Holy Crap!

Everyone knows that the economy is tanking and things are heading towards the bottom. Frankly the sooner we hit it the better because then there is no where to go but up. I try not to focus on the failing state of things but this article I came across in New York Magazine made me stop for a minute. If the super rich can't afford to buy clothes what are the rest of us going to do?

Barney's Spring Orders Halted

Barneys is still having financial troubles. In other news, the sky is blue. The tanking luxury market hasn't been kind to Barneys, and its owner, Dubai-based Istithmar, has reportedly been secretly trying to sell the retailer for the past month. Istithmar hasn't had any luck finding a buyer, since everyone's broke right now (grass is green, blah blah). The chain has been without a CEO since Howard Socol left in July. With things so unstable, some factors have stopped approving spring orders, WWD reports. Such factors haven't commented, but sources close to the situation said the move is only a temporary solution until they know what the hell is going on with Barneys, namely how much support Istithmar will provide.

One source told WWD that Barneys probably isn't seriously for sale, because selling something like Barneys in the downturn would just be silly. The source noted that if someone were willing to pay a billion dollars — which they'd have to seriously be on something to do, since it's now worth less than half of the $900 million Istithmar paid for it — Istithmar would likely gladly unload the chain.

Financial messiness aside, Barneys appears up to speed on its bills. The president of Versace U.S. and many smaller labels said Barneys was paying on time, although one said payment was slower than usual. The factors in question should have the answers they seek by the beginning of next month so Barneys can continue buying spring clothes to sell to people who still have money. All four of you.

To Buy or Not To Buy?

trench /trɛntʃ
–noun
1. Fortification. a long, narrow excavation in the ground, the earth from which is thrown up in front to serve as a shelter from enemy fire or attack.
2. a deep furrow, ditch, or cut.
3. Oceanography. a long, steep-sided, narrow depression in the ocean floor.

4. Fashion. a fabulous and classic coat

Within the past few years I have fallen in love with trench coats for a great in between seasons outerwear choice. Classic and universally flattering! I own two trenches already (black and classic khaki) but, they are both big on me since I lost weight I have been toying with the idea of buying a new one. I have controlled myself while searching for the perfect one. Not to mention the fact that the two I already have fit me well enough when I tie them. But, I found this today.

I absolutely love the color. There was a gray trench at NY&Co. that I had tried on but it had the worst pockets. This new one is not an exact trench because it doesn't have the same length but it's still a cute alternative for an amazing price. It more resembles the safari jackets that were super popular last year. I'm ready to go on the hunt for this one because I hate the idea of buying it without trying it on. What a dilemma! If I make it to the mall I will definatley keep my eye out and it's meant to be it will if not there is a better coat waiting for me somewhere...

Whose The Fairest of Them All?

It's this time of year that has me yearning for earlier days when I had more friends with fashion connections and I would find myself sitting in the tents at Bryant Park... those were good times. Unfortunately for me, those times have passed and now all I can do is read about collections reported on by those people whose seats I had probably stolen in the past, sorry. I'm not going to get into the fabulosity of it all but I will share with you this tidbit from The New York Times that but a smile on my face. Everyone could use that...

To the canon of legendary fashion feuds, as in Chanel versus Schiaparelli, Geoffrey Beene versus John Fairchild, and Giorgio Armani versus just about everyone, comes one this season that seems especially childish.

Hello Kitty is taking on Barbie for the title of most fashionable plaything.

There is not a designer worth his polyester who hasn’t spent a little too much time obsessing over dolls, so it is perhaps less surprising than tasteless to find fashion folk falling all over themselves to dress Barbie and Ms. Kitty for Fashion Week events. Barbie, who turns 50 next month, is having a runway show on Feb. 14 in Bryant Park, with Barbie-inspired clothes by one group of designers. Hello Kitty was set to show off looks by another group at a party Thursday night given by MAC, which has also created a new Hello Kitty cosmetics collection. Marketing ploys, indeed, but they do raise the question: Who’s the bigger fashionista?

Let’s put it this way: Barbie is to Cindy Crawford what Hello Kitty is to Naomi Campbell. One is the conscientious workhorse of her oeuvre, with a heart of gold (or plastic) and an improbably perfect body; the other is more difficult to read, with a sinister streak lurking behind that sweet, beautiful facade.

“I love that there is an innocence about Hello Kitty, but she’s also sexy,” said Esteban Cortazar, the Ungaro designer, who was taken by her cockeyed red bow. (He is among the 30 designers who have made Hello Kitty dresses, which will be auctioned on eBay next week to benefit the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology.)

Of course, Barbie is the bigger diva. Mattel estimates that more than a billion fashion items have been created for her clique, and her show will include looks from 50 designers. But as Hello Kitty, who is 34, would say if she had a mouth, Barbie is a lot older.

“They’re both pretty relevant in terms of their fashion,” said David Blond, a designer of the cult label The Blonds. “Hello Kitty is edgier, and Barbie is more sophisticated.”
Then again, Mr. Blond is working both sides of the playpen, having designed outfits for both events. At least Mr. Cortazar was willing to take a side when he was asked which he would prefer to have at his own show.

“I would go with Hello Kitty,” he said. “There are enough girls coming to the show who look like Barbies already.”

M-e-o-w.