June 2009 Archives

The perfect scent has arrived for all of us Champagne lovers.  Fresh's new Citron de Vigne is a unisex fragrance inspired by France's Champagne region. 

The scent is a crisp, sparkling, sensual blend... with an innovative heart note of pinot noir accord - comprised of bergamot, dark almond, musk, white sandalwood, and rose -  combined with bubbling citrus top notes and an earthy base.

Top Notes: neroli, bitter orange, pink grapefruit

Heart Notes: Fresh's pinot noir accord, jasmine tea leaves, lemongrass

Base Notes: patchouli, sandalwood, amber

It's available so far in the eau de parfum ($75), candle ($48) and soap ($14).

Fresh's candles are great because they come with a cover to keep the dust out and burn for about 50 hours!  So it's an expensive candle, but actually less than $1/hour... not bad when you think of that way.

There's a nice article in Vantiy Fair about Fresh co-founder, Alina Roytberg's trip to Veuve Clicquot in 2006 that inspired this fragrance line.

While we're on the topic of Veuve Clicquot... they happen to have a fabulous limited edition gift set of La Grande Dame Vintage 1998.  The bottle comes in gorgeous black lacquer and mahogany box with chrome and leather detailing.  The box is made by the famous Italian boat maker, Riva. The box is beautiful, definitely someting you'd keep long after the Champagne is gone. Sherry Lehman has it here in the city on sale right now for $149.95, regular $165.

I've been eyeing this shoe for months now... and now it's on sale!  Hmmm, tempting.

LAMB Tammy original $374, sale $296.

$296 is still a lot though.  They have it in black and brown... this shoe looks really good in both colors.

I posted a couple of months ago about the closing of eLuxury.... well they're now down to the bitter end.  What's left is all an additional 50% off, although there is hardly anything left!  The handbags and accessories category, for example, is down to just 2 belts.

It will be interesting to see what they do with it.  I suspect it will be good.

The July J. Crew catalog arrived in my mailbox yesterday. So it's time again for me to go faux shopping.... yay.  (it's cheaper that way if I just post them, and try not to buy)

They've updated the Michelle merino cardigan (which I LOVE, I have it in 2 colors), into a new longer version with little pockets at the bottom, still the same lightweight 14-gauge knit.  They call it the Endless Summer Cardigan, $89.50.  The longer length is good to wear with tiny skirts and leggings.

They brought back the Tissue Rolling-Ruffles Tank, $49.50.  This had been sold out for a while.  It's now back in white, light champagne, dusty shell, light pewter and navy.

I love this sweater, it's a linen/lurex blend.  The lurex is a metallic thread.  I can totally see this with a white tank, jeans and gold sandals.  Shimmer Cardigan, $98.

They've also added a new finish in their matchstick jeans, the Vintage Destroyed Matchstick, $118.  I am loving shredded denim right now, so these are great.

This dress I just LOVE on a hanger, but I think it will only look really great on a super waif. It's SO Audrey Hepburn.   But you see, it doesn't even look as good on their own model as it does laying flat. So this is a maybe / need to try on.  Knotted Cotton Sateen Dress, $98.

Last, this little cotton beach dress, looks so chic you could easily wear it to dinner.  (well it helps that they styled it with layered gold necklaces.)  Cotton Ruffle-Hem Sundress, $55.

Oh my goodness, I am so in love with this bag. Why, oh why, oh why does it have to be $3,100?  That is just stratospheric, even for Gucci.

New Jackie Shoulder Bag (Large)  (18.9 x 15.4 x 2.4")

Just look at these beautiful bamboo detailed tassels:

Well, they do have it on Gucci.com in a medium size (13.4 x 11 x 1.7") which is at least somewhat more reasonable at $2350.

 I am also loving these: Hollywood High-Heel Open Toe Pump, in black Guccissima leather with a light gold horsebit.  4-1/10" inch heel (perfect!) and $550, which is reasonable.  The only problem is that Neiman's only has these in white in my size (yuck).  And they don't sell the exact same shoe right now at Gucci.com... they have a snakeskin version.

Okay, so I was making fun of those Prada boots yesterday, but it's looking like they're going to be one of the trendy looks for Fall.  It seems like nearly every designer has turned out some for Fall: Chloe, Sergio Rossi, Stella McCartney, Giuseppe Zanotti...

I can imagine Paris Hilton, Rhianna and other youngsters turning up in these come Fall.

The Gucci version is called the "Divison" - 4.1 inch heel with 1.4" platform, over the knee boots in black, black stretch and black patent leather.  $2950, yikes.

 Christian Louboutin also has a couple of styles.  Here is one, the OTK platform boot in suede. 4" heel.  $1,995.

Holy smoke, check out these boots from the Prada Fall 09 Collection. 

The OTK Boot in black nappa leather. $1,400. (Honestly, I'm suprised they aren't more. That's a lot of boot per dollar.) But seriously, who would wear that?  Carmen Electra?

Somthing like this is a little more normal looking. Tall boot ($990), but the heel is only 3-1/2 inches, why?

Nicky Hilton was out in LA wearing the khaki zip dress by Vena Cava for the Gap Design Editions.  The khaki series of limited editions are designed by finalists of the 2008 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund.  Here's what's left on the website:

I think Nicky's dress is the best piece of the collection.  I like the way they updated a classic cut with the zipper detail and print. It's $88 and right now is still in stock online in all sizes.

What's the deal with Madewell 1937, it seems like they just came out of nowhere and became this cool brand... how could they have been around since 1937 if no one's ever heard of them until, like, this year year? 

Okay so I did some google-ing and found out that J. Crew launched Madewell actually back in 2006 to attract a younger demographic than J. Crew, and sell at slightly lower price points.  The first store was opened in Dallas in Aug. 2006. As per the 2006 press release, "[Madewell is] inspired by the New Bedford, MA workwear company founded in 1937, Madewell is a collection of real, honest women's clothes that speak for themselves: not too trendy, not too girly, just cool clothes infused with a modern upbeat attitude. It's an edgy take on casual with a few vintage details and a modern twist." Mickey Drexler had acquired the rights to the name before he joined J. Crew in 2003. They now have 13 Madewell stores and intend to add online shopping in 2010.  Right now their website just has info and lookbooks, and you can order from an 800 number. They don't even have a catalog.  I've been getting emails from them starting this year... I wonder why J. Crew was so slow to leverage their J. Crew database?  Anyway, mystery solved.  It's interesting to see how brands develop...

I really need to go down to their Soho store (486 Broadway at Broome St.) and check everything out.

I like the shredded up Ex-Boyfriend Jeans in Smoked Wash, $95.

Fergie is on the cover of Allure's July issue looking pretty good... it looks like she's lost the weight she had to gain for that movie...  Anyway, I was looking at this and thinking, wait, I know that swimsuit!  It's none other than J. Crew's Seaside Seersucker.  (who said seersucker was for geeks?) And, it's on sale right now!

Seaside Seersucker Underwire French Top, regular price $46, on sale now for $29.99. And Seaside Seersucker Bikini, regular price $42, on sale for $29.40. They come in papaya (as seen on Fergie), dark charcoal and bright sun.

The CFDA awards were last night at Lincoln Center.  Apparently the vibe wasn't quite as festive as usual thanks to the recession.  The New York Times wrote it up, here (Hard to Name Real Winners at Fashion Awards by Eric Wilson).

Of course, there were actual winners... they were as follows:

Womenswear Designer of the Year
Rodarte's Laura and Kate Mulleavy

Menswear Designer of the Year (tie)
Calvin Klein's Italo Zucchelli
Band of Outsiders' Scott Sternberg

Accessory Designer of the Year
Proenza Schouler's Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez

Swarovski Award for Womenswear
Alexander Wang

Swarovski Award for Menswear
Tim Hamilton

Swarovski Award for Accessory Design
Justin Giunta for Subversive Jewelry

International Award
Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton

Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award
Anna Sui

Eugenia Sheppard Award
Women's Wear Daily editor in chief Ed Nardoza

Eleanor Lambert Award
GQ's Jim Moore

Board of Directors' Special Tribute
First Lady Michelle Obama

Among the fashionable present, I thought Blake Lively looked great in a bright pink Michael Kors Fall 2009 RTW strapless dress with pockets and nude shoes.

The color is a bit shocking, but she manages to pull it off.  This dress doesn't seem to be available anywhere online, but Neirman's has some of his collection including some other pieces in this crazy bright pink. (swing coat $2,795 and cashmere sleeveless turtleneck $595)

I'd personally just love Blake's Kors dress in black or charcoal or something like this chic tweed dress ($1,795).

Wow, this makes me feel old.  Remember little Hermione... going back to the first Harry Potter movie (2001)... well now Emma is 19 and is getting great gigs like being the face of Burberry!  Not too shabby!

She looks fabulous in the new ads shot by Mario Testino.

 And while on the Burberry topic, they have a whole selection of denim now.  Maybe I'm a little behind, but I hadn't realized that. The prices are pretty reasonable too, most are $225 which is about what you'd pay for the average designer jean.

If you had any hopes of getting anything from Vuitton's Rose collection (inspired by the late Stephen Sprouse), you'd better hurry.  The scarf that Lindsay and Kate have been wearing around town is sold out.

There's one for sale on ebay right now that seems genuine, but it's min. bid is 999 GBP, which is over $1,600! 

Vuitton still has in stock the Neverfull bag and the Speedy bag with the roses.

Neverfull MM Bag, $1,360

Speedy 30 Bag, $1,310

I'm not usually a huge fan of Jessica Biel's fashion sense, but she looked great the other night!

It's a pretty simple outfit - - but the accessories make it great.  The chunky necklace is fab, and of course... the shoes!  Oooh, I am so jealous.  They are the Gucci Iman Platfoms from the Spring/Summer Collection.

With super high 5-1/2" heels.  The best thing is that they're on sale right now at Saks.  Regular price $1,150, sale $804.90.

This Banana Repulbic knit top has a very Missoni look about it... for a lot less, $69. It's a linen viscose blend.  They've borrowed Missoni's signature knit style with the striations.

They're also knocking off the Yves Saint Laurent cage shoe style that we've been seeing all over the fashion magazines this past Spring.

Banana version:  It comes in black or gold and is $160.  I have to say I don't like it.  The heel is too short (only 3-1/4") and the heel shaped wrong, it just looks ugly. It doesn't have the elegance of either of the YSL versions below.

Their inspiration:

Hermes has released some new scarves for Fall 2009.

Here are two of the new ones that I like:

La Femme aux Semelles de Vent ($375)

Christopher Columbus ($375)

The Gucci Spring Summer Sale starts today...

Their sales are always pretty good, with pretty aggressive markdowns which is somewhat surprising for a top brand.  Even the ready-to-wear is on sale.  For example this double breasted raincoat, regular price $2625, sale $1579.  That's almost 40% off.