TARA SUBKOFF FOR BEBE
This time of year, most of us are pretty much broke; between the wads of cash that we so generously spent on people we really couldn't afford to, and the amazing "deals" on fabulous items we couldn't even dream about buying before the season was over (not that they aren't probably still overpriced) there's hardly anything left for... Valentine's Day!
So it warms my heart (or maybe that's just the extra insulation from the dough lining my pockets,) to know that Tara Subkoff is doing a line for Bebe! I mean sure, she leant her name to Easy Spirit before, but those shoes were way too editorial, and nowhere near reasonably priced. This time around, however, the prices range from $59-$189. The feel is very '40s, with a hint of pinup. I can't wait to add the Ruffled Wrap Dress to my collection of "fabulous and (subsquently) memorable items" that I can, for that reason, only wear a handful of times. But its the "nature of the beast," I suppose. Besides, a portion of the proceeds goes to charity. See, we all win!
(More pictures after the jump!)
We just came back from the Tents at Bryant Park-- checked out the Duckie Brown show. It was quite a departure from the design duo's signature color infused collections. Steven and Daniel used palette of all black with just a hint of olive, eggplant or silver and the presentation, punctuated by a total lack of music made a real statement. The Duckies used some innovative fabrics, like coated cotton and rubberized leather and layered them with menswear classics like pinstripe, Prince of Wales check and cashmere. Silhouettes were progressive -- low crotch pinstripe trousers, oversized suit jackets worn under sweaters, slim but chic trousers. The duo also unveiled 2 jackets done in collaboration with outerwear legend 
Sometimes, I need a break from the avant-garde. I mean, while I am an advocate for looking stylish at all times, I don't think that you need to be a fashion victim to do so. Because let's face it, we all have those days when we just want to throw on a pair of skinnies and a tee, but should we have to look terrible because its an "off day"? I think not.
Richard Chai, the acclaimed women’s wear designer, is debuting a men’s line for fall. The move is a first for his almost-four-year-old label, but Chai is in fact quite seasoned in men’s wear, having been creative design director of Tse. Prior to that, he was the design director for Marc Jacobs’ men’s and women’s collections and launched the Marc by Marc Jacobs men’s line. 
GQ magazine, in conjunction with the CFDA have created The Best New Menswear Designers in America project to recognize the rising stars of American design. the designers of six collections: Obedient Sons, Rag & Bone, Engineered Garments, Steven Alan, Gilded Age & Spurr were selected by GQ as finalists for the competition and are featured in the February 2008 issue of the magazine. The winner will receive $50,000 in cash and the opportunity to create a capsule collection for Levi's. There was tons of great style at last night's party to kick off the project. 
NY Times blog 
The guys over at the Brooklyn boutique 
Stockholm Fashion Week just wrapped, and since the Scandinavian capital is leading the market right now, we thought we'd check out what the top designers are putting out for fall/winter. Of course designers from the land of the midnight sun are obsessed with a somber palette, and gray and black ruled, with color accents. A key item is sure to be the all black suit. Experimentation with shape and volume was an important direction and we saw huge overcoats, oversized bags, and lots of chunky knits paired with skinny pants and slim trousers, an evolved preppy style is important, as are workwear influences.
Guess that ladies don't love limited-edition sneakers quite as much as men do: Laces, a women's-only sneaker boutique at 252 Mott Street between Houston and Prince Streets, has said goodbye to the retail world. When we walked by the space earlier today, all the Nikes and Reeboks had been cleared out and a "For Rent" sign marked the glass storefront; their 
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Fashion is getting super fast. Now that the masses are able to view fashion shows on the internet, they want the new styles faster than ever. They dont want to wait for next season's deliveries. They want the new styles when they see them. When Halston relaunches next week at NY Fashion Week, 2 of the designer's runway looks will be available for sale on 
Bloomingdale's 59th street store's subway entrance now opens up on to a newly rejuvenated men's contemporary floor. The renovation seems to have been inspired by the success of the Soho store, with selections by downtown faves like Trovata and Vince making fuller statements on the uptown floor. This is the first step in a total overhaul of the Bloomingdales menswear dept, reports 
Target in Deal to offer Shaun White Apparel 
