Haute Concept

Duckie Brown designer Steven Cox (middle) with the show's stylist (right) backstage immediately following their Spring 2009 presentation at New York Fashion Week. Pre show as people get to their seats.  It's packed because everyone loves the Duckies!!! J. Alexander of America's Next Top Model Our very own Aaron Diaz interviewing the one and only J. Alexander for My It Things. (video to come soon) H.B. Nelson, Gucci speacialist for Barney's New York, rocking some uber-trendy shorts. Read More

We caught fashion reporter Christina Ha as she reported New York fashion week for Full Frontal Fashion. Her dress is divine.  We love the draped neckline.   Read More

Hey, who wants to win this shiny Givenchy Nightingale bag? It's a $1,695 value that you can get for free by naming the bag beast.  Shop Style is having a contest where you simply come up for a name for this bag beast and the best one wins!   So get there and name it! Read More

Reality star Bethenny Frankel, of "Real Housewives of  New York City" fame, showed up at the 14th Annual "Fresh Faces In Fashion: Designers To Watch" event wearing the same dress Victoria "Posh Spice" Beckham wore in 2007 to the Marc Jacobs Spring 2008 fashion show. Who looks hauter in the dress?   [image via Splash] Read More

The ladies of the tent who keep us hydrated after the late night after parties! Read More

Designer John Crocker talking with various media outlets after his show. He did a great presentation that stayed true to the roots of Perry Ellis. Also spotted at his show was project runway vet Jack Mackenroth looking great. Read More

Yes, it's finally here! Fashion week has begun and models are already falling!  Quick someone call Dr. 911!!!  Make sure she's OK, people!!!  Poor thing probably was disorientated from lack of food. And this was at one of the first shows at BCBG.  Let maybe start a count of how many models fall during the week.  We had the pleasure of sitting first row (first row!) at Perry Ellis and saw one male model almost take quite a slip at Perry Ellis.  We suppose ... Read More

What defines American style?   Italians are famous for their aesthetic perfection and Brits for their eccentric charm. So in an effort to defines American style, Details magazine has asked three great American menswear designers for their take on the subject. John Varvatos, Thom Browne, and Michael Bastian discuss fashion, trends, and taste in the USA. Details: Is American style definable? John Varvatos: I think American style is a little more relaxed than most of the world. Thom Browne: It’s more like America itself—it’s liberating ... Read More

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  Just in time for upcoming New York Fashion Week a new fashion photography book is going on exhibit. 'Shot in Sicily' is a gorgeous new collection of photos from the fashion and style director of Vanity Fair, Michael Roberts. The book highlights Roberts' uniquely complex vision of the island gathered over his many visits during the past two decades. 'Shot in Sicily' captures the people, traditions and landscape including the beauty of youth, daily life, Easter parades steeped in tradition and ... Read More

Legendary designer Oscar de la Renta has decided to make a Fashion Week cameo appearance on Conde Nast's Brides.com as a guest contributor. Following in the footsteps of Vera Wang, Oscar de la Renta is going to provide Brides.com readers with advice on styles of bridal dress and luxury jewelry, and location ideas for city, country and island weddings. "I'm excited to join brides turning to the Web for wedding inspiration," said de la Renta. "Brides.com is a major online bridal destination and an ... Read More

Ditu is a new luxe knitwear label designed by Layla Abramowitz. Ditu was launched in this past spring after Layla brought her design and technical training in the fields of luxury knitwear and couture during stints at Zac Posen and Ports 1961. The unique element about the line’s pieces is Layla’s innovative blending of fishing line with knit fabric to create an unexpected composition that yields rigidity, texture and structure to a generally soft, stretchy material. The resulting knit fusion has a similar feeling ... Read More

OMFG...It's almost here. The official schedule for Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week: Read More

Innovative up-and-coming womenswear label CRHEE (pronounced “cree”) comes from Princeton Architect grad-turned-fashion designer Christine Rhee, who studied fashion under Mary Ping before branching out to launch her own label in 2007. Her Fall 2008 collection entitled "Isolator" incorporates a modernist design sense with sleek lines and structural details as Rhee aims to express a combination of strength, intelligence, femininity and complexity through CRHEE. The Fall ‘08 collection consists of 17 pieces that include architecture-influenced jackets, shirts, tanks, pants, skirts, dresses, even jumpsuits. The ... Read More

The CW network is bringing some of it's chic shows mobile for those of us obsessed with shows like Gossip Girl. Taking a cue from NBC and CBS the network is offering full episodes and short clips of all its shows, including America's Next Top Model and Gossip Girl. "We are now moving into mobile the way people were moving into online a couple of years ago," said Rick Haskins, evp, marketing and brand strategy at The CW. Haskins noted that as technology has ... Read More

Sears is fancying themselves to be quite the super troopers. They are taking military inspired looks and running with it for a new apparel line called, First Infantry. First Infantry will be a full apparel line including women's, men's and children's apparel. Now gun-toting soccer moms like Sarah Palin and get all their fight gear with one stop! The line will begin to arrive in stores this month with men's apparel including durable cargo pants, jeans, knitwear and outerwear inspired by the army and ... Read More

Israeli designer Yigal Azrouël cares about safety. Your safety.  And so he is designing condoms for you. Yes, another stylish accessory for you to tote around and impress your partner with it's stylish package. Yigal Azrouël teamed with PROPER ATTIRE for condoms that are designed to encourage women to feel comfortable about carrying and buying condoms. These condoms combine chic personal style with your commitment to health and safety. The love gloves even have catchy catchphrases like "Required for entry." and ... Read More

We jump ahead to the upcoming proceedings in Paris for a moment. For the first time Marlies Dekkers, the renowned Dutch designer, will showcase her empowering lingerie collection in Paris at the Palais De Tokyo on September 28th during Paris Fashion Week. The show entitled “A True Love Story” encompasses her strongest most innovative designs,a collection that Marlies Dekkers created through her inspiration of the different phases you go through in a true love experience. Earlier this year Marlies Dekkers celebrated the 15 year anniversary ... Read More

Boardroom rockstars Shane & Shawn are having themselves a sample sale. Not only will you get the best deals on the ultra-chic comfortable shoes but one of a kind samples as well. Some shoes will be as low as $29.99 and up to 85% off. For shoes that cost upwards of $200 this sale is a steal. Get there! When Thursday, September 4th: 11am-8pm Friday, September 5th: 11am-8pm Where Shane & Shawn SoHo store 238 Mulberry Street (btwn. Prince & Spring) 212.965.1633 Read More

Once again this season's collections presented during upcoming New York Fashion Week will include the School of Fashion at Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Always on of the key shows in terms of innovation and creativity, graduates will present during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week on Friday, September 5th at 8:00 PM at The Tent in Bryant Park. The University has showcased graduate work during New York Fashion Week since 2005 in various areas including womenswear, menswear, accessory, knitwear and textile design. But ... Read More

There is a new documentary out based on couturier Valentino Garavini and his fashion empire. Valentino: the Last Emperor is a feature length documentary following the last two years of Valentino and his lover, daily companion and business partner, Giancarlo Giammetti. The film-maker, Vanity Fair journalist Matt Tyrnauer, followed the designer and his entourage for the past two years up to Valentino's retirement. The film looks at all aspects of Valentino's life from his brilliance to his tantrums for a raw look at ... Read More

For all the haute ladies out there, we want to introduce you to a little pick-me-up. PURE STYLE Girlfriends is a company provides a healthy, simple and inexpensive way for women to avoid the dread of sag with Pick-Me-Up, a sweatproof and waterproof breast lifting tape. We were introduced to them at National Underwear Day last month. Founder Juliana Lutzi was there showing her products which immediately grabbed our attention. Juliana is a California native who founded the company in 2007. PURE STYLE ... Read More

David Duchovny is the newest celeb spokesman for Johnson & Murphy. The former X-Files star will be featured in ads for the brand of men's footwear, apparel, luggage and accessories. Look for the ads in fall magazines. Former spokesmen for Johnson & Murphy have included Ziggy Marley, Jeremy Piven and footballer Tiki Barber. Read More

The hipster seems to be a ubiquitous being here in New York and other major cities. But can "hipster" be defined? What goes into making this unique creature? Adbusters seems to know in a cover story called "Hipster: The Dead End of Western Civilization". Some excerpts are below: "Take a stroll down the street in any major North American or European city and you’ll be sure to see a speckle of fashion-conscious twentysomethings hanging about and sporting a number of predictable ... Read More

120 years after Georges Vuitton patented the graphic chequered design, Louis Vuitton revisits its historic Damier canvas. Shifting to shades of black and grey, the design becomes updated, modern and distinctively urban and masculine. Damier Graphite is a statement of understatement. Finished with smooth black leather and bright polished palladium hardware, the look is sleek and city-chic, contemporary and cosmopolitan. For leather good, Damier Graphite unites form and function in a collection geared to modern lifestyles. ALongside classics like the ... Read More

In a quite hilarious ad campaign, Old Spice is trying to give men some swagger through is line of Swagger products. The ads star LL Cool J and footballer Brian Urlacher. The two brawny men are portrayed as geeky and scrawny until they find Old Spice Swagger. Get it! Read More

Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week begins this Friday, September 5th. But another fashionable event begins today. Fashion Indie Week kicks off today with a groundbreaking runway show on the Brooklyn Bridge. For every designer who has looked at the Brooklyn Bridge and thought that would make a killer runway, your day has come. Fashion Indie will be hosting a secret runway show on the Brooklyn Bridge. Featured designers include: New York Couture, Sheila Frank, Zulema Griffin, San & Soni, Mandate of Heaven, Love Brigade, Alisha ... Read More

Designer Zulema Griffin, of Project Runway fame, is once again nixing the runway for a digital presentation. Her Spring ‘09 Collection will be delivered through the web in the form of a concept film titled “Virtual Self,” (presented under the art collective Deux Conceptualiste Noir), making her show accessible to not only fashion insiders and industry members, but to the masses of fashion enthusiasts worldwide.  Log on to view ZULEMA Spring ‘09 beginning Thursday, September 4th at 9am on You Tube (type in ... Read More

Josh Hartnett has him a sex tape! The hunky movie star gave an improptu performance at a hotel that was caught on tape unbeknownst to the thespian.  Hartnett and a mystery lady were caught doing the sneaky-freaky in the hotel's library where every coital move was recorded on closed circuit TV. After stumbling in quite late, they legged it to the library and immediately closed all the curtains so that no one could see in. A source tells the UK Mirror: "Unfortunately the hotel has ... Read More

  Holy Shnikes!!! CVS is has been planning some big things under the radar!  The drugstore chain is sparking quite the revolution in the beauty world.  The drugstore chain plans to open upscale beauty emporiums the size of Sephora stores, ranging between 2,500 and 4,000 square feet.  These stores not carry the typical CVS range of products but rather higher end department store brands. The concept stores will be called Beauty 360 and mention nothing of CVS, with the first store opening by year's end, ... Read More

This fashion week fashion photographer, the noted one, Nigel Barker will unveil his edgy new exhibit at Bloomingdale's called "Moon Warriors".   His last photo exhibit featured seals.  This one will feature mannequins. The press release sheds some light on the subject. "The shoot occurred in the bitter cold of February, which required that the subjects be mannequins because living models wouldn't be able to physically hold a pose for the needed time in the winter weather … In order to expose a photo ... Read More

Jil Sander has landed another new owner. On Monday Change Capital Partners announced that it will sell Jil Sander to Onward Holdings Co. Ltd., an apparel group listed in Tokyo and Gibo Co. SpA.   The deal will cost $244.1 million dollars and is expected to be finalized shortly. via WWD Read More

Gottex has released a preview of their upcoming Spring 2009 collection which will be shown during New York Fashion Week. Designer Gideon Oberson goes for Global Glamour with his Spring 2009 Collection. He will take us on a journey inspired by the most luxurious resorts found in Ibiza, Saint Tropez,Mykonos, and Porto Cervo. “For me, dressing for the beach is no different than dressing for a night out. My clientele is able to go from poolside straight to cocktails and dinner by simply adding ... Read More

Gilt Groupe, the online sample sale destination is having a Philip Crangi sale this Thursday. Philip Crangi was one of the winners of the 2007 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Award for best designer and is nominated for the 2008 CFDA Swarovski Award for Accessories Design. His inspirational pieces combine age-old techniques with a distinctive palette of gold, wrought iron and steel that create his impeccably detailed and exceptional heirloom pieces. If you're not a member of Gilt, our readers can register here www.gilt.com/hauteconcept. WHO: ... Read More

Hey Hauties!!!  We're back!!! Miss us much?  We missed you!  Our end of summer vacay was necessary and now we're back and kicking into high gear for fashion week.   FASHION WEEK!!!!  Did you hear us? It's almost here.  Like manna from heaven models and designers will soon be descending down on the catwalks to give us our seasonal dose of couture.   Ahhhhh!  We can almost feel it kicking in. Can't you! Read More

We're on mandatory vacation for a much needed break. See you after Labor Day in time for New York Fashion Week!!! Read More

The girls from the new class of Beverly Hills 90210 are gracing the pages of Nylon magazine. This class of West Beverly High includes Jessica, AnnaLynne and Shenae. “We’re very racy, very provocative, and very modern,” says AnnaLynne McCord, who plays Naomi Bennett. “But the emotions and the issues are very real,” adds Shenae Grimes. “Like, on most television shows, the girl gets an eating disorder, she cries, her mom solves it… all in one episode. It’s not like that in real ... Read More

Want a tattoo without the commitment? Too bad, it ain't gonna happen. But do you want the style of a tattoo on an incredibly soft tee? Then you're in luck. 'Tees and Tats' is a collection of limited edition t-shirts with graphics designed by Marco Serio. Coming to the Lower East Side by way of Lisbon, Portugal Marco Serio has earned a reputation as one of the world's leading Japanese-style tattoo artists. His designs have now found a new canvas ... Read More

Ooohhhh...FabSugar has caught a sneaky-peeky of Mossimo's Fall 2008 collection for Target. The collection includes trendy pieces for the season including vests, wide-legged trousers and plaid trench coats. A faux leather jacket adds a touch of edge while belt trench coats add a touch of class (albeit in yellow mustard). The collection will come in a range of sizes from 1X to 3X. Read More

It's not everyday that we have a shoegasm with men's shoes. So when we do, you know the shoe has to be HAUTE. That's what happened when we came across this John Lobb Everdon model. You almost just want to reach into the picture and grab it. John Lobb shoes are known for their handcrafted luxury and exclusivity being sold in their namesake stores as well as Hermes stores worldwide. This Everdon model is from their casual shoe line. (Heh, heh). ... Read More

In what is a great example of art imitating life designer Christian Louboutin delivers on this Layered Leather Hobo bag. Made of calfskin with signature black and read ring accents this bag of armour is Italian made. Aside from the inherent beauty of the bag one has to wonder exactly what in nature was his inspiration. A pill bug (better known as a rollie-pollie) or an armadillo? Or is it just another creation from the genius mind of Louboutin? Either way ... Read More

The haute-ly anticipated Gossip Girl Season 2 premiere is coming (10 DAYS!!!) and our friends over at Fashion Indie have created the perfect venue to watch it. Gossip Girl Nights will be taking place every Monday at a lounge on the Upper East Side (where else!). Come out for the show and party with one of the cities hautest DJs while meeting designers who've been featured on the show. Designers will showcase their latest designs and give sneak peeks of exclusive pieces befitting ... Read More

Get to the Unruly Heir "Open Jacket" sale where all items are under $100. For two days only, today and tomorrow, you have your last chance to get some of the best threads from this season of Unruly Heir. Friday 12-8 Saturday 12-6 64 Macdougal St. New York, NY 10012 212.643.0406 www.unrulyheir.com Read More