Cheryl shops for a vacation
Sorry the posts have been a bit meager this week--I'm leaving tomorrow for vacation and I've been running around like a crazy person, trying to get stuff done before I go. MW and I are taking a well-deserved trip to Paris, Antwerp, and Amsterdam; I'll be back the first week of October with a full report on the shopping in those cities.

In the meantime, did anyone watch the super-awesome America's Next Top Model and Gossip Girl one-two-punch? Oh how I love The CW...
MasstigeWatch!
The Alice Temperley Go International collection for Target is now live, and while it's not perhaps as noteworthy as I had originally hoped, there are definitely some cute looks (and from what I can remember from the preview, there should be more to come). Some reviewers have been grousing about the poor quality of fabrics, but fall/winter fabrics tend to be way more expensive, so I'm assuming they went synthetic to keep prices down. Nevertheless, here are my favorites thus far:

The twist-front tee will be flattering on a variety of body shapes, and I'm all for keeping a little bit of color in one's fall wardrobe. Plus, you can wear it through next spring and summer--yellow was the hot color on the New York runways last week.


Speaking of color, I love the shocking blue of this cropped jacket. Apparently it's made of a polar-fleece-like material, but I think that actually might make it seem a bit younger and fresher.


While not something I'd normally wear, I feel very drawn toward this leaf sweater, and I think it looks supercute with the Swiss dot blouse layered underneath.


Temperley is known for her prints, and while there aren't as many as I'd have hoped for, I think this crepe dress is a must-have; I think I remember seeing this print in a longer style, but the mini would look great with tights.


If you're more of a sale gal, there are still a lot of Libertine items available on markdown; also, Racked reports that Vera Wang's Kohl's collection is already 30% off.
The week in shopping
Clothingline is kicking off its fall season with sample shoes from Kate Spade and Michael Kors (sorry, size 7 only), Gustto bags, and clothing from AKA New York, Karoo, Iisli, and others. 9/18-9/20; 10-7, 10-6 Wed.; 261 W. 36th St. (7th & 8th Aves.).

Stock up on merino wool sweaters for 25% off at Henri Bendel's preseason sale. Through 10/9; 10-8, 11-7 Sun.; 712 5th Ave. (at 56th St.).

Past- and current-season pants are 50%-80% off (roughly $129) at Alvin Valley's sale. 9/19-9/22; noon-7, no-6 Sat., noon-5 Sun.; 632 Broadway (Houston & Bleecker Sts.), ste. 602.

Shelly & Renee's sale features clothing and accessories from Tuleh, Tufi Duek, Marc Bouwer, and more at super-sale prices. 9/18-9/20; 10-6; 36 Central Park South (5th & 6th Aves.). 5th fl.

For three hours only (um, okay...) Ben Sherman and Evisu overstock is $10 and up. Good luck with that. 9/21; 11-2; 860 Broadway (at 17th St.), 5th fl.

Treat yourself to a Roberta Chiarella bauble for $50 and under at this cash-only sale. 9/19; 100-7; Affinia Hotel, 155 E. 50th St. (3rd & Lexington Aves.).

Property has select floor models for 30%-70% off. 9/20-9/26; 10-6, noon-6 Sun.; 14 Wooster St. (at Grand St.).

Kidini's sale features Splendid,9/19-9/21; 9:30-5, 9:30-7:30 Fri.; Soho Dance Studio, 598 Broadway (at Houston), 6th fl. Ella Moss, and Les Tout Petits for newborns through preteens at 20%-80% off.

Silver and semiprecious jewelry from GeoArt by Cynthia Gale is $10-$25. Through 9/21; 10-6; 8 E. 36th St. (5th & Madison Aves.), 3rd fl.

Jennifer Tyler's cashmeres are $85 and up at this well-timed sale. 9/18-9/23; 9:30-7, 11-5 Sun.; 20 E. 77th St. (5th & Madison Aves.).
Buy It: Hollywould's stud bracelet
One of the more extravagant items on my objects-of-desire list is an Hermes Collier de Chien bracelet (or CDC to those in the know). It's a cuff bracelet made of luxurious Hermes leather, but with faceted studs to give it a punk-rock edge. Instantly recognizable by those in the know, it will set you back $900 ($1250 in alligator). Hence why it remains on my objects-of-desire list.

And like any luxury item, the CDC has been knocked off left and right, usually to not such great effect. But Hollywould's stud bracelet does a pretty good job, all things considered. Sure, it says "Hollywould" on the front, but the leather is supple and the studs nice and shiny--plus it's made in Italy, so you can be assured the craftsmanship is superior to that of similar bracelets made in, say, China. Hollywould's bracelet, at $195, isn't totally a bargain, but compared to the cool grand you'd spend on the Hermes version, it seems like a wise investment to me.
Marc goes postal
I think we can safely say that the criticism struck Marc Jacobs particularly hard this time; today's WWD featured an expletive-laden tirade from Mr. Jacobs himself in response to all the critics who bitched about his show being late (Suzy Menkes, in particular, ripped him a new one)--this article alone was worth the price of my yearly WWD subscription.

In response to allegations that he was having cocktails at the Mercer before the show:
"That is bullshit! That is bullshit!" he retorted. "I was at the f---ing office until the last fitting was over. I came back to the hotel — I hadn't been here in three days! I hadn't showered in three days! I slept on the couch in my office for 20 minutes three nights in a row — anyone at my office will tell you that. I got 20 minutes sleep Friday night, Saturday night, Sunday night. The first shower I had was Monday at 8 before the rehearsal of our show. I did not have lunch, I did not have drinks, I did not have tea at the Mercer, I walked through the lobby; I live in this hotel. I hadn't been there — ask the reception at the hotel. When they saw me on Monday, they were like, 'We haven't seen you in days.' I lived in my office for three days in a row....My boyfriend was downstairs having dinner. I wasn't. I was at the rehearsal, I was at the office until the last minute. I took 20 minutes to shower and shave — I stank like a raccoon! I could not go to the show like that."


On how he's "sorry":
"I'm very sorry that I inconvenienced anyone by having a show two hours late," he continued. "I really, really am, and so is Robert. We're all very upset that people got their noses bent out of joint. But I think this is so unfair. We do a huge production show, we try to give fashion and do a major fashion show in New York. I have no say in the show schedule, the show schedule has been moved up a week, and another week, and as far as I'm concerned we showed two weeks early not two hours late.

"Another thing, everybody talks about these families they have to go home to. I mean, every person who works in every factory in Italy, and every person who works in our sample room, they didn't see their families for six weeks so that we could do this show two weeks early. So I'm really appalled that people have absolutely no perception of what it takes to do things. And when we complain about the show schedule our voice is not heard, nobody does anything about it, the CFDA does me absolutely no service whatsoever as an American fashion designer."


On perhaps ditching NYC for Paris:
"I don't really feel a part of the American fashion community," he said. "I really feel like an outsider, I think we all do, and we feel unloved here, so we want to go somewhere else."


On his inspiration:
"I've never denied how influenced I am by Margiela, by Rei Kawakubo, those are people that inspire my work; I don't hide that. For her to turn this into this hate fest for me and my collection I think is ridiculous....I expect people, whether we're two hours late or two hours early or we don't show at all, to look at what they see: the clothes. Of course there are comparisons to other things. I'm a designer living in this world who loves fashion...I'm attentive to what's going on in fashion, I'm influenced by fashion, that's the way it is. I have never ever hidden it. I have never insisted on my own creativity, as Chanel would say. I have my interpretation of ideas I find very strong. Jil Sander is influenced by Comme des Garçons, Miuccia Prada is influenced by Comme des Garçons, everyone is influenced by Comme des Garçons, Martin Margiela. Anybody who's aware of what life is in a contemporary world is influenced by those designers. She [Menkes] wants to observe a Jewish holiday, but I start a show two hours late [and] she gets her nose bent out of shape."


On his work ethic:
"I work my ass off," he said. "I don't take vacations, I don't have homes all over the world, I don't ride horses: I f---ing work for a living. Again, like this idea, you have a family? OK, well that's nice, I don't, and I work. So leave me alone and don't come to the show next time."


On his show:
"I'm actually as happy as I could possibly be," Jacobs said. "I think I did a great job. I love what I did."


I think referencing Jews' noses probably wasn't the best idea, but otherwise you have to admire Jacobs' fire--better he deal with his emotions than drown his sorrows in a glass of Scotch. Then again, he needs to grow up and start his show on time--everyone else does, so why can't he? Jacobs' work is strong and important enough that he shouldn't have to resort to hijinks like this to get attention.
Fashion Week ends tomorrow...
...and I'm going to one more show. In the meantime, check out my album at NYMag.com--I've been going through each and every show and picking out my favorite looks. I'll recap my favorite shows and trends here within the next week, but in the meantime, you can get a sneak peek here.
Spring 2008 Fashion Week: Marc Jacobs
Here's what I know about last night's Marc Jacobs show:
-It started 2 hours late.
-It went backwards, beginning with Marc's bow and ending with look #1.
-It featured a video installation from artist Charles Atlas.
-Mischa Barton, Heath Ledger, Courtney Love, and Victoria Beckham were there.



The rest, I'm still working through. Whether a commentary on "what is sexy," a surreal exploration of deshabille, a nod to Grey Gardens, or a childlike treatise on playing dress-up, I do not know. The clothes were all kinds of messy, with undergarments (some actual, some faux) peeking out. It didn't seem particularly wearable, at least as styled. It was, in other words, the total opposite of fall's polished, pulled-together look.



So what can we take away from this? Sheer is an emerging trend for spring, as are the pullover blouse and the high waist, all of which were prominent in this show. There were some great bags and shoes also. But as for the big picture, it might be days, or weeks, before that's clear.



Your thoughts?
Spring Fashion Week 2008: Aurelio Costarella
The invite for Aussie designer Aurelio Costarella's show promised Jenna Jameson and Rihanna in the audience; while the former did indeed make an appearance (yikes, give that woman a cheeseburger--she's thinner than most of the models!), the latter was probably sleeping off her post-VMA hangover (or sleeping with Justin Timberlake, if you believe the tabloids). Regardless, I can see what both women can appreciate in Costarella's designs: he deftly mixes sexy, tough, and structured elements like corsets and gunmetal accents with soft, dreamy layers of chiffon. Corsets played a central role in the collection of eveningwear, which had a subdued palette of black, white, and very pale shades of rose and green. I loved this look, with a leather pailette jacket.


Here's a pretty chiffon and satin look, toughened up with liquid-metallic trim.


These strong, sexy looks work for either good girls gone bad (Rihanna) or bad girls gone good (Jameson), so look for them on a red carpet near you.
Spring 2008 Fashion Week: the halfway point
Six days down, four days to go: This fashion week has been grueling indeed (well, not for me). Weekend rumors speculating about the future of 7th on 6th had the event moving to the roof of the Port Authority Bus Terminal (can you even imagine the fashion cognoscenti at the freaking Port Authority?), but thankfully IMG confirmed today that Fashion Week will remain in Bryant Park through February 2010 and everyone--myself included--breathed a collective sigh of relief. Crisis averted. Not so lucky is our dear Almost Girl, who has come down with a nasty bout of eczema and has announced that she's moving to San Francisco. Um, what? I know she's not a favorite of yours, Cheryl Shops readers, but like her or not, you have to admire how she's built Coutorture from the ground up; I'm now a bit puzzled about the site's future, but perhaps she can continue running it from the West Coast.

For the best Fashion Week coverage, I suggest reading:
Glam.com's GlamChic blog, written by Susan Cernek, which provides a few photos and a paragraph or two about nearly every big show. The format is perfect for at-a-glance updates, and it always has super-current information.

Cathy Horyn's On the Runway blog has the best insider info, and I like that she posts snippets about each show that later end up in her longer published reviews.

Newcomer (and one of my personal favorite blogs) Jezebel posts really amusing reviews in IM format--so you kind of feel like you're the personal recipient of your really glamorous (yet sardonic) friend's text messages!

And, of course, New York Magazine's Show and Talk blog has the best all-around coverage, from parties to celebrities to the shows themselves.

Also, as of this post, at 11 p.m. the Marc Jacobs show has still not yet started. (And, of course, it's the only one that people really care about.) My thoughts on it--as well as my review of Aurelio Costarella, which I actually attended--coming tomorrow.
The week in shopping
Hey, accessory mavens: Wink's warehouse sale features Anna Corinna, Rebecca Minkoff, and Twinkle by Wenlan for up to 80% off. 9/14-9/16; 11-7; 188 Columbus Ave. (at 69th St.).

Shopbop.com has a super-special deal for the next two days only: save $20 on a $100 order, $50 on a $250 order, or $125 on a $500 order when you use code FALL2007 at checkout. Hurry--the deal expires at midnight Wednesday!

A sale worth schlepping up to the UWS for: Only Hearts has bras for $15-$25, camis for $14-$30, and undies for $5-$20. 9/13-9/15; 11-7; 386 Columbus Ave. (78th & 79th Sts.).

Gracious Home is celebrating its 44th anniversary with a huge sale featuring appliances, fixtures, linens, and more. Through 10/3; 1201, 1217, and 1220 3rd Ave. (at 70th St.), 1992 Broadway (at 67th St.).

New and pre-owned watches from Tourneau (think mega-high-end) are up to 70% off. 9/16-9/20; 9-6:30; 317 W. 33rd St. (8th & 9th Aves.).

Head over to the Park Lane Hotel for Marc Bouwer, Barbara Bui, Tuleh, and other designer sportswear, couture pieces, and eveningwear for up to 75% off. 9/18–9/20; 10-6; Park Lane Hotel, 36 Central Park South (5th & 6th Aves.), 5th fl.

Fashionista NY's sale features Valentino, Prada, and other big names fo rup to 70% off. 9/11-9/12; 10-7; Surrey Hotel, 20 E. 76th St. (5th & Madison Aves.).

Get free shipping at eLuxury.com when you enter code WRAP at checkout through 9/18.
MasstigeWatch!
With all the excitement surrounding Fashion Week, I fear Kate Moss' second Topshop collection is going to get lost in the shuffle--which is a shame, because it's pretty awesome, and possibly even better than the first pass. If her first could be described as "Kate's greatest hits," then this new collection could be called "English lass goes punk;" half of the items are preppy and classic, while the other half are definitely very rock'n'roll. It's not a new juxtaposition, but this is Kate Moss we're talking about, so of course it all works.

Like the last collection, this one has a lot of great jersey tops; I think the detailing is what sets them apart from something you'd get at, say, Forever 21. This studded top would be great for layering under a sleeveless dress for day, or you could wear it with jeans or a mini at night.


While not a direct copy of a look Kate has worn before, you can picture her wearing this striped sweater nonetheless.


This tweed blazer is a chic update of an English classic; the tiny fit and belt give it a totally modern look.


How totally sexy is this asymmetrical leather jacket? If I hadn't bought a Paul & Joe one last year, this would be the first thing I'd buy from this collection.


I had a very similar dress during the early '90s; I have a feeling we'll see Nicole Richie wearing this one before she pops out her baby next spring.


Remember when Kate started the rage for wide-leg jeans? Why not go straight to the source for this retro '70s flare jean?


So, as I was writing this, I realized that none of these items is currently available for purchase online; hopefully this is a temporary glitch that will be resolved by the time you read this! Also, no word on whether Barneys will be carrying this collection, so I think your best bet at this point is Topshop's website. Um, or any friends you might have in Britain. (Bon voyage, HG!)
Update: Dior Oui Ring
Last year, I posted about Dior's Oui Ring, and to this day, it remains one of the top keywords that brings random new readers to Cheryl Shops (hello there!). While I previously knew the ring could be purchased in Dior boutiques, it was not available anywhere online, and I had no idea how much it cost. Until now, that is: eLuxury is now selling the whimsical little ring in its Dior Jewelry Boutique; it's available for $625 in gold or $675 in white gold. Oui indeed.
MasstigeWatch!
While they've apparently forgotten the international part of Go International, Target is going forward with the campaign, announcing Jovovich-Hawk as their next designer collaboration. Based on what I saw of their line for Mango (which, apparently Target doesn't care about), I'd say this sounds like a promising collection. It will debut sometime in the spring, after Erin Fetherston. Also, in stores and online now is Target's line from L.A. jeweler Dominique Cohen. The pieces are kind of Goth and very heavy, but much nicer than most of Target's regular costume jewelry. My favorite is this dramatic three-strand necklace.

Everyone has been buzzing for months about the Vera Wang for Kohl's collection; while it's reportedly already on the floor in the Jersey City Kohl's, it won't be available for purchase online until the official launch date of September 9th, which is Sunday. However, due to some weird glitch, some of the items can be viewed now online. Click on my favorite item thus far, the impractical but chic short-sleeved coat, to get started, then keep clicking on the recommended items for a mini-preview of the whole shebang.

And, hey, remember when Kate Moss had a collection for Topshop? Her new line drops September 7th, and word is that it's more directional--read: not knockoffs of stuff she already wore. No word on whether Barneys is going to carry it this time, but I suggest going straight to the source anyway--especially if you're above a size 6. I'll post an update once it's live.
Random notes

1. Fashion week. Unfortunately, I will not be covering Fashion Week in my usual capacity this year*. I'm not going to go into the details, but I'm guessing bloggers in general had a rough time this season, because even Racked is covering the event from outside the tents (although they are partnering with superblog Refinery29 for show coverage), but they'll be linking to everyone else who's covering it, so I suggest checking Racked for super-comprehensive coverage. I also suggest Show & Tell, the always-excellent blog from the lovely ladies at New York Magazine. I'll be posting my favorite looks there, but more on that later.

2. Barneys Warehouse Sale. Based on this post alone from Faran at Fashionista (read the comments too!), I think I might run an experiment next time: Instead of going to the warehouse sale during the first two days, I'm going to wait at least a week, then probably take another trip in the last few days. Why, you ask? 75% off lowest marked prices. Enough said.

3. Woodbury Commons. After sitting through a weekend of football, MW awarded me with a trip to Woodbury Commons on Monday on the way home. It was, needless to say, a bit nuts there due to the Labor Day sales, but I managed to get a KA7 shirt, Wolford tights, bath oil at L'Occitane, and some super-cheap tees at the Gap; MW got a sweater, jeans, and John Varvatos for Converse shoes. So I stand by my assertion that Woodbury is superior to Tanger Outlets at Riverhead.

4. Recommended reading. Today's Times jumped in on the knockoff-controversy fray with this short but balanced article on, well, the knockoff biz. (If you'd like my opinion, I agree that logos and prints should be protected, but everything else is fair game--as long as it's a knockoff, not a replica.) And for my readers in Austin, (what up GSD&M!), here's a story from the Wall Street Journal about how Austin is getting all tricked out with the luxe stuff.

*If you are a publicist and would like to give me a last-minute invite to a show, my schedule is wide open, so please email me.
The week in shopping
Showroom Seven has Issa, Orla Kiely, Erickson Beamon, and more cool indie labels on sale. Through 9/14; 10-7; 498 7th Ave. (at 36th St.), 24th fl.

Fancy linens from Nancy Koltes at Home are up to 80% off. Only credit cards will be accepted at this three-day sale. 9/9-9/11; 9-6:30; 317 W. 33rd St. (8th & 9th Aves.).

Stylish leisurewear purveyor Shvitz Comfortwear and casual-chic Privileged Boutique are hosting a joint sale, where C&C, Juicy, and other trendy-gal stuff is 35%-70% off. 9/8-9/9; 11-7; 415 W. Broadway (at Spring St.), 2nd fl.

Cute downtown-gal items for all seasons are up to 80% off at Johnson. 9/8-9/9; noon-6; 179 Orchard St. (Houston & Ludlow Sts.).

Fancy luggage and accessories from Ghurka are on mega-sale at this three-day event. 9/5-9/7; 9-6:30; 317 W. 33rd St. (8th & 9th Aves.).

Hit Henri Bendel's cashmere sale for some preseason action at 35% off. Through 9/6; 10-8; 712 5th Ave. (at 56th St.).

Arguably the city's best thrift store, the City Opera Thrift Shop kicks off its fall season with a special sale featuring items by Marc Jacobs, Miu Miu, and Lulu Guinness. 9/6; 5-8 p.m.; 222 E. 23rd St. (2nd & 3rd Aves.).

Spend $100 in beauty and get a sample-filled tote from Neiman Marcus.