We interrupt our fashion week program to bring you an important message from our Americas Basic Spy. Until Sunday, Sept. 20th, H&M is offering customers 50% off when they purchase an item at full price.
The discount applies to everything in the store, except gift cards. So go, buy your off the runway look because it’s still a few weeks before fall merchandise is reduced. We’ll be here to tell you as soon as the prices go down.
Now, back to Bryant Park!
Marc Jacobs is one of the biggest shows during fashion week. It’s the only show that draws Madonna, Lady GaGa and Rachel Zoe. Yes, he gets the celebrities and the fashion crowd. Most designers don’t draw both.
Marc Jacobs Spring 2010
Who is the customer: Celebs and those who love to love fashion
Why buy: Ruffles and pearls make you smile and feel pretty
What to buy: This rose ruffled number with a high-necked collar is a stand-out piece
Bypass: The fanny packs, which aren’t even cute with an LV logo
Contribution to fashion: Marc makes fashion. Some of what he shows might seem a bit off-the-edge but it always makes its way though the fashion mill and winds up mainstream several seasons later.
For a long time Gottex was one of the largest designer swimwear companies sold in the U.S. Today, not so much. What happened? We’re not sure, however, when you combine beautiful models and swimwear looking bad is almost impossible.
Gottex Spring 2010
Who is the customer: Top of the line in Macy’s swim department
Why buy: You have a great body and an attitude to go with it
What to buy: Choosing the right shade of a single color can be horribly complex. The precise shade of coral used in this collection was perfect. On the occasion of a fancy swim party, opt for a black Gottex sequined bikini.
Bypass: Bikini bottoms that look like diapers
Overall contribution to fashion: We were expecting a bit more from Molly Grand, Gottex’s head designer.
Custo Barcelona has a long history of color and excitement but has been absent from the fifth floor for some time. Seeing Custo’s wild prints, mixed with texture and fringe was thrilling. The off the runway looks might be a bit too extravagant for some shoppers but we home to see these looks translated at our local stores this spring.
Custo Barcelona Spring 2010:
Who is the customer: Those not afraid to combine texture and color within a single garment
Why buy: Going unnoticed is a fate worse then not going.
What to buy: Aqua fringed coat with jeweled detail
Bypass: Men’s sequined short suits because sometimes too much can be, too much
Overall contribution to fashion: Custo has a talent for combining texture and color that many designers only aspire to balance.
All of Rachel Roy’s collections seem to reflect an uptown sophistication not unlike her own. Her latest designs are elegant, strong and polished and balance the like of a 40’s screen legend with a strong 90’s business woman.
Rachel Roy Spring 2010
Who is the customer: An uptown girl who never forgets to be polite and say thank you. Boldface names include, Oprah Winfrey, Ivanka Trump and Niki Taylor.
Why buy: You’re strong and sexy but always centered and relaxed even in the most stressful situations.
What to buy: The shoes, Rachel Roy for Manolo Blahnik, are insanely striking. Next, go for the short skirts and wide-leg pants. There’s no reason why business and sexy can’t go together.
Bypass: Plunging necklines with no camisole. You can only be so sexy in a boardroom.
Overall contribution to fashion: Rachel’s collection was strong and serious but very feminine.The power suit is easily transformed into the beauty suit because there is nothing more sexy than an strong, sexy, driven woman with brains.
Domenico Vacca is best known for his exquisite tailoring of suits for both men and worm. Each piece is created using the ingredients of the old Italian guard: fine fabrics and exquisite tailoring and execution. Domenico Vacca has stores all over the world but just become a Madison Avenue neighbor this Spring. His collection presented, this weekend, had a 40s charm with a 2010 sophistication.
Domenico Vacca Spring 2010:
Who is the customer: Those who devour fine tailoring including, Ronald Lauder, Edgar Bronfman Jr., Pepe Fanjul and Kanye West.
Why buy: You’re tired of labels, big brands and over exposed designs.
What to buy: If you’re not in the market for a $4,000 suit then get red carpet ready. There’s no way you’ll blend in the crowd with the lime green gown with skinny teal belt. Beware, that slit can be dangerous.
Bypass: The Chuck Bass wanna-bes who showed up in mass to support Domenico. (Wish we had pictures.)
Overall contribution to fashion: Domenico reminds us that despite grunge and bo-ho chic, glamour is always in style.
Tonight was the first ever Fashion’s Night Out, a worldwide initiative to stimulate retail sales. Shoppers all over the world hit the stores and were entertained with cocktails, tasty treats, spa treatments and world-renowned DJs. It was the absolute largest fashion week party ever.
Vera Wang: Brides-to-be were treated with manicures, hair styling, champagne and wedding cake. Each time a girl stepped out of a dressing room there was a universal sigh: ahhhhhhh. Vera was on-hand signing books and taking photogprahs with customers. Yves Durif, who has a salon at the Carlyle, scooped in and tasseled the hair of prospective customers. Super-star nutritionist, Oz Garcia, lent advice on how to look and feel wonderful on the big day.
Retail analysis: One customer told Vera that she had just purchased two party dresses. We imagine that there will be several Vera Wang brides due to this event.
Cesare Paciotti: There was lots of delicious white and red wine but we never got our questions answered by Mr.Paciotti. Maybe the only way to avoid breaking skinny heels is to get new feet?
Retail analysis: Lots of socializing but we didn’t spot a single person trying on shoes. Maybe they will come back later in the week when there’s more room to spread out.
Valentino: The largest crowd on Madison was in front of Valentino, which lined the street with velvet ropes. The store apparently had a guest list. A shopping night like this is too short to worry about lists.
Retail analysis: We imagine that the store was attempting to cater to their better customers, society clientele and whatever celeb they could get their hands on. No shopping bags spotted.
Roberto Cavalli: The music was pumping and the crowd was partying. The event was as decadent as the clothing. Could you imagine Roberto Cavalli throwing a party that didn’t have amazing music and interesting drinks?
Retail analysis: Again, no shopping bags but the store was so crowded that serious shopping would be difficult.
Overall analysis: Fashion’s Night Out was a huge success. Customers truly did come out to stores and celebrate retail. The jewelry stores on Madison seem to have had an exceptional customer reaction and that will most definitely show in receipts. Department stores, on the other hand, were overly crowded and many of the sales associates which we spoke said that there were many more partiers than shoppers.
Looking forward: Fashion’s Night Out 2010 will no longer be a social experiment and designers and boutiques will continue to find more creative and outrageous ways to lure customers to this evening shopping event. Lets just hope that it doesn’t get so out of hand that coming out to shop becomes no longer enjoyable.
Fashion week has officially started in we’re front row, fifth row and back row center accumulating all the fashion, shopping and style information we can get. First stop: Ports 1961
Who is the customer: The Ports 1961 customer is sophisticated, worldly and very astute to quality. Ports 1961 attracts a more mature (read: older) crowd than their Meatpacking district neighbors.
Why buy: This collection was designed by Tia Cibani and was heavily influenced by Asian culture. The star of the show, by all means, was the fabric. From thick white taffeta to gossamer oyster organza and pink “aluminum lame” every fabric choice was an essential element of the design.
What to buy: Go for the bandeau dresses. The fabric and draping are outstanding. We also loved the back of these dresses, which had a bit of a twist. Also, if they make it to the store, go for the thick clear vinyl belts. Clear matches everything!
Bypass: Eclipse silk satin sheath dress. We can’t imagine it looking flattering on most people.
Overall contribution to fashion: This show proves that choosing the right quality fabric is as important as finding the right design. The Ports 1961 customer will be happy knowing that they are buying a high quality garment and it shows.
