Pre-Spring 2011 Trends: Diamond Motifs

Dior, Doo-Ri

Versace, Stella McCartney

For Pre-Spring 2011, animal prints from leopard to snake continue, as do plaid galore but something a little more out of the ordinary I noticed was a Diamond Motif.  At Dior and Versace they paired the look with other prints for a bold and very au courante mixed print effect but for a subtler statement at Stella McCartney and Doo.ri the print was paired with a solid to make the focal point all about the print.  Interestingly enough I noticed that at Dior and Doo.ri used all-over pattern in similar feminine soft pinks, nudes paired with grey and black while at Versace and Stella McCartney they both incorporated green and black for a bolder singular focus.

Would you wear a diamond motif or does it make you think of Harlequin Clowns?

Pre-Fall 2011 Trends: Cherry Bomb

I’ve previously wrote in Pre-Spring 2010 that red shoes were a definite trend to keep your eye on, but now the designers have taken it from the feet and moved on up, many creating bold head to toe color outfits in all shades of red.  From Cherry to Pimento, Apple to Beet the reds are all here to stay and making a statement. 

Pre-Fall 2011 was an explosion of red all over the runways, regardless of occasion or fabrication.  Deep red tones from Adam, Armani Collezioni and Elie Tahari look great for eveningwear, while classic reds at Jason Wu,  Carolina Herrera and Vera Wang look great for cocktails and making a statement.  My personal favorite use of red is the top and bottom combos that have a slight menswear feel by DKNY, Jenni Kayne and Thakoon.  If you are feeling lady like though Oscar De La Renta, Nina Ricci and Reed Krakoff looks might fit the bill.  If all that red makes you nervous though, just try on a red jacket ala Preen, Stella McCartney or Michael Kors. 

Would you wear head to toe red or is it a look for runways only?

Adam, Armani Collezioni, Elie Tahari

Jason Wu,  Carolina Herrera, Vera Wang

DKNY, Jenni Kayne, Thakoon

Oscar De La Renta, Nina Ricci, Reed Krakoff

Preen,  Stella McCartney, Michael Kors

Peek: Stella McCartney Kids Lookbook

Stella McCartney’s first looks for kids under her own label hit the web thanks to Vogue.UK and the gappy tooth boys and girls in galoshes had me smiling.   The line will be hitting stores on November 3, 2010 and will range in price from $20 for tees to $155 for coats.  Can’t help but wonder if pint sized adults might be able to squeeze their way into a few of these items.

To see the entire collection in an exclusive e-copy of the lookbook on October 27, 2010, you can register on StellaMcCartneyKids.com.

Stella McCartney Launches Menswear

Stella McCartney has been designing for Adidas ever since 2004 but for the first time, will be launching a menswear line. According to Vogue UK, apart from bespoke clothing (i.e. custom tailored clothing) McCartney has never done anything for men. McCartney is also set to design the official gear for the 2012 Olympic games which will be held in London.

There are three lifestyle-inspired lines that McCartney is launching which will incorporate her new menswear pieces and will include T's, hooded sweatshirts, and trackpants. The designer also notes to Vogue, "it's interesting to be able to work on both men's and women's looks in a more casual sporting arena, and to have a kind of easiness to them that appeals to people but still has a sort of edge, an element of the language of the Olympic games and Team GB."

I'm definitely anxious to see this line once it becomes available. McCartney's lines for Adidas have always been practical and made athletic gear less gym-like. Perfect for those who like to look good while doing something good for their body. Don't get me wrong, while there are some great athletic apparel companies out there, McCartney's line for Adidas is one of the few to really infuse style into anything wheather it be a simple pair of running shorts, gym bag or tennis gear.

While there are other sportswear collaborations out there including Puma X McQueen, these lines generally tend to be geared towards those who like to look sporty versus those who actually are sporty. Whatever the case, I hope the line will fuse practicality and functionality with McCartney's personal aesthetic.

A Few More Sales This Week

Here are a few more sales happening this week!

Who: DANNIJO + Hunter Dixon trunk show
What: One of a kind DANNIJO pieces starting at $25 and Hunter Dixon blouses and dresses originally $275-600 will be $45-125.
When: August 18, 2010Wed 6pm-8pm.

Where: 423 West 14th St (nr Washington Ave) 3rd floor. RSVP ASAP!

Shhhhh.... Thanks to our friends at Racked NY we just got word about the private Stella McCartney Sale. I did go to the sale a few years back through a friend and that's how I picked up my 2 pairs of Stella shoes at 80% off but haven't heard much about it since, as it's been kept pretty hush hush until now! I do recall that when I went to the sale previously I was ready to leave because I couldn't afford the clothes on my budget, but then it became all about the shoes!

Who: Stella McCartney Friends & Family Sale
What: 80% off clothes & shoes galore! Please note there is a guest list so you won't be guaranteed entry.
When: Til tonight, 8pm!
Where: Flatotel, 135 West 57th St (b/n 6th & 7th Ave) 5th Floor

Who: Castor & Pollux Sale
What: Up to 50% off summer stock from Vena Cava, Acne, Iro, and Tucker at 50% off
When: Ongoing sale
Where: 238 West 10th Street (b/n Bleecker and Hudson St) 212-645-6572.

Who: Some Odd Rubies Sale
What: Up to 75% off their own label and a great selection of vintage merchandise.
When: Starts August 19, 2010. Ongoing Sale
Where: 151 Ludlow Street (b/n Stanton and Rivington St) 212-353-1736.

Who: Narnia Vintage Sale
What: Clear out on summer selection of sweet vintage pieces.
When: August 18-20, 2010. Wed-Fri noon-9pm
Where: 161 Rivington Street (at Clinton St) 212-979-0661.

Who: Temperley London Sample Sale
What: Up to 70% off regular price. Floral tunic $239, long cardigan $389.
When: August 20-22, 2010. Fri 9:30am-7pm, Sat 10am-7pm, Sun noon-6pm
Where: 453 Broome St (at Mercer St) 2nd Floor 212-219-2929

Who: Blue & Cream Sale
What: Up to 50% on merch for men and women from Helmut Lang, VPL, Yigal Azrouël, Preen, and more.
When: Now through Monday, August 16, 2010.
Where: 1 East 1st St (at Bowery) 212-533-3088.

Who: JF & SON Sale
What: 50% off summer merch
When: Ongoing sale
Where: 19 Kenmare St (at Elizabeth St) 212-343-3131.

Who: Apartment Sale on designer merch.
What: Up to 95% of retail on new and gently worn designer clothes, shoes, handbags, and accessories. Prices range from $10 to $500 and brands include Manolo Blahnik, Gucci, Calvin Klein and more.
When: August 18, 2010. Wed 5pm-9pm
Where: 545 West 25th St (nr 10th Ave) 8th floor

Who: James Perse Sample Sale
What: Deep discounts on men's & women's perfect basics.
When: August 19-22, Thurs 4pm-9pm, Fri-Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 10am-4pm
Where: 382 West Broadway (B/n Spring St & Broome St)

In Store Report: Stella McCartney x Gap Markdowns

After seeing that Stella McCartney for Gap Kids was slashed on Madison Avenue Spy to levels of 60% off, I decided to check out the scene for myself and I made the hike to the UES Gap at 86th & 3rd Ave on the weekend.

Madison Avenue Spy did a great job documenting the prices:
That MJ military jacket is $52 from $128, a silk flower applique dress is $41 from $98, tights that were $14 are now under $6 and a cashmere leopard sweater was $88 and is now $36.

However I was left wondering about the sizes and photo documentation. Lesson learned? This was truly a sale for if you want to pick up children's clothing and not something in a XXL for yourself ;)

Most everything left was sized children's size Large or Smaller. I did not leave empty handed as I managed to snag a tulle ballerina skirt in XXL. Originally $58, marked down to $34.99 with an additional 25% and I had a $10 giftcard so I managed to get it for $16.50! There may have been a couple other XXL in tulle skirts and 1 bubble knit sweater dress but that was about it.

The MJ military jacket was sized only in adorable 12-18 months & 18-24 months and there was about a half rack of them left!

The tiger sweater was only to be seen in size Medium. The tiger sweater dress that is completely adorable was only in size Small.

Velveteen Blazers with Satin Collar only reached size XL, mostly in the Small-Large Range. Trench coats were available until size XL. There was only one adorable cashmere blend hoodie left in size L.

Plenty of cashmere silk blend leggings left reaching size XL.

Quite a few plaid shirts left in reaching XL.

Limited shoe selection left, including high tops & studded ballet flats, saw some 5 & 6s.

Overall, not much chance of snagging for yourself, but if you're in need of some pretty gifting for some adorable children or if you're a parent who wants to fulfill their child's Stella Wishes, now is the time to go. I believe that this is currently the only location currently housing the markdowns in NYC.

Sample Sale Report: Stella McCartney

So I was uber excited about the Stella McCartney Sale today, but unfortunately couldn't drag myself out of bed to make it before work. When I walked by at 9:10am the line looked like it was about 40 minutes long so I decided to come back after work! A happy decision because when I returned at 6:30pm, there was no line outside and it only took me less than 5 minutes to check my bags and get into the sale. Please note that only cell phones and wallets are allowed inside the sale.

As soon as you walk in you are greeted by perhaps the best deal of the sale. All denim is $60 regardless of previously ticketed price. Some denim is cropped or has ankle zips, but I think my faves were the dip dye denim in black/grey wash, the dark beige metallic denim and the coated bronze sparkle black denim that looks like leather. The sizes were varied but I mostly saw 25-29.

The next thing I noticed were the bikinis that are all on sale for $60. There were assorted colors but one common feature is that none of them feature bra cups, which I personally feel is a must to prevent unfortunate poking through. The cutest styles were the red mesh (so Stella) and the lavender ruffle top/bottoms. You do have to dig through a box though, as some is displayed but the majority in a large cardboard box.

So the pricing system on other merch was anything that ends in a "9" was 50% the ticketed price while anything that ended in a "5" was 80% the original price. Basically anything that ended in a "5" was newer merch that hadn't already been marked down.

Handbags varied in price from $193 (was $965) for a patent and canvas tote to $280 for jeweled canvas metal strap purses to $250 (was $1245) for a quilted tote.

Now for shoes, the main purpose of my visit. Unfortunately I found out shortly afterwards that there were no size 35's at the sale! The majority of sizes ran from 36 to 39, but I did notice a good selection of size 40 as well. Some of the shoes were quite reasonable. Mesh flats for $100, Mesh pumps for $115. However, the more "runway" looking merch had a significantly steeper price. I was only able to spot 1.5 pairs of those super hot Mesh Basket Lucite heel sandals for $279 (was $1395), one half that I couldn't find the other side of was size 36.5, while the other was 37. The 36.5 did fit pretty small however and it's a bit narrow. The amazing beaded wooden clogs were $219 (was $1095). Many of the shoes were around $140.

In terms of clothes there was an array of different merch but the cheapest item I saw was one lonely tee shirt with "crayon" drawing for $29 (was $145). Other cami's and blouses varied from $119-200.

I saw adorable shorts for $93 (was $263) a lame skirt for $139 (was $695) trench coat for $279 (was $1395).

There was one rack of uber expensive merch that although was 80% off, it wouldn't make much of a dent in the near $7000 price tag!

The sale was definitely not cheap but it's still possible to get a deal especially if you're in the market for denim or a bikini. The shoes are reasonably priced as are some of the separates.

What: Stella McCartney
Why: Platform sandals for $179 (reg. $895), dresses for $139 (reg. $695), jeans for $59 (reg. $295).
When: July 14 & 15. Tues., 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Wed., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W. 18th St., b/t Sixth & Seventh Ave