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    Robert Marc Eyewear Sale

    The Robert Marc eyewear boutique is hosting a winter sale where select optical and sunglasses will be half-off. The biggest discount is on the house brand of the same name but Lunor, Blinde and Oakley glasses will also be included in the sale.

    The above glasses were designed by Robert Marc and worn by Calista Flockhart’s character, in Brother’s & Sisters. The frame usually retails for $445 but is now half off.

    The sale runs from Monday, Feb. 22nd until Sunday, March 14th. Robert Marc has five stores along Madison between 48th Street and 92nd Street, in addition to a boutique on the West Side and two downtown locations. Click here to find the store closest to you.

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    Where’s Aldo?

    Fashion week is over and we undoubtedly had a blast. Above all, the Tents were a wonderful place to get inspired but not everything comes with a mortgage-worthy price tag.

    As unbelievable as it sounds, fashion designers are always a fantastic source for budget-friendly fashion ideas. After all, much of their money goes into manufacturing their designs. For many designers, buying shoes is a necessary nuisance. (Remember season one of Project Runway.)

    After hanging back stage at numerous fashion shows, we couldn’t help but notice how many designers filled in their standard Manolo, Choo, Louboutin, Prada and YSL shoes with Aldo. Yes, Aldo shoes were as easy to find as a 6-foot toothpick.

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    Where did we find Aldo? Christian Cota, Gar-de, Mandy Coon, Pamella Roland and threeASFOUR.

    Following our Fashion Week inspiration, we stopped by our local Aldo. (The winter collection is up to 70% off.) Unsurprisingly, shoes made of faux-leather were as fine as a non-flamable nightgown, but we found lots of spring/summer styles made of genuine leather uppers.

    We especially loved the Louboutin-looking patent leather sandle booties ($80), McQueen-like high collered ankle boots ($100), Chanel-ish wedge-heeled clogs ($90) and Gusseppi-style jeweled flats ($45). Go ahead, take a browse for yourself. You can even wait it out for a sale because we all love a cheap thrill.

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    McQueen Frenzy

    Since the untimely death of Alexander McQueen, fans have been paying tribute to the designer the best way shoppers know how– buying his designs. We’ve noticed that inventory of his current collection has been selling out quickly. This is quite a contrast from last season, when his pricey merchandise was aggressively discounted.

    Even before Christmas, his Meatpacking boutique discounted the winter collection 60%. It’s not even March and inventory is running low. On Net-a-Porter, McQueen merchandise is also selling out fast. A yellow lace satin embroidered silk dress, a signature item from the collection, is sold out except for one size. Cropped paint splashed jeans, one size left. An eagle print sift dress, one size. Knitted asymmetric spiral dress, one size. Are you following?

    A spokesperson for Net-a-Porter wouldn’t comment about the renewed desire for McQueen merchandise. Though the UK Times reports that McQueen sales have soared 1400%. This is quite a turn for a company that has reported losses every year from 2001 to 2008, when a small profit was made. Economic turmoil sent the McQueen brand back into the red in 2008.

    A sales person for Decades Two, the LA designer consignment shop, told us that they are almost sold out of everything McQueen. (They have two pair of men’s shoes if you’re interested.) Prior to the designer’s death, the store had a few items, including blazers and scarves. They receive several calls a day inquiring about the designer’s legacy merchandise. In general, the demand is for clothing and not scarves or accessories she said.

    If only we went with our instincts and invested in our favorite dress from last season rather than saving up for a Kandinsky. At least PPR, which holds a controlling stake in Alexander McQueen (and Gucci), announced that they will “continue to build the brand” and “The Alexander McQueen trademark will live on.”

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    Fashion Week: Oscar de la Renta

    Anyone would be hard pressed to find a piece from any Oscar de la Renta collection that wasn’t beautiful. Although the same could be said about his most recent runway show, we must say that we weren’t very surprised. Glamour, beauty and quality are expected of a master designer, such as Oscar but we missed a special magic that existed in prior seasons. Maybe it was the styling or the economic realities of retail but sometimes need over-the-top glamour and dazzle is necessary.

    Oscar de la Renta Fall 2010

    Who is the customer: Fifth Avenue

    Why buy: Classic beauty is always in style.

    What to buy: Color. We loved the reds, greens and purples in the collection but our favorite piece is this plumb cashmere coat with dyed fox collar.

    Bypass: Outdated hats. A good rule of thumb is that if an item ages a model it will send you straight to Miami.

    Overall contribution to fashion: Always perfect for the woman of a certain age.

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    Fashion Week: Norma Kamali

    Norma Kamali has never been known to maintain the status quo. She has a long track record in changing the retail environment: Customers are encouraged to take home clothing and review it at their leisure for a 48-hour duration, sales experts consult customers over Skype and her Fall 2010 collection can be purchased immediately.

    This season, Norma partnered with SkanLife, a mobile technology that allows customers to scan bar codes with their iPhone or Blackberry to get detailed information about a product. In the case of Norma Kamali’s new eye wear collection. browsers that scanned the accompanying sign were shown a short video about the sunglasses collection.

    For Norma’s presentation she displayed all her collections, which include her collaboration with Walmart, an eBay collection that all retails for under $350 and her signature OMO designs. We love how her fashion is always iconic regardless of price.

    Norma Kamali Fall 2010

    Who is the customer: Walmart utilitarian to uptown eccentric

    Why buy: You appreciate the creativity of an all-in-one and value a personal sense of style

    What to buy: The high-tech fabric is as warm as a sleeping bag but oh so stylish. We are also going to pick up an all-in-one striped tunic on our next shopping trip.

    Bypass: A parachute ball gown may be a bit too eccentric.

    Overall contribution to fashion: Staying true to your core roots while embracing change is a true talent.

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    Fashion Week: Tory Burch

    This season, Tory Burch deviated from her signature iconic caftan and shifted into a much more fashion forward and bold collection. Of course there were classic pieces but they were all shown with a twist of young artful sophistication: slouchy sailor trousers were shown with a sparkly mesh top, tweed jackets were paired with contrasting tweed pants and a hooded sweater became dazzling with sequined sleeves.

    Tory Burch is proving to be as talented of a fashion designer as she is a mass merchandiser. Lets hope she keeps continues. Girls, get ready to trade in your ballet flats for high-heel hiking boots.

    Tory Burch Fall 2010

    Why buy: You know you can rock it.

    What to buy: Bold red print dress with lively embellished sleeves

    Bypass: Winter shorts with tights is always a hard sell.

    Overall contribution to fashion: We love watching a fashion designer evolve.

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    Fashion Week: Pamella Roland

    Pamella Roland is best known for creating flawless red carpet looks. This season she channeled classic Venetian glamour and combined it with a sharp 2010 attitude. The soft silhouettes and structured suits were shown in winter white, purple and silver. Of course there were lots of beading, glitter and metallic. We especially went ga-ga for the detailing in the jeweled tights. Talk about attitude.

    Pamella Roland Fall 2010

    Immediately after the fashion show we caught up with Pamalla and asked her a few questions about dressing up:

    Who is your customer: My daughter’s are now in their 20’s and their input is becoming more apparent in my collections. These days I am designing both for mother’s and their daughters.

    What to buy: The violet chiffon gown with the asymmetrical bodice is striking and will look great on a variety of customers.

    Advice: When shopping for a special occasion dress bypass trends and choose a gown that looks great on YOUR body.

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    Filene’s Basement Closing

    The Filene’s Basement in Chelsea is closing and cleaning shop by marking down merchandise from 70% to 90% off. Signs in the store contend that the store lost its lease and will be closing on March 6th.

    Merchandise is already running very low and a store manager said that the closing date has been moved up to February 26. He also told us that close-out merchandise from their 79th street & Broadway location will be added to the inventory daily.

    So what deals are to be found? Um. Not much quality, that’s for sure. We did, however, find a few racks of Armani reduced an extra 75%. Slacks that once retailed for $500 are now $30, a straight-off-the-runway looking rouched blazer was $12,600 at retail but is now $650 and a velvet blazer started at $3,700 at retail but is now $200.

    Overall, the merchandise is lackluster but we are sure that those who love to dig can uncover some real jewels.

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