Octopus Summer

3.1 Phillip Lim Seasonal Sale

Nothing beats hearing that one of your favorite designers is selling their duds at up to 40% off.  Well good news 3.1 Phillip Lim lovers - the Spring 2010 collection is now on sale!  An assortment of womenswear, menswear and accessories will be discounted through July 4th.  How convenient, just in time to get a new outfit for the holiday.  Happy shopping!

Where:

3.1 Phillip Lim

115 Mercer Street

New York, NY

211-334-1160

When:

Sale running through July 4th

Store hours: Monday-Saturday, 11am-7pm

Sunday, 12-6pm

Jam with She and Him

Let’s face it, after seeing 500 Days of Summer, everyone pretty much fell in love with Zooey Deschanel (if they hadn’t already).  Her free-spririted nature and quirky style makes her one of the coolest girls we know.   So what’s better than watching Zooey D on the silver screen?  Seeing her in person, jamming with her indie pop band, She and Him.  How sweet that you can celebrate July 4th with Zooey on the beach at Governor’s Island?  Best of all, the concert is free.  See you there “In the Sun!”

When:

Sunday July 4th

Venue opens at 12pm, show starts at 4pm

Where:

The Beach at Governor’s Island

See ferry information here

Resort Roundup

Years ago, I was into Barbies (OK: decades ago). I loved, and still love, her “perfectly together” look. But, as it turns out, nobody dresses that way any more. Over the past few years, designers realized that very few of their clients actually vacation with a wardrobe of leisure. Accordingly, “cruise” collections became “resort” collections – with a more utilitarian approach.

Barbie Top Model Resort: Extinct?

Today’s resort collections are an extension of a design house’s last collection, or – at most – a preview of the next. The key word is “season-less”; fabrics will be non-committal, styles versatile.

Resort 2011, in light of the above, divided into two camps: traditional florals and paisleys (Chanel, Matthew Williamson), versus stark minimalism (Calvin Klein, Armani).

To please the crowds, a splashy dress is still available, and to wit: Matthew Williamson- a major prints person- stuck with his signature cropped jackets and short dresses, filled them with his iconic peacock feathers, and enjoyed the ensuing applause.

Beyond these, the must-have is dazzling eveningwear.  To this end, Monique L’Hullier presented one floaty gown after another, sure to make a year round goddess out of their wearer.

Look like a goddess in Monique L’Hullier Resort 2011

Similarly, Marchesa’s Resort 2011 collection was a tribute to over the top details– from beading to feathers – sure to make a woman feel as lush as she wishes to.

A look from Marchesa’s Resort 2011: fabulous is always in style

Oppositely, most indicative of the new spirit of Resort is the bold rise of minimalism as a strong trend, illustrated by the likes of Phoebe Philo at Celine, or Reed Krakoff.

Prominently bare-bones were the usual suspects. First: at Calvin Klein, where Francisco Costa presented an array of interchangeable knee length sheaths in an all cream palate.

A look like all the others at Calvin Klein: giving the people what they want

Next: at Giorgio Armani, who went all black and white with simple silk dresses and staple pantsuits. It was plain, simple, and good.

The most notable trend herewith is what I call “The Sixties Suit”, because it reminds me of the suits worn by Samantha (Elizabeth Montgomery’s character) in Bewitched. Incredibly flattering, this season one can go futuristic with this suit, opting for Nicolas Ghesquière’s at Balenciaga, or go classic with a twist – by choosing Versace’s yellow version.

Versace hits the Sixties Suit trend of the head

Barbie was not completely forgotten with this year’s Resort contributions. “Little Miss Matchy” collections abounded, featuring retro looks filled with bows, flowers and cinched waists. Marc Jacobs, like at his latest collection, kept the full skirts coming.

Marc Jacobs Resort Lolita for Louis Vuitton

Like Jacobs, Dolce & Gabbana returned to real women of their native Sicily with looks fit for Sophia Loren.

Dolce & Gabbana love women

More classically beach-oriented was Chanel’s extravaganza, shown (appropriately) in St Tropez, which included every possible splash of color in florals and geometric shapes. The crowd, filled with modern day divas such as Vanessa Paradis and Diane Kruger, ate it all up.

Chanel: Keeping Resort Barbie alive

Very Terry: Best Beach Towels

It’s hot and everyone is planning their escape to the beach. Bikini, sunglasses, sun-hat, sandals and caftan cover-up are all packed and ready to flaunt on the Hamptons’ shores…but…what about your beach towel?  The background for your tanned silhouette should be as stylish as the rest of your sea shore couture.  PinkMemo has picked out a selection of terrycloth treasures guaranteed to put the beach club’s standard whites to shame and make monogramming seem so passe.  From Marc Jacobs’ playful illustration to Milly’s beach pillow attachment (how cute!) to Emilio Pucci’s gorgeous classic print, we’re not sure if you’ll want to get these beauties sandy.

Marc by Marc Jacobs

Chanel

Hermes

Milly

Diane Von Furstenberg

Missoni

Pucci

Hot Paris Prices Cool Down During Les Soldes

Hoping to come home from Paris with a Chanel maillot or nude Christian Louboutin slingbacks purchased on sale? It’s time to book your ticket! June 30 marks the start of the summer soldes season. By French law, sales may only occur twice a year during the period known as “les soldes”—occurring during the summer and around the winter holidays.

During these times, the ordinarily calm and collected Parisian fashionista will find herself caught up in a frenzied game requiring strategy and endurance. Many prepare for the sales days in advance, scouting stores, prioritizing items, and trying on clothes to determine the perfect size. On the day the sales begin, the most dedicated bargain hunters take a vacation day from work in order to maximize shopping time.

The summer soldes will officially end on August 3, with discounts growing larger as they continue. As time runs out, expect to see designer items for as much as 80% off though the selection will be picked over. For shoppers with something specific in mind, better to arrive as the floodgates open. To browse many brands at once, head to department stores such as Le Bon Marche and Galeries Lafayette or to boutiques like Colette and L’Eclaireur.

Can’t make it to the fashion capital? Search for stores and designers offering online soldes through their website. In addition to great fashion finds, you’ll be able to find deals on beauty products, art, books, home accessories, music, and more.

Bonne chance!

Photos courtesy of the Paris Tourism Office

An Alluring Elixir from Nina Ricci

This month, Nina Ricci announced its next perfume—Nina l’Elixir. Perfect for summer, the fragrance will feature apple, jasmine, and red fruits. These gourmande essences will be complemented by Calabrian lemon, Caipirinha lime, cedar, cotton, musk, and amber. Perfect for summer, the scent embodies intensity, warmth, delectability, and vivacity.

The bottle, in the shape of an apple and outlined by gold leaf, evokes a delicious temptation from the Garden of Eden or a magical apple from a fairy tale. The ad campaign will feature Florrie, an up-and-coming 21-year-old musician from London. Complementing the spirit of the fragrance, her music is warm, joyful, and mischievous.

The fragrance will be available from August 16, 2010 at Nina Ricci Parfums.

Versace Shopping Spree Giveaway

Not that we need another excuse to go shopping, but Versace is giving us one…and it doesn’t cost a thing.  In celebration of their new Fall/Winter 2010 Collection Versace is giving away a $2,500 shopping spree.

One lucky winner will get to put her credit card aside and splurge on a fabulous collection that plays with texture and hues of cobalt blue, poppy, black and smatterings of chrome.  Enter here and leave the rest up to chance…or fate…?

Ferraris on Park Avenue

Traffic came to a standstill on Park Avenue and 55th Street as President and CEO of Ferrari North America Marco Mattiacci officially unveiled the Ferrari-only showroom and retail space. Joining him to cut the ribbon were Global Commercial Director Enrico Gaillera and Global Head of Licensing and Retail Max Ferrari.

Catch a glimpse of the star-studded frenzy here including a reverent Zach Braff confessing, “I was the kid with pictures of Ferraris on the walls of my bedroom. . .I love them. I love the design. . .I love the sound of them.”

Ruffian designers Claude Morais and Brian Volk joined The City’s Olivia Palermo and dashing Johanes Huebl to gawk at the Italian beauties while Gossip Girl’s hot dad Matthew Settle checked out his shades  in the side mirror.

Irish actress and model Kiera Chaplin (yes, Charlie Chaplin’s granddaughter, and great granddaughter to Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Eugene O’Neil) stopped the presses as she stepped out in a racy number. . .

. . . then went inside the 4,300 square foot combined showroom and retail space to enjoy cocktails and mingle with actress Byrdie Bell, ASmallWorld girls Serena Merriman and Sabine Heller, High Society’s Dabney Mercer, Bloomberg anchor Gigi Stone, and Fox News anchor Kimberly Guilfoyle. Gift bags included the uber sleek Droid phone (yes, really), Ferrari key chain, and gift certificates to the store.

Hot girls, hot cars. . . vive Italia! Welcome to Park Avenue, Ferrari.

Artbridge Deadline!

There are only five days left. For every undiscovered artist out there, this might be your big break. Founded in 2008 by artist and designer Rodney Durso, Artbridge seeks to “enhance the urban experience by transforming overhead construction scaffolding into temporary art installations – blank plywood panels are the perfect canvas for Public Art.” YOUR art. The sky is the limit as far as medium is concerned – painting, photography, digital art, collage – follow your whimsy. If chosen. . . your art will be reproduced on scaffolding and enlarged to 4 ft. high x 25 ft. wide. Hello, exposure?

Access submission form and information here. You may submit up to three entries ($25 for 1 submission, $40 for 2 submissions, $55 for 3 submissions) and if chosen not only will your work be enlarged and prominently displayed for up to a year, your bio, contact information and web page will be posted on the Artbridge website for the same period of time. The institution draws the attention of local, national, and international press. . . a veritable fast lane on the highway to discovery for a select lucky few. Why not you?

Charlie Bucket only bought one chocolate bar. . . never underestimate the power of a dream.