TURKISH DELIGHT FROM ISTANBUL

GOURMET TURKISH DELIGHT FROM THE GRAND BAZAAR - PH: JASON JOBSONIstanbul is full of exotic discoveries at every turn.  From The Blue Mosque to the Red Pomegranates, the senses are overwhelmed with beauty and intrigue everywhere you look.

One of the most common mementos of a trip to Turkey is of course - Turkish Delight.   Basic versions of this delectable treat can be found on just about every corner.   If you dig a little deeper, you can find a gourmet version like the ones pictured here!   For more pictures and details on my trip to Turkey - click ISTANBUL.

THAT 70'S (RUNWAY) SHOW

GUCCI CROCHET DRESS - SS 2011- PH: YANNIS VLAMOS/ GORUNWAY.COMIf you follow fashion, it is no surprise to you that the decade designers are looking to as the key reference point for the Spring 2011 fashion is the 1970's.   While some styles from this granola loving decade are perennial items like platforms and wide leg pants, the runway shows for Spring brought out the true hippie dippy 70's.  The attention to detail and hand finished knits have a make love, not war feel to them as natural fibers and neutral colors make the perfect backdrop for pastel prints and powerful accessories.  Crochet and Macrame are excellent examples of a hand detailed, novelty process that are not often seen on a designer runway. DIOR HAND KNOTTED, SILK MACRAME DRESS - SUMMER 2011-PH: YANNIS VLAMOS / GORUNWAY.COM 

Some of the strongest examples were found on the Gucci, Ferragamo, Dior, & Ralph Lauren Runways.   Proof that the trend is represented in Italian, French, & American Collections.

FERRAGAMO HAND CROCHET DRESS SS 2011- PH: YANNIS VLAMOS / GORUNWAY.COMJohn Galliano at Dior took the use of color combos to the extreme for his Polynesian influenced show.  Of course Mr. Galliano took the handcrafted detail of the 70's to another level with hand knotted macrame throughout the collection.  Hair and make-up paid tribute to 50's pin-up icon Bettie Page.  Who else would feature an exotic Batik print on a finely tailored French jacket?  Galliano is in a category all by himself.   His creations lead the way in Paris season after season. CLASSIC CROCHET -RALPH LAUREN SS 2011- PH: MONICA FEUDI / GORUNWAY.COM Equally talented in Couture & RTW, the legacy of Christian Dior is in brilliant hands.    

Massimiliano Giornetti at Ferragamo gave an elegant interpretation of the sultry 70's detailing in his show in Milan.   Inspired by the iconic 1969 film "la Piscine" with Alain Delon, Romy Schneider, & Jane Birkin, the Ferragamo runway was awash with monochromatic ensembles that are Riviera Ready.   Giornetti has helped elevate Ferragamo's fashion presence since taking creative control of this chic Italian Mega-brand last year.    

DIOR BATIK PRINTED JACKET & HAND KNOTTED MACRAME SKIRT - SUMMER 2011 PH: YANNI VLAMOS/ GORUNWAY.COMBack in New York, Ralph Lauren looked to his own signature styling to mix LADY DIOR 'WATER PRINT" - DIOR SUMMER 2011crochet dresses back to Western inspired accessories and the classic Americana style he has built his empire on.

ACCESSORY HIGHLIGHT:  The chicest bag on the Paris runways was the latest version of the Iconic Lady Dior Bag.   The optic water print was dominant in the RTW collection and found itself on the Lady Dior.  The blue and white print is meant to resemble the sun glistening on the ocean - the ultimate accessory for this tropical fantasy of Dior Summer 2011.

Be prepared to get your Mrs. Roper groove on -that's right, the CAFTAN is also back - I'll have an update with pics of the best..stay tuned!! 

COACHING REED KRAKOFF

REED KRAKOFFA new designer collection is always newsworthy in the fashion world of New York.   When a new collection is launched by the man behind a multi-billion dollar company - it is news!   Reed Krakoff is the man behind the collection that is meant to be the ultimate New York House of luxury fashion.    Click COACH to see how it is developing.

BOLD MOVES AT BARNEYS

BARNEYS NEW YORK - NEW YORK Times they are-a-changing at BARNEYS NEW YORK!  New CEO Mark Lee has hit the ground running as he begins his new leadership role at the uber cool department store.   Lee, known for his global contributions to Gucci during and after the Tom Ford MARK LEE - CEO BARNEYS NEW YORKera has already made major changes to the management of Barneys.  

Mr. Lee has hired Daniella Vitale with whom he worked at Gucci as the new Chief Merchant and EVP -responsible for all of Women's and Barneys.com.   Vitale was at Gucci for over a decade and last served as President of the Americas.     It is interesting to see Lee and Vitale move to a multi-vendor environment after spending formative time at Gucci, a single brand with one cohesive strategy and mission.  

DENNIS FREEDMAN - C.D. - BARNEYS NYIn addition, Lee has brought in Dennis Freedman as Creative Director for Barneys New York.  Freedman was the former Creative Director of W Magazine for almost twenty years.  The move bumped Barneys veteran and iconic figure Simon Doonan to an "At Large" title.   Also an interesting move when you consider the fact that Freedman is a man known for his talent in the artistic presentation and vision of fashion, but not as a merchant.   While  Mr. Freedman is widely respected and celebrated for his creative skills at W, you would be hard pressed to find anyone who would describe him as a man focused on sales.  Any reader of W Magazine during his tenure could attest to that. SIMON DOONAN - "AT LARGE" -BARNEYS NY Simon Doonan on the other hand, is just one of those unique characters that can whip up media attention through celebrity affiliations, over the top window presentations, and just his witty joie de vivre.  Doonan can keep you laughing while never losing focus on the goal of ringing that register.  While Simon can be a little too kitschy and pitchy for some, no one can argue that he is a guy that is not afraid to get on the sales floor and schmooze those ladies into buying that bag, dress, or latest platform shoe from the Paris runway!

BARNEYS NEW YORK - BEVERLY HILLS FLAGSHIPRinging the register is exactly what the store needs to do to make it possible for their Dubai based owners, Istithmar World, to turn a profit on the $942 Million it paid for Barneys in 2007.   With 9 flagship stores from coast to coast, the chain needs to go toe to toe with Neimans, Saks, and sometimes Nordstrom depending the city to flourish in the current retail environment.  It will be interesting to see the new team lead the way with good taste and style at the same time the powers that be are counting every coin.  

I'll be there to watch and shop as I travel around the country this Spring!  BARNEYS is always on my hit list as I travel around from city to city.   Hope to see you in a Barneys store soon! Click BARNEYS NEW YORK to find the store nearest you.