You Can Still Get Karl Lagerfeld at Macy's Herald Square

Aren't you glad the Kaiser is still hanging around the second floor of Macy's Herald Square? There are plenty of pleather shorts for 25% off because it's all 25% off. Go shop now before the Giambattista Valli takes over Impulse.

This was shot before Fashion Week. I don't remember seeing that jacket on the floor yesterday.

I'll be honest: I have an old post in my drafts saying not very complimentary things about this collection. It will be filed under the very NOT fashionably correct title "Ranting about Karl Lagerfeld." Today I leave you with this: go get those pleather shorts. Also, I really like the flower print blouse.

Lagerfeld for Macy's at the Herald Square store yesterday.

If you look online, there's not much Lagerfeld left, and almost none of it is on sale. You will, however, note that the sleeveless, hooded, faux-croc vest is on sale. The model looks adorable. But I order you to slowly back away from the vest and DO NOT look back... 

 Does faux croc ever not look like plastic?  

Wouldn't you rather get the pretty floral dress? If this is one of those moments where you say to yourself That Doesn't Look So Bad, email me please and I'll send you the photo I'm too vain to publish. The rest of you can go pick out pretty Lagerfeld for what? 25% off!

Macy's Herald Square 151 W. 34th Street between Broadway & 7th Avenue

Steven Tyler for Andrew Charles At Macy's Herald Square

I first saw the Andrew Charles line when I was trolling Bar III at Macy's Herald Square before Fashion Week. The T-shirts looked very Hard Tail from the '90's meets metal from the '80's. So here is the perfect face for the line, who you can meet this Friday at Macy's Herald Square:

Voila: Steven Tyler of Aerosmith and his daughter Chelsea, who represents Andrew Charles with her dad. I didn't see her fabulous leggings in Herald Square (and I was looking to buy), but they are carrying her T-shirt. Obviously, I need to go to men's and see if I can find Steven's look.

This Friday, October 14th, you can meet Steven Tyler from Aerosmith and get a photo with him, but you've got to hit up Macy's Herald Square on Thursday and be one of the first 300 to buy $100 worth of Andrew Charles clothing. More details and extra special Andrew Charles contest opportunities can be read about here.


Macy's Herald Square 151 W. 34th Street between Broadway & 7th Avenue

34th Street Weekend Sales Picks: H&M's Conscious Collection

Of course, because it's a holiday weekend, sales are everywhere. Aeropostale is having a 70% off sale, Esprit is having a 30% off sale, Gap is having a 50% off sale...it's pretty much battle of the percentage this weekend on 34th Street.

  #1. H&M
Because their new Conscious Collection is in both our 34th Street stores, and you can get 25% off one item through Monday (print coupon here).  34th Street and Broadway, 34th Street and Seventh Avenue

#2. Macy's Herald Square
Because it's their big Columbus Day sale, which means 25%-75% off storewide.  151 West 34th Street

#3. Payless
Because BOGO 1/2 off everything is back! And, well, just look at the Isabel Toledos, Sirianos, et al.  110 West 34th Street

This is a rain boot! Send your love to Isabel Toledo.

A Little 34th Street Retail History

Lately I've been fielding 34th Street retail questions from the press like "What used to be in the new Timberland space?" and "Who was there before Uniqlo?" Sadly, I found myself digging around in my archives because I was coming up blank. This is either a reflection of my compromised brain or a testament to the speed in which the city's landscape is changing. I prefer the latter. Anyway, while frantically struggling with "Who the hell was in the new Levi's space just one year ago?" (Foot Locker, duh), I thought "Video!"

 

My favorite transformations are Victoria's Secret and Old Navy. Many thanks to my video intern, Adrian Nienaber, and Anne Kumer, our archivist, for putting this together. Saying we have a lot of 34th Street photos is a big understatement. If you're interested in district storefronts or building facade photos, we are here for you. Well, Anne is here for you, I'll just be passing your email along.

JCPenney Has It WRAPT Up

Dylan Lauren of Dylan's Candy Bar at the JCPenney WRAPT holiday preview.

Officially, my holiday shopping has begun. I know, I don't even have a Halloween costume yet but I blame it on JCPenney. Today in their Manhattan Mall store they opened WRAPT, a brilliant new in-store gift boutique. What makes WRAPT so special? Their awesome brand amalgamation: Dylan's Candy Bar, Glamour Magazine, MoMA Design Store, X-Treme Geek, The Smile Shop, and Maxim Magazine. Crazy smart, right? All the bases are covered. Well, maybe not all, but if you can't find something here to check off your list I might have to whack you on the head. My cat does this to me all the time. Speaking of animals...

I attended the WRAPT press preview yesterday, and we were given the choice of an item to take home. And thus began my WRAPT torture. How to choose? I really wanted the MoMA owl egg timer, but felt compelled to buy my daughter a toy. I compromised with something we would both love:

Smile Shop Friendship Bracelet kit! When I saw the letter cubes I had to have it. I think we'll make one for Dad, too. Speaking of guys...

 A super tough Maxim Fire Extinguisher Water Bottle. Oh, the tough guys I could give this to, it's a perfect  gift that says so much! While those of us in Manhattan can shop WRAPT now at JCPenney in Manhattan Mall, the rest of you non-Manhattan Mall JCPenney shoppers must wait till October 21st. Hey, it's still before Halloween! 

Dylan Lauren says "Use these boxes for storage after you've scarfed the candy!" That's not really a direct quote, but I did interview her and she does reuse these boxes. Interview coming!

WRAPT Gift Boutique in JCPenney Manhattan Mall 

Lower levels one & two, 33rd Street and Sixth Avenue

Stacy Lomman's Biohazard for Spring 2012

Photos courtesy of Stacy Lomman

I'm so impressed with Stacy Lomman and the evolution of her personal collection that launched a year ago. At the end of this past New York Fashion Week, I again had the honor of viewing her spring collection. Dubbed "Biohazard," (click to view video) the program notes introduced the clothing to come with a provocative quote: "It's a dangerous world...dress accordingly." This all felt right up my alley and Ms. Lomman did not disappoint.

While looking through my photos, I remembered another thing I loved about Stacy's show besides the theme, the fabric, and the sleek modern design: the rear view. So I put together some shots with front and rear views, because Stacy is one of those designers whose clothes look good from every angle.

My favorite shots. Left, a classic "glancing at the floor" runway pose, and right, why this is probably my favorite dress. See the neon color and the netting overlay?! Dying.

Whoops, no rear shot on this one! But I so adored all the pops of neon color in this collection I had to share. Love this dress; it maybe a tie with the black above.

Red vinyl jumpsuit, oh yeah.

High, low, and asymmetrical. It's got it all.

You haven't lived till you've seen the Biohazard wedding dress up close and personal.

Finale shots! These only have one view. Be sure to follow Stacy's blog, Taffeta Darlings, for news about future collections and how/where to buy.

Mango Open on 34th Street

Last week Mango opened on 34th Street, and on my first visit I tried on four dresses and a pair of light pink pointed-toed heels. I left wanting four dresses and a pair of light pink pointed-toed heels.

Yes, I'm looking right at you and thinking "Kate Middleton dress" ($79.90).

Probably not a Duchess of Cambridge dress ($79.90).

 The orange shift is $69.90. Look at the pretty neckline! And the chinoiserie print!

On the right I'm practicing my variation on the Wendy Brandes pose. The blue plaid is $119.90 and the pink shoes (in all photos) were around $100. Unfortunately, there's a 39 and maybe one other size left in the pink shoes.

General store feelings? My pre-opening Mango excitement was well warranted. After trying on clothes I tweeted in response to @MangoPie (no relation to Mango) that I was in dress and accessory heaven. But when I first walked into the store I was getting Ghost of Lane Bryant Past in the surrounding decor. Luckily I was immediately overcome by the surrounding dresses and their price tags and soon could only think MANGO. Also, the bag and shoe selection is pretty fantastic. So yes, a big hoo-rah to have Mango open on 34th Street. It's now top on my list for event shopping, next to Macy's Impulse, Zara, and H&M.

Mango 7 West 34th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues