Shop to Help Japan - Designers Save For Tsunami

In times of need, the fashion community gets together to help those who require it most.  Designers and retailers across the board have banded together to produce fundraising events.  Others have donated product for sale with the proceeds going to Tsunami victims like H & M and Uniqlo.  Shopping sites like Ideeli and Gilt have created portals to donate directly.

United Bamboo, Philip Lim body held sample sales to raise aid money.  Theory set up drop boxes for direct donations of items.

If you want to shop for a cause, some designers created a specially-designed product to help. Rebecca Minkoff is donating $100 of each red handbag sold to the Red Cross.  Polo Ralph Lauren is selling a special edition polo where the proceeds will benefit the United Way.  Lady Gaga's website is selling "We Pray for  Japan" wristbands.

The BIG shopping event is coming up from Fashion Girls for Japan.  Over 60 NY designers like Marc Jacobs, Alexander Wang, Alice + Olivia, Derek Lam, Richard Chai, Diane Von Furstenburg (just to name a few) will have rolling racks of goodies to be sold to benefit the American Red Cross.  The event takes places this Saturday and Sunday at the Bowery Hotel (335 Bowery Street, NYC).

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Fab Sales Alert: Alexander Wang, Y-3, Marc Jacobs

In NYC:

Alexander Wang
Uber-hipster Downtown threads beloved by models, celebs, and editors.  Pre-Fall 10 and Fall 10 RTW, Handbags, Footwear and Men’s and Women’s T by Alexander Wang. Discounts are up to 80% off!  
When: December 16th - 18th, 10am-7pm, December 19th, 10am - 2pm
Where: 
93 Mercer St., NY, NY
Y-3 and AdidasActive and stylish?  Grab sporty designer essentials for those New Year's resolutions in the making. When: December 16, 9am - 7 pmWhere: 610 Broadway, 3rd Floor
Zang ToiFor the Ladies Who Lunch with elegance and character...The holiday super-sale.When: December 16th - 18th, 11 am - 8 pm  (Wine will be served!)Where: 30 West 57th street, 7th floor
In Los Angeles: 

Undrest by the SeaSwimwear for that New Year's getaway and escape from cold weatherWhen: December 17th, 9 am - 4 PMWhere: 833 Spring Street, Suite 301
Echo Park50% - 70% off Mens and Womens' merchandiseWhen: December 17th and 18th, Noon - 7 PMWhere: 1154 Glendale Blvd
Online:

Marc By Marc JacobsTrendy Downtown handbags by fashion's most coveted designer When: Friday, December 17th, 2010,  Noon (EST)Where:  Shop Online here.

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CFDA Fashion Awards 2010 - Emerging Talent Sparkles

Lincoln Center was the scene of fashion's most accomplished Monday evening. The CFDA awards honored the best of designers in a celebrity-packed red carpet event. Guests to the show were presented with a line of models representing all of the design nominees as they entered the auditorium.

Most moving was a special tribute to Alexander McQueen presented by Sarah Jessica Parker.

The lifetime achievement award was presented to Michael Kors by Vogue editor Anna Wintour.

Womenswear Designer of the Year went to Marc Jacobs. Top honors in Menswear went to Rag & Bone. Alexis Bittar took home Accessory Designer of the Year



Swarovski sponsored the awards for emerging talent. Alexa Chung and Gossip Guy Ed Westwick presented awards to Jason Wu for womenswear, Richard Chai for menswear and Alexander Wang for accessories. Emerging talent winners also get financial support for Swarovski as well as access to their crystal libraries.

For those still studying their way into fashion, Monday night also presented scholarships. Carmen Chen Wu was the recipient of the Geoffrey Beene Design Scholarship. The Liz Claiborne Fashion Award went to Jusil Carroll and the CFDA/Vogue scholarship was awarded to Nicole Goh. For a complete list of winners, click through to cfda.com



Photos by Getty Images, fabsugar and Associated Press

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FAB Sales Alerts: Yigal Azrouel, Marc Jacobs, Stella McCartney

In NYC:

Yigal Azrouel's elegant pieces for the fashionista set will be up to 75% current spring merchandise at their rare sample sale.

When: Tuesday, May 18th to Thursday, May 20th.

Where: Yigal Azrouel, 225 West 39th street, 7th floor

In LA:

Rebecca Minkoff Sample Sale VIP Night. Sip champagne and treats, then buy your Morning After Bag...RSVP at LAVIP@rebeccaminkoff.com

When: Thursday, May 20, 5pm - 9p,

Where: 4661 Hollywood Blvd.

Matteo sample sale

When: Thursday, May 20th - Sunday, May 23rd

Where: 912 East 3rd Street

Online Sample Sales:

Stella McCartney gets intimate with pretty, chic pieces that only you and a chosen few may see...Tuesday, May 18th online here.

Marc by Marc Jacobs will have the cutest shoes starting at $29 on Tuesday, May 18th.

Calvin Klein's classic, clean American style will have handbags and clothing on Wednesday, May 19th.

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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 detailing are $99 (originally $498).

Through 4/17/10: 510 Fifth Ave., nr. 43rd St. (212-398-2622);

T–F (8:30–7:30), S (10–5).

Rock & Republic is having their first warehouse sale! All denim is only $80. You'll also find men's, women's and kid's, denim, tops, outerwear, cosmetics and accessories.
4/16/10 - 4/18/10: 123 W. 18th St (Metropolitan Pavilion) 4th Floor, (212) 463-0071
Fri 4pm-9pmSat - Sun 9am-7pm

Online:

Cynthia Rowley and Clinique cosmetics on Gilt.com Wednesday 4/14/10,

Marc by Marc Jacobs on 4/15/10, alson on Gilt.

Earnest Sewn for men and women on Ruelala.com on Thursday 4/15/10.

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CFDA Announces Nominees

Last week held a lot of news for the Council of Fashion Designers of America. First, Diane Von Furstenburg was elected president for a third time (a first for the organization). Second, the designer held a soiree at her studio to announce the nominees for the CFDA awards.

Prabal Garung, Joseph Altuzarra and Michelle Obama favorite, Jason Wu were nominated for the Swarovski Award for emerging talent in Womenswear. Marc Jacobs, Donna Karan and Alexander Wang are competing against each other for Designer of the Year. For accessory design, nominees include Alexis Bittar, Lazaro Hernandez & Jack McCollough for Proenza Schouler, and Marc Jacobs.

Project Runway’s staple, Michael Kors will be receiving the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement award. The awards will take place at Lincoln Center June 7 in NYC.

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Louis Vuitton Party Celebrating Stephen Sprouse

Hey! Let's pretend I am still 19 and still have the energy to party all night on the Lower East Side. Let's also pretend this rockin' concert by Debbie Harry is actually 1982, and not being sponsored by big luxury label Louis Vuitton. The grande dame herself was doing the same, acknowledging the change of times, " I don't think I have ever seen so much mink in this room..." We were all partying it up at the Bowery Ballroom to celebrate the opening of the Stephen Sprouse exhibit downtown.

Gorgeous waiters served up sweets like chocolate dipped rice krispie matchsticks, truffles and cotton candy. The bartenders poured out the champagne like we were drowning. The music was a great mix of vintage and current rock as well as nostalgic pop.

Lots of "It-girl" models like Erin Wasson and Agyness Deyn were on the dance floor. Lots of the old 80's and 90's art/party characters were on hand as well, (the drag queen Brandywine and friend above). Cute boys snapped Polaroids and set them on cards with the Stephen Sprouse/Louis Vuitton art rose motifs as party favors. My partner-in-crime, the lady Ritika snapped a bunch of fab party pics the like ones you see above.

Am I really old if I mourn the loss of evenings like this or just immature?

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