Welcome To New York City, Dr. Martens!

 

New York City just got a little '90s-er, because Dr. Martens, which just turned 50 years young (really, he looks AMAZING for 50) FINALLY opened a Doc shop in Soho. It's not only the first in New York, but it's the first on the East Coast. Can you even? I was invited to check out the store the other week, and let me tell you, 1992 me was FREAKING OUT. And so was 2010 me.

The brand-new Dr. Martens shop is cozy and inviting and smartly adorned in the signature black and yellow of the very first pair of Docs I ever owned 18 years ago (shudder) and wore to a Violent Femmes show PRAYING they'd get all scuffed up and even-cooler looking.


Check out some of my favorite Dr. Martens from the Spring/ Summer 2011 collection and some photos I snapped of my favorite Docs. The animal print Docs are musts, and the patent leather teal floral embossed Darcies need to find their way into my closet IMMEDIATELY.

($130, DMUSAStore.com)

Dr. Martens New York

148 Spring Street
10012  

Shen Opens On Court Street: Brooklyn Gets More Beautiful

Beautiful news for Brooklyn! Shen, a new beauty boutique, just opened on Court Street, in the former Ola Baby space. Now no disrespect to the hardworking, always-shlepping (strollers, grocery bags, babies) moms of Brooklyn, but we needed another kids and baby store like Manhattan needs another Starbucks: to say we needed a cosmetics shop is a pretty little understatement.

I stopped by today and learned that Shen is owned by a former Vogue staffer and a former beauty editor, and clearly they know what they're doing, because the bright, airy, welcoming shop stocks hard-to-find beauty products like Melange solid perfumes, Lipstick Queen, Roullier White's Mrs. White's products (Mrs White's Classic Cold Cream is on my must-try list), Becca Cosmetics, Kate Logan skincare, and Lafco Candles.

Shen also has a cute little kid-beauty section in the back, and they'll soon have makeup applications.

Follow Shen on Twitter at @ShenBeauty, and, most importantly, welcome Shen to Brooklyn!

I ALMOST Bought These Serfontaine Jeans (And Still Might)

I stopped by the perfectly lovely Kaight boutique in the Lower East Side. It's an eco-friendly boutique, but I'd call it more eco-forward, since it's got really cute stuff that isn't all hemp-y/ Hare Krishna looking, you know? Like eco-friendly stuff -- Melissa troupe + Alexander Herchoivch Oxford wedges and the like -- that doesn't look like it was stitched together from corn husks found on the ground at a farmer's market. (Look, I get HIGH off of recycling and energy efficient light bulbs and reusing stuff. I have ABSOLUTELY nothing against preserving the planet. I just don't wanna dress like it.)

Anyway, the shop is sweet, as are the employees, and I fell in love with a great pair of Serfontaine jeans.

($152, Serfontaine, CoutureCandy.com)

They were. SO. EFFING. COMFORTABLE. It was like sitting in a perfectly worn catcher's mitt made of denim. In a good way. They felt absolutely custom-made for my ass and mine alone. And I LOVED the slightly dusty, semi-'70s medium rinse. And they were soft as a kitten's ear. I rolled them down since I'm 5'2" and certainly can't do the denim capri look without look like a dwarf (side note: I'm NOT into the denim capri look at all anyway). Remarkably, I left without buying them, only because I wasn't in love with the cut of the ankle, which was a little too wide.

Kaight had them on sale for $132. Looks like Kaight doesn't offer Serfontaine online, but if you're into Serfontaine jeans -- and you should be! -- CoutureCandy.com has a ton.

Justify My Love: Wanting. Needing This Sequin French Connection Dress

Current mood: Very strongly leaning toward this French Connection "Fast Sequins" Dress.

($288, French Connection)

And if you're bored by black, it comes in this rich-ass, royal blue:

Obviously you wear a sequined mini dress to a holiday party, and you don't even have to bring a gift, because you're like a walking Christmas present for others to enjoy. But you could also dress it down and go real hard in these chunky, harnessed motorcycle ankle boots by Aussie brand Maurie & Eve:

($288, Maurie & Eve, idontlikemondays.us)

Get them at idontlikemondays, or pick them up at the lovely little Soho boutique Babel Fair, which sources cute things from all over the world -- from designer dresses to cute little edible-looking erasers.

Charlotte Ronson New York Sample Sale!

It's that time of year again -- the Charlotte Ronson sample sale!

Wednesday, December 2 - Friday, December 4, 2009
10am-7pm

1071 Ave of the Americas, Suite #301
Between 40th and 41st Streets

NORDSTROM RACK IS COMING TO NEW YORK CITY!

CLAP YOUR HANDS AND SAY FUCK YEAH! NORDSTROM RACK IS COMING TO NEW YORK! Nordstrom Rack will be moving into the former Virgin Megastore space in the Spring of 2010. I haven't been this excited since the Golden Girls spun off Empty Nest. Which ended up being pretty disappointing, but it started off promising.

Speaking of "golden," Nordstrom Rack is a GOLD MINE of jeans and shoes. Get fumiliur!
(Via Racked)

Brian Reyes Sample Sale -- NYC -- TODAY! Tuesday, June 23

Tuesday, June 23, 8am—7pm.
304 Hudson St between Spring and Vandam Sts, fifth floor (212-488-3800).
Up to 70% off Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 womenswear, shoes, and belts

Anyone been yet? Report back plz!

Doucette Duvall June Sample Sales In New York City!

Get thee to Doucette Duvall's NYC sample sales to score one if not several of their gorgeous versatile yet super stylish dresses. GO GO GO!

thursday, june 25th
at lancome boutique in nyc
201 columbus avenue at 69th street
noon to 8pm
*with jewelry by keri starker

tuesday, june 30th
at butterfly studio in nyc
149 fifth avenue, 2nd floor
5pm to 8pm

Private Sample Sale: Foley + Corinna Bags

Not sure if this is still going on (sorry dudes - late pass), but Foley + Corrina in the Lower East Side is (was?) having a private handbag sample sale. Call 'em up at 212-529-2338 to see if you can get an appointment to check out what's left of their selection of bags at 50 - 75% off.


I wouldn't be mad at their Mid City Tote in Ombre for like $200 or so. (Normally it's over $400.) Anyone gone? Went? Lemme know!

Charlotte Ronson Sample Sale: She Shops, She SCORES!

NYCers, get thee to the Charlotte Ronson sample sale. You WILL NOT leave sorry. Or emptyhanded.

Stuff I got:
Bijou espadrilles -- AVEC pyramid studs! For $30! Whut? This will be my FIRST foray into espadrilles and/or wedges. I'm skeeered! White ones available at 6pm.com.


Denimy motorcycle jacket. Originally $279. Sample sale: $50. It's a little big, but whatevs. The asymmetrical zipper = win.


For real-cute embroidered top, except I got it in heather grey, and I'll somehow be able to resist the urge to pull it up and reveal my navel. Somehow, I'll just be able to do that. I think it was like $15! Srsly!


Charlotte Ronson sample sale:
Wednesday, May 27th through Friday, May 29th
10am—7pm
1071 Sixth Ave between 40th and 41st Sts, suite 301 (212-643-4810)

Rebecca Minkoff Sample Sale: New York City, May 6 - 10

Run, don't walk to score some sweet Rebecca Minkoff bags at the New York City sample sale, going on now. It's the RIGHT thing to do.

Deets:
Wednesday, May 6 - Sunday, May 10
10 - 8
33 W 17th Street between 5th and 6th

Not in spending mode? "Windows" shop (get it?) -- check out photos of Rebecca Minkoff's Fall 2009 apparel and handbags, and check out a few of my favorite Rebecca Minkoff bags, mmmkay?

Big-Ass Sale At Gargyle

Sorry, everyone else, but this one's in New York.

Hit up Gargyle tomorrow, Friday, January 9 from 12 - 8.
16A Orchard Street in the LES.

Everyone else, score big with Gargyle's online sale:

($95, Les Prairies de Paris, Gargyle)
Amazing and wonderful.

($195, Rachel Comey, Gargyle)
Ridiculous and wonderful.




($128, Lorick, Gargyle)


($275, Rachel Comey, Gargyle)

Originally $416. You don't gotta be Jim Cramer to know that's a solid investment. BOOYAH!

NYC Furla Sample Sale: December 10 - 12

Bag up some luxe deals for you or your moms at the Furla sample sale.

WHEN: December 10 - December 12, 2008
10:00a - 6:30p

WHERE: 552 7th Avenue, 5th Floor
NY, NY 10018

Tales Of London: Part 3: TOPSHOP TAKES MANHATTAN!

Fueled by my Topshop high, especially after a trip to the Oxford Circus flagship location -- an exhaustive, cavernous 100,000-square-foot fashion emporium (this location alone pulls in
$292 million a year) that features three floors, 200 changing rooms, a hair salon, nail parlor, eyebrow bar, make-up stations, personal style consultants who will deliver your goods to you via SCOOTER and an entire section devoted to CANDY! -- I returned to Amurica more excited than ever (especially after the dollar is worth about as much as a Chuck E Cheese token over there) for Topshop to arrive stateside. As it turns out, my superficial prayers have been answered, because...

TOPSHOP IS COMING TO NEW YORK IN SEPTEMBER 2008!

Drapers confirmed it in November 2007, as did WWD, but those bastards make you pay to play. Good think the awesome Racked scooped it back in October 2007, complete with location, photos and all!


The premiere USA Topshop will be located at:

478 Broadway near Broome Street in Soho

That's currently the site (see my helpful Google map below!) of the dreadful Yellow Rat Bastard, and while it's sorta sad to see another Soho staple go (like when Canal Jeans because Bloomingdales [Co-op]), let's be honest -- Soho isn't even a shell of its former self, AND, hello IT'S GONNA BE A FUCKING TOPSHOP! And, while the two H&Ms (I wonder how they'll fare as a result of the Topshop traffic -- will they benefit from the predictable spillover, or will there be Topshop-induced tumbleweeds a-blowin'?), Muji, Bloomie's, CB2, et al have made navigating Broadway del Sur an Inferno-esque nightmare, I again refer back to my original point: TOPSHOP IS COMING TO NEW YORK!



View Larger Map


Anyway...

Hundreds of fashionistas lined up outside Barneys just to get their hands on Kate Moss' capsule pieces last year. And recall the veritable affordable-fashion riots that H&M's New York arrival generated. (Think Beatlemania, except instead of 1964, it's 2008, and instead of the Beatles coming down off the plane onto the Tarmac, imagine super cute $16.90 graphic print dresses and $48 skinny jeans! Yay! Then imagine people getting trampled to death! Boo. ) I can only imagine the scene the opening of Topshop -- by the way, they say September, and even though construction has already begun, who knows if the schedule will hold up, though if I were Sir Phillip Green, I'd be rarin' to get this puppy off the ground. And if this article, which details how the Oxford Circus location prepared for its biggest shopping day of the year, is any indication of how the Big Reveal will be handled, I'm sure the kids will have it on lockdown. Which doesn't mean I won't skip the opening ceremonies (unless I get a personal invite of course, which, if you're reading, Topshop PR peeps, I would GRACIOUSLY accept!) and wait until the 11th hour of the following Tuesday night before I hit it up. But only because I fear for my personal safety.

More Topshop love and linkage:
+ June 2006: The Times treads cautiously. (Fuck 'em! I'll skip 'em in line!)
+ May 2007:The Independent takes a look at Topshop's ascent to retail victory.
+ September 2007: The New Zealand Herald explores how totes good marketing turned the once cheesy chain into a fashion giant.

And finally, Catwalkqueen reveals Topshop's Spring 2008 designer collabos: Jonathan Saunders and Louise Goldin. Coming later this month, Christopher Kane, which should beat the high-waisted pants off Kate Moss' rather "meh" collection. Now, hurry the hell up, Topshop, and expatriate already!!!!

Roberto Cavalli For H&M: PANDEMONIUM AND PANIC In NYC

(Photo via FabSugar)

I'm not a morning person in any way shape or form, whatsoever. Ever-ever ever. So not even 18 alarm clocks, my cat walking across my face and a pack of wild horses could rouse me at the ungodly hour of whatever time I'd have had to have gotten up to make it to the 8AM press call for the launch of Roberto Cavalli for H&M at the chain's 5th Avenue flagship location here in New York.

Seriously, not even if they'd have given me a key to the store and the green light to clear the place out on their dime, I still doubt I'd have made it. And from the looks of this video footage of the mayhem of the line's launch in Amsterdam, I'm quite glad:



Doesn't this remind you of waaaay back in the day when people got trampled to death at Toys R Us trying to get their consumption-happy hot little hands on new Cabbage Patch Kid Dolls to give their bratty kids for Christmas? (My mom gave us a fake, ghetto-fab off-brand Cabbage Patch Kid, for which I thank her -- this was just the beginning of me learning the value of a good knock-off!)

Check out the rather horrifying fashionista-on-a-budget bloodbath at Style Crunch, while Catwalk Queen details the mayhem in the UK. Oy. See, I had braces for many years and value the money my parents spent on my orthodontia too much to risk getting my teeth out over a $20 serpentine bracelet:


(Which is currently going for three times its price on eBay.)

The H&M blog (what?) has lots more footage of INSANE people who got there at 7p.m. THE.FUCKING.NIGHT.BEFORE, plus pix of Cavalli himself and model Jessica Stam, who also showed up (again, exciting, but not exciting enough to merit waking up at like 5).

I think the best part of this story is the part that has nothing to do with the story -- Roberto (we're on a FNB -- first-name basis -- you know), dressed up as Karl Lagerfeld for Halloween. Ha!

Anyway, did any of you faithful F.'Bingers go?