This weekend, having gone to Nolita to celebrate one of the last Mayle sample sales, we found ourselves gloomy about the state of the contemporary brand and the expense of a simple silk dress. We walked over to our friend's pop-up thereafter, not really knowing much about its permanence or scope. When we got to talking we realized that their new store, Inven.tory, is neither a pop-up nor a sample sale frenzy. Inven.tory, we discovered, is a permanent shopping destination that sells contemporary brands at wholesale prices. The items are, in fact, overstock, but are edited and curated, like any other boutique, to tell a story. On our first visit we found brands like Corpus and Orthodox at prices that made our jaws drop (sixty dollars?!). The store has both women's and men's clothing, and both had us drooling--especially, for the ladies, did Secta's brushed cotton separates. There was no 'sifting', there were no 'mass dressing rooms'. When we left we felt happy for our friends, who we are sure will profit from this well-timed idea, for the contemporary brands who can maintain integrity when selling off extras, and for ourselves because, well, we're growing tired of supporting brands whose 'contemporary' clothing is still five hundred dollars at a sample sale.

Photo via Thrillist.

Yesterday we gushed over Mociun, a brand we discovered by making our daily e-commerce rounds, and today we've found another brand that has us positively inspired--and, at ten o'clock in the morning no less. No surprise that the brand is French (Americans love the French, don't we?), such a thing is not an easy task after reviewing the Ed Hardy Spring 09 collection. Heimstone's Fall 08 collection looks kind of like Chico's without all of the corporate bits. There's suede, pop colors, a little leopard, some artsy paneling, and some statement necklaces to boot. It's an aesthetic we haven't exactly seen from anyone and that's always nice to be able to say about a contemporary brand. After all, that's why VPL is now a household name and why no one can tell the difference between Trovata and Corpus. As the seasons pass, originality does, in fact, pay off. You can buy Heimstone at OTTE. 

Talk about getting a lot for little bit of money; as unsettling as it might feel to spend three hundred dollars on anything these days, Mociun will at least give you bang for your buck. In the currency we call print, that is (teehee). This brand, designed by Caitlin Mociun, takes cues from Bauhaus and illustrator Karl Blossfeldt and puts out the most visually stimulating garments we've seen in some time. The Fall 08 mood was captured perfectly, we thought, in this season's look book. With the back drop of rather dismal scenery, 'real-life' models were photographed in these wonderful prints. In addition to this, the photographer imposed a yellowed/worn hue on the scenes (by way of the film or post-production we don't know), giving the photos a nostalgic mood. Mociun, from inspiration to collection to look book, is proving to have some very interesting contrasts. You can buy the Fall 08 collection, right here.

Two very interesting pieces of news from conservative St John's today that piqued our interest and have us wondering if in fact maybe they aren't so stodgy in their outlook after all. We associate St. John's with our stepmother complete with chunky heels and big pearls so the fact that they are launching a new better contemporary line for resort called SoCa that is aimed at a younger customer (mind you their version of younger is targeting 35 to 55 year olds) and will operate separately from the brand’s signature label.

Even more interesting? St. John is launching a full-fledged social network integrated with an online designer brand store. CEO Glenn McMahon is either a complete genius for this or a total moron. We don't know a lot of 45 year olds that are big on the social networks but we love the idea of letting customers get closer to a genuine luxury brand. Take note Mr. Arnault.

This Scottish lass calls fashion a blight, really she just stops short of calling it Coutorture.

Skateboard culture is still with us and they are hard on the shoes. But they would rather keep buying new ones then have a pair that can't be destroyed. What no Kevlar guys?

Prada swears its not talking to Dubai investors. Right, and that postponed IPO means nothing either.

Though there is still M&A activity in the luxury sector, if you happen to have a yacht or watch company you want to unload. But the real opportunity is building up luxury empires in markets with an emerging ruling class. Let's hear it for capitalism guys, well except for when the risks of capitalism turn us socialism. That's just lame. Can't have it both ways guys. Or can you? Don't worry, the best part about buying luxury is that it lasts. So when that portfolio tanks at least you know your Jil Sander wasn't a depreciating asset. But hey if all else fails H&M is FINALLY bringing cheap fast fashion to the Champs Elysée. Did we mention the end is near? Parce que tu fait comme tu voulez aux Champs Elysees