Matthew Williamson for H&M

Images above by Matthew Williamson, not for H&M

Wow, this is a big one for me. I am a huge fan of Matthew Williamson...I adore his attention to detail and how he conducts such an array of patterns and textures together as a perfect symphony. Imagine my glee when I read last week that he will be collaborating with H&M!! The trouble is that the guest designer lines at H&M mean lining up for hours and fighting for the piece you want. Honestly, as one who shops for a living, I can do without that hassle....but Matthew Williamson? If ever there was a reason to go into battle, this may be the one.

The infamous day will be April 23rd (at select stores only). Then he will release both mens and womens wear in H&M stores world-wide in mid-may.

In the mean time, you can shop his current collection on Net-A-Porter (see images above).

*sigh*

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Green Chic #6 Loomstate, Rogan, and Target

Picture above from Loomstate fall08, not for Target.

Beloved hipster denimwear designer, Rogan, has an all organic line called Loomstate. After his great success with his Organic Capsule Go-International line at Target, he has signed on for seconds at the giant retailer.  From April 19-May 22nd, there will be a guest appearance at Target of all organic pieces from Loomstate.  I'm loving that green goods are becoming more affordable for the masses, as green and organic products are often prohibitively expensive.

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LES shop night (for you New Yorkers)

I think that next to Williamsburg in Brooklyn, the Lower East Side is currently the reigning king of Cool. It's chock full of nighttime hotspots, vintage clothing stores, and indie designers. Well, tonight the party is on, and it's sale.

Some of my Fave LES stores that you should definitely check out are:

FROCK (vintage clothes)

148 Orchard

TG170 (vintage and indie designers)

170 Ludlow St

Exhibitionist Jewelry (rock and roll fine jewelry)

177 Orchard

KAIGHT (all organic eco friendly clothes)

83 Orchard

Jelena Behrend Studio (amazing hand crafted silver and gold jewelry)

188 orchard

All participating stores are having around 20 (sometimes 30-50) percent off. Bars are having happy hour. The fun is tonight from 6-10 pm...and just so you know, the LES starts South of Housten and East of Allen. Contrary to what some might say, it does not include the East village, which exists north of Housten on the East side.

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McQ for Target sneak peak

Oooooh, a lil' taster of McQ for target. Very rock and roll, and really I want to see more than just jeans and a t-shirt and some wet look leggings. I hear there will be a tux jacket, and lots of my fave color, grey. I really can't wait to see the rest.

The funny thing is that the Target Go-International line is supposed to be for teenagers, and the Designer Collab lines like McQ are supposed to appeal to late 20's early 30's. Yet I think that the Thakoon and Richard Chai lines looked much more sophisticated and fashiony than the above pics.

But we'll see. I'm a huge McQueen fan, so I'm sure he won't disappoint.

Mark your calendars as the collection is set to hit stores and online March 1st.

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Sneak Peak Hayden-Harnett for target

Well, yet another bag and accessories designer is hitting Target. And I have said time and again that I am much more skeptical about fake leather than I am about a cotton-mix dress. So I was pleased to note that Hayden-Harnett made some canvas tote options...that I can certainly buy into! And the umbrella just kills me! The silhouette is very Moschino.

I have to say though, their fake leather options are fabulous designs. Very rock and roll, and thus tempting for me. And there are caramel brown leather options as well (which always would work with my heavily grey wardrobe).

Look for the designer line in Target stores and online December 28th.

Sneak peak courtesy of Racked.

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Feather head pieces by Boyfriend

We've all seen those cute retro inspired father pieces adoring the hair of the hip, delicately sweeping the hair over the ear. A fabulous touch, which I especially love when worn with a more modern look, to add an extra dimension.

Get an array of beautiful pieces from Boyfriend.

Their trunk show is this Thursday November 20th 7-10pm

Mandate of Heaven

406 Lorimer St 3rd Floor

Williamsburg Brooklyn

718 388 7242

RSVP mandateofheaven1982@hotmail.com

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I love my: Tux jacket

I know in posts past I have preached the tuxedo trend, and this has permeated everything from dresses to accessories. However, a year or so ago I picked up a quality superbly fitted tuxedo jacket down in Argentina by Paula Cahen D'Anvers. Classic, not overly designed, just really well made. In the year that I have owned it, I find that it is my go-to piece to throw on over just about anything in my closet. When all other jackets/cardigans/sweaters fail, the tuxedo jacket is just the trick. Sometimes it adds an edge, and sometimes it adds class. Chameleon-like, it adapts to complement whatever I am wearing.

I'm fairly certain that the tuxedo trend will come and go in terms of design, but my jacket will serve me as a staple piece for decades to come.

Above left Marc by Marc Jacobs, Right McQ

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Guerrilla Art #21

Found in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. How appropriate that it's an image of Woody Allen! (it is, isn't it?)

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ZOOZOOM Fashion Wars!

Last Friday night I attended the ZOOZOOM Fashion Wars party. I had to represent, cuz I review runway shows for them as well as freelance Fashion Edit/Style stories. They are a fab crew, and I love them all to bits. So I was really pleased to see such a fantastic turnout to their party. Everyone dressed up (and by that I mean, really put together some interesting outfits), and we all got our pictures taken. Then throughout the party the fashion wars were uploaded to the web, and projected on the wall as outfits were pitted against one another for a live vote. I spoke to Kelley Quan, the editor in chief of Zoozoom, and she said she wanted a chance to give props to all the creatives behind the scenes of fashion. She said the models always get all the glory but that its the designers, make-up artists, hair stylists, and fashion stylists who make it all happen. So why not turn the spotlight on them? But I have to say, I give a lot of credit to the models for standing in front of a camera. It was really hard. And yes, some models were there, and if you choose to vote, you will see how great they are at posing.

It was a fantastic night...and one you can still participate in at www.fashionwars.com.

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I love my: Oxford Shoes

Whilst on my own personal 'do not buy' kick, I am choosing to give thanks for the many items I already own and love.  Perhaps I will inspire you to also appreciate all that you already own, or perhaps I will inspire you to help out those waning retail sales by going out and buying my recommendations. Win-Win, either way.

So, I am in love with my Oxford shoes. I love that they are completely stolen from menswear, and are fab for the slouchy yet chic boyfriend-look. Yes, most women these days are wearing the more feminine version that feature heels, which is more for the librarian look. And while I very much support anything nerdy-sexy, these days I am really loving casual-sexy.

My fave version are the above Frye Oxfords available at Urban Outfitters.

You can bid on the below Comme Des Garcons shoes on eBay.

Or these vintage Etienne Aigner ones (this color is FABulous with grey jeans)...

Or go green and wear these recyclable plastic Melissa oxfords!

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Sample Sales

Looks above from TWINKLE by Wenlan fall 2008

It's that time of year again: Sample Sale time. There are a bunch on this weekend, but I am going to narrow it down to the essentials:

Twinkle by Wenlan

Get eclectic textural feminine, with her signature knits and prints...perfect for fall

Just Thursday the 13th 10am-8pm

545 8th Ave 17th Floor (between 37th and 38th St)

Me&Ro

Unique, delicate, timeless fine jewelry with loads of personality packed into tiny pieces.

Thursday 12-7pm, Friday 10am-7pm

13 Crosby St 2nd Floor (between Howard and Grand St)

and finally, I received an invite by email today to the Staff International Sample sale,

A fantastic showroom with clients that include DSquared, Diesel, Maison Martin Margiela, and Sophia Kokosalaki.

Next week, Thursday November 19th, Friday November 20th 10am-6:30pm

220 W 19th St 11th Floor (between 7th and 8th ave)

Happy hunting girls!!

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Soho loves Obama

Whilst downtown doing some shopping in the posh neighborhood of Soho, I noticed some designer shout-outs to our President elect, Barack Obama. Have you noticed what a good mood people have been in lately? There is quite a buzz happening right now, and air of excitement of possibility, of making history, and of feeling represented.

Yes, we are also in a tough time...retail is way down...and I honestly feel a little silly blogging about shopping given the current situation.  However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and clearly Buckler and Yaso see that light.

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Guerrilla Art #20

Nope, I didn't take this picture myself...I got it from Hang Up Pictures, and it's by XOOOOX. Yes, today, I thought I'd feature where one might obtain some fabulous street art, and give it a home:

www.hanguppictures.com

www.blackratpress.co.uk

www.glowlab.com

Some of my fave artists include: Banksy (duh), Blek Le Rat, Logan Hicks, Nick Walker, Faille, R.A.F., XOOOOX, SPQR, Bast, and Swoon.

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Sneak Peak: Thakoon for Target

Michelle Obama looked great in Thakoon, and now so can you. I am actually very pleased with the outcome of his Target collection as I feel it has captured his sense of prints, rich colors, femininity, playfull silhouettes, and textural contrasts. This is definitely going to be a lot of fun to play with. It's due out in December, just in time for all that holiday shopping....

Check out the First Look at Nylon.

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Confirmed! McQ for target

Looks above from Alexander McQueen McQ SS09 looks...not for Target

First Target got me roped in with their Go International guest designer collections featuring hot young up-coming designers. Then, I admit, I even liked some of their own Go International New Next Now looks.  And now they will be starting another sort of Designer Collaboration.

I think we were all confused when we heard that fashion icon, Alexander McQueen would do a line for Target, as he is already a legend in the industry. In fact, he will not be designing for Go International, but a new collaboration series bringing established designers to the masses for limited runs (a month, just like Go International).

In the case of Alexander McQueen, it will be a version of his own diffusion line, McQ. Which, if you look at the pictures above, you will see that his more casual gear still has a unique playfulness of fabric and silhouette. I am extremely excited and can't wait to see preview pictures of the upcoming line.

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YES WE CAN!!

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The day is upon us

ELECTION DAY ELECTION DAY ELECTION DAY! 

Polls in NYC are open 6am to 9pm. The law states that you have to have 4 hours free from work to go vote, or 2 hours paid in the middle of your work day. 

Then, after you vote, you can check out the Daryl K election day sale. Treat yourself to 50% off the edgy designer clothes after you feel like you have helped elect Obama.

Daryl K

21 Bond St

NYC

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Guerrilla Art #19

Technically, I did not find this work on the streets, I found it on the web. I have actually been looking to buy a fabulous stencil art (or silkscreen) print for my home. I have been looking at Blek Le Rat, Shepard Fairey, and SPQR (with my hero, Banksy, being waaaayyy out of my price range)...when I realized that I am myspace friends with a fantastic artist called R.A.F. I really love his style, using high contrast, but also layering in many elements that create much more dimension than other stencil/silk-screen artists. His work often incorporates socio/political influences, which always catches my eye. I love his use of color, and am digging his recent helmet series. Apparently, record companies dig him too, as his work has graced more than a few album covers. The above is my fave....I hope he has some available for me!

If you live in NYC, you can find his work at

Glowlab Gallery

30 Grand St

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