DAVID BATCHELOR AT STELLA MCCARTNEY - SOHO PH: JASON JOBSONStella McCartney has taken her unique sense of style further STYLE IN THE ROUND AT STELLA PH: JASON JOBSONdowntown in NYC to SOHO!   This British designer is the coolest woman working a runway collection on either side of the pond, and she continues to make news season after season.   Last Fall she bested every American designer right under their noses by dressing more A-List celebs at the Met Costume Institute Gala than even the late honoree - Alexander McQueen!LACE BUT NO LEATHER! - STELLA McCARTNEY - PH: PAMELA BERKOVIC

In fact, Stella and her crack team of fashion professionals seem to be one of the only companies creating any buzz these days.   Not by going public, not by starring in some tacky reality show, but by creating newness - season after season.  There is something you can't put into words about Stella and the way she rolls.   Her fashion shows and boutique events have an authentic vibe to them that shows her credibility with celebrities and the "in" crowd is the real deal. BROCADE IN GOLD -STELLA McCARTNEY PH: PAMELA BERKOVIC  The celebrities in attendance are there because they want to be, not as some sort of pay-for-play deal with agents and fashion campaigns.   Stella is just cool.  

The new boutique is bigger and brighter thanLITTLE BLACK JACKET - STELLA McCARTNEY F2012 PH: PAMELA BERKOVIC McCartney's current 14th Street store.  It covers two floors and several thousand square feet.   Ms. McCartney naturally outgrew the Meatpacking District store over time by creating division after division, and by raising the bar on her own creativity.  McCartney refuses to use leather or fur in any category and has become the only fashion designer in the industry doing so to achieve status and make "wanted" accessories from non leather or exotic skins. 

U.K. based artist David Batchelor designed the sleek light boxes that fill Stella's windows and make her entrance into SOHO's fashion scene.   Located at 112 Green Street, McCartney is in good company right next to Louis Vuitton.   Oddly, LV doesn't make their bags from leather either - but that's no Vegan cause - that's another conversation.

Stella McCartney is hot and you need at least one piece of her collection in your permanent wardrobe.DAVID BATCHELOR LIGHT BOXES

Up next for McCartney? Oh just designing the uniforms for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London!  As if that weren't cool enough - look for Stella's cameo in the return of ABFAB.  That's right, Patsy and Edina are back and this time around they love STELLA! 

Visit the Stella McCartney boutique near you - Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Dallas, Bal Harbour, or New York.  Don't wait to visit her website now.   Her collection is also available on Net-a-Porter.

Stella McCartney SOHO is located at 112 Greene Street. 

K is for KRIZIAJust when the name Krizia had slowly escaped the conscious of everyone working in the New York fashion scene the company has opened a new modern boutique on 14th street.  In the epicenter of the Meat Market, and a stones throw from The High Line, The Standard Hotel, and Jeffrey New York, the new boutique replaces the Madison Avenue corner spot that was home to Krizia for at least a decade, MARIUCCA MANDELLI OF KRIZIAand had shuttered its doors a few years ago.  Created by an eccentric Italian woman in 1950, the label has had many incarnations and collections over its 60 year tenure.  Mariucca Mandelli looks and behaves like someone from Central Casting in a Hollywood movie about a Milanese fashion house.   With iconic black bangs and a bob, Mandelli is the classic Italian Fashion Nonna (or Nona!).   She runs the show, she takes the press, and she pays the bills. 

Known for Animal prints in the 80's and color blocking in the 90's, since 00 Mandelli is best known in the fashion world for being the woman who fired Alber Elbaz after only one critically acclaimed collection for Krizia Top. CLICK IMAGE TO SHOP KRIZIA FRAGRANCES  Not happy with the global press he brought, Mandelli fired Elbaz over "creative differences" in record time.   I attended that show in Milan, and it was one of the most beautiful collections I ever saw walk a runway.  Yes, Krizia could have seen the rebirth that Lanvin has had under the guidance of Elbaz - but it wasn't meant to be.  This scenario is too often the issue with Italian owned fashion houses and American or French born designers.  (The Lanvin website is a must visit - I promise you will be charmed).

A storied house of fashion that has seen better days and better sales will hire an up and coming designer in order to breathe new life into the brand. KRIZIA - FLAGSHIP BOUTIQUE - NYC  When the press and department stores come calling, suddenly egos are damaged since the new designer is getting "all the attention", even if the owners are getting all the Euros.  Seems silly doesn't it?  It is.  Mandelli is not alone though, there are many who have followed the same route.   Think Donatella Girombelli of Genny.  She will forever be known as the woman who fired a young designer named - Gianni Versace.  But then again, what did he know?    Since three is a charm, let's not forget Guiliana Gerani of the "big in the 80's" house of ICEBERG.   Gerani also had a little known designer by the name of Marc Jacobs designing her signature collection.  Known as Mama Gerani by Iceberg employees in Cattolica, Italy, Guiliana never saw a design or color board she didn't think she could tweak or take for her own collection.   Jacobs didn't last long there.  But he had bigger and better things to do.  I don't think it's a coincidence that both the Genny and Iceberg websites are "under construction" at the moment!

The staying power of Krizia is reason enough to celebrate the house and the ability of Mariucca to keep turning it out season after season.   Big in Japan, the company has a roster of fragrances and licensee's in that part of the world.  There are women's and men's clothing as well as handbags and small leather goods.   If nothing else, Mandelli's choice of retail locations shows she is one smart cookie.    Now you know!  Click KRIZIA to learn more.

BARNEYS NEW YORK 2009 HOLIDAY WINDOWS - A TRIBUTE TO SNLChristmas in New York is a magical time of year.   With the recent report that a record breaking 50 million tourists will have visited the big apple this year, it is no surprise that the holiday season is one of the busiest in recent memory.  New York's holiday windows are as American as apple pie.  Each year, thousands line up to see the classic displays at Macy's, Saks 5th Avenue, Lord & Taylor, & More. BARNEYS NEW YORK 2010 HOLIDAY WINDOWS - CELEBRITY CHEF TRIBUTE  As you would expect, the stores on the Upper East Side have more designer themed displays to help spread the holiday cheer.   

Of all the stores, Barneys New York has had one of the most dedicated followings for their holiday windows over the last decade.  Under the creative direction of Simon Doonan, the windows (like Doonan himself) were over the top and whimsical, with a big dose of kitch.   More important than any one designer item displayed, Doonan's windows made you smile, which is what helped Barneys develop a unique personality that set it apart from the other "department" stores.  

This year DAPHNE GUINNESS DRESSING IN BARNEYS WINDOWunder the new regime led by CEO Mark Lee, Doonan was not involved in transforming the windows into a festive explosion of cheer. GAGA MACHINE - BARNEYS -HOLIDAY 2011 No surprise for those reading the tea leaves from the new directions taken since Lee took over.  Lee named Dennis Freedman Creative Director of the stores, replacing Doonan, and giving him a Creative Consultant title.  Since that time Simon is involved less and less at Barneys.  This means, Freedman is the man responsible for what passed as the 2011 holiday windows at Barneys.  

Partnering with Lady Gaga to create windows and a shop in shop dubbed Gaga's Workshop with custom Gaga products to benefit charitable causes sounds like a win win.  But it was a lose lose.  Sculpted art installations and boudoir scenes in the window came off cold and austere, not exactly what you want from holiday windows.   GAGA'S WORKSHOP AT BARNEYS Not to mention the fact I couldn't help but be reminded of Daphne Guinness' performance in the window of Barneys as she got dressed live (horrific) on her way to the Met Costume Institute Gala earlier this year.   I'm partial here because Guinness drives me nuts.   I still can't understand why the fashion world has gone so Gaga for Guinness?   A middle aged empty nester who has millions of dollars to spend on clothing and just can't get enough attention is not my idea of chic.  That's what you call a Kardashian.  Yes, she is beautiful - but so what?   She is the Paris Hilton of the fashion world, and the more it celebrates her, the more I cringe.   (It's about as nauseating as the departmentMARK LEE, LADY GAGA, & DENNIS FREEDMAN stores reaction to Rachel Zoe and her so called "collection").

Let me be clear:  I love Lady Gaga.  I think she is a talented and smart performer.  full of energy and enthusiasm, she speaks for her generation.   Gaga cares about causes and people less fortunate - and she is a cultural icon around the world.  Daphne Guinness is a millionairess who cares about celebrating her ability to shop without a budget.  She then revels in other people celebrating her ability to shop.  If she were a size 14, no one would know her name.   Stay tuned for her inevitable QVC collection.  

I never thought I would be saying "I miss Simon Doonan", but Barneys has made me do just that.   It's a word of warning for Mark Lee.   Lee should remember that Dennis Freedman is a very talented and well liked man, but he is also the guy who made W magazine nearly irrelevant to fashion shoppers under his tenure.  Before leaving in the last changing of the guard management shuffle, it resembled an issue of ARTFORUM more than it did a fashion glossy.   His passion for the art world is clear, and maybe that is where he belongs.

Oh, don't feel too badly for Simon Doonan.   He is not going anywhere from his perch as a style guru.  In fact, I think his dimished role at Barneys has given him the greater flexibility to expand his iconic handle on snarky style.   His latest book - Gay Men Don't Get Fat is out in January.  (click on the book cover to pre-order).

As for Gaga's Workshop,  the products in Gaga's where more in line with Bloomingdale's than Barneys NY.  (I think the late, great Kal Ruttenstein is looking down with a smile).  Needless to say, so were the throngs of customers who poured in.   If this is the customer Barneys is targeting, then bravo to them this holiday season.   If they still intend to be the arbiters of style for well heeled clients who have their finger on the cultural pulse and aren't logo obsessed, then this year shoppers got a big lump of coal! 

Well, there's always next year!  Happy Holidays!!

THE LEGENDARY LIZ TAYLORThe girl with Violet eyes changed the world of Hollywood forever.   Liz Taylor wowed the world with her eyes, her tiny waist, her acting talent, and of course - her love life. LIZ TAYLOR'S WHITE DIAMONDS 

This month, Christie's will auction the late actress's world famous collection of diamond jewelry.   Her acquisitions of legendaryTHE BURTON COGNAC DIAMOND RING - 32 CARATS bracelets, rings, and necklaces made headlines.   Richard Burton was the man that gave her many of the pieces being sold, and his passion for Taylor became as famous as their movies.  

Taylor also put her love of diamonds to good use and created one of the biggest fragrance empires in the world.   White Diamonds is continuously a best seller around the world.   The perfume was a brilliant marketing concept.   Her love of diamonds was famous, which made people buy the fragrance, which made Taylor very rich, which gave her the ability to buy even more diamonds - Amazing!

The auction preview is open to the public, but tickets must be purchased in advance and are selling out FAST - click TICKETS if you can make it to the show in NYC.  The actual auction starts December 14th.  If you can't get tickets have no fear, you can see all the pieces in the comfort of your own home!  Click DIAMONDS to preview the sale now.

GRAB SOME COFFEE - TAKE A SEAT- JASON JOBSON AT BRCDUMBO, Brooklyn has long been the home of painters, craftsman, and artisans of all kinds.   It makes perfect sense that the latest addition to the "new TRIBECA" of NYC delivers a killer brew of coffee.  Be it by the shot, the latte, or a giant iced cold brew, the hottest new business Down Under Manhattan Overpass is Brooklyn Roasting Company.   Brooklyn Roasting opened it's doors a few months ago and just one visit on any given afternoon proves the adage- If you roast it, they will come!   The line out the door speaks volumes about the sweeping change that has occured in DUMBO.    Just three or four years ago there was St. Ann's Warehouse, Grimaldi's Pizza, & The River Cafe - that's it! This area was once forgotten space between Brooklyn Heights and The Navy Yard.   AFTERNOON DELIGHT - COLD BREWED ICED COFFEE Today, luxury condo buildings, and designer shops selling everything from candy to coffee line the streets of this petite ten block neighborhood. 

Brooklyn Roasting sources beans from all over the world.   They are committed to offering New Yorkers best quality Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance and Organic certified coffees.   Beans go through a taste test before being purchased, and then again after roasting to ensure customers a great tasting product.   The roasting is done in small batches in a Loring Kestrel 1/2 bag roaster - the most advanced small-scale commercial roaster on the market. 

It shows!  The smooth taste of their cold brewed iced coffee is about as addictive as java can be.   If I'm headed to DUMBO, I'm thinking about Brooklyn Roasting Company long before I arrive.  

Visit DUMBO for the afternoon and be sure to hit BRC for the best coffee around.  Have a gourmet lunch at Forager's Market, and for the sweet tooths out there - don't miss Dewey's Candy Shop! (You'll thank me for this one). If you're not headed to Brooklyn anytime soon, get in touch via the website or phone and order your beans today.  Of course they will ship them to you! Shop Brooklyn Roasting Company

BIKE OVER TO THE BROOKLYN ROASTING COMPANY PH: JASON JOBSON

JOHN BARTLETT & TINY TIM PH: GETTY IMAGESNew York based fashion designer John Bartlett loves dogs.  Bartlett often hosts adoption days in his West Village boutique. JOHN BARTLETT "TINY TIM COLLECTION" PACKAGING All are welcome to stop by and visit with shelter dogs that need a permanent home.   John's own dogs are a huge part of his life.  Tiny TimGRAY TINY TIM T - CLICK IMAGE TO SHOP was the name of his beautiful mascot that became the image of Bartlett's fashion logo.   Tim had three legs, but that never slowed him down.   Unfortunately, THE LATE, GREAT - TINY TIMTim passed away last year after a painful battle with lymphoma.   That's when John had the inspiration to create a collection of really cool t-shirts, hoodies, and casual wear items that could benefit shelter dogs just like Tim.

The Tiny Tim Collection is made from the softest cotton and cut into the most comfortable shapes and styles.   Any guy or girl in your life will love one -or two!   Also, don't forget the kids! 

Shop the collection today. GIRLS TINY TIM HOODIE - CLICK IMAGE TO SHOP  You can feel good about buying these well priced wardrobe staples, and also helping a great cause.   Click TINY TIM to shop.

John Bartlett's collection for the Bon Ton Stores is available nationwideTINY TIM LOGO - CLICK TO SHOP in stores and also at Bon Ton.com

STELLA McCARTNEY SPRING 2012- PH: PAMELA BERKOVICWith the Fall weather getting closer day by day, I'm fondly thinking about a magical afternoon this Spring that was the official kick off to Summer in NYC.   Fashion designer Stella McCartney stayed true to her British roots and staged the ultimate garden party in New York's West Village.   McCartney is known for her understated style and laid back attitude on-and-off the runway.   While most fashion events are stuffy and uptight, team McCartney is able to create an easy atmosphere that comes off cool and chic.  

There is an authenticity to these events, that just can't be staged.  Partly due to the fact that the parties are always full of Stella's own friends.  And when your friends and family are rock legends and movie stars, there is hardly room (or reason) for getting a big head.ph: PAMELA BERKOVIC 

For Spring 2012, Stella gave us bright colors and intricate prints styled in the signature mix & match combinations that first made McCartney famous.  It was her re-launch of the sleeping French classic  Chloe collection in the late 90's that made headlines.  STELLA McCARTNEY SPRING 2012 - PH: PAMELA BERKOVIC Stella set the fashion world on fire with a mix of fine tailoring and fluid soft shapes.   For Spring 2012, we find bright horizontal stripes worn back to exotic Hawaiian prints.  The collection is full of items that can truly be worn back to pieces shoppers already own.  *This has always been one of the secrets to Stella's success*.  She knows how women shop and never loses sight that the coolest customers build their wardrobe piece by piece. 

The party at St. Luke's in the Field was a breath of fresh air.  Models played croquet, guests drank Guinness, and Stella's friends were able to relax in the private garden setting.   Liv Tyler, Naomi Watts, & Bono  (to name a few!) all stopped by to show their support.  The garden was decorated with small displays of accessories and shoes that became part of the beautiful garden of St. Luke's in the Field.  (This famous garden, open to the public, was featured in the motion picture Doubt with Meryl Streep).

Guests of the party were given a living rose bush on the way out the door via a flower cart, a subtle nod to Stella's passion for sustainable fashion and her effort to make the world a Greener place.   This devout vegan is the only designer working with a major fashion comglomerate (PPR) that does not useROSES FROM STELLA PH: JASON JOBSON leather in any part of her collections.   Bravo Stella!  ST. LUKE'S IN THE FIELD PH: JASON JOBSON

Visit Stella McCartney to view the full collection - and Net-a-Porter to shop the current collection.  

** Stella McCartney NYC  moves to Soho this Fall **

Special thanks to team Stella and the very talented photographer- Pamela Berkovic.

JB for Bon Ton Collection Launch -Ace Hotel PH: Jason JobsonNew York based fashion designer John Bartlett celebrated the 4th of July this year in a way he has never done before.   As the fireworks were bursting in air - Barlett'sJOHN BARTLETT PH: PETER KRAMER / GETTY IMAGES collections for The Bon Ton Stores were heading to a department store near you.   With over 250 locations in 23 states in the U.S, this is a major development for any fashion designer.   John Bartlett Statements and John Bartlett Consensus will be in stores in August, and the collections will be the largest distribution deal of Barlett's career.   The addition of John Bartlett is a huge bolster to The Bon Ton Men's Department.  While the company will be offering a more designer product, the price points will be in line with what Bon Ton core customers are used to.  

Bartlett fans that might have only dreamed of owning looks from his "Made in Italy" main collection will rejoice when they see the price points that this distribution has afforded.  Most items range from $30 to $100, with some outerwear pieces approaching $200.  JOHN BARTLETT CONSENSUS @ THE BON TON As fashion fans know, a typical runway collection would have an extra 0 on the end of those prices.    Make no mistake, this is classic Bartlett, giving Men what they want to wear.  Masculine, wearable, and fun, this collection makes sense for the guys in your life.    Bartlett says the fit is "trim, but relaxed" and the collection in general is not "over detailed" - those are important points to make as most men don't want to  to feel like a fashionista when they get dressed.  

I know I'll be planning a visit to the nearest Bon Ton store - we don't have one in New York City- YET, but there are many options.   The group is known by several different brand names depending of what part of the country you live in.  Look for Carson Pirie Scott, Bon Ton, The Parisian, Bergner's,  or Boston Stores.   Make life easier and visit the web-site now.  Click John Bartlett at Bon Ton to see more.

SAKS 5TH AVENUE FLAGSHIP WINDOWS LINING 5TH AVENUE

Stella McCartney certainly knows how to make an impression.  The British designer just had a week that most designers can only dream of.   Stella blew into town and started the week co-hosting Anna Wintour's annual Vogue Met Gala.   Late designer Alexander McQueen is the honoree of this years retrospective at the Met's Costume Institute.  Dressing a staggering number of red carpet beauties from Madonna to Rihanna, Stella stole the show! S-T-E-L-L-A SPELLS FUN AT SAKS 5TH AVENUE Read all about the red carpet extravaganza - STELLA at the MET

Amazingly, that spectacular night was just the beginning for Britain's most prolific designer.  Wednesday night Stella was just down 5th Avenue, at Saks 5th Avenue to be precise.  The legendary department store rolled out their red carpet at the famous flagship location as they unveiled the new Stella McCartney Boutique on the second floor.STELLA FALABELLA BAGS AT SAKS 5TH AVENUE

The boutique is beautiful and the mood was festive and relaxed.   The brand is famous for casual cool events that always attract a hipster crowd with an eye for fashion.   Popcorn,  balloons, and park benches really brought a little London charm to the heart of NYC.  (Of course there were Pimm's Cups all around!). 

Artist Jeff Koons and actress/ model Liv Tyler were also on hand to fete their friend as she opened her new boutique. 

Also at the party was one ofJASON JOBSON & LIZ LEE AT STELLA OPENING AT SAKS New Yorks' own famous fashion icons.   American legend Geoffrey Beene always insisted on having all of his one of a kind runway gowns shown on model - Liz Lee.   Liz is as beautiful today as she was in the 80's.   She is also a ray of sunshine and has a heart of gold!

The evolution of the SM collection has happened before our eyes.  Stella burst on the international scene by becoming the "young British girl" to take the reigns at French House Chloe back in the late 90's.  Legend Karl Lagerfeld was leaving the house for the second time and had practically driven the collection into the ground due to his infamous battles with management -(only 1 U.S. retailer was still buying by that time).    Stella's mix and match sensibility and injection of menswear tailoring into the very feminine skirt suit collection was ahead of it's time and a smash hit!.STELLA McCARTNEY & LIV TYLER

15 years later - my how things have changed.   Stella is now a powerful women in her own right,  with her own collection.   Now married with four children, this very busy fashion icon has developed a message and a core customer.   What was once a group of great items is now a serious runway collection.    Keep in mind that Stella has been a game changer in the industry by insisting that the collection be leather free. JASON JOBSON after 3 Pimms Cups & STELLA McCARTNEY This was unheard of in the world of accessories and shoes - before Stella McCartney anyway.  Her Falabella Bag is a total must have! (American menswear designer John Bartlett has also become passionate about obstaining from the use of leather and fur).

The naturally stained and sustainable wood planks underfoot in the Stella Saks boutique carries through the concept of her magnificent new flagship space in Las Vegas at the Crystals Shopping Center.  

While Stella has always been a destination for great knitwear or perfectly tailored pants, the Met Gala is sure to make her a dress and gown resource.  Those famous ladies on the red carpet never looked more beautiful!

To find out more about the Stella McCartney collection at Saks - click SAKS or to shop her collection on-line, click  NET-A-PORTER now.