Because we're friends (and family)

WHAT: The annual BY APPOINTMENT ONLY Prada sample sale

WHEN: Beginning tomorrow through Thurs, 9am - 7pm

WHERE: The Fuller Building, 45 E. 57th St, (@ Madison Ave)

WHY: Where to begin - the sale features bags, shoes, RTW for 60-80% off and is NOT to be missed.

HOW: Check out available slots at pradasamplesale.com. Credit card only.

Travel Feature: 10022-SHOE

Book your first class ticket now. New York's hottest shoe destination, 10022-SHOE opened on the 8th floor of Saks Fifth Avenue today. With its very own zip-code, an exclusive elevator opening to 10,000 sq. ft. of selling and 9,000 sq. ft. of storage space and a VIP room for private shopping, it is immediate clear (much like the 70-foot-long curving wall of hand-blown Muranoglass bubbles) that this is no ordinary shoe boutique.

The expanded department allows Saks to increase its inventory by 150% - with between 1,000 - 2,000 styles on the floor depending on the season. It also will have an expert shoe repair and refurbishing service on hand as well as a cafe. "We're adding a number of exciting new designers, plus we're vastly increasing the depth and breadth of our current vendor assortment," said Ron Frasch, President and Chief Merchandising Officer, Saks Fifth Avenue.

We're thinking we'll be picking up loads of frquent flyer miles.

To commemorate the floor's launch and its unique zip, Saks commissioned some of its fave featured shoe designers to create a set of limited edition stamps that are avail as a gift with purchase.

PVC - Pretty Vulgar Choice

I know it's Friday and I shouldn't
be bothered but... a word on those vinyl MJ totes:

UGLY!

Some more words on those vinyl MJ totes:

Why? Sometimes a $50 Marc Jacobs bag just doesn't add up. It looks cheap and is way too prevalent to be an ironic hipster joke. H&B says, "Save that $ and apply it to a nicer sale bag."

Let the Madness Begin

Up for a little groping in the name of bargains? It's the Barney's Warehouse Sale! Shop at your own peril.

Today through September 3rd in New York (255 W. 17th) and through the 19th in LA (Baker Hangar).

Che Chic!

Full disclosure: H&B has never seen an episode of Soapnet's Fashionista Diaries

Even fuller: And yet, she is strangely drawn to its logo. Which got her thinking (which clearly is the aim of all Soapnet programming - fostering dialogue, right???)



She has mulled around what she thought were some obvious and not so obvious answers and compiled this list:

Marc Jacobs - You needn't have read this month's Glamour interview with him by Simon Doonan to know he's influenced practically everything in your wardrobe - round toe shoes, trapeze dresses, Marc, Marc, Marc

Margareta van den Bosch - What's that? You haven't heard of her? Well you've surely worn her. Van den Bosch is the head of design for H&M and it is under her helm that the "fast-fashion revolution" has conquered the globe. Overseeing the production of 500 million items of clothing, it's safe to say she's a serious contender.

Miuccia Prada - You never know where Miuccia's whims are going to take her (or us for that matter) but be it robots, parrots, or tie-dye, she is fashion fearless. "When they tell me something won't sell, that is when I want to make it," she has often said.

Mary Kate Olsen - Loathe as I am to include her, MK's homeless/boho look has been watched and imitated relentlessly WITH staying power. How many stars can say that?

Who do YOU think is CHE CHIC?

Kitty Kards

At first we thought the Kimora Lee Simmons Hello Kitty jewelry was a joke - I mean, c'mon $4,500 for a Japanese cat charm? But apparently, the joke's on us.

Say hi (hello would be too formal) to the new Hello Kitty Platinum Visa, a card and cat that obviously mean serious business. What else would explain the "exclusive Hello Kitty Business Card Holder" applicants receive.

It has World Perks and a sticker book. Does your credit card do that?

[PopGadget]

J. Crew Collection

If you've shopped J.Crew the past several years, odds are you've noticed something about its price points - namely that they've been creeping up, up and up. Well perhaps sick of answering to why or wanting in on the higher-end market, or a bit of both, it is launching J.Crew Collection, a higher end, limited edition luxe line of wares and accessories that will be available on its site and in a stand-alone Madison Avenue boutique.

"As we looked at the market, we said we're going to keep stepping up quality, design and detailing and see if we meet with any kind of [price] resistance," said Millard Drexler, chairman and ceo of J. Crew Group. "Whenever we did this, customers kept buying and liking it more. They still are, and want more of the best. For us, it's a natural opportunity...The best costs too much." Just how much? currently, the collection, ranges from $23 for a silk twill sash belt to $1950 for a silk gown.

It's not only a different label though, that sets these items apart from J.Crew's mass line. Unusual prints, colors and details (like the Library Print Baby Dolly, $225 at right) and better fabrics and fits will explain its higher prices and appeal. To achieve this, the company has established "partnerships with couture beader Shameeza, Italian print house Ratti, leather manufacturer Borge Garveri and Clerici duchesse satin, which has provided fabric for Vera Wang and Chanel," reports WWD.

Says the store, "[It's] a natural evolution, representing a grown-up version of J. Crew's 'classics with a twist' style — updated with an emphasis on elevated quality and originality."

If Looks Could Kill

I'd consider the slammer for this coat:

Oscar de la Renta Lacquered Jacket, $2,590, Bergdorf Goodman

Quote Unquote

"I'm rather pro-prostitution," Karl Lagerfeld says in Lagerfeld Confidential, the upcoming documentary about the designer's life, reports G2 [via British Vogue]. "I admire people who do it. It can't be much fun. Thank goodness for it. People need relief or they become murderers."

We're calling it: Up next, Karl Lagerfeld Ho-siery™

Factory Girl

Icon? Muse? Pop art subject? It's check, check, and check for Kate Moss, one of the many legendary celebs (think Grace Kelly & Mick Jagger) appearing in The Hospital Gallery's Warhol Vs Banksy exhibit, going on now through September 1 in London.

The first of its type, the exhibition is a face-to-face show of classic drawings and paintings by Andy Warhol set against the infamous graffiti work of Banksy.

The Gallery at The Hospital, Endell Street, London WC2.

It's Monday & My Panties are in a Twist

Undercaffeinated, sleepy and in a cube, this grouch has decided she's been devoting far too much time to haute finds and not enough to the world of things that are bothersome. So without further ado...today's bother:

Finding a fab pair of shoes, like these gold Giuseppe Zanotti's - on sale (to boot) only to find they are only available in size 11. Boooooo! If your foot fits the bill, run over to Bluefly, and pick up the booties beauties for their "Blue Sale" price of $219.

And the Barney's Champ is...

The Dubai-based Istithmar!

After upping its bid to $942.3 million (in cash) from $825, Fast Retailing bowed out giving Dubai the win (not counting the Jones Group, natch)!

Thou Shalt Covet: World's Most Expensive Bags

Things that $261,000 can buy: a college education, a house, 1,160 pairs of Tory Burch Revas, a week on a private island in Fiji (for up to 14 people inclusive of luxe accomodations, meals, drinks, and entertainment), a Ferrari, dinner out at $100 for 7 years AND...a Chanel bag.

According to Forbes, the Top Ten Most Extravagant Handbags are:

• The Chanel "Diamond Forever" Classic Bag, (13 available worldwide), $261,000


• Hermes Matte Crocodile Birkin Bag, (1 available worldwide), $120,000


• Lana Marks Cleopatra Bag, (1 available worldwide), $100,000


• Leiber Precious Rose, (1 available worldwide), $92,000


• LV Tribute Patchwork Bag, (despite mixed reviews, the 4 available stateside have already sold), $42,000


• Gadino Bag by Hilde Palladino, $38,470


• Fendi Selleria Bag, $38,000


• Marc Jacobs Carolyn Crocodile Handbag, (1 of the brand's MOST popular accessories), $30,000


• Nancy Gonzalez Porousus Bag, $30,000


• Devi Kroell Alligator Hobo, $28,990

Breaking: It's Fistacuffs Over Barneys

WWD reports,

"Jones Apparel Group and Istithmar have inked a new $942.3 million cash deal for the Dubai-based firm’s purchase of Barneys New York.

"The new agreement allows Fast Retailing Co. Inc., Istithmar’s competitor for Barneys, to make one more offer for the upscale retailer. That offer has to be submitted by 5 p.m., Thursday. Should Jones accept a new offer from Fast, the U.S. apparel giant must pay Istithmar a termination fee of $34.7 million."

Just as we suspected...EVERYONE HEARTS BARNEYS

It's a Pucci...It's a Plein (Sud)

It's...a DVF's Suron dress! And it's half-off at Nordstrom. How super, man! Originally $355, this butterfly patterned wrap is poised to flit away so prepare yourself for a chase Lois!

$176 at Nordstrom

Best in Shop

Shopbop, online purveyor of our contemporary faves, has just launched a designer boutique that is sure to have fashettes bookmarking it on the quick. The boutique's first initiates include Derek Lam, Thakoon, Givenchy, Peter Som, Rachel Roy, Zac Posen, Erickson Beamon, Subversive and even Kiki de Montparnasse. Collections are carefully curated (read: a tad limited) but exciting none-the-less.

So far top picks are as follows:

Rachel Roy Grace Dress, $1,500

Zac Posen Iconic Group Aurora Handbag, $1,500

Derek Lam Long Sleeve Pleated Dress, $1,990

Givenchy Open Toe d'Orsay Pump, $440

Art of Shop Online Sample Sale

What: Art of Shopping Online Sale

When:

Noon Today!

Where: 435 Broome Street in SoHo or TheArtofShop.com

Why: Premier denim like 7 For All Mankind, Citizens of Humanity, Ted Baker, T Luxury, & more 40 - 80% off

H&B's Swamped

And all kinds of bothered about it. Promise she'll be back tomorrow with loads of haute picks. Besos!

Avatar Armani

Giorgio Armani is opening his first flagship...in the virtual world Second Life. A pixelated version of the designer will oft be on-hand in the boutique - a reproduction of his Via Manzoni megastore - to welcome shoppers and make sure everything is running as it ought, reports WWD.

"The store will allow viewers to purchase the brand's top 10 products virtually via Second Life currency, the Linden dollar, or in actuality."

Armani join Stella McCartney who staged a PETA rally there earlier this summer.

Lacroix Mass-Market!

Karl Lagerfeld paved the way for a haute couturier to produce a mass market line...and following in his fashion foward footsteps is Christian Lacroix, who has designed a small collection for the French catalog co. La Redoute that is sure to have fashionistas parlez vouzing "Charge it Please" on the double.

Modeled by fash darling Lily Cole, the sparse collection features the gorgeous ruffle embellished "Faballa" trench (shown at right) for $299, a silk/taffeta lace dress, 2 bags - a tote and hobo, a pair of black leather boots, towels and a partridge in a pear tree. View the line in the whimsical world La Redoute created at http://www.christianlacroixpourlaredoute.com/

Later, stop by the catalog's main site (pick up a sporty Courréges number, some of which are on sale while there) to enjoy free shipping.

Christian Lacroix for La Redoute