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    McQueen Tragedy

    We wanted to take a moment to reflect on the talent and artistry Lee Alexander McQueen gave the fashion world and his customers. We will forever be inspired by his work.

    The McQueen website and online store has been taken down– we hope — temporarily. Be sure to take a look when it’s live again because his spring collection was amazing. We were/are looking froward to purchasing his yellow and black prints. This collection will be archived and catalogued like the fine art it is. If you can grab a piece of fashion history.

    McQueen was a fashion icon and like many of the good ones, he died too young.

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    Henri Bendel Instant Savings

    Henri Bendel may not be selling ready-to-wear any longer but they have done a super job concentrating on their jewelry department. Just in time for Valentines Day, the department-store-turned-accessory-store is offering instant discounts when you spend $200 or more from
    Just got your FB message: I can do the 17th too.

    This isn’t one of those department store shopping incentives where you spend some now and then get a gift card where you end up spending lots of money later to use your silly $50 gift card. The savings is instant. The price levels are as follows:

    Spend $200 ore more, receive $35 off
    Spend $350 ore more, receive $70 off
    Spend $500 ore more, receive $125 off
    Spend $750 ore more, receive $185 off
    You get the picture…

    We love these rivet stack bangles ($98) and very David Yurman. Take a look at this mulit strand pearl necklace ($198). It’s a great way to dress up a black cashmere sweater and jeans combo. Or try this rocking cocktail ring ($78).

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    Retail Therapy: Liz Lange and Jane Wagman

    Liz Lange made a name in creating chic clothing for women baking with babies. But there comes a time that every baby must grow up. Liz Lange is moving onto ready-to-wear and launching a collection– Completely Me by Liz Lange–which will range in price from about $25 to $60, on HSN starting Feb. 19.

    It’s hard not to develop a serious shopping problem when you grow up on the Upper East Side. Liz and her sister, Jane Wagman, started their careers working at the fashion temple we fondly refer to as Vogue. The sister duo is now hitting the world wide web and sharing their eye for fashion on Shopafrolic where they pick out best buys and wonderful fashion finds. Today we get some serious shopping tips from sisters who both love shoes, specifically Chanel boots, and the exhilarating powers of a really good buy.

    Hey, you’re bound to learn a life lesson or two when you spend enough time playing in the rock garden of the YSL boutique. What do you think?

    What’s your most prized “deal?”

    Liz Lange: My most prized deal changes from season to season but at the moment it is a large oversized navy patent leather Prada pocketbook with great gold hardware. I snagged it at half price and it is big enough to fit everything I need in a day. It’s great for travel and since in patent leather, I feel comfortable bringing it to the pool. It was under $1,000, which for Prada, is amazing.

    Jane Wagman: The Silver tipped, Fox fur coat I just scored at the Manhattan Vintage show for $650 (cash). The bottom zips off to transform the coat into a perfect car-coat and then I can wear the “bottom” as an amazing fur wrap. It’s a 3-for-1! I did pass a Siberian Husky on the street today and thought we looked separated-at-birth, so that might explain the price.




    Biggest regret that you didn’t purchase?


    LL: Shopping like life is about never looking back. There are no items that I truly regret not purchasing. That said, there was a little jersey dress in the Gucci resort collection, this season, that I saw in Palm Beach and should have grabbed!

    JW: The black Chanel knee high boots Liz bought this season. I wanted them in brown so badly. Dreamt about them but didn’t buy them. I should have as they are classic. I still think about them. Every time I see Liz in hers I get a little (or big) pang of regret.

    This season you are looking for…

    LL: This season I am looking for anything and everything Chloe. They really have their game on right now. Also, nautical. I can’t get enough navy, white, red and rope! Chanel and Gucci all have fab looking nautical pieces this season.

    JW: Spring/Summer – short shorts, skirts, dresses, flirty tops. Already thinking about next Winter and I want a fur hood (a la Audrey Hepburn in Charade)



    What’s your number one shopping tip?


    LL: My number one shopping tip is, when in doubt walk away. If you can’t stop thinking about it, then you should go back the next day and buy it. If you forget about it after leaving the shop, clearly it wasn’t meant to be. And nothing is too expensive if you wear it all the time and conversely even the cheapest item is too much money if you never end up wearing it.

    JW: Buy it… and lie about the price! You only live once. A new purchase really makes you happy.

    What’s your biggest weakness?


    LL: I have a huge weakness for little short skirts and little dresses. My favorite “little black” ones are Prada but really I buy them everywhere and anywhere from forever21.com to Versace and everything in between.

    JW: Is shopping an answer or is that the given and the question is “what is my shopping weakness?” I would have to say shoes. Good shoes transform any outfit. I often pick my shoes first and then plan the outfit to go with them.




    Is there an item for which a shopper should never mind paying full price?

    LL: You should never mind paying full price for great shoes. Shoes are delivered early in the season (particularly boots!) and if you don’t buy them then, you greatly run the risk of losing out. I always buy my Louboutins, Manolos and Chanels at full price when I see them and I wear them forever, so I don’t feel badly about the price.

    JW:Shoes, Bags, watches. But always try for the sale! You can often find amazing things at the end f a season/ But if you love something buy it full price or you risk not getting it.


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    Ungaro 75% Off

    The marketeer who suggested that Lindsy Lohan pay artistic advisement to Emanuel Ungaro must be in major trouble. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist or a MBA from Northwestern to forecast a fashion disaster in the making. Sure, Justin Timberlake could lend his eye towards some jeans and tee shirts and 50 Cent can put is name on sweatshirts but Ungaro needs a Designer.

    You can now rubberneck the Lindsy train-wreck, which is just hitting stores. While you’re there, take a look through the fall/winter merchandise because its been reduced to 75% off. Unlike many Madison Avenue boutiques, Ungaro is stocked with past-season inventory. There are lots of dresses from which to choose.

    We’re just not sure how much longer this brand can exist with disappointing collections. After all, who wants to own any clothing that is associated with LL– even if it were free.

    Contact: Kenny 212-249-4090

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    Naomi to Sashay for Haiti

    Fashion Week is like the Superbowl of fashion. The biggest and the brightest take to the Tents to display their talent. And it’s not always the fashion designers that steal the show. Talent comes in a variety of specialties including, stylists, make-up artists, hair designers, and, oh yes, the models.

    If you have ever seen Naomi Campbell walk the runway, you know why she is paid the big bucks. This season, you can get in on the action and catch Naomi doing what she does best.

    On February 12 Naomi will star in “Fashion for Relief,” to benefit benefit CARE to raise crucial funds towards rebuilding Haiti’s healthcare system for mother and children. Tickets cost between $100 and $150 and are available via Ticketmaster.com. The runway show will be hosted by Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, and will feature internationally recognized designers, celebrities and VIPs. All the donated garments will be auctioned online at Net-a-Porter starting March 15.

    The show will be styled by Rachel Zoe, hair by Orlando Pita, and make up by Charlotte Willer for Maybelline New York.

    Event Details:
    Fashion For Relief-Haiti NYC, 2010
    Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week
    Bryant Park, New York City
    Friday, February 12th 2010
    7:00pm
    Tickets are still available: Ticketmaster.com

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    Manolo Sale: Last Day

    At this point, we may want to change the name of this site to Manolo Blahnik Spy– but that’s only because the sale is that good. Tomorrow, Feb. 5th, is the last day and we thought we would paint a picture for those of you who are still procrastinating.

    At this point, the crowds are pretty thin and sizes and assortment are quickly diminishing. The price list goes as so: Blue sticker $185, green sticker $225, yellow sticker $250, red sticker $350 and alligator shoes are priced as marked, most of which are $700, from $4100!

    The majority of shoes we picked up were in the category of $225 or $250, short boots were $250 and high boots were $350.

    These prices are even better than last year, when shoes and boots were priced up to $400 (there was an orange sticker!) and alligator shoes were $1500. Of course, there will be a Manolo sample sale next month but who wants to shop in a hotel and deal with eBay crazed shoppers?

    This sale is just one more day. If you want Manolos, go now.

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    Alessi Closeouts

    Sometimes we get a bit obsessed with clothing and accessories. We don’t, however, live in a cardboard box. On occasion we need to take the time to nourish our surroundings with beautiful and inspiring design. Alessi’s designs are the perfect intersection between whimsy and functionality.

    Until the end of the month both Manhattan’s Alessi stores are moving out overstock, discontinued items and floor samples at up to 70% off. We took a peak in at the 60th Street location and found breadboxes reduced 25% to $42, limited edition sugar and creamer set 40% off to $94, limited edition gold vases 50% off or $200 each, most serving trays are 20% off, many serving utensils are 20% to 25% off, dinner flatware 60% off and some funky bud vases were reduced to $25 from $95.

    Just be warned: Alessi’s most popular designs like the Anna cork screw and popular tea kettles are not on sale. Call ahead if you have something specific in mind.

    Alessi
    30 E. 60th St. @ Madison Ave.
    212-317-9880
    130 Greene St. @ Prince St.
    212-941-7300

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    Chanel’s Inventory Issues

    Classic-style Chanel bags have increased in price about 10%. Even so, they are harder to find than a pop-star without shoulder pads.

    Below is the a unofficial price list for Timeless Classic (TC) and Reissue style bags:

    TC Medium/Large Caviar from $2425 to $2600
    TC Medium/Large Lamb from $2695 to $2850
    TC Jumbo Caviar from $2650 to $2995
    TC Jumbo Lamb from $2850 to $3250
    TC Maxi Caviar from $2895 to $3295
    TC Maxi Lamb from $3195 to $3500

    Reissue 225 from $2695 to $2850
    Reissue 226 from $2795 to $3250
    Reissue 227 from $3095 to $3600

    Chanel raising prices doesn’t seem very newsworthy, however, the lack of inventory has us wondering. Is Chanel trying to control their brand by holding back product? Could there have been a production mishap? Has demand for classic bags skyrocketed?

    Several calls to Chanel’s public relations representative were not returned. Sales people, however, were quite forthcoming about their opinion. One Chanel saleswoman speculated that they cut production because they were becoming too mainstream. Another Chanel bag specialist said she thought that the shift in the economy has customers choosing to spend their money on more classic style bags.

    The lack of Chanel inventory has more to do with dramatic economic shifts than a corporate scheme to manipulate customers, according to Patricia Pao, CEO of the Pao Principle, a global consulting firm for luxury companies.

    Like many luxury brands, Chanel’s sales fell off significantly when the economy made a quick nosedive, in September 2008, Pao explains. There was no other choice but to cut back significantly on production.

    “It was a prudent move as demand did not pick up until Christmas 2009,” Pao says. “The pent up demand surprised Chanel. Basically, by Christmas they had sold out of all of their basic stock in all of their boutiques in both RTW and accessories leaving them in a situation where they left a lot of money on the table.”

    Pao says, she thinks that the core Chanel customer has returned and the company will see healthy improvements for Spring 2010. In the meantime, the waiting lists are growing and Chanel customers want their bags– even if they do cost $500 more.

    What do you think?
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