Swoon Alert! Channel Chanel

One of our favorite rising stars, Pedro Garcia has had a few slightly disappointing seasons, but we are very excited to report that for fall '08, he is back with gusto.

Our collection favorite is a sequined pump, embellished with pearls, crystals and a perfectly delicate bow. Everything we've ever wanted in a shoe- they're classic, feminine, old-school glam with more than a bit of edge. In the tulle-filled landscape of our imagination, Coco takes a wiff of her long cig before saying, "I'm Gabrielle Chanel and I approve this message."


Also available in flats, denim, and satin.

Quote Unquote: And Then What???

"You can rationalize blowing your rent on Gucci’s $1,900 swinging fringed boots — by telling yourself you’ll spend only $89 for Zara’s copy of Gucci’s mini peasant dress. But you would know immediately that your cheap-jack Doctor Zhivago outfit wasn’t working, and then what? " -Cathy Horyn, Tiptoeing into Stores, today's NYT's Thursday Styles


Really though, AND THEN WHAT???

Attention Upper East Siders

...Haute & Bothered here with some juicy scoop on a certain other H&B. Tomorrow, Henri Bendel will unveil its GG windows, as in Gossip Girl. The show's costume designer, Eric Daman, has fashioned Serena, Blair and Jenny mannequins in Anna Sui, Peter Som and Gryphon. Plastic fantastic.

You know you love it. XOXO,
H&B

Hues of Trina Turk

She's got legs! And knows how to use 'em...

Trina Turk is the latest designer chosen to partake in Hue hosiery's Guest Designer Program. Collaborating with Hue, the contemporary designer - known for her flair with color - has created a capsule collection that will be featured in her runway during New York Fashion Week in September and sold in stores including Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Bloomingdales.

The collection plays off her "Miami Vice" RTW collection, featuring neon sheer washes in pink, aqua and yellow and geometric prints like diags and stripes. “It was an interesting process,” said Turk. “I’ve never done hosiery before, so the possibilities are vast. But it was a great back-and-forth, and it was similar to developing any product.”

Turk joins past participants Tibi and Tracy Reese (pre-req that the designer's name begins with a "T"?). Hue by Trina Turk will bow at her spring show during New York Fashion Week next month and will retail for $28.

[WWD]

What you'll be wearing

Forget the runways (um, did we really just say that?)... when it comes to fashion fads, no one is more bankable than the very forward Madonna. And with an upcoming tour, you can bet your rubber bracelets and cowboy hats there'll be a look or two that finds its way into the mainstream.

For 'Sticky & Sweet,' Madge again collaborated with her longtime costume designer costume designer Arianne Phillips, building a wardrobe of Givenchy, Tom Ford (for the band), YSL, Roberto Cavalli and Jeremy Scott as well as accessories from Miu Miu (3 custom pairs of shoes), Stella McCartney (thigh high boots) and Moschino (sunglasses).

Four key looks will dance across the stage including 'gangsta pimp,' 'old school,' 'gypsy,' and Japanese influenced 'rave.' So, which'll it be?

A Givenchy-costume for Madonna's "gypsy" look, designed by Riccardo Tisci

"Old-school" created by Jeremy Scott, recalls Madonna's early NYC years

Images from WWD

Designers Go For The Gold

The Olympics is upon us and as always, fashion has risen to the occasion. Now, we don't know if we'd consider this sportswear per se, but...

Lane Crawford, the Beijing-based department store invited 12 world-class Fashion Houses including Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, YSL, Emilio Pucci, Phillip Lim, Burberry Prorsum, Maison Martin Margiela, Rick Owens, Neil Barrett, Givenchy, Costume National and Alberta Ferretti to create a one-of-a-kind garment based on their interpretation of an Olympic event. The wares are currently on display at the store and are being auctioned off to benefit Driving Dreams Unicef charity.

Stefano Pilati for YSL's winged running number is belted with an olympic rings chain

Maison Martin Margiela's badminton-inspired outfit is detailed in abstract shuttlecocks

Phillip Lim headed to the table-tennis courts for inspiration with this two-piece knit

Lycra was never put to better use than in Matthew Williamson for Pucci's 2-piece gymnastics leotard in Diamante print

Things that make you go hmm... The Louis Vuitton Pig

For nearly two decades, Belgian artist Wim Delvoye has been tattooing actual pigs out of 1 part artistic expression ('it's art that grows') and 1 part (however ironic) humanitarianism: it saves the pigs from a trip to the slaughterhouse. There've been disney princesses, your everyday assortment of biker designs and the odd luxury fashion house logo. We're just hoping Chinatown doesn't catch wind of this...

[ArtKrush]

Mad for Plaid

In Thakoon's hands, plaid is downright sexy


Now available ONLINE at NYC-favorite Kirna Zabete, $1295

Space NK to Open 9 In-store Bloomies Boutiques

Space NK, the brilliant beauty emporium, has inked a deal with Bloomingdale's to open 9 in-store boutiques across the US starting in November. The aesthetic will mimic the British company's 4-stateside shops, introducing a greater audience to its well-curated selection of brands like Tracie Martyn, Sue Devitt, Darphin, Chantecaille and more.

New York's flagship 59th Street Bloomingdale's as well as California’s Newport Beach and San Francisco stores are among those that will see the new apothecaries. “This is a powerful partnership of two brands that believe in the importance of accessible luxury,” said Michael Gould, chairman and CEO of Bloomingdale’s. “Together, we can offer the Bloomingdale’s customer a unique shopping experience and access to top beauty brands from all over the world.”

[Cosmetic's Business]

Getting Stoned: Graff's 224-carat Necklace

If only this post opened with the theme music from Titanic...

Meet the Lesotho Promise, a 224-carat Graff necklace, comprised of 26 white D-flawless diamonds (only the most valuable on the grading system) that has been inducing gasps since its introduction last Thursday. Remember when 5-carats seemed gaudy? No? Ok, moving on...

All of the stones were extracted from a 603-carat stone - the 15th largest rough diamond ever found - discovered in a mine in Lesotho, South Africa, last year. The stones themselves have an estimated value of $50 million, however Graff execs wouldn’t disclose the necklace's asking price.

For now, the necklace is on display at the Salle d’Empire at the Hôtel de Paris in Monaco, along with several other ultra-rare gems. But the company doesn't expect it to be there long - there has already been much interest in purchasing the piece. “In bad times, the diamond jewelry business is very successful,” said the company's managing director François Graff. “It’s another class of investment, increasingly recognized by new economies like Russia and China. They consider it to be treasure, something safe to pass on for generations.”


[WWD]

Diet Coke Chic: Roberto Cavalli Ltd Edition Diet Coke

Like heroin chic only less dangerous? Roberto Cavalli has designed a series of limited edition diet coke bottles, fashioning them in animal-brilliance like the good lord intended.


The designer bottles of Coca Light, as the Euros say, will be available in Italia just in time for Milan's fashion week - from the end of September thru December. 300,000 of these chic little numbers will be in circ.


[WWD]