Archive for August, 2011
Spring Before Fall Heading into New York Fashion Week
It finally feels like summer 2011 in the Bay Area, but for the fashion world, it’s Spring 2012. The runway shows of New York Fashion Week start just after Labor Day and the fashion flock will be considering warm-weather clothes for NEXT summer, even before THIS summer is done. For us Northern Californians, watching what [...]
Giambattista Valli is Macy’s Next Designer in Collaboration Series
Giambattista Valli, a favorite of Victoria Beckham, will be the fourth in Macy’s series of collaborations with top name designers. The Italian designer, whose dresses and gowns are favored by starlets as well as the quietly fashion-obsessed, brings some of his signature touches to the affordable collection. The Macy’s collection launches on Oct. 26 in [...]
Former Shopaholic Says She Stopped and So Can You
Not me, not any of my friends have ever said: “I need to spend more money shopping for clothes.” Instead, we’re all very good at justifying why we need (never, ever “want”) to buy another pair of shoes, jeans, sweaters, even jewelry. Jill Chivers, then, is just one more killjoy who tells us we should [...]
Missoni for the Masses, From Target,
Of Course
I coveted Missoni for decades but price tags well over $1,000 for a cardigan or skirt, wasn’t in a newspaper reporter’s budget. When M Missoni was introduced in 1998, there sweaters in the $500 range, I still had to wait for a sale (a really BIG sale) to afford to splurge once in awhile. Now [...]
Henri Bendel opening in Valley Fair
New York is coming to San Jose, dressed in brown and white stripes. The legendary Manhattan retailer is opening its first Bay Area store in Valley Fair this fall. Bendel’s, of course, is one of the iconic New York “B” stops for style-izers, along with Barney’s and Bloomingdale’s…
Living in a costco culture
Rich or poor, young or old, everyone shops there. Why is that? We all say it. “I’m making a Costco run.” It’s never a Safeway run or a Target run. But it’s always a “Costco run.” There’s a reason: No other store tests our patience…
Chin up
Unhappy with your neck? Here’s what you can do about it. Some say it is the hands and the face that give away a woman’s age. But plastic surgeons, dermatologists, and yes, author Nora Ephron (“I Feel Bad About My Neck…
From Runway to Bay
Make summer staples work for fall. Layered Neutrals – Your favorite summer broom skirt makes the transition to fall by adding low-heeled boots and layering a motorcycle jacket over a loose-knit sweater. Accessorize with…
Designing with soul
Keep Earth and ethics in mind to create a beautiful, healthy living environment. In an era where we care deeply about our vegetables being locally grown, investigate the mining conditions of our diamond engagement ring…
Green on blue
L.A. resorts lure visitors with sun, sand – and recycling. They arrive twice a day by golf cart like mini Hannibal Lecters, leather hoods covering their heads. But the captive-bred falcons are hardly menacing – the hoods…
