Diane von Furstenberg’s Suite Dreams

Diane von Furstenberg, the queen of fabulous prints and flattering silhouettes can add a new title to her résumé: interior designer. Von Furstenberg’s much-anticipated collaboration with the tony London hotel, Claridge’s in the city’s posh Mayfair neighborhood is finally complete. It was a natural partnership, as Claridge’s has long been von Furstenberg’s favorite hotel in the world. While Claridge’s has enjoyed its signature art deco décor for decades now, von Furstenberg chose to mix classic elements with bold prints including hot red florals and a graphic, geometric black and white pattern to create a more modern feel in the Piano Suite she designed for this London institution. The result is completely glamorous!

Cesare Paciotti’s New Sole

We’d like to believe that all of our shoe indulgences are good for the soul, and an increasing number of designers are crafting shoes that actually come with a good  sole.  We can spot a Louboutin from a mile away,  Prada had a stint with pale pink soles several seasons back, and now Cesare Paciotti is taking the boudoir theme of his Spring 2011 collection and stamping it on the bottom of his shoes.

You won’t be walking on air, but rather, lace.  A fine black lace print will bedeck fall offerings, while nude is on tap for spring. All the more reason to kick up your heels.

Corey Lynn Calter’s New Blog Has Buzz

L.A.-based and beloved designer Corey Lynn Calter looked down at the Rob Roberts orchestrated tattoos of bees on her knees and was inspired – to start a blog. Calter’s new online forum for everything Calter related, CLC’s Bees Knees, launched this week, and we can’t wait to read all about it — and her.

She says her new web home is “the place where me and the girls on my staff can ramble on about all things CLC and more…,” so expect daily topics ranging from cocktail recipes, new music, celebrity sightings and party pics, to Corey’s design and personal style aspirations.

The Row’s Retro Fall Shades

Cat-eye sunglasses dominated the runways for spring, and if the Olsen’s have anything to say about it, you’ll be wearing them clear into fall.

The Row’s new collection is now available at Barneys, and the 50s silhouettes of their latest clothing collection have translated to their retro shades. The cool cat-eyes are slightly less theatrical (and more wearable) than the Prada or Wang ones seen on every fashionable face this summer, setting a more relaxed vibe come fall.

And for those who lusted over the John Lennon-esque circular wire frames Mary Kate has been seen sporting, you’ll love the colorful ones they’ve concocted.

Finally, a fall purchase we can wear now.

Tia Cibani Steps Down From Ports 1961

WWD is reporting that Ports 1961 designer Tia Cibani is leaving her role as creative director at the end of this month, but the fashion house will remain a family affair.

None other than her older sister and creative partner, Fiona Cibani, who has mainly focused on the Ports International brand, will replace her.

Tia Cibani, who joined Ports in 1990 and served as creative director for the past five years, has lent a major hand in the creation and success of the brand. Originally made in Canada, Fiona’s husband, Chinese entrepreneur Alfred Chan, purchased the brand and moved it to Xiamen, China. Tia followed to oversee the development of the brand there for seven years, until returning to the U.S. to launch the North American branch of Ports 1961 in 2003. Her designs, usually inspired by her travels, have been a hit since.

“We applaud Tia for her contributions in giving the Ports 1961 brand a unique and distinctive identity during her five years as creative director,” Ports 1961 president Jacqui Wenzel told WWD. “She leaves a solid foundation in place and a readily identifiable aesthetic that is appreciated by a deeply loyal following around the world. We wish her well in her future endeavors.”

We’re sad to see Tia go, but eager to see what Fiona does with the brand.

VIVRE.com and PinkMemo Twitter Giveaway

Vivre.com founder Eva Jeanbart-Lorenzotti, known for being one of the first, and chicest, pioneers of luxury e-commerce, is PinkMemo’s first official guest blogger on New York The Front Row (look for her first post tomorrow). To celebrate, Vivre and PinkMemo are having a Twitter contest, and you have a chance to win a sleek Serpent Cuff courtesy of Vivre.

Just head to our SPREE section and check out Eva’s top summer picks, choose the one you love, and tweet a creative reason why you can’t live without it – Eva and PinkMemo Editor in Chief Katrina Szish will be the judges.

Your tweet must contain @Vivre_Eva and @PinkMemo, along with a short link to your favorite SPREE product page.

You can tweet as many times as you like, and the winner will be chosen on August 20^th and announced via PinkMemo email on August 24^th. An added bonus? From now through the end of August, use the code PINKVIVRE for free shipping on orders of $250 or more!

Get creative, and may the best tweet win!

Feather Your Nest at Perch

On a recent trip to New Orleans, I had the pleasure of visiting Perch, a lovely store on Magazine Street that has quickly become one of my favorite interior design and home accessories destinations. The gorgeous shop is housed in an historic 6,000 square foot home in the Garden District and is filled with the most inspiring, beautifully curated vignettes. Antique and reproduction pieces coexist beautifully at Perch, just as industrial bar carts are juxtaposed perfectly with glamorous chandeliers. You are likely to find anything you could possibly want here, from dinnerware to lighting and furniture. If you are planning a visit to New Orleans soon, Perch is a definite must!

Dolce & Gabbana on CCN

“CNN: Revealed” has profiled some of the top names from the fashion flock, such as Carine Roitfeld and Diane von Furstenberg, and now, they’re letting you into the wonderful world of Dolce & Gabbana.

The cameras follow designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana as they go through two seasons of menswear, as well as at their home in Portofino.

Watch them discuss their humble beginnings, what it’s like to work together since they’ve ended their romantic relationship, and their passion for clothes. It’s not to be missed.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Mad About Gadabout

The lovely Hanna Brooks Nation has created a company that exists solely to serve your pursuit for perfect paper goods.  She has dubbed this delightful business of hers Gadabout, which in short defines one whom aimlessly pursues pleasure in all aspects of life.  Focusing on the art of hand-drawn note cards that can be customized with a full name or monogram, elegant invitations, and even an iPhone app that can be used as virtual stationary she’s got all corners covered.  And if infatuation strikes, each design is also available as a print to glam up your walls.  It seems she has us signed, sealed and smitten.  Maybe we can snag her as our pen pal?

What: Hanna Brook Nations’ Gadabout Paper Goods

Visit: www.agadabout.com

Vena Cava for Bloomingdale’s Aqua

We already reported that Vena Cava, the contemporary line with a cult following, was launching a lower-priced T-shirt line called Viva Vena!, and just a couple months later, we hear they’re partnering with Bloomingdales for another diffusion line.

Designers Lisa Mayock and Sophie Buhai will be working under Aqua, the department store’s affordable in-house label directed towards juniors. The limited-edition collection they’ve created should be even more affordable than Viva Vena!, and with their popularity, we bet it sells out quickly.

Look for Vena Cava for Aqua at the end of August.