While fall is usually a time to bundle up and add some extra layers, who would have thought the hottest fall trends could be found in a church? According to Refinery 29, Nun style is popular on the runways. Designers like Yves Saint Laurent and Jeremy Scott are adopting religion-inspired wear in their collections. What do you think of these ultra-conservative looks?
-Caitlin
(picture via Refinery 29)
(picture via Refinery 29)
Retail specialist Elliott Dweck, fashion designer Kai D, and me after Kai D's lease signing.
While pop-up shops are all the rage all in Manhattan, Fashion designer Kai D moved against the grain, taking his pop-up at 75 Orchard Street to a more permanent deal. He signed a 13 month lease for a spot in one of the most popular blocks in the Lower East Side. Kai D used the pop-up to feel out the neighborhood and gain clientele before moving toward his goal to become a staple in the neighborhood.
A Fashion Institute of Technology grad, Kai D worked for big name designers like Liz Claiborne, Structure, and Nautica, before creating his own collection. He describes his work as having an “American sensibility, industrial and work wear inspired, but with a modern twist, perfect for creative professionals.” While the line appeals to a variety of people, most of his clients are creative types, photographers, painters, travel writers, and interior designers, but more importantly people who appreciate quality and attention to detail.
Besides the 75 Orchard Street location, Kai D can be found at Neiman Marcus and will soon be available at Camoflage in Chelsea, along with a dozen other stores around the country. While the brand is growing, Kai D wants to maintain his integrity and quality with his small boutique style. But already with a global mindset, Kai D is flying to Taiwan this week to meet with the country’s Editor and Chief of GQ, hoping to grow to other Asian and European nations.
“I don’t want to grow too fast,” Kai D said. “Looking at other designers, we are on the right track, taking small steps.” With a busy holiday season ahead, the shop plans to celebrate the recent lease signing with a fashion event and party. Stay tuned for more details, and visit the Kai D website to see his unique designs.
-Caitlin
Cancel any plans you have Thursday night, and attend one of the biggest charity fashion events of the year at 1Oak. “Paws for Autism,” a fashion show and celebrity auction kicks off at 8:30pm (doors open at 7pm) with tickets sold right at the door. New prizes are being accumulated every day, including dinners at top restaurants, sporting event tickets (The Yankees and Knicks!) and jewelry. Auction items range from a $1000 dollar Barney’s gift certificate, tickets to the Mercedes Fashion Show, and a two night stay at the Montage Hotel in your choice of Laguna Beach or LA.
Chelsea hotspot 1Oak is known for its celebrity clentele, including Yankees like Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter, who celebrated at the club after the World Series. The event will be complete with an open bars and hors doeurves, and each guest will recieve a gift bag filled with goodies like Ed Hardy hosiery and makeup samples.
Tickets are $60 each or $100 per couple, but make sure to bring extra cash or checks for tickets to win prizes! Proceeds will go to the Imagine Adacemy for Autism in Brooklyn, who is dedicated to help children with autism reach their fullest potential, while improving the quality of life of families. Take a look at their website for more information. Any money donated is tax deductible, which is another great reason to come! Can’t make it but still want to donate (and win prizes)? Call 917-837-4811 to buy $10 raffle tickets, or purchase your tickets in advance.
-Caitlin
Waiting in line with Peachy Deegan (far right) the Editor-In-Chief of WhomYouKnow.com
While waiting in line at the Thomas Pink/White Collar event, I met a fellow blogger who was as ambitious as I was about beating the crowds. At 8am we were ready to form a line for the 10am opening. Peachy Deegan, the Editor-In-Chief at WhomYouKnow.com, writes about fashion, movers and shakers, culture, business, restaurants, and gadgets in Manhattan. The site includes weekly columns, like the travel section “Take a Trip,” and ”Champagne Wishes,” an alcohol review.
Written in review style, WhomYouKnow has featured well-known brands like Clarins, Sephora, Tiffany’s, Nike, and BMW. While the brand extent is large, Peachy makes clear that she only writes about quality. “We do not feature anything that we don’t care for; we only write about what we like!” she said. And she likes us! WhomYouKnow featured Besen Retail last week in the article, “Remarkable Real Estate: Besen Retail.”
Besides spending time in her Thomas Pink shirt, Peachy has also had the honor of interviewing Anna Wintour and recently surpassed the site’s two thousandth post. Visit www.whomyouknow.com and become a subscriber because as Peachy says, “It’s not who you know that counts; it’s whom you know.”
-Caitlin
Fashion’s Night Out will be back in 2010, and it will be even bigger than the first. Today Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Vogue, the Council of Fashion Designers of America, and NYC & Co. came together to announce their plan for next year’s city-wide fashion extravaganza. For those of you who don’t remember, last month 700 retailers in the city remained open until 11pm, holding parties, celerbrity events, and designer appearances to boost the retail and fashion industries. A portion of proceeds was donated to the Sptember 11th Memorial and Museum.
WWD reported Mayor Bloomberg’s enthusiasm. He noted, “The numbers are in, and it’s clear that Fashion’s Night Out was a tremendous success. Thousands of New Yorkers attended the events in all five boroughs, supporting the city’s retail and fashion industries, and helping a worthwhile cause. It’s sure to be an even bigger event in 2010.”
While studies showed that foot traffic in stores was up by 50 percent, retailers are hoping that more people will come out to buy rather than party and get autographs. They are also pressing to have no sales tax on September 9th, the day of next year’s event. Take a look at my experience from Fashion’s Night Out here, complete with champagne, Bloomingdales, and new riding boots.
-Caitlin
New uniforms at Babycakes! Picture from Erin McKenna's blog
Our favorite NYC vegan bake shop has just gotten a little more cutting edge. Lower East Side boutique “In God We Trust” designed uniforms for the Babycakes employees, according to bakery owner Erin McKenna’s blog. Designer Shana Tabor spent hours on end trying to create the perfect matieral for comfortable baking and frosting. After careful revisions, the uniforms were finished, complete with cutesy bowties. Both Babycakes and In God We Trust are located near space for lease 75 Orchard Street.
-Caitlin
Gray is no longer drab and dreary, so take out your elephant-colored threads this Fall and Winter. The hottest color of the moment, appearing on runways and boutiques everywhere, gray is taking black’s spot as the basis of every wardrobe. Is your closet still filled with the brights and bolds from summer? No worries, I have picked out some pieces to add to your collection.
Wanting to add some spice to your look, but don’t know where to start? MJ Diehl and Roman Milisic (better known as the House of Diehl) will come to your rescue tonight. “The Glambulance with House of Diehl: Recycled Clothes, New Ideas” teaches participants how to look fabulous on a budget. The design duo appeared on Bravo’s Make Me a Supermodel, as well as created “Style Wars,” on tour in November.
The DIY fashion lesson will take place at 7:30 pm at 92YTribeca, at 200 Hudson Street, not far from space for lease 50 Hudson Street. For just $12, you get a ticket for some of the most inventive and valuable fashion lessons from expert stylists. Check out the video of House of Diehl’s NYC Style Wars below:
-Caitlin
Add a Western flair to your wardrobe at the Horse + Nail pop-up shop on Orchard Street in the Lower East Side (just a few blocks away from 75 Orchard Street). Attend the launch party tomorrow night for some drinks, dancing, music and one-of-a-kind custom-made handbags from 7pm-midnight.
Bags are handcrafted by designer and cowboys and indians enthusiast Lindsay Hufnagel. Her designs are printed skin satchels and hobos (that look like snake or croc) with Western details like whips of fringe and horse tacks. With Fall and Spring lines already in tow, a Horse + Nail bag is a must-have accessory.
For more details, visit Horse + Nail’s website.
-Caitlin
Agyness Deyn on her bike
Besen Retail Specialist Elliott Dweck can’t get enough of his favorite model, Agyness Deyn. Originally hailing from Manchester, she moved to the East Village at age 23, and has become an icon to the area due to her unique personal style. She recently sat down with NYCGO.com to discuss her favorite retail spots in NYC, as well as fall trends that she is following.
Agyness loves shopping in the city. She said that she appreciates the amount of boutiques and independently owned stores, as well as discovering new shops by just taking a walk. But walking isn’t her usual mode of transportation. What does she believe is New York’s best kept shopping secret? Landmark Vintage Bicycles. She claims owner Chung Pai, is a “bike genius,” as she recently got a custom bicycle made at the shop. The store also restores old bikes, and carries everything from Gazelles to Schwinns. Chung also brings his dog to work, adding to the character of the store. Landmark Vintage Bicycles is located in the East Village, not far from featured space 83 E. 7th Street.
Besides her vintage bike, Agyness can be caught this fall and winter sporting army boots, long johns, and American-Indian inspired knits and trousers. Most likely not all at the same time. Head down to the East Village today, and you may catch a glimpse of Agyness, and perhaps her blue merle Chihuahua, people-watching on her stoop!
-Caitlin
Blogging with Besen Retail- HAS MOVED
Comments