Recently in Fashion News Category

Hermès fêted the opening of its first-ever men's store--dubbed "Hermès Man on Madison"--at 691 Madison Avenue on Tuesday that drew such celebrity fans as Katie Holmes, Martha Stewart, Mad Men's John Slattery and Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon. It was an amazingly executed soiree! Guests were ushered in by greeters clad in black topcoats with Hermès orange scarves, and after a glass (or two) of Champagne and caviar canapés, I headed to the nearby Park Avenue Armory for the afterparty.

That's when my jaw dropped.

I've been to my fair share of extravaganzas in my career--Fendi's Great Wall fashion show in Beijing, Ferragamo's 85th anniversary bash in Shanghai and Valentino's 45th anniversary couture show/swan song in Rome--and this one easily ranked up there as one of the best. Ever. To echo the night's masculine theme, 1,000 guests were greeted by an art installation of an LED horse (a nod to the brand's heritage) that featured thousands of fiber optic lights aglow in Hermès orange, natch, custom made by the Japanese artist Makoto Tojiki, as they arrived. From there, I had the choice to enter one of four rooms: the travel room; the library; the game room and a jazz club. I nearly died.

The library boasted one wall of floor-to-ceiling factory windows and another featuring floor-to-ceiling library shelves stocked with 8,000 hand-dyed books designed as a dramatic installation. I had my caricature done by illustrator Caitlin McGauley while noshing on chilled lobster tails, Wagyu beef, baby Colorado lamb chops, Iberico ham and foie gras brûlé. Even the napkins were made from genuine linen! Next door was the game room, where I played a round of air hockey with a friend, but there was everything from vintage pinball machines to pool and ping pong tables. The travel room featured a feast of global cuisine: dim sum (China); tacos (Mexico); Indian Chat (India) and crepes (France), along with a Turkish coffee bar. It was almost too much. Then I entered the last room, aka the jazz club. I was ushered to a table and a waiter brought over Champagne and oysters for me to enjoy while a trio of performers entertained: jazz pianist Barry Harris; French music group Venus Gets Even and New York local young rock band Locksley.

I almost forgot that New York City was getting a snowstorm that eventually dumped a foot of snow I was dancing so hard! My friend, the incredibly talented DJ Coleman, spun a late-night rager that had everyone reliving their Studio 54 days. What a way to usher in the start of New York Fashion Week!

"Europeans are very conservative, but Chinese women are not scared of color, so I used a bold palette of scorching reds and fuchsia hues," Mouret said. "The weather is also an influencing factor. Because of the heat, I went with a stretch crepe which is light, but has a high-end feel and yet still very urban."  Mouret also said he feels his iconic silhouette is suited for the petite Asian frame-- I'm weeping, it's so true!  I have a dozen of his dresses in my closet and they are truly the most flattering for my tiny size!  Oh how I wish I was in Hong Kong right now. Must dial my local snobs there to snatch up a few pieces for me. 

Last night Calvin Klein's Creative Directors Francisco Costa and Italo Zucchelli hosted a very interesting art / fashion installation show. Not sure how to describe it but it was somewhat of an art exhibit meets fashion presentation. Jean Shin showed an installation called "Folded Patterns" of Francisco Costa's Spring Collection and Neville Wakefield showed an installation in the theme of Italo Zucchelli's Mens Spring Collection. Artist, Jennifer West showed her films which were her works in slides projected in quick succession producing a moving image. And lots and lots of fabulously Calvin Klein dressed celebs including Penelope Cruz (who came and sat next to me on a cocktail ottoman!!), Kate Bosworth, Ryan Phillippe, Jared Leto, Ginnifer Goodwin, Abbie Cornish, Michelle Monaghan, Greg Kinnear, Ali Larter and Melissa George among many others. The space on Melrose Ave was very minimalistic, very Calvin Klein and had 3 floors with a rooftop bar. It was the first ever event in LA for Calvin Klein and Los Angeles Nomadic Division (LAND) for LA Arts Month.

For more information, visit www.calvinklein.com.

Jump for more images from the event.

Narcisco Rodrigues is launching his first online shop on Feb 15th-- this is really exciting news because it is actually a lower priced version of his castle collection. This is a collaboration with eBay, which he says will be like having one's own boutique, except it's on, er, eBay. Hey not judging. I'm known to troll eBay on late Saturday nights after a few glasses of wine. Things look prettier after a bit of vino ;) The eight-piece spring collection includes matte jersey dresses and a denim suit priced from $75 for a T-shirt to $350 for the reversible cotton coat.
Source: wwd

Kirkwood for Wonderland?  Now this is dreamy!  Nicholas Kirkwood was recently asked by Printemps department store to create a special shoe for a window display to be revealed at the same time as Tim Burton-directed "Alice in Wonderland," which opens March 5.

Kirkwood is the only accessories designer invited to participate.  Printemps also invited Haider Ackermann, Charles Anastase, Manish Arora, Chloé, Ann Demeulemeester, Christopher Kane, Alexander McQueen, Maison Martin Margiela and Bernhard Willhelm to interpret Alice's dress.  I will be in Milan in March and am now tempted to stop in Paris just to see the window displays at Printemps!

It seems the race for expensive shoes continue despite the lack of improvement in the economy-- the latest, $7,500  shoes designed, engineered and developed by Pasquale Fabrizio, often referred to as "the shoe cobbler to the stars.

Fabrizio defended the price by explaining the shoes are made of murano glass and 24-carat gold beading.  The official unveiling will take place on Jan. 29 during a champagne reception at Fabrizio's Los Angeles studio. On display will be five styles from the über-limited, 100-pair collection.  The designer also said he's looking for his next Cinderella.  Uh, no thanks-- I prefer my murano on my table and my gold on my neck.  What about you?

Chanel Haute Couture on display at Flagship boutique in Ginza

WWD reported this morning that an influx of younger clients from fast-developing Asian markets is helping to lift Europe's few remaining couture houses. I was not surprised to read that Haute Couture houses are looking at Asia, specifically young Asian women in their 30s-40s, to save the fast shrinking industry. When I was home in Taiwan, many of my friends discussed collecting Haute Couture with me (peppered with discussions of crocodile birkins!).

What's interesting of note is that Chinese consumers, long thought to be interested in accessories only, are quickly migrating to the height of luxury-- which includes, of course, haute couture. According to Sidney Toledano, president and chief executive officer of Christian Dior via an interview with WWD: "young Asian women want the global image of the brand: They look at the DNA, the heritage and the know-how. Couture is a vehicle to transmit the savoir faire and the codes of the house," he further elaborates: "One of the reasons for our success in China is our real, genuine story -- thanks to the haute couture."

The Haute Couture shows start today-- am looking forward to see who will rule the front rows, the old guard? Or the nouveau?

Via WWD

Balmain unveiled its 2,500-square-foot boutique (closed since last November) this week. Given Decarnin's penchant for heavy chains and studs, you'd think the space would resemble a disco but instead, the renovated Balmain boutique has been restored to its 18th century splendor (with ornate ceiling moldings and all!). The French couturier's original flagship at 44 Rue Francoise also houses Iconic Forties furniture-- a nod to when Pierre Balmain first set up shop in 1945. As exciting this is, even more thrilling is the announcement of a lesser priced Balmain line named "Blue Label". Prices for this line will be 40-50% less-- meaning a dress will cost only $6,000 instead of $12,000. Be still my heart! Balmain loyalists need not worry, however, the castle collection will continue to be exclusively sold to a small number of retailers so you can feel, well, exclusive.

Source: WWD

When will celebs stop covering our favorite magazines you ask? When supermodels start acting, I guess. At least February's cover girl is a glamour girl worthy of covering. Jessica Biel has been a fave of mine for a while now-- I've always loved the earthiness of her beauty. You really get what you see with her, which in this case is a classic All American girl (she is the girl I wanted to be when I immigrated here from Taiwan!).  We got a sneak peek of the interview with Jess from Jonathan Van Meter (jump to read) and I have to say, kudos to her for refusing to discuss what's sacred and dear to her heart.
What do you think of the cover? Let's discuss the denim on denim jacket/vest combo from Ralph Lauren. A bit too retro?

Image courtesy of Vogue.com

Woke up today to a text from my WWD service that Halston has signed SJP for an active design role and it might be as the Creative Director!?!? First celebs took magazine covers from super models and now they're poaching work from designers!?!? I am a huge fan of SJP and think she's a decent actress but does that mean she is qualified to design for the iconic brand? I mean she looks great in movies and on the red carpet because she has stylists! Have you seen her off duty? She's in Uggs (ugh!) and cut off jeans with dirty sweaters and hats! Sure the line will generate a lot of buzz and publicity but will it have any substance? Only time will tell. As for me, I'm only looking forward to the shoes she'll be wearing on SATC sequel. What do you think of celebs taking jobs away from real designers?

Image via WWD