February 15th 2008
What better way to lift the spirits during the dark and dreary winter months than with this cheery green dress for spring? Yup, I need it. I can wear it in just a couple of months. My closet can hold it that long, I’m sure!
Tie front tube dress, $29.50 www.oldnavy.com
February 14th 2008
You ought to start watching Project Runway Canada, which I’ve tracked down on You Tube. In my opinion, it’s not as drama packed and suspenseful as our original version, but it’s still fun to watch. Iman takes on the role of a stern bitch that is just nice enough so that you don’t hate her. She make Heidi look like a marshmallow. The challenges are a bit different- dare I even say more difficult- there seems to be more seat squirming from the contestants. It’s a bit more raw, a touch less glossy, and it works… just for different reasons. Whereas no one will ever beat Tim Gunn in my book, Project Canada comes in at a close second. Who knew there was so much style going on up north?
I’m embedding the first part of the first episode to get you started, but I can’t put them all up here. No worries, they’re wicked easy to find. Get watching and have fun!
Technorati Tags: Project Runway, Project Runway Canada, Fashion, Style, Clothing, Designers, Television, Iman
February 10th 2008
February 10th 2008
I hate walking by their store window. Many times I just stand there, with my mouth hanging open… drooling over their wares. There are few times when I could afford anything in that place, clearance time being one of those. Here are a few items I spied on their website, and they’re all just too cute. The only caveat? Limited sizes and colors, so act fast!
Woodcutter sweater coat, $89.95 (was $168.00)
Rootstock turtleneck, $69.95 (was $138.00)
Blakeney skirt, $69.95 (was $128.00)
www.anthropologie.com
Technorati Tags: Anthropologie, clearance, sale, clothing, fashion
February 10th 2008
Well, while I was on hiatus, something quite significant happened in the fashion world. We found out that Mr. Mizrahi is leaving us for Liz Claliborne. That’s a coup for them, and a great loss for we bargain shoppers. I digress… below is a reprint of the original AP Story, Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Apparel and accessories maker Liz Claiborne Inc. has hired Isaac Mizrahi as its creative director for its namesake brand in a bid to rejuvenate its foundering and aging label.
By signing on with Liz Claiborne, the award-winning designer is also ending his contract with Target Corp. He had created the powerful Isaac Mizrahi for Target collection, which has been a magnet in driving customer traffic to its stores and helped solidify Target’s niche in cheap chic designs since its inception five years ago.
Mizrahi’s first women’s collection for Claiborne, to arrive in stores for spring 2009, will appeal to the same customer but will be updated with bold colors and have a better fit, attributes for which the label had once been known, Claiborne officials said. They declined to comment on the terms of Claiborne’s agreement with Mizrahi and said Mizrahi’s arrival date at the company hasn’t been determined.
In a separate statement, Target said that the Mizrahi collection will continue to be available exclusively in select Target stores and at Target.com through the end of 2008.
The news was seen as a big blow to Target, which in the last few months has stumbled amid disappointing sales.
“This is a big win for Liz Claiborne and a big loss to Target,” said analyst Jennifer Black. “Of all the people they could have chosen, they couldn’t have chosen someone better.”
Mizrahi’s marketing prowess has made him a household name. He is the host of his own show on Oxygen Network and the Style Network, and in February he will launch his new Web-based series “WATCHISAAC” at www.watchisaac.com.
“It is certainly no secret that the brand has been lacking a clear and cohesive vision and has languished as a result,” said Claiborne Chief Executive William L. McComb. “With this appointment, we are taking a major step towards our goal of creating irresistible product that will provide today’s discerning woman with a compelling reason to buy.”
In a statement, Trish Adams, senior vice president of merchandising of Target said: “We’ve had a great partnership with Isaac. … Like our partnership with Isaac, all of our designers including our GO and limited-edition accessories designers help Target make great design available and accessible to everyone.”
The announcement marked the latest move to transform the apparel company, which like its rivals is facing changing customer tastes and a consolidated department store customer base. Liz Claiborne announced in July that it was undergoing a major fashion makeover, pegging its future to fewer but more powerful brands with names like Juicy Couture and Lucky Brand Jeans.
Tim Gunn, the former chair of the fashion design department at Parsons The New School for Design and the mentor-in-chief on Bravo TV’s Project Runway, joined Claiborne last year as chief creative officer for the entire portfolio of brands, acting as the liaison between management and design. He is not directly involved in creating products, however.
The Mizrahi appointment doesn’t affect Gunn, a company spokeswoman said.
In October, Claiborne reported a 65% profit in its third quarter due to hefty charges and a drop in sales in the company’s partnered brands division, which included Liz Claiborne brands, DKNY Jeans group, and its cosmetics brands. Revenue fell 4% to $1.26 billion from $1.31 billion in the third quarter of 2006.
The partnered brands were slated to generate about $2.8 billion in revenue in its fiscal year.
However, the death of its namesake founder last June created an unexpected opportunity for the Claiborne brand. In a phone interview late Tuesday, McComb said the company received many calls from customers wanting to know who would replace the designer, not knowing she had left the company in 1989.
“This showed the power of the brand,” he said. “It created a perception of a void.”
The company started talks with Mizrahi in October, McComb said.
“It’s no secret that the line hasn’t been performing,” he said, noting that Isaac Mizrahi is an “incredibly cultural relevant designer, and this is a brand that needed a cultural relevance.” As the creative director, Mizrahi will oversee the design and marketing for women’s apparel, accessories and licensing.
McComb said the brand will refer to Mizrahi in its hang tags but wouldn’t comment on its marketing plans or sales potential.
Shares of Liz Claiborne, which also owns the Maxx and Kate Spade names, fell 5 cents to $16.35 in electronic after-hours trading. During regular trading, shares fell 56 cents, or 3.3%, to close at $16.40.
Target shares fell 47 cents to $49.40 in electronic after-hours trading. During regular trading, shares fell 62 cents, or 1.2%, to close at $49.87.
Technorati Tags: Isaac Mizrahi, Target, Liz Claiborne, Tim Gunn
February 9th 2008
Close on the heels of their announcement of Isaac Mizrahi’s departure from Target, comes this great and long awaited collection from their Go International line. I know we have yet to see this in stores, so I can’t make any first hand comments, but from what we can see in the press release… I think this is the closest any Target guest designer has come to emulating their own actual collections. The details rock, the silhouettes mimic, everything’s just so spot on. Hats off to these ladies! They’re just upping the ante and making it harder for those to walk in their footsteps. I’m so excited to see it in store!
Technorati Tags: Milla Jovovich, Jovovich-Hawk, Carmen Hawk, designers, Go International, Target
February 4th 2008
At the moment, I’m probably the most unlikely fashion blogger that you’d ever see. This cross country move has changed me, albeit momentarily. I’m used to the mild winter days of the South, and my memories of brisk Northeastern ones are far behind me. This “winter” (or so they call it) is different- the cold clings to you and soaks you to the core. Must be the constant rain or something. Regardless, methinks I need to toughen up!
Long gone are my days of tights and skirts- I’ve traded them in for a new uniform of the same jeans and sweaters every day. My feet are clad in a very old pair of Chuck Taylors, after all… this is a walking town! I discovered early on that my high heeled boots don’t quite cut it. When I go out the door, I throw on my black babydoll jacket (perhaps the only item of clothing that could even hint and some semblance of style. My neck gets wrapped up in a green scarf. My hands don black fingerless gloves. Perched on my head is a black wool brimmed beret, that keeps my noggin toasty warm. Now tell me that doesn’t conjure up the grandest picture your mind’s eye has ever seen. It’s quite a sight!
I’m banking on this being a temporary thing. It can’t go on forever. Once the rain and occasional snowfall gives way to warmer and sunnier days, I’ll get back to my dresses and sandals and feel more like myself again. I think this is just and adjustment period. I’m just glad that we don’t live in a time where we’re forced to wear big placards, announcing or professions to the world. No one would hire me! Heh.
PS Unfortunately, this doesn’t mean that I’m back on the blogging train on a regular basis. I still don’t have an apartment. Still don’t have my computer set up, or any of that junk. I just wanted to touch base and let you guys know that I’m still alive… And that I’ve missed y’all!
December 8th 2007
With nearly everything they have to offer over at this cool little online shop from New Orleans. De Jarnette has such lovely little trinklets, all strung pretty to adorn your neck. I only wish I could afford to drop some cash right now, I swear. Still, that won’t keep me from showing them (and possibly having you steal them right out from under my nose) to you!
Grow necklace, $64.00
Tea party necklace, $104.00
Calliope II necklace, $38.00
Wrough iron necklace, $34.00
Sealed with necklace, $58.00
Pyrite necklace, $46.00
Technorati Tags: Jewelry, Necklaces, De Jarnette
December 8th 2007
Could possibly be this little number I spied over at Dillard’s. I’m not sure what it is that’s making me like it so much, but I do. What do you think?
XOXO layered satin miniskirt, $44.00 www.dillards.com
December 8th 2007
If anyone gave me anything made by Moleskine, I’d be happy. However, a large weekly planner would be very appropriate at this time of year. I have a scad of their books laying around- they’re very durable and very cool. Papa Hemingway and many other literary geniuses used to use them. It doesn’t get much cooler than that!
Moleskine large weekly planner, $16.50 www.moleskines.com
Technorati Tags: Weekly Planners, Planners, Moleskine
