iWant: Bliss Lau Elbowed

Everytime I get bored with accessories I browse through Bliss Lau's website and I always find bolder, unique pieces that I want. How friggen rad is this elbowed piece?? I've been looking for a leather cuff to sit higher on my arm but haven't found anything I like until now.

Elbowed - $158 (all images courtesty of Bliss Lau)

It can be worn directly against your skin or over a shirt and will mold to the shape of your arm with time - so it should only get better with age. It comes with four snap closures which secure on the inside of your elbow and is available online in black matte bovine leather.

eBay Find: Bliss Lau for $49.99

Deal alert! There are four Bliss Lau pieces going for only $49.99 on eBay with no bids and less than 22 hours to go! Each of these retail for $179-$259 each on blisslau.com.

In case you're not familiar with Bliss' collection, her body jewelry can be worn in multiple ways over (or under) your clothing. It's a great way to add some edge to a silk dress or even just a basic tee. To see some of the pieces in action, here are some photos of the pieces in action from me and Erin.

1. Body of Roses, size medium
I love this piece, beautiful chain and very versatile. Man, I really wish this was in my size. If you're a size medium, do it! It's currently retailing for $315 at Barneys.

2. Art Deco Tuxedo, size small
I love the shape of this piece, but it's a bit dainty for my taste. I personally like the original, non-Art Deco piece better which has a heavier chain.

3. Art Deco Tuxedo, size medium

4. Art Deco Trytich, size large

If you end up getting one of these, please send pictures. I would love to see how you wear them!

Sales This Week NYC: January 25-31, 2010

Who: APEX NYC Charity Sale
What: Four hours to browse women’s apparel, accessories and homeware luxury items at special prices. 20% of proceeds will go to support of youth development initiatives providing underserved Asian American youth with one-to-one mentoring and educational services. Enjoy a sponsored bar, sweets courtesy of local bakers hecs Kitchen and music by DJ Heart Beats. Designers include Bliss Lau, Doo.Ri, H Frederiksson, Ideeen, Kim Seybert, Mary Meyer, Meg Cohen, Risto, Secta, Study by Tara St. James, Uluru and more
When: January 29, 2010. Friday 5pm-9pm. Online pre-sale on Wednesday January 27.

Who: Peter Soronen
What: Prices starting at $30 on feminine frocks & gowns
Where: 245 West 29th Street, Suite 300
When: January 30, 2010. Saturday 11am-5pm

Who: Cole Haan
What: Up to 75 off on women's and men's shoes and handbags . Women's Joana Air tall boot in chocolate stretch nappa now $199, orig. $498. Women's Phoebe large triple zip satchel in soft gold now $239, orig. $598. Men's Air Jarvis plain oxford shoe in coffee brown calf now $71, orig. $178.
When: January 23-27, 2010. Sat-Tues 9am-6:30pm, Wed 9am-6pm
Where:317 West 33rd - Soiffer Haskin (b/n 8th & 9th Aves)

Who: Chocheng
What: Up to 75% off Suits, jackets, and coats
When: January 28-February 28, 2010. 212-967-5044, call for hours.
Where: 51 East 63rd St (nr Park Ave)

Who: BGN Paris Sample Sale
What: Current & past season merch for women up to 90% off. Includes dresses, suits, tops & pants
Where: 250 West 39th St (b/n 7th & 8th Ave)
When: January 24-26, 2010. Sun-Tues 11am-7pm

Who: Tracy Feith warehouse sale
What: Discounted dresses, accessories, boots, and coats. LeShack by Tracy Feith dresses and separates are $75-$180 (was $250-$400).
Where: 64 Grand St., nr. Kent St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn
When: Now through January 31, 2010. noon-7pm daily

Who: Temperley London Sample Sale
What: Up to 75% Off
Where: 453 Broome St (at Mercer St) (212-219-2929)
When: January 27-31, 2010. Wed 8am-8pm, Thurs-Sat 11am-7pm, Sun noon-6pm

Who: Sophia Eugene Sample Sale
What: Reduced prices on dresses & seperates
Where: 37 Cornelia Street (nr Bleecker)
When: Now - February 4, 2010.Monday-Saturday noon-8pm

Who: Multi Designer Sample Sale
What: Up to 85% off on Mothe, Shauntele, chulette, Hatting by La China Loca, manisse
Where: Showroom New York, 202 West 40th St 9th Floor
When: February 4, 2010. noon-7pm

Jewelry Deals: Bliss Lau and Alex & Chloe

As you know, I'm a huge fan of Bliss Lau. Other than at Gen Art and the Vivienne Westwood showroom sample sales, I've never seen discounted Bliss Lau pieces, but just the other night I found a handful of her pieces on sale at 80's Purple and Forward by Revolve. Here are my favorites:

The piece I've been coveting forever - Diamond Top, now $330 (retail $550)


Twisted Skirt, now $120 (retail $200)


Livewire, now $118 (retail $261)
Another one of my jewelry favorites, Alex & Chloe is having a Black December sale on select pieces from the Black Diamonds collection. Here are a few of my favorites:

Zero Carat Diamond & Love Is Not Dead, now $30 (retail $48)

Feather, now $30 (retail $48)

Sample Sales This Week: NYC

Sample sale mania!!! OMY!

Who: Rebecca Minkoff sample sale
What: Deals on lovely handbags including distressed-leather Morning After Bag $350 (was $635), leather Nikki hobo $350 (was $595), and patent-leather Morning After Clutch $195 (was $330)
When: November 18-22, 2009. Wed-Sun 10am-8pm.
Where: 17 West 17th St (near 5th Ave)(212-677-7829)

Who: Gucci Jewelry and Watches
What: Up to 90% Off Retail. Cash & Credit Cards
When: November 19-20, 2009. Thurs-Fri 10am-8pm.
Where: Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 West 18th Street (B/n 6th & 7th Ave)

Who: Mara Hoffman and Isabelle Fiore.
What:Mara Hoffman Fall 09 styles - amazing coats, dresses and shawls that will be marked up to 70% off retail. Isabelle Fiore for up to 80% Off handbags and one-of-a-kind bags.
When: November 19-21, 2009. Thurs-Fri 10am-8pm. Sat 10am-7pm.
Where: Savvy, 42 Greene Street, 2nd Floor (B/n Grand & Broome Streets)

Who: Kid Robot Sample Sale
What: Up to 75% Off. Hoodies are $25, T-shirts are $15, and hats are $10.
When: November 17-18, 2009. Tues-Wed 11am-8pm
Where: 56 West 22nd St (near 6th Ave), 2nd floor

Who: Kooba Sample Sale
What: Up to 80% Off Current & Past Season Merch
When: November 17-19, 2009. Tues-Thurs 10am-2pm. 3pm-8pm. (Closed 2pm-3pm)
Where: 141 West 36th St (near 7th Ave) 19th Floor

Who: Scatola Showroom Sale
What: Up to 75% Off Fall merch from Vivienne Westwood, Iodice, Bliss Lau, and Ilaria Nistri
When: November 17-20, 2009. Tues-Fri 10am-7pm
Where: 544 West 27th St (near 11th Ave) 6th floor

Who: Twinkle by Wenlan
What: Up to 75% Off Dresses, blouses, sweaters, coats, and accessories. Silk-georgette dresses $114 (was $335), wool coats $165 (was $484), and knitted accessories $40 (was $120)
When: November 18-19, 2009. Wed-Thurs 10am-7pm
Where: 545 8th Ave (near 37th St)

Who: Yigal Azrouël
What: Up to 70% Off Womenswear, menswear, YYigal items, and accessories. Tops $125 (was $430), dresses $235 (was $790), and knits $170 (was $575)/
When: November 18-19, 2009. Wed-Thurs 9am-7pm.
Where: 225 West 39th St (b/n 7th & 8th Ave) (212-302-1194)

Who: Nanette Lepore Sample Sale
What: Over 50% Off. Dresses $140 (was $335 to $595), skirts $100 (was $195 to $295), jackets $190 (was $285 to $495), and tops $95 (was $215 to $340)
When: November 18-20, 2009. Wed-Fri 9am-7pm.
Where: 225 West 35th St (b/n 7th & 8th Ave) 4th floor (212-594-0012)

Who: Tracy Reese Sample Sale
What: Discounts on Tracy Reese, Plenty and Frock. The first 150 customers will receive a gift bag of full-size beauty products.
When: November 19-20, 2009. Thurs-Fri 9am-7pm.
Where: 260 West 39th St (near 8th Ave) 19th floor (646-438-6928) CORRECTION

Who: Reem Acra
What: Up to 90% Off ready-to-wear and eveningwear samples from current and past seasons
When: November 19-20, 2009. Thurs-Fri 9am-7pm.
Where: 53 West 36th Street (near5th Ave)

Who: Ali Ro
What: Over 65% Off merch
When: November 19-20, 2009. Thurs-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm.
Where: 530 7th Ave (nr 39th St) 14th floor (212-575-2550)

Who: Armani Sample Sale
What: Men's and women's clothing and accessories are up to 80% off.
When: November 19-21, 2009. Thurs 3pm-8pm, Fri 10am-8pm, Sat 10am-6pm.
Where: Metropolitan Pavilion, 123 West 18th St (near 6th Ave) 4th Floor

Who: Hickey and Original Penguin sample sale
What: 60-80% Off men's fall samples of button-down shirts, suits, ties, polos, coats, and more. Hickey ties $19 (was $125), Original Penguin hoodies $35 (was $98), and Cold Method long peacoats $95 (was $315)
When: November 19-22, 2009. Thurs-Sun 10:30am-7pm
Where: Chelsea Market, 75 9th Ave (near 15th St)

Who: Strenesse Sample and Stock Sale
What: Up to 80% Off outerwear, sportswear, and dresses
When: November 17-19, 2009. Tues-Thurs 10am-6pm
Where: 50 West 57th St (near 6th Ave) 8th Floor. (212-920-1211)

Who: Nancy Gonzalez Sale
What: Up to 50% Off Classic crocodile clutches
When: November 17-19, 2009. Tues-Thurs 10am-6pm
Where: 50 West 57th St (near 6th Ave) 8th Floor. (212-920-1211)

Who: Marlies Dekkers Lingerie Sale
What: 70% Off Samples & Stock
When: November 17-19, 2009. Tues-Thurs 10am-6pm
Where: 50 West 57th St (near 6th Ave) 8th Floor. (212-920-1211)

Who: MCM Sample Sale
What: Up to 80% off Handbags, totes, clutches, and wallets
When: November 17-19, 2009. Tues-Thurs 10am-6pm
Where: 50 West 57th St (near 6th Ave) 8th Floor. (212-920-1211)

Who: Rubin Chapelle Sample Sale
What: Up to 70% off
When: November 19-21, 2009. Thurs-Fri noon-7pm, Sat noon-6pm
Where: 410 West 14th St (near 9th Ave) (212-647-8636)

Gen Art presents Shop NYC

Gen Art, the leading arts and entertainment organization with helps showcase emerging design talent will be holding Shop NYC tomorrow night. Shop NYC will showcase over 60 high-end emerging designers selling their Fall collections at up to 70% off retail!

The lovely Bliss Lau will be showcasing her body jewelry and handbags. You can also shop handbags from Rebecca Minkoff, Hayden Harnett; shoes from Devotte and DRU New York; menswear from Hyden Yoo and S2VS and womenswear from Falls, Bensoni, Richard Ruiz, Qi Cashmere, Porter Grey and dozens of New York's top emerging talents. Enjoy Bailey's cocktails, DJ lounge provided by Crunch, hair touch-ups by ECRU NEW YORK, complimentary massages by the Chopra Spa, and more.

Who: Gen Art Shop NYC
What: Showcase of Emerging Designers at 70% Off Retail with complimentary cocktails
When: December 1st, 5-6pm VIP Preview or 6-10pm Main Sale
Where: Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 West 18th Street, NYC

All ticket buyers are automatically entered in a raffle to win a bag from Hayden Harnett or a dress from Falls! Tickets

* All tickets advance only, no door sales. Buy online.

VIP Tickets (Includes Gift Bag and access to VIP Preview Reception: 5-6pm):
* Executive & Co-Producer Level Members: 2 complimentary tickets
* Associate Producer, Platinum, & Silver Level Members: $30 / ticket
* Non-Members: $40 / ticket

General Admission Tickets
* Associate Producer, Platinum, & Silver Members: 2 complimentary tickets
* Non-Members: $15 / ticket

* All Guests Must be 21 or Older to Attend *

Bliss Lau Trunk Show

Lani Says:
Last week, Erin and I stopped by the Bliss Lau trunk show at Suite Orchard. If you've never been to Suite Orchard, it's a sweet little boutique in Lower East Side with great merchandise from designers like Loeffler Randall, Alexander Wang, and of course, Bliss Lau.

We've already written about Bliss a few times in three months we've been around, so you can imagine our excitement when we had a chance to meet the designer herself. She was so warm and welcoming, encouraging us to try on her pieces.

An avid visitor of blisslau.com, it was really nice to see all the pieces in person. Bliss appreciates clothes that can be worn in different ways, and from looking at her collection, it's evident that she tries to incorporate versatility into her designs.

After chatting with Bliss and seeing her collection, we both agreed that we have a serious girl crush on her. She's absolutely beautiful and has this ethereal glow about her. Bliss is incredibly humble and she gladly shares the credit with her hardworking staff, making sure both interns and assistants are introduced. Sweet and personable, you can't help but fall in love with her. Like Erin has said before, when you wear something from a nice designer, you wear it with such pride and joy.

At the trunk show, we got a preview of the stingray pieces that will be launching Spring 2009. Stingray is an incredibly durable textured leather that was traditionally used for Japanese sword handles. I was absolutely fascinated with the material, so I am going to hold out until spring. Interesting to note, stingray is exotic but also plentiful, so it won't have a negative impact on the environment. Oh, Bliss. We're in love.

Getting ready to try on Bliss Lau!

Bliss in "Hug Me Tight", Lani in "Diamond Top"and Suite Orchard Co-Owner Sofia

Erin Says:
One of the best parts of meeting with Bliss was hearing the story of how she began. She worked with Vivienne Westwood Showroom and they told her to just go forth and make things as creative as she would like without worrying about selling them. For a designer to be given that sort of direction is a dream come true. With no hindrances with creativity, it's no wonder so many of her designs are pure Bliss.

As Lani mentioned, many pieces can be worn in multiple ways. One of the most versatile is the Hug Me Tight which can be worn in at least 4 different ways. Bliss took the time to personally show me different ways that you can wear it. Suite Orchard's co-owner, Cindy, even came up with a way that she wears it that was even new to Bliss, the possibilities are endless.

When talking about imitators Bliss agrees with my sentiment that people can copy the designs that she has made, but no one can take away from her the designs that she will make. And I can't wait to see what will be next for this talented, young designer who radiates kindness.

Erin in "Hug Me Tight"

Bliss Lau Body Jewelry Trunk Show Thursday

Suite Orchard in Lower East Side is having it's first ever trunk show with Bliss Lau Body Jewelry on Thursday. We've written about Bliss Lau before, so we're super excited to meet this bag designer turned body jewelry designer!

Discounts of 20% - 30% off all merchandise in the store, including Bliss Lau Body Jewelry and sale merchandise. You may want to reserve your Bliss Lau piece early, these coveted pieces will go fast.

Bliss Lau Body Jewelry Trunk Show
Thursday, November 20th, 6-10 PM
Suite Orchard
145A Orchard St (& Rivington)
New York, NY 10002
(212) 533-4115

Excellent Customer Service from Bliss Lau

"I understand how incredibly important the right outfit to an event is..." - Bliss Lau

After reading a previous iWant post, our friend and reader Jeff purchased a piece from Bliss Lau to wear to an event. With the item shipping from New York to Canada and the event only a few days away, Jeff wasn't sure his order would make it in time. What would happen?


Read about Jeff's experience with Bliss Lau
I purchased the CRISSCROSS piece from www.blisslau.com after reading a posting on this blog for Bliss Lau and her body jewelry. After looking around the online store, I decided on getting the CRISSCROSS piece to wear at an event coming up. It took a while to decide on which piece to get since they are all unique in their own right.

After placing my order, I was getting a bit worried since my item had not arrived yet and my event was only a few days away - so I decided to email Bliss to see if she knew the status of my order. After finding out that my item was scheduled to arrive after the event I intended to wear the piece at, Bliss was amazing and offered to make me another item and express ship it (to Canada) so that I would receive it on time. She made the second order the same day, shipped it out and paid for all of the shipping, duties and custom charges in addition to confirming with the shipping company that the item would arrive to me in time. I was so grateful for her generosity and in the end was able to wear the piece to the event!

Part of the confusion with the order I placed was due to the shipping terms which I could not readily see on the website - and after notifying Bliss, she indicated that she would make the appropriate modifications to her website to avoid any future misunderstandings.

All in all, this is hands down the best retail experience I have ever had. Bliss was helpful from the moment I asked for her advise on which piece to order, to following through with my suggestion to have the shipping terms stated explicitly on her website. I would definitely recommend her product and especially her attention to customer satisfaction to anyone. The construction and craftsmanship of the piece I received was amazing and I will definitely order something else from her in the future!

-Jeff

A side note: A satisfied customer is the best showcase for a great product. After seeing Jeff rock this piece, another friend of ours is definitely planning on ordering from Bliss Lau soon.

FORM NYC - Runway Review

For those who watch Project Runway, you may remember Jerry Tam, founder of FORM, from the first episode of the season. Yes, he was the first one to be kicked off, which is fine because after seeing his Spring Summer 2009 collection, I think he will do well for himself.

During New York Fashion Week, FORM showed on a rooftop 42nd Street - a fantastic choice. The breathtaking view added to the ethereal look and feel of the show. The collection consisted of a lot hand-dyed materials and delicately draped fabrics.

I loved the styling of the show, the use of soft natural makeup and jewelry pieces from one of my favorite designers, Bliss Lau.

Overall, the Spring Summer 2009 collection is very wearable and plays with a number of silhouettes. If the lightness, elegance, and femininity of this collection is any indication of things to come, FORM is one to watch.


Video courtesy of Ford Models and photo courtesy of New York Post

iWant Bliss Lau Jewelry

Pictured styles: Diamond Dress, Diamond Top, and Tuxedo

A fan of hardware, I have been lusting over Bliss Lau's body jewelry for seasons. From the way the pieces drape to the overall design, it's absolutely stunning. I love that the body jewelry is feminine without being soft or girly. There have been imitators, but Bliss Lau is the original innovator of this style of outerwear jewelry.

Pieces range from $200-$700. For more information, please visit blisslau.com and support the young designer!