John Bartlett: Shop and Adopt

Hit the West Village this Saturday to meet your new best friend.  The North Shore Animal League America has teamed up with menswear designer, the lovable John Bartlett, to host a doggy adoption event at Bartlett’s store from 12-5pm on Saturday.  What better way to spend one of the dog days of summer?

John Bartlett and Friends

When: Saturday, July 31st, 12-5pm

Where: John Bartlett Store, 143 Seventh Avenue South @ Charles Street, New York

For More Information: 212.633.6667

VIVRE’S EVA JEANBART-LORENZOTTI ON: TRAVEL TIPS

Traveling is my passion! Exploring new places, experiencing different cultures, and unearthing local treasures are what excite me. Whether I’m in Tulum or Paris, I’m constantly inspired by the places I visit and the people I meet. I love to discover the unknown.

The point of a getaway for me, whether for business or pleasure—and I often mix the two—is to free your mind and allow the unexpected! I try not to complicate my travels by taking too many things, especially if I’m just off for a few days. And since there’s always something to discover and collect everywhere you go, I pack only the essentials, leaving room in my bag to carry home my finds.

For a long weekend away, I pack my favorite pieces that I know work, that can be mixed and matched, and that fold easily without wrinkling. My trick: wrap everything with tissue paper! I keep the color palette simple—neutrals and a few prints—and in the summer, I pack white jeans or pants because they go with everything, day and night. I also bring a light wrap to wear on the plane and to warm myself up if the weather changes. And I like to throw in an extra going-out-outfit too, just in case I’m invited to an unexpected event—not having the right clothes is never an excuse to miss out on a good time!

Packing a few pieces of bold jewelry is key. A bubble ring, cuffs, and a statement necklace, like our Gilded Coral Necklace, add pop. You can throw them on with anything and they instantly dress up an outfit. The summer is also perfect for wearing a bold watch—from the beach to a night out. And I always love to buy something, like beaded bracelets for stacking, from local markets or stores to accessorize. It makes me feel like I’m really there—even when I’m not.

Handbags and shoes! They’re easy to over-pack, and they take up a lot of room. So, I bring bags that multitask and pack flat. Our Allegra Totes and Croc Stamped Envelope Clutches are my absolute go-to pieces. For shoes, I’ve narrowed it down to a pair of heels, a pair of fun jeweled sandals, and a pair of comfortable travel shoes, like snakeskin ballet flats. Let’s face it, that’s really all you need.

And don’t forget your camera! I always carry mine in my bag.

Now—go away!

Tel-Aviv Train Station Complex now Offers Fashionable Experience

The newly renovated Train Station Complex (Mitcham Ha’Tachana) in Tel-Aviv threw a launch party this week to celebrate the opening of a number of clothing, jewelry and accessory boutiques. Attendees enjoyed champagne, cupcakes and an early look at the newest additions to the complex: stores by favorite Israeli designers such as Ronen Chen, Yosef and Ido Rekanati.

The Train Station Complex by night

Some of the brands found at the complex are not available anywhere else in Israel, such as popular-quirky shoe label Irregular Choice, sold exclusively at Shufra Behonot, a perky, colorful shop.

Shufra Behonot – shoe boutique at the Train Station Complex

The boutiques are a great addition to the restaurants and art gallery already in place, drawing crowds in their own right.

In its current form, the Train Station Complex offers visitors a great fashionable, cultural and culinary experience, whilst overlooking the Tel Aviv beach and enjoying the summer weather. No wonder it’s slated to become the number one tourist attraction in the city by the end of the season!

Super Saturday 13: The Rolls Royce of Garage Sales

Super Saturday 13 arrives in the Hamptons this weekend (check out SCOOP) bringing discounted designer wares, celebrities galore, and a fun-filled, day-long event for the entire family.

Hosted by Kelly Ripa, Donna Karan and Ashley Greene and benefitting the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF), this bazaar is not even close to your average tag sale and has, in fact, been called “The Rolls Royce of Garage Sales” promising designer duds by Donna Karan, Theory, Carolina Hererra, Calvin Klein, Catherine Malandrino, Charlotte Ronson, DVF, Giorgio Armani and Ralph Lauren.  There will also be a “Designers A-Zoe” booth (hosted by guess who?) featuring luxe good from the likes of Chloe, Derek Lam, Judith Leiber, Kara Ross, Oscar De La Renta and Stella McCartney. A kids carnival and a Nintendo men’s lounge prove that there’s something to make everyone happy.  Be sure not to miss this awesome event, support an even more amazing cause and do some celebrity elbow rubbing on the side.

When: Saturday, July 31st, 1-6pm, Special VIP check-in and preview @ 12pm

Where: Nova’s Ark Project, 60 Millstone Road, Watermill, NY

For Tickets:  Contact London Misher PR @ 212.759.2800 or Click Here

William Rast Partners With Target

Target’s next designer partnership is none other than William Rast, the premium denim line founded by Justin Timberlake and Trace Ayala.

The affordable, limited-edition collection of denim, outerwear and sportswear, which will hit stores December 19^th, will be available for both men and women, as opposed to the strictly female designers Target usually collaborates with.

Previous designers to launch a line with the mega-store include McQ by Alexander McQueen, Jean Paul Gaultier, Zac Posen and Rodarte – William Rast is one of the few celebrity run lines that has been continuously successful, so we have faith it will be able to stand up to the test.

The Carré You Covet: Silk Staples from Hermès

How many ways can you wear your carré? With their silk scarves known as chic staples, Hermès recently announced their “J’aime mon carré” (“I love my scarf”) campaign.  Just launched, the campaign’s website features a “fanzine” with images taken by daring UK fashion photographer Matt Irwin.  It tracks four girls who travel to New York, London, Paris, and Tokyo.  Try to keep count of the seemingly-infinite ways the scarves are styled—and get tips on how to knot and wear your carré—as you watch their voyage d’Hermès.

Above, view one of the beautiful images taken by Matt Irwin for the New York leg of the J’aime mon carré trip around the globe.  Click around the website to see the girls fashion their scarves into braided headbands, neckties, wraps, slings, belts, blouses, sarongs, and more.

In honor of the campaign, Hermès is creating a special capsule collection for iconic Parisian concept boutique Colette.  They’re producing 4 limited-edition styles (that come in a special-edition orange box) on sale from September 27 to October 16.

This design, a graphic interpretation of the classic Brides de gala scarf, is one of 4 special-edition prints available this fall only at Colette

True to the brand’s global reach, J’aime mon carré events to celebrate the iconic scarves will be taking place all over the globe.  In New York, attend one at Bergdorf Goodman on August 18.  Celebrating the product’s signature bold prints and a timeless appeal, the event should knot be missed.

What: Limited-edition silk scarves available at Colette

Where: 213 rue Saint-Honoré, Paris

When: September 27 – October 16, 2010

What: J’aime mon carré event at Bergdorf Goodman

Where: 5th Avenue at 58th Street, New York

When: August 18, 2010

UES Pre-Sale at Saks

Manhattan based shoe designer Seth Campbell of Upper Echelon Shoes (UES), in an effort to re-define casual footwear, has collaborated with Steve Madden on luxury sneakers after a year-long hiatus.

He’s caught the attention of celebrities who epitomize the casual punk vibe, such as Madonna, Gwen Stefani and Drew Barrymore, and now you can get your hands (or feet) on the fashionable footwear at Saks.com’s exclusive pre-sale, which launched yesterday.

The pre-sale features only the black leather Nise sneaker with chain-link laces ($235), but as of August 2^nd, the rest of the fall 2010 collection will be available in all it’s studded and fur-lined glory. Now this is what we call ’shoewelry’.

New York’s Lanvin Flagship Store Finally Opens

“The only thing I would love to do is help… women look beautiful,” Alber Elbaz has said. And now, he will be doing exactly that for stylish New Yorkers by way of Lanvin’s debut stateside flagship at 815 Madison Avenue.

Why did it so long for Lanvin to come the city? Well as Elbaz told Women’s Wear Daily, “I don’t want to be like a hip, cool company,” he said. “I’d rather be relevant than cool.”

Good news, NYC – we’re officially “relevant”!  (just teasing, Alber)

After four years of planning, Lanvin’s epic epicenter is a 3,550 square foot space that occupies three floors of a spectacular five-story townhouse.

The store does not resemble the Paris or Tokyo flagships. Instead, it is a tangible tribute to the best years in Jean-Marie Lanvin’s career—showcasing a 1920’s style and atmosphere brought to life with dozens of vintage portraits of the legendary Madame Lanvin.  The romantic theme continues: in the store windows there are white faced Schläppi mannequins with red bow lips holding birdcages.  The floors are crafted from pristine marble, accented by Art Deco and Art Nouveau chandeliers above. To commemorate 120 years of business for Lanvin, limited edition, painted t shirts and decorated tote bags and accessories will be available for those wanting to join the celebration.

Women can buy footwear, jewelry, bags and designer clothing at Lanvin. One-stop shopping, if you ask PinkMemo.  Elbaz agrees. “My dream when I started at Lanvin was to create this kind of luxury supermarket,” he says. “It would have everything you needed — t-shirts, bridal dresses, jeans, handbags, jewelry and shoes. I really believe the whole concept of going to a store when you need something. Women have enough. What I have to do is make their life easy. The product is all about dreams. In the store, everything is very clear.”

Though Lanvin will continue to be sold at Bergdorf Goodman and Barneys, the Lanvin flagship hopes to complement their sales. Be ready to shop in the luxurious Lanvin flagship because as Elbaz says, “So many women in America are wearing Lanvin. We have a beautiful following of women, famous and not famous.”

Though what Elbaz might not realize is that he makes us all feel just a little bit famous the moment we slip on something decorated with a Lanvin label.

Sport Stella McCartney: New Lifestyle Collections with an Olympic Spin

If anyone can make sportswear stylish, it’s Stella McCartney. The British Olympic athletes are sure to look cool at the 2012 Summer Olympics with Stella as the creative director of their uniforms. If any designer can take on this challenge and create clothes that combine fashion and function, it’s her. Besides being the most popular eco-friendly designer, she has outfitted tennis stars like Caroline Wozniacki, designed a successful sports line with Adidas and is a British beauty who can represent her country. Adidas reports that it’s the first time a fashion designer has been involved in producing the entire look of the national team. Stella couldn’t be more excited about this “once in a lifetime opportunity,” she says.

But the Olympians aren’t the only ones who will be wearing a winning wardrobe. As part of Stella McCartney’s new partnership with Adidas, she will be creating four lifestyle collections over the next two years “inspired by Team GB.” The first of the corresponding collections will hit Adidas stores in the UK this September. Although designs have yet to be released, expect to see some saavy looks made from eco-friendly fabrics. If her past collaborations are any indication, we’ll be in for some stellar styles. She’s proved to be a pro when it comes to creating yoga pants, glow in the dark apparel and even slingback shoes with Adidas, so we can’t wait to see what she’ll do this time.

The lifestyle clothing is aimed at non-athletes and fans but will have a sporty spin. It won’t include workout wear, but we imagine casual clothes that are comfortable and chic. The final collection will be the uniforms themselves, pieces for athletes to wear around the Olympic Village and the related retail products for attendees to purchase at the games. From tracksuits to t-shirts and hats to hoodies, we’re sure to be fans of her designs!

A Deeper Look at Superficiality: It Bags

A number of bags achieve “it” status in any given season. These days, it’s hard to miss future-classic handbags such as the Lanvin “Happy” bag, seen on countless stylish women like Sarah Jessica Parker, Reese Witherspoon and Katie Holmes.

Three fashionistas, one “it bag” – the Lanvin “Happy” bag

However, what makes a bag an It Bag?  Is it the design? The craftsmanship? The label? The woman wearing it?

Once a bag has been dubbed an “it bag” by enough fashion editors, celebrities and connoisseurs, there’s a good chance it’ll go on to be featured in fashion spreads, department store windows and the wrists of socialites before inevitably selling out. Handbag prices have risen by nearly 50% since 2000, and have showed no signs of slowing down, even in light of the global recession.

Left to right: Chanel 2.55 and Hermes Birkin

Interestingly enough, two handbags are normally regarded as the pioneer “it bags” -  the Chanel 2.55 purse, around since the 1950’s, and the Hermes Birkin bag, launched in 1984. Both bags are regarded as timeless classics, but have little in common besides being instantly recognizable – possibly the most important step to obtaining It status.

To examine “it bag” culture, it’s important to understand who benefits from it.  Fashion houses want to produce “it bags” to solidify their brand, increase market share and, naturally, profit. However, “it bags” aren’t normally mass produced, therefore begging the question – if they’re so profitable, why aren’t fashion houses churning these out like there’s no tomorrow?

Cue PR persons, who understand that if a bag is everywhere, there’s no fun in having it at home, too. Maintaining a brand luxurious means consumers have to invest, both financially and time-wise (think waiting-lists!) in order to obtain an “it bag”.

Celebrities are known to increase the pace at which bags rise to “it” status, but  fashion directors, stylists and models are even more important trend leaders. Think about it: who made you covet the Mulberry “Bayswater” bag – the stars of Gossip Girl, or Kate Moss?

Left to right: Leighton Meester and Blake Lively sporting their Mulberry Bayswater bags

Kate Moss and her collection of Mulberry Bayswaters

In his 2006 article, “Why Should a Dress Cost More than a Car?”, Josh Patner contests the seldom-contested prices of “it bags”, and claims the idea behind charging upwards of $2000, and sometimes much more, for a handbag is simple: designers know that some will pay anything to get their hands on something ‘exclusive’. Essentially, Patner claims, there is no relation between the cost of production and the eventual consumer price.

Why, then, do we fall for– and sometimes buy– “it bags”? Oh well, not everything has to make perfect sense.