BREAKFAST WITH LOUIS VUITTON

Today we had breakfast at the St. Regis with the President and C.E.O. of Louis Vuitton North America and a few other choice bloggers including Get Kempt, Gala Darling, Daniel Saynt of Fashion Indie, Tina Craig of Bag Snob, Lesley of Fashiontribes and Wendy of Nitrolicious.

After recieving te invite last week we were more than intrigued to see what would come of the meeting.

Of course, as is the norm for big events Murphy’s Law was in full effect. After jumping off a stalled six train (police investigation at 14th Street) and almost throwing down fisticuffs for a cab, we finally managed to share with someone going in the same direction (thanks Justin!).

Walking into the St. Regis, we headed for the library for what was a small intimate breakfast hosted by Daniel Lalonde. As much we tried to be suave, we were more than gleefully excited by the invite and meeting. Read more

SHAWN & SHANE SPRING 2008 COLLECTION HITS SHELVES

The boardroom rockstar duo of Shawn & Shane have released their Spring 2008 collection.

The twin brother duo have two lines the sporty DETNY line and high end Shawn&Shane line. Both lines stick to the brands ethos being stylishly appealing while also being comfortable.

Numerous styles are available each variously made of Read more

GAP LIMITED EDITION ARTIST TEES

Gap has introduced a new collaboration with some of today’s most influential artists in celebration of the Whitney Biennial.

The collabo consists of limited edition tees designed by contemporary artists including Jeff Koons, Chuck Close, Marilyn Minter, Barbara Kruger, Hanna Liden, Sarah Sze, Kenny Scharf, Kiki Smith, Glenn Ligon, Kerry James Marshall, Cai Quo-Qiang, Rirkrit Tiravanija and Ashley Bickerton. Read more

EARNEST SEWN x RUFFIAN COLLABORATION

Earnest Sewn has announced the next designer collaboration in its ongoing ‘Back Room Installation Series’.

Ruffian will take over the back room project space of earnest Sewn from May 27th to June 9th to celebrate the Fall 2008 collection collaboration. The collabo will feature two parts as Ruffian uses the premium denim from Earnest Sewn ans fashions it into tailored garments. In other part of the collabo Earnest Sewn mixes Ruffians custom European textiles and puts in their own denim spin to create the ultimate luxury jean.

The installation itself will be designed by artist and set-designer Anne Koch Read more

SALE: RAG NATION SPRING CLEARANCE

Rag Nation is having a spring sale in their showroom for walk-in customers only. Sale items will not be available online and
will include new and used clothing, shoes,bags and accessories for men & women from
Prada, Gucci, Giorgio Armani, Paul Smith, Etro, Comme des Garcons, Dries Van Noten and more. Read more

RENE LACOSTE SNEAKER REVAMPED FOR 75TH ANNIVERSARY

For it’s 75th anniversary French apparel brand Lacoste reinterprets one of it’s classic tennis shoes. Available in six boldly bright colors, Read more

THE ODD COUPLE: BARNEYS AND TARGET HEART EACH OTHER

So as the collaborations continue (will this gravy train ever run dry?) the newest coupling is Barneys and target. Some call it an odd pairing.

“The teaming of Target Corp. and Barneys New York has to be one of the oddest pairings in recent fashion history. Read more

ETRO COMES TO SOHO

“THE Italian design store Etro has plunked down $12.03 million to buy the 2,500-foot, ground-floor retail space at 89 Greene St. The space, in a prominent five-story, red brick building on the northwest corner of Spring in SoHo, is currently occupied by a Korean greengrocer - and is the only building in the area not already housing a fashion king.”

source

STAPLE SPRING SUMMER 2008

There’s nothing better than discovering a new label. And recently Format Magazine informed us of the Staple collection for Spring/Summer 2008.

The collection is fresh while incorporating classic touches. The gray sweat jackets were inspired by designer Jeff Staple’s high school gym teacher and include hoods and rib knit details. They reminded us of Thom Brownes’ Spring Summer 2008 collection (seen in the pic of the model with the surfboard).

That damn ubiquitous plaid is worked into track pants and shorts as sport and suit are mashed together. Read more

SLIMANE/DIESEL COLLABO UPDATE

So we guess it looks like a possible collaboration between Hedi Slimane and Diesels’s Renzo Rosso may not be in the cards after all.

“While whispers of a partnership between Diesel’s Renzo Rosso and Hedi Slimane have been doggedly pursuing the fashion world, the truth remains that we won’t be seeing such a thing anytime soon. Read more

RAF SIMONS x EASTPAK FALL/WINTER 2008 PREVIEW

Between his uber-haute sunglasses and his collabo with Eastpak, designer Raf Simons is keeping his accessories game thorough.

We are now treated to a preview of Simons’ upcoming fall/winter collaborative collection with Eastpak. These don’t stand out as much as the Spring/Summer 2008 collection with it’s big silhouettes and vibrant colors. But they have a distinct fall vibe with it’s windowpane wool and patches add a bit of distress to the collection. Read more

ARTFUL DODGER OFFERING

Online shop 80’s Purple has some decent offering from the Artful Dodger collection. The Artful Dodger is a contmporary men’s streetwear line recently bought from newlywed Jay-Z.

The brand is named after Charles Dickens’ 19th Century Artful Dodger who led a group of cunning young men in mischief throughout the UK.

U.K. artist and designer Scott Langton is the creative director, bring his experience from time at Sean John and Ecko.

Read more

10 SUMMER ESSENTIALS FOR YOUR WARDROBE

Details is out with thier Summer Essentials checklist to ensure you prepared for days of cocktail sipping under the sun. Add a few of these pieces to spruce up your wardrobe.

Read more

100 STYLES & RUNNING FALL 2008 COLLECTION

Young footwear label 100 Styles & Running has released a preview of their all new model being released this fall. Dubbed the Chase, it will be available in a variety of colors with uppers and a toggle lace system. Read more

NEXCEN TO LAUNCH BILL BLASS MEN’S LINE

NexCen Brands has partnered with Peerless Clothing to start a mens collection under the Bill Blass name.

“The company said the new collection is being designed by Michael Bastian, the creative director for Bill Blass Menswear. Read more

TIMBERLAND 2008 SPRING SUMMER COLLECTION

Workboot brand Timberland recently released these images of their Spring 2008 collection.

The looks are a different take on the iconic 6 inch work boot often associated with the Timberland work boot style (which could use a serious rest anyway).

This collection feature two styles of the chukka style featured in a Rippler suede and Seaview Ivory canvas. The Cruise Master II style is Timberland’s take on the summer staple boat shoe. Read more

HUF SPRING SUMMER 2008 COLLECTION

Keith Hufnagel continues to release images of the HUF Spring/Summer 2008 collection. This round features a Barracuda jacket style and these short-sleeved button-up shirts. Read more

VICE MAGAZINE- THE FASHION ISSUE 2008

Vice Magazine has released their 2008 Fashion Issue and it’s now available in full online.

The 2008 issue includes everything from an interview with Renata Molho about the heyday of Italian fashion to Ryan McGinley’s favorite pair of pants.

Also two articles about the love of fashion and the hate of fashion written by Christopher Bollen (new editor-in-chief of Interview Magazine) and Tracie Egan (editor of Jezebel.com) respectively.

Vice’s global trend report for 2008 gives us a primer on the trends and clothing being worn by the hip sets in global cities including New York, Antwerp, Tokyo, Berlin, Barcelona, Stockholm, Paris and more. This is a great read to get a feel for the fashion flavors going on in different cities across the world. Read more

GOOGLE DESIGNER ARTIST THEMES

As Google nears world domination they must be figuring that it’s time to spruce up their wardrobe.

So the Google people have announced that now people can spruce up their Google homepage with new Google artist and designer themes.

The likes of Marc Ecko, Dolce & Gabanna, Oscar de la Renta, Philippe Starck, Nigo( of A Bathing Ape fame), Kristina Tjäder of House of Dagmar, Young-hee Lee, Diane von Furstenberg and others can now grace your Google homepage. Read more

MARTIN DINGMAN LEATHER GOODS

The Martin Dingman brand are purveyors of luxury leathergoods with an American sensibility. The company produces an extensive assortment of shoes, belts, and wallets that are understated and elegantly beautiful.

Instead of the high-profile cities of Milan, Paris or Manhattan, Martin Dingman spends most of his time in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. For him, the heartland of America is, “both a source of inspiration and a place to stay grounded as he creates some of the finest handmade men’s footwear, small leather accessories and belts found today”. Read more

WHEN TIES ATTACK OUR EYES…PRESIDENTIAL EDITION

So here’s the deal.  President George W. Bush gave a speech on Tuesday addressing the current economic conditions roiling the country.

And for some reason yet unknown to us, Bush veered from his ubiquitous blue ties to….green?!?!  Someone tell this man it’s not St. Patrick’s Day! WTF! Is a green tie supposed to represent all the money him and his cronies are raking in? Hmmmm.

The bold contrast makes Dubya look more like a novelty used car salesman instead of leader of the free world.

We’re all for experimenting with color, but seriously who sanctioned this? Not one of his advisers said, “Um…Mr. President…you’re about to be on national TV….um…you sure you want to do that(wagging a finger at the tie)?” Read more

THE HUNDREDS SUMMER PREVIEW

The Hundreds has released pics of their upcoming summer collection.  Mostly tee’s but, well worth it graphic tees to rock with a great pair of denim. Each tee is more than meets the eye with the Rampage one bringing back sweet arcade memories of destroying cities.

We’re also feeling the See Evil, Hear Evil, Speak Evil tee as well!

MORE PICS AFTER THE JUMP! Read more

HLASKA EVERGREEN BRIEFCASE BAG

This Hlaska “Evergreen” briefcase/bag is a stylish and unique accessory that will hippen up the morning commute.

Far from the staid, commonplace boring-ass briefcase, this “Evergreen” men’s briefcase comes in a wood grain pattern. The Italian leather is vegetable dyed taking actual grain patterns from ebony, cedar and pine trees. Read more

ECONOMIC NEWS: BAD, BAD, GOOD

The economy remains in the ditch as consumer confidence falls:

“Looking ahead, consumers’ outlook for the economy, the job market and their income prospects remains quite pessimistic and little changed from last month. Read more

LILLY PULITZER SPLASHES ON THE UES

Lilly Pulitzer is coming to Manhattan via the UES. The store will be located at 1020 Madison Avenue (btwn. 78th & 79th st.) in a row house.

Lilly Pulitzer is a preppy brand known for it’s use of loud colors and florals which contrasts with the Manhattan mantra of “black is the new black”. And people are already asking how well the two will go together. Read more