J-Crew Spring 2010 Reveal

J-crew's creative director Jenna Lyons debuted the company's 2010 spring line this week and although even thinking about sunshine and warmth is practically criminal this time of year, you're going to want to check these out. Start saving ladies!

A group shop of the J-Crew 2010 Spring/Resort Collection

On the left: That jacket is toooo diiie for, crazy cute and I'm very much enjoying those shoes. Is that a skirt or a dress under the jean jacket? Do I care? No. On the right: I love the layering of this look and the cotton with the crinkle silk skirt mixed with the structure of the blazer and the toughness of the leather is just a great combination of textures, which is great.

On the left: I like the styling of this look and the juxtaposition of the suede open jacket with a bikini bottom. On the right: Sequins and cotton never made more sense.

HELLLOO dress in the middle.

And we end with the only way to end: men coming in from behind. Thanks to fabsugar for the pictures!

Oh No You You Didaaantt: Bitchy Quotes

“The fact that thin is in — who cares? It's why I stopped eating. I think food is for fat people and poor people. Rich people don't eat. They get dressed up and go shopping.”—Stylist Robert Verdi 
Bitch Says: Robbie, being thin is half the battle, you need to be good looking as well and, your not.


"If you look on the Internet, it seems pretty obvious that a lot of people like to look at naked people fu.cking...I was on Perez Hilton all day." Zac Posen to NYMAG.com
Bitch Says: I agree with you.  Completely. Now give me a dress.

"No one wants to see curvy women.  You've got fat mothers with their bags of chips sitting in front of the television saying thin models are ugly.  Fashion is about dreams and illusions."- Karl Lagerfeld in response to German magazine Brigitte's decision to use real women instead of models in pages starting with the Jan.2 issue.
Bitch Says: I read this in Life and Style while I was on the treadmill tonight wishing I was sitting in front of the TV eating chips and watching ugly models.  Like, Karl, I get it that everyone thinks you are a "genius" and whatever, and I am not one to judge, but like I'm pretty sure that even if Lindsay Lohan was creative director of Chanel she couldn't really snort to shiz the famous CC name. Most of the women buying Chanel are bone-fide heffer housewives anyway, so real smart move pissing them all off.  The recession just lasted a little longer for you. 

Tory Burch Debuts New Eyewear Line

I was really excited to see Tory Burch come out with a new line of eyewear, because who doesn't dream of being smothered in nothing but Tory? The shades signify the company moving forward to join the ranks of companies like Ralph Lauren, Missoni and Calvin Klein; maybe one day we can wake up, put on our revas and come home and sleep in Tory sheets.

I like these Oversized Round Frames with Buckle Detail. Another plus, no sunglasses are over $195.

Hermès To Open New Men's Boutique On Madision

Today for work I discussed the new Hermes Store opening on Madision Ave:

The Wall Street Journal reported in August that the brand synonymous with unadulterated luxury, Hermes, reported a 7% net loss in the first half of the year’s fiscal quarter, however plans to continue renovations and new store openings are still a go. While walking past the NYC Flagship Store on Madison this weekend, I had to snap a picture of this creative scaffolding hiding the new Men’s store; the launch date still pending.

In Greek mythology, Hermes was the messenger of the God’s and the guide to the underworld. In fashion, Hermès is the standard by which all other luxury houses take their cue. When founded in 1837 by Thierry Hermès in Paris the company outfitted the world’s gentry with the finest saddles.

Drawing from the company’s reputation with leatherwork, Hermès introduced their leather golf jacket in 1918 and later in the 20’s branched off into bags, made famous by starlets like Grace Kelly in 1935 (the Kelly bag). Also in the thirties the company introduced it’s beautiful silk scarves, which now characterize the name Hermès.

When people buy Hermès they buy a sense of timeless luxury and wearable art. A lot interioristas can’t stand to keep their scarves locked away in a drawer and have come up with creative ways to display their Hermès art. A major trend in home décor is to incorporate your Hermès scarves along with boxes and even bags in your home. Moodboard interviewed and photographed the home of Herve Pierre, creative director of Bill Blass to show how seamlessly fashion and interior design can be fused together. Notice how Pierre used an Hermès bag to create a lampshade; it is a very modern lamp, but with the classic Hermès logo it looks timeless.

This is a foyer from Coco+Kelly

Inspired by Hermès and the looks we saw, I pulled some pieces from to show how easy it is to snag the look for yourself.

Hermes Inspired by gkatz on Polyvore.com

Items in this set:
Designer Mr. Baxter Loveseat- Available in Custom Fabric Options!, $2,800
Designer Square Templeton Club Chair- Available in Many Fabric Options!, $1,595
Cream and Brown Handspun Zebra Bench, $1,270
2-Tier Square Table - Silver Leaf with Brown Glass, $600
Tray & Luggage Bench with Legs - Available in Four Finish Colors!, $575

Gossip Girl On Tonight!

I was really excited for this week's Gossip Girl until I remembered that Chuck and Blair are fighting and therefore most likely not going to make out, which really takes a lot out of it for me... just no more men, please. It looks like Dan is being a giant vagina about his movie star gf played by Hillary Duff doing a love scene and Blair is busy being bitter. The silver lining of this whine fest: the Halloween costumes are sure to give lots of inspiration for Saturday. Click here to see the preview.

A Bitch to Behold Ivanka Trump Gets Married

I respect the f out of Ivanka Trump: she is an heiress who could easily be flashing her vajayjay to the paparazzi and putting drugs up her nose, but instead she makes moves working for her dad in a job she had to pay her dues to get and is developing her name into a brand. I mean, yes, she grew up the daughter of one of the wealthiest men in America as her father, but she also had to grow up with the name Ivanka and that sucks. Here are some pictures from her nuptials to Jared Kushner at The Trump National Golf course. Love that dress!


Photo courtesy of Brian Marcus/Fred Marcus Photography via Getty Images

New Moon Soundtrack Now Available On Itunes!

I downloaded the New Moon soundtrack earlier this week from I-tunes.... I mean it's perfect, well almost perfect. I was listening to it when I got off the subway today, shleping a million a five different things and then some classical nonsense came on and I was all like, fine Edward maybe I'll do unmentionable things to you while listening to this, but NOT NOW. Some stand outs are, "A White Demon Love Song" recored by The Killers exclusively for the soundtrack, "Possibility" by Lykke Li, "Shooting The Moon" by Ok Go and "Friends" by Band Of Skulls, because my friends, they are, so beautiful. It's crazy good, get on board and start your countdown for November 20th!

Olsen Twins To Do A Line For JcPenny

I know next to nothing about this but a few of my trusty sources including NYMag.com are whispering about a junior line called olsenboye for the affordable department store. I feel like this is collaboration week or something, keep 'em coming and why everyone is at it can we get a DVF for kohls (Lauren Conrad's was a sleeper) a Milly for target, a Chloe for Gap?! Mille Grazie.

Weezy F Inmate

When you make the album cover of your "prom queen" single you smoking a joint it is only a matter of time till you are going to land yourself behind bars. Jack McCoy gave Lil Wayne a one year prison sentence plea bargain after DNA testing linked the rapper to an illegal handgun found on his tour bus. SHOCKINGG. For everyone that isn't Lil' Wayne, normal sentencing for an illegal hand gun is 3 1/2 years. I can't wait for the Law and Order on this one.

New Designer Collaborations for Target and H&M

No matter how tough finances are, there is always room for affordable designer collaborations in the fashion world. WWD has just announced that famed french designer Jean Paul Gaultier will be doing a line for Target, available online and in stores April 11th. This comes on the heels of Anna Sui's Gossip Girl inspired line for Target, which I love and got this great gray tweed dress from. Here is my friend Sarah wearing it over our Alumni weekend. I like that she put her hair up so you could see the open back and kept it simple with black Jacks. I wore it to my friend's birthday party downtown with black tights and leather booties.

I will be outside H&M's Rockafeller center store on November 14th to snag some of these Jimmy Choo products.

This blazer for men looks really sharp and well made. The leather jacket is pretty nice too, a little metro for the man in my life, but I can see some fabulous man pulling it off.

Faux fur is so in for this season and this one looks GREAT. I have a long one from J. Mac in brown but...
Love it.
This would make a pair of black skinny jeans looks special. I would even put a black boyfriend blazer with it, flats and a beanie and you could pull it off for a day-night look.

I am in love with these two suede dresses. The one above wants a thick black bib necklace, maybe even some cute pink tights and booties to make this an out of the world look. The blue dress is just fantastic, I just hope I can afford all this nonsense.
This dress is reminescent of Penelope Cruz in Blow. It would make a great New Years Eve numba.
Some looks from the Jimmy Choo for H&M Collection.


I'm not into this fringe thing, but the over the knee heeled boots are a hole other story. Below I love the open toed, open heeled gray booties and zebra studded flats.

I feel like those black studded flats are going to be the first thing to go. I hope they are comfy, the booties I have from H&M are about to get tossed I can't even explain the amount of pain my feet are still in from wearing them last night and this weekend.

Needless to say I am really excited for this new collection. I love H&M and of course Jimmy Choo and like to see that the fun, high fashion house has not lost it's edge, even if it lost some zeros.

PS Just saw a few prices and there doesn't seem to be much for under $100, but still!

Jack Rogers Launches Website

I mean, there really isn't too much to say about Jack Rogers; they are a staple to every summer closet and now, they are offering new exclusives through their brand new authorized website.

The verdict is still out for me on these flats, they certainly are a far cry from the day's where Jackie-O made them famous stepping out from church in the 60's.

I like the website, my one quam is where the mother are my red patent navajos I've been looking for everywhere?!

Last Night I Met Grace COddington in the Lou

Last night, for work, I attended a conversation with Grace Coddington, creative director at Vogue, at The New York Public Library. This is the post I wrote for work:

Coddington joined the New York Public Library Conservators, among which Melissa is counted, for an intimate conversation on her life in fashion, facilitated by former Editor-in-Chief Jay Fielden. I joined the other hundred plus stylish attendees at the South Court Auditorium for cocktails followed by a personal interview with the once Vogue model who has been one of the pivotal forces behind art and fashion as we know it.Before the summer debut of the Vogue documentary, The September Issue, people knew who Coddington was, but not exactly what Coddington does and after last night it is quite clear that who Coddington is, is what she does. Grace did not initially want to be in RJ Cutler’s fashion documentary, just as she did not particularly want to participate in last night’s event and it is not for a lack of interest or elitism, its because unlike most in the fashion world, she does not seek the spotlight. I had the serendipitous fortune to meet Ms. Coddington privately, thanks to a not so glamorous moment on my part. I told her I was excited to hear her talk and she smiled timidly at me, patted me on the shoulder and said, “dear you might just have heard the best of it.” I hadn’t.

Outside the world Famous New York Public Library. The NYPL Conservators strive to keep its 50 million items free to the public.
The beautiful hall in the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
The Crowd outside the auditorium.
The famous caricature of Coddington

Fielden began his questioning saying, “Like all things with Grace, let’s begin with a fairytale…” which instantly prepared the tweed clad Conservators and silk strewn Vogue staffers for our grown up bedtime story. Coddington grew up in the remote Welsh island of Anglesey in 1941 (the playful grimace from Grace did not go unnoticed as the announcer read the date) where she would wait months to devour her out of date issues of Vogue.
Jay Fielden and Grace Coddington
Below: Grace as a model, the Vidal Sassoon cut is on the right
Her modeling career began at eighteen when she won British Vogue’s young model competition and moved to London to become apart of the groundbreaking British fashion movement in the sixties. Self described as “not a classic beauty” she did face some difficulty booking jobs but found herself often at the right place at the right time, like when she met Vidal Sassoon who told her “you have fabulous hair, let me cut it all off.” It was amazing to see Coddington, who is synonymous with her thick bright red locks, underneath Sassoon’s architectural bob and marvel at the difference.

Coddington’s modeling was cut short by devastating car crash that took her five surgeries to recover from. “[You] gotta pick yourself up and make the most of it,” Grace said to the audience, and indeed she did. Drawing on her relationships with the top photographers of the time she was able to land a job at British Vogue until 1987 when she moved to New York to become Director at Calvin Klein and then a year later joined American Vogue the same day as its now Editor-in-Chef Anna Wintour. When asked last night to elaborate on her impact on Vogue, Coddington said in her characteristic wit and humor, "It's not always me. Usually Anna has all the ideas. I just interpret them and change them." The dynamic between Grace Coddington and Anna Wintour has been the source for much speculation in the media and was a major sub plot in The September Issue. Some say that Coddington “stole the movie” from Wintour, others that she came out as the protagonist and Wintour, unable to shed her “Ice Queen persona.” Having seen the film, it was quite obvious that the two don't function without the other and their working relationship is not for the outside world to understand, but rather appreciate the beauty that comes from their efforts.

Fielden guided Grace through a pictorial of her favorite shoots and again touched upon the idea that when talking about Grace’s work you must also talk about the whimsical reversion to a childlike ideal of life she has. “I can’t take credit for this word,” Fielden said trying to sum up Coddington, “but, Romantic would be it.” She nodded gently, knowing that would be the word he chose, just as many before him have and many after will. Grace’s ideas come from the real world, which most may not always find to be romantic, but then again most are not Grace Coddington. She sees the beauty in the ugly and the right in the wrong and above all the humor in it all, which is why her shoots make us laugh, or smile, or dare I say, think.

When it was time for audience questions, one woman asked about the controversy with model’s weight, in specific reference to the Ralph Lauren model who was fired for being too “fat.”Coddington said, “…And you go to meetings to discuss it, and you think it's kind of futile, because it's such a big thing, and in the end, people are always asking for more and they're always asking for thinner."

I unknowingly asked the one question that Fielden was not allowed to, which was whether or not she felt that our Celebrity obsessed culture was good or not for fashion. Shoe designer Manolo Blahnik got a lot of press about his comment: "I hate celebrities. All those pointless girls — I won't name names, but you know who I mean. They are 'famous.' Ridiculous. I like women with style: Actresses like Uma Thurman, icons like Audrey Hepburn. I like women with style to wear my shoes." She ‘gracefully’ answered that she was simply “more comfortable working with models, but actresses are “not all together bad…”

After my evening with Grace Coddington it became clear to me that she is the grit that produces the glamour and powers towards innovation while never forgetting the past. Grace gives valuable lessons to all of us: always keep your dreams close to your heart, always keep your eyes open and never lose yourself.