Things You Should Know: Bits & Bobbins

Cheap shoes to fill: Heading to a Payless near you? Christian Siriano, season 4 Project Runway winner. The line of shoes and bags is expected to hit stores in Fall '09 and debut at NY Fashion Week this winter.

Shalom H&M: Swedish retailer to open its first store in Israel. Oy vey!

Doo.Fusion: Doo.Ri Chung is launching a lower priced clothing line next year. While it won't be labeled with the designer's name it will bear her signature draping and jersey. Price points from $80 - 475.

Even More Diffusion Infusions: Zac Posen and Thakoon to join the one-off fray.

Breaking! Target to Launch McQ Line

Yes, it's been 14 years and 3 days since I last and posted. And yes, i feel awfully crummy about it. But this news was just too big to let lie. Target will launch a new limited editions initiative called 'Designer Collaborations' that will kickoff in March with a new McQ by Alexander McQueen line for Target.

Designer Collaborations will differ from Target's 'Go' collections in that it will highlight established designers, whereas Go International will continue to focus on emerging talent. More of both types of capsule collections are in the pipe line.

[WWD]

Where does the time go?

Bluefly.com is celebrating its 10th birthday - 10th (have we really been whittling our savings down for an entire decade???)! And you dear readers can reap the benefits. For the next 3 days they'll be offering all kinds of discounts in honor of the occasion - starting with 10% off bags today. Happy Bluefly, happy you!

Emmy Fashion Spotlight: The Colors!

Spring was in the air at the 60th Annual Emmy Awards -- nevermind that today is officially the first day of fall -- as stars turned out in the brightest of hues for a delectable rainbow of eye candy.

Teri Hatcher (in Monique Lhuillier) and Mariska Hargitay (in Carolina Herrera) shone as bright as the sun in bright shades of yellow, while Brooke Shields certainly worked a 'pretty in pink' angle in a sweetheart Badgley Mischka. Holly Hunter went for a lilac Jenny Packham and our perennial fave Mary Louis Parker looked resplendant in a blue Roberto Cavalli. Rounding out the pack was Julia Louis Dreyfus, who sparkled up her coral Narciso Rodriguez with Tiffany’s Metro Diamond Bangles in yellow, white and rose gold and a pair of Tiffany's 6 carat glamtastic diamond studs.

Brooch the Subject
Even the greenest of fashion pupils would have been hard-pressed to miss one of the biggest trends of the night - the brooch. From Lauren Conrad (we really didn't want to mention her) to Melora Hardin (in Tadashi) many celebs opted to accent their looks with diamond and crystal brooches (see Shields above).

Boo Radley

Top Shop is playing top tease these days, delaying its fall SoHo opening to *gasp* March.

Confession: Forgive me fashettes, for I have...

Spring '09 in Video: Benjamin Cho

Spring '09 in Video: Matthew Williamson

Spring '09 in Video: Monique Lhuillier

Spring '09 in Video: Carolina Herrera

Spring '09 in Video: Betsey Johnson

Urgent Fashion Reminder: Colette x Gap Now Open

Fifth Avenue x 54th Street

Monday - Saturday: 10am - 9pm

Sunday: 11am - 7pm

The Colors You'll Rock in Spring '09

Pantone has released its top ten colors for spring '09 and the mood departs from the fall's rich purple jewel tones to a light and lovely palette of Easter eggs. “It’s a time of newness, of bringing a new optimism forward,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.

The number in each box represents the percentage of designers showing at New York Fashion Week that will be using the shade. The colors (shown above from left to right, top to bottom) in order of popularity are:

1. Palace Blue (18-4043): Nicole Romano, Christian Francis Roth
2. Lavender (15-3817): Rebecca Taylor
3. Super Lemon (14-0754): Reem Acra, Rachel Roy & Carmen Marc Valvo
4. Salmon Rose (15-1626): Miss Sixty and Kimora Lee Simmons for Baby Phat
5. Fuscia Red (18-2328): Peter Som, Erin Fetherston, Rebecca Taylor, Reem Acra
6. Rose Dust (14-1307): Tia Cibani for Ports 1961, Charlotte Ronson and Alvin Valley
7. Slate Gray (16-5804): Yigal Azrouël and Tadashi Shoji
8. Vibrant Green (16-6339): Tracy Reese
9. Dark Citron (16-0435): David Rodriguez
10. Lucite Green (14-5714): Nanette Lepore (font used for percentages)

For more on the Pantone palette, visit WWD.

The Weekend in Fashion

Click to enlarge

Y'all Want This Party Started, Right?

Ah, the real change on the jet set's mind. Get ready... Spring is in the air!

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]

To be filed under: Bothered

H&B thinks THE SUEDE is THE EQUIVALENT of nails on a chalkboard. Drop the 3rd person. The royal 'we' is obviously where it's at.

Oh, and in related news, The Suede's winning dress sold out in less than a day on ebay. Hope you weren't counting on it for prom or the like...

Headline of The Day

Kudos AdAge - you win today's bestest headline of all the internets:


[AdAge]

Crossing our fingers: Tory Burch Seeks Investor

If you dear readers are anything like us, you love Tory Burch, but hate how her precious accessories are SO hard to come by! Well fear not lovelies. If the socialite/designer has her way, she'll soon have an infusion of $300 mil in exchange for a 30% stake in the company. And you know that that means - disitribution... so much distribution. Like, the Reva may finally take off!

Fierce or Not Fierce? Christian Siriano Launches at Bluefly

Project Runway enthusiasts: Season 4 winner Christian Siriano's first collection bows exclusively today at Bluefly. The 9 piece collection is very true to the designer's style with price points running from $96 - 590.

So, what do you think? Fierce or hot tranny mess?

Black metallic wool 'Dinner at 8' jacket, $480

Grey jersey 'Transylvania' crewneck, $96

Gold silk 'red carpet shift', $325
Black cotton sateen 'Park Ave' shirt dress, $305

Gold silk 'Heidi' pencil, $240

Pedal to the Medal at Victor & Rolf

Victor & Rolf are getting pumped up.

Diesel's Renzo Rosso has acquired a majority stake in the fashion brand. "We cannot do everything ourselves," Rolf Snoeren said. "This is all a question of having the right partner with the force, the power and the know-how to do it...What we noticed working with L'Oréal [their FlowerBomb licensee] is that a good business partner can bring opportunities that we ourselves could never realize," he said. "We want to achieve the same thing with the ready-to-wear."

WWD reports that Rosso's plans include bolstering the duo's ready-to-wear business, licensing eyewear and jewelry, and opening freestanding stores (they currently have but one). "To be a brand today, you need to produce all the products a person can wear every day," Rosso said. "It can be jewelry, watches, everything: bags, shoes and accessories in general...My idea is to build one of the most modern [fashion] groups for the future," said Rosso, who also acquired Maison Martin Margiela in 2002. "[V & R] are much more modern, close to the new young mentality," he explained. "I believe much more in the new luxury that is less expensive, more approachable for the new upcoming consumer."

Free of business pressures, the pair hopes the partnership will allow them to focus on design. "It's a new chapter to start building on the brand and to focus on creativity," said Snoeren.

[WWD]

Hearts on Fire

Just in time for The Dark Knight's box office killing, Paloma Picasso has come out with some serious Pow!-filled accessories of her own. Crown of Hearts, her new collection, features the two sterling and red enamel necklaces below, that while being tres Bam! in design are not so in price (just as we like it!).


From left $135 and $185 online and at Tiffany stores

Just asking: Maison Martin Margiela

We know that Maison Martin Margiela showcased these Star Trek worthy shades during his runway:

But did he really need to put black bars across the faces of the models who'd be showcasing his clothing on e-tailers?
When browsing his wares over at eLuxury, the poor model looks like a Glamour "Don't" and well, if the black bar fits...

Object of our Obsession: Prada Fall '08 accessories

Miuccia Prada has ruffled our feathers in the bestest of ways. To say we are obsessed with her latest bag collection would be the understatement of the year. Nearly every bag for the season (hello lacey lovelies!) is on our wish-list.

We might even pay retail!

CFDA Finalists Announced

The CFDA announced its 10 fashion fund finalists today. They are: Richard Chai, Jason Wu, Alexander Wang, Irene Neuwirth, Albertus Q. Swanepoel of Albertus Quartus, Alejandro Ingelmo, Juan Carlos Obando, Swaim and Christina Hutson of Obedient Sons & Daughters, John Patrick of Organic, and Sophie Mayock and Lisa Buhai of Vena Cava.

Our money is on Vena Cava. What do you say?

Today in faces

Gucci has tapped Rihanna for the first series of ads for its UNICEF Collaboration and apparently Claudia Schiffer, as reported by Fashionista.com, has been signed by Dolce & Gabbana for its 2009 resort collection.

Patience is a Virtue

Dear Readers:
Do you remember a while back when I had myself a good costume bawl over an Erickson Beamon bauble at Scoop? If not, allow me to review. I dropped by looking for a fun piece to wear to a wedding, fell completely head over heels with a necklance, only to find it as $1,200 - for costume. I was devasted (to say the least!).

Until Friday that is, when I stopped into Scoop on a lark to find the necklace not only still there but marked down a 2nd time for a total of 75% to $299. Imagine my delight! I SCOOPed that baby up and have been prancing ever since.

Patience is a virtue fashettes!

XOXO,
H&B

Once Bitten, Now Bye

Steve & Barrys, the everything-for-under $20, has filed for bankruptcy. Defaulting on a $197 million asset-backed loan, the company was forced to petition for Chapter 11 in a Manhattan court on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old cheapo chain was home to Sarah Jessica Parker's Bitten line as well as lines by Venus Williams and Amanda Bynes.

"High costs of materials and fuel prices have increased our cost of goods and cost of operating. At the same time, our customers are not in a position to pay higher prices, impacting our operating margins," said founders and co-CEOs, Steve Shore and Barry Prevor in a statement.

Are You In? Project Runway Casting Call

Think you've got what it takes to be in? Or better yet, gunning for Tim Gunn? Project Runway is hosting casting calls in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta and Dallas, and the deadline has just been extended (dearth of talent? what?) to July 16 for those outside NY.

Applicants must submit:

• A personal video (steering clear of 'fierce!' It's like so Season 4)
• A "virtual portfolio"
• A completed application questionnaire, available here

Visit projectrunway.com for more info - and make it work people!

Marc Jacobs Sale-apalooza

It's ON! MJ's annual shoe sale - 70% off all shoes at the Bleeker Street and San Fran locales. Get 'em while the gettings good!

And we're back

Dahlings:

H&B here - you know, your faithful fash friend who until this week posted daily without oft missing a beat? Riiiiight. So sorry for the abrupt departure grasshoppers. H&B's been on hols - you know how these last minute jaunts crop up. OK, so our last mintute jaunt has been planned for months and when it comes down to it we were really just frantically packing and waxing and manicuring and and and... Anyway, I never signed off and I hope you didn't fret your dear H&B fell off the deep end. Just off the blogosphere for a spell.

The good news is we're back, refreshed, bright eyed and bushy-tailed. Stay tuned. Lotsa good stuff heading your way.

XOXO,
H&B

ps - don't I look tan! And don't even tell me you don't lie out in formal wear! I don't believe it!

Fashion Criminal: Jail Time for Jacob the Jeweler

Move over Naomi Campbell. Another fashion notable is heading to lock-up, and this time - it's for 2 and a half years! Jacob the Jeweler, ne Jacob Arabov, was sentenced today by the U.S. district court in Detroit for lying to investigators (falsifying records and giving false statements) looking into a multistate drug ring.

In 2006, hip hop royalty's favorite jeweler was indicted for conspiring to launder more than $270 million in drug profits for a Detroit-based drug ring called the Black Mafia Family. Arabov plead guilty to obstruction (the money laundering charges were dropped as part of the plea) in October and was sentenced today.

The jeweler will report to a federal penitentiary on January 15 (he'll also have to forfeit $2 million and pay a $50,000 fine). Jeez Louise! If things keep going as they are, H&B is fast going to become a fashion blotter!

Are you an Insider?

Clinique is currently running a contest that will give 20 women an editor's eye view of its latest and greatest in skincare and makeup.

As part of its soon-to-be-formed 'Insider's Club,' members will be able to try and review new products before anyone else as well as attend special industry events. Plus, they'll get a Flip camcorder so they can record it all!

To enter and for more info visit Clinique

200 Chanel Bags Hit the Auction Block

Portero.com, the luxury online auction house, has amassed a collection of 200 Chanel bags including many vintage, discontinued, and one-of-a-kind styles that it is auctioning off between now and June 30th (the first round of auctions ends June 23). "You expect Chanel to be the classic pieces, but there's so much more," said Stephanie Phair, VP of merchandising for Portero. "Most of these bags are one-of-a-kind or discontinued."


The site authenticated all of the pieces, which were acquired from private sellers.

Driver's Ed with Karl Lagerfeld

Road safety's a far cry from Grand Theft Auto (for which he recently DJ'd), but that's just what Karl Lagerfeld will be preaching on billboards in France this summer.

Clad in typical Karl fashion: a black suit, leather gloves and dark sunglasses - the fashion designer adds one not so typical accessory - a yellow reflective safety vest, aimed at encouraging French drivers to act in kind.

The ad's read, "It's yellow, it's ugly, it doesn't go with anything, but it could save your life."

In fashion as in life, the Czar never ceases to amaze us. Can't wait to see where he'll show up next.

[WWD]