The 5th Annual Fashion 2.0 Awards

A couple weeks ago I had the fortune to attend the Fashion 2.0 awards. Since the launch 5 years ago, social media has changed drastically from something that brands never talked about to an integral part of marketing strategy and customer relations.

The Fashion 2.0 awards founded by the beautiful Yuli Ziv, the founder of Style Coalition and Fashion 2.0, are the first industry recognized distinction honoring fashion brands for outstanding achievements and communication strategies across a variety of digital media channels. When the awards first launched, DKNY's DKNY PR girl aka Aliza Litch was one of the only attendees and Foursquare was honored as the best start-up. Could we have dreamed then how much times would have changed? Today over 400 industry insiders helped celebrate the event at Merkin Concert Hall in New York City. 

The awards were hosted once more by the ever charming Robert Verdi with legendary designer Zac Posen invited to give a keynote speech. After he ended his speech he attempted to take an audience wide "selfie" but ended up leaving himself out of the picture. Host Robert Verdi later corrected the error in good fun and soon the entire room was standing to be a part of it!

As for some of the winners, Marc Jacobs won big, sweeping awards for best Instagram and Twitter. Nordstrom won for the Best Pinterest. DKNY won for best online campaign with DKNY Draft. The campaign featuring both models and football players for the Super Bowl taught us in the words of pioneer Aliza Litch that "Models can't throw for shit". Acustom Apparel won for best start-up

Eva Chen was honored by Fashion GPS with the online Navigator award and rushed in a little late after being caught in a heated ping pong match with the Warby Parker boys. The Fashion Navigator Award took into consideration the fact that ambitious women are not just bossy, ambitious women can become the boss. Eva Chen exemplifies this modern attitude.

Fashion expert Jeannie Mai presented the Visionary award to the Warby Parker boys, while telling a touching story about how the brand changed the life of one woman who had a life altering ordeal in which she no longer had the confidence to go shop in public. The award celebrates not only what fashion can do, but what fashion can do for others.

The beautiful and charming Coco Rocha presented the evenings top honor for Top Innovator to ASOS as she shared how this year both the internet and herself turned 25. "For decades, industry standards dictated that models be seen and not heard. This model is one with an opinion, not seen but heard. If you have a loud voice, have something to say. Social media has given me a voice to be someone beyond just a face".

After the awards ceremony let out, everyone hit the cocktail reception for some in-person socializing. It was a grand night with red carpet glamor and beautiful people celebrating the digital world. I wonder how the awards will change and change again in the next 5 years!

Special thanks to photographer Ken Arcara for the bottom three images.

Designer Shoe Sale Alert: Nordstrom Rack

Twice a year, Nordstrom Rack holds a designer shoe sale - one of which started today!  I stopped by the Union Square location on my way home from work to check it out and here's what I found.  Shoes are between 50%-70% off for both men and women.  There are a few racks set up near the cash register  which house the majority of the women's designer shoes.  Men's designer shoes, while still available but in fewer quantities are disbursed throughout the regular shoe section so some digging is required.  Keep in mind, sizing is sporadic as are styles but you can definitely score big at this sale.  Click below to see a sample of what's up for grabs (warning - this a pretty picture intensive post!).

Spot Check: Nordstrom Rack Shoe Sale!

Stopped by Nordstrom Rack at Union Square this afternoon and noticed they got a new shipment of shoes in.   There's a few racks set up near the cash on the opposite aisle from all the other shoes which are filled with Prada, Lanvin, Jimmy Choo, Manolos and more.   Sizing and styles are for the most part random and range from size 5-11. Here's a quick rundown of what's up for grabs.

Skagen Denmark: Fall/Winter 2011 Collection

A couple weeks ago I was invited to check out the Skagen Denmark Watch collections.  Although my closet has expanded in multiple categories throughout the years,  I think my watch collection could stand to grow!  I actually only have one watch that I wear nearly everyday so when it comes to bang for the buck I guess watches work the hardest.

When I first saw the watch collection, I anticipated that the high quality and elegant clean Danish inspired designs, the prices would be reflective.  Fortunately I was pleasantly surprised to find that Skagen watches are definitely very affordable with the majority of styles in the $95-195 category with prices topping out at around $300.

The couple behind the company, Charlotte and Henrik Jorst founded their company after moving from Denmark to the United States in 1989 with the goal of creating beautifully designed high-quality objects at reasonable prices.  Judging from the watches that I had a chance to try on and photograph, mission accomplished.  While snacking on some Danish treats including bread smoked in hay, aquavit butter and lingonberry jam I explored the collection.

With so many watches to look at, my eyes didn’t know what to try on first and suddenly the Rose gold mesh watch jumped out and begged to be touched.  Although Rose Gold is only recently gaining popularity, Skagen has been doing rose gold finishes for years and their watches have just the right tone of softly pink metal.  I was also attracted to the ceramic watches in both black and white that are actually incredibly light weight.  I also was a fan of the matte ceramic for a very different feel.  I also tried on a few watches that had more of a bracelet like feel and feature mother-of-pearl.

A couple of my other favorite watches was the very vintage looking bracelet watch that retails for $145 (actually from the Spring 2011 collection). The Bianca Jagger very 70s gold watch that’s so wrong that it’s right, the pinstriped men’s mesh watches and the solar/light powered watches that take energy from both indoor lights and the sun to store them for operation.

Before leaving the preview I also had a brief look at the rings and had a ball creating my own combinations and stacking them in different combinations.  I loved the metal mesh, enamel and shaped stacking rings that were  flecked with little tiny rhinestones.

You can purchase Skagen watches or jewelry online at Major Department or Specialty Stores and Chains like Nordstrom, Macy's, Bloomingdales, Carson Pirie Scott and Bon Ton.  I’m hoping after I come off my temporary shopping freeze to add a new watch to my wardrobe! How many watches do you own?

Rebecca Minkoff Launches Holiday Gift Collection

This year has been pretty exciting in the world of Rebecca Minkoff, not only has the designer launched a menswear line and a footwear line, she is now making Minkoff style accessible with the launch of the new Giftables collection. The product line features personal electronics cases, pouches, small handbags, wallets and more. Each item comes in a perfectly sized individual box that makes it ready to give. It's also important to note that everything will come at an affordable price tag at under $150 a pop.

Lani and I got a chance to see these styles in person and thought they were great. We love that they come in fun and happy poppy bright colors. Some are peppered in little studs while others feature a luxe double chain strap. More pics in a post to follow.

Items will be available at Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s and Saks Fifth Avenue stores nationwide, as well as on www.rebeccaminkoff.com.

Studded Babe in Nude Shine -- $150, Book Worm eReader in Grape Alligator -- $125

Tart in Green Metallic -- $ 125