By Sharon Edelson for WWD.

NEW YORK — It probably goes without saying that privileged Upper East Side denizens Serena van der Woodsen, Blair Waldorf, Jenny Humphrey and Vanessa Abrams don’t shop for their frocks at Target. After all, the four “Gossip Girls” collectively own enough designer garments to fill a warehouse.

But that may change now. Anna Sui for Target, part of the retailer’s Designer Collaboration series, channels the well-dressed women of “Gossip Girl” and debuts in 600 select Target stores out of more than 1,700 units, and on Sunday at target.com/annasui.

Designer Collaborations taps established talents to create collections inspired by a muse, creative element or collaborative partner. Alexander McQueen launched the effort in March with McQ Alexander McQueen for Target, inspired by Leila Moss, lead singer of The Duke Spirit.

Sui had wanted to design for Target for some time but “couldn’t figure out what the concept would be,” she said. When the retailer approached her with Designer Collaborations and the muse element, the project began to make more sense. During a trip to China in January when she was launching a fragrance, Sui said she was bombarded by teenagers asking the same questions related to “Gossip Girl”: “Where’s Williamsburg?” and “What’s uptown?”

Sui has become a serious fan of the show. “I thought the characters were so dynamic, so different and each represented a different aspect of my design,” said the designer. In the Target collection, Serena’s European heritage and relaxed American style led to a leather jacket, $149.99; Blair’s love of old-time glamour and modern fabrics informed a metallic jacquard dress, $59.99; Jenny’s penchant for uptown couture inspired a silk off-the-shoulder striped dress, $59.99, and Vanessa’s bold personality is reflected in a sleeveless silk wrap dress, $59.99.

Target is turning a private four-story townhouse at 54 Crosby Street in SoHo into a pop-up shop from Thursday to Saturday, with rooms decorated to reflect each character’s tastes. “We’ll have four vignettes based on the four characters, along with live models to bring the collection to life,” said Target spokesman Joshua Thomas.

A launch party is slated for today. For Thursday’s public grand opening, which coincides with Fashion’s Night Out, the pop-up will stay open until 11 p.m. rather than the regular 8 p.m. FNO T-shirts will be sold, with proceeds benefitting the national 9/11 Memorial Museum.

From Target’s perspective, all roads lead to Crosby Street. Teams wearing Anna Sui for Target T-shirts will hand out invitations to the pop-up shop. Clean ads or reverse graffiti will cover sidewalks from Sui’s Greene Street boutique to the townhouse, and symbols such as the Target bull’s-eye and Anna Sui logo will be projected onto the exterior of buildings in SoHo and the Meatpacking District. Viral ads will appear on taxi screens when cabs come to within half a mile of Sui’s boutique or sites featured in “Gossip Girl” storylines.

Sui said she loves “Gossip Girl” for its unabashed embrace of fashion. “It’s so fantastic,” she said. “Young kids have something to look forward to: getting dressed up.”

From the press office of Nolcha:

Nolcha Fashion Week: New York | September 14th - 18th 2009

Award Winning Nolcha Fashion Week held simultaneously with New York Fashion Week consists of runway shows featuring emerging and independent designers, accessory exhibition, industry networking events and fashion business seminars held by reputable New York fashion business industry figures.

The Luxe Collective Runway Show is a dedicated showcase of seven select independent fashion brands that specialize in luxury fashion and lifestyle. Holding the merchandise to the utmost of standards in goods from textile choices to finishing, the runway show will introduce brands that suit the lifestyle of affluent and influential consumers.  Special Occasion fashion will play a large part in the presentation including Avante Garde mastery as well as sassy swimwear, all under the same standards of fit, fabric and finishing.

The featured designers are:

43.46 aggaj intrigued by the lifespan of a flower: the bright, clear and happiness of its bud, the sheer excitement of its bloom and the mysterious dark side of its demise, has created a collection enabling femininity to steer toward a contemporary and edgy direction.

Timeless swimwear shapes with a bold and contemporary twist defines well the essence of Agnes Valentine. The focus is given on a constructed silhouette, with the garment viewed as an extension of a woman’s wardrobe and ultimately taking center stage.

Dora Abodi luxury pret-a-porter collection’s theme is the both euphoric and bitter love named aptly M’amour. The keywords and inspirations are: bondage, changing the shape of silhouette, the distorted body-art works of Lucy and Bart, the mixture of soft materials (like muslin) and hard materials (like leather, technical ribbons, and industrial materials).

Elda De La Rosa Couture, widely regarded as one of Chicago’s best and brightest designers, collection draws on the natural beauty of fabrics. She creates breathtaking details within romantic shapes, all the while celebrating the natural qualities of the fabric.  Each gown named after strong Spanish women, there is a touch of infallibility intertwined.

KabukiU collection “Maiko Infusion” features the unique 3-piece Kimono Trousseau Set comprising of a kimono, matching pants, and 3-metre Obi.  It is also the first time Telina Webb will be introducing eveningwear into the collection with gowns in Black, White, Red, Silver, Pink, Gold a variety of tradition and modern luxurious elements.

MinnaK’s collection “Symphony in C” is a compilation of movement, but the way it is best described is how a dance performance changes in stages. Balanchine Symphony in C is the perfect example, as the movement of this dance begins with explosion, then it morphs into romantic longing, to the finale where it climaxes in joy and excitement.

Sodalicious' Haute Couture Collection FLORAL FANTASY draws inspiration and color palette from lilac bushes, peonies, French irises and tea roses with cream and honey petals blooming in a vibrant airy backyard.

Prestigious corporate brands continue to support the program that Nolcha is providing the future of the fashion world; September 2009 sponsors include New York Sports Club, Aveda, Clarins Skin Spa, Rae Cosmetics, Paul Mitchell, Starbucks, Saaga Vodka, Riazul Tequila, Don Q Rum and Selve – The Luxury Shoe Customizer.

To register please visit www.guestcode.com and enter code 414

For more information about Nolcha Fashion Week contact:
BJ Coleman
212.962.1555
bjc@colemanentertainmentgroup.com

Last night I had a privilege to preview The September Issue documentary at the Bryant Park Hotel's private screening room, along with about 70 other press members. The movie is surprising on many levels and is a definite must to see for anyone who is remotely curious about fashion or the fact why is it so important (or is it?). I wanted to focus on some of the lessons I've learned from watching closely one of the last dictators of our times - Anna Wintour. I can't escape the comparison to the recent Valentino movie, titled The Last Emperor. There are too many similarities between the two, and if I was in charge of giving a proper title to this film I would definitely go for The Last Dictator. I'm not sure if Anna Wintour will also follow Valentino in retiring right after the movie premiere and her own 60th birthday this November, but we may have gotten the last look at the way of ruling the fashion world that won't exist after Anna's eventual departure. The times have changed and it's getting harder to control the industry while so many disruptive forces (such as independent online media) slowly take a share in defining the message.

When I call Anna a dictator, I don't necessarily refer to her in a negative way, but rather as a powerful figure that has an exclusive control over a certain territory. Like many powerful figures, Anna provides quite a few powerful lessons throughout the film, which I tried to analyze below.

1. The importance of having another genius person working behind the scenes of your brand. Just like Valentino has his partner Giancarlo Giammetti who was responsible for much of his success and wouldn't have been known to masses without the movie, Anna has Grace Coddington, who is responsible to the most artistic editorial spreads we've ever seen in Vogue. This reminds us that not all great people are geniuses, they definitely know how to intrigue and manipulate the public opinion, but they aren't solely responsible for their success.

2. Decisiveness. As per the film director, R.J. Cutler, who was answering our questions last night, the thing that most impressed him about Anna Wintour is her decisiveness. At some point in the movie, she makes several decisions in about 10 seconds: yes, no, no, no, yes. She always knows what she wants, never questions her inner voice and never looks back. I think it's such an important quality of every leader. Just think how much time you spend every day on decision making and weighing in all the options…

3. The ability to edit. One of the things we learn from the documentary is that Anna is actually deeply involved in many designers decisions related to their collections. She helps Oscar de la Renta and John Galliano to cut down their runway looks from 125 to 62, which seems to be very hard for these artists of the trade. The ability to edit translates to everything in life - from our wardrobe to daily work tasks, and it's an important skill to have.

4. Less is more. Anna mentions it at least once in a movie, and I think it's one of the secrets of her power. It's in the way she expresses herself, verbally, visually and emotionally. The reason people value her opinion is because she doesn't express it very often. When she does, you listen.

5. Ignore your critics. One of my favorite Anna's quotes from the very first frame of the movie says: "What I often see is that people are frightened of fashion, and because it scares them, makes them feel insecure or not included, they try to put it down." This statement could be applied to so many different things and is a very important lesson to prepare you for any path you chose. When you try to innovate or have a certain point of view, unfortunately many times there will be people who will try to put you down. It’s helpful to understand what motivates them so you can ignore and focus on your vision. Just like Anna ignores her critics, and focuses on what she does best – rules a powerful empire that creates fantasy moments for the rest of us.

Original article can be found on My It Things.com

Beautiful young entrepreneur Jacqui Rosshandler turned an idea she had (while recovering from a hangover one New Year’s Day no less) into a reality and a career. She makes and sells a product that is fast becoming the ultimate "must–have" purse item.

Claim to fame:

CEO and co-founder of Jacquean Products LLC, the maker of eatwhatever breath fresheners. Eatwhatever breath fresheners are the antidote to bad breath and work in two steps to give you kissable breath:

• 1. A vegan gel cap containing organic oils that, when swallowed, provide long lasting freshness from within.
• 2. A little white mint to suck on that provides instant freshness in the mouth whilst the gel caps dissolve in your stomach.

All in a day’s work:

Everything from marketing, sales and product development to drumming up press and accounting!

First job:

My first part–time job was a shoe salesperson. My first “real” job was office manager to the Minister for Aging in Australia’s Parliament House (like Capitol Hill but in Canberra).

Career high:

Waking up to thousands of sales and queries after eatwhatever was featured in Daily Candy. Also, knowing these little gems have become the best kept secret of celebrities; Zoey Deschanel and Mo’Nique are known to be fans. The cast of Gossip Girl have them on set at all times and Carson Kresley, Rose Perez, Sean Penn and Jennifer Jason Lee have all been spotted with eatwhatever in their hands. The product has received great press and has been featured in Daily Candy, The Luxury Spot, The Daily ‘Page 6,’ Splendora.com, Fox Business.com…and more.

Career low:

Anytime a retailer or distributor says “No.”

Inspiration:

In business, Richard Branson first and foremost, but any entrepreneur who believes in themselves enough to ignore negativity and keep striving towards their goal. It’s incredible how many people hear “no” and just keep going. David Frost (of the play and film Frost/Nixon) showed this belief in himself despite the world laughing at him. That’s inspiring. As are the millions of people around the world who overcome adversity and make their dreams come true. My husband’s grandmother went through various concentration camps during the Holocaust and lost all her family but still has a passion for and love of life that I find unbelievable for someone who suffered so much.

Ultimate goal:

To make eatwhatever the Kleenex of breath fresheners. I want everyone to feel comfortable eating garlic bread on a date knowing that they can take eatwhatever afterwards and have perfectly kissable breath.

Guiltiest pleasure:

In summer, lying in the sun all day (even though I’ll end up wrinkly and horrid one day). In winter, staying in bed all morning with my husband and the Sunday paper.

Personal motto:

Failure is not an option.

Advice for other entrepreneurs:

Talk to everyone and don’t be ashamed to promote your product or service. If you don’t, who will?

How ASW has helped:

I met my fantastic package designer, Lara Shukri, on ASW after posting a thread. I have also made other great contacts through the site.

Interview and article are from A Small Magazine.

Originally posted on June 19th, 2009.

Wow, NY Fashion Week is about a month's away. For those of you who have followed this blog, you would know by now that I am a supporter of NOLCHA, a fashion business network group who is having their fashion week from Sept 14th-18th.

Sponsored by Clarins, Aveda, Starbucks, Coca Cola and Paul Mitchell, the event is also offering a chance to win free front row tickets for their 15th and 16th of September shows.

Below are articles from the Nolcha website:

Photo courtesy of Nolcha.com

Yulia wins Face of Nolcha Fashion Week

By Yuli Ziv of myitthings.com

The only reason you could possibly find me on the streets of NYC before 9am (thank God for sunglasses!), is when I'm running for a coffee with a fabulous fashion designer at their flagship store. Tory Burch hosted a dozen of online media mavens for an intimate chat ranging from her recent travels (India is next), music (she recently released CD with a mix of her favorite songs), business (what recession? she is about to open new stores in Japan and Korea), female entrepreneurship (her non-profit foundation was announced just few days ago) and of course her new pre-fall collection inspired by Venice, which is now in stores.

It is amazing and inspiring what Tory could accomplish in 5 years since creating the brand, and she is about to expand to makeup and skincare (collaboration announcement to come soon), possibly children lines, menswear and home decor in the future. No doubt, Tory Burch is now a lifestyle brand with a very clear vision. From the travel inspired prints to bold hardware and body forgiving shapes, this vision is a common thread in every piece she makes, and she shared her favorite ones with us this morning - the Hadley Clutch, Venice Caftan, Feather Edge Studded Belt, Georgeanne blouse - Tory was pulling clothes and accessories from the racks with an excitement that made everyone in a room gasp "I want IT"!

Photos: Yuli Ziv.

Originally posted on My It Things.com. Click here to view.

By Yuli Ziv of My It Things.

Just when the country debates whether Michelle Obama should bare her toned arms or wear a cardigan to the Queen palace, the Museum at FIT presents Fashion & Politics, a new exhibition in its Fashion and Textile History Gallery.

Fashion & Politics is an exploration of more than 200 years of politics as expressed through fashion.  In this setting, the term "politics" not only refers to the maneuverings of government, but also encompasses cultural change, sexual codes, and social progress.  Fashion & Politics displays how, throughout history, fashion has been a medium for conveying political ideologies and related social values by addressing such important themes as nationalism, feminism, and ethnic identity, as well as significant events and subcultural movements.  Featuring more than 100 costumes, textiles, and accessories displayed in chronological order, Fashion & Politics reveals the rich history of politics in fashion. 

The exhibition's introductory gallery explores the theme of American nationalism.  Featured are a woman's costume, circa 1889, printed with an American flag motif, as well as Catherine Malandrino's iconic Flag Dress, worn by numerous celebrities and socialites to express patriotism after 9/11, and again in response to the historic 2008 presidential campaign.  Also featured is an ''IKE'' dress from the 1956 Eisenhower campaign, a ''NIXON'' paper dress, and memorabilia from the 2008 presidential campaigns.

Also featured is a series of textiles that chronicle the social and political developments of the first half of the twentieth century. These include a Communist propaganda textile from 1920s Russia, an anti-Prohibition scarf repeating the words ''Repeal the 18th Amendment,'' and a depression-era textile entitled Harvest (from one of FDR's New Deal programs).

Present-day fashions reflect a renewed interest in politics, sparked in large part by the election of Barack Obama, the United States' first African-American president.  Just as Obama’s campaign centered on such socially charged words as "progress" and "change," many contemporary designers are currently using fashion as a medium for raising political and social awareness and promoting environmentalism.  The Danish fashion brand NOIR works with sustainable materials and fair-trade practices to blend luxury and sophistication with social responsibility.  On another note, dresses from Alexandre Herchcovitch's spring 2009 collection entitled "Army of Love" were inspired by "politically troubled, foreign-ruled, war-torn countries."  These examples are among the many ways that fashion continues to powerfully articulate our concerns about social issues such as war, global warming, and economic uncertainty.

Fashion & Politics will be on view from July 7, 2009 through November 7, 2009 in the Fashion and Textile History Gallery at The Museum at FIT. 

Photo by Irving Solero, courtesy of The Museum at FIT, New York

Photo: A Small Magazine

Meilinda Soerjoko

Dubbed by A Small Magazine as one of the brightest rising art stars in NYC, British-born Poppy de Villeneuve is showcasing her work titled "You Are Everywhere" at the Soho Grand Hotel until September 2nd. The work is inspired by her own account of witnessing the extraordinary relationship between people and music.

Long-time friends with Zac Posen since his study days at London's St.Martins, de Villeneuve also has a keen sense in fashion photography. Her body of work, whether it's capturing design marvels of Posen's collection or portraits of inmates of Louisiana State Penentitiary, all have one thing in common, it was done through her love of people as Posen states in an article by the Independent UK.

To view more of her work please visit www.poppydevilleneuve.com

Below is an article published by the Independent UK:

How We Met: Poppy de Villeneuve & Zac Posen

'You could throw her out of a plane with a parachute and she would fit in wherever she landed'

Interviews by Rhiannon Harries

Sunday, 17 May 2009

In the world of exclusive online sites-from ASW to invite-only designers'sales, comes Paperless Post, the posh and upscale way of sending invitations online, if you're lucky enough to be invited by a member to be one yourself.

The first online platform for formal correspondence, Paperless Post  generates images of heavy cardstock with cream-colored envelopes that have been circling around in LA, NY and London amongst fun-loving party-goers. Invitations come either letter-pressed, knotted with silk ribbons or other decorations that have not been found in any other online-invitation websites. Even the fonts are laced with class, types such as "London" and "Upper West Side", this is one site that does not lack in terms of formality and etiquette . R.S.V.P tracking is included.

Founded by Harvard-graduates brother and sister team, Paperless Post is based in NYC.

Update: NY Times wrote about Paperless Post as well. Click here for article.

From Kerry of Nolcha:

Hey Beautiful Lady,
 
Wanted to let you know about a Private Shopping Event taking place on May 20th at 7pm - 9pm in Manhattan.
 
Hot designers including Luis Steven on Rachel Bilson, Passchal in People Magazine and Marijoili in Elle Magazine. Plus get the Sarah Jessica Parker look with Accessories by Joann.
 
If the stores can close for Madonna, then why not for you?
 
More info and RSVP www.guestcode.com Enter Code: 466
 
See you then and pass on to your fabulous friends who want to shop for trendsetter items ;o)
 
Kerry Bannigan
Nolcha

www.nolcha.com as seen in Forbes, Smart Money, BBC and more.

Where the business of fashion never goes out of style.

May 14th, 09

Written by Yuli Ziv for My It Things.com

Someone told me once that it takes about 1.5 years to make a great shoe. Pretty close to the time it takes to build a house. Frank Gehry, the man who defined architecture in the 20th century, has made his NYC debut as a shoe architect last night, at the opening of Humeurs exhibit and shoe collection by J.M. Weston.

Mr. Gehry was among five artists, invited by the French shoemaker J.M. Weston to create special order shoes: Dior Homme creative director Kris Van Assche , Martin Szekely, Michel Perry and Clémence Krzentowski presented their styles as well.

The opening event at the Flag Art Foundation brought together possibly the most gorgeous men on this island, all dressed in impeccable shoes, of course. The collection, presented in a gallery setting highlighted the carefully crafted shoes as if they were objects of art, which in this case they certainly were.

Photographs: Yuli Ziv

Poshglam is calling emerging luxe designers to join its shopping event in NYC on June 20th. For more info please visit www.poshglam.com or contact Kimberly@poshglam.com

 Sale to be held at:

Thanks to Yuli of My It Things.com

NEW YORK - MAY 04: An exterior view of "The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4, 2009

"The Model As Muse: Embodying Fashion" Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Originally posted on April 19th, 09 and reposted May 4th, 09. Day of Met Gala. =)

From Vogue magazine, May 2009 edition.

Pictured: Kate Moss, Justin Timberlake and MARC JACOBS.

As if one needs more reason to come to NY...

Opening May 15th through September 6th at the International Center of Photography.

Stephanie Seymour for Versace.

Audrey Hepburn and Art Buchawald. Dresses: Balmain, Dior, Patou.

Stephanie Seymour and Marcus Schenkenberg for Versace.

Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington

From the International Center of Photography:

"This exhibition will be the most comprehensive exploration to date of Avedon's fashion photography during his long career at Harper's Bazaar, Vogue, The New Yorker, and beyond."

Thanks to Courtorture for posting this:

"Avedon is most widely known for his work in the 50's and 60's at Harper's Bazaar and in the 70's and 80's at Vogue (he went to Vogue when Diana Vreeland did). Avedon was also the inspiration behind Stanley Donen's film Funny Face starring Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn. Let's hope the film is playing down the street at Bryant Park this summer, so that one could make a whole Avedon evening of it."

For more on Richard Avedon, click here:

Richard Avedon Foundation.

Previous Milan Exhibition in 2008.

More Versace Campaigns.