coutorture --

Barney's Warehouse Sale: Skip The Madness

coutorture — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:27:52 -0700

Sometimes the chaos just isn't worth the effort, and sometimes you've not choice anyway. Our New York colleagues over at Racked are providing live coverage of the Barney's warehouse sale and as much as we love to drop the New York-centric post now and again, we realize not everyone has access to the madness. That said, when we scoped out what Barneys had to offer online, the 60% off or more options were plentiful. Below, check out our spread of the best from that category. Between the Maison Martin Margiela Cork Knee Boots, marked down to $355 from $895, to the Lanvin Large Peplum Bag, marked down to $789 from almost two thousand, it's clear there are still some non-warehouse goodies to be had. Just be warned that a link is only a link for a day or two. Much of what we'd put into a wishlist for ourselves has gone out-of-stock either because it was moved to the sale or because it sold out overnight. Such is the nature of sample sales, both online and in warehouses. Pick up something for yourself today and call it an ode to the Fall season and a looming fashion week, where cork boots and Lanvin purses will come in handy.

Fashion in 50 Seconds 4/30

coutorture — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 06:44:16 -0700

No one likes to play around with the pricing of fashion more than pricey boutiques. Or at least that appears to be the joke at Colette with their two armor suits on display in the window made from destroyed Marakami bags. Its a collaboration between Andrea Crews and Tokyo-based French artist Item Idem and the set designer A. Bertin & Fils Ltée. It's about reappropriating the empire," said Maroussia Rebecq, the creative director of Andrea Crews. Commenting on fashion's arbitrary approach to pricing, one suit retails for around $11,000, while the other is half-price, she said.

Parson's raised 2 million dollars at their benefit on Monday. Tuition is still pretty pricey though.

Though Lanvin designer Alber Elbaz did let it be known that he was designing a denim line with Acne jeans at the benefit. The only way Acne denim could get more expensive has now been revealed!

Lord and Taylor wants to expand overseas. Considering that the venerable retailer isn't doing so hot in the domestic market we aren't sure if this is a great idea or retail suicide.

Fashion designers continue to not be politically savvy. Australian designer Kate Sylvester showed her collection Royally Screwed with models decked in war medals such as the New Zealand Operational Service Medal. She had to apologize. Much head shaking ensued.

I Am Fashion Shoutout: A Lanvin Summer

coutorture — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 07:48:24 -0700

Our network partner, I Am Fashion, has a keen eye for making our favorite trends more affordable. She also, like us, has dug the Spring 08 collections out of the woodwork in spirit of the change in seasons. Lanvin 's Spring 08 collection; with so many feminine, vibrant, marketable frocks, merits a 'look for less' post if there ever was one. To be specific, the collection encompassed every key attribute of chic Summer attire. Colors like midnight, Kelly green, dandelion, and tangerine, you imagine bringing life back to the pale palate of a beach or city street. Three bright frocks were floor sweeping, flowing, a vision of sophistication and appropriateness in the heat of the Summer. These dresses are, simply put, one of the only ways one might do 85 degrees gracefully. Check out I Am Fashion's look-for-less alternatives and more of our network Shoutouts here.

Lanvin Fall 2008 Fashion Show Video and Alber Elbaz Interview

coutorture — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 12:15:35 -0800

Alber Elbaz had nothing less than the definition of modernity in mind his Fall 2008 RTW collection at Lanvin. Grosgrain and ribbons were in full force alongside many bits and bobbins. And yet curiously Elbaz said in our video that he believes a modern woman is aerodynamic. We imagine he meant the emphasis on slimmer shapes over the cluttered trimming. Either way it was a very busy collection.