Limelight Marketplace Opens Today!

Were you a girl about town in the 1990's? Did I just date myself in an embarrassing way? If the name "Limelight" conjures up debauched club nights in an 18th century cathedral (or for some 'party monsters' a long blackout), tomorrow's event will come as a bit of a shock. Where flamboyant drag queens and progressive DJ's once ruled, a curated collective of chic retailers now reside.
The Limelight Marketplace will cut its ribbon on 2pm Friday for its grand opening. Clothing and beauty retailers like Sue Devitt, Lulu Denim, Havaianas and Caswell Massey will mix with gourmet purveyors like Cana Wine Bar and Cupcake Stop.
Retail designer James Mansour partnered with Jack Menashe to create a festive shopping palace where goods are arranged into "galleries". One can shop the sneaker gallery, beauty gallery, home decor before nibbling among the gourmet vendors.
Am I sad that one of my favorite playgrounds of the past is gone forever? A little. Do I think I still need that playground at this point? Hell no. Give me artisanal perfumes and chocolates any day.

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Rebecca Minkoff's Holiday 2010 Preview

Rebecca Minkoff presented her holiday collection in a festive cocktail party setting Tuesday evening. Champagne, glittering embroidered necklines and rich velvets made you almost forget that it was a muggy spring day. The handbags had a variety of party-friendly treatments. There were metallic lambskin bags, herringbone horsehair, two-toned ostrich to name a few. Shinys studs embellished smaller bags and accessories in every way imaginable.
Luxe blue velvet, steel and gun metal greys with metallics and a spot of red made up the palette of holiday season cocktail attire.

Gossip girl Michelle Trachtenberg was wearing her favorite MAB bag to give support to the designer at the event.
Photos by FAB photographer Ritika Bhattacharya

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Red, White & Blue at the Met Gala

Monday night saw the glamorous and the patriotic grace the red carpet of the Met Gala. The Costume Institute's event brought out the top designers, socialites and celebrities to the museum in honor of the American Woman exhibit.
While the gentlemen overwhelmingly chose a classic tuxedo, the ladies on the other hand, showed the love of their country in American designers.

In Red:

Kerry Washington in Thakoon, Camilla Bell in (and with) Jason Wu

In White:

Gwen Stefani in L.A.M.B.(and hubby Gavin Rossdale), Donna Karan in Donna Karan.

In Blue:

Blake Lively in Marchesa. Oprah Winfrey in (and with) Oscar de la Renta.

Star Spangled:

Diane Von Furstenburg and Eva Longoria Parker in DVF.

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Mon Ari's Fall 2010 Galactic Preview

The Philadelphia-based Ari Harris presented his collection to a New York crowd Friday. The charming designer showed sculpted dresses in shimmering luxury fabrics. The story behind the looks was an imagining of Amelia Earhart's final journey, if she had ended up among the stars. The galactic theme was indeed evident in the midnight blues, shimmering brocades and embroidered shoulder of one gown.

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FAB Sales Picks: Vivienne Tam, Burberry, La Perla...

NYC:

Vivienne Tam's is having their sample sale of recent seasons. Eastern chic and Chinoiserie are up to 75% off.

WHEN: May 5th, May 6th, May 7th, Wednesday 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM, Thursday 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Friday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

WHERE: 260 West 39th Street Between 7th and 8th Avenue

Devi Kroell will have their chic handbags, RTW and shoes up to 90% off.
WHEN: May 5th and May 6th. 8:30 am - 7PM
WHERE: 55 Fifth Ave 17th floor

LONDON:
La Perla & Pleasure State lingerie, swimwear and accessories are up to 70% off.
WHEN: 5 & 6 May. Wed. & Thurs., 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Hornvale Ltd., 22 Newman St., 4th flr., W1T 1PH (020 7291 0930).
ONLINE:
Burberry shoes and boots up to 70% online Tuesday at Noon

7 for all Mankind will have their online sample sale on Thursday at Noon

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Sak's Showcases Young Designers with Cocktail Couture

Sak's Fifth Avenue is the classic, elegant department store where many a young girl aspired to shop upon maturity. I never thought of it as a fashion forward pioneer of young talent though. That all changed Tuesday night when the store hosted an eventto show off exclusives from the hottest young labels of the industry.
Designers Doo Ri, Prabal Garung, Erdem, Christian Cota among others all presented cocktail dresses that were commissioned from the legendary retailer. 10% of the sales will benefit the Whitney Museum of American Art, another NY institution that acts as a patron for new talent.

Photo by George Chinsee

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American Woman at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

What is American style? While the FIT museum recently held an exhibition "American Beauty"
showcasing the best of American designers, the Met exhibit examines the woman who wears them.
What is the culture behind the uniquely American look? It looks at the Gibson Girl, suffragettes, and women who were early pioneers in politics and equality. With American jazz came the flappers of the 1920's. Hollywood came to prominence a few decades later with glamorous screen sirens like Rita Hayworth.

Who are our modern icons? The movies and tv series Sex and the City was quite the influence in the last few years. (Sarah Jessica Parker also does the audio for the exhibit tour). Michelle Obama is a contemporary symbol of democracy in politics and fashion. Her signature style is a mix of high/low American designers from J. Crew to indie innovators like Jason Wu.

The Metropolitan Costume Gala is one of the hottest social events of NYC and will kick off the show Monday, May 3. The Brooklyn museum will host a sister exhibition, American High Style

featuring their new department and acquisitions.

Photos by Kyle Ericksen,Dan Kitwood

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