Check Out: Oonagh by Nanette Lepore

Nylon Mag reports that contemporary designer Nanette Lepore is joining a slew of other designers this Spring by launching a diffusion line of tees & tunics that will retail for $58-178 in her boutiques. It's funny because although I didn't notice the launch before Nylon pointed it out but it's already available for purchase on Neiman Marcus, Shopbop, Bloomingdales, Saks 5th Avenue and Revolve clothing.

Anyways the new line called "Oonagh" means "pure" in Scottish. These pieces are meant to be more casual, soft and drapey. They definitely feel more laid back and downtown than her feminine tailored signature label. What do you think?

Store Opening: Gap's 1969 Soho Store

I checked out Gap 1969's store opening today, Nylon Magazine hosted the event and had DJ Cassidy and TV/TV performing. It was a fun time with Mojitos and brownies being served :)

Meanwhile this new Soho Location on 538 Broadway was meticulously organized, spacious and bright. According to the sales girl this store difffers as it looks to serve up primarily outerwear and denim. And yes indeed there was denim, an entire wall at that! But they had other merch too including accessories and lots of plaid shirts, chunky sweaters and everything you need to layer with them like circle scarves, henleys and vests.

This store looks def cleaner with a pared down and more focused offering of the regular merch. The silk blouse pictured above gave me more of a J.Crew vibe while everything else felt more rugged Americana.

Surprise shopper? Emmy Rossum who looked vaguely familiar to me as camera crews proceeded to chase her through the store as she perused. The line was around the block by the time I was leaving at 8:45pm.

Alice + Olivia Presentation Spring 2010

Lani and I had the opportunity to check out the Alice + Olivia Presentation with Nylon Magazine on Saturday night. It was held in the Meatpacking district at the Bumble and Bumble building. The atmosphere felt more like a party/concert than about the clothes. But on a Saturday night it did everyone some good to have a chance to blow off some steam.

The scenery that was set up was super cute illustrations of the streets of Paris. The lines of the clothing were simplified. And yes, being Alice + Olivia, there was still some element of glitz via sequins/beading and shimmer, it seemed lighter and less over the top.

My fave piece of this collection has to be the look to the above right! The satin trench vest is def a great wardrobe essential.

As for the rest of the collection? Not ground breaking but an assortment of pretty pastel colors, sometimes in gradient ombres to create an ice cream effect against beige, black, navy and white neutrals. Skirt lengths are short fitted and full silhouettes. Tank style tops, pegged crop harem pants, lace and wet look leggings continue.

In case you're wondering about the shoes, they will be part of the upcoming Alice + Olivia Payless collection.

On a side note, the Plasticines, who are under the Nylon label were performing while decked out in Alice + Olivia Sequins! They looked super cute!

The fun part of being at a presentation that's more like a party? The random famous faces you get to see. We spotted Mena Suvari, Sophia Bush of One-Tree-Hill, a Real Housewife, a former Top Model and apparently Kate Hudson was there for a quick minute. Lucky Lani was with me, because I seriously am horrible at recognizing people!

We got the chance to meet Devon Aoki and snapped a quick photo before camera's and press started swarming her! She is not as tall as I would have imagined, but her face is so beyond tiny and she has such a unique look that her success does not surprise me.

We also bumped into Nicky Hilton on her way out.

I think one thing we quickly realized at this party was that we were the shortest people in attendance! The average height of the party goers must have been at least 6'0"!!! Oh well, it was still a fun time no matter how tall you are ;)

Full Look: McQ for Target

Nylon Magazine provides us with a first look into the Liela Moss (of Duke Spirit) inspired McQ collection for Target which is slated to debut in stores March 2009.

While I didn't love everything, there are a few looks/pieces I am excited to snatch. I do like the pink turtleneck/v-neck combo with the shorts (as our lovely reader S.P. pointed out, it's actually a scarf tied over a knit), the bikini and grey biker jacket. Also potentially interesting are the cropped blazer, jumpsuit and one shoulder/tank top dress combo featured up top, as Alexander Wang also intriguingly enough has a version of on pre-order at Saks.

Things that I think might be potentially scary are the pleather vest and trench. The materials look sort of cheap and stiff in the pictures. The print leggings (are sort of fun in an Yelle/M.I.A. sort of way) in the wrong hands could also be scary!

Although, this collection is true to McQ, McQueen's diffusion line, I really wish it was an Alexander McQueen for Target collection instead as I'm more fond of aesthetic of the real deal.