X
X


    February 21, 2012

    Barney’s Warehouse Sale

    By ManhattanMataHari

    The fact the Barney’s Warehouse Sale draws a crowd on opening day still puzzles us since veteran Warehouse shoppers know the first week is generally priced like the last cut at stores. This trip to the Warehouse Sale was generally disappointing. We noticed lots of items from past sales and had a hard time finding undamaged items.

    The only current promotion for women is an extra 50% off “imperfect” damaged merchandise with the blue tags. We generally avoid damaged items, but did end up finding a cute pair of Chanel blue and white striped espadrille slides with wear on the soles for a mere $49!

    Since the prices are high and undamaged merchandise sparse, we recommended waiting until the additional markdowns go to 75% or more during the last couple days for your shopping trip. That being said, there are still some great deals to be found if you are patient and have a few hours to spend shopping.


    As usual, we started in the shoe department. Petite feet will fare the best, with the majority of high-end designer heels being size seven and under. We were pleasantly surprised over the number of Alaia shoes. A pair of patent croc-embossed booties are $539 and a pair of black suede over-the-knee boots were $1049. We also noticed a number of past-season Lanvin pumps and sandals. The highlight was a snakeskin and gold metal wedge number for $799. We also spotted the popular Prada mary jane boots in snakeskin and suede for $899.

    Don’t bother with the accessories section unless you are looking to channel next season’s hat-trend since they do have a variety of discounted hats. With a bit of persistence you can also find some nice wool Prada sport scarves around $129. Your effort is better spent on outerwear, especially since the $189 pint-sized Moncler jackets for babies are too cute to pass up.

    Moving on to the ready-to-wear section there are only six designer racks, although many items are mixed into the contemporary section. We spotted lovely $209 Celine slacks, $159 Alexander Wang silk trouser shorts, and Kiton suit separates for just over $1000. A Theysken’s Theory tunic shirt is now $119, while the red silk Balmain blouses we spotted at the store sale are still $600. We were very tempted by a fabulous $329 Isabel Marant boucle wool parka and matching $529 Altuzarra black pencil skirt with boucle detail, but the high prices bolstered our willpower.

    With a bit of searching you can find a good selection of intact (and untagged) Nina Ricci dresses. A red strapless Giambattista Valli number will set you back $769, while a black Balenciaga Edition rouched dress is $879. There were some nice Lanvin options to choose from, with a metallic pleated and bejeweled dress for just over $1000 and a cream silk tiered version for $719. There were especially friendly markdowns on the Proenza Schouler dresses, with a patchwork color block option for $529 and a silk print tiered number for $359.

    We can’t wait to head back on the last day to see what is available for an even greater discount!

    Barney’s Warehouse Sale
    255 West 17th St (between 7th and 8th Avenue)
    Tuesday, February 21st through Thursday, February 23rd, 10am~9pm
    Friday, February 24th, 9am~9pm
    Saturday, February 25th & Sunday, February 26th, 9am~8pm...
    Read More Share arrow icon svg
    February 17, 2012

    Runway Trend Report

    One of the best parts of going to so many fashion shows is that you get to see what's in style before it's in fashion. What can be better than picking up a trend before it's trendy? So, here is a little peak at winter 2012. Will you incorporate these looks into your wardrobe now to be be ahead of the fashion curb?

    Hats

    Clockwise: Donna Karan, Norma Kamali, Marc Jacobs, Nicole Miller, Milly, Rachel Zoe, Nicholas K, Ralph Lauren
    Big, little, short, fat, wide, skinny, traditional, modern, wacky, sleek and even fluffy -- hats were everywhere on the runway. We suggest seeking out what's left of this year's winter merchandise to find the perfect exclamation point for you.

    Gloves


    Clockwise: Jason Wu, Charlotte Ronson, Carolina Herrera, Narciso Rodriguez, Chado Ralph Rucci, Douglas Hannat 
    Short, long, leather, fingerless, black, studded and colored were just some of the combinations of gloves found on the runway. To capture this classic look now, we suggest hunting vintage and thrift stores to find the perfect hand-to-arm accessory.

    Metallics
    Clockwise: Marc Jacobs, Ports 1961, Jeremy Scott, Alexandre Herchovitch, L'Wren,  PrabalGurung
    Want to dazzle like a fashion star? Add a bit of glitter to your look. Designers glimmer to add texture to their collections. For "at home use" we suggest adding a metallic blouse or sweater and leaving the head-to-toe look for the runway.

    Fur
    Clockwise: The Row, J. Mendel, Vivienne Tam, Dennis Basso, Ports 1961, Michael Kors
    We never recall seeing so much fur on the runway. Of course, there was fur from the usual suspects but a wide array of designers decided to add the faux and the real stuff to their collection. It's wonderful to have one high quality fur but search your local vintage store and markets for a fur that's an over-the-top statement piece.

    All photos from Stye.com

    ...
    Read More Share arrow icon svg
    February 16, 2012

    Fashion Week: Ports 1961

    Fashion Notes: 
    Fiona Cibani's winter collection for Ports 1961 showcased a futuristic combination of patchwork textiles and varied proportions. To be clear, when we say "future" we don't mean space-age strangeness. Imagine fashion today with a the envelope nudged forward. The result was a sophisticated elegance.



    Key Looks:
    Boxy, metallic leather shirts and dresses, along with tulip sleeved dresses and tops.

    Silhouettes:
    The look of the Ports 1961 woman is always sophistication. This season, the shape was a stiff rectangle sometimes created with a patchwork of textures and proportions.

    Textiles:
    Mink, cashmere, double faced virgin wool pieced and matched together for a modern sophistication....
    Read More Share arrow icon svg
    February 15, 2012

    Fashion Week: Marc by Marc Jacobs

    By ManhattanMataHari

    Fashion Notes:
    Military is back in a big way with the Marc by Marc Jacobs collection for men and women. The collection executed a more playful, youthful edge to military-chic, with some exhibiting even a preppy twist. Perhaps Marc is suggesting a new uniform for military school. We are sure the kids would love that!



    Key Look
    The military style peacoats will surely be a hit on the sales floors. In addition, liked the blue and black striped dresses and tops.

    Silhouettes
    Billowy dresses and full skirts had plenty of movement, but the belted and structured peacoats were the most figure-flattering designs. Going with this season's hat theme, Marc opted for soldier hats to accent many of his looks.

    Textiles
    Jacobs used lots of military wool grays, punctuated by prepster plaids, and pops of color in stripes and prints. Dresses were shown in a varity of textures, including velvet, plaid, mesh and lamé.

    Scene
    Last night the Armory was a magical fantasy land for the Marc Jacobs collection. In contrast, the Marc by Marc Jacobs show was austere, which further drove home the military theme....
    Read More Share arrow icon svg
    February 15, 2012

    Fashion Week: Behnaz Serafpour

    By ManhattanMataHari 
    Fashion Notes:
    Behnaz Serafpour is best known for her modern dresses that ooze elegance and class, but the designer has begun catering to demands for more casual looks, branching out into some great fall separates and outerwear.
    Key Look:
    Metallic gold dresses in various fabrics and styles were the collection’s standouts pieces. Her fabulously structured wool blend outerwear were also sublime.


    Silhouettes: Serafpour wavered between her more fluid metallic pleated designs and her highly structured wool blends and lace dresses.

    Textiles: Textured gold, camel wool-blends, and delicate lightweight metallic pleated fabrics were supplemented by several stiff black lace numbers. There were also some nice belted leather and fur embellished vests, which are a nice departure from last fall’s “wookie” fur vests.


    Scene:
    The presentation took place at Ogilvy’s Chocolate Factory. Long draped panels were used to obscure the rotation of looks, with models alternating between being on display and hidden behind the panels....
    Read More Share arrow icon svg
    February 15, 2012

    White + Warren Online Sample Sale

    It's getting kind of chilly now that temperatures are dropping to a seasonable range. Truthfully, we haven't spent a lot of time thinking about hats, gloves or cashmere but that is starting to change. There is nothing we want more than soft cashmere when the mercury drops below freezing.


    The bright spot of this story is that it's already February, which means you can find the best deals of the season on the warm and cuddly stuff. The famous cashmere brand, White + Warren is hosting a three day online sample sale, where  you can snag some major savings without stepping foot outside.






    Shoppers of the online-only sale will find accessories and basics that are drastically reduced.  We are seeing hats and gloves for $29, scarves starting at $89 and sweaters ranging from $49 to $99. In addition, cotton and wool sweaters will be priced between $29 and $99), outerwear for $99) and men's cashmere starting at just $89.


    White + Warren was founded in 1997 with a simple mission--to bring quality cashmere to fashion-savvy women. The collection has expanded to include top-to-toe fashion items. Remember these top-to-toe discounts will only be online for  three days and you must use this link to view the reduced goodies. Who knew shopping from home could be so much fun?


    White + Warren Online Sample Sale
    http://www.whiteandwarren.com/sample-sale-feb
    Monday, February 13 through Wednesday February 16

    ...
    Read More Share arrow icon svg
    February 15, 2012

    Fashion Week: Dennis Basso

    Fashion Notes:
    If you're going to attend a Dennis Basso fashion show, make sure it's the winter collection. The man is undeniably the master of fur and the designer showed lots of it in his latest runway collection.We saw fur arranged in all types of ways-- horizontal, vertical and diagonal. So many beautiful shades of color makes you wonder why customers always go for black and brown. Perhaps a shot of orange for you next shrug?



    Key looks:
    Loved loved loved the sapphire chinchilla, which is a great alternative to black or brown

    Textiles:
    Fur and lots of it-- Russian sable, broadtail, ermine, lynx, chinchilla and Fox

    Silhouettes:
    Dazzling elegance topped with the richness of fur fur fur

    Scene:
    Joan Rivers, Kelly Bensimon, Susan Lucci, Ivanka Trump and Star Jones...
    Read More Share arrow icon svg
    February 15, 2012

    Fashion Week: Pamella Roland

    Fashion Notes:
    For her latest collection Pamella Roland created a winter wonderland that was inspired by her days skiing in Aspen. The setting was perfect for her glamorous winter gowns and dazzling fur coats. We especially loved the unique wood prints that most people would suspect as a marble pattern.

    Key looks:
    Red carpet gowns including stretch twill draped dresses and gowns with icicle beading and tuille

    Textiles:
    Structured silks, metallics, fur and subtle jacquards

    Silhouettes:
    Definitive daywear and lux layering pieces were shown alongside cocktail dresses and sleek, flowing gowns for all occasions and red carpet appearances....
    Read More Share arrow icon svg
    1 … 440 441 442 443 444 … 605