By LaJuana Johnson

Love the looks you see walking down the catwalks of Mercedes Benz fashion week, but don’t know where to find them in your neck of the woods? Don’t fret. Harlem World has done the hard work for you.
N Boutique (171 Lenox Avenue, between 118th & 119th Street) With a new location and a new attitude, the N Boutique provides a well edited collection of both established and emerging designers. Visit them for looks from one of my fashion week favorites, Tracy Reese.

K&G Superstore (300 W 125th St, and Frederick Douglass Blvd) Known for its large selection of business-friendly attire, K&G provides both casual and professional options for the entire family at discounted prices. Look for deals from designers Kenneth Cole, Anne Klein, Calvin Kline and Baby Phat.

Target (coming soon to East Harlem, now at 700 Exterior St, Bronx, NY) This mega-store has gained a recent publicity boost from its decision to carry lower cost lines from some of the world’s most sought after designers, such as Alexander McQueen and Matthew Williamson. Find recession conscious versions of the following looks from Issac Mizrahi and Anna Sui at your local store.

Bourgeoisie  (2366 7th Avenue, between 138th and 139th St) What’s a beautifully chic garment without the equally elegant accessories? Bourgeoisie Shoes has the answer, with fashion forward shoes and luxury bags to make any fashionista a loyal follower. Find towering heels and statement bags from the likes of Gwen Stefani’s L.A.M.B. and Devi Kroell here www.bourgeoisieshoes.com/

The shows on the 14th were not all about darkness and the barely breathing economy…

Thakoon

Thakoon Panichgul has mastered print and color.  His 35 look collection was categorically one of the best collections of the day.  His take on shape, texture and color is genius. 

Barbara Tfank

Barbara Tfank created an Avedon-inspired collection that is very retro and beautifully classic.  I am mad for the printed blue floor length dress. 

J.Mendel

Timeless pieces.

Carlos Miele

Carlos Miele is known for his comely evening gowns, but for spring he decided to give his well dressed woman daytime options as well.

Bibhu Mohapatra

His dresses are absolutely grand but the collection as whole lacked cohesion.  But who cares about cohesion when the clothes are this beautiful?

Chris Benz

Mr. Benz has become a rarity at fashion week that season – a designer not allowing the economy to completely dictate what to show.  He decided to create a collection that was cheerful, confident and fun for fashion’s sake. The effect of his choice was cooling and will be welcomed by many. 

Zero + Maria Corjeno

Maria Corjeno is another First Lady favorite.  Her inspiration was the push and pull between nature and man in the urban environment.  The collection was subdivided by white noise, grass and wood that was evident in the prints she created as well as in the movement of the collection.

Sophie Theallet

French designer Sophie Theallet created sensual dresses with beautiful detailing.

Marc Jacobs

Kabuki + various operas + circus costumes of the 20’s +vintage clowns +++++ = ethereal, sexy,amazing. I adore it.

Tracey Reese

I’m so happy to see prints throughout the runways.  Ms. Reese showed her customer how to mix prints and colors well.

Carolina Herrrera

Herrera: queen of chic sophistication.

Zac Posen

In contrast to last season, Zac Posen’s spring collection is more playful and less austere.  Unfortunately there was more buzz about the switch of time and venue for his show as opposed to the great collection that he produced.

THE SIMPLE PLEASURE OF RUFFLES:  JUST  A BIT IS WELL ENOUGH~ AND NOT A LITTLE BIT MORE!!!:

Isabelle Cotton Ruffle Skirt - Blue Label - RalphLauren.com

J. CREW

TRACEY REESE

For the Simple Knitting pattern…for beginners:

Contact

cosmicpluto@cosmicpluto.com

@ NeimanMarcus.com

Marc Jacobs Ruffled Hillary Dome Bag

RUFFLES  IN THE MOVIES INSPIRATION:

Koi Suwannagate

Here it is ladies and gents!

THE TUESDAY CONTEST!! BE A BEVELLO STYLISTA!

 Some of you know the deal and some of you don’t. Here’s the run down: Wanna win $20.00 in bevello bucks??   Its Easy as 1,2,3….

bevello online clothing boutique wants to see YOUR personal Style! Give us three items online that go with the following bevello item:

Heather Gray C. Luce Jumpsuit by bevello

http://tinyurl.com/rayo2c

Example:

 Email : mgillogly@bevello.com

  Dear Bevello:

Here is my Contest entry:  The following items go with the C. Luce heather gray jumpsuit.

 

Russet Brown Wide Alligator Stretchy Belt by Landes

 http://tinyurl.com/qh25ec

Type Z Lisa

 http://tinyurl.com/q5k58c

 

Tracey Reese Applique Cardigan

http://tinyurl.com/r33ech

 HOW:  I would take off the linen belt from the jumpsuit and replace it with the brown stretchy Alligator belt.  The belt is a perfect division between the knit top and linen pants. The linen tie won’t go to waste! I would use as a headband in my hair. I would wear the Tracey Reese cardigan open, over the jumpsuit and finish it off with the Type Z shoes!

Where:  I would wear this look to a sunday stroll around the museum and then a picnic in the park. The cardigan is perfect since it tends to get chilly in the museum.  I can take off the cardigan once I am in the park and get some sun on my shoulders sans the tan lines!

GOOD LUCK!!!

Image :: Tracy Reese

First Lady Michelle Obama covers the March 9 special double issue of People.

For the shoot, she donned a Tracy Reese Spring 2009 Lace Kimono Dress.

Unlike so many other pieces she’s worn, apparently this one is available for regular people.

You can get it at the Tracy Reese Flagship store, 1-888-818-7336 or 212-809-0505.

Or if you’re in the area, visit them at

641 Hudson Street

New York, NY 10014

Barbie turns 50 this year.  She looks great for her age, doesn’t she?  But then again, she’s made out of plastic.  To commemorate Barbie’s 50th year, a runway show was put together featuring 50 different looks by 50 different American designers.

Now Barbie is fashionable, glamorous icon, so it’s only fitting, that a fashion show erected to celebrate her birthday.  There’s no denying that Barbie was, and still is, an influence in lots of girls lives.  She’s a girl’s introduction to fashion and style.  I have plenty of childhood memories of dressing up my Barbies – experimenting and creating different looks with clothes and hair.

The runway show consisted of various looks – ranging from the retro ’50s to more futuristic and edgier pieces that incorporate clear plastic elements.  And true to form, there were plenty of Barbie’s signature color, pink, to be found on the runway.

The fun show was definitely a highlight during New York Fashion week.

My favorite Barbie look was the Koi Suwannagate pink strapless mini butterfly dress.  It just screams Barbie.  I also like the Costello Tagliapierta red dress.  It’s very old Hollywood glamourous.  But it somehow reminds me more of the movie Sabrina, than of Barbie.  The Vera Wang dress, is exactly like a dress I had for one of my Barbies back in the day.  My least favorite dress is the Catherine Malandrino patriotic flag dress.  I also thought the Derek Lam, Tory Burch, and Anna Sui ensembles were a little too understated for Barbie.

(L-R: Koi Suwannagate, Costello Tagliapietra, Rachel Roy, Nanette Lepore, Betsey Johnson, Reem Acra, Peter Som, Yigal Azrouel, Monique Lhuillier, Vera Wang, Baby Phat, Tory Burch, Badgley Mischka, Norma Kamali, Yeohlee, Chris Benz, Erin Fetherston, The Blonds, Rebecca Taylor, Brian Reyes, Tibi, Tracey Reese, House of Field, Bob Mackie, Twinkle, Kenneth Cole, Donna Karan, Diane von Furstenberg, Marchesa, Tommy Hilfiger, Tuleh, Rosa Cha, Michael Kors, Three as Four, Kai Khun, Alexander Wang, Derek Lam, Catherine Malandrino, Anna Sui, Nicole Miller)

From Metallic makeup, to Nia Long, Beyonce, Baby Phat and the events surrounding the alleged assault between Chris Brown & Rihanna. ALL THIS AND MORE @

We must acknowledge acting somewhat like a Pouty Princess over the seemingly never-ending debacle going on here:

Until we realized we get to give away some preppy goodies! It is time to announce the winner of the Great Preppy Princess Giveaway winner for Week 2…. (drum roll):

verybusymomwith4

Whoo-hoo! Some may recall that our Thankful Thursday topic for last week’s giveaway was ‘one friend you are grateful for,” and Miss Lisa, founder and curator of VBMW4, shared this comment as her entry for the giveaway:

“I am thankful for my friend Julie who knows when to help me, when to advise me and when I need to listen. I am in awe of how she just knows how to act in every situation.”

As the winner Lisa receives a treasure trove of goodies from the Preppy Princess, including a Boatman Geller Carrie & Tuck personal stationery station and a fab Madras Refill Set! (This is so fun!)

Now for Week 3, our comment topic is anything for which you are thankful. How easy is that? Just leave a quick comment on something, someone, someplace you are grateful for… and voilà! You are entered!  Wonder what you can win this week? Read on.

Week 3 Great Giveaway goodies include this Perfect Circle Apron….

Accompanied by the matching gloves; clearly one cannot risk a fashion disaster in their own kitchen.

PreppyPrincess.com

Of course, if Cook is handling the duties, and you have no worries about keeping the splish-splash off your cocktail dress, then the Apron/Gloves Set always make the perfect gift for someone else.

Also for the lucky winner, the understated elegance of the Trey’s Stripes notecards. Naturally the Princess will personalize the set of 10 cards, per your wishes.

PreppyPrincess.com

Don’t forget that if you mention the Great Giveaway on your blog or home page a Bonus Gift goes to anyone you choose! Because it wasn’t won this past week, we’ll roll over the Week 2 Bonus Prize Pack.

The Bonus Prize includes the Laguna Beach apron, along with one of our favorite books, Summer at Tiffany by Marjorie Hart.

So don’t forget… scroll down and make a quick comment!  “I am thankful for ______.”

Leave your comments before midnight next Wednesday, the 26th, and you are entered in the Giveaway.  And because sharing is caring, *do* think about mentioning the Giveaway on your blog, or your Facebook or MySpace page, whatever works for you (in a good, clean fun kind of way) so you can share the Bonus Prizes with someone near and dear.

Our first comment comes from Legally Heidi, here is part of what she shared:

“i’m thankful for my pal Liz. Her and i have had a rough friendship but we’ve always come out on top She’s the one friend i know i could call at 2am upset and she’d listen to me.”

Do let TP know if you have any questions…that is why we are here!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

A quick update to our most recent post on the search for an appropriate prep school for Malia and Sasha Obama.  We reported that our intuition pointed to Maret being out of the mix, with the choice down to either Georgetown Day School or Sidwell Friends.  The Post (Washington) seems to confirm this:

“… school search appears to have narrowed… and the much-buzzed-about Maret School is apparently out of the running.”

Also, we promised to let you know what we discovered about Michelle Obama’s attire seen in the CBS 60 Minutes Interview:

Aaron Tomlinson/CBS News Handout/Reuters

As speculated, the pieces were by Maria Pinto, who seems to have achieved ‘Most Favored Nation’ status when it comes to the future First Lady’s fashion choices, IOHO.  According to the Trib:

“… wore the “Eme” top and “Rani” skirt in an iris color, designed by Chicago’s Maria Pinto. The ensemble is from Pinto’s spring collection, but rendered in tweed for Obama, a loyal Pinto client. The sleeveless element was retained from the original design.”

We continue to see sketches of possible inaugural ball gowns from varying designers; here is one from Tracey Reese, as seen in this story from the Detroit Free Press.  We simply love that look, the dress is absolutely beautiful.

Tracey Reese

BTW, today’s Times (NY) had an excellent story about price wars between online retailers and the  tactics they employ to move merchandise.  For example, we had no idea Zappos uses a sister site for its discounted and marked down products…did you? (If interested, it is 6pm.com)  And 6pm does carry most, if not all, of the name brands Zappos stocks.

Also, Steve & Barry’s will be gone permanently.  After being bailed out of an earlier bankruptcy three months back, yesterday the company filed for liquidation in New York. We have no news yet on what will happen with Sarah Jessica Parker’s Bitten line of clothing, currently sold at the retailer.

Happy-Happy!

]]> http://ontherecordmag.wordpress.com/2008/11/06/celebs-react-to-obama-win/ Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:32:18 +0000 Ryann Hayman http://ontherecordmag.wordpress.com/2008/11/06/celebs-react-to-obama-win/

Stars were aligned for Barack Obama Tuesday night following the announcement of his victory in the presidential election.

      Oprah Winfrey, who has raised money for the Illinois democrat, could not hold back the tears while attending the victory rally in Chicago’s Grant Park.

       “I was so, so, so excited and then just sort of a calm came over me,” she told TV’s The Insider. “It feels like it actually is kind of real, so it feels great.” Asked what this means for the country, she said, “It means democracy at its finest. It’s just the best. We did this. America did this.”      

       Kanye West, whose mother Donda died last November, posted a portrait of the President-elect on his blog with the message: “HI MOM, OBAMA WON!”

       Diddy, who turned 39 on Tuesday, delayed his usual birthday bash with the hopes of having a grand birthday/Obama celebration the next night. He gave this promise for the inauguration: “I will definitely DJ at the party for free.”      

       TLC’s Chili was quoted by E! Online as saying: “This is amazing. …Never thought I’d live to see this.”       

       Rap mogul Russell Simmons told E!: “The vision of the hip-hop generation and its young people is in full and glorious effect tonight. While many older Americans, who marched and struggled so hard so Senator Obama could run for president of the United States never dared to believe in his candidacy’s real potential, young people, particularly the hip-hop community, had faith and their imagination became our reality.”       

       The New York Daily News’ Rush & Malloy column collected quotes from celebs around the Big Apple following Obama’s announcement as president.      

       “I’m so excited right now,” Ethan Hawke told the paper at Comedy Central’s blast at The Park. “I got up at 7:20 this morning, and I voted for Barack. I haven’t had this much optimism in a long time. Tonight is historic!”

       Studio boss Harvey Weinstein, who hosted two election bashes in years past where he left in tears, said: “It’s a great day for America.” The movie mogul had invited the Clintons to his fete at Public House, but they’d stayed home to watch the results in Chappaqua.       

       Actors James Franco, Josh Lucas and Jessica Alba did attend Weinstein’s bash, and when someone put Fox News on the tube, Lucas yelled out, “Change the f—–g channel!” Alba told us, “I was surprised that McCain brought race into his speech. I guess he was trying to bring people together.”       

       Model Veronica Webb, at designer Tracey Reese’s party at her shop, told the Daily News: “We’ve just moved to New York, but we voted in Florida, where it really counted.”      

      Amber Lee Ettinger, aka “Obama Girl,” burst into tears at the barelypolitical.com party at NY hotspot Haven when her “crush” was named the new president. “This is the day I’ve been waiting for,” she said.

       In a video posted on YouTube, Madonna claps her hands and declares, “This is a historical evening! … We are lucky to be sharing it with each other!”

       George Clooney said in a statement: “I congratulate President-elect Obama on his historic victory, and now it’s time to begin unifying the country so we can take on the extraordinary challenges that this generation faces.”      

       Lindsay Lohan, who just wrapped a stint on ABC’s “Ugly Betty,” wrote on her MySpace page: “OBAMA IS OUR PRESIDENT!” and said that everyone who voted, “no matter their choice … should be proud for voting in the first place.”      

       Documentary filmmaker Michael Moore responded on his Web site, saying, “Who among us is not at a loss for words? Tears pour out. Tears of joy. Tears of relief. A stunning, whopping landslide of hope in a time of deep despair.”       

       E! Online reported Courteney Cox and husband David Arquette hosted an Obama victory party Tuesday night at their Beverly Hills home. Sources say that Jennifer Aniston, Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher were among those in attendance.

Mischa Bartons had her turn and Nanette Lapore been riding high for about three season now. But it’s Tracey Reese who’s been tapped to update classics canvas shoes for Keds this year.

Yesterday, the brand announced it would be collaborating with the American designer  on a shoe line that will drop sometime next spring.

The Plenty by Tracey Reese collection will consist of peep-toe wedge sneakers, skimmers and ballet flats inspired by designs and prints from the designer’s Spring 2009 collection.

On the collaborations Tracey says: “I am thrilled to collaborate with such an iconic brand and excited about fusing the Plenty by Tracy Reese eclectic and wordly designs with casual footwear.”

Oh, Tracey. I’m thrilled too because you’re beautiful knee-length princess dresses are kind of hard to come by. But please, just say no to the sneaker wedge. Okay?

The totally awesome Jacqueline Colette Prosper wanted to get my take on fashion week. To see the entire interview click here. This is my bit: 

 You’re So Pretty When You are Faithful to Me: Fashion Week

Hitha Prabhakar, fashion and retail expert via e-mail.

1) What was your favorite show so far?

My favorite show was J. Mendel. I loved it because he [Giles] stayed true to form. Everything was tasteful, luxurious and looked like it was made for some totally wealthy woman who hits galas and red carpets every night. It was almost like he was saying, “Recession? What recession?” through his collection. It was fantasy, fantastic and having the show in the Grand Ballroom at the Plaza made his point resonate that much more. Just brilliant.

2) At Tracy Reese, I saw one model trip twice, what was the worst foot fumble you saw this week?

Hmm. I guess the worst foot fumble I saw this week was at the BCBG runway show on Friday but it wasn’t by a model. This woman tripped over my friends umbrella while trying to get to her seat and fell flat on her perfectly made up face. Then she proceeded to yell at my friend. I get that she was embarrassed but was it necessary to yell? I mean, c’mon!

3) What was the worst item received in a gift bag this week?

Oh man. The worst item I recieved in a gift bag were those damn “Sweetriot” dark chocolate nibs! I hate those things!! They taste bad and the are just annoying!!