The Top Shop opening party was in New York this week - and the city is in a complete frenzy over it. My best friend emailed me the other day to say that there was a Top Shop van at FIT giving out gift cards (of undisclosed amounts) and totes. Ugh, anywhere but here. The Times also wrote a feature on it that included absolutely no low points. Essentially, all anyone wants you to do right now is spend, spend spend - and to a lot of people Top Shop is dirt cheap, so they think it will work.
To me, Top Shop is a great source for fast fashion, but it isn’t some place I regular or count on to have much inventory for long. I first visited a Top Shop in Barcelona, and wasn’t entirely impressed - buying only a headband and belt. Online, there has been a little more excitement, except everything I like is either over priced or out of small sizes. I can only imagine New York’s assortment will be what dreams are made of, but I hope it can live up to the hype it’s built up after 2 years of anticipation (it was supposed to open in 2007). I also wonder how Top Shop will change the fast fashion climate not only in SoHo, but the rest of the city where you can find an H&M almost every 20 blocks, and sometimes 10. And - is the assortment’s price point offered different than overseas and what’s offered online like Zara is known to do? Hopefully - because in SoHo if you can’t find that perfect silk harem pant in your price range at Top Shop, you’ve got H&M, Forever 21, Zara, Armani Exchange, and American Apparel all within a literal stone’s throw.
I won’t be able to visit this magical land until Summer, however, but lucky for all of us outside of New York, Top Shop’s online store has gotten the hint and is offering free shipping all week! So, hop to it.
NY Times article “Top Shop in New York”
As we’re now onto Milan fashion week - it gets just a little harder to keep up with the same enthusiasm that comes with the first showings in New York. While Style.com is the bible - that means there’s a lot of info to take in and it isn’t always a quick recap unless you want to be biased from the reviews. So - I definitely recommend the NY Times for catching up with Milan, because the chances of me catching the cute props (coffee) used at Fall 09 DSquared would have been slim until at least a month from now.
Check the Milan round-up at NYTimes.com
Jason Wu is one lucky dude! As it’s all over the media now - he had no idea Michelle Obama was going to wear his dress, and that just melts my little 24 year old heart (he’s only 26!!). Anyway, puhlease disregard the part in the article where the Times clearly has a bias - Isabel Toledo went to both FIT and Parsons. Just because Project Runway was filmed at Parson’s doesn’t mean they didn’t try to shoot it at FIT first (they did) - so the rivalry will go on and on. AND - I love how they paint the picture of a struggling designer in his midtown apartment eating Dominos. First - you’re not struggling if your apartment is in midtown, I don’t care if it’s next to Joshua Tree. Second - Jason Wu needs to check the NYC health standards because last time I checked the Dominos in Chelsea had mice. So now that I’m all fired up for the weekend - enjoy the below article from the Times!
NY Times - Spotlight on Designer of Gown for Ball
Saks Fifth Avenue’s Spring marketing campaign - NY Times article “Consumers of the World Unite”
Poor, Poor Paris. The guilty gang is actually called the Pink Panthers - which alone is a huge reason to keep reading. There’s something very Sherlock Holmes about this article, like an old school jewelry heist you would see in the movies. Definitely glamorous, also ridiculous. How do people rob stores or banks anymore? It seems so wild, wild west - when I had my baby fender bender and had to interact with the police, one of them said they had just come from a bank robbery - and out loud, I blurted “Really? People still rob banks?” Oh, Texas.
NY Times article “The Heist at Harry’s”
Harry Winston online is actually having a sale (ha)! www.HarryWinston.com
…Or, admit defeat in style - Chris Caccamise for Banana Republic $35 - The New Museum Store, NY
Lace tights not only bring that cozy, sexy boudoir feeling to the winter months - they help to break up the monotony of opaque tights as your go-to leg covering for chilly nights out. I recently bought a pair from Urban – about $9 – that are a fishnet lace, and at first I thought they were a little too S&M, but quickly got over it after receiving compliments from some very conservative Texans. I am immediately ordering more after seeing this feature in the Times - those Betsey Johnson heart tights have such a nostalgic vibe, I swear I’ve worn those in a white version with multi color hearts circa Kindergarten. And it’s not just lace, that sheer black that I usually steer clear of can be done stylishly – think sheer black with the seam up the back like a 40’s pin up.
I’m also pleasantly surprised to see that there is a selection of stockings beyond Wolford & Agent Provocateur – editorial seems to be realizing the recession that is clearly at hand. Lately - it seems as though fashion is moving in such a daring and dynamic direction. Erring on the side of ostentatious - exaggerated costume jewelry, vivid colors, loud makeup, and the overall idea of getting dressed up has been revived. If you think about the fashion cycle in terms of decades, it seems completely natural and on course – the 70’s were free spirited, the 80’s were all about excess, the 90’s were grunge, the 00’s were for nesting, and now that we’re approaching the 10’s - we’ve gotta make it glam.
Check out the rest of the “Fine Points - Lacy Tights” slideshow at NYTimes.com
Waterlily lace tights MyTights.com $13.95
Lace thigh high’s with bows SockDreams.com $15
Rose fishnet lace tights Top Shop $20
If you’re in Miami - check out the Art Basel Miami Beach ruby slipper collection - ending December 7th! Ruby slipper interpretations from the likes of Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo, & Roger Vivier - pure eye candy.
NY Times - We’re Off to See the Ruby Slippers
www.ArtBaselMiamiBeach.com
NY Times article “The Way You Wear Your Hat” - Here’s to dressing well!
Forever 21 wool cloche hat $12.80 (flapper style hat - foreheads were unfashionable in the 20’s)
Urban Outfitters leopard cocktail hat $28.00
Target wool beret $12.99
Top Shop felt trilby hat $40
NY Times article “The Return of the Interview Suit”
This is really awful information! After my first professional encounter with a Dallas woman, I instantly felt messy and ran out and shopped for some Michael Kors - esque business casual. I just can’t do it - I’m convinced you need straight hair to look polished, I just can never do it! I also don’t have cheetah Louboutins and David Yurman. Anyway - it looks as though I’m going to have to expedite this process, and it looks like there is a trip to Theory in my very near future…
Image by John French, London 1960’s
