Bendel's Bind

Noteworthy News

In a shocking recent announcement, Henri Bendel revealed that the esteemed and established retailer is going to cease selling clothing. The startling change (a reaction to the trying economic times) will take effect this summer, leaving the Bendel's stores to focus solely on beauty products and accessories.

Now, you may be thinking, “No clothes? Bendel’s isn’t ‘Bendel’s’ without clothes!” Well, my fashion-focused friends, you’re right. The Bendel’s that’s been making its way since 1895—the Bendel’s we’ve all come to know and love—is no more, both literally and figuratively speaking. Beginning with the elimination of one of its three floors in the historic Fifth Avenue flagship store, a multitude of changes and developments are to take place within the company, leaving the face of Bendel’s almost unrecognizable.

Additional alterations include a broadening of the Bendel’s brand, with a focus on beauty and gift items to be packaged in boxes, cartons, and bags bearing those iconic signature brown and white stripes. Stepping further away still from the “store of shops” concept of previous times, the department store is expanding with a series of accessories-only stores, which will pop up in malls across America this year.

Bendel’s?? In malls??!! We’re certainly not in New York anymore, Toto.

H&M Makes Williamson’s Jewels Affordable

Frugal Fashion

In the latest high-fashion-meets-affordability collaboration, Matthew Williamson joins the ranks with one of the most spot-on lines I’ve seen in a while. Although the more reasonably priced products are always on trend, more often than not, there is a visible difference between a designer’s high-end collection and low-end counterpart. The pieces Williamson produced for H&M, however, skimp neither on quality nor on runway authenticity. A major proponent of springtime jewel-tones, Williamson brings the same consciousness to H&M while the Swedish shop brings the price point down to a level most can handle. The collection will be available at select stores nationwide starting April 23 (at Atlanta’s Atlantic Station location on May 14).

Williamson Spring 2009 image courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

Hot Tranny Fierceness

Frugal Fashion

Beloved both for his designs, as well as for his unique, trademark terminology, Christian Siriano, winner of Project Runway Season 4, turned out a “fierce” collection for Fall Fashion Week 2009 at Bryant Park. Contrary to many designers, Siriano’s looks didn’t stop at the ankles; his fancy footwear was not only the hottest thing walking down the runway, it was also likely the most affordable. The hott (yes, with two “Ts”) heels were designed exclusively for Payless Shoesource and will debut in stores this fall.

Sheer Genius or Sheer Clear?

Fashion Week Follow-Up

The fall 2009 collections present lots of sheer in the form of lace, overlay, insets, accents and complete pieces. Sexy though it may be, it can quickly go too far, leaving the realm of what’s “ready to wear,” and entering the world of put-a-cami-on-under-there. Some designers hit the nail on the head, while others could have left a bit more to the imagination. Here are a variety of looks from some of the biggest proponents of the trend:

Note to wearers: While sheer may be all the rage, do not—I repeat, DO NOT—think you can kill two birds by wearing your teddy as a top. It may be sheer, but it still looks like lingerie.

Images courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

Topshop Update

Noteworthy News

Cue the music! Start the parade! Light the fireworks! The opening date has finally been announced and it’s gonna be good… At 11am on April 2nd, Topshop will open the doors of the new, U.S. location on Broadway and Broome Street in Soho, NY.

The celebration will be huge so you won’t want to miss it; stop by for complementary hair styling, makeovers and manicures while you jam to music spun by live DJs. Enter to win a trip to London, including airfare, hotel accommodations and a major shopping spree at the UK flagship store. And as if that weren’t enough to draw you in, Kate Moss has chosen to use this event to launch her new collection instore. It tends to fly off the racks, so you’ll have to make your appearance early if you want to see it, much less snag a piece of it. And for all you academics out there, students get a 10% discount year ‘round—so remember to remind the cashier in spite of the rush through checkout.

Turning Heads

I do wish the videographer hadn't chosen the most awkward freeze-frame of me for her title shot, but at least she likes my style! Check out my cameo in this "Behind the Tents" video from Fall 2009 Fashion Week:

See more from Alana Moira.

Falling Short

Fashion Week Follow-Up

Fill in the blank to make the following statement true: The designs shown at Fall 2009 Fashion Week were not _____.

                               a) chic
                               b) diverse
                               c) wearable
                               d) original

If you answered “d” then you answered correctly. Congratulations! You’ve won an all-inclusive trip for two down my personal memory lane. (C’mon, you are reading my blog, after all. What’d you expect?)

There were many similarities between my experience at Fall 2009 Fashion Week and that of last September’s Spring 2009 Fashion Week. Most of these similarities would be considered positive: the entertainment-factor was high, the gift bags were full, the after party invites were incoming. It’s too bad, really, that I was distracted from all these perks by a preoccupation with a far more glaring similarity—a similarity that created in me a sensation one hopes never to encounter along the runway: Déjà vu.

Though all the cool-weather creations were beautiful, many were a bit too familiar for comfort. Pants were still tapered, bedazzlement was still “in” and jumpers still dominated the runway. Yet, no one seemed to notice the big, pink (or, in this case, black) elephant posing at the end of the catwalk.

Apparently, as the economy plummets, so, too, does inventiveness. Why this is the case, I’m not certain. I mean, ingenuity doesn’t cost a thing, so what exactly is the excuse here? Am I mistaken, or is “create original designs” not the first bullet point in the job description? Nevertheless, we can always find a silver lining, and in this case it is an opportunity to pinch a few pennies. As we await the bailout plan for this creativity crisis, just follow this advice: Hang onto what you’ve got—you’ll need it again next season.

Images courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

Bill Hallman fashion show for Emory leukemia research

Fashion and charity both rock, which is why they so often overlap. Prime example: Thursday night, March 26, Bill Hallman is teaming up with Emory University's Atlanta Young Alumni and the Caucus of Emory Black Alumni to put on a fashion show benefiting children's leukemia research at Emory. From 7-9 pm you can enjoy wine, cheese, and free reign of the store. $7 tickets include a $2 donation to Emory's Children Leukemia Research Fund, but with a discount of 15% off your total purchase that night, you can feel free to throw in some extra tax-deductible donation dough. No, that's not the wine going to your head—it’s the feeling you get from doing some good.

For more information and to register for the event click here.

State of the Union A-DRESS

Frugal Fashion

Madam Speaker, Mr. Vice President, members of Congress, and fellow citizens, I write you tonight because something very important has surfaced regarding relations with our long-time friend and fashion-forward ally, Britain. I must admit, I’m not sure of the exact moment when this change was instated, but it was brought to my attention just as soon as any American style-leader can hope to become aware of something so culture-changing: TOPSHOP NOW SHIPS TO THE UNITED STATES!!! Since 1964, much to the dismay of the chic American people, Topshop has been holding out on us, but now—no more...

This UK-based style authority has long been a favorite of mine, providing über-stylish options at unbelievably reasonable prices. Granted, the brand isn’t as dirt-cheap as Forever 21, but it’s still way under-priced for the high-quality, original designs that are offered. From perfectly cut basics to envelope-pushing (even avant-garde at times) trendsetters, Topshop has options for day and night, both casual and fancy, at prices you’ll be able to swing. Plus, they offer exclusive collaborations and designer lines (like Kate Moss for Topshop) that bring to the masses (or bring the masses to) designers that you wouldn’t usually see in such an affordable arena.

When in the past I’ve been forced to search for such unmatched perfection—usually to no avail—on ebay, now I can go directly to the source. What’s more, Topshop will be opening up their first stateside flagship store this spring. (Rumor has it the boutique could open as early as this month.) The much-anticipated, premiere location will be stationed in New York City’s Soho neighborhood, an area highly regarded as a shopping destination with a unique and upscale flair.

So to you, my fellow fashion followers, I pose this challenge: Ask not what your style can do for you, but what Topshop can do for your style.

Coming Soon: Where To Shop Vintage

Compilation of a list of vintage stores is in progress. Thank you for your patience.