Jane Sheperdson, former Topshop mogul, has begun designing for British retail chain Whistles. Sheperdson is attempting to re-imagine the Whistles aesthetic as 'classic', prompting comparisons of her work to See by Chloe and 3.1 Phillip LIm (two designers very popular among twenty-somethings). Her first collection, for Fall 08, will hit stores in September.

Gucci is poised to launch a new mens fragrance come September. Gucci by Gucci Pour Homme will become the first men's fragrance developed from scratch by Frida Giannini.

Diane Von Furstenburg, showed her Resort collection in Florence recently and took the concept of packing-light to it's farthest extreme. Inspired by a 'petite valise' she offered up flirty sun dresses and crisp trenches and all of the swimsuits and scarves to go with them. Prints consisted of flags and keys and stripes and other looks had the red, white, and blue motif we love so much for our mid-season getaways.

Another Urban Outffiters collaboration has been announced. This one with high end costume jewelry designer Lulu Frost. The line will be called Secret Garden and be comprised of five pieces, three necklaces and two earrings, that are loaded up with charms the designer is known for (except these aren't salvaged numbers from the sinage at the Plaza Hotel).

The middle ground in fashion seems to be disappearing. These days, it’s all about the $9.90 H&M top paired with the $899 Christian Louboutin pumps, and, while mixing high and low is great, there is a clear void in the marketplace. That said, Two Blondes Boutique, at 446 E 78th Street, is a wonderfully refreshing fashion outpost with moderately priced, but undeniably chic clothing and accessories. Owner Amy DiFrisco spent 10 years working as a personal shopper at Bergdorf Goodman before opening the boutique and between her natural eye for fit and her vast knowledge honed from years of experience in the fashion industry, Amy is a great resource for fashionable finds and style advice.

Two Blondes Boutique carries about a dozen different designers at any given time, all of which are small labels that you won’t find in your mainstream boutiques. DiFrisco’s style philosophy comes through loud and clear when browsing her racks of beautifully merchandised apparel. She has a simple aesthetic, but nothing is plain – it’s all about the little, intricate touches that give the clothing she stocks a timeless, natural feel. Difrisco also has an amazing selection of jewelry, hand-crafted by an artist in Paris, most of which retails for under $100 and is wonderfully reminiscent of classic estate jewelry pieces. DiFrisco’s boutique is fairly small and pieces sell quickly, but if you’re not in the NYC area, she ships throughout the United States.

For those who want to take it one step further, Two Blondes Boutique offers a service called “Shopping in Your Closet,” where DiFrisco comes to your house and sorts through your wardrobe to help you maximize and enhance what you already own.

See below for our video interview and gallery of the boutique.

-Sharon Feiereisen

Another week, another round of sample sales and cocktail parties. We have to say, the atmosphere in New York this week feels a bit on the serious side, but there are bound to be moments when a twenty minute break is needed. Hop on the train and check these happenings for a little alone time.

Monday: Maxx New York is having a sample sale today. Get a new summer handbag for up to 60% off. Try to find the quilted hobo, or something like that, because these bags have never been our favorites. That's what sample sales are for though, eh? Sale at 385 Fifth Avenue, runs through Thursday.

Tuesday: The DVF sample sale starts today with current season looks, including those featured in our DVF X Bloggers photo shoot, marked up to 75% off. Part of the Coutorture team hit up the sale this afternoon (press day) and gave us the scoop on what to expect. Apparently the selection is top-notch, and the prices hovering between 75 and 100 dollars. For right-now DVF, we say that's more than worth the money. Sale at 260 Fifth Avenue, runs all week.

Wednesday: There's a King Stampede party tonight at 40 Thompson. If you don't know the brand, don't worry. Expect a bunch of skater gents and ALife types. This is probably the only time you'll see women wearing hoodies with heels other than at the felafel place circa 3am. Flyer, top left.

Thursday:Rebecca Taylor's sample sale ends today (starts Tuesday). Better get girly before it's too late. We hear it's going to be about 50-60% off which will most likely turn even the loveliest fashion rose into a raging sample sale maniac. Sale at 145 West 18th Street. See the collection here.

Friday: If you need something to romp around Manhattan in over the weekend (and we mean one of those weekends where you live in a variation of the same outfit from Friday through Sunday night) then hit up Opening Ceremony's ongoing 'Super Scary Sale' which, by this time, apparently will include Alexander Wang and Jeremy Scott for 30-60% off.

Perhaps your Memorial Day Weekend was totally chilled out and you're ready for some fashion happenings in New York this week. Perhaps you're just hell-bent on cultivating the perfect summer wardrobe. Whatever the case may be, we know of a few things going on that you might not want to miss.

Tuesday: We happen to know that the kids at Ethan James Group are running their sample sale through the week as they are receiving new merchandise daily. That means amazing clothing from the likes of Imitation by Imitation of Christ and Hyden Yoo. We've also been told there is a plethora of size 37 shoes that are driving the not-size 37 clerks crazy. This sample sale is not to miss.

Wednesday: Norma Kamali is sample sale happy with items marked down to between $10-$100 dollars. Picked up clothing marked-down from all of Kamali's collections, including the Everlast and Spiegel lines.

Thursday: The News is having a sample sale today. Set a day-date and bring your urban dandy to score Spring clothing from Cheap Monday's (how cheap can they be?) and Band of Outsiders. It's one of the only ways to see your new gent in his underwear by mid-afternoon.

Friday: Treat yourself to something special today. Check out the Yves Saint Laurent Fall 08 collection with model presentation from 1-4pm. It will get you uptown in time to watch the movie and will keep your fashion sensibilities nice and conservative for the weekend. Long live the smoking jacket, YSL's Fall 08 blew us out of the water.

After a few weeks of sample sales under our belts, it's time to kind of pick and choose which of the rest to attend. We think there's a retail threshold quickly crossed during sample sale season, and by week three or four, it's just not as fun. Another happy cocktail moment this week; a Surface Magazine party. If there's anything easier to find than a sample sale in New York City, it's a Surface Magazine party!

Monday: Sponsored by Botox, Gen Art's event tonight will surely infuse the fashion industry with youth. It's the 2008 Styles and Fashion Awards Show and tickets for the event start at fifty bucks. If you look at it like you're going to the theatre, it makes sense.


Tuesday: There's a Surface Magazine party tonight. Somewhere. Finding it in our inbox is impossible, even when the "Surface Magazine Party" filter is put on. Oh wait! There it is. It's put on by Factory PR for Design Week and DDC Lab is 20% off. It's a closer to the Meatpacking extravaganza that we're covering today on Coutorture and it will probably be a really fun little happening. (see flyer)


Wednesday: Say what? Acne is having a sample sale today. Get your skinnies and other denim separates for half as much as you normally pay when you're hungover and shopping at Opening Ceremony. Come alone and early, this sale is still in tip-stage but by Wednesday, expect a line. This town 'aint small nor is there a shortage of young things with a penchant for trendy denim. Also at the sale, Filippa K and Nudie Jeans. Um, yeah. (see flyer)


Thursday: Speaking of sample sales. Today is the last day of the Suite Orchard sample sale (starts on 5/20) where Loeffler Randall, Sonia by Sonia Rykiel, and Corpus are 75% off.

Friday: Annie Lansing, accessories designer, is holding a trunk show at Henri Bendel today. Grab some belts, some lunch, some tasti D and call it a week.