Kamali Kulture by Norma Kamali

Recently I had the chance to meet with Norma Kamali to discuss her Kamali Kulture collection, blogging and self confidence. I was a little nervous meeting someone who is a bit of a design legend.  Add to that the fact that I admire her style and own a few pieces that from her past collaborations with Everlast and Walmart and my nerves are floating around my stomach. While sitting in her Wellness Cafe and sipping on some delicious fresh pressed green juice,  Ms Kamali enters the room and grabs a Chia Seed snack. She introduces herself and quickly explains that travelling between 3 time zones has her starving as she gently takes a few bites.

Almost like an old friend she talks about her filming experience on VH1 and how amazing the women were who personalized and styled pieces wearing them in totally new and chic ways. She shares how she was most impressed by a young lady who took a top and turned it into pants by putting her legs through the sleeves and letting it create a unique drop crotch effect.  As she chats with me I quietly notice that somehow age hasn't affected her virtually lineless face and super shiny head of hair.

Victoria Victoria Beckham Full Video

Last week we had a quick peak at the Victoria by Victoria Beckham line thanks to a quick preview.  Now the full film by Quentin Jones has been released.  The quirky artistic video shows adorable graphic cut-outs, papers unfolding, cats, crumpling paper and that reflect the clothes themselves.  The off-beat music is the perfect backdrop for the bold colors, easy silhouettes and cutesy graphics

As I've previously mentioned dresses are still pretty steep, priced between £500 and £800 (which translates to $780-$1248 USD).



The celebrity set is already embracing the new line with Danielle Lineker, Michelle Williams and Victoria Beckham herself sporting the line.

First Look at Victoria by Victoria Beckham

Victoria Beckham is one of those rare celebrities that made a smooth transition from being a world famous singer into a legitimate and respected designer.  Season after season her sleek and modern dresses embrace a sense of luxury and empowerment that women hunger for.  She is soon to launch a diffusion line called Victoria by Victoria Beckham to be revealed in a full short film next Monday along with a window display at Harvey Nichols.  And unfortunately, although the line is definitely more affordable than her namesake collection, dresses are still priced between £500 and £800 (which translates to $780-$1248 USD).  From this 20 second teaser I get a sense of playful pops of color, silhouettes that are more breezy and bold graphics.

Celebrate the Karl by Karl Lagerfeld Launch

Who: KARL by Karl Lagerfeld
What: The Kaiser's launching his exclusive collection for Net-a-Porter and with the chance to shop his collection at locations all over the globe!  Plust the first 50 shoppers at each location will receive a gift from the new line.  Kinda makes me wish I had a more flexible day job to check out the NYC launch.
When: January 25, 2012 at 10:30am in NY or see other cities below.  I would go early :)
Where: 375 Bleecker St, New York, NY

Check out what to expect from this highly anticipated collaboration.  In true Lagerfeld fashion the collection includes plenty of black, leather and a sharp sense of feminine tailoring.

 

Check out the App to preview the collection and for a chance to win $1500 from Net-A-Porter.

B Brian Atwood

If you are a fan of sexy architectural luxury footwear, Brian Atwood’s name is no stranger to you. Unfortunately the signature footwear comes at a price that is a bit steep for the wallets of most.  Fortunately Brian Atwood is launching a new counterpart to his Brian Atwood collection with the B Brian Atwood collection set to hit stores this Fall.  The shoes will retail for $350-995, which is still a bit steep for myself but on sale, I’m guessing that the new collection will be within reach.

Brian describes the girl who wears them as part uptown sophisticated, part Paris chic, and a sizeable dose of downtown cool  - his legendary detailing, stunning textures, fringe, and "a little bit of disco" will become hallmarks of the new collection.  B Brian Atwood is contemporary footwear inspired by the globe trotting fashionista; the style icon in the making; the ultra chic editor traversing the globe; the sultry girl with long legs and indelible style.

My personal faves are the peep toe metallic shoetie, the harness boots and the fringe booties. I am crossing my fingers that they will be making size 5. The collection is currently available for pre-order on Saks while the official launch party will be on September 14, 2011 from 6-8pm.

Pierre Balmain

Balmain announced it will be launching a diffusion line: Pierre Balmain. The line will yield a more casual and relaxed urban vibe than the main line and won't come with as hefty a price tag (albeit it's still not cheap). Prices will range from $172 for Ts, up to $1,200 for eveningwear.

The collection will include womenswear and menswear pieces ranging from knitwear to denim. The line is aiming to launch this December globally with a Spring collection and will be available in the US, Asia and Europe.

All images courtesy of WWD

Personally I like diffusion lines - but it helps to understand where and why they arise. While they reach a further target market and increase accessibility for consumers, at the end of the day - fashion is business and 99.99% of diffusion lines arise to generate money. In particular - with lux labels, while items may cost an arm and a leg - if you only sell a few of those items, at the end of the day it doesn't work (seriously - how many people can afford a $1,500 T-shirt). Diffusion lines bank off of the goodwill existing Brands hold, but are intended to generate cash through higher sell through rates and quantity - plain and simple.

n by Nicole Miller Fall Footwear Collection

While I don’t usually consider JC Penney to be a footwear destination, perhaps I will have to change my opinion on that subject thanks to Nicole Miller’s diffusion line.  I just caught a glimpse of the Fall 2011 shoes in the n by Nicole Miller collection and was won over by the affordability and the styling.  You can snag super cute little booties, patterned pumps and sophisticated wedges all for under $100 a pop. In fact right now several styles are marked down to just $50!  While my fave style is definitely the open toe buckle booties above, I am also digging the zip wedge booties and construction style booties below. Wish that they made size 5, but unfortunately for me the collection runs from size 6-11.  What do you think of the collection?

LPLP by Linea Pelle

Amidst all the excitement over the new GO Collective I almost forgot about LPLP by Linea Pelle’s launch at Target and on Target.com.  In case you don’t already know, Linea Pelle is a luxe line of celeb worthy bags, jewelry and small leather goods that fuses the fine craftsmanship and Italian leathers with the casual chic style of Southern California.

LPLP by Linea Pelle incorporates  faux leather in seasonal colors and distinctive hardware found in iconic Linea Pelle looks to create an accessibly priced line that ranges from $9.99-$34.99. 

Here are a few of the key looks from the collection.  My personal fave being the White Studded Hobo purse shown below!  Looks very fresh for spring and very Rock & Roll!

LPLP by Linea Pelle is available now so happy shopping!

R&eM Launch at Macy’s

Last week I stopped by Macy’s Herald Square for the exclusive launch of the brand new under $100 accessories line, R&eM, which made it's Spring 2011 debut exclusively at Macy’s and Macy’s.com. The line combines elements of design (chain strap, studs, and familiar shapes) that we love from some of the industry’s top designer's at affordable price points that any woman can enjoy. The premise behind the line is to capture the energy of the trend-setting youth, R&Em is the fun, flirty, friendly brand for women ages 16-30. Prices range from $15 for small leather goods to $58 for small bags and max out at $88 for larger totes.

To help celebrate the launch blogger, Keiko Lynn of KeikoLynn.com was chosen as the face of the brand. I’ve met Keiko Lynn over the course of the last year at various blogging events while crafting cards and decorating cookies, so I was really excited that someone who is so down-to-earth, sweet and relatable was chosen to represent the brand. She took me through the line and she’s pictured above holding her personal fave from the Spring collection. One of the things that she made sure to note was that the collection is actually Vegan and how rare it was to be able to find stylish Vegan accessory pieces that don’t look like they are “Vegan”.

I have to agree that despite the use of PVC instead of leather the bags don’t scream plastic. Although I am partial to the buttery soft leather handbags – R&eM is definitely a great affordable option for anyone looking to add fun, affordable and stylish accessories to their wardrobe. What do you think of the new line?