NYFW Fall 2014: Richard Chai Love

Richard Chai consistently cranks out collections of clothing that is both beautiful and wearable. His most recent runway show for Richard Chai Love gave a slight 90s grunge vibe, in the best way possible.

 

Rich colors like merlot and tobacco were softened by slate blue, camel, mousey taupe and hazy lavender. Texture was an important element with brushed fabrics contrasted by opulent floral jacquards and textured lace over sleek leather. Plaids, stripes and color blocked panels add interest. In the final few looks the subtle colors used in the patterns burst forward in a crystalline fractal print that is like modern stained glass.

Softly rounded and sloped shoulders for both men and women, a dropped waist silhouette and easy shapes that are comfortable looking but with just enough tailored polish to look pulled together without trying. Layering is important as seen with the sheer crinkle knit shown under dresses and tops. For men, layering comes in the form of a shirt shown tied at the waist over pants, creating almost a skirt for men.

Hair looks tousled like you just rolled out of bed, with the men throwing on a beanie to do some errands. The look is effortless dressing that I would love to have in my closet.

   

Sample Sale Report: Hudson Jeans

Last night I also stopped by the first ever Hudson Jeans sample sale. I for one was very excited because in addition to a snug fit that is super comfortable, Hudson specializes in a variety of unique finishes that makes a pair really special. Unlike competitors, their finishes are never crusty but superior in softness and wearability.


Jeans started at just $50 a pair for women for metallic deco printed styles, dye blasted, striped and snake print. For $60 a pair you could pick up a black back, white front 50/50 color block pair like I did. Or they also had white shorts, ultralight linen jeans in pink and medium blue jeans. For $65 you enter the world of coated and there is a pearlescent blue pair that I already own and love as well as a copper style, shiny style in both turquoise and purple blue. 

For $75 there is a black and white rose print with tuxedo stripe, coated pair with tuxedo stripe, coated sweat pants to name a few. At $100 there are some with elasticized waistbands, detailed back pockets and embroidery up the side of the leg. If you went up to $125 you get the special pairs with zippered accents or leather panels. Sizes were available from 24 to 32 in just about every section although not every style was available in every size.

What's Left: Target x Phillip Lim in Brooklyn

So you would think that after being lucky enough to attend the Phillip Lim x Target launch party I would've found enough goodies to satisfy my fashion thirst. Afterall I found myself with the mini Pashli and the Boom sweater dress. Unfortunately that wasn't enough because even at the preview event the merchandise moved fast and I found myself stalking Twitter and Target.com like a maniac last night. The first pieces launched just shortly before midnight and slowly as the hours unfolded people were finding one piece at a time available for purchase all while the @TargetStyle Twitter feed claimed that the wait was still on. No wonder by the time it officially went live at 4:17am so many of the pieces were sold out.

Thanks to my stalking I was able to snag the trench coat shortly after midnight but while I was waiting for a few more pieces, lost the lingerie/sleepwear that was in my cart at about 1:47am. This is a good 2 hours plus before the official launch. Feeling a bit of despair at my losses, I decided to forgo the leopard sweater and bleary eyed I headed to bed. By 8:07 am this morning, there was not much left but I sagged the online only leopard travel bag and the camo print men's backpack.

I decided like a true devotee/fashion slave to hit up not one but two of my local Targets after the frenzy of the early am to see what was left in store.

While Atlantic Avenue was pretty wiped clean it was interesting to see what remained. Guess the navy dress with sequins wasn't that popular or maybe it was the $79.99 price point that kept people at bay but it was available in a multitude of sizes. The crepe dress with embellished neck line also was pretty plentiful in both Blue and Black. Other than that a couple pairs of sweat pants and a few tee shirts with and without embellishment, a few of the sweater dress in grey, the black and white color block shirt dress, cascade ruffle blouses and beaded tuxudo blouses were all that remain. Sizes tend to mostly be available in XL and Large, although there were some Small, Medium and XS to be found

After refueling with a quick bite, the Target in Brooklyn Junction was my next stop.

I was surprised to see that this Target didn't fare much better and was almost as equally wiped out by 2pm. There was more menswear on hand at this location. However they did have some different selection of merchandise than the Atlantic Terminal Target although some repetition of some of the more seemingly unpopular items. The embellished neck was also available here in blue and black but not as plentiful. The embellished tee in grey heather and the ruffle front sleeveless blouse was also available here. There were a lot more XS and Small sizes left at this location.

Unlike the Atlantic terminal, I spotted several menswear pieces here including a lone pair of tuxedo pants, several color block pique tees, marled knit cardigans and 3 or 4 trenches in sizes Small to Large

What this location had that the other Target didn't was the embellished neck peplum blouses and one lonely floral print peplum blouse. The sizes were mixed but what was leftover at this location tended to run smaller. A woman wistfully offered me up a color block black/white dress which she thought was too adorable for words saying it should fit me.

I spotted a couple girls with baskets full of the last hint of leopard I could see at the store and several other items as they made their final decisions as to what to keep or return. It looked like they were keeping most of the scores.

One thing I noticed while I was at check out, without any Phillip Lim sleepwear, was a sign asking that guests limit themselves to 2 of the same item. This looks very similar to H&M's designer collaboration policies. Probably an attempt to stave off any e-bay resellers and hoarders from taking over but judging by what was leftover, I am guessing those attempts were in vain. Staffers report that neither Target is likely to re-stock but you may want to pop by after a few days or so when the returns start to flood in.

More NYC Sample Sales

Who: W118 by WALTER BAKER Sample Sale
What: Discounts on super versatile womenswear basics with a high-fashion twist. Make the brand's printed dresses and chiffon shirts
your go-to for effortless everyday style.
When: August 15-18, 2013. Thurs-Sat 10:30am-7pm. Sun 10:30am-5pm
Where: Chelsea Market, 75 Ninth Avenue (b/n 15th & 16th St)

Who: Bespoken Sample Sale
What: Menswear for up to 75% off. Shirts $45-80, Shoes $100-150, Trousers $50, Knits $30-60, Blazers $120-175, Jackets $80-150.
When: August 15-17, 2013. Thurs-Sat 9am-7pm
Where: 50 East 57th Street, 6th Floor (b/n Madison/Park)

Who: Ligne Roset Sample Sale
What: Up to 60% off the renowned French furniture and lifestyle brand. Snag floor samples, overstock and discontinued items. Discounted items include the Hybride sofa, was $6850, now $3995. Vide-Poche, was $925, now $429. Finn dining chair, originally $630, now $299. Confluences four seat sofa, was $8575, now $5495.
When: August 16-18, 2013
Where: 250 Park Ave South, (b/n 19th & 20th St) 212-375-1036

Fellas Be a Bombfell: Pop that Color

A couple weeks ago I found myself at the Bombfell offices in midtown Manhattan. First off you might be thinking, what exactly is Bombfell? Bombfell is a subscription based menswear service that makes looking good easy with clothes picked just for you keeping in mind your preferences and body type by a stylist. It's meant to make men into the male equivalent of a bombshell! Hello Bombfell! You set your budget, can cancel or skip a month and there is free shipping both ways. Shopping made truly easy for those who don't have the time or don't like to dwell on fashion but still look good.

So I found myself immersed in row-upon-row of neatly organized menswear product from woven shirts, knit polos to sport coats and hoodies. Essentially everything the modern man needs to look pulled together.

I went through the new merchandise and picked out some of my favorite pieces. Anyone that knows me knows that I am a big proponent of color. My life changed from me being a shy wallflower who wanted nothing more than to blend into the background to being the confident and happier woman that I am, my wardrobe certainly reflects it. Color can make just about anything better.

I know a lot of men are a bit color-phobic but there is nothing like a bit of color to lift an outfit or make a man stand out from his peers, in the right way. A bit of color exudes confidence, comfort in ones own skin and a fun personality. What could be sexier? Add just one colorful item to classic neutrals to give your look a bit of swagger. Choose a well fitting, classic menswear style in a fun color and pair it with stylish neutrals. If you want to step it up a notch, mixing textures and subtle pattern add dimension to your look and is really sophisticated.

Below are the outfits I picked out incorporating that special pop of color - you can read more about it here.
Now Sugar Rock Catwalk readers can take $15 OFF your first purchase at Bombfell!

Go to bombfell.com/gimme and enter discount code SUGARROCK. Happy shopping.

Designer Collaboration: Michael Bastian x Uniqlo

(image courtesy of WWD)

Designer collaborations are a dime a dozen these days - so by default I've become desensitized to them.  After going batshit crazy in the past and lining up to buying something only to never wear it, I've learned to seriously edit down my choices before I even set foot into a store.  However, every rule has exceptions and this is definitely one of them.  2011 CFDA winner Michael Bastian is doing a collaboration with Uniqlo comprised solely of polo shirts.  Bastian has done amazing things with GANT and is one of my favorite American designers so I'm glad he's pairing up with one of my go-to fast fashion retailers, Uniqlo.

Preppy, clean, wearable (IMO: this is the single most important factor when deciding whether or not to buy a collaboration piece) and incredibly affordable at just $19.90, I'm definitely going to try and pick up a few when the line drops on May 20, 2013.

Here's a closer look at the pieces:

(images courtesy of Uniqlo)