34th Street Weekend Picks: Desigual by Lacroix, Part II (the great part)

#1. Desigual
Because I am no longer at all disappointed by the Desigual by Lacroix collection, as the entire collection is now at the 34th and Fifth Avenue store and it has absolutely fabulous Lacroix-like pieces. Get there soon, there are only two scarves left, and the must-have, very-Lacroix leggings are going fast (the blues are only in XS and S). Also, the winter coats are genius. If I ended with "the collection rocks" my trendy fashion adjectives might be completely exhausted. The sale angle? $5 off each full-priced item.  358 Fifth Avenue at 34th Street

The blue leggings, only XS & S left.

The patchwork denim flounce actually works adorably with this, and is removable. I must have this jacket. I bought the leggings because I'm not stupid.

Classic Lacroix jacket. I'm not advocating leggings as pants here, I just forgot to grab a skirt.

#2. Banana Republic
Because they are having a 40% off sale on pants and tops, and 30% off belts. Go straight to Heritage Collection for this perfect striped combo. The top will be forty off, splurge on the cropped jacket.  17 West 34th Street

#3. Esprit
Because if you buy any bottom, you get the second pair 50% off (full-priced bottoms only). Go straight to these tweed shorts with the pleated waist ($69.50) on the first floor, and then get the same pair in a different color. I'm obsessed, of course.  21 West 34th Street

Ruffian's Fabulous Thoroughbred

I'm going to sound a little stupid when I say this, but Ruffian's Spring 2012 collection was one of the best literal translations of an inspiration without being too literal that I've ever seen. As in, the show was inspired by horse racing but we didn't have actual horses or jockeys on the runway. No, seriously, the racing theme was evident (Ruffian was named for the famous filly racehorse) but it was a joyous and chic translation, and one I'd happily stock in my closet.

My photos, while not great, capture the gorgeous pops of color that can be found on jockey silks. Click to check out the shoes, Ruffian's take on a popular Vince Camuto style in amazing colors that can be reserved here.

And the official photos from the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week site:

Men at New York Fashion Week

The boys of Buckler roam the streets of Meatpacking.

Looking onto Nautica Spring 2012 at The Empire Hotel, and the classic Nautica blues segment.

The day after Fashion's Night Out, I had the pleasure of attending several men's fashion shows. First up, Nautica, the classic Americana brand, whose Spring 2012 show was held on the pool deck of the Empire Hotel. The classic blue and white Nautica looks are perfect as always, but what I really loved were the ultra bright colors, great for 2012.

I was disappointed there was no actual pool to stroll around, but there wouldn't have been room for any attendees if the pool was operational. It was a total crush, with a line around the corner of the hotel waiting to get in. I snapped a few shots from the deck overlooking the models, and then ran down to 40th and Broadway, picked up my Fashion Center tour de fashion DVF bike, and rode down to Buckler, showing again this season on the cobbled streets of the Meatpacking District. You could not do this for a women's show, unless you want the models lying on the street (which could be interesting...). Runway heels + cobblestones are hardly a good mix.

This was the first time I rode a bike in the streets of Manhattan and it's fun, it's addictive, and you really need that bell. I was ringing all the way down to Meatpacking.

I loved the Buckler show. Designer Andrew Buckler manages to translate a classic American look with a perfect hipster twist. And MePa is an apt setting for such a show as it's Beautiful People Land down there, even compared to the crowd in Lincoln Center. MePa denizens look the lifestyle like it's second nature. One of the beautiful people even threw a fit at the end of the "runway" because she couldn't walk through the street to her home. Ah, lives of the chic and trendy.

Walking the cobblestones at Buckler.

Hoodie and cropped pants.

Perfect jacket and rolled cuffs. Note the pointy shoes.

The Finale.

A "Miss for a Must" at JCPenney FNO 2011

Lobby of the store in the lower level of Manhattan Mall, looking very glam.

JCPenney Manhattan Mall and People Style Watch hosted "Miss for a Must" on Fashion's Night Out last week. Guests traded in a fashion "miss" for a $25 gift card to put towards a fashion "must," and I took mine straight to MNG by Mango and I Heart Ronson. As usual, JCPenney held one of my favorite events during an event-packed evening. There's always great food, drinks, and fabulous attendees like the Olsen twins, designers of Olsenboye, and Charlotte Ronson, designer of I Heart Ronson.

Here I am in my "must," a MNG by Mango scarf (shout-out to Midtown Girl and John Simon of JSD for shopping assistance and all-around fun), and here's a model in a fabulous MNG by Mango maxi dress that I must have.

In case you missed my FNO post, another shot of me!

Note the plethora of single-arm-on-waist poses, the classic standby if you're not up for the more challenging Olsen Twin arms-hanging-along -sides pose.

I had the pleasure of seeing the maxi dress yesterday evening on an attendee at the Alice + Olivia show, and it looked just as fabulous IRL (meaning not on a professional model). Buy it soon, this one's selling out fast.

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

Pre-Fashion Week Fashion: Valentino Vintage Couture

Vintage Valentino haute couture at the New York Design Center

I love the event before the storm: you're not burned out and bitching about Fashion Week illness or hurting feet, and you're excited about the upcoming events instead of groaning when another invite comes to your inbox. And you can leisurely peruse gorgeous gowns, Italian cinema photographs, and an auction house full of antiques with your date without the pressure of running off to the next best thing.

Last week, before the insanity of NYFW in September, we attended an event sponsored by Tanqueray with 1stDibs.com, Rare Vintage, and the John and Maria Phillips Foundation at the New York Design Center. I brought along my husband, because in addition to a viewing of Vintage Valentino being sold at auction on 1stDibs, there was also a show of 1960's Italian cinema photographs by famed Life photographer John Phillips. My husband is an Italian cinema freak, and I can take me some Fellini any day; any style lover would.

What is sexier than this photo? Italians know beauty. This isn't from a Fellini film, but a Vittorio de Sica episode in Bocaccio 70.

We enjoyed Tanqueray cocktails, a perfect match for a cinematic showing because that green bottle is very dramatic, and drank in the Valentino surroundings:

Classic Valentino red.

I didn't do any shopping but a girl can look. If you'd like to do more than look, there's plenty of Valentino here.

FNO 2011: On 34th Street

Above is a quick look at the crowds and action on 34th Street during Fashion's Night Out 2011 at the start of the night. After we caught Sam Ronson posing on the Macy's Herald Square red carpet and giving the paparazzi the bird (an excellent contrast to Miss New York who posing next to her), I headed into JCPenney Manhattan Mall for their "Miss for a Must" event. See that MNG by Mango scarf with the red flowers below? It's my fashion "must" pick from JCPenney's Fashion's Night Out event with People StyleWatch. Guests traded in a "miss" for a "must," but more on that later..

Scarves are always a must for me. Another must that night? A stop by the 34th Street Swarovski boutique for champagne and ogling of the skull bling for men. On the way to my train I also ogled and admired the enormous Fashion's Night Out banner on Macy's 34th Street facade. Hey, that's how Macy's rolls. 

And to wrap up Fashion's Night Out 2011, here's the winner of the $50 Macy's gift certificate:  StrangeDaze! Congrats to StrangeDaze, and thanks to everyone who entered. Keep coming back for more contests, there will be another one soon!

34th Street Weekend Sales Pick: The Old Navy Baby Sale

Because we're kind of buried with Fashion Week, and it's the slightly foggy day after Fashion's Night Out, we have just one special pick for you this week: The Famous Old Navy Baby Sale!

What, you don't have a baby? What about your friend who just had a baby? Your sister's baby? That co-worker who's going to have a baby? Get it? Go stock up on baby gift stuff! Old Navy is a great resource for packs of socks with non-slip soles, pajamas, cute dresses, and really cute baby hats. I know, I bought all of these things there and mom-tested them for you. Baby Herald and I give them all high marks.

Old Navy 150 W. 34th Street between Broadway and Seventh Avenue