Wednesday, April 28, 2010

A Dress Travels on 34th Street

Kati shops Daffy's Herald Square for today's guest staff post, and helps Fashion Herald discover maybe two degrees of 34th Street separation with a Ben Sherman dress?

Daffy’s is a good place to shop for inspiration when you feel like buying something, but you’re unsure as to exactly what. True to this idea, I ended up in the Daffy’s dressing room yesterday with a random assortment of styles and colors – none of which I was particularly looking for…

White and Warren cotton dress, $23.99 (originally $90).
There’s a large rack full of White and Warren cotton in a variety of colors. Mostly dresses like the above, and extra long tee-style tunics.

I’ve been in love with poppy red lately, so I grabbed this Calvin Klein dress on a whim ($59.99, orig $138). It’s not my regular style, but I loved it so much I actually bought it. (Agh FH, why did you send me out to spend money!?!)

There were also two racks of Ben Sherman at very deep discount. I liked this turquoise knit dress, and found the quality to be worth way more than the $29.99 price tag. I was pretty excited about the blazer on the hanger, but it turned out to be cut strangely when I tried it on – certain parts were too large, and others too small.

Ben Sherman Blazer $39.99 (orig $259), Ben Sherman Sweater Dress $29.99 (orig $119)
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(Editor's note: Aha! Look, this Ben Sherman dress has gone full-circle on 34th Street! Here it is back in March at Macy's Herald Square. Obviously a sign that I have to go buy it.)

Other finds:
Patrizia Pepe $69.99 (orig $286);
Green blouse $16.99 (orig $42)
.



















This was weird, but so close to being good! Unfortunately the details are probably a little too clownish, and the neckline is an awkward length that requires a shirt underneath ($13.99, was $78). 
And last, I think this piece could be dressed up nicely with the right accessories – perhaps a pair of higher end shoes and a belt ($29.99, was $89).















Daffy's Herald Square, Herald Center, 34th & Broadway

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Craig's Summer Skincare Picks

Craig, Fashion Herald's intern, shares his favorite summer skincare products.

With May around the corner, it’s safe to say that summer is almost here! Before you blow your tax refund on a new wardrobe, don’t forget a summer skincare regime! I’ve compiled a list of essential products from Sephora 34th Street and Sephora JCPenney that have gotten me through many a summer.

Murad Oil-Control Mattifier SPF 15
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Absolute lifesaver. I have really oily skin and the sun only makes it worse. The best of this moisturizer is the SPF. It’s really hard to find a mattifying moisturizer that actually mattifies on top of giving me SPF. If it was legal, I’d probably marry this moisturizer.

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment
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I know we’re in a recession but this scrub is absolutely worth the $85. After using this for a week, my skin definitely felt smoother and I saw a reduction in pore size. Of course, as with any scrub, you only want to use this once or twice a week. If you want to get your tan on, it is absolutely important to scrub before in order to get an even color.

Clinique Non-Streak Bronzer (not available in JCPenney Sephora)
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For those with sensitive skin, there is always the self-tanning route. This bronzer is just too amazing for words. Mix it with your moisturizer, rub it in, and enjoy a natural glow all day. The product is certainly true to its name because I’ve never seen a streak and I’ve been using it for quite a while. I’ve also heard of people using it on their legs and arms so don’t be shy!

I’m a skincare junkie and I’m always open to suggestions. If there’s a summer skincare essential that you love, tell us about it in the comments!


Sephora 34th Street, 130 W. 34th St btwn Broadway & 7th
and
Sephora JCPenney Manhattan Mall, lower level 1, 33rd & 6th

Monday, April 26, 2010

De-De-De-Desigual

When I first went into Desigual on 34th Street last week, I practically stammered at the sight: color, patterns, and prints all over, it reminded me of one of those exotic bird shops you find in basement stores in Brooklyn. And I wanted to take some home:

Dresses priced around $144;



















Striped zip-upis $124, skirt $89, button jacket is $134;





















Love this long tank, has pockets, $64, drop-crotch pants are $134. I was suspect of the pants, but they're very cute on (and very Naf Naf 80's). Rear view is very baggy. The top on the right is my favorite, $99.



















Desigual is, for me, a step above the Custos and other color/pattern-explosion lines. I found more pieces that I would wear regularly. But, like those exotic birds again, am I really going to wear it out? Seriously, I saw a hipster girl in Greenpoint (Brooklyn) walking around the other day with a big parrot on her shoulder. I was at once impressed and annoyed. Soon will all the hipsters in my hood be sporting parrots? Are you bold enough to walk around with a parrot on your shoulder, ala post-pirate chic? And how does one compete with live parrot accessories? Try a little Desigual. It's almost as eye-catching.

Desigual, 385 Fifth Avenue at 34th Street

Friday, April 23, 2010

Bears Trump Kiras


The Kira Plastinina storefront is finally gone from 34th Street, and there's a new bear in town. Did you all know the bear is Who.A.U.'s mascot? I discovered this recently. That bear looks adorable with that surfboard. And Baby Herald's pink teddy bear is adorable. But please don't go hanging out up close with the real ones. Yes, I recently saw the Herzog film Grizzly Man. Holy whoa!

On a lighter note, I spoke with the Who.A.U people recently and they are predicting a mid-May opening date. There should be a pre-opening tour, so stay posted for pictures and more.


Who.A.U. opening predicted mid-May at 22 W. 34th St. btwn 5th & 6th Aves.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Danny Seo & Real Housewives at Manhattan's JCPenney

Real Housewives of New York City Jill Zarin, Kelly Bensimon, and LuAnn de Lesseps are invading JCPenney Manhattan Mall this Saturday, April 24th. They'll be helping eco-stylist Danny Seo collect used jeans for JCPenney's Denim Drive from 9:00am - 10:30am (the drive will continue till 6pm). The first 100 jeans donors will get a $25 gift certificate and the first 500 will get a free Simply Green reusable tote designed by Michelle Bohbot. And no, I formerly had no idea that eco-stylists even existed, but it sounds like a great career. Kids, sign up. I mean, look at Danny's Twitter and his blog: he's got my dream home!

Photos from Danny Seo's blog, Daily Danny















And thanks to Danny's blog, I now know that JCPenney will carry his Simmons Natural Care mattress. It should be in stores this week, so I'm looking for it when I'm next in Manhattan Mall. Danny is also JCPenney's eco-consultant, so look for the Simply Green logo next time you're shopping in JCP at Manhattan Mall to keep it green and clean.

And thanks to Danny's Twitter, I just noticed the Racked story on how to go green at JCPenney: check it out.

And thanks to Danny's blog and Twitter, I've now fulfilled my Earth Day blogging responsibilities. Power to the social media.


JCPenney Manhattan Mall, lower levels 1 & 2, 33rd & 6th Avenue

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Kick Off Your Summer with Esprit on 34th Street

Today's guest staff post is by Lindsey, who went Memorial Day shopping at our new Esprit flagship. Thanks, Lindsey!


I am thinking: Memorial Day weekend. I’ve got plans to head somewhere semi-tropical. I’ll need comfortable daywear for the beach, shopping, and sailing. Then, I’ll need at least one dress to wear to a formal dinner party. Can I find all three in one shop? I’m perusing through Esprit and I definitely think I’ve got it covered with their seasonal line up!


To begin with, I’ve picked out a comfortable and colorful sun dress ($79.50) to throw on and walkabout town. Add a little denim jacket ($89.50) and I am ready to go! The great thing about both pieces is that I can mix and match them with the rest of my wardrobe for the summer. Add a vintage sweater to the dress for a softer feel. Add some white jean shorts to the denim jacket, a navy polo, and some boat shoes and you’ve got some serious prep going for you.





Now I need something I can potentially wear sailing for the day. I’ve found the perfect “skipper’s” outfit in this navy blue dress ($69.50). It will look great blowing in the wind and the navy color has a nautical feel to me.








Finally, I found a great little black number ($99.50) for cocktail hour and dinner. Add pearls as I have done in these photos and you’ve got a Jackie O feel. I love the keyhole cut of this dress! I got it in a form-fitting size to feel slightly more on the sexy side.











There are so many great evening dresses, I know I am heading back for more next week!


Esprit, 21 W. 34th between 5th & 6th Avenues

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Collection 18 Trend Book for Spring: Romance, White Wash, and Americana

Collection Eighteen is a fashion-accessory company located just outside of the 34th Street district. Visit Collection Eighteen for more information on this leader in the fashion accessory industry.

More trend book looks from Collection Eighteen: these are a great peek into a design firm's mood boards. I'll start with the color swatches, and then show you the looks, which, combined with yesterdays Wild Child hanging out in Marrakech, pretty much have you covered for spring inspiration. Click on images to enlarge.



















































Monday, April 19, 2010

Collection Eighteen Trend Book for Spring: Wild Thing Goes to Marrakech

Collection Eighteen is a fashion-accessory company located just outside of the 34th Street district. Visit Collection Eighteen for more information on this leader in the fashion accessory industry.

Now you're really in the mood to do some spring shopping, because it's sunny and 60+ degrees all week long and you're madly rummaging through the closet for appropriate spring attire. So I reconnected with Collection Eighteen to post up their trend books for spring and summer. I find it helpful to remind me what looks, trends, and colors are in this season, as for me they tend to all get lumped into, for example, one big stud/chain/feather trend...

Today we'll do their Wild Thing and Marrakech books. Seems about right that the Wild Thing would be making a trip to Marrakech. Click images to enlarge.

The colors y'all will be wearing this year during our warm seasons:















The looks:































Tomorrow I'll continue with more Collection Eighteen look book collages and colors. I love a look book, it's like an old-school Polyvore.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Zac Posen Pop-Up: What's Left?

What's left at the Posen pop-up today? Lots of the below: red leather jacket; the red poufy-skirted dress (and lots in black, too); and that brocade dress with bow-tie.

















There's also a few bikinis, lots of polka dot shirts, and lots of black jackets. Only two skirts left, no black cut-out dress, no one-piece bathing suits, and no long print dresses. I was there around 10:30am this morning, and now it's lunchtime so it'll be interesting to see how much is leftover after 2pm. It was a ghost town in there this morning.





My "artistic" iphone pop-up photo. See? Practically empty at 10:30am.

Target's Zac Posen Pop-Up
Thursday, April 15th, 11pm-11pm Friday night
481 8th Avenue at 34th Street
(The New Yorker Hotel)

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Spring Staples at Gap Herald Square

Today's guest staff post is by Vita, who checks out spring staples at Gap Herald Square.

Gap has some cute staple items for the spring, like this white sweater ($69.50).

Orange tee on clearance, $9.99.
I know, I know, it’s 70 and sunny outside, but you’re going to need something when the sun goes down, and something white to show off that new tan.















This plaid button-down ($54.50) has a nice mix of masculine and feminine touches. The front looks rugged, with sleeves bunched up to make me wish I had a personal garden to weed on the Hudson River. But look closely and the blue slivers start to shimmer in the light… and then check out the buttons in the back! Definitely accentuates my, uh, curves.


Speaking of bunched up sleeves, this denim jacket with the asymmetrical zipper ($69.50) looked rad on the rack. Not so much on me. They only had L and XL left, so it was less than flattering. But the pockets are still fun.

And then I found this fitted leather military jacket. Sizes on the floor were all too small for me, but I just had to try it.

(ed. note: I wish this was a staple in my closet!)
I couldn’t get over it, so I tried it buttoned, unbuttoned...
















Putting the jacket back on the rack confirmed my taste in quality fashion. This jacket’s price tag had ripped off, but the tag on the rest: $328!


Gap Herald Square, 34th Street & Broadway