Second City Style Fashion Blog - Style, Luxury, Beauty & Shopping

Giorgio Armani and Emporio Armani New Eyewear Collections Channel Sixties Chic

Giorgio Armani Style GA756

Give your fall wardrobe a dose of a retro attitude with the new Sixties-inspired frames in the Armani eyewear collections. Both the 2009-2010 Giorgio Armani and Emporio Armani eyewear designs were inspired by the sleek shapes and graphic accents of the stylish Sixties. The Giorgio Armani collection (above) channels an strong and sexy vibe with their oversized shape and slim arms. The GA756 style comes in a variety of hues such as black, Havana claret, streaky grey, violet horn, gold/sand, grey/sky blue. Each color complements the iconic gold GA medallion logo that stands out against it.

Emporio Armani Style Style EA 9603

The Emporio Armani collection evokes an elegant, vintage appeal. The EA 9603 style represents this aesthetic with its Fifties cat eye shape contrasting against the very Sixties graphic pop of a checked pattern. In addition to the classic brown and green palette, the frames also come in in a small black and white mini checkerboard pattern, and red with arms showing a red and white mini checkerboard pattern. This model is also available in a monochrome version, white and violet/lilac. 

All styles are available where Giorgio Armani and Emporio Armani eyewear is sold. 

-Alia Rajput

Moschino Launches Gently-Priced Accessories Line For Spring 2010

Styles from the Love Moschino accessories line due out in the spring

In following a trend many high end labels have turned to recently, Moschino has decided to focus on its younger demographic of customers. The Italian apparel company, a unit of Aeffe SpA, company is launching a contemporary-priced accessories line called Love Moschino for spring, which will coincide along a the ready-to-wear line of the same name. The idea behind the Love Moschino line came from a need to reach out to the company's "younger aspirational customer" and provide more affordable options for their popular accessories line. And according to Michelle Stein, president of Aeffe USA, the decision has been a long time coming. “[It’s] a natural progression for the Moschino brand after the success of the ready-to-wear,” said Stein, who noted this contemporary collection comprises 20 percent of the Moschino business in the United States. “We have a couple of interesting people who joined the design team who have quite a bit of experience in the contemporary market, and we’ve been perfecting our sourcing offshore. It was a convergence of things,” she said.

The Love Moschino accessories line will include totes, shoulder bags, wallets and clutches, some in nappa and patent leather, others in calf and canvas. The bags will range in price from $165 to $445 and will include elements like bright, punchy colors and gold and silver hardware. There are 12 groups in the collection that offer four to six styles each, which will be expanded to include new materials, such as suede, for fall 2010.

Article and Photo Source: WWD
-Alia Rajput

Accessories. Mary-Kate and Ashley Launch Eyewear Collection for The Row

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, in collaboration with Linda Farrow Eyewear, are launching an eyewear collection for their luxury label The Row and it sounds every bit as fabulous as you would expect. The shades will retail between $325 and $390 and will feature four distinctive designs: a classic metal aviator, an oversize square frame, a vintage inspired brow-line rime and round frames from the 1960s. Though they have not announced yet where the collection will be sold, they are targeting current retailers of The Row such as Barneys New York and Bergdorf Goodman.

"We tried to find certain pieces that look good on more than one face, to pay close attention to how they fit certain faces and make them wearable at the same time, " Ashley said. 

London based Linda Farrow, which also designs for Dries Van Noten, Jeremy Scott and Bernard Welhem, is enthusiastic about the collaboration. Managing director Simon Jablon said, "Mary-Kate and Ashley know what they want, so it doesn't feel like a standard licensing deal in that they are really hands-on. They're fashion forward and innovative, which makes it exciting for us."

-Nina Krek

Story & Photo Source: WWD

Olivia Palermo Jumps On Celebrity Designer Bandwagon With Fine Jewelry Deal.

Olivia Palermo

Star of MTV's reality show, The City, Olivia Palermo took a break from the New York streets to visit the more civilized banks of London for Fashion Week. As a self-proclaimed addict of Matthew Williamson and Topshop, Palermo took in shows for both Williamson and the British retailer's Unique line. The New Yorker just wrapped filming for the past season of The City, an east coast version of MTV's fluff hit, The Hills. And now with all her extra free time, Palermo announced that she too, like so many reality stars before her, will be donning the role of designer. Yay. The starlet gushed about a new fine jewelry deal she has in the works with jeweler Roberta Freymann, saying "I’m really excited actually, I’m doing a collaboration with Roberta for a necklace collection. I designed two styles that will go into her store and we’re working on an exclusive retail deal, probably in Bendels.” No word yet on when the necklaces will drop but we're in no hurry. An opportunity like this comes along every other week after all. We're just wondering how Kelly Bensimon—one of the Real Housewives of New York and a pioneer of the small screen jewelry designer phenomenon—is taking the news. We're guessing not too lightly but all's fair in love and reality TV! 

Article Source: people.com

Photo Source: papermag

-Alia Rajput

Marchesa Plans to Launch First Accessories Collection for Spring

Clutches from Marchesa's upcoming accessories line

Luxury house Marchesa is gearing up for its first ever accessories collection which will  premiere for Spring 2010. The company will showcase the new line of handbags at its spring presentation, which takes place Sept. 16 at The Chelsea Art Museum in New York. The collection of 28 clutches and evening cases already looks as elaborate and glamorous as the brand’s dresses, with such details as beading, pleating and corsetry. One of Marchesa's signature details—a soft rosette—is mimicked through swaths of silk wrapped around box clutches. “We had never done accessories,” said co-founder and designer Georgina Chapman. “So we thought, ‘Let’s approach it the way we approach a dress.’” Other echoing features of gowns include a pleated black satin style, created to resemble a turban, and the interiors of the bags have grosgrain ribbon which intentionally evoke a corset. The bags will retail from $995 to $5,000 for an exotic skin.

A clutch from Marchesa's upcoming accessories line

Chapman, a longtime fine jewelry lover, has been honing her skills in the jewelry-making process. Separately from Marchesa, she is working with Stephen Webster, creative director of jewelry house Garrard, to develop a capsule collection of fine jewelry for the venerable British jeweler, to debut this fall. The new Marchesa handbag collection also allowed her to flex her creative muscles in jewelry design. The handles on several styles are beaded and include crystals, and every bag in the line is topped off with a hand-cut rock crystal. All the beading is done in India, but the bags are all hand made in New York.

Styles from Marchesa's upcoming accessories line

The label plans to offer the handbag collection in eveningwear departments where its dresses are sold, as well as on the main floor in accessories departments. The bag collection will allow Marchesa the first time to to appear on a store's main floor, a move the company is hoping will promote brand awareness. The dresses are sold in stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman, which exclusively carries a small capsule collection of Marchesa bridal gowns.

Article and Photo Source: WWD
-Alia Rajput

Crocs Have Become "Toast" During Recession but Company Heads Still in Denial

Hooray! The word on the street is that foamy shoe creator Crocs are nearing the end of their brightly-colored reign of terror. The Washington Post reported that the shoe company, having debuted during an economic boom in 2002, are failing to stay afloat amidst the current recession. Last year the company experienced $185.1 million in losses, slashed about 2,000 jobs (we are not happy about that part) and was barely able to find money to pay down millions in debt. Now it's stuck with a surplus of shoes that (shockingly) no body wants and its auditors are wondering just how long the company can keep up this charade. It has until the end of September to pay off its debt so time will only tell after that. Damon Vickers, who manages an investment fund at Nine Points Capital Partners in Seattle, is one who isn't holding his breath."The company's toast," he said. "They're zombie-ish. They're dead and they don't know it."

The brand's short lifespan comes as no surprise by many and has been a long time coming for even more. They have been serving their purpose as a odd replacement to flip flops for the past 7 years, during which they manged to sell over 100 million pairs. People raved about the shoes' lightness and comfort and paired Crocs with an endless array of ensembles, all of which immediately became tragic fashion mistakes. But, thankfully,  like most over the top trends the company has run out of steam and seem to be falling helplessly toward an imminent demise. The problem is, everyone seems to see it except them, despite the fact that an independent auditor expressed concerns about "conditions that raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue," and the company's stock price recently plummeting by 76 percent. In fact, company's newest CEO John Duerder just released a statement that George Clooney has promised to work with the company, saying a comeback is already in the works. "The bottom line is, people talk about Crocs," he said at a conference with analysts. "They either love them or hate them, but it's in the vernacular." We'll just have to wait and see for how long.

Article Source: newyorkmag, The Washington Post
Photo Source: Second City Style
-Alia Rajput

Kooba Launches Collection Inspired By Prep School Reality Show

Kooba's collection inspired by NYC Prep's characters: (clockwise from left) Camille, Jessie, Kelli, and Taylor.

Handbag label Kooba is following in Target's footsteps and getting a piece of the television-themed action.The bag label has just announced their newest collection  will be a small screen homage, inspired by the characters of Bravo's haughty reality show NYC Prep. The totes are named after the characters of the show—Camille, Jessie, Kelli, and Taylor—and are designed n Kooba's signature use of brightly colored leather and suede and accented with gold hardware. This new trend of designing apparel and accessories after television characters has been in the media since retail chain Target announced its plans for a Gossip Girl-themed collection created by designer Anna Sui. Reports surfaced yesterday that Target is second guessing its affiliation with the sitcom due to the blatant raciness of the show, so will Kooba find itself in the same predicament? Or is unscripted reality t.v. exempt from making a bad name for itself? Ah, we're not so sure. Yet, so far the only problem with the line is that we're just not sure whether the bags are designed from the characters or for them. Because at a price point that hovers around the $600 range, the only students seemingly able to afford a NYC Prep Kooba bag are the ones already on the show!

Article Show: newyorkmag
Photo Source. shopbybravo
-Alia Rajput

Swatch Debuts New Collection Designed by Billy the Artist

Billy the Artist

Iconic timepiece brand Swatch will be launching its latest joint design venture on Wednesday. The watch brand has teamed up with Billy the Artist—the bold, graphics-happy designer whose self-proclaimed mantra is "Create your own reality". Billy's signature style is made up of a "kaleidoscope of puzzle-like images that celebrate the diversity and joy of the human spirit." He utilizes the image of wide open eyes, bright splashes of color, and Dr. Seuss-like patterns to evoke a playfulness that Swatch seemingly could not resist. The collection of Billy's "urban primitive" watches will hit stores tomorrow and run from $55 to $65.


A car door painted by Billy the Artist



A collection of bottles designed by Billy the Artist

Article Source: WWD
Photo Source: wikipedia, greenlabelart
-Alia Rajput

An Intro & Invite to Coach's New Poppy Collection For Fall

In case you have not heard, Coach has just launched their new Poppy Collection for Fall 2009. Geared for the slightly younger crowd (or the young at heart), the collection of vibrant and edgy pieces mixes a preppy East Coast vibe with punky sensibilities. Poppy offers a variety of fresh silhouettes, vibrant colors, and a broader price range (read affordable) to this playful and confident collection of handbags, shoes and accessories.

“When designing Poppy I really wanted to explore who the Coach woman could be,” said Reed Krakoff, President and Executive Creative Director. “With its bright colors, prints, sequins, and new fabrics, Poppy is a natural extension of the brand while simultaneously proving to be an exciting draw for new customers and age groups.”

Poppy pushes the envelope further with pop art inspired prints and a bright color palette of blueberry, daisy yellow, pale chalk gray, slick spearmint, and black licorice.

The Spotlight Shoulder Bag (above) is the collection’s centerpiece and for obvious reasons – its convertible strap detailing, slouchy shape, and playful shoelace cinched sides make for an irresistibly chic and whimsical combination. The Rhinestone Spotlight and XL Sequin Spotlight are particularly noteworthy for their attention-getting shimmering facades. $595

Here is a look at some of the rest of the collection:

Pocket Spotlight $398

Poppy Leather Spotlight $298

Poppy Crossbody $198

Trina and Skyla Flats $168 and $158

Rhinestone Bib Necklace $248

Daphne Headband and Tiara $128 and $148

Shop Poppy at Coach stores or online at: coach.com/poppy

***Or...if you are in Chicago July 9, join Second City Style as we co-host the Chicago launch party for Poppy!

RSVP yourself plus one guest at poppy@secondcitystyle.com

We can't wait to see you there!

Coach Plans Bright, New Marketing Campaign for Poppy Collection

The launching of Coach's Poppy handbag, accessory, and apparel collection is about to become a springboard for the company's new, revamped marketing technique. The Poppy collection—compiled of brightly colored, printed and embellished pieces that retail from $48 to $598—marks a youthful, lighthearted aesthetic for the handbag house that the marketing campaign is planned to reflect. "We’ve always been focused on traditional media,” said Mike Tucci, president of North American retail for Coach, which typically advertises only through print and outdoor mediums. “What we’re really concentrating on is a diversified multimarketing campaign." The diversity of the new campaign will include new ventures for the company like utilizing fashion blogs and holding various in store events, as well as expanding their backdrop of advertising space.

On Friday when the line debuts in North America, a Poppy microsite, coach.com/poppy, will be unveiled in addition to the New York-centered initiative in which six double-decker Manhattan buses and 300 telephone kiosks will be emblazoned in Poppy signage until the end of July. On July 1, Coach will launch “Are You a Poppy Girl?” on coach.com. The program will include user-generated content, with options such as designing a custom Poppy scrapbook page. There also will be a newly minted Poppy-themed page on Facebook and Twitter, as well as an advertising campaign with Yahoo.com. The company's utilization of online social networks and other techno-savvy software is a response to the currently shifting consumer demographic and an effort to reach out to the broad age range to whom the Poppy line will appeal.

A Poppy ad featured on a double decker bus in Manhattan

Coach's "much more aggressive approach to marketing", as coined by Tucci, also features in-store events to kick off the new collection's debut. The events will include partnerships with fashion blogs such as FabSugar in San Francisco, JustJared in Short Hills, N.J., and (guess who!) Second City Style in Chicago! The Poppy-themed parties will feature a candy bar, gift-with-purchase incentives and a signature playlist by New York DJs the MisShapes, as well as a photo booth where photos will be uploaded onto coach.com/poppy and Facebook. All the buzz being generated by the marketing campaign so far may cause the company's reps to use these strategies in the future. "It’s not a time where the customer is going to respond to the same old,” Tucci noted. “You need exciting products and a very strong point of view.”

Second City Style will cohost the Chicago instore event at the Coach Michigan Avenue location, 625 N. Michigan Ave. For all the event details and to RSVP, check out our Poppy invitation here!

Article and Photo Source: WWD
-Alia Rajput