Fashion Blogs

Fashion at Akris is more than a visual event. Clothing is a protective sheath that enters into a sensual dialogue with the body of the woman who wears it. That is why fabrics play a crucial role. For Akris designer Albert Kriemler, they are the mother lode of fashion and one of its most important sources of inspiration. In his own words, “The design of every item begins with a piece of fabric in my hand.”  If you could only feel the fabric in this brown sleeveless Akris top you would know what h

It’s a never ending source of amazement when you go thrifting.  Who doesn’t like finding something new inside a thrift store?  I know I sure do and yes I see and find new items from Banana Republic, J.Crew, Forever 21 etc all the time in thrift store because remember everything gets trickled down to a thrift store, its the law of physics.  Finding a new silk Plenty by Tracy Reese top inside a thrift store just sends the shock wave throughout my entire body, OD’ing on an endorphin rush.  So I got

This blog posting is about a Kay Unger (size 10) silk dress and a Teri Jon (size 10) vintage linen dress so we have 2 completely different fabrics.  Silk & linen are the words for today.  First the silk dress: Kay Unger dress is in pristine condition and this pattern is contemporary and creative which makes for the perfect dress to lunch in.  The vintage linen Teri Jon dress that buttons up on the side and with the color combination of pink & blue just makes this retro dress perfect for any of y

“The foundation of Vera Wang’s personal style is supersoft, slouchy shirts and cozy leggings, so it’s only natural that her interpretation of the rigidity that’s been showing up on New York runways would be softer than that of her peers. If she’s not interested in living and working in constricting clothes, why would she expect, let alone encourage, other women to be?”  That was written by Emily Holt for Vogue and I believe that about sums it up nicely.  I found this FABULOUS Vera Wang dress ins

I don’t know about you but I LOVE this label.  Sam Nieves Velez & Sharon Lavi are the creative force behind this brand and to me they are just 2 very brilliant creative souls.  Just one look at their collections and you’ll know why this brand is a favorite with celebrities, fashion editors and fashionistas all around the world.  It was founded in 2003 and has grown into a global brand.  The collections share Nieves Lavi’s bohemian philosophy, free spirited prints, and emphasis on fit with more a

Who doesn’t like finding a Plenty by Tracy Reese silk dress in a thrift store ?  Put your hand down nobody’s talking to you!  I can’t think of any woman that doesn’t love them some Tracy Reese and this size 8 silk dress with it’s tie waist band is pretty  snappy.  I tried to put this on my mannequin which is a size 6 but the dress wouldn’t go over her so like I tell my clients don’t ever trust the size on the label because they all LIE.  I can eye this size 8 dress from outer space and tell you

What can you get for $10 you ask well how about a vintage Ungaro top and a Adolfo skirt?  You heard me correct $10 and I have 2 fabulous pieces both from the 70′s and both in pristine condition.  This blue rose pattern silk Ungaro blouse makes me want to break out in a Glee style song and dance number… Ungaro went to Paris in 1955 and by 1960 he was chief designer for Balenciaga.  He left Balenciaga in 1964 for a brief stint with Courreges then with only 6 workers opened up his own couture house

I believe I struck gold when I found this early 80′s Halston III black wool dress because the Halston III label was the label he designed for JCPenny that eventually ended this brilliant man’s career.  If you haven’t already watched ULTRSUEDE: In Search of Halston please reserve yours on Netflix this second!!   The Halston label went into decline with the introduction of the Halston III line for JCPenny in 1983 –  upscale department stores did not like the idea of a line that was also available

Can you have a more glam look than this black wool DVF dress and this gray Escada jacket?  I don’t know because this is one polished look and since it came from a thrift store it ‘greener’ therefore for me it’s a tad bit more STYLISH….  To me you don’t have to run to the department stores to look glam, you just need to have your very own adventures by shopping second hand.  I’m always blown away when I go to yard sales, estates sales, thrift stores or consignment stores because when I run across

That’s right finding a vintage 80′s Escada LBD in the thrift store is so much better than eating ice cream… At least that’s what I keep telling myself.  This simple dress is as STYLISH as the day it was created but that goes without saying when the label says Escada.  Escada launched in 1976 and has grown into one of the most luxurious global brands of all times.  I have to say you really need to watch the Escada Fall 2012 fashion show so you can drool over all that luxury.  Everyday when I go o

Years ago I dragged my partner Mitch up early one Saturday morning to hit an estate sale and this is what I scored.  The chair was made in Norway in the 60′s so what’s there not to like about it?  I love collecting vintage Scandinavian designs and if you look for them they will show up, you just have to educate yourself on what to look for.  I’ve furnished an entire house with fabulous mid century pieces of furniture, lighting, artwork, kitchen cookware and pottery all from thrift stores, yard s

Each of these tops Catherine Malandrino, DVF & Tory Burch came from different thrift stores on different days but I’ve been saving up for this one…  Each top is sold at Neiman Marcus, Saks, Bergdorf Goodman, Barney’s & Bloomingdale’s, they are all luxurious brands and have loyal followers to say the least so can you guess what these 3 brands all have in common?  China.  Ladies I’m begging you to please start manufacturing your lovely exquisite creations here in the USA. I know it’s a slow proces

First let me just say that Brioni is a men’s clothing line so this Brioni, made for Neiman Marcus in Italy,  shirt is for ME.  I just wanted to show you that wearing a men’s French cuff shirt, especially one made by world renowned Brioni, with this black Cacharel skirt ,that was also made in Italy, is just over the top R$CH.  I love it when I see women wear men’s French cuff shirts & vest, it’s so Isabella Rossellini.  Brioni is the Rolls Royce of the Italian menswear brands and according to art

I was watching HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher last night and watched the interview with Peter Byck who’s new film Carbon Nation offers climate change solutions and is a must see. Please click on and watch the trailer and then make the pledge like I am to watch this movie…. Being ‘green’ is STYLISH and keeping this planet green and healthy has my vote….

I’m a LOVER in general but a LOVER of anything that has spandex like this cream Piazza Sempione blouse. Piazza Sempione fashion clothes are the perfect combination of style and quality. The brand is synonymous to elegant luxury clothing. All the clothing and accessory items are highly influenced by the traditional Italian style though uniquely modern. Quality is never neglected here and each item is made with top quality fabric and thus gives extra comfort in a stylish way. What woman doesn’t ne

This is my 2nd item I’ve found from Ali Ro but this piece still has the tags right on it.  I’m loving the quilted pattern design of this simple chic dress but again it’s from Ali Ro and the Ali Ro dresses are for the modern woman on the go but still wants to have that contemporary edge. Kathleen McFeeters, founder of Ali Ro in 2007, created the label’s moniker as an acronym of her teenage daughter and mother’s names. The Ali Ro woman embraces an effortless simplicity, she possesses a youthful ex

I instantly recognized this label and knew it was a collectible piece so I salvaged it from the thrift store.  I know very little about this brand except that when you Google Ognibene Zendman clothing you’ll find that the luxury sites selling this brand aren’t asking pennies for it.  It’s collectible so always remember.  The Rome based design team of Sergio Ognibene & Peter Zendman are known for saying that their clothes in the 80′s were not known for being sporty but for being luxurious.  Peter

I love Elsa Peretti and if you are ever bored Google the name and read her history because it’s fascinating.  I got this email with photos from fellow thrifter Vanessa who couldn’t wait to share this with me.  I’m enormously proud of her for finding this Elsa Peretti for Tiffany belt because it truly is collectible and one worth looking for.  I haven’t found one yet but give me time, it’s been my mission for years to find this Elsa Peretti belt and one day I know the GODS will strike again…  her

I found this Danish mid century modern solid teak ice bucket produced by Dansk and designed by Jens Quistgaard in the 50′s several years ago at of all places a flea market.  Paying the man $20 for this was the best investment I could have made because these are very collectible and year after year they just keep going up in value.  The interior lining is orange which is really why I got it because you know I love the color orange.  I grabbed this carved from rosewood bird at a thrift store for u