AMERICANA SPRINGTIME

New York City is famous for so many things.   Broadway, Central Park, Wall Street, and of course FASHION.   Every major fashion house in the world has at least one boutique in New York.  AMERICANA PLAZA

At the height of luxury is a shopping oasis that lies 20 miles East of Manhattan on Long Island.  Americana Manhasset is a one of a kind outdoor shopping center.   Luxury boutiques arranged back to back single file style.   Designed by Peter Marino - the man who has shaped more luxury retail stores than anyone else in the world.   TULIPS BY THE MILEMarino is responsible for the look of Dior, Chanel, and Tom Ford to name a few.  In addition, Marino recently contributed to the most expensive SNAPDRAGONS AND VIOLAS IN MASSretail project in the world - City Center in Las Vegas.   Marino designed a portion of the Aria hotel & Casino.   There is nowhere else in North East where you can drive right up to an Hermes boutique.  

Every luxury fashion house has a boutique at the Americana.   PRADA WHITE WINDOWS Fendi, Gucci, Ferragamo, and Dior - they are all there.   Smaller than their NYC flagships, these boutiques have a charm and a sense of exclusivity in the intimate setting.  

While the boutiques might be smaller, the inventory is even more luxurious than your typical boutiques.    Due to the highly affluent area, companies stock the boutiques with the most expensive styles found in the collections.  

Plan an afternoon to visit the Americana the next time you are in NYC.  There are great choices for lunch and you can be back in the cityTORY BURCH OPENING NEXT TO HERMES before you head to the latest hot spot for dinner!

To see the map of the shopping center before you visit - click AMERICANA

YOU "CAN" DO SOMETHING FOR A GOOD CAUSE

I was just at the South Coast Plaza shopping center in Costa Mesa, California and while I was there I saw the biggest stiletto of the season!    Ok, this one might be the biggest of any season!   SCP is  a destination for luxury shoppers from all over the world.  Their website is available in 6 languages, so you know this is no average mall!  The center has recently added a hospitality suite called "Access".   Available as a courtesy to the luxury boutique customers, Access gives shoppers a quiet place to sit and make a plan of action for the rest of the day.   The suite also has a "man cave" with a huge flat screen so husbands don't have to miss the game as their wives run their own scrimmage around Hermes and Ferragamo! 

The center was one of the latest locations to participate in CANstruction.   This charitable organization collects food for local food banks and emergency shelters in communities that host the design competition.   Cities from all over the world are now participating in the program which encourages people to bring canned food to the exhibit.  This was just one of 10 giant sculptures made from canned goods, spread out all over the gigantic shopping center.

Since it's inception in 1992, Canstruction has donated over 10 million pounds of food to those shelters!  Click above to visit the site and see how and where you can get involved!   A great way to make a trip to the mall a charitable act.. just don't try to write off those Ferragamo Stilettos with the tax man!

MADONNA RIDES AGAIN

MADONNA FOR LOUIS VUITTONRumor has it that Madonna will return for a second round of Ads for Louis Vuitton.   The first series was well received - although I thought the bags themselves were the weakest LV has done in a long time.   I think Marc Jacobs took handi-crafts one step too far - as the bags looked like something children make during an arts and crafts session at camp. 

Regardless, Madonna will be back.   Lets hope that M's latest fall from a horse in Bridgehampton won't hamper her ability to be at her best for the photo shoot - or the extension of her Sticky & Sweet tour. MADONNA ALA GAULTIER  The tour is set to re-start in July.  Madonna was reportedly at the home of photographer Steven Klein.   He is the man responsible for those beautiful images of Madonna with horses from W magazine a few years back.  Actually, he is responsible for so much of the strongest imagery that makes up recent pop-culture.  (Brad Pitt fans - you MUST click on Klein's web link above).   There is speculation about whether or not a paparazzi jumped from the bushes - upsetting Madonna's horse and prompting the fall.   I know - maybe one of Steven Klein's hair extensions fell out and spooked the horse!  That makes much more sense!  If you have ever seen Steven in person - lets just say - he firmly believes more is more when it comes to personal .. um.. grooming.STEVEN KLEIN WITH MADONNA

Madonna should be working with the house of Hermes - then the grand-daddy of all saddle makers could give her a proper set of riding gear!   Maybe the universe is telling Madonna to switch her advertising partners.   After all, that would mean a reunion with Jean Paul Gaultier - the man responsible for one of Madonna's most iconic images - the cone bra.   Gaultier is the creative director for the House of Hermes.  Something to think about!