Fashion's Night Out to return in 2011

The popular event that celebrated NYC fashion and its designers is already scheduled for Sept. 8, according to a press release from Mayor Bloomberg's office.

The one-night shopping extravaganza was a joint effort  of Vogue magazine, the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and the city's marketing and tourism organization.

The 2010 event was deemed a resounding success by the mayor's office.

Stores opened their doors until late into the night, offering steep discounts, drinks, makeovers, gift bags and lots of incentives to get people to open their wallets.

The large-scale event was Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour's solution to sagging 2009 retail sales.

The public also got to see the faces behind the brands. Iconic designers manned the counters to meet their adoring fans.

"It's the exchange between the customers and the salespeople. I was really happy to see people [last year] not in front of their computer screen and adding to their cart, but actually getting out and being on the streets of the city," designer Marc Jacobs told the Daily News.

Celebs by the dozen, including Bette Midler and Sarah Jessica Parker, came out to support their favorite designers and  the city's economy.

"Next year's event will once again expose shoppers to new stores and products through events and promotions featuring some of the fashion and retail industries' top designers and leaders," according to the press release.

What does your bag say about you?

Monica Botkier, loved by Angelina Jolie, pleads utilitarian but works with pleating and ruching. Somehow that doesn't add up to utility. "That's because she uses buckles and studs in a functional way, it's a more girly - no, that's not the right word - feminine look." Her violet satchel has a "younger edge to it", appealing to the schoolgirl lurking in us.

Versace, leader of the old IT-bag gang, screaming with opulence and coveted by Beyonce, Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Liz Hurley et al, has toned down and swivelled its eye towards a youthful market, too. Watch out for patent leather satchels.

Here's another insight: women judge each other by their bags. Stalking is rife, Huey says.

"They get bag envy. I know I do. I check them out to see if they're fake or real." She can even tell the difference between the 2.55 Chanel quilted bag (named after the date it was launched, February 1955) and Marc Jacobs's quilted mini-Stam (named after his pal, model Jessica Stam), jokingly photographed as a hat.

Coco Chanel invented the inside pocket for "women's secrets" and the shoulder strap because, as she put it: "I was fed up holding purses in my hands and losing them so I added a strap and carried them over my shoulder."

Marc Jacobs's Stam bag put him on the map and is still a best-seller. With its 1950s frame and kisslock closure (a classic purse clasp), Huey forecasts iconic status for the bagman. In BAG, which showcases 30 of the world's most exciting designers, Jacobs rates up there with Dolce & Gabbana, which also strives for "more austere designs". Ditto Isaac Reina's industrial aesthetic, Kaviar Gauche's avant-garde utilitarianism and Jas M.B.'s fiercely functional messenger bags. Is this another sign of the shocking times in which fashionistas are forced to toe the line with sartorial meltdown?

Experts say yes, colours are toned down to black, beige, tan and chocolate brown, with a few brighter shades on the catwalk. Tell that to Moschino's Absolutely Lovely red heart bag by a designer known for quirky cheek. "When you buy a Moschino bag that's why you buy it." (Its Rugby Ball bag, however, is brown.) Versace, too, can't give up red. Jerome Dreyfuss says his tan Tom and far-from-classic shimmering python Billy bags are made to help women organise their lives. "I don't care for IT-bags, I am not happy to be known for them. They are worn by Paris Hilton."

Rocio UK, working with acacia wood and precious stones, is not an IT-bag brand. Neither is Bulga but what of Chloe? Her 2005 arm candy Paddington IT-bag is now history and "she is all about stitching, definitely not logos and locks and metalwork". Erva says logo-mania is overexploited. Liberty says one piece kept and cherished is the way to go. Loewe of Spain is for "provocative classicism". Phillip Lim says

IT-bags are passe but he is in love with big bags: "They're such a statement without being obnoxious."

With the exception of Rocio UK and Ports 1961's Hogni clutch sculpted in wood, favoured materials are lamb, deer, python, ostrich, snake, alligator, iguana, lizard and pony - a touch gruesome in print and not for the vegan-vegetarian reader. "In the leather world that's normal," Huey says. "There are ostrich legs too, quite small but interesting. Things like that excite people in this industry."

But what about Milan-based Zagliani, owned by a one-time dermatologist, whose crocodile and snakeskins are made supple with cosmetic filler injections? How gruesome is that? Huey's not sure whether he does that before or after. "I hope they are dead. I didn't have the nerve to ask him," she says.

All very creepy. But then Jamin Peuch pops up with what he calls his recipe for Gallic style - witty, whimsical and humorous. "After all they are only bags, it's not art, you have to have fun with them," Huey says. "That's the French for you."

the devil's not the only one wearing Prada

If the world is tightening its belt, then it's made of luxurious Italian leather. Profits at fashion house Prada have trebled so far this year, boosted by sales of luxury items in Asian and American markets.

Rising unemployment and a crisis in the eurozone, not least in the label's home of Italy, have not affected the world's appetite for staggeringly expensive handbags and leather boots and shoes.

All four of the Prada Group's labels have contributed to the rise: Prada, Miu Miu, traditional British shoemaker Church's and designer moccasin makers Car Shoe.

Church's were among a number of high-profile acquisitions in the 1990s which left the company €1bn in debt. But Prada's attempt to increase revenue by expanding its network of shops has paid dividends.

It marks a significant step in the extraordinary journey of the company since it was taken over in 1978 by Miuccia Prada, now 61, granddaughter of Mario Prada, who opened the first Prada store in 1913, a leather goods shop in Milan.

Miuccia Prada's husband, Patrizio Bertelli, an Italian who had begun his own leather goods business at the age of 17, joined the company shortly after meeting Ms Prada in the late 1970s, and is now its chief executive. He has been at the heart of the company's drive to become a big player in the global fashion world.

Prada hopes to list on the stock market next year with Hong Kong rumoured to be the most likely centre, close to the Asian consumers which are driving its recent surge in profits.

China, in particular, has been the centre of Prada's commercial renaissance. There are estimated to be more than 130 US dollar billionaires in China at the latest count and hundreds of thousands of Chinese millionaires.

"The data confirms that the retail network expansion is a winning strategy. These excellent results let us confidently look at the oncoming group's development," said Mr Bertelli in a statement.

Sales were said by the firm to have risen by 31 per cent to €1.38bn in the last nine-month period. Europe and the United States have contributed to growth, but in the Asian market sales have risen 51 per cent, the most significant element in the firm's success.

Prada's status as a major global brand was enhanced by the 2006 movie The Devil Wears Prada, which was based on the notorious Vogue editor Anna Wintour and celebrated the fashion industry's love of corporate excess.

English actress Carey Mulligan was also wearing a strapless jet-black Prada gown when she lost out to Sandra Bullock at this year's Academy Awards in Los Angeles.

The summer blazer

In the 1920s, the nautical navy blazer was adapted to become the sports blazer, a popular item for men whether on the tennis court or watching from the bleachers. French tennis player Rene Lacoste even had a blazer with his now-famous crocodile motif on the pocket. College types loved the loose lines and had patch pockets with their university crests. In the 1930s, cricketers also wore striped blazers with their team colours and crests. In the 1980s, oversized blazers were popular womenswear, with their shoulder pads, rolled-up sleeves and bright colours. Working Girl, anyone?

Why you need it now

We can still blame Balmain for blazermania, after it sent out its fierce, peaked-shouldered jackets in autumn last year. Since then, blazers have continued to ascend but have softened up considerably. The current preppy sportif trend has popularised the summer blazer again and even for those less-sporty versions, lightweight fabrics and spring colours lift this otherwise "working" wardrobe piece into casual, weekend territory. Tommy Hilfiger's recent spring-summer show featured the best example of this preppy styling. Antipodean designers have also embraced the summer blazer, with loose tailored styles found at labels including Fleur Wood, Karen Walker and Yeojin Bae.

What to look for

Loose-fitting styles mean you can roll up those sleeves for all play, no work. Similarly, fabrics such as cotton, denim, linen and that summer favourite, seersucker, give you a relaxed edge that will pair perfectly with jeans, shorts or your favourite breezy summer dress. Stripes are perfectly preppy, as are contrasting trims around lapels, sleeves, hems and crest pockets. For colours, the season's hottest shades of nude are fabulous, as are gelato shades of pale pink, blue, mint and lavender. Prints also add a fun twist to this lightweight (and light-hearted) item.

from a traditional mass market retailer to that of a purveyor of stylish, avant-garde fashion

Maria Luisa - the famous Parisian fashion buyer responsible for the collaboration between 3 Suisses and designers Charles Anastase, Natalia Brilli, Christian Wijnants and Bernard Willhelm this A/W 2010 season - has once again lent her stable of promising protégés to the French company. Three of her vanguard designers have contributed haute pieces at bargain prices for spring/summer 2011 (ranging from 60- 150 euros or $80-200 USD): There are sleek block color silk dresses and tops by Scottish-born designer Jonathan Saunders, structured tuxedo suits and graphic cocktail dresses by the young French talent Maxime Simoens, and breezy silk tops and day dresses by British Fashion Council award winner Richard Nicoll.

Luisa says the purpose of her creative partnership with 3 Suisses (now in its second season) is twofold: first, to infuse the decades-old company with a dose of high fashion; second, to give her roster of rising designers valuable publicity. "As a designer, you can't just live in the showrooms and be cut off from reality - you need to sell. The designers I've chosen are not yet known by the mass market, but by partnering with 3 Suisses, their creations will be seen by at least five million French customers."

"The dream of every designer is to see their pieces worn on every woman," said Maxime Simoens, who worked with Dior and Balenciaga before starting his eponymous label last year at the age of 25. "I was thrilled when Maria [Luisa] approached me about this project. I had no hesitations about going mass market." Shoppers will be delighted to know that Simoens has produced an affordable version of his embellished cocktail dress - worn by Leighton Meester in an episode of Gossip Girl - for his 3 Suisses line.

3 Suisses' creative repositioning, which has been envisioned by its makers for the past seasons, aims to capture a younger, edgier clientele. Traditionally, the French company - founded in 1928 by Xavier Toulemande for his family's knitted wool business - serviced an older crowd: women ages 45-50. But thanks to its recent collaborations with young hip designers, its main clientele has shifted.

Meanwhile, 3 Suisses' competitor La Redoute- who previously commissioned the voguish designers Gaspard Yurkievich and Tsumori Chisato- is also unveiling several collaborations for S/S 2011 collection, including Cathy Pill, Robert Clergerie and Tila March.

3 Suisses is already available in all of Europe and some Asian and African countries with the launch date of its S/S 2011 collection set for December. Meanwhile, the US section of its site announces that it is "Coming Soon."

Even reusable bags can carry environmental risk

They dangle from the arms of many shoppers, a nearly ubiquitous emblem of empathy with the environment: synthetic, reusable grocery bags, another must-have accessory for the socially conscious.

But the bags, hot items at upscale markets may be on the verge of a glacier-size public relations problem: some bags have been found to contain lead.

"They say plastic bags are bad; now they say these are bad. What's worse?" asked Jen Bluestein, who was walking out of Trader Joe's on the Upper West Side with a reusable bag under her arm Sunday.

"Green is a trend and people go with trends," Bluestein said. "People get them as fashion statements and they have, like, 50 of them. I don't think people know the real facts."

There is no evidence that these bags pose an immediate threat to the public. But reports from around the country have trickled in recently about reusable bags, mostly made in China, that contained potentially unsafe levels of lead. The offending bags were identified at several stores, including some CVS pharmacies; the Rochester, N.Y., -based Wegman's grocery chain recalled thousands of its bags, made of recycled plastic, in September.

Concerns have proliferated so much that Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., sent a letter on Sunday to the Food and Drug Administration, urging the agency to investigate the issue.

Reusable bags have maintained their popularity even amid charges that they become hothouses for bacteria. The recent studies, none of which were conducted by the government, found that the lead in some bags would pose a long-term risk of seeping into groundwater after disposal; over time, however, paint from the bag could flake off and come into contact with food.

"There's always something wrong with everything," said Barry Lebost, standing outside a Trader Joe's in Manhattan with four reusable bags filled with groceries.

But Lebost, an alternative energy consultant, did not appear fazed by the revelations of lead. He said his home, in Gardiner, N.Y., had been outfitted with a hydroelectric plant that saved the energy equivalent of 200 plastic bags a day. "It may not be a total solution, but this is a step in the right direction," he said of the suddenly suspect bags at his feet. "The fluorescent bulbs we have now, they're no good because they have mercury in them. You look at it as a transition."

But many shoppers said they would continue relying on the bags until more information came out.

"I wasn't planning on throwing it out, so that's a positive thing," said Catherine Paykin, standing by the meat counter at Fairway. "As long as I use it and don't throw it away, that will be my plan."

Preppy chic fashion retailer J. Crew sold for $3 billion

Preppy fashion retailer J. Crew Group Inc. on Tuesday agreed to be taken private in a $3 billion deal that would be the second multibillion dollar specialty retail buyout launched in two months.

The announcement of an offer from two investment firms — including one that used to own J. Crew — came as the retailer reported Tuesday that its third-quarter net income fell 14 percent, hurt by weaker women's clothing sales. The company also lowered its guidance for the year.

Under the deal as proposed, J. Crew shareholders would receive $43.50 per share from private equity firms TPG Capital and Leonard Green & Partners. That is a 16 percent premium to the stock's closing price Monday of $37.65.

CEO Mickey Drexler, the former Gap Inc. chief credited with turning J. Crew around since coming aboard in 2003, will remain in that role and retain a "significant" stake in J. Crew. He owned 5.4 of its outstanding shares as of September. In a prerecorded call, Drexler called the proposal a "highly compelling offer that will provide J. Crew's shareholders with substantial and immediate value for their shares."

J. Crew shares rose $6.18, or 16.4 percent, to $43.83 during midday trading. The stock has traded between $30.06 and $50.96 during the past 52 weeks. TPG took a majority stake in J. Crew Group Inc. in 1997 and remained majority shareholder until the company went public in 2006. As part of the proposed deal, J. Crew can solicit other offers until January 15, although there is no guarantee the company will get a higher bid, J. Crew said.

Private equity buyouts are rising after a lull during the recession. Gymboree Corp. in October agreed to be bought by Bain Capital for $1.8 billion. That deal closed Tuesday. Marc Cooper, managing director and head of retail at Peter J. Solomon Co., said specialty retailers can be a solid investment for private equity firms because the recession forced retailers to become much more efficient, cut costs and lower inventory. When chains slowed or stopped expanding, that also increased their cash on hand, he said.

"They are fairly stable, have significant cash flow and are trading at a low multiple (of earnings per share)," he said.

"That's a recipe for a perfect leveraged buyout." Gymboree and J. Crew both have "safe, stable, strong management teams," which is reassuring to private equity firms, he said. "Mickey Drexler is a good guy to back." Wall Street Strategies analyst Brian S. Sozzi said J. Crew is one of the more expensive specialty retail stocks. But he agreed that buyers would get a "strong management team led by Mickey Drexler . a productive mall-based store portfolio and a growing outlet business."

Prada handbags resort 2011

Prada handbags for resort 2011 are a snapshot of the upcoming trends for spring 2011 which the fashion savvy set watched on the Prada runway during Milan Fashion Week. One of the big trends for resort 2011 is the move away from black and neutral handbags and into candy colors. Although the spring runways moved back into neutral territory, Prada and several other designers continued to show bold colors. Prada handbags for resort 2011 reflect this trend with candy colors, warm neutrals and a mix of fabrications.

Prada handbags for resort 2011 featured classic Prada handbag designs such as the Saffiano collection and the Vitello collection in bold colors such as candy pink, red and royal blue in addition to classic neutrals such as soft tan and white. The Vitello hobo handbag Prada is featuring for resort is made from soft leather and comes in both fashion forward colors as well as classics while fitting into the soft hobo trend for spring 2011.

Prada also created a collection of fabric frame bags for the resort season which are kitschy yet structured. The Prada frame handbags are a fusion between the classic frame handbag and the modern, spring 2011 mixture of textures. Prada used a combination of soft calf leather, exotic leather and straw or linen to create subtle yet textured frame handbags for resort.

The Prada resort collection is a good time to invest in a Prada handbag and get a head start on the spring 2011 handbag trends. Although the straw or linen frame bags are interesting, they are a throwback to the fall 2010 lady bag with a warm weather spin. The frame bag is a classic, but not “of-the-moment” anymore. For an up-to-the-minute handbag, the bold colors from the Saffiano and Vitello collection are a good investment for the spring 2011 handbag season. The styles to watch for are hobo handbags, daytime clutches and the north/south tote.

Prada handbags for resort 2011 can be found at Saks Fifth Avenue Stores.

 

The secret of Asos's success

While the luxury goods sector continues to grapple with the economic downturn, at least one fashion retailer is laughing all the way to the bank. Yesterday, the online boutique asos.com posted a 59 per cent rise in first-half profit which, even in boom time, would be impressive, but given the current climate is nothing short of miraculous. By contrast, and only last week, Next – Britain's second most successful retailer, warned that its customers will face a double-digit price rise, owing to the inflated costs of materials.

The secret of Asos's success lies at least in part in the sheer size of its operation and also, to give the powers that be there the respect they are due, in the company's ability to move quickly with the times. The Green Room, an area of the site dedicated "to brands with a social and environmental ethos" and including People Tree and Bassike, is a case in point.

When Asos was launched, in June 2000, its initial USP was to come up with copies of celebrity looks everywhere from the red carpet to the streets of LA. The name originally stood for As Seen On Screen, although it has since worked hard to shake that off. It was aimed squarely at A-lister-obsessed teenagers who could snap up the gold Burberry dress Sienna Miller wore to the Met Ball in New York, say, or the purple Miu Miu design that Lindsay Lohan chose for the MTV movie awards, for not much more than £20.

New Opportunities for Growth

Since September 2008, many devoted luxury shoppers have been hiding their shopping bags.  Customers feel conflicted about what they really “need” in this new economic landscape, discouraging purchases that previously wouldn’t have garnered a second thought.  In addition, customers increasingly seek to align their purchases with their social values and sustainable lifestyle.

This new consumer mindset poses an interesting challenge to luxury brands.  While on the one hand, global luxury sales have rebounded nicely with projected growth of 10% in 2010, on the other, this uptick does not necessarily translate into profitability over the long term.

As the aging Baby Boomer population scales back on its spending, and more awareness develops around where products come from and how they are made, the luxury sector will have to seek out alternative growth strategies.  In this era of consciousness around spending habits, specifically amongst the socially and environmentally aware Gen X and Y’rs who wield the new spending power, luxury brands have a lot to gain by conveying they are committed to corporate social and environmental responsibility.

In previous years, a marketing executive at Hermes might have balked at the idea of diluting brand image by suggesting to customers they are “green”. However, the values luxury brands stand for align perfectly with green practices. The se include timelessness, durability, innovation, craftsmanship, and a meaningful brand and retail experience — all characteristics that mirror the underlying goals of sustainability and social responsibility.

Today, CEO’s and brands are asking themselves a new set of questions: How do we position our products to reflect this new customer mindset? How do we preserve our DNA while taking a sustainable approach? What should we do internally so that the message of conscious branding is understood, integrated and transmitted throughout our organization?

Some prestige brands are leading the charge in this capacity. Kate Spade, the accessories and handbag company, has launched an extraordinary effort with Women for Women International in order to promote job opportunities in Afghanistan.  The women employed by the program will create bracelets with the goal of developing long-term growth and stability in the country. Nordstrom, one of the nation’s leading fashion specialty retailers, is using their new location in New York to test a retail concept devoted to philanthropic efforts that will donate all proceeds to non-profits. And despite the fact that Levi’s is marketed as a brand with mass, as opposed to designer, appeal, their commitment to sustainability within their supply chain merits attention. The new “Water Less” denim line will utilize washing and finishing techniques that use 28 to 96 percent less water, depending on the style, than the 42 liters of water it now takes to produce the average pair of jeans.

By examining their supply chains and core values and translating that into intelligent messaging and operational practices, luxury brands can enjoy the advantages of being both profitable and sustainable.These strategies can help them reach new customers and breathe new life into the industry for decades to come.

 

Plus new fragrances coming from Justin Bieber, Jimmy Choo

It's three weeks till Black Friday, the traditional day-after-Thanksgiving shopping frenzy. Retailers are preparing to launch their ad campaigns, with everyone trying to one-up the others with deals, merchandise selection and crazy store opening times. Last year you could hardly digest the T-Day turkey before you had to push away from the table, grab the car keys and head for the mall for the midnight openings. But you can plan early with websites such as BlackFridayGottaDeal.com that are already offering coupons and sneek peaks at the deals.

Madonna made a surprise appearance Wednesday night at the Fashion Delivers gala at the Waldorf-Astoria in NYC. Jaws dropped when the singer (and now celeb designer) stepped from behind a velvet curtain to give Neil Cole, chairman of the Iconix Brand Group, an award for his charitable endeavors.

Everyone seems to be doing everything these days, so no surprise that shoe company Jimmy Choo has a new fragrance, which is scheduled to hit stores in January.

And along those lines, singer Justin Bieber, who two weeks ago announced he's in a deal for unisex scented dogtags and wristbands with Etoile Nation Beauty,  now has a deal for a women's fragrance in partnership with Give Back Brands Inc., a new company intent on using celebrity-branded products to raise money for charity.

But when it comes to fragrance, the one I'd bet on is Portrait of a Lady, no celebs involved. It's a soon-to-debut scent from French master perfumer Frederic Malle, made in collaboration with "nose" Dominique Ropion for the Malle perfumery's 10th anniversary. It's described as a lush, heady mix including Turkish rose, raspberries, cassis, cinamon, patchouli and musk. It will sell for $280 a bottle starting next month at Barneys New York.

We knew Kate Moss and Philp Green's TopShop collaborations couldn't really be over, despite the debut of what was called her "last official" collection for the British retailer. Vogue UK reports that the two are already planning their next joint endeavor, possibly a line of lingerie.

Kate Moss and Lady GaGa Among Vogue's Most Stylish Women

Supermodel Kate Moss has been lauded as the most stylish woman of the last 10 years by Vogue magazine. The British beauty landed the Best Dressed of the Decade accolade from editors at the fashion publication, while Jessica Biel has been named the American Beauty.

Lady GaGa has been hailed as The Visionary, while "Gossip Girl" beauty Blake Lively has been branded The Bombshell. Other stars honored for their fashion awareness include Marion Cotillard (Screen Siren), Sarah Jessica Parker (Haute Bohemian), U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama (The Independent) and Carey Mulligan (Free Spirit).

Vogue style director Alexandra Kotur says, "At every moment Kate Moss has looked chic and cool. No one has had more influence for the past decade on the way women have dressed than Kate Moss."

Gucci is the latest designer label to debut a children's collection

Italian luxury house Gucci is the latest designer label to debut a children's collection, joining the likes of Burberry, D&G and Dior. The worldwide launch of Gucci Kids is slated for November 20.

Gucci Kids, which will kick off with the Spring/Summer 2011 collection, will include clothing lines for babies (0 to 24 months) and boys and girls (ages 2 to 8). It will comprise ready-to-wear apparel, sunglasses, scarves, belts, ties, shoes, and other mini-me accessories. All the designs will bear a trademark gold teddy bear logo.

Frida Giannini, the company's creative director, told The New York Times that she had initial concerns in designing a childrenswear line given the "sexy attitude and glamour of Gucci." Her solution came from the Gucci archives. Thus, iconic symbols from the Italian label will be scattered throughout the kids' collection, including the brand's interlocking double G logo, images of bamboo and elements of the equestrian world. Classic colors like blue, pink, red, and green will dominate the collection's palette.

Price points will range from 70 euros to 185 euros for shoes and from 60 euros to 1100 euros for ready-to-wear attire. Gucci justifies the price tags by insisting that all products will be manufactured in Italy and be fabricated from the highest-quality materials. For instance, a kid's trenchcoat will be made from soft calfskin, naturally.

American actress and singer Jennifer Lopez and her two-year-old twins were chosen to be the stars of the first ad campaign for Gucci Kids. The photos, shot in Malibu by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, show Lopez sporting a flowy Gucci tunic while her daughter Emme and son Max play on the beach in their mini Gucci ensembles.

Another high-end label to have debuted a children's collection this month is Stella McCartney. Stella McCartney Kids, which comprises styles for babies and boys and girls ranging in age from 0 to 12 years, hit stores worldwide on November 3. However, the price points for Stella McCartney Kids are much more affordable compared to those of Gucci Kids, ranging from 19 euros for a baby's T-shirt to 150 euros for a coat.

Kim Kardashian Loves Wearing Our Furry Friends

Kim Kardashian may want to consider rehiring her hot Aussie bodyguard because she’s gonna need some extra protection soon. With all the fur she’s been wearing recently I wouldn’t be surprised if PETA is planning something big for the reality show star. For now though, they’re just being verbal about it saying she has no sympathy for our furry friends.

She’s been shooting her reality show with her sister Kourtney in NYC and it seems like she’s told her stylist to buy her every fur coat in the city.

Kim wears a new coat almost every day and some are just plain ridiculous. I’m talking about the one sleeve she was wearing during a basketball game. Was that necessary? Probably not! I'm still trying to figure out what it was. A sleeve jacket? A half coat?

Wonder what Khloe has to say about Kim’s latest obsession with fur. Just last year Khloe went naked for PETA and Kim said, “I haven’t bought anything new since Khloe did the ad.” Guess she's making up for loss time.

She might not be buying the coats herself, but someone is definitely buying them for her. Faux fur is definitely a hot trend for Fall but wearing dead animals is never in style!

 

Charlize Theron is new face of Uniqlo Heattech

The award-winning South African actress, Charlize Theron, stars as a 'snow queen' in her latest role as a global fashion ambassador for Uniqlo. Theron, who won an Oscar for 'Monster', is the new 'face' of Uniqlo's 'Heattech', a unique range of lightweight winter clothing which turns moisture evaporating from your body, into heat.

'Heattech', developed by Uniqlo in conjunction with Toray industries, is ground-breaking fabric technology which means you can actually wear less, but still keep warm. The concept was introduced in 2003 and, to date, more than 100 million pieces ofUniqlo 'Heattech' clothing and accessories have been sold around the world.

This winter's collection introduces a full range of jeans, skinny trousers, leggings, tights and shorts, together with the regular socks, scarves, neck-warmers, camis, T-shirts and long-johns. Prices start from £6.99 for accessories and from £9.99 for clothes.

The Fashion Show the Ultimate Collection

Welcome to zee fazjhun zjow ultimate collecjhun, or as the rest of us call it Bravo's empty spot on Tuesday nights. It's kind of like Project Runway with teams except this show is hosted by Iman and Isaac Mizrahi and it's kind of boring. Now don't get me wrong, I am fully going to give it a chance but I hope that last nights show wasn't a representation of the season, I don't own enough wine for that. So let's discuss the whole snooze-fest that this show....

Let me just say right now that Iman scares me, that woman straight up scares the hell out of me. I don't know why, it may be the fact that her eyes always look like they can shoot fire out of them or the fact that she has stayed married to David Bowie for all of these years. Who knows why but she does, and the fact that Iman is going to be the muse of this show just means that I will be terrified every Tuesday and I am not sure if this is something I am willing to do.

Isaac Mizrahi seems like he is going to play good cop to Imans' bad cop . He tries to calm her down but there just no calming a supermodel. Maybe he should just throw her a burger. Just sayin'

The designers are kind of meeh, there are a few that have some personality but on the whole they are a boring bunch. It does seem like a villain has already emerged in the form of Calvin because he has no problem calling people out. Not that you can really blame him, there were nautical ropes, ugly ruffles, and some seriously big feathers. Again who knows, this is day one and people tend to go nuts further into these shows, so here's to hoping.

The jury is still out on this show and hopefully next week will give us a better view of the direction it's going to take, we'll see. I mean it can't get much worse, can it? Oh and by the way Francine went home due to her silly big azz flower prom dress.

 

Coach clutch wristlets which will make good gifts this holiday season

Coach handbags are one of the highly desired gifts to receive during the Holiday gift shopping season. Many Coach Handbags are several hundreds of dollars with a few special pieces reaching over the one thousand dollar mark. Thankfully there are less expensive Coach Handbag gift alternatives which are under $100 for the Coach fan on your holiday shopping list.

There are several Coach clutch wristlets which will make good gifts this holiday season. The Madison clutch wristlet is available for $98 and features signature Coach fabric. There is also the leather version of the Madison clutch wristlet which is slightly squarer than the fabric versions. The leather Coach Madison clutch wristlet is $58. There is also a small version of the Coach Madison wristlet which can be found for $48. The Coach Madison wristlets are a great way to buy a gift which fits into spring’s upcoming daytime clutch trend.

In addition to the clutch wristlets from Coach Handbags, gift givers will find ID cases and coin purses which also make great Coach gifts for under $100. For Coach fans on your list who may already have the Coach handbag of his or hers dreams, an ID case, coin purse or wallet would make a great Coach gift for under $100.

A Look at Lolita Fashion

Walking the streets of Tokyo for a day of shopping it wouldn't be unusual to see a young lady in a fitted, high collard dress complete with petticoats, wearing hat and gloves and carrying a parasol. She isn't in costume and she isn't playing a prank. She's wearing lolita fashion.

A Japanese street fashion born in Harajuku, Tokyo in the 1980s, lolita combines Victorian and French Rococo style with a modern touch to create a look that requires bloomers and petticoats and welcomes the long ago discarded accessories such as hat and gloves that at one time no woman would have left the house without.

This widely popular trend has found it's way to many parts of the world including the US. Here the fringe fashion, often confused as cosplay is sure to raise some eyebrows and if for no other reason, certainly for the title itself.

Named from the dark and controversial novel by Vladimir Nabokov, lolita often brings to mind sexual connotations. Though many lolita followers are not even aware of the name's source and serious devotes of the trend protest it has anything to do with the image the fashion intends to display, some online shops selling lolita fashion seem to confirm rather than debunk the name's accuracy.

Outlandish high-heeled platform shoes and outfits reminiscent of a burlesque dancer seem well in line with the loose-girl image the name lolita conjures in so many people's mind. Here in the US where lolita fashion is often seen as a costume, girls dress in outfits often attuned to maids or nurses uniform, tailored for a sexy look and cheap, too-short dresses, overly high heels and bunny ears.

Face around the world - Parisian beauty

By my reckoning the average French girl has it made. For the French have an innate and rather enviable ability to appreciate, make that celebrate, their individual beauty. Women in other nations, on the other hand - ours included - seem to adopt the opposite approach by flogging and augmenting themselves, in effect manufacturing themselves as someone better and more attractive… apparently.

Ironically, it is often the French whom we try to emulate. Much to their bewilderment, if not amusement. For in doing so we’re missing the point, aren’t we? Parisian women don’t exercise in the extreme, pendulum between binging and abstaining or openly endorse botox and boob jobs. Some do, I’m sure, but not on the whole. When you think of a Parisian woman you think timeless, effortless, understated, if a bit undone, non? In a word: natural.

Women in Paris prefer scant amounts of make-up (perhaps a black-lined lash or a red lip); free-form hair, nary a blunt edge or tonged curl in sight. They opt for natural skin tones, not spray tans or stucco-like finishes; buffed nails (noir or rouge might make an appearance for a more sophisticated look) and their slender frames are care of thoughtful, though not obsessive eating, regular cleanses and the occasional strengthening and lengthening class, reinforced by incidental exercise such as walking or cycling, rather than driving and taking the stairs over the elevator.

Sound unfamiliar, does it? Well, I hate to say it, but the key to unlocking French beauty is not blood, sweat and tears, but rather an agreeable about of restraint meets a healthy dose of nonchalance.

More detailed information from: http://www.replicashermes.com/

the recent Tabitha collection has proved more popular than eve

If you’re looking for your next fashion fix, then the latest collection of Tabitha handbags could be just the ticket to satisfy your style craving.

The British brand Tabitha has become a hot favourite of the fash pack and the new collection of gorgeously chic and luxurious handbags are the perfect staple for this season. Lucky for us, they can now be found in the accessories hall in Arnotts.

It’s really no surprise that the celebs are clambering to buy these handbags by the truckload. The new Tabitha collection is brimming with stunning designs in chic colours including creams, browns, grey and magenta. The bags are made using the highest quality sumptuously soft leather and boast exquisite detailing such as metallic studs and woven finishes.

In fact, the recent Tabitha collection has proved more popular than ever and seen hanging from the arms of some fashion forward laydees! Fearne Cotton has been spotted with the ultra versatile Tabitha Saturn bag –a perfect accessory for channeling this season’s utilitarian chic look. One of the more statement designs within the collection, Fearne teams the studded Saturn bag with her off-duty casual biker boots and has also paired it with her more glam leopard print coat for a high fashion edge.

Cat Deeley is a celeb we have seen rise through the style ranks of late and is a fan of the Orion Tabitha bag (ditto for X Factor judge Danni Minogue). This luxuriously slouchy tote is perfect for holding all your bits and bobs and instantly adds a hint of edgy glamour to your look.

Everyone who’s anyone is sporting a Tabitha bag and we can’t wait to get our mitts on one of the sought-after new styles!

Spending is in fashion at Fort Lauderdale boat show

The five-day boat show offers an early test for a broader rebound in luxury spending -- the kind of surge that would bode well for South Florida's winter vacation season.

The Collection, a Coral Gables dealership and one of the country's top sellers of pricey cars, reported Porsche sales increased 60 percent this summer as regular customers started buying again.
Hotels hope to stretch their 2010 rebound into the winter and erase loses brought on in part by Corporate America's newfound aversion to flashy conference destinations like South Beach and Las Vegas.

And the Art Basel fair, the country's largest exhibition of contemporary art, arrives in Miami Beach in five weeks -- a gathering that depends on wealthy collectors from around the world.

I think it's going to be a test for the haves,'' said Chris McCarty, director of an economic survey center at the University of Florida. I don't think we're back to the good times yet.''

Though large yachts get the attention, the Fort Lauderdale boat show -- like its Miami counterpart in February -- depends on smaller craft to drive sales and profits. Most boats for sale at the show are under 40 feet long, organizers said.

Last year, about 100,000 people attended the Fort Lauderdale show, which spans five locations, including the Broward County Convention Center. Though attendance was off 30 percent in 2009, organizers expect this year to be better as the economy improves and the marine business recovers from the dark days of the downturn.

Among the vessels on display this weekend: Cake Walk, a new 281-foot yacht and the largest built in the United States since the 1930s. The yacht's builder, Derecktor Shipyards in Bridgeport, Conn., did not release a purchase price for the yacht, and declined to be interviewed.

Callahan's colleagues at Moran spent Wednesday tending to a pair of smaller crafts: the 223-foot Kismet and the 247--foot Northern Star. Both were tied next to each other at Fort Lauderdale's Sail Marina, held in place by ropes the size of fire hoses and buffered by fenders as large as wine casks.

Guests on Kismet can listen to a piano in the main salon, or sip cocktails at one of two full bars nestled among the ship's six decks (linked by an elevator, of course). Asking price: $130 million.

right on trend for autumn and incredibly chic

The Brit actress is on the red carpet trail with Eva Mendes promoting her new movie, Last Night. And yesterday at the International Film festival in Rome she was working hard, taking in a photo call, a cocktail party and a dinner - and changing her outfit for each event.

At the photo call she sported a black boucle dress with red and blue threads from Chanel's autumn 2010 collection. She is the face of the label's fragrance, Coco Mademoiselle, after all.

Then turned up the glamour and changed into a beautiful nude ruffled gown by the A-list's red carpet favourite, Valentino.

And finally she completed her trio of triumphs with an black top teamed with a mid-length full skirt - right on trend for autumn and incredibly chic. We love.

fashion editor of the International Herald-Tribune

Jil Sander is among the best-known fashion designers in the world. She is also among the most private, rarely giving interviews - especially after walking away from the design house that bears her name first in 2000 and then, finally, in 2004. These are excerpts from an interview with the Hamburg-based designer and Menkes, fashion editor of the International Herald-Tribune.

Q.You compared your work to the life of a prima ballerina - a dedication, training and struggle for perfection behind an apparently graceful and simple surface. Is that a good description of how you work?

There is an evident difference: A ballerina performs with her body, while I am happy to stay behind the scene. But I feel sympathy with her effort of making the beautiful look simple and easy, and thus encourage others to look and strive for it and achieve it in their way.

Q. You have never made clothes that make women look awkward or ridiculous. Can this be described as secret design that is embedded in fabric and construction but not immediately visible?

Initially, it was the unpractical in fashion that brought me to design my own line. I felt that it was much more attractive to cut clothes with respect for the living, three-dimensional body rather than to cover the body with decorative ideas. I studied proportions, fabrics and their properties, and I learned to master pattern-making. My approach has always been rather sensual. It evolved through multiple fittings and poured back into pattern technique.

I sometimes feel that a pattern is almost a fashion statement in itself.

Q. Can women ever dress in attitude like men, or is there something in the female gene that draws women to fanciful dressing?

Since childhood, I have been interested in men's clothes. Fabrics, cuts, colors - everything there seemed less flimsy and whimsical. This may have given my work an androgynous edge. But I like femininity, not of the devout, but of the self-assured, cool and sophisticated kind. ...

A personal, grown-up style often seems to come with professional success and an autonomous lifestyle. There are times in life when a non-sexualized attitude is important. I hope to provide clothes which underline the attractiveness of character, intelligence and personal charisma.

A calculator on a watch - what's not to like?

While acknowledging this is the preserve of wealthy adults, Mr Scatchard says: "As younger people get older and start to have a bit more money, their attitudes will change."

It's a sentiment echoed by veteran watch repairer Robin Martin, who has experienced the industry's ups and downs from his Portsmouth repair shop since 1959.

"Absolute rubbish" is his response to the question of whether watch-wearing is in decline. "We're busier today than ever before. I haven't found any drop-off in use, even at the younger end," he says.

If young people are to be won over it will be through designer brands according to Mintel.

A quarter of those aged 15 to 24 preferred designer labels, although prices would likely put off young teenage buyers like the readers of Sugar magazine.

"Girls just want something bright and fancy, maybe with a bit of 'bling'," says Jo Sawkins, fashion editor at Sugar, adding that many girls choose cheap imitations of designer watches worn by celebrities.

Casio is tapping in to that youth market by using young stars such as singers Ke$ha and Pixie Lott to promote its Baby-G range of durable, brightly-coloured watches. But while some are available under £50, many cost more.

"Unless it's a birthday or Christmas gift, when it's something parents would spend money on, I don't know that a watch is something they would buy," says Ms Sawkins.

"It gets more to do with status the older they get."

Whether they come to view watches as essential in the way their parents did, however, only time will tell.

they don't have the confidence to experiment with different looks and accessories

Returning to an office full of trendy singletons leaves new mothers feeling 'dowdy' and 'undervalued', a study has revealed.
Researchers found more than half of working mothers feel intimidated by fashionable younger colleagues.
A quarter believe they are overlooked in favour of more trendy workmates, and 44 per cent believe they have missed out on a promotion because of the way they looked.
Over 25 per cent said they would be more confident in their approach to their work if they looked better.
The poll by Persil also revealed that 44 per cent of women feel self-conscious in the clothes they wear to the office and feel completely stuck in a rut when it comes to fashion.
Over a third of working mothers said they were really envious of their single colleagues who are often more stylish and get further in their careers as a result.
For 54 per cent said the main reason for feeling insecure was being overweight, followed by 49 per cent saying they just don't feel trendy.
However, award winning personal stylist Lisa Talbot claims that it doesn't have to be this way.
She said: 'Despite the pressures of time and money, working mums should not feel that they don't have the confidence to experiment with different looks and accessories.
'My advice would be to invest a little and create a simple capsule 'working wardrobe' of basics, suitable for helping you dress the part in any kind of workplace.