BARACK OBAMA ELECTED PRESIDENT!

YES WE CAN!!

After the longest presidential campaign in U.S. history - CNN has declared Barack Obama the President Elect.   He will be the 44th president of the United States.     Let the global economies begin to bounce back overnight!  Change is on the menu.   I think we are all hungry.

The U.S. has never been able to change it's image in a moment.  Happy Wednesday morning everyone!!!

The cheers of joy are audible all over New York City tonight!!!

The British Invasion Continues

New York's Meat Market has been the "New" Soho for some time now.   The transformation is almost complete.   The neighborhood is just about unrecognizable from 5 years ago.   14th Street west of 9th Avenue is just like a mall near you - that is if you are lucky enough is live near a very nice mall!   The Apple mega store recently opened.    Barneys NY announced they plan to build a full size department store just down the street across from Jeffrey NY.   (Jeffrey is the man who put the hood on the map!).    Always known to have his finger on the pulse on what is cool - Hotelier Andre Balazs is opening a HUGE Standard Hotel in 09 here as well.

The latest designer to break ground is Matthew Williamson.   The British designer will feel right at home down the block from fellow Brits Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen.   All three designers are  Londoners, but that is about all they have in common.  Each has such distinctively different styles.  Psychologists could have a field day analyzing "what makes them tick" theories as to what they do.   I think it would be an interesting study to read!  One is known for oversized knits, one is known for avant garde evening wear, and the third uses wildly colorful prints season after season.  Calling Dr. Freud!

While this latest addition does put one more nail in the coffin of my low key Saturday morning plans... it will make the street more vibrant and bring more revenue to the city.    Stay tuned......

 

PUMPKIN PATCH

The fall harvest is in!  I must admit, I'm not a huge fan of Halloween - but I'm definitely in the minority in NYC.  Everywhere you look this fall there are pumpkins, gourds, and Jack-o-lanterns!   Its great to see what a sense of community has developed in New York.   What used to be thought of as a concrete jungle - is now almost one big square suburb. 

If you don't already know Union Square Park - put it on your list.    There is a great farmers market on Mon, Wed, Fri and Saturday.   There are wonderful fruits, vegetables and gourmet baked goods grown and baked in nearby farms from NY and NJ.   The goods are sold directly from the farmers so this really supports our local growers and artisinal bakers.

This neighborhood has become one of the most vibrant in New York.   What was always a crossroads of an area has become a very livable place.   The park has local establishments like Wholefoods and Barnes & Noble on opposite ends of the park.  

Return of the REAL Supermodels

Once upon a time in early 90's, a small group of gorgeous girls had the monopoly on every major fashion campaign and premiere exit position on all the Catwalks.    The fashion world and public were transfixed on their beauty and  they cast a spell on the world.    This little clique changed the way we thought about models.   They suddenly had names, not just "that beautiful girl in that ad".    Singing sensation Rupaul even immortalized them in his world wide #1 single "Supermodel".    

Linda, Christy, Claudia & Naomi (Ms. Campbell if your nasty!)- a first name was all they needed - you knew who they were.   If designers had deep enough pockets, they could have them all walk their show... and if they couldn't afford one - good luck trying to book the others.   This was the glamour mafia!

So fast forward to 2008.  Where are these legends I speak of?  Amazingly, they are all back at the forefront of fashion with major campaigns running for fall.   With three out of the 4 have multiple campaigns!! They have been trickling back into the fashion fold for a few seasons - but for fall 2008 - they dominate! 

Prada, Escada, Ferragamo, and YSL know where the beauty is!

These gals don't really do the runway anymore - quite frankly - its not worth their time!   These women are gorgeous and all pushing 40 (or 40+) and proof that the tweens of the world are not running everything.. yet!!

Can you think of the one name I left out of this bevy of beauties??  Hint: Prince wrote a song about her.