Results tagged “American Express” (6)

Mid-Day Snack

Mid-Day Snack

obamafamilyportrait.jpgO-Style: For anyone who wants to truly follow Michelle Obama’s style choices there’s been one go-to site, Mrs-O.org. Now, blogger Mary Tomer’s got her own book on the First Lady that looks to be equally well-done. Also, we love the Alaia in this first official family portrait. {StyleFile}

Hands off our DvF: For shame, criminals of Madrid. Diane von Furstenberg was mugged this weekend in the Spanish city. Though we’re sure AmEx hooked her up with some new cards really quickly. {Jaunted}

Phew! Sesame Street is not, repeat not, collaborating with Amercian Apparel. Thank god, because we don’t want to imagine what Dov was dreaming up for the ad campaign. Shudder. {Stylelist}

Continue reading Mid-Day Snack

Spring 2010 New York

Phillip, Andre, Linda, Oh My!

IMG_4630.JPGEd. note: We’re backpedaling for a moment, to the last night of New York, before heading back to London.

When I said things couldn’t get better than my night with Narciso, I meant it.

But I was wrong. Last night, Linda Fargo and Andre Leon Talley (in a black eyelet robe) hosted a repeat performance of Phillip Lim’s SS10 collection for American Express card holders.

Prior to the presentation, I was escorted backstage to interview Phillip, slightly better than sneaking past security guards, and snooped around backstage area checking out the sky-high Louboutins and gorgeous clothes up very very close. (And no, I didn’t walk away with the sequin pants I had my eye on. I may be sneaky, but not sneaky enough to swipe the clothes right off the models backs just yet.)

Inspired by Picasso’s collages, Phillip wanted to create a collection that collaged the life of the modern woman. From his opening look, a red “New Suit” made of a techno-poly that can be machine washed but still feels and looks luxe to his closing “cubist” dresses that offer a different view from every angle, he wanted a collection that any woman could see herself in.

AmEx and Bergdorf Goodman hoped that the event would educate consumers about New York Fashion Week and inspire them to hit the stores. And based on the post-show conversation and excitement, it definitely worked. I don’t think I’m the only one headed to BG tomorrow.

Shopping

The Whole World Steps Out for Fashion

liya kebede for fashions night out.jpgFashion’s Night Out just released their prolific schedule for September 10th.

Seven hundred stores across all five boroughs will stay open until 11pm, but Anna Wintour, Michael Kors, a surprise celebrity guest and the cast of Hair will kick everything off at Macy’s six hours earlier.

At Barneys, Wool & the Gang will teach knitting while Scott Hahn & Rogan of Loomstate customize t-shirts. Zac Posen will be painting inside Bergdorf’s Fifth Avenue windows while Peter Som and Cynthia Rowley have an in-store cook-off. What are we most looking forward to (aside from the Olsens)? A fashion game hosted by Andre Leon Talley with teams led by Donna Karan, Robert Verdi and Linda Fargo.

Various contests will be held throughout the night in which one can win tickets to runway shows, haircuts by Sally Hershberger and Oscar Blandi, a custom Carolina Herrera wedding dress and the chance to be on set during a Demarchelier Vogue shoot. Cindy Crawford, Hugh Jackman, Stephanie Seymour, Sasha, Caroline, Chanel, Lily, The Misshapes, Taylor Momsen, Yasmin le Bon, Coco and Diddy are just a few of the people with planned appearances.

Don’t forget to shop while you’re out ogling your favorite fashion people!

Slideshows

Miss Sixty & Buying Your Way In

miss sixty aw 09.JPGWe’ll sum up the Miss Sixty show quickly - Stam opened, Coco sat front row next to Mischa Barton, Karlie death-walked, Sasha’s hair looked dirty, there were denim jumpsuits, Pretty Woman hats, slogan tees and this one red coat we really loved - because we need to talk about what American Express is doing to Fashion Week.

Let me preface this by saying that if I wasn’t lucky enough to be invited to fashion shows and had the money to buy my way in, I probably would. But the divide between those in the industry and those looking for a party in the tents is widening and making it increasingly frustrating for those needing to do their jobs.

Chelsea’s the indie version of the tents. Its small venues have housed Vena Cava, Band of Outsiders, Ohne Titel, Preen - all shows mostly attended by those who work in fashion (plus Kanye). Despite lines and small entrances, there is no pushing (ok, Rag & Bone doesn’t count), no grabbing, and no yelling because everyone will get inside, everyone will see the clothes and everyone will politely and graciously do their jobs.

In comparision, the tents are a battlefield. Just getting in line is a nightmare full of groping, shoving, attitude and foot stomping. At Erin Fetherston, we witnessed a girl try to scare an editor out of his seat by screaming, “I paid good money for this seat!” We’ve overheard AmEx customers speak to the frazzled PR girls like they’re twelve when unhappy with their $200 seats. The girls behind me at Herve (their bought tickets were a gift) laughed obnoxiously at the falling models. And if you dare block the elite skybox in the big tent, which cuts down the standing section considerably, you risk being escorted out by security.

It’s easy to forget that Fashion Week is, essentially, just a semi-glamorous convention. Everyone within a very small industry convenes in one place to discuss its changing nature and see what’s new. It is both exhausting and rewarding work made that much harder by those looking for a Devil Wears Prada moment.

Should AmEx stop their support of fashion week? No, but they should probably include an etiquette book with their ticket package.

See all the images…

Fashion Week

McDonalds Has Tickets to Nicole Miller, For You!

nicole miller spring 09.jpgThere’s always a flood of e-mails pre-Fashion Week: How can we get tickets to fashion shows?

Well, you can buy your way in via American Express - though you’ll be seeing last season’s collections - or you can be a socialite, an actress, an editor, a buyer, a pop star, a photographer or you can stand on the 6th Avenue sidewalk and watch everyone leave the tents which is kind of like a fashion show in its own right.

Or, if you want to go to the NIcole Miller show you can answer both of these questions correctly and McDonald’s will give you two tickets. They’ll also give you a $250 Visa gift card (a new outfit maybe?) and a $100 gift card to McDonald’s, which is a whole lot of McFlurry’s - or McCafe’s, “the official coffee” of New York Fashion Week if you can hang on to that gift card until this summer.

1. Which 90’s sitcom revolved almost an entire episode around a Nicole Miller dress?

2. Which designer used to work at McDonald’s? (Hint: Said person’s showing in New York next week.)

If you know the answers, email us: work@fashionista.com (first person with both correct answers wins the tickets!) and we’ll see you next week!

Update: The winner is reader Willie - thanks for playing!

News

The Commodification of Fashion Week?

front row power rangers.jpgJust because women have stopped buying shoes doesn’t mean they’re unwilling to drop a couple hundred bucks for tickets to a runway show.

American Express told the Wall Street Journal yesterday that they sold 97% of their $150 - $250 Fashion Week packages within five days.

Most of those tickets are to Diane von Furstenburg’s show - not the Fall 09 show editors and buyers are attending but a totally separate event with a runway full of Spring 09 looks. As in, the looks you can already pre-order on DVF’s website.

Which means the highlight of the show isn’t the collection itself but rather the life discussion Diane’s going to have with Andre Leon Talley prior to the show during which we really hope she addresses exactly which life lessons she’s gained from being on The City.

Anyway, we digress. In other American Express loves Fashion Week news, they’ve recruited polar opposites Tory Burch and Philip Crangi to hold trunk shows in their VIP tent at Bryant Park. Between Diane’s walking catalog and Tory selling flats on location, AmEx is working their hardest to turn what is essentially a fancy industry trade show into a store.

And so far, it’s working.