3 Second Fashion Show - 9-23-2010

Finally time for another 3 Second Fashion Show.  I have been remiss, I know. But really it was because I was afraid of all of the bugs!  I got mauled this summer and I can't stand going out for even 3 seconds!

Lots of black in today's outfit but there are glints here and there.  The lace cardigan is from the Benhaz Sarafpour for Target and the skirt is Target as well.  The tights are from Kushyfoot and the shoes are the Isabel Toledo for Payless oxfords.

I actually had someone tell me the shoes are cute and ugly at the same time.   What do you think???  I don't have a lot of yellow so I liked having a bit of brightness from the sole.  I wanted to pair them with black today but how fun will these be with bright solid tights? I think I have a pair in that same bright yellow color. 

Those will be next!

Rock me.... Amadeus

Okay, I couldn't resist with the title.  But you have to forgive me, I've been a bit delirious all day from being sick.  Basically I worked but now I'm watching Amadeus and discovering scences I've never seen before.  Here are a few of my favorites.








Can you imagine some of today's designers living in this time and the work they would do?  Louboutin.  Manolo. Galliano.  Amazing.

I especially like the red and white number in the first clip at 3:05.

What's your favorite?

Lucky UK - Manolo Blahnik at Liberty

Manolo Blahnik and Liberty

I have to admit that I am green with jealousy, that I do no have access to this collection.  I can think of little else that would be as swoon-worthy and the reality of it is almost too much.  

Manolo Blahnik has paired up with Liberty to create an exclusive line of scarves, bags, pillows, candles, accessories, fabrics and more.  He has even created a line of shoes using some of the classic fabrics. 

Some of the collection you can buy online but the shoes are only available in stores.  GAH!

I am loving this collection but even more amazing is the full range of styles from Manolo Blahnik that the store carries.   I had no idea!

The worst part is... THEY DON'T SHIP!  Why is that?  I can't understand why a store or company would not want to help me spend my money.  LET ME SPEND MY MONEY WITH YOU!!!

Anyways, if you are in the UK, you lucky dog, pop round and scoop some up for yourself!  Just don't tell me about it or I will die of envy.

 

PS. Thank you, MilkGlassHeart for alerting me to this collaboration!

Keeping Camo

I've been seeing a lot of camo print still out there.  I love the quote that camo is the leopard print option for men.  But I'm liking the more refined takes on olive green and camoflage.  One of my favorite options are the Manolo Blahnik Sedaraby.

I bought mine a few years ago and they are still one of my favorite heels. They're a bit pricier now but you can still find this classic style at Nordstrom.

Camo, like leopard, isn't going anywhere so these will still be current years from now.  Invest if you can!

Most Outrageous Memorial Ever... and rightly so

Today was the memorial service for Alexander McQueen.  It was held in St. Paul's Cathedral and attending buy friends and followers. As appropriate, those who came to pay their respects did so by embracing the excessive, glorious style he was known for.

I hope, and believe, Alexander would approve.

Learn more on Vouge.com and see their photo tribute.

Shoe picks for Fashion Week at Bergdorf Goodman

I was very good and didn't buy any shoes while I was in New York... not that I would have had any room to pack them... but that doesn't mean I didn't get in my "shoe fix" while I was there.

I met up with the amazing girl behind Bergdorf's social media and we had a great time picking out the best shoes for Fashion Week.

Check out my picks on the stylish and gorgeous Bergdorf Goodman blog - 5th/58th. 

Then make sure to follow them on Twitter and "like" them on Facebook!!!

Curating Colors

As Fashion Week winds down we can begin analyzing the trends and colors for the next season.  I'll be posting curated images from the shows I attended and thought this would be some interesting background to help in viewing the collections.

Each season Pantone, the color authority, releases the top color for the season as well as their pick for the color of the year. Working with the designers, they have announced the top 10 colors for women's fashion for Spring 2011.

If you go to the site, you can see sketches from collections using the colors, check out the trends for men's fashion and even pick your favorite of the colors.

You can read the full 40 page report filled with designer inspiraitons and must haves by clicking here.

Secret Stache

So there was some silliness going on during Fashion Week and, without going into all the details, there may be a Tom Selleck flash mob in the works.  Suffice it to say, I think we need some of the following:

'Stache on a stick

Stick on Stache

Stache Chain

Stache Bag

'Stache Shirt

Man's Stache

And of course...

Sneak Peeks

My time is almost up here in New York and the days have flown by so quickly.  I don't feel I've accomplished nearly enough in the brief time I've spent... I always plan far more that I can ever get to. 

I flew in on Thrusday and after finally getting settled into the hotel, was able to change and then run over to the IFB cocktail party.  Everyone said the conference was great.  While I only made it to the end party it's always fun to see so many of my friends in person.  After the party, my friend Christine and I had dinner with Tina from Violetville Vintage and her team member, Elizabeth at Blossom, which was great and a must-do on my list for the trip.

The next day started out bright and early at the new fashion week location.  I had to run over to pick up my creds at 8:30am before my first show at 9.  I was cutting it close but the new Fashion GPS process to check in was pretty simple.  I think there have been some issues and maybe an adjustment period, but the new computerized process worked well for me.  The one thing that I'm not a fan of is that it making for closer in confirmations to shows, which for attendees can make it harder to plan your schedule.

I went to four shows/presentations that day (more dedicated posts to follow), some in the main Lincoln Center show spaces and some off-site.  I particularly liked the Nautica menswear show... and not just because of the cute men and appetizers!

That night we went to Pure Food and Wine for dinner. If you are in the city, you have to make reservations.  The food is amazing and the back garden area is so relaxing.  It was cool enough to make you want to stay there for ours surrounded by the trees and fairy lights.

But I didn't want to cram only fashion into this trip.  I've really wanted to get back to do a more indepth viewing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, one of my favorite museums.  Last time I only was able to see the first floor.  This time we spent almost 6 hours there and probably didn't see everything. 

After walking for hours we needed a little break and some fresh fruit, raspberry sorbet and a prosecco were in order.   While that helped to revive us, it was really dinner and Candle 79 that capped the evening.  The hubby and I had eaten there in December and I've been really wanting to go back... it was worth the wait with an amazing pecan-crusted seitan appetizer for me and a Moraccan chick-pea dish for Christine.

On Sunday I had a secret visit to Bergdorfs (more to follow on that later too) and then ran downtown to have lunch with a whole group of my fellow bloggers.  Some I knew and some I met in person for the first time.  Those are always so fun. Putting a face to Twitter name is great!

Sunday basically rained all day so I was walking all over in the rain. I passed through Little Italy on my way to grab some vegan cupcakes from Babycakes.  I trudged back carrying a half dozen and probably looked crazy.

That night was dinner with Wendy Brandes, Jennine from The Coveted and Celine, The Shoe Girl, plus her lovely sister.  We ate pizza, drank some wine and generally got rowdy discussing fetish sites and Family Guy... typically fashion blogger stuff right?

Now it's my last day and I need to grab a cupcake for breakfast and get my butt in gear and do some work! I haven't even had time to shop (okay, maybe just one Tom Ford lipstick, but that's it, I swear!)

Back to the shows!

Punked!

Hello everyone!

I'm sorry I haven't posted any New York pics yet. I've been running all over and now my
hotel Internet connection is acting sketchy. I plan on getting back on it today instead if typing via my phone as I
am now.

Please follow along on Twitter - @PrincessPoochie - so I can feel still in touch with the world.

Thanks! Now off to Bergdorfs and to see some of my favorite blogger ladies for brunch.

Luv,
Poochie

Where in the World?

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week

Spring 2011

Hey, folks!  I'm going to be running around New York, eating great food and watching shows.  I'll probably be wearing myself out but I'll be trying to keep up with posting as I go.

Check back here for more and follow me on Twitter for on the go posts.

Luv,

Poochie

New York Fashion Week: Harper's Bazaar Accessories Bazaar

While I'm excited for nearly every aspect of Fashion Week, one new element I hope to have time for is the Harper's Bazaar Acessories Bazaar at Lincoln Center.

The accessories have become such a major feature of each show and the designers skill but they are often very hard to see when the models are striding down the runway. This display gives us the opportunity to immerse ourselves in all their details.

To quote:

Harper's Bazaar, along with the CFDA, we'll be showcasing next season's best accessories from eighteen of our favorite emerging designers — including Alexis Bittar, the winner of the CFDA Accessories Designer of the Year award, Philip Crangi, and Pamela Love.  

Check out the 18 designers here. The display will be open on the 15th and 16th.  I hope I have time to pop over before I have to fly out.

Le Sigh - Manolo Blahnik Sequined Pascalare Boot

I have a new Le Sigh shoe and it is called the Manolo Blahnik Sequined Pascalare Boot.  Aren't these dreamy?

I'm just going to let those magical sparkling black sequins speak for themselves while I sit over here coveting them.

You can fulfill your daydream at Bergdorfs - Manolo Blahnik Sequined Pascalare Boot - $1550

Bubblegum Plastic: Steel, Glass and Concrete

For some reason I'm drawn to cloud jewelry lately.  I don't have a reason for it.  The pieces that catch my eye just seem to have a peaceful, whimsical quality to them.  So it's not surprising this necklace jumped out at me on Etsy the other day.

It's sort of like cartoon cloud.  Simple, peaceful and... sturdy.  It's made of steel, glass and concrete yet retains its fluffy cloud integrity.

The cloud necklace is great but, after visiting the rest of DrCraze's shop I found myself liking quite a few of his pieces.

The size on this simple circle is wonderful.  The chunks of aquamarine sparkle have to sparkle.

I'm particularly fond of the black glass pieces especially when they are bound in brass.  I think I need the Void design above.

His designs are simple and graphic.  They have strength and size but their elegance is what really stands out. And the prices are reasonable, most around $35 - $45.

Just don't buy my cloud!

Tell Your Shoe Story at Selfridges

Do you have a Shoe Story?

I believe in Shoe Luck.  Sometimes it's serendipitous and sometimes you have to make the luck happen.  I love a good shoe story.

Well, Selfridges is giving you the chance to tell your shoe story and win a year's worth of shoes from the famous store.

Selfridges is on the verge of launching the world's single biggest destination for shoes: The Shoe Galleries. (I need to shop there!) To kick it off they are inviting customers, bloggers, journalists, and celebrities to tell their shoe stories via the website, with the chance to win a year’s supply of shoes.

I went on and told my Shoe Luck story about finding my most fabulous pair of boots ever - those sparkly Dolce & Gabbana boots up there.  Check it out and let me know if you add a story.  I want to go read them all.

This Makes Me Sick

I just saw this headline on The Cut:

Steve Madden Might End Up Owning Betsey Johnson in 2012

The article states:

Being in debt feels bad and scary enough, but what do you think it feels like to — instead of owing money to a financial institution — owe money to Steve Madden? Betsey Johnson knows, now that Steve Madden Ltd. has taken over a $48.8 million loan to her company, according to papers filed with the SEC late yesterday. Johnson, whose Fashion Week show is in ten days, has until August 20, 2012 to repay Madden — otherwise he might get her brand. And her stuff.


Madden already holds a license for handbags, small leather goods, belts and umbrellas under the Betsey Johnson and Betseyville trademarks. The collateral for the loan includes the company’s intellectual property, so Madden could be in line for the labels it holds as licensee. Also included among the items securing the loan are “the borrower’s personal property, accounts, deposit accounts and cash, equipment, fixtures, general intangibles, goods [and] inventory.”


A designer brand would be just the thing to add to Madden's stable. In addition to his own Steve Madden stores, he does shoes for Madonna's Material Girl line, just bought handbag company Big Buddah for $11 million, and just invested $5 million in Bakers Footwear Group, which could lead to a one-fifth stake in the company. So while other designers, like Johnson, struggle in this economy, Madden is doing pretty well. His second-quarter results were up, with net income growing 63 percent and sales up an impressive 36 percent, while the stock is up 71.2 percent from a year ago. Somewhere American Apparel is crying into all the overpriced meatpacking-district-nightclub shoes they never made.

Sure Steve Madden is doing great!  He's not investing any time or money into coming up with his own designs but just zips right into the market, stealing the good ideas of other designers.  And hoards of people buy his stuff because it's a cheaper version.  Who cares, right?

This is business, I understand, but I know the work that goes into a brand like Betsey's.  She's been creating and kicking ass for years.  It's tough times, I know but it makes me a little ill to know someone who blatently and unapologetically takes the work of other designers (and maybe commits a little stock fraud as well) could possibly get control  of her brand and work.

Betsey, we're rooting for you!
 

Steve Madden Roster of Shame - Intellectual Property Theft Examples:

 - From the Manolo - Balenciaga Sportiletto

 - From Haute Macabre - Alexander McQueen Faithful

 - From Shoe Daydreams - Miu Miu Naplak Patch

 - From Shoe Daydreams - Christian Louboutin Criss-cross Vamp

 - From Shoe Daydreams - Christian Louboutin Caracolo Zipper peep-toe

Still Going for the Gold

Even though I did do a fun shoe customization project with vintage oxfords, I'm still searching for the perfect muted gold oxfords a la Kelly Wearstler on the Domino cover. 

I keep my eyes peeled all the time, and so do my friends it seems.  MilkGlassHeart spotted these babies in the September issue of Lucky and sent them my way.  And these look pretty close to what I want. A muted burnished gold, not too pointy, thicker sole.  All in all pretty spot on.  And from Banana Republic for less than $100.   I was excited.

They FINALLY made it to the BR site and I quickly went there to order them. But then I saw them like this...

They call the color New Bronze, and while it does have a metallic sheen, they look much darker than I expected.   Now I'm not sure if I should risk it. And they're $20 more.

Another option are the Marc by Marc Jacobs oxfords on Shopbop.  They are gold, that's for sure, but are they too shiny and too gold????  The husband says they look like C-3PO's tap shoes. Is that good or bad?

I'm thinking he doesn't mean that as a compliment.   Hmmm...

Vivienne Westwood: my sexy shoe collection

Fashion designer Vivienne Westwood present “the most extensive selection” of her footwear ever to be showcased in the UK.
The exhibition includes nearly 200 shoes and spans the evolution of her style from 1973 to the present.

Vivienne Westwood Shoes: An exhibition - 1973-2010 opens Friday 26 August and runs until Wednesday 22 September at Selfridges London. Admisssion is free.

Via The Telegraph.co.uk