NY Fashion Week Plans for Lincoln Center - First Peek

Rigoletto and Ralph, Carmen and Calvin, Donna and Divas... Much talk has been generated about Mercedes-Benz Fashion week moving to Lincoln Center this fall. The CFDA revealed the first look at the plans for September.Instead of two main tents and a room at the library from Bryant park, the new plans have four main areas. The Theatre, The Stage, The Studio and The Box Presentation Space. The Theatre...

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Molly Ringwald and Swarovski are Getting the Pretty Back

The Swarovski Crystallized boutique in Soho hosted the book launch of 80's icon Molly Ringwald Tuesday. The feel-good bookis filled with fashion tips and advice and illustrated by Ruben Toledo. Artist Cindy Sherman was in attendance along with many of the author's fans. Ms. Ringwald looked like a sophisticated (but barely older) version of her John Hughes envisioned self in a lace and satin sheath...

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Parsons 2010 Graduate Fashion Show

Monday night, the graduating class of the fashion design program held their benefit fashion show. The most talented of students presented their collections. I saw a lot of gorgeous, innovative knits. There was a very good balance of terrific menswear along with the womens collections. One of the emerging themes I saw throughout the runway was a sense of the urban nomad. Many of the looks had a wrapped...

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Chambord First Lady of Fashion at the Kentucky Derby

Heading for the races? On April 30th, Chambord is sponsoring the First Lady of Fashion Contest during the Kentucky Derby to raise funds for the Breast Cancer Network of Strength. In collaboration with the Susan B. Komen foundation, the contest is part of the Derby's Ladies First events. Fashionistas will compete on the runway on the best incorporation of pink in their ensemble for an all expense paid...

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Italian Designers Promote the Artisan Movement

Why do you pay the big bucks for a designer item? It's not simply for the name is it? I would hope the educated consumer is purchasing their luxury piece for the work and quality too.Gucci launched its Artisan Corner program last week, bringing their skilled leather craftspeople to their boutiques. The campaign was launched as a tour in stores of several cities, where VIP clients are able to order...

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FAB Sale Alerts: Fendi, Badgley Mischka & Manolo Blahnik!

In NYC:Charles Chang Lima counts ladies like Oprah and Sarah Jessica Parker as fans. Lovely evening gowns, suits and dresses will be up to 90% off and there will also be a $10 goodie bin!When: Wednesday, April 28 only! 9 am - 6 pmWhere: 264 West 40th street, 10th floor (between 7th and 8th ave.)Manolo Blahnik Sample Sale (seriously!) This one used to be secret and open to fashion editors and VIPs...

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Loris Diran Preview Boutique Party

French-Armenian designer Loris Diran held an intimate cocktail party at his Lower East Side boutique Tuesday night. The soiree showcased sculpted designer pieces for women and men in luxury fabrics. My favorite pieces were the hourglass tailored seamed jackets and artfully draped dresses. The collection (and price point) were definitely elevated for a neighborhood (Bowery!) known for its grunge...

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Couturious Stylist Scholarship Contest! Ends Sunday

I met the lovely ladies of Couturious.com a few months back during NY Fashion Week and loved their website concept. You can pick your model by body type, ethnicity and then style her in current collections from designers. It's like a high-tech stylish version of paper dolls.From now until Sunday night, they have a fantastic contest for students. Rather than your typical merchandise giveaway, the...

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Fashion Inspiration Benefit for Leukemia & Lymphoma

A little north of Manhattan in Saratoga Springs, a champagne celebration was held to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Organized by Kristina Krawchuk and Natalie Sillery,the event showcased the work of Theia designer Don O'neill ( a favorite of Carrie Underwood) and millinery artist Kokin in a fabulous fashion show at the town's Preservation Hall. Based on the photographs, everyone looked...

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Designers For Earth Day - Fashion Showing Love for our Planet

Is it an oxymoron for fashion houses to get involved in Earth Day? It may seem like an industry that promotes consumption and capitalism wouldn't put it high on their priority list, but that is simply not true. Major fashion designers, luxury, trendy and sporty are using their cachet and merchandising skills to help our dear planet. Designers like Stella McCartney, Proenza Schouler, Vivienne Westwood...

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Anna Wintour's Master Class

Monday night, an intimate group of fashion students, the style savvy and curious industry vets were privy to a master class at Pratt Institute given by legendary editors Anna Wintour and Hamish Bowles. The evening started with Ms. Wintour’s remembering of iconic fashion photographer Irving Penn. While many people know her as the muse for a certain Prada-wearing Devil character, it was actually...

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Toronto Alternative Fashion Week April 21-25

What's this? A fashion week where the focus is on the art and less about the front row celebrities and commerce. The Alternative Fashion Week in Toronto is a multi-arts showcase of independent creators, performers and designers. It celebrates clothing not as merchandise as much as an artform. The guest list seems to include more curators than editors, and artists of different mediums collaborate for...

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FAB Sale Alerts: Kooba, McQ by Alexander McQueen and More...

In NYC:Kooba Sample SaleSexy, sophisticated handbags from one of my favorite designers. Designer Abbe Held counts Hayden Pannetiere,Tuesday, April 20th ,10:00 am - 8:00 pm141 West 36th Street, Between Broadway and 7th AvenuePaul & Shark Sample SaleItalian-made casual pieces for the guys up to 70% off retail...Tuesday, April 27th - Thursday, April 29th79 Madison Avenue (near 28th street) suite...

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Monster Chic - Big & Furry Makes the Cut?

For anyone who observed the runway offerings for Fall 2010, you probably noticed that fur was making a comeback. At first, I was excited that it signaled a return to luxury. Now, as I look over the past year, I realize that it has less to do with decadence, but an excuse to be a beastly ogre.While I expected movies like Young Victoria and Coco Before Chanel from 2009 to inspire fashion trends for...

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Fashionable Film Series at the New School

Looking for a dose of Givenchy? Audrey Hepburn? Edith Head? Jane Fonda?The New School is screening a series of fashionable movies at the Tishman Auditorium.On Tuesday, April 20th, 7:30 pm, Billy Wilder's Sabrina will be introduced by Vanity Fair correspondent Amy Fine Collins. The movie features the exquisitely attired Audrey Hepburn in a romantic triangle with Humphrey Bogart and William Holden.On...

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Yves Saint-Laurent & Renee Fleming Seducing Armida

Monday evening saw a stylish premiere of the Metropolitan Opera's Armida at the Lincoln Center. The house of Yves Saint-Laurent sponsored the gala, and succeeded in bringing out the trendy set along with longtime opera patrons. Chloe Sevigny and Ginnifer Goodwin showed big love to the designer, as did Maggie Gyllenhaal and Patricia Clarkson.Renee Fleming played a seductive sorceress in an island prison...

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FAB Sales Picks: Betsey Johnson, Rock & Republic, Cynthia Rowley...

NYC: Betsey Johnson accessories and apparel are 50% -80% off at the sample sale. Through 4/16/10: Millennium Broadway Hotel, 145 W. 44th St., nr. Sixth Ave., sixth fl. (212-993-9251); W–F (10–10).Elie Tahari Menswear, womenswear, shoes, and handbags are 70 to 80 percent off at their sample sale. The black jersey jeweled halter dress is $129 (originally $698) and metallic leather sandals with beaded...

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Zac Posen for Target 24 Hour Launch Party

Now for the latest high fashion designer to do the 'Low' dance with Target...Zac Posen is launching his collection for the big red bullseye with a 24 hour pop-up shop Thursday near Penn Station in NYC.Sneak peeks at the lookbook for this 80's inspired, prom-friendly line have been a very hot Google search for the fashionista set.You can shop all night while dancing to DJs and live ban...

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Sense & Sustainability Benefit Fashion Show

Eco-friendly fashion designers Swati Argade, Helen Asir, Marcus Hicks and Rachel Lyra Hospodar presented a runway show of their collections on Friday at a benefit event. The proceeds of the fundraiser benefited a documentary about the Sankara Eye Foundation and the work they do. This foundation has performed about 550,000 free eye surgeries for underprivileged people and their goal is...

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Cole Haan Fall 2010 Press Preview

The folks over at Cole Haan invited the Purse Page to preview the best stuff coming for Fall 2010. The collection was split into a "Country" and "City" theme, and were presented in their showrooms next to their gorgeous workspace and library.The Country theme had pieces of equestrian-inspired bags. Their interpretation of saddle hardware was the antiqued horse hook. A few other bags included braided...

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