Fashion Week Spring / Summer 2015: Desigual and Meskita

Desigual 

Amidst the endless lines and serious faces at the fashion week tents, one of the most refreshing things you can come across is a smile, especially on the runway – thank you Desigual. High energy, happiness, and all things bright and colorful is their signature on the runway and this Spring / Summer collection, titled “Say Something Nice,” falls right in line. In their third year of a collaboration with Christian Lacroix, Desigual presented a collection of blooming multi-cultural floral prints, from daises and roses, to hibiscuses and dahlias. Models breezed down the runway with light maxis, jumpsuits, and airy summer dresses, accessorized with flower crowns. Who better to open and close the show than the gorgeous Adriana Lima?

      

      

      

      

      

All photos from WWD

Meskita 
Returning to New York Fashion Week, Brazilian designer Alessandra Meskita presented a collection inspired by Egypt royalty and the various shades of the Sahara Desert. Hand pleated fabrics looked elegant as they flowed down the runway in the form of capes (my obsession), and evening and mini dresses. Nothing captures the essence of summer quite like crisp whites accented with gold – my favorite color – and Meskita does this beautifully. Subtle patterns with hieroglyphics, gold eye shadows, bold black eyeliner, and plenty of gold accessories all echoed an Egyptian influence without going over the top. Meskita aims to empower women through her collection by blending elements of both warriors (eg: leather harnesses) and goddesses.

      

      

      

      

      

All photos from WWD

Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2015: Nicholas K and Jay Godfrey

Nicholas K

Brother and sister design duo Nicholas and Christopher Kunz of Nicholas K, kicked off our Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week line up with a strong collection in their signature layered utilitarian style. This Spring / Summer collection was inspired by Isabelle Eberhardt, an explorer in the late 1800’s, and focused on pieces that were easy to wear and practical for traveling – think loose, movable, and Safari-inspired. Laced heels glamorized the nomadic look, while modern aviators heightened a sense of exploration. The collection was beautifully styled with horse hair accessories, leather harnesses, and plenty of head wraps.

      

      

      

      

All photos from WWD

Jay Godfrey 
Rock-n-roll cowboy mash-up is what Jay Godfrey was going for this fashion week, and mash-up is what he got. Some looks were highly appealing, like the black and white chevron suiting, the green fringe dress, and the fringe cape with silver studded pants, but others were not as convincing (see leopard print tuxedo and see-through lace shawl, below). But what worked well overwhelmed the more jarring looks, and the presentation in hay with live music won me over: mash up some more Americana, please Mr. Godfrey.

      

      

      

All photos above from WWD. Photos below are writer's own.

Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2015: Timo Weiland

The trio force behind Timo Weiland debuted their Spring / Summer 2015 collection at Hoffman Hall at The High Line Hotel, in the perfect setting donned with wooden floors and gothic architectural structure and windows. Here, East Coast meets West Coast, Baja sweaters meet tailored blazers, and Birkenstock sandals meet tennis separates. We've seen an overwhelming amount of Birkenstock-type sandals and Doc Martens on street style blogs, but we love that they are now being incorporated in menswear collections. Inspired by "Julius Shulman's architectural pictures from L.A. from the 50's and 60's," the collection showcased bold stripes and structured separates, accessorized with 1960's styled sunglasses. Favorite looks include the perfect combination of casual and formal with loose fitting, striped pants with a button down shirt, and a beautifully fit twill raincoat.

      

       

      

      

All photos from WWD

34th Street Weekend Picks: Urban Outfitters and Express

Urban Outfitters

BDG Twig & Seamed jeans are now $39. Find them on the second floor of UO Herald Square, where you can also shop racks full of great clothes now on sale for $29.99 and up. 1333 Broadway at 35th Street

Express

Leggings are buy one get one for $19.90, and the patterns are fabulous! Also, click here for more weekend sale info. Manhattan Mall, 33rd and Sixth Avenue, level one

Phototech: New York City's (and beyond) Best Camera Repair

Once on 34th Street across from B&H but recently relocated just north on 36th Street is New York City's only independent camera repair store, Phototech.

This family business has been in operation for over 50 years, and, for the past ten years, has also owned 34th Street's Chrysler Camera Repair, below. 

Chrysler's old 34th Street location.

But this month Chrysler moved into Phototech's new digs on 36th to create one flagship location for all your camera repair needs. Phototech is the only authorized Sony repair center in the country, and is also a center for Nikon, Canon,  Sony, Fuji, and more. Basically, almost everyone sends cameras to Phototech to fix.

Cameras ready to ship.

More fun facts: Phototech's warranty is the longest in the business, as full repairs come with a one-year warranty. Phototech also gives student, NYPD, FDNY, and paramedic discounts.

Behind the scenes in one of Phototech's repair rooms.

But even if you're not a camera person, Phototech can help. They repair cracked phone and tablet screens, including iPhone, Blackberry, and Android, and can fix most overseas phones, sometimes even on the same day (turnaround time is generally 24-48 hours). All of the former is priced between $65-$200 ($65 - $115 for glass only, $200 for LCD repair).

Clearly, this is your place to repair and maintain your cameras and devices. Phototech works with amateurs and professionals alike, and excels in friendly and efficient customer service. All this so close to 34th Street and Penn Station: convenient, right?!

Phototech
360 West 36th Street just east of Ninth Avenue

34th Street Labor Day Weekend Picks: Macy's Herald Square, Joe Fresh, JCPenney, and MORE

Macy's Herald Square

Get your WOW pass for an extra 15% or 20% savings this weekend at Macy's, and enjoy sales throughout the store. Check out the Rachel Roy and the bar III on the third floor, and if you're in need of some swim separates, visit the 8th floor for deep discounts. There is no finding matching tops and bottoms this late in the summer, but if you're like me, you love adding a cute red bcbg bikini top to your drawer for $9! 151 West 34th Street between Broadway and Seventh Avenue

Joe Fresh

Clearance items are now an additional 50% off the lowest ticketed price at Joe Fresh. Find loads of blouses on sale, and swim separates, tees, and cute beach bags for $4.50. 215 West 34th Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues

JCPenney
Take an extra 15% off select items for Labor Day weekend, and an extra 25% off select clearance items. Use this coupon for in-store shopping. My picks? 30% off MNG by Mango and 40% off very pretty Bisou Bisou dresses. Manhattan Mall, 33rd Street and Sixth Avenue, lower levels one and two

Gap
Everything is 40% off this weekend at Gap. No exclusions. Yeah, don't miss it. 60 West 34th Street at Broadway

Aeropostale
Another sale not to be missed: 50% -70% off everything at Aeropostale. Parents, be sure to stop by the P.S. by Aero store next door and get some great, last-minute back-to-school clothes for less. School uniforms are on sale, too! Manhattan Mall, 33rd Street and Sixth Avenue, level one

Punk Rope, Market Shopping, Origami, Yoga, Meditation, and More: Now at One Penn Plaza!

A version of this post first appeared yesterday on the Bryant Park blog. Bryant Park is the 34th Street Partnership's* sister company. 

Blog readers who live and work near Penn Station may be pleased to know that we've teamed up with Vornado Realty Trust, a property owner in our 34th Street Partnership district, to enliven the plazas surrounding One Penn Plaza. The three plazas, located between 7th and 8th Avenues and 33rd and 34th Streets, surround one of the largest office buildings in the area. 

This collaboration between Vornado and the 34th Street Partnership brings activities you love further south. Just like the activities at Bryant Park and Broadway Boulevard, the classes are completely free and open to the public. They seek to help the hundreds of thousands of office workers in the area enrich their days with breaks that enhance productivity and increase mental focus. Following is more information on the variety of classes and offerings at One Penn Plaza:

• Strengthen your body with twice-weekly Vinyasa-style yoga classes with Studio Anya on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 7:30am. Some mats are provided, but bringing your own is encouraged.

Downward dogs take over Park East at One Penn Plaza. 

• Gain mental stability with meditation classes in partnership with Ziva Meditation, every Thursday at 3pm. 

• For those who want a more intense workout:. 
• Punk Rope brings together high-intensity cardio and jump roping and meets every Monday at 12:30pm;
• Boot Camp with Warrior Fitness Boot Camp, which meets Fridays at 7am, is a calisthenics-style workout led by two former Marines.

• Join the Bryant Park jugglers every day from 2 to 4pm and learn to juggle or just enjoy the show.

• Each Tuesday from 3 to 4pm, learn the ancient and calming art of origami. De-stress as you impose order on the crisp folds of paper before you. 

Brightly colored origami paper brings people together every Tuesday at 3pm. 

• Every Wednesday, the Penn Plaza French Market brings a variety of fresh produce, prepared foods for a scrumptious lunch, and handmade crafts and jewelry that are perfect for a quick browse on the way back to the office. Fans of the Broadway French Market will notice the markets are similar; they are both produced by Bensidoun USA.

Enjoy nature's bounty every Wednesday at the One Penn Plaza French Market. 

• Unwind after a busy work day with jubilant brass band performances. The performances are three times weekly, starting at 5:30; check our website for the week's performers and dates.

Joyous brass brightens up the end of the workday. 

Stay tuned as we add other events, programs, and classes to the lineup.

Events at One Penn Plaza

Between 7th and 8th Avenues, and 33rd and 34th Streets

Daily, check the online schedule  

*The 34th Street Partnership owns and operates Fashion Herald.