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    Retail Therapy: Hunter Bell & Jennifer Dixon

    Many fashion brands fail to succeed because a designer has poor business savvy or an entrepreneurial spirit lacks creativity. In the case of Hunter Bell and Jennifer Dixon these pitfalls were circumvented by bringing the two disciplines into one studio. Hunter took charge of designing her dream collection while Jennifer followed her financial passion.

    Their individual efforts paid off with the formation of Hunter Dixon. The brand, which was officially launched in 2009, is filled with bold colors, unique detailing and abstract prints. Consisting of sleek pants, structured dresses, tailored jackets and classic blouses, Hunter Dixon is a brand where sensible simplicity meets metropolitan style.

    You know we couldn’t resist inching our way into the shopping psyche of this yin-yang duo. What do you think?

    What’s your most prized deal?
    Jennifer: A few seasons ago, Jimmy Choo knee-high, three-inch, black, suede boots, on sale at Kirna Zabete for $399!

    Hunter: A pair of Prada shoes that were under $200 last year that I wear almost everyday and still look brand new!

    Biggest regret that you didn’t purchase?
    Jennifer: Is it a bad sign of my shopping habits that I don’t have one?!

    Hunter: A great looking pair of vintage heels from a high end vintage store in NYC…I left the store still thinking about the shoes and when I went back the next day to purchase, they were gone.

    This season you are looking for…
    Jennifer: “Jeggings” that aren’t TOO snug and more boyfriend blazers.

    Hunter: Cool pants! I have a closet full of great looking tops and have been wearing jeans for so long that I’m missing good looking pants that are draped and edgy.

    What’s your number one shopping tip?
    Jennifer: Don’t let anyone talk you into something you don’t love (be it a salesgirl or a magazine). If you don’t like it on yourself, or feel sexy when you try it on; you won’t when you get home and you won’t wear it.

    Hunter: when you are too busy with work and don’t have time to run into a local boutique or dept store to find really cool pieces for your wardrobe, visit Shopbop online.

    What’s your biggest weakness?
    Jennifer: Prada Shoes and Ernest Sewn jeans.

    Hunter: Shoes and Handbags!!

    Is there an item for which a shopper should never mind paying full price?
    Jennifer: A well – made silk blouse that is a classic color and that has a timeless silhouette will be in your closet for several years. A silk blouse can be worn year round these days and can transition well day to night and is an essential piece of the wardrobe.

    Hunter: I never think twice about paying full price for a quality classic item I know i would wear year round and have in my closet for years to come!

    La Perla 40% Off

    La Perla has started their summer sale and lingerie, sleepwear and swimwear are all about 40% off.

    The very lacy Lady Like demi bra is $144 from $240. You can complete your Lady Like set with a boy short, which is $118 from $198. A pretty lavender bikini top is $255 from $425. (The bottom is sold separately.) A long silk slip is $229 from $383.

    Did we fail to mention that there is a selection of men’s merchandise included in the sale? A striped cotton hooded bathrobe is $127 from $212, drawstring lounge plants are $73 from $122 and boxers are $35 from $69.

    La Perla’s markdown usually goes to 60% off by August and you know we just wrote about men’s merchandise so we could post Hot Guy’s picture.

    Bargains at Tiffany

    Tiffany has made so many changes in the past decade. The company stopped distributing products outside their own boutiques, expanded their affordable gift collection, over saturated their affordable gift collection and, most recently, refocused on fine jewelry.

    As cheesy as Tiffany can seem at times, it’s always a nice gift. As gold soars towards $1300 an ounce, we thought it would be fun to crack open few vintage Tiffany catalogues and compare prices. In 2000, gold averaged $279 an ounce. So you would imagine that prices could have easily quadrupled in the past decade. Think again.

    Jean Schlumberger’s “Sixteen Stone” ring in 18k gold with diamonds was $5,600 in 2000 and presently costs $6950. In 2000 the price of an 18k gold “Return to Tiffany” heart tag bracelet was $995. Today the same bracelet is $2150.The Etoile band ring with diamonds is currently $1800 but was $1000 in 2000.

    Even several gift items have stayed at a relatively steady price. A hand painted “Bunny” bank was $65 in 2000 and the redesigned version is now just $95. A “Rock Cut” dessert plate was $16 in 1997 and is now $35. The 9″ Hampton candlesticks were $40 each in 1997, $50 each in 2000 and are now just $70 each.

    Careful, not all prices have held steady. The “Man on the Moon” stirling silver rattle was $90 in 1997, $100 in 2000 but the current lighter weight re-deisgn is a wapping $260.

    As always, shoppers should be careful with what they buy but one has to wonder where shareholders stand with these shrinking profit margins.

    Retail Therapy: Lisa Mayock and Sophie Buhai

    Sophie Buhai and Lisa Mayock are the dynamic duo behind Vena Cava. The two designers met as students at Parson’s and revealed their first collection in 2003. Their designs are always classy and elegant but never loud or garish. Only as you see their creations up-close, do you notice the subtile details, which are always interesting and unique.

    This fall, the designers are launching Viva Vena, a lower-priced T-shirt collection, which will include organic cotton and jersey Ts, tanks and dresses, all focused on signature photo collages and hand-drawn motifs. The entire collection retails for under $200 and will be in stores next month. If next month seems too far away to grab some affordable Vena Cava, check out shopbop.com , Saks and Gargyle.com.

    Besides being amazingly creative and contagiously stylish, Sophie and Lisa are two of the sweetest fashion designers you will ever meet. And they have a great sense of humor. What do you think?

    What’s your most prized deal?
    Lisa: Probably the bet that my dad made with me that I wouldn’t get above a 1,200 on my SATS. I didn’t get a prize, but the feeling that I won was enough solace for me.

    Sophie: I got a Hermes watch on some shady Chinese watch website years ago, when eBay was like a ghost town. It was half price! I think it must have been stolen or something, but what a prize deal!

    Biggest regret that you didn’t purchase?
    Lisa: Um. I don’t usually have those kinds of regrets. I have the other kind where you buy the thing that you realize hours later is really lame.

    Sophie: When Lisa and I were in Udaipur, India we stumbled upon the most amazing antique jewelry store. It was filled with the most magical ancient Indian jewels. I found a diamond ring where the diamond was cut in the shape of a pyramid. It was the most exotic and mystical diamond ring, and it was totally cheap! I always wish I had paid the $300 bucks it cost. It will be impossible to find that ring again.

    This season you are looking for…
    Lisa: Tiny handpainted rocks. I found some on the beach recently and they are awesome.

    Sophie: I’m in need of vintage tennis clothes. I recently started playing at the public courts near my house, and have yet to find cool tennis gear! I’ve been searching eBay for 70’s tennis dresses, but they are harder to find then you would think.

    What’s your number one shopping tip?
    Lisa: Be openminded. This helps especially in terms of clothing sizing. Sometimes when you try on something that’s like four sizes too big it can be amazing.

    Sophie: Search eBay first, and use Esnipe.

    What’s your biggest weakness?
    Lisa: Antique sportscars. I just can’t stop buying them!! Just kidding. I fall hard for chocolate, things that are a red-orange or chartreuse color and minimalist mid-century silver jewelry.

    Sophie: I basically keep collecting the same things that I love, over and over again–high waisted wide legged jeans, black blazers, vintage sunglasses, Marion Vidal jewelry, and things that were my mother’s or my great aunts. My closet is full of seven versions of the same style; it’s like an extension of my high school uniform.

    Is there an item for which a shopper should never mind paying full price?
    Lisa: No. Gotta Love getting a deal.

    Sophie: In my opinion, things that last forever are okay to pay full price on–like a watch, a necklace or a nice bag. That’s what my grandmother always told me. These objects get passed down for generations and become heirlooms with stories. Other then that, you can get the rest at Loehmann’s!

    Century 21 Clearance

    Sharpen your elbows because Century 21 has slashed prices on their spring and summer merchandise. There are always great surprises at Century but the store’s semi-annual sale makes even the Old Navy seem expensive.

    During pervious markdowns, we have found Rick Owens, Missoni, YSL, Pucci, Lanvin, Balmain for over 90% off their retail prices. We can label drop from now until Winter– but you get the idea. Shop now for the best selection. After all the tourists harvest the sale there may not be much left besides damages.