Burton Takes McQueen

The late Alexander McQueen’s right-hand lady, Sarah Burton, has been named creative director of the London fashion house.

If you love McQueen as much as we do, you’ve been waiting for official news since Gucci Group affirmed shortly after the designer’s suicide that they would continue the label, stating that he had set the “building blocks of the brand” that would allow it to keep going on without him.

Sarah Burton, Photo by David Burton

Burton, a fellow Brit who graduated from London’s Central Saint Martin’s in 1997, has worked with McQueen for 16 years, joining the brand in 1996 and taking over as head of womenswear design since 2000. She also completed McQueen’s fall 2010 collection (after his death) in time for Paris Fashion Week just weeks before the show.

It is confirmed that Burton will now supervise the creative direction and development of all the McQueen label’s collections. “The creation of modern, beautifully crafted clothes was at the heart of Lee’s vision,” said Burton in the statement. “I intend to stay true to his legacy.”

President and chief executive officer of Alexander McQueen, Jonathan Akeroyd, added: “Having worked alongside Lee McQueen for more than 14 years, [Sarah] has a deep understanding of his vision, which will allow the company to stay true to its core values.”

The spring 2011 show is only about four months away, and we can’t wait to see what Burton does. We hope she continues McQueen’s legacy of innovative clothes and theatrical runway shows.

POST: A Chic iPhone App

GADABOUT stationary designer and illustrator, Hanna Brooks Nation, recently designed and developed POST, an ultra-chic app that gives social butterflies the ability to send customized invitations and stationary through their iPhones. Users can select from over 50 lovely designs which include classic, birthday, and holiday themes in addition to several notepad designs which can be monogrammed and personalized. Chic invitations can be customized and sent through e-mail or text message within a couple of minutes. Use them to send your friends little notes or invitations for dinner or cocktails. Consider it the most stylish dollar you’ve ever spent!

Have Phoebe Philo, Will Travel: Celine’s LUGGAGE

I am not a bag person. In fact, I’m not even a shoe person. I know, absurdity! The perfect blazer will swim through my dreams for days, and for a pair of calfskin leather shorts, I will suffer through the hot Dallas sun. But accessories seldom catch my eye – that is, until Phoebe Philo got her hands on Céline.

A travel bag inspired Philo’s first collection as Creative Director of the label, so it seems she’s continued the theme with LUGGAGE, Céline’s newest line of handbags. Structural like your favorite travel accessory, and completely naked of labels or unnecessary trinkets, the bag has a sleek utilitarianism that screams Philo (a simplicity I crave in a world where the “it bag” has taken over).

The envelope-like front pocket, raised ‘wave’ front, and array of skins keep it from being boring. You can find it in three sizes, mini, medium, and oversize, in everything from soft baby buffalo, smooth calfskin, suede, Mongolian lamb, thick collegiate striped flannel, and exotic skins such as crocodile and python.

Though Hermès fanatics may tell me to bite my tongue, LUGGAGE is already vying for a place in my heart with the Birkin.  Well, maybe I like accessories just a little…

Available at Barneys New York (NorthPark Center), starting from $1700.

Café Coton’s Father’s Day Perks

Come Father’s Day, show dear old Dad how much you love him with a little something extra from Café Coton.  The luxe French cotonniers are giving daddy’s little girl a break by gifting a complimentary tie with the purchase of any one of their fabulous shirts.

What: Café Coton Celebrates Father’s Day With Complimentary Tie With Shirt Purchase

Where: 8300 Preston Road

When: Throughout June 2010

Visit: www.cafecoton.com

A Grand Prize Father’s Day

The Plaza at Preston Center is introducing The Most Deserving Dad Contest.  Write and share why your father — or the father figure in your life — should be the Most Deserving Dad in Dallas.  The contest’s celebrated judges include chef Kent Rathburn, radio talk show host Gene Gates, and writer Eric Nicholson.  The award-winning fathers will receive goods from some of The Plaza at Preston Center’s shops including: Café Coton, Castle Gap Jewelry, The Cultured Cup, Jos. A Bank Clothiers, KidBiz, R + D Kitchen, Tootsies, and more!  And, with prizes including gift certificates to restaurants including Houston’s, maybe you’ll be asked to share a bite of the grand prize!

What: The Plaza at Preston Center: The Most Deserving Dad Contest 2010

When: Entries accepted through June 11^th, 2010

Entry Details: www.thefacebook.com

Winners Announced & Notified: June 18, 2010

Through The Eyes of Wu

By the looks of his latest eyewear collection, designer Jason Wu spent his spring watching old movies, brushing up on his history and doing some reading.

Each of his four oversized sunglasses styles is inspired by an iconic American woman: jet-setters can grab the Amelia Earhart, rock stars the Joan Jett, and gamines have the option of the Mia Farrow or the Jean Seberg. I guess it depends on whether you’ve seen Rosemary’s Baby or The Mouse That Roared more often.

Jason Wu’s “Earhart” style sunglasses in tortoise

Personally, I want to pair my leather Chloe bomber with the Earhart in tortoise shell for my next weekend away.  Yep, that’s right, they come in four to five finishes per style for added optical options.

As for the more literary minded among us (and those of us with less than perfect vision) he’s gone and named five pairs of optical frames after courageous women in literature. I can’t decide between my favorite childhood heroine, Scout Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird or my favorite grown-up character, Pride & Prejudice’s Elizabeth Bennet.

I like the sense of nostalgia in Wu’s character driven frames just as much as I like the styles. Way to Wu us again.

Styles range from $255 to $375, and even though the Ilori boutique at NorthPark Center doesn’t stock the line yet, they’ll order you in a pair if you tell them what style you’re looking for.

Coach Taps the Blogosphere

Coach has tapped four fashion bloggers to design Coach Collectibles, a line of limited edition bags (they’ve only made about 200 each) that are available exclusively online.

Blogger Kelly Framel with her faux croc drawstring pouch for Coach Collectibles

Kelly Framel of The Glamourai said about her earth toned drawstring pouch: “when given this amazing opportunity to collaborate with Coach, I felt the design should reflect the many sides of my life and style.”

Blogger Krystal Simpson with her fringed shoulder bag for Coach Collectibles

Krystal Simpson, the rock n’ roll blonde behind What is Reality Anyway, designed a black leather shoulder bag with fringe detailing, adding a personal touch and a nod to her band, Little Feather, with black-and-white striped silk lining and removable feather charms.

Blogger Karla Deras demonstrating the detachable strap of her bag for Coach Collectibles

Karla Deras of Karla’s Closet says that her black pebbled satchel is “great as a cross-body bag when you’re running errands and have to use both of your hands”, but she loves using it as a clutch.

Blogger Emily Schuman with her sweet pink bag for Coach Collectibles

Last but not least, Emily Schuman of Cupcakes and Cashmere, inspired by her own feminine style, designed a structured pink leather satchel lined in light gray silk.

Super Chargers

My phone is always dead. No matter how often I charge it, I find myself pulling out a charger at lunch and unceremoniously plugging it into the wall as other restaurant patrons gaze at me in wonder. “Does this girl live here,” I imagine them wondering. No, I just need to make a phone call.

I know there are portable phone chargers out there, but they’re either clunky (there’s only so much room in my bag), or they just don’t work very well, leaving me harried at the end of the day, with my phone blinking angrily.

So imagine my excitement when Haley, sitting nearby in the office, showed me her latest find from Inwood Village’s Paper and Chocolate: the SaFPWR iPhone battery case. This little leather case can tell when your phone needs power and how much it needs, increasing the run time by over 200%. You can use your phone all day, without having to encounter that last sad little shudder of life.

“But, Haley,” I said. “It’s pretty!” This isn’t just some clunky, pleather case; it’s compact and comes in everything from lizard and snakeskin to pretty pink leather. My favorite? The black stingray, which will look stunning in my white summer tote. And the best part is, they barely graze the $100 mark.

Visit: www.safpwr.com

A Wuf Wedding

Here’s something to bark about: Wuf Pet Resort & Spa, Bella Flora, and the Lee Park Conservancy will be honoring some howly vows this Thursday, May 20 2010 at Lee Park from 6-8pm.  Bring your beloved canine to help them sniff out a four-legged companion, or if you’re without a man’s best friend, there’s a chance you’ll find your best buddy among the lovable pups up for adoption.  All proceeds benefit Paws In The City and the Lee Park Canine Conservancy to help our four-legged friends find loving homes.

What: Wuf Pet Resort & Spa, Bella Flora, and the Lee Park Conservancy Host Wedding Ceremonies and Pet Adoption

When: Thursday, May 20, 2010 from 6-8pm

Where: The Allman Pavilion at Lee Park

Visit: www.leeparkconservancy.org

A Flair for Style: Joe Nye’s Guide to Entertaining

California-based interior designer and event planner, Joe Nye, recently added the title of author to his list of talents. Nye’s new book, Flair: Exquisite Invitations, Lush Flowers, and Gorgeous Table Settings is exactly what every gracious hostess will want to have this season. Published by Rizzoli, Flair features stunning photography and fantastic advice for smart entertaining. The book is divided into three parts: Flowers, Paper, and Table Settings and deals with every type of affair from chic cocktail parties to elegant seated dinners. Flair also includes a shopping guide, which lists Nye’s favorite resources. This book has all of the tools for creating a perfect soirée.