Cheryl Shops

Reem Acra Spring 2009
Where & When: Thursday, September 11th at 3 p.m., the Promenade, Bryant Park
Runway Recap: There has been much speculation this week about how designers would address the mediocre state of the U.S. economy--whether they'd restrain themselves with more conservative, less showy pieces or go all out with investment-worthy statement-makers. Reem Acra definitely went for the latter with her collection today, a series of incredibly bright and embellished dresses and separates, almost to the point that she seemed to be trolling for Middle-East clients, who tend toward the more outré. Shades of nude were interspersed throughout, offering a respite from all the bold shocks of color. From the conservative cut of most garments, I'd venture that Acra appeals to an older customer; but if it's Russia she's after, a closer fit is in order.
Standout Look: Awkward fit aside, this mini-caftan was one of the more calm looks to come down the runway, but the embroidery along the neckline still had that elegant detail that Reem Acra is known for.
Bonus Points: Mr. and Ms. Jay from America's Next Top Model, both tall drinks of water, were in the front row, happily granting interviews until the plastic came up.
Where to Buy: Reem Acra boutique, 14 E. 60th St.

Willow Spring 2009
Where & When: Thursday, September 11th at 1:30 p.m., the Altman Building
Runway Recap: There are inspirations that pop up again and again for designers; they tend to be, in no particular order, Edie Sedgwick, Talitha Getty, the Swans (any of the 1960s NYC socialites à la Truman Capote novels), and the Ballets Russes. For spring, Australian designer Kit Willow was inspired by the last of those, but this is not a complaint--she showed out a small but focused collection of loose, light chiffon pieces with Art Deco beading and a color palette of orange, black, white, and gray. Willow experimented with sheer fabrics, draped in a way to flatter a range of body types and layered to create an artsy, rich-bohemian vibe.
Standout Look: I'm cheating by picking two looks here, but my camera was about to die, so I couldn't take any individual photos. The dress at the left had a gorgeous, goddess-like draped look, with intricate gold beading at the top, making it look fresh and innovative. The look on the right is seriously the first pair of flattering hammer pants I've seen all week--and I have seen a lot of hammer pants. Love the slouchy silhouette, and the long beaded scarf too.
Bonus Points: This was a presentation, ensuring I was in and out in less than half an hour, a wonderful alternative to the hour-plus commitment required of the more traditional "shows".
Where to Buy: Elizabeth Charles

Malan Breton Spring 2009
When & Where: Thursday, September 11th at 9 a.m., the Salon, Bryant Park
Runway Recap: I know I say this every season, but I am still kind of shocked that, of all the talented Project Runway alumni, Malan Breton is the only one still (still!) showing in Bryant Park. There is a pattern to a Malan Breton show: He was inspired by a classic movie (in this case, Star, starring Julie Andrews); he sends well-coiffed, made-up models down the runway to torch songs in somewhat extravagant but well-constructed garments; he does a full lap down the runway himself, with a model on each arm. It's a formula, yes, but one that he keeps refining and perfecting each season; in other words, Malan does what he does best, and he continues to do it even better as each season passes.
Standout Look: This is a strapless lace wide-leg jumpsuit. (Say that ten times fast.) The fact that Malan can, in the immortal words of Tim Gunn, make it work this well is a testament to his skill.
Bonus Points: No Silver Fox spotting, but The Real Housewives of New York was representing for Bravo with Alex and Simon Van Kempen in the front row. Also from the world of reality: Sara from Cycle 6 of America's Next Top Model!
Where to Buy: Email Malan.

Milly by Michelle Smith Spring 2009
Where & When: Wednesday, September 10th at 6 p.m., the Promenade, Bryant Park
Runway Recap: The contemporary Milly line generally has a retro '50s vibe, but for spring, designer Michelle Smith took a trip to 1970s Marrakesh for a fun collection of hippie-chic clothes in bright colors. Vivid psychedelic prints and embellished trim like tassels and sequins accented long caftans and groovy minidresses; crocheted lace decorated separates; and everything was accessorized with either knit skullcaps, macramé belts, or tasseled necklaces. Every once in awhile, a more typical Milly piece like a boxy cropped jacket or bow-neck blouse popped up; however, these did not detract from the easygoing, bohemian vibe.
Standout Look: This dress was one of the first few looks down the runway, and I immediately knew it was going to be my favorite. It has a versatile look--you can wear it whether you're a true bohemian chick or a girly-girl--and it's the perfect kind of summer sundress that you start looking for at the beginning of the season and yet never find. Until now, that is.
Bonus Points: The audience (myself included) was rocking out to the classic-rock music, which included the Rolling Stones' "She's a Rainbow" and George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord."
Where to Buy: Saks, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom

Famous fashion people I saw exiting the 3.1 Phillip Lim show today
In no particular order:

Anna Wintour
Rachel Zoe
Leigh Lezark
Kelly Bensimon
Nina Garcia
Grace Coddington
Hamish Bowles
Virginia Smith
Kate Lanphear
Anne Slowey
Suzy Menkes
Simon Doonan
Lynn Yaeger

According to the Fug Girls, Juliette Lewis, Leighton Meester, Joy Bryant, Emmy Rossum, and Roisin Murphy (!) were all there too. Guess winning a CFDA award has it benefits, no?

Carlos Miele Spring 2009
Where & When: Wednesday, September 10th at 3 p.m., the Promenade, Bryant Park
Runway Recap: I always love a Carlos Miele show--he always has sexy Brazilian models walking down his runway in sophisticated, urbane looks. Miele often takes inspiration from architecture and nature; this time, it was his vacation house, located in a Brazilian rain forest. Nature was represented in the tropical-leaf, abstract floral, and cloudlike prints on the wispy chiffon dresses that are a Miele signature. Even more interesting to me were the tiered, pleated gowns representing the architecture aspect; seams wrapped diagonally around the body as if slashed by a knife, and pieced panels were placed just so to accent and flatter a woman's body. This is a kind of sexiness that's always sensual, never slutty.
Standout Look: This gown had an incredibly rich royal blue color, and the overlapping chevron pattern of the panels creates an almost universally flattering shape. It's a master study of textures and contrast.
Bonus Points: In an unexpected--and entertaining--twist, live music was provided by Seu Jorge, perhaps best known as the deckhand who sings David Bowie songs in Portuguese in the Wes Anderson movie The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.
Where to Buy: The Carlos Miele store at 408 W. 14th Street in the Meatpacking District

Cho Cheng Spring 2009
When & Where: Wednesday, September 10th at 9 a.m., Astor Hall, New York Public Library
Runway Recap: The graceful marble hallways provided an elegant backdrop for Chinese designer Cho Cheng's impeccably tailored suits and princess-like ballgowns. While the skirts will obviously need to be lengthened to suit the society types sitting in the front row, this shouldn't be a problem--Cho is trained in couture techniques, and it shows. With so many suits, however, the show got to be a bit repetitive; I would've preferred a bit more variety, especially with only 24 looks.
Standout Look: This was my favorite suit, and the shape of the jacket is certainly one you don't see every day. It was gorgeously made--and with my front-row seat (that's right, my front row seat), I was certainly close enough to inspect the sewing.
Bonus Points: Cho either has friends in high places or already has a devoted following--model Maggie Rizer opened the show, and the iconic Carmen Dell'Orefice closed it (and received applause as she walked the runway). Also, for the reality TV fans in the house, I sat directly across from Simon Van Kempen and spotted Countess de Lesseps, both from The Real Housewives of New York.
Where to Buy: It appears Cho will run his business as a couture house; see his website for details.

Gottex Spring 2009
Where & When: Monday, September 8th at 8 p.m., the Tent, Bryant Park
Runway Recap: Whenever I go to a fashion show, I like to think, "Who buys this stuff?" Is the client a career woman? A lady who lunches? A downtown party girl? But sitting through the Gottex show, I was at a loss. The collection was inspired by the Mediterranean, and the way in which the swimsuits were styled would lead me to believe that they're targeting the St. Tropez yacht crowd, but, as anyone who's been to a European beach can tell you, bikini tops are beside the point there, much less one-piece suits. So, again, who buys this stuff? The first series of looks were black with metallic gold anchor accents, accessorized with ridiculously oversized hats. Then came graphic prints, followed by bright neon suits, and then some not-so-bad Asian-inspired prints. Then came a series that were adorned with what I can only call chopsticks; all of a sudden, I had a craving for sushi. At the end were what I suppose were bridal swimsuits, since they were all white; one involved a belted bikini bottom with a hooded, draped top. That's right--a hooded bikini. I have a feeling that one is not going to make it to the stores in quite the same way; as for the others, well, there must be some yacht-hopping ladies out there who actually wear this stuff. Right?
Standout Look: This bandeau bikini was the the youngest and, to me, the most wearable look that came down the runway. And, let's face it--bikinis should be the provenance of the young.
Bonus Points: I had a seat that was close enough to the runway to see that 110-pound models have thighs that jiggle when they walk. Models--they're just like us!
Where to buy: Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Everything but Water

Sergio Davila Spring 2009
Where & When: Monday, September 8th at 1 p.m., the Salon, Bryant Park
Runway Recap: Peruvian native Sergio Davila has been creating menswear for several years now, but this season marks the debut of his womenswear line. Alas, only five of the 31 looks were for the ladies, but for my few and far between male readers, the collection is definitely worth checking out. I'm used to seeing menswear shows where totally weird and unmanly things like hot pink man-skirts come down the runway, but nearly every look here was dapper and completely wearable, with an almost nautical bent. For the ladies, it was a knit jumpsuit and dresses, with spiderwebby accents. Let's hope next season that the women's portion of the show is as fleshed out as the men's.
Standout Look: I am all for knitwear for evening, and this dress had a sexy but laid-back look, with kind of rock-and-roll chain fringe at the neckline. It's the sort of slinky thing you want to wear to a summer roof party.
Bonus Points: After staring at gorgeous 110-lb. women all day long, sometimes a change is good. Thankfully, my second-row seat allowed me to ogle all the male models at very close range.
Where to Buy: Email for info.

Monique Lhuillier Spring 2009
Where & When: Tuesday, September 9th at 11 a.m., the Promenade, Bryant Park
Runway Recap: Monique Lhuillier owns the distinction of having designed Britney Spears' wedding dress, but she, along with Vera Wang, are arguably two of the most famous bridal designers around. Like Wang, Lhuillier also can crank out a mean red carpet dress. But unlike Wang, who seems hell-bent on proving that she doesn't just do pretty, Lhuillier seems perfectly content--and, in fact, excels--at exploring new and unusual ways to make women appear, well, pretty. This collection was inspired by a tropical-island vacation, and while that might conjure visions of tacky-bright colors and caftans, Lhuillier explored the theme in beautifully abstract ways, like wheat-stalk and wicker prints; denim for night, adorned with Aztec embroidery; and organza embroidered to look like lace. Also strong were gowns with layers of sheer tulle and chiffon, creating volume without bulk. Sure, there was an occasional shot of azure blue, but mixed in with the otherwise soft color palette, it looked as fresh as a dip in the ocean. Any of the front-row starlets present--Malin Ackerman, Perrey Reeves, Elizabeth Banks, and Zoe Saldana--would be lucky to wear one of Lhuillier's gowns on the red carpet.
Standout Look: This is one of the aforementioned wicker prints (doesn't look like wicker, does it?), with Aztec embroidery at the neckline--two completely unexpected elements that meet in a classical goddess silhouette to create an absolutely beautiful gown.
Bonus Points: I loved the wicker runway. Also, thanks to the cameraman who, in spite of hovering mere inches above my head for most of the show, managed not to hit my head with his scary big camera on a mechanical arm.
Where to Buy: Saks, Bergdorf Goodman

Dear Ports 1961...
Please book a bigger venue for your show. Last season I was one of about 10 standing people who made it in; this time no standing invitees made it. Watching your kooky shows on a TV screen doesn't quite have the same effect. kthanxbye.

And, coming tomorrow: reviews of Sergio Davila, Gottex, and whatever shows I make it to tomorrow (I am dragging serious ass--time for a good night's sleep). Four days down, four days to go!

Twinkle by Wenlan Spring 2009
Where & When: Monday, September 8th at 9 a.m., the Salon, Bryant Park
Runway Recap: In the notes for her spring collection, Twinkle designer Wenlan Chia had me at "Jean Seberg" (seriously, if you've never seen it, add Breathless to your Netflix queue now). Instead of the obvious reference to the famed French actress--striped tees, capri pants--Wenlan created a tightly focused collection of high-waisted skirts, sexy camisoles, and printed dresses. I was expecting more knits (Chia is well known in the knitting community), and I could've done without the Hammer pants, but the show had a strong early-1960s Paris vibe, and anything Parisian is good in my book.
Standout Look: Some of my favorite looks in the show featured Wenlan's "etoile" print, including this asymmetrical dress (again, trend alert!), and I have a feeling it was her favorite print as well—-it decorated all of the reversible tote bags the audience received as gifts.
Bonus Points: Nine a.m. shows are always a hard sell, so I wasn't expecting any celebrities. But, right across from me sat...the kid who plays America Ferrera's nephew on Ugly Betty, by far my most random celebrity sighting of the week!
Where to Buy: shopbop.com, Nordstrom, and more locations here.

Harlan Bel Spring 2009
Where & When: Sunday, September 7th at 6 p.m., the Altman Building
Runway Recap: While there will always be a place in the world for young female designers who create pretty, flirty frocks, hopefully the ones who make more structured, tougher looks stick around as well. Harlan Bel, designed by Brandy Lunsford, clearly falls into the latter category. Sticking to a mostly black-and-white palette, the structured, geometric looks featured cool cutouts, harness vests, and interesting pleats. Think Helmut Lang, but even further downtown.
Standout Look: My apologies for the blurriness of this photo, but these pants were really amazing, with a super-flattering flared leg and a cool cutout detail in front. The top takes the hard work out of layering--it's all one piece.
Bonus Points: One of my favorite models, the redhead Cintia Dicker, opened the show. Also, let me just say how much I adore the people at MAO PR. If only all fashion publicists were so lovely.
Where to Buy: Nikki Laura, at 4 Prince Street, and online at buydefinition.com.

Terexov Spring 2009
Where & When: Sunday, September 7th at 2 p.m., the Salon, Bryant Park
Runway Recap: Word on the street is that the buyers are looking to stock their stores with vibrant color next spring; I hope they all went to Alexander Terekhov's show, as he sent out dress after dress in green, pink, purple, yellow, and sometimes prints combining all of the above. Some looks were a bit too fussy (and reminded me of the recently auffed Keith from Project Runway!), like the fringed, Muppet-like skirts and puffy, ruffled vests, but the flowing, disco-goddess caftan gowns toward the end more than made up for it.
Standout Look: Asymmetrical looks are definitely an emerging trend for spring, and I thought this lemon-yellow dress was a graceful way to interpret it.
Bonus Points: In a world where many designers send out models to, say, the sound of drilling, or anonymous techno beats, Terexov had Goldfrapp and Muse. Thank you.
Where to Buy: Terexov has two stores in Moscow, but as for the U.S., you can try your luck on his website.

Tracy Reese Spring 2009
Where & When: Sunday, September 7th at noon, the Promenade, Bryant Park
Runway Recap: When it comes to pretty, no one does it better than Tracy Reese. She set the tone with delicate strands of lights dangling from the ceiling and dreamy music (Keren Ann, Coldplay), then started her garden party with rosettes, winding vine-like embroidery, and impressionistic floral prints that would bring a tear to Monet's eye. Less obvious--but equally beautiful--interpretations of the theme included tulip skirts with draped, petal-like panels and peplum jackets that flared over the hips like blossoms. It all made me wish that we could skip fall and winter and just go straight to spring. The audience agreed--they gave Reese a standing ovation.
Standout Look: The structured shape of this bateau-neck sleeveless dress perfectly balances the romantic, pointillist print. Can you think of a more perfect frock for a summer wedding?
Bonus Points: With a number of Asian and black models, this was one of the most diverse runways I've seen. Also, Brandy was in the front row!
Where to Buy: The Tracy Reese store at 641 Hudson in the West Village, or go here to find a store near you.

DKNY Spring 2009
Where & When: Sunday, September 7th at 11 a.m., the Tent, Bryant Park
Runway Recap: First of all, let me say that I have no idea how I got invited to this show, but I'm glad I did, because it's been one of my favorites so far. In celebration of DKNY's 20th anniversary, Donna Karan sent out a fresh, youthful collection of boldly colored dresses that both gave a nod to the line's iconic pieces--the jumpsuit, the boyfriend jacket, the anorak--and looked forward to the future with renewed energy. Dresses ranged from bloused with a tube skirt to bustier-type tops with tulip skirts, and all were short and in bright, almost day-glo colors. It was all very hopeful--and god knows this country could use a little hope at the moment.
Standout Look: Of all the great dresses that came down the runway, this one was my favorite. Leave it to Donna Karan to make acid-bright colors totally wearable, in a super-flattering silhouette.
Bonus Points: Donna Karan knows how to put on a show. The in-house PR girls used super high-tech handheld scanners on everyone's invitations; Nicole Richie, Christina Ricci, and Winona Ryder, plus '90s DKNY faces (and exes) Esther Canadas and Mark Vanderloo were in the front row; the show opened with a short film; all the big-name models--Stam, Coco Rocha, Jordan Dunn, Sasha P.--walked; during the finale, Karan was bombarded by the ultimate in free publicity, fur protesters; and those lucky enough to have a seat (I was not one of them) received a special bottle of DKNY Moet champagne.
Where to Buy: The DKNY store at 60th and Madison, and at a department store near you.

Karen Walker Spring 2009
Where & When: Saturday, September 6th at 3 p.m., the Altman Building
Runway Recap: Fashionistas' spirits—and Louboutins—were dampened by the tropical storm happening outside, but New Zealand designer Karen Walker's awesome show made me forget it was even raining. Slouchy, borrowed-from-your-boyfriend shirts and trousers opened the show, but the tissue-thin T-shirts, lacy dresses, and tulip skirts will work better on non-model bodies.
Standout Look: While there were many great prints in the show, my favorite were the incredibly wearable, not-at-all tacky series of abstract leopard patterns. Can't you picture an Olsen twin wearing this loose jacket, tissue tee, and well-cut pencil skirt?
Bonus Points: This show drew a serious downtown fashion crowd--I spotted Mr. Mickey from Paper, Lynn Yaeger from the Village Voice, and Elle's Kate Lamphear, who seemed a bit put off by the fact that she had to wait in line to check in with the rest of us hoi polloi.
Where to Buy: Barneys, Elizabeth Charles, Bird, and many other stores listed at her website.

Venexiana Spring 2009
Where & When: Friday, September 5th at 9 p.m., the Salon, Bryant Park
Runway Recap: Rosettes and peplums and Marilyn collars--oh my! While a large percentage of Kati Stern's eveningwear collection suffered from too-much-fabric syndrome, her bias-cut gowns in pastel colors and prints were sure to delight anyone's inner girly-girl. Or at least one's bridesmaids.
Standout Look: This crystal-encrusted drop-waist dress looked completely different than pretty much every other dress in the show, due to its youthful, pretty-bohemian look. Love the braid-crown 'do too.
Bonus Points: Somehow I got let in early with some of the show's sponsors, thereby avoiding a wait with all of the drunks in the cattle pen. Sometimes it's the little things that really count.
Where to Buy: See website for details.

Julie Haus Spring 2009
Where & When: Friday, September 5th at 2 p.m., 28 W. 36th St. Penthouse
Runway Recap: Haus' collection, entitled "Not a Wallflower," had a pretty-meets-punky vibe, mixing feminine heart and floral prints with studded accessories and acid-bright colors. Origami-inspired pleats and tucks gave shape to skirts and dresses, for a hint of Japanese chic. And, emerging trend alert--this was already the second show where every look was styled with socks and high-heeled sandals. (Who knew that my high school French teacher was so far ahead of the trends?)
Standout Look: There's so much going on here--a Chanel-inspired jacket, a brightly colored top, a fun floral-print skirt, and a contrasting patterned belt--but it has that effortlessly thrown-together look that only the truly stylish can achieve. If only I could always look this cool.
Bonus Points: I didn't know what to be more excited about: Molly Sims, Leighton Meester (!), and Jamie-Lynn Sigler in the front row or the Nintendo DS included in the gift bag.
Where to Buy: Bloomie's, Barneys, Bendel's, Saks, and a ton of other retailers listed here.

Gen Art Fresh Faces in Fashion Spring 2009
Where & When: Thursday, September 4th at 8 p.m., Manhattan Center
Runway Recap: Eight emerging designers hit the runway in this showcase of a show, where, once upon a time, designers like Phillip Lim and Zac Posen were first discovered. Downtown types will flock to Ideen, which showed an edgy mix of Hammer pants, bandage dresses and macramé accents. Sariah was decidedly more feminine, with pretty prints in silky fabrics; Richard Ruiz, probably the most accessible designer, favored bias cuts and a Japanese influence, although I could've done without the parasols and rice-field hats. The one to watch, however, is JF & SON, who presented a neutral collection with an innovative mix of textures, like organza and sequins.
Standout Look: Asymmetrical, colorblocked construction and a relaxed but flattering silhouette make this sequined JF & SON dress a winner in my book.
Bonus Points: The Bravo reality stars were out in full force--Kevin and Jack from last season's Project Runway, Bethenny from The Real Housewives of New York, and Ronnie from Make Me a Supermodel walked in Philip Sparks' menswear show. But, really, the highlight for me was seeing host Brenda Walsh, a.k.a. Shannen Doherty, in the flesh.
Where to Buy: Select JF & SON looks are available now at Yoox.com.

Coming tomorrow...
Reviews of Gen Art Fresh Faces in Fashion, Julie Haus, Venexiana, and Karen Walker. (And now I'm off to a wedding!)

Geren Ford Spring 2009
Where & When: Wednesday, September 3rd at 6 p.m., Bowery Hotel
Runway Recap: West Coast designer Geren Ford wisely headed East to show her latest feminine silk tops and dresses to a downtown crowd. With a colorful palette, the collection, inspired by world travels, featured layered looks and a wispy, loose, relaxed silhouette. It wasn't reinventing the wheel, but from the silk maxi-dresses to the deconstructed suits, it was all very wearable. This being a presentation--not, technically, a "show"--the designer gave a nod to artist Vanessa Beecroft by having the models stand on big white blocks; the audience, in turn, ogled them like Greek statues in a museum.
Standout Look: A mix of neutrals and unexpected color combinations makes this layered look a winner. And I am all for loose, silky shorts.
Bonus Points: From the free drinks to the designer herself, Geren Lockhart, circulating amongst the guests, this presentation had an incredibly relaxed vibe, which was the perfect way to ease into Fashion Week.
Where to Buy: shopbop.com, Singer22.com, and Hawks, her lower-priced line, at Urban Outfitters

Cheryl Shops at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week
I am pleased to announce that I'll be covering the Spring 2009 New York shows (is this not the dorkiest logo you've ever seen?). Fashion Week technically kicks off Friday, but I have shows starting tomorrow (!) so for the next week and a half, it's all Fashion Week, all the time (except for Saturday--I have a wedding). New this season: I am going to attempt to take my own photos, especially for the non-tent shows. (Yes, I am as scared about that as you are.) This time, I am also pledging not to run around like a crazy person, as I did back in February, ultimately ending up with a nasty flu. Wish me luck with that.

My coverage starts tomorrow; please make Cheryl Shops a daily Fashion Week read!

The week in shopping
Get a head start on fall with Mai Cashmere; all pieces are $40 each. Ballet flats and beach bags are $10. Through 9/5; 11-6; 48 W. 39th St. (5th & 6th Sts.).

The West Village's excellent Castor & Pollux has Sonia Rykiel, Acne, Built by Wendy, and more for 70% off. Through 9/12; noon-7, 1-6 Sun.; 238 W. 10th St. (at Bleecker).

Showroom Seven's sample sale has indie fashion and accessories from Tony Cohen, Orla Kiely, and Bloch London. Through 9/17; 10-7; 263 11th Ave. (27th & 28th Sts.).

Floor models and overstocks are 10%-70% off at Ligne Roset Soho. 9/4-9/7; 10-6, noon-5 Sun.; 155 Wooster St. (Prince & Houston)

Shop is celebrating the opening of its new location with champagne and cupcakes, plus prizes and giveaways. 9/4; 5-8 p.m.; 94 Orchard St. (Broome & Delancey Sts.).

If you're a groovy downtown girl, head over to Honey in the Rough for sale items by United Bamboo, Tsumori Chisato, and more, all for an extra 50% off. Through 9/7; noon-8, noon-7 Sun.; 161 Rivington St. (at Clinton St.).

Bblessing's sprng and summer merchandise for the guys--Raf Simons, Rag & Bone, and the like--is up to 60% off. Through 9/14; 1-9 weekdays, noon-8 weekends; 181 Orchard St. (at Stanton St.).

Score Shane & Shawn's comfy shoes at sample-sale prices. 9/4-9/5; 11-8; 238 Mulberry St. (Prince & Spring Sts.).

Spend $100 on beauty products and get a faux-croc tote stuffed with samples at Neiman Marcus through 9/14.

Use your Visa card and take 30% off your purchases at the Rockefeller Center Banana Republic (and other select BR's across the country), in honor of the chain's 30th anniversary. You must RSVP to BR30thAnniversary.com, and you must use your Visa card.

Weekend of Cheryl part 3: Cheryl Shops Century 21 in Brooklyn
Ever since 1999, which was my first summer in NYC, I have loved Century 21. I've scored amazing deals on Dolce & Gabbana, Marni, Helmut Lang, and Olivier Theyskens; after September 11th, my first trip to Ground Zero occurred when Century 21 re-opened after months of cleaning and restoration. Century 21 and I go way back. In recent years, however, I've started to get annoyed by 1) the crowds and 2) the prices, which don't seem to be as great as they used to be; lately, more often than not, I've left empty-handed. But the Manhattan store, while it's probably the most famous, is not the only Century 21. I had always heard that the other locations--there are two stores in Jersey, one in Long Island, and one in Brooklyn--weren't quite as good as the flagship in terms of merchandise, but were much more spread out and far less crowded. So I dragged MW out to Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, to test that theory.

After a slight detour through Sunset Park (note to subway riders: if you take the N train, don't forget to transfer to the R train at 59th Street in Brooklyn!), we found the Brooklyn Century 21 smack in the middle of a busy shopping area on 86th Street in Bay Ridge. Men's clothing, cosmetics, and women's accessories are on the first floor; women's and kids clothes are on the second floor. The store is cleaner, more well-lighted, and, yes, far less crowded than its Manhattan counterpart. I left MW in the men's section and headed up to the 2nd floor. The contemporary women's section definitely can hold its own with Manhattan; I spotted a good selection of Juicy, C&C California, Marc by Marc Jacobs, and DVF, as well as a whole rack of KA7 at very good prices (silk tunics for $49, merino wool sweaters for a ridiculous $35). The European Designer section had more merchandise than I was expecting, but definitely didn't compare to the Manhattan store; I tried on some ill-fitting Martin Margiela pieces, and there was quite a bit of Helmut Lang, D&G, Antik Batik, and a few other Euro labels that I haven't heard of but that looked well made nonetheless. What the department lacked in selection, they made up for in well-organized, well-spaced racks. It should also be noted that the fitting rooms have private, curtained-off stalls, instead of the one-room free-for-all at Cortlandt Street. Thus, the only person who saw me look like a shapeless blob in Martin Margiela was me.

The lingerie section is not quite as fleshed-out (pun intended) as the Manhattan store, but there was a healthy selection of Cosabella thongs, Simone Perele lingerie, and even Wolford stockings. Back on the first floor, I spotted a shelf of Missoni wavy-stripe scarves for $70, which seemed like quite a good deal to me. The shoe section had a respectable amount of last year's Chloe and Marc Jacobs shoes; prices were not totally outrageous. The handbag section was a bit disappointing, except for a selection of bags from L'Autre Chose, whom I didn't even know made handbags. They were $199 each, but the leather was incredibly soft and buttery. I ended up not buying anything (the story of my weekend, basically), but MW stocked up on underwear, socks, and faux-vintage T-shirts.

The Century 21 in Bay Ridge is definitely a bit of a hike, even for a Brooklynite like myself. Nor is the selection as great as that of the Manhattan location. But, it's cleaner, brighter, more spacious, far less crowded, and, overall, a very pleasant experience. Prices are still kind of hit-or-miss; instead of battling the crowds at the Manhattan location, I'm definitely going to head to the Brooklyn location the next time there's a big clearance sale.

Weekend of Cheryl part 2: Cheryl shops the Upper East Side thrift stores
I've lived in NYC for nearly nine years now, and until Saturday, I had never gone thrift shopping on the Upper East Side. I had heard stories--Chanel, Hermes, Dior, oh my!--that the Upper East Side, what with all its charitable Ladies Who Lunch, is a treasure trove of thrift stores all designed to raise money for these ladies' pet causes. So, finally, on Saturday, I dragged MW with me, visions of some old biddy's vintage YSL castoffs dancing in my head.

We started at the Goodwill [1704 2nd Ave., at 88th St.], which is rather large and overwhelming, and yet, as the most traditionally thrift-shoppy of the bunch, a good place to start. I spotted several Armani jackets at $30 each, a Dior suit for $60, and some not-too-shabby fur coats. If those prices sound a bit high for a thrift store (and they are, in theory), keep in mind that they were by far the lowest I saw on Saturday. Now, this being a Goodwill, there was also a ton of junk, much of it polyester, and many of the garments needed a good cleaning. If you are patient, I'm sure there are good deals to be had; MW's former roommate DH swears by Goodwill. I, however, had many more stores on my list to hit.

Next was the Spence-Chapin Thrift Shop [1473 3rd Ave. between 83rd & 84th Sts.]. If you are looking for '80s Ungaro, St. John Knits, or Ferragamo shoes, this is the place for you. Prices were mostly under $100, which seemed a bit high at the time but in retrospect seems reasonable. The shop is tiny, but all of the merchandise was in quite good condition. MW and I were most amused by the impromptu borscht-belt comedy routine developing between a regular customer and one of the volunteers.

Across the street is the Cancer Care Thrift Shop [1480 3rd Ave. between 83rd & 84th Sts.], which is long and narrow but packed to the gills. Fancy jewelry and accessories are housed in a glass case in front; across from that is the designer section, where I found Prada pants (under $100), beautiful double-faced cashmere coats, a bright pink Chanel suit for $500, and a pair of circa-Stella McCartney Chloe pants, still with their original $685 price tag from Bergdorf Goodman (sadly, they were a size too small for me). Farther back, the racks are crammed with cashmere sweaters, silk blouses, and other staples from the Upper East Sider's closet. I was particularly taken with a red bouclé Carmen Marc Valvo dress, but, at $80, it was a bit more than I wanted to spend. MW found the men's racks too crammed to even browse, so onward and upward we went.

If there's a status hospital in NYC, it's Memorial Sloan-Kettering, and so their thrift shop [1440 3rd Ave. between 81st & 82nd Sts.] is pretty much what you'd expect: It's like a museum. The front features incredibly fancy furniture and objets d'art most likely banished to the store by various interior decorators; the middle of the store has a limited selection of expensive castoffs (cashmere sweaters, scarves, leisure wear); the back designer room is a treasure trove of Chanel, Pauline Trigere, Valentino...basically any big-name designer you could think of. Prices are steep, and skyrocket thereafter. My eyes teared up when I saw a pristine '70s YSL trench coat, in my size, for $350; I almost cringed when I saw a classic black Chanel suit for $1,500 (and, really, who gets rid of a black Chanel suit?). I was having fun just pawing everything, but after feeling the hawklike volunteer's eyes burning holes in my back, I decided to call it quits. Okay, clearly I could not afford anything here.

On the same block is the shop associated with a cause dear to my heart, that of the Arthritis Thrift Shop [1383 3rd Ave., between 81st & 82nd Sts.]. This shop is kind of a big disorganized mess, but I'm sure that if you have the time to dig, you can find some great stuff. I was starting to get pretty discouraged, however; I found a great vintage Jean Muir cashmere sweater, but its Berdgorf Goodman tag must've given it away, because it was marked $60. I also spotted a great pair of Chloe pumps, but they were behind the glass case, and I was afraid to ask the price. With the exception of Goodwill, the Arthritis Foundation's prices were the most reasonable, and this was the only store where I saw a line of people waiting to check out.

Our last stop was the Housing Works Thrift Shop [202 E. 77th St. between 2nd and 3rd Aves.], which was at least a bit more affordable than its neighbors. I found an awesome colorblocked silk dolman-sleeve dress from the '80s that seemed like a deal at $30, but, sadly, it had grease stains all along the front. Everything else--especially the selection of books--was pretty meager, especially compared to the downtown Housing Works.

So, four hours later, MW and I headed back to Brooklyn, completely empty-handed. Shopping the Upper East Side thrift stores is definitely not your typical thrift-store experience; it's more akin to shopping a vintage store curated by a middle-aged woman. Now, I realize that these stores benefit charities, hospitals and/or schools--all worthy causes--but I can't help but wonder if they'd generate even more money if the items were priced lower, and thus they sold more. My mom volunteers at a thrift shop, and while the town I grew up in is definitely not the Upper East Side, it's still fancy enough, but the items are priced at thrift-shop-friendly prices; over the years, my mom has snagged me a Prada raincoat for $12 and a (real) Chanel purse for $20. Such deals are clearly not to be had in Manhattan, but if you have an afternoon to spare, it's always fun to go treasure hunting.

Weekend of Cheryl part 1: Cheryl Shops the Barneys Warehouse Sale
So, while I am technically able to leave at 1 p.m. on Fridays during the summer, for the last month or so, I've been chained to my desk at work. This is because I have to work on all of our make-or-break Fall Fashion events; the timing is quite inconvenient however. At the beginning of the summer, I had made a list of all the fun things I wanted to do on my summer Friday afternoons, but due to my schedule, I clearly didn't get around to doing everything. So I decided to leave somewhat on time last Friday and cram as much as possible into one weekend--and to call it the Weekend of Cheryl. It ended up being somewhat of a failure.

My first stop was the Barneys Warehouse sale. I decided to wait a week, as I had back in February, because I wanted that additional markdown, and I didn't want to deal with the hysteria of the opening-weekend crowds. I scored quite the bounty back in February; this time, not so much. I spotted some Vena Cava dresses, lots of Helmut Lang pants, still some Kate Moss Topshop blouses and dresses, and some Marc by Marc Jacobs here and there. In the fancy section, there was quite a bit of Nina Ricci, Comme des Garcons, and Lanvin, all of which, at 30% off lowest prices, was still far too expensive. There were a lot of shoes--Prada, Pierre Hardy, Stella McCartney--but, again, still out of my reach (plus, many of the styles are still available, at the same prices, on Barneys.com, and if you decide you don't want them, you can actually still return them). I tried on an incredibly ill-fitting Mayle dress, a 3.1 Phillip Lim sweater (or was it a tunic--I couldn't tell), and a blouse by Lover that made me look like a court jester. All rejects. I ended up with just two items: a long-sleeved white tee from The Row (and let me tell you, The Row is definitely Olsen-sized--my tee is a large, and it is snug) and a long organic wool cardigan from Loomstate. (Side note: I never realized how nice Loomstate is--now I understand why Barneys promotes the crap out of it.) I was a little sad about my poor haul, but, you know, you win some and you lose some. Call me crazy, but I'm actually considering going back Thursday after work, just to see what kinds of mega-bargains I can find.

Coming tomorrow, parts 2 and 3 of the Weekend of Cheryl saga!

The week in shopping
Expect Chloe, Matthew Williamson, and big, big crowd's at Intermix's warehouse sale. 8/26-8/28; 9-8; Metropolitan Pavilion, 110 W. 19th St. (6th & 7th Aves.).

Mulberry's luxe British bags are up to 75% off. 8/27-8/28; 10-7; 123 W. 18th St. (6th & 7th Aves.).

Bohemian-chic summery looks from Yaya Aflalo, Love by Yaya, and Moon Katz are 50%-80% off. 8/26-8/28; 8-8 Tues., 10-8 Wed. & Thurs.; 145 W. 18th St. (6th & 7th Aves.).

At 70% off, prices are still mid-three-figures at the Temperley sale, but considering most items originally retailed for over $1,000, that's not so bad. 8/27-8/30; 8-8 Wed., 10:30 Thurs.-Fri., 11:30-7 Sat.; 453 Broome St. (at Mercer St.), 2nd fl.

Summer items are $65 and up at Zero + Maria Cornejo's sample sale. Through 8/30; noon-7:30; 255 Mott St. (Prince & Spring Sts.).

The French-themed boutique Noisette has clothing and accessories from Maje, BA&SH, and other designers francoises for 50%-70% off. Through 8/31; noon-7; 54 N. 6th St. (at Kent Ave.), Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

The excellent Marmalade Vintage has vintage finds on sale. Through 8/31; noon-9; 172 Ludlow St. (Houston & Stanton Sts.).

Sadly, Lisa Levine is closing her little jewelry store; score her delicate jewels for 25%-75% off. Through 9/12; 1-8 weekdays, noon-8 weekends (closed Mon.); 536 Metropolitan Ave. (at Union Ave.), Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Environmentally friendly clothes and accessories are 30%-50% off at Ekovaruhuset, House of Organics. Through 8/31; 1-8; 123 Ludlow St. (Rivington & Delancey Sts.).

Save 25%-40% on floor models and select merchandise at Bo Concept through 8/31. See website for store locations and hours.

Save up to 70% at Inhabit's summer sale.

It's stock-up time at shopbop.com Use code BOPFORFALL for $25 off $150, $50 off $300, $100 off $500, or $250 off $1,000. Through 8/27.

Recommended reading
So, there was a really thought-provoking article in today's Wall Street Journal, about why designers don't make bigger sizes. It makes a good point: Considering the average American woman is a size 14, why don't most fashion designers make anything bigger than a 12? (Or, in many instances, a 10?) The designers' going argument is that bigger clothes require more fabric and thus cost more money, but, really, I think it's because size is the one prejudice it's still okay to have. I mean, it's not okay, but it's more socially acceptable than, say, racism. Which doesn't make it right. God forbid people with less-than-perfect bodies walk around in clothes that jeopardize the artistry of an artist's, er, designer's vision.

But the article doesn't focus on value judgments; what is focuses on is the missed economic opportunity. Clothing companies are businesses after all, and while image is incredibly important in this day and age, so is making money. And with all the size-12-and-up women in this country, not making clothing to fit them is, well, pretty stupid. There are plenty of women out there who want to spend $200 on jeans and $500 on a dress (the article spotlights Paige Premium Denim and eveningwear designer Tadashi Shoji as two of the few companies with an extended range of sizes); as of now, they have very few options.

MasstigeWatch!
Much as I try, I can't seem to avoid reading Fashionista, which had a complete collection of images of the Comme des Garcons for H&M collection, but was later forced to remove them at H&M's request (spoilsports!). Here's the one officially released photo, appearing in this month's W. The polka-dot blouses are a bit twee for me, and the wide-leg cropped pants do not look too flattering, but I am all over the deconstructed black jackets. Look for it in stores November 19th.

Also, Dean Harris' jewelry collection for Target is now available online and in stores. The look is kind of earthy and organic and bohemian; I find the flowers and peace signs a bit cheesy, but there are some great pieces here and there. Of course my favorite piece is also the most expensive, this $99.99 sterling silver bracelet. (So much for masstige, Target!)

The week in shopping
Hollywould's online blowout sale ends Wednesday, but savings of up to 85% are available at the store through Saturday. Through 8/24; 11:30-7; 198 Elizabeth St. (Prince & Spring Sts.).

Men's and women's Paul Stuart clothing and accessories in a full range of sizes are up to 70% off. Men's suits are $299-$349; women's jackets are $149. Through 8/22; 10-7; 207 W. 38th St. (7th & 8th Aves.).

Nolita's Eva boutique has Wayne, Grey Ant, and Vivienne Westwood's Anglomania line for 50%-80% off. 8/21-8/24; 11-8; 227 Mulberry St. (Prince & Spring Sts.).

Stock up on costume jewelry and cheapie accessories for $5-$20 at Alexia Crawford's sample sale. Through 8/22; 9-7; 35 W. 36th St. (5th & 6th Aves.), 6th fl.

The unimaginatively named Denim & Knits has Juicy Couture, plus all manner of designer jeans (think Chip & Pepper, 7, Citizens, etc.) for $30 and up. Through 8/24; 10-8; 2 Cordlandt St. (Broadway & Church Sts.), 2nd fl. - Featuring Juicy Couture

Save up to 70% at Blissworld (think lots of clothing and accessories) through 8/21.

Use code AUGUST8 at saks.com to get $25 off a $250-$499 purchase, $50 off a $500-$999 purchase, $100 off a $1,000-$1,999 purchase, $300 off a $2,000-$2,999 purchase, or $400 off a $3,000 or more purchase, through 8/21.

Tomorrow is the last day of Satya's online sample sale; there's not a lot left, but what is left is supercheap! (I might order the pendant for Ganesha, remover of obstacles!)

Save 30%-75% at Tobi's online sale.

Too lazy to schlepp over to Union Square? Enter code hc08 for 30% off anything at the Owl's Lab website.

Take an extra 20% off select sale items at net-a-porter.com when you enter code SUMMER at checkout through 8/31.

Get a free Bop Basics scarf with any regular-priced jeans purchase at shopbop.com. Also, check out new markdowns in their sale section.

Sales coming tomorrow
I promise!

R.I.P. Mayle
Buried, as usual, in today's WWD, was the heartbreaking news that Jane Mayle is closing her business after 10 years. The 2009 resort collection, due to hit stores in November, will be her last; her Elizabeth Street store in Nolita will close in February. Mayle is closing up not due to the bad economy but due to the fact that she has become disenchanted with the fashion industry in general:

Yet she was turned off by the ever-accelerating fashion system, its out-of-whack delivery cycle and the pressures to cave into the importance placed on media hype that can sometimes be counterproductive.

“It seems like a commercial cul-de-sac in a way that the customer gets tired before the collections even hit stores,” Mayle said. “How I came to this business was all about dreaming and building a wardrobe you would be seduced by. That mystery and remoteness and insouciance have disappeared from fashion in order to accelerate the product. I feel I have just become another cog in that machinery.”

The demands, she added, affected her ability to get her hands on the quality fabrics she sought, for instance.

“It’s become so overaccelerated that I felt the only way to make things meaningful is to stop doing them,” she said.

I, for one, am incredibly sad about this, as Mayle is one of my favorite labels (albeit, one that used to be somewhat affordable, but has nearly doubled in price in recent years). I'm guessing that there will be some sort of blowout sale at the shop before it closes, but until then, I suggest stocking up on Mayle while you have the chance.

MasstigeWatch!
This is a quick one--Target has confirmed that Thakoon Panichgul will be the next Go International designer, after Jonathan Saunders in October-ish. Thakoon's collection will launch in December and be available in stores and online through January. It will be interesting to see how his kooky-librarian aesthetic translates to Tar-zhay's mass-market customer, but I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Stay away from the polyester, please!

When blogs go bad
It's inevitable that the bigger a blog gets, at some point it's going to start to suck. Case in point: Gawker. Another blog I loved when it first came out was Fashionista, which had a fun mix of DIY tips, insider scoops, and profiles of indie designers. Ever since founding editor Faran Krentcil left, however, it's started to go downhill. The post that really annoyed me was this one announcing the death of Yves Saint Laurent, particularly the part about his shoes. Really, the shoes? Of all the wonderful things we can thank YSL for--pants, leopard print, taking women out of 1950s prissy looks--they chose to talk about the shoes? Which, if we want to get technical (and I do), were not designed by YSL himself but by current designer Stefano Pilati who is, in fact, alive. And while I'm at it, the rest of the offending sentence--"We never met him"--is perhaps just as bad. Of course you've never met him; even Alicia Drake, who wrote the wonderful book The Beautiful Fall, about YSL's rivalry with Karl Lagerfeld, couldn't get an interview with him. After five years of trying. But I digress.

One of Fashionista's more controversial series of posts is the "Adventures in Copyright" series; what started out as legitimate--Diane von Furstenberg and Anna Sui have both sued Forever 21 over prints which, like logos, are legally protected in the United States--eventually devolved into calling out high-street stores (Forever 21, Topshop, and Baker's Shoes are frequent targets) for knocking off designer goods. Fashionista's official stance is that we shoppers shouldn't buy knockoffs, because they don't protect designers' ingenuity; instead, they think we should support innovation by buying original designs. This credo, while noble (and in line with the CFDA), is, if you ask me a bit idealistic. Clothing and shoe designs cannot be copyrighted in the U.S. because they are functional, utilitarian items (essential to life, if you will). True, the CFDA is working to change this law, but I think considering the current economic climate, they don't have a prayer. Also, aside from opening a Pandora's Box of lawsuits, challenging the law would, in a way, be challenging our Capitalist system. Now, there are many aspects of Capitalism that drive me crazy (the exorbitant amount of money I pay for my health insurance comes to mind; the Bush administration invoking it for justifying their cronyism is another), but, really, where do you draw the line? Can Levi's claim ownership of blue jeans? What about Chanel and the little black dress? See what I mean?

So, along those lines, came today's post written by a intern, called Would you wear a knock-off? I suggest reading the post itself for the full effect, but, basically, the writer had a drink with a friend and called out the friend on her knockoff YSL tribute shoes and knockoff YSL Mondrian dress (the former from Baker's shoes, the latter from Forever 21). The friend--gasp!--not only admitted they were knockoffs but showed no remorse in buying them; after all, it's not like she could afford the originals (especially since a true YSL Mondrian dress like this one would most likely be found only in a museum or, if you could possibly find one at auction, would probably cost upwards of $100,000. The Tribute sandals are $760). The writer was appalled.

Now, first things first. If a friend wrote a trite, judgmental post like this about me--especially in a public forum like a widely-read fashion blog--I would probably never talk to them again. That said, the writer is clearly stuck in a fashion-world bubble. Yes, many people buy knockoffs without realizing they're a cheaper version of something a higher-end designer created first, but many other people--myself included--buy knockoffs knowing full well that they are what they are. (Note: I am talking about derivatives, not counterfeits, which are illegal--as I said earlier, logos and prints are copyright-protected--not to mention tacky.) First of all, most people who can afford $800 shoes aren't going to be buying the $80 version, and, likewise, those who are buying the $80 version probably cannot even begin to dream of affording the $800 version (and if they can, so what? They can choose to spend their money however they want). Just because people choose to spend less on fashion doesn't mean they should be excluded from wearing the season's trends. And as I noted earlier, we are a capitalist society; the same principles that allow Bakers to create a lookalike (but most likely inferior) product for a tenth of the price also allow big designers to be compensated accordingly. Take, for example, the often-ripped-off Marc Jacobs; you can read about his multimillion-dollar art collection and his Left Bank apartment here. And while we're on the topic of Marc Jacobs, yes, he's truly an innovative designer (and one of my most admired), but, by god, he's a knockoff artist himself--everyone from Claude Montana to Halston has shown up as an influence on his runway, which leads me to my final point. There's no way that fashion-copyright protection laws can be enacted, because not only do mass-market retailers knock off high-end designers, but high-end designers knock off each other. And vintage! And street fashion! Pot calling the kettle black, people!

So, back to the original point of my post, which is that Fashionista has gone downhill, and now they've managed to alienate a large percentage of their readers with today's post (if you don't believe me, read the 150-odd comments--a Fashionista record). I will probably keep reading it, just so that I don't miss something important, but, ugh, begrudgingly so.

Make me a monster, er, model
Because there apparently can't be too many reality modeling shows, MTV has decided to stop airing reruns of America's Next Top Model and instead start its own competition show called Model Makers. Of course, all new entries in this crowded field must have a gimmick, and, in the grand tradition of Shandi Sullivan, MTV is going the ugly-duckling-into-beautiful-swan route. Sure, you need to be tall and somewhat young to compete, but if you've got a few extra pounds, no problem. Or, in the words of the press release I received today:

Have you always wanted to model but don't know where to start? Maybe you don't know the right people. Maybe you are not thin enough. Maybe you are not photogenic. MODEL MAKERS will give you the ultimate make-over and transform you into the model of your dreams.

Women come in all shapes and sizes, but models don’t. The term model conjures an image of stick-thin, towering beauties oozing confidence, glamour, poise and sexuality from every pore. “Skinny,” “no body fat,” and “size zero” are the words and phrases associated with models. “Chubby,” “well-fed,” and “big-boned” are not…

Until now!

From acclaimed Model Manager Michael Flutie, Cris Abrego Productions and MTV, introducing “MODEL MAKERS”, the show that dares to go where no modeling show has gone before.

15 lucky women from around the country will get the opportunity of a lifetime when MTV hands them over to Michael Flutie and an expert team of trainers, nutritionists, stylists, and other industry leaders. Under the watchful "eye" of these experts, models will endure twelve weeks of intensive physical fitness training to help them get down to their ideal size. Models will also compete in various high fashion challenges to determine who has star quality. With weekly eliminations looming, models must put their best foot forward at all times while staying focused on losing weight.

In other words, it's America's Next Top Biggest Loser! Or, the John Robert Powers Modeling School! Granted, the winner gets $100,000, a personal trainer, and a portfolio (but NOT a modeling contract!), but, the whole thing seems a bit...exploitative to me. (I know, you could say the same thing about the modeling industry in general.) I mean, it sounds like a recipe for 15 eating disorders, which, considering MTV's audience, is probably not the best idea.

Of course, I'm probably going to watch it. And I hate myself a little for it.

The week in shopping
Sharpen those elbows: It's time for the Barneys Warehouse Sale! Prices start at 50%-75% off, then get marked down further as the sale progresses. I am going to wait for the first round of markdowns, but I'm sure Racked will be there on opening day. 8/14-9/1; 8-9 Thurs. & Fri., 10-9 weekdays and 10-7 weekends thereafter; 255 W. 17th St. (7th & 8th Aves.).

If you can't handle the warehouse sale, head over to any Barneys Co-op store (or department) with a pair of your old jeans, then take 20% off a new regular-priced pair. Through 8/25.

If you're out in the Hamptons, please invite me over, and then we can go to the Shoe-Inn together. 10,000 shoes from Chloe, Frye, FitFlops, Stuart Weitzman, and every other shoe designer on the planet are $19-$169. New merch added daily. 8/14-8/24; 9-5:45; American Legion Hall on Route 27 (across from Brent's), Amagansett.

Samples for (eco)mpassion is having a warehouse sale; find items from DVF, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Citizens of Humanity and more on mega-sale. Through 8/14; noon-8; 2 Great Jones St. (Broadway & Lafayette).

Matta's colorful clothing and home accessories are now $20-$100. Noon-8 Wed.-Fri.; 237 Lafayette Sts. (Prince & Spring Sts.).

Jamin Puech's bags--very well made, but less obvious than many other designer bags--are a nice 20%-50% off. 11-7, noon-6 Sun.; 14 Prince St. (at Elizabeth St.).

Lauren Merkin's ladylike handbags are 40%-70% off. 8/12–8/14; 11-7; 231 W. 29th St. (7th & 8th Aves.), ste. 201.

Celebs have been spotted shopping at Cream, and with Geren Ford, Anna Sui, and Antik Batik at up to 50% off, I can understand why. Through 8/15; 11-7, 11-8 Thurs.; 1124 3rd Ave. (at 65th St.).

Shop has moved a few blocks downtown, but all summer items are 40% off. Through 8/15; noon-7; 94 Orchard St. (at Broome St.).

Tracy Reese's feminine frocks (and separates) are now 40%-60% off. Through 8/24; 11-7, 11-8 Thurs., noon-6 Sun.; 641 Hudson St. (Horatio & Gansevoort Sts.).

Remember Tretorn sneakers? Revisit your childhood with shoes and apparel for men, women, and children at 30% off. Through 8/15; 10-8, noon-7 Sun.; 150 Spring St. (at Wooster St.).

Hit Patois for unlimited mimosas at brunch, then head across the street to the Brooklyn Indie Market, where select items are 10%-50% off. 8/16; 11-7; Smith St. at Union St., Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn.

If you're like me and you like picture books, hit Rizzoli for some great deals on coloful reading material (many under $20). Through 9/1; 10-7:30 weekdays, 10:30-7 Sat., 11-7 Sun.; 31 W. 57th St. (5th & 6th Aves.).

Stock up on pens, notebooks, and stationery at 10% off (well, every little bit helps) during Muji's back-to-school sale. Through 9/1; 11-9, 11-8 Sun.; 455 Broadway (at Grand St.).

On Katie Holmes' jeans
I will be the first to admit that I am totally mystified by Katie Holmes: the blank stare, the shopping sprees, the ever-morphing hair, and so on. I feel bad that she has pretty much blown her career, but the silver lining is that she's become a sort of quiet fashion icon. (Then again, if I had Tom Cruise's money to spend, you bet your Birkin I'd buy my way onto the best-dressed list.) She has managed to completely transform herself, and yet sometimes I wonder whether some of what she's doing is an attempt at true trendsetting or an act of rebellion. Case in point: In today's the Cut blog at New York Magazine, the Fug Girls addressed Holmes' new favorite clothing item: her pegged jeans. The Fug Girls are appalled, but the commenters are pretty much split between thinking she looks stylish and directional and thinking she looks depressed and sloppy.

Personally, I welcome the return of boyfriend jeans. For the past 10 years, jeans have been ass tight, and while I generally believe that people look better in clothes that fit them, a part of me misses when jeans were truly comfortable. (Side note: On the way to the subway this morning, I saw a woman wearing what I assume were vintage Old Navy overalls. She looked so comfortable and, dare I say, chic.) Now, these are not jeans to wear out to the clubs or bars; boyfriend jeans are more for hanging out. Also, I would caution against rolling them like Katie does--it's giving me flashbacks of the circa 1990 "French roll" that I rocked in middle school. In fact, for a better way to wear them, I suggest taking a cue from none other than Katie Holmes' best friend, our dear Victoria Beckham. (Maybe living in Los Angeles is having a positive effect on her after all!)

MasstigeWatch!
Every fashionista worth her skinny jeans let out a collective shriek this morning upon reading this glorious item in WWD's Fashion Scoops:

It looks like Alexander McQueen could be the latest designer name — and one of the most prestigious — to link up with Target’s Go International program, which showcases capsule collections by guest designers. According to industry sources, the British designer is in talks to work on a collection for the Minneapolis-based retailer. A spokeswoman for McQueen declined comment Wednesday.

If the designer does ink a deal with Target, he would join an ever-growing lineup of marquee names who have produced collections for the brand, including Luella Bartley, Alice Temperley, Proenza Schouler and Richard Chai. In addition, Anya Hindmarch and Sigerson Morrison both have collections in the pipeline for the retailer.

While McQueen launched a denim-based diffusion line, called McQ Alexander McQueen, in fall 2006, he’s not yet notched up a collaboration with a mass retailer during his career. As well as his ready-to-wear collection, McQueen designs a footwear collection for Puma and a capsule luggage collection for Samsonite’s Black Label.

That's right: Alexander McFuckingQueen and Target. WWD must have a well-planted spy somewhere at Target, because every single Target-collaboration rumor that's popped up in this column has come true. So I think we can all start to mentally prepare ourselves for plaid, corsets, bustles, and sharp tailoring from fashion's former enfant terrible. Now, the only thing that gives me pause is that the Go International collections have widely varied in terms of quality and fit, whereas, say, H&M's collections have been pretty stellar across the board. Nonetheless, I pray that if this is indeed true--and, for the love of François-Henri Pinault I hope it is--that McQueen stays away from the polyester.

And, not necessarily masstige, but on a similarly budget-conscious level, Alexander Wang has announced that he's creating both a line of shoes and a lower-priced line of knitwear (the latter will most likely retail for under $100). WWD has the details [subscription required]; the shoes look a little scary, but the knits look pretty good to me, kind of like a grown-up, less shrink-prone version of American Apparel. Sadly, both the shoes and the knits won't hit stores until spring 2009, but in the meantime, there's always his full-priced line, which you can find at Barneys, Nordstrom, and Shopbop.

MasstigeWatch! Target edition
Note: I am having trouble uploading images. My apologies for the visual boringness of this post.
I went to the Target in good ol' tax-free Salem, New Hampshire this weekend, and as happy as I am to have a Target nearby in Brooklyn, going to a Target in the suburbs is a completely different experience: the shelves are stocked, there aren't thousands of people everywhere, and, in all, it's a positively transporting experience. So I was happy to see, a day early, that their Richard Chai Go International collection was out on the racks--not every single piece, but a good percentage of it nonetheless. I only ended up buying this striped top (which is a lot cuter than it looks in the picture), but I tried on a bunch of other stuff. The voile top had the potential to be awesome, but on me, it looked like a maternity top. The floral-print dress, while not exactly my style, was really cute, and its classic shape will flatter a bunch of body types. I really liked this sleeveless black dress, but ended up not buying it because, really, the last thing I need is another black dress. I also really liked the long cardigan, but thought the color was going to be more of a dark purple, as opposed to a bluish lavender. Still, it's a cotton-cashmere blend, so the feel is very soft, and I like the longer length. I tried on the zip-front skirt too, and while it was cute, it was also about three inches shorter than what I can get away with for work. Although I had been really excited about it, I didn't try on the crinkled colorblock dress--it's 100% polyester and, well, looks it. The highlight for me, however, is that I was able to score a few of the far superior Rogan pieces--the romper and the mint green blazer--on mega-clearance. Yay for unfashionable New Hampshire!

While in Target, I also was able to check out all of the Botkier bags; the magenta and plain black bags were the best-looking; all of the metallics and animal-printed ones were jankety-janky-looking. Brooklyn's own Hayden-Harnett is supposedly the next accessories collaboration; let's hope they come up with better product than the last few.

The week in shopping
The Olsen twins' Elizabeth and James and LaROK are teaming up for a joint sale, with prices 75% off. I might just have to swing by. 8/5-8/7; 8-8 Tues., 10-8 Wed. & Thurs.; 145 W. 18th St. (6th & 7th Aves.).

It's final sale time at Manolo Blahnik. Need I say more? Through 8/8; 10:30-6 (closed between 2-3 daily for restocking); 31 W. 54th St. (5th & 6th Aves.).

Clothingline has something for everyone this week with Theory, Helmut Lang, Alice + Olivia, and Gryphon. Prices are a nice $20-$109. Through 8/7; 10-7 Tue. & Thurs., 10-6 Wed.; 261 W. 36th St. (7th & 8th Aves.), 2nd fl.

Rebecca & Drew's sample sale is now going on in its bricks-and-mortar store; prices are 30%-65% off. 8/5-8/17; 11-7, 11-8 Sat., noon-7 Sun.; 342 W. 13th St. (8th Ave. & Hudson St.).

If Thomas O'Brien's Target collection is too lowbrow for you, hit his full-price Aero store for furniture, textiles, and home accessories on sale. Through 8/31; 11-6 (closed Sun.).; 419 Broome St. (Crosby & Lafayette Sts.).

Flight 001's Final Boarding Call summer sale is now in effect online and in stores. Savings are 30%-75%.