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    Luca Luca Financial Troubles

    Luca Luca has long been known as a fashion brand for socialites but even the toniest gals run into money issues from time to time. Sources close with the company tell us that the fashion house has less than two months of operating capital and may be closing for good.

    Luca Orlandi started Luca Luca in 1991 and the brand quickly became known for his brightly colored dresses and figure hugging red carpet gowns.  At one point the company had several free standing stores throughout the country and its collections were sold at high-end luxury department stores like, Neiman Marcus and Barneys.

    Luca Luca, which usually shows during New York Fashion Week, was absent last season. The brand also quietly closed  its free-standing boutiques including the Madison Avenue space, which is currently the new home for Yigal Azrouël. In addition, the brand’s website does not include any product mention of Fall 2012 and we can’t find any retailers who are currently selling  product.

    We hate to be the messenger of bad news but we think a sample sale (read: liqudation sale) may be in the company’s future. What’s so bad about a society girl going down partying anyway?

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    Fashion Week Runway Trends: Part I

    By ManhattanMataHari

    With Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week underway, there are several emerging trends for Spring/Summer 2013. The good news? You won’t need to store all the brightly colored clothing from this past season. Additionally, some key pieces may already be in your closet and just require updated accessories. Stay tuned for more trends straight from the runways.

    Black & White

    While colors are still strong for next spring, black and white are gaining popularity. New takes on the little black dress and white on white are red-hot as seen at Alexander Wang, Tracy Reese, Catherine Malandrino, Cushnie et Ochs, and Victoria Beckham. Black and white combined perfectly together at Chado Ralph Rucci, along with the vibrant yellow also seen at Charlotte Ronson. Orange ranging from muted sherbet to bright clementine shades popped up at Diane von Furstenberg, Tracy Reese, Rebecca Taylor, and Victoria Beckham. Keep an eye out for shades of blue throughout the rest of fashion week.

    Bare Midriffs

    Charlotte Ronson

    For those of us not blessed with a model figure, unfortunately bra tops and bandeau styles that expose various areas of the midriff are back. Peter Som, Jason Wu, Mara Hoffman, Edun, Charlotte Ronson, Catherine Malandrino and others all had various incarnations of bra tops. Thankfully, most were paired with blazers and tasteful bottoms. Even ladylike line Jill Stuart showed some skin, which means we will have to hit up the gym throughout the winter to prep for next Spring.






    Tweet of the Wild

    Birds are all over Lincoln center. Thakoon, Altuzarra Et et. are all showing flights of fancy paired with floral prints. Most designers are using these designs in a more whimsical fashion rather than a more literal intrerpriatation. We are most positive that this trend will not end in New York and only gain more popularity as European designers show their collections.

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    Fashion’s Night Out Photos

    As always, Fashion’s Night Out was a very busy evening. This year, Madison Avenue was as lively as ever with Donna Karan striking a pose with Miss Piggy and New York’s bravest, Dwyane Wade was signing autographs at Calvin Klein and ballet dancers posed in the window of J. Mendel.

    Through out the evening, Madison Avenue shoppers Tweeted, emailed and Instagramed pictures of themselves and their friends. You can see the full photo album here. Now it’s time for our big finale: You get to choose who you think is the most fashionable of Fashion’s Night Out.

    Regardless of the outcome, we want to thank all of our readers who participated in our Fashion’s Night Out event and our sponsor, Madison Avenue Business Improvement District. It was so much fun and we can’t wait to do it again next year!!!

    Most Fashionable of FNO

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    Christian Siriano Opens in SoHo

    By ManhattanMataHari

    Even with all the fuss over Fashions Night Out and New York Fashion Week, we did not want to miss out on the Project Runway alums’ boutique launch party in SoHo. Mr. Siriano himself lent a hand in passing drinks to VIP guests. Uptown gals now have an even better reason to head downtown- the selection of ready-to-wear is more plentiful at the boutique than on the department store racks.

    We got a preview of the styles available and Siriano fans will not be disappointed. As expected, there are lots of fierce cocktail dresses. However, we were most impressed with the abundance of classic-but-updated separates. Also be sure to check out his line of accessories, although we suggest avoiding the glittery clutches unless you plan on being a disco ball for the night.

    Siriano’s current color palette is primarily black and magenta, with some fun prints and metallics thrown in. The fabrics are luxurious, with prices to match. Smitten with an updated black woven metallic blazer, it took a while to recover from the $900 sticker price (for a few hundred more you could have a vintage Chanel instead). Luckily, a quick browse provided more budget friendly buys.

    We suggest stopping by the store on your next SoHo outing. The only downside is the increased cost to cab it downtown. In this instance it might be more effective to just go to a department stores (darn taxi fare hike).

    Christian Siriano Boutique
    252 Elizabeth Street (between Bowery and Mott)

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    Reminder: Fashion’s Night Out

    Are you ready for Fashion’s Night Out?

    We hope you are because the count down is on. Our cast of spies along with the Madison Avenue BID will be looking for the most stylish shopper on Madison Avenue. Please Tweet or Instagram your candidates to @MadisonAveSpy and @MadisonAveBID with the hashtag #MadisonAveFNO. All of your photos will be included in our Madison Avenue Fashion’s Night Out photo album, which will be available for everyone to view.

    The most stylish ensembles will be posted to Madison Avenue Spy, where you will be able to vote for the most stylish . You can click here for more event details.

    See you soon!

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    Hermes Sample Sale: Epic Fail

    Those who were lucky enough to get a VIP invitation to the Hermes sample sale waited in line in the morning rain only to be disappointed by the lack of merchandise and high prices. Sample sale veterans should be warned that there are no bags, small leather goods, scarves, ties or jewelry.

    Those still interested in attending the sale for tradition’s sake will find most items about 50% off retail. There is an uninspiring assortment of shoes, which include Oran sandals for $315 and heels were $345. China is more like the miss matched brick-a-brack you would find at a thrift store and the few pieces of christal don’t even have boxes.

    Those who love Hermes or shopping a coveted sample sale should skip this sale. There is really nothing redeeming about going to Ninth Avenue. We’ll keep our eyes open this winter for the annual boutique sales. Stay tuned.

    Hermes Sample Sale
    Wednesday, September 5 to Saturday, September 8.
    Wed & Thurs 9am to 7pm, Fri & Sat 9am to 6pm
    317 W. 33rd St (between 8th and 9th Aves)

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    Win a Chanel Bag During FNO

    Fashion’s Night Out is a little bit like Halloween for adults. You have to map your planned path in order to pick up the best haul. Those looking for one of the sweetest prizes of the night won’t want to miss TheRealReal’s 100 Model March.





    On Thursday, September 6 from 6pm to 9pm there will be 100 RealReal models marching down Madison Avenue from 59th street to 76th street equipped with 15,000 RealReal gift cards. One special model will have a gift card redeemable for a brand new $2400 Chanel handbag.

    You can pick up clues about how to find the “Chanel Model” by following along in real time via Instagram and Facebook with the hashtag #therealrealFNO. When you find TheRealReal model just say: “I am obsessing over TheRealReal. Do you have the Chanel gift card?” And you will walk away with the night’s best arm candy.


    Those not local can join in the fun on the luxury contentment website and receive $50 off a purchase of $100 or more with coupon code FNO50. The online promotion will take place from 6pm est to 9pm est. Sounds like a candy coated shopping event to us!

    Sponsored Post
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    Madison Avenue Newbies

    We love coming back to New York after a long summer away and celebrating all the new additions to the neighborhood. This year has been especially busy with dozens of stores opening in the past several months.

    While you’ve been away –or otherwise distracted– a variety of stores have opened on the Avenue including, Vince, Rag & Bone, Zadig & Voltaire, Charlotte Olympia, Fivestory, Proenza Schouler and Rebecca Taylor. Shoe stores Schutz and Brian Atwood are expected to open this month and Kate Spade and Anya Hinmarch should be also opening shortly.

    We know that you will want to check out all of these Mad-Ave newbies so we put together a virtual walking tour of the neigborhood. We would love to hear what you have to say about the newcomers.


    View Madison Avenue Newbies in a larger map

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