Trina Turk x Banana Republic Lookbook

Banana Republic has partnered with designer Trina Turk to produce a collection in time for summer that is inspired by the southern California lifestyle.  The nearly 60-piece collection of women’s apparel and accessories feature summer essentials in iconic Trina Turk prints.  The collection includes flirty dresses, printed swimwear, plush beach towels, breezy tops and crisp clean bottoms.  Prices on apparel range from $49.50 for shorts to $150 for a printed dress.  Jewelry and Accessory pieces are $34.50 for a bracelet to $120 for the pinking tote.  Swim separates are $58 for a bikini bottom to $68 for a bikini top.  Lifestyle items range from $34.50 for a make-up case to $59.50 for a beach towel.

“When we began working together on the collaboration, Simon and I decided early on that the Palm Springs ‘cocktails by the pool’ lifestyle would be our key inspiration for the colors, styles, and prints” says Turk. “I’m excited to offer this collection of colorful, covetable and unique pieces to Banana Republic customers for summer 2012.”

Product Review: Clarisonic Mia 2

A few weeks ago, I was walking around 5th Ave when I noticed the Clarisonic Mia 2 on display.  Up until that point I have never heard about the device but based on what my friend told me about it, I made the purchase.  The product has amazing reviews and everyone my friend knew who has one absolutely loves it.  To sum it up, it's a electronic face brush that vibrates and helps remove dirt, makeup, oil and and dead skin. After contemplating for 30 minutes I decided to bite the bullet and pick one up at Sephora.  At $149 (for the Mia 2), it's not the cheapest thing on the market but I ain't getting any younger! I just kept telling myself to consider this as an investment...an investment for my face.

Now Wearing...

I've been a terrible blogger.  I was suffering from an extreme case of burnout, but with the warm weather and the recent arrival of James Rand, I'm excited to get back into the swing of things.

Do you ever feel like so much has happened that your response to "what's new" is "nothing"?  I can report back that I'm still in love with Chicago, and I've been DJing quite a bit.  I recently played on a yacht and a few weeks back I was on Vocalo 89.5 FM!

I'm still learning my way around the city, but I've got a few favorite restaurants and a salon to maintain my asymmetrical cut.  Twisted Scissors in Bucktown/Logan Square is fantastic.  The alternative decor might be a bit intimidating to some people, but the staff is great.  I recently got a cut by Ashley, and she was such a sweetheart!

United Bamboo Fashion Cat Casting 2013

Ever think that your cat is so fashionable that the world should know?  NYC based label United Bamboo' cat calendars have been taking the world by storm since 2010.  And now they are casting for their 2013 calendar. 12 of the fanciest of felines out there will make it! Does your cat have the right meowww?

Photoshoot is scheduled for June 9th in NYC, day and time TBD.

Post your picture on the Facebook wall or tweet it to https://twitter.com/#!/UnitedBamboo with #catclub in order to enter.

Check out the video for a look at behind the scenes of last year's calendar.

Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations–Inside the Exhibit

Last week I went to the Met for opening day of this year’s Costume Institute Exhibit - Schiaparelli & Prada : Impossible Conversations.  The idea for the exhibit was based upon Miguel Covarrubias's "Impossible Interviews" for Vanity Fair in the 1930s.  The exhibition explored the similarities and differences between the two designers by comparing their approaches to different themes including "Waist Up/Waist Down," "Ugly Chic," "Hard Chic," "Naïf Chic," "The Classical Body," "The Exotic Body," and "The Surreal Body".

Director Baz Luhrmann created simulated conversations between the two designers by having actress Julie Davis playing Schiaparelli, using the designers own words from her autobiography Shocking Life, and Prada playing herself.  Through these films the viewer is invited to enter the world of the two designers like a fly on the wall in a private dinner setting.

Sample Sales NYC: May 14-20, 2012

Who: Designer Handbag Blowout Sale
What: Up to 80% off on luxury handbags and clutches by Khirma Eliazov, CLASS roberto cavalli, Cashhimi, Tardini of Italy. Exotic Skins, Leathers, Fabrics, Handbags and Belts.
When: May 15-17 and 20-22, 2012. Weekdays 10am-6pm, Sundays noon-5pm. Closed Saturdays.
Where: 37 West 57th St, 9th Floor

Who: Shelly and Renee Sample Sale
What: Markdowns on eveningwear, samples, stock, and accessories from Stella McCartney, Oscar de la Renta, J.Mendel, Pamela Roland, Lanvin, Giambattista Valli, Céline, Isabel Marant, See by Chloé, Thakoon, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Alexander Wang, Sophie Theallet
When: May 13-17, 2012. Sun 12—5pm, Mon—Thurs 10am—6pm.
Where: 37 West 57th St, 9th Floor (b/n 5th & 6th Ave) 212-920-1211

Who: Gant Sample Sale
What: The sale will feature a large variety of men's apparel, select women's apparel, and limited accessories from GANT, GANT Rugger, and GANT by Michael Bastian. Genuine samples and merchandise for Men and Women all up to 80% off.
When: May 15-19, 2012. Tues-Fri 10am-8pm, Sat 10am-5pm
Where: 260 5th Ave (b/n 28th & 29th St)

Who: Tibi Sample Sale
What: Up to 70% off Tibi's ready-to-wear, including shift dresses, silk tops, jackets, and more
When: May 15-17, 2012. Tues 12pm—7pm, Wed 10am—7pm, Thurs 10am—3pm.
Where: 348 West 36th St (b/n 8th & 9th Ave) 212-290-5306

Who: Bonpoint Sample Sale
What: Up to 60% off on children's clothing. Credit card only.
When: May 16-17, 2012. Wed 9am-7pm, Thurs 9am-3pm
Where: The Metropolitan Pavillon, 123 West 18th St, 5th Floor (b/n 6th & 7th Ave)

Who: Theory Women's Sample Sale
What: Up to 65% off women's ready-to-wear. Leather/outerwear $249 (was $815), dresses $119 (was $315), tops $79 (was $200), pants $99 (was $235).
When: May 16-20, 2012. Wed 12pm—7pm, Thurs 11am—8pm, Fri 11am—7pm, Sat—Sun 10am—5pm.
Where: Clothingline 261 West 36th St, 2nd Floor (b/n 7th & 8th Ave) 212-947-8748

Inside the Twinkle by Wenlan & Friends Sample Sale

UPDATE: For the last day of the sample sale, prices are now slashed by 20% so if you were thinking of going and didn't make it over yet, hurry!  New prices are now all from $32 to $150.

Twinkle by Wenlan tunic $148, Hunter Dixon rainbow colored shorts $78, Twinkle by Wenlan stripe sweater dress $78 (was $168)

Thanks to the lovely folks at Twinkle by Wenlan, we have a good idea of what’s inside their sample sale and the prices before making the trip to midtown.  Typically sizes for at the Twinkle by Wenlan sale run from 0 to 10 with a huge coup of size 2 samples.  If you need your nautical fix, Twinkle by Wenlan has an assortment of striped styles.  If art and architecture is your thing instead there are a few prints that have a Chrysler building Art Deco feel and a Van Gogh Starry Night kind of feel.  Pieces from Pinkyotto appear to be soft romantic eyelet and draped jerseys that would be great for layering.  Hunter Dixon has an amazing variety of colorful shorts in every possible color.  Prices start at $40 and nothing at the sale tops $188.  Click after the jump to see more of what’s at the sale.

Fashion Star Celebration at H&M

Have you been watching NBC Fashion Star? I have to admit that when I first heard about the show I thought it might be a Project Runway copycat but I was pleasantly surprised and have been watching ever since.  It seems to be the closest to the actual design process that most professional designers face allowing competitors to focus on design and not on construction and patternmaking.  It also is great because it gives the designer a chance to get valuable face-to-face advice from retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s and H&M.

A couple weeks ago I had the chance to shop and sip signature cocktails while rubbing shoulders with the shows mentors Nicole Richie and John Varvatos. The event was also attended by the show’s buyers, including H&M’s Nicole Christie as well as select designers from the competition. It was fun to see all the garments that H&M purchased throughout the season on display.  Unfortunately only the designs from the most recent episode were available for purchase.   I had my eye on the sleek little sheath dresses Sarah Parrott had designed a few episodes back.

DJ Mia Morretti was in the house providing the sound track for the evening while celebs/models like Natalie Leeds Leventhal, Jessica Hart, Amy Sacco, Julie Henderson and Andrej Pejic trickled in to join the event.

The party was in full swing and the entire lower level of the store was full of party-goers when Nicole Richie made her appearance looking adorable and very petite in a tiger print dress and high bun.  While John Varvatos and contestant Luciana Scarabello were occupied by press I had the opportunity to slip into the change room to try on Luciana’s structured dress.  While the print was beautiful and the cut was modern the dress was unfortunately too long-waisted for my body.  It would probably look best on someone who is taller than my 5’3” stature.  Too bad because for the $29.95 or so it was retailing for – it is quite the stunner.

While I didn’t pick up a Fashion Star piece for myself I didn’t leave empty handed as I snagged some great basic tank dresses, great tights and a chiffon sleeveless shirt that I am very excited about.  As the weeks progress I can’t wait to see who will emerge as the new Fashion Star.

Kamali Kulture by Norma Kamali

Recently I had the chance to meet with Norma Kamali to discuss her Kamali Kulture collection, blogging and self confidence. I was a little nervous meeting someone who is a bit of a design legend.  Add to that the fact that I admire her style and own a few pieces that from her past collaborations with Everlast and Walmart and my nerves are floating around my stomach. While sitting in her Wellness Cafe and sipping on some delicious fresh pressed green juice,  Ms Kamali enters the room and grabs a Chia Seed snack. She introduces herself and quickly explains that travelling between 3 time zones has her starving as she gently takes a few bites.

Almost like an old friend she talks about her filming experience on VH1 and how amazing the women were who personalized and styled pieces wearing them in totally new and chic ways. She shares how she was most impressed by a young lady who took a top and turned it into pants by putting her legs through the sleeves and letting it create a unique drop crotch effect.  As she chats with me I quietly notice that somehow age hasn't affected her virtually lineless face and super shiny head of hair.

Sample Sales NYC: May 7-13, 2012

Who: Hickey Freeman & Bobby Jones Sample Sale
What: Up to 80% off on Men’s Clothing, Furnishings and Sportswear. Credit cards only (American Express, Visa or MasterCard). All sales final. Strollers not allowed. No children under 12 will be admitted.
When: May 6-10, 2012. Sun 9am-6pm, Mon-Wed 9am-6:30pm, Thurs 9am-5pm
Where: Soiffer Haskin, 317 West 33rd Street (Just west of 8th Avenue) 718-747-1656.

Who: Fred Perry Sample Sale
What: Snag discounts on mens, womens, accessories and shoes. Sale includes selected collaborations with DS Dundee
Canterbury of NZ, Tailor Vintage. CASH ONLY.
When: May 7-12, 2012. Mon-Fri 10am-7pm, Sat noon-5pm
Where: 547 West 27th St, 3rd Floor (nr 11th Ave) 212.736.3030

Who: David Lerner
What: Take 60% off leggings, basic dresses, pair-with-anything skirts, and layering tops. CASH ONLY.
When: May 7-8, 2012. Mon-Tues 11am-6pm
Where: 413 West 14th St (b/n 9th & 10th Ave) Suite 403

Who: Nancy Gonzalez Sample Sale
What: Exotic skin handbags and leather goods
When: May 8-10, 2012. Tues-Wed 10am-6pm, Thurs 10am-4pm
Where: Flatotel, 135 West 52nd St, 5th Floor (b/n 6th & 7th Ave)

Who: Nanette Lepore
What: Swimsuits $75, was $150. Dresses $145, was $398. Bright shorts and tops $95, was $298. Jackets $195-$275, was $448-$698.
When: May 8-10, 2012. Tues-Thurs 9am-7pm
Where: 225 West 35th St, 4th Floor (b/n 7th & 8th Ave)

Who: Tocca Sample Sale
What: 60-80% off on RTW and Beauty & Bambini collections
When: May 9-11, 2012. Wed-Fri 11am-7pm
Where: 542 West 22nd St, 2nd floor (nr 11th Ave)

Coming Soon: Anna Dello Russo At H&M

H&M announced today that next up on it's collab list is Fashion Director (Vogue Japan) Anna Dello Russo.  Like her hats, the collection will be comprised of "over-the-top" accessories. Pieces will include jewelry, sunglassess, shoes, bags and a trolley. The collection drops October 4, 2012 in about 140 stores worldwide and online.

More Sample Sales in NYC

Who: All Saints Warehouse Sale
What: At least 70% off on all styles
When: May 3-8, 2012. Thurs-Tues 11am-8pm
Where: 76 Wooster St (b/n Spring & Broome St)

Who: Raoul Sample Sale
What: Up to 75% off on flirty skirts, tailored pants, shorts, and printed blouses from the latest Fall, spring, and cruise collections
When: May 1-4, 2012. Mon-Fri 10am-7pm
Where: 601 West 26th St, Suite 1745 (b/n 11th & 12th Ave)

Who: John Robshaw Textiles
What: Patterned bedding and duvets, pillows, printed scarves and robes, and Moroccan poufs.
When: May 2-4, 2012. Wed-Thurs 10am-6pm, Fri 10am-3pm
Where: 245 West 29th St (b/n 7th & 8th Ave)

Who: Manolo Blahnik
What: The biannual sale usually offers shoes priced between $96 to $500.
When: May 3-4, 2012. Thurs 12pm-4pm, Fri 9am-2pm.
Where: The Warwick Hotel, 65 West 54th St (at 6th Ave)

Who: Paul Smith Sample Sale
What: Up to 75% off men's suiting, sportswear, shoes and all accessories. Sale also features women's collections, books and gifts.
When: May 3-5, 2012. Thurs-Fri 12pm-7pm, Sat 12pm-5pm.
Where: 468 West Broadway (b/n Prince and Houston St)