start with Nicki Minaj. The hip hop and R&B recording artist looked like she was attacked by stuffed animals and the animals won managing to subdue her.  Then to add insult to injury she borrowed the Tin Man’s costume from The Wizard Of Oz.

Lady Gaga who normally grabs my attention and I must know who she is wearing did a 360 degree turn around dressing as Jo Calderone in a Brooks Brother black suit redefining the menswear trend.  She wore a white tee and stayed in character all evening.

Miley Cyrus looked like she borrowed a dress from her Mom’s closet.  Though I liked the low back the long-sleeved dress by Roberto Cavalli was too mature for the 18 year old actress.  Miley added Lorraine Schwartz jewelry and Azzedine Alaia heels.

Now let us move onto the Best Dressed.  Top pick of the night goes to Beyonce who shocked us with her baby bump worn under an orange Lanvin gown worn with Rene Caovilla platforms and platinum colored gems by Lorraine Schwartz.  She looked glowing and every bit the superstar she is.  Beyonce later performed in a purple sequin Dolce & Gabbana jacket and black pants.

I also have to give a shout out to Selena Gomez.  The 19 year old Disney star stunned in a black asymmetric lace Julien McDonald gown with a high neckline. She accessorized with champagne Brian Atwood pumps and a Judith Leiber clutch.

Also making the list is Victoria Justice.  She looked sexy dressed in a short silver sequin Theia dress with Elie Tahari clutch and jewelry by Phillip Press and 88 by Sandy Simonian.

Who should be added to this list?  Who wins your vote for Best Dressed?  Worst Dressed?

Photos:  Getty Images

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)

The first challenge was truly that; a challenge.  Waking up at 5am to Tim Gunn’s unannounced “wake up call” the pajama game began.  The top 16 were challenged to create a look using their pajamas they had just slept in and one white bed sheet brought with them from the residence at The Atlas.

The top three were amazing as each one who rose to the top had their own unique set of challenges.  One had only been sewing for 4-5 weeks which greatly concerned the judges during the casting call.  Another was not only color blind but had beaten the odds and survived cancer.  The challenge winner is 57 years old and had not worked in fashion for years also surviving the loss of his partner to Aids.  Quite a backstory for Season 9 of Project Runway.

Let’s start with the winner.  Bert Keeter, age 57, attended Parsons School for Design and the New School in NYC from 1975-1977, studying fashion design. His previous experience includes working for Holly Harp, Bill Blass, Arnold Scaasi and Halston.  He lives in Los Angeles, California.  His challenge was to work with orange-check boxers and a grey t-shirt.

The next designer who impressed the judges with her tailoring skills is Anya Ayong Chee who hails from the islands of Trinadad & Tobago.  Anya has a fine arts bachelor’s degree in communications design from Parsons School of Design.  She was a contestant in the Miss Universe Pageant.  Her aesthetic is heavily influenced by the diverse cultures that comprise Trinidad and Tobago, and the Caribbean as a whole.  Her challenge was to take a silk kimono nightshirt and a sheet and transform them into fitted pants and a Japanese print silk halter top.

Next designer praised for his work was Anthony Ryan Auld.  He is 28 years old and lives in Baton Rouge, LA.  His education includes a Bachelor of Arts in fashion design, with a minor in business, from Louisiana State University. When asked if he had won any awards related to design Anthony proudly replied I received “Best in Show” at Fashion Group International’s Dallas Career Day in 2010.  Anthony turned PJ’s into a lacy tank top and a ruffled mini-skirt.

This is only episode one.  Who is your fan favorite so far?  Only time will tell.

Photos:  Lifetime TV