November 25, 2008


just depressing news to add to the past two entries.
here is a list of companies either closing some stores or closing as a whole …

Circuit City [155 stores]
Anne Taylor [117 stores]
Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug & Catherine’s [150 stores]
Eddie Bauer [31 stores & more after January]
Cache [21 stores]
Talbots [100 stores]
Gap inc. (Gap, Banana Republic & Old Navy) [115 stores]
Footlocker [129 stores]
Wickes Furniture [all stores]
Levitz Furniture [all stores]
The Bombay Co. [all stores]
Zales [105 stores]
Whitehall Jewelers [all stores]
Piercing Pagoda [some stores]
Disney [98 stores & more after January]
Home Depot [15 stores]
Macy’s [9 stores]
Linens and Things [all stores]
Movie Gallery [most stores]
Pacific Sunware [154 stores]
Pep Boys [31 stores]
Sprint/Nextel [125 stores]
Ethan Allen [12 stores]
Wilson Leather [160 stores]
Sharper Image [all stores]
KB Toys [156 stores]
Dillard’s [3 stores, planning to close more underperforming stores]
Starbucks [600 underperforming stores]

Some of these stores have closed doors early this year, and some of these are announcements that may not be finalized yet. Just be aware of whats going on with the economy.

If these large companies are closing their doors, think of how the state of the economy if hitting our local businesses. Shop local ! Go out and start your Holiday shopping before leaving Buffalo for the break.

Some local places to check out :

Krudmart
125 Elmwood Ave

Sunday
587 Potomac Ave

Firebrand
715 Elmwood Ave


Elmwood Village Fabrics
982 Elmwood Ave

Anna Grace
799 Elmwood Ave

Annie Adams
810 Elmwood Ave

Lu Modern Classics
504 Elmwood Ave

Clutch
814 Elmwood Ave


Positive Approach
611 Elmwood Ave

Everything Elmwood
740 Elmwood Ave

Room
988 Elmwood Ave

Half & Half
1088 Elmwood Ave

Shoefly
801 Elmwood Ave

Cosefini
1004 Elmwood Ave

Talking Leaves
951 Elmwood Ave

Urban
736 Elmwood Ave

Citylove
830 Elmwood Ave

Spoiled Rotten
831 Elmwood Ave


Poster Art
1055 Elmwood Ave

DO IT !
stacy


Posted by Stacy at 02:59 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

November 24, 2008

Are Fashion Shows in Trouble like everything else?

Each season designers come up with amazing extravagant shows to display their lines of that particular season. But these amazing shows come with price. And for new designer are these prices might not even be worth it. Many say “no not at all” because as many designers have viewings in their show rooms, we must ask ourselves “Where is New York Fashion Week head?” Word from Fern Mallis is that many designers haven’t even made reservations for the February shows at the three venues. Designers like everyone else have to start making cut backs. But the fashions shows in jeopardy of being one of those cut backs. In the current state that the U.S is in financially will we soon see the breaking down of New York Fashion Week? Will designers just having private viewing? So many unanswered questions but we will have to wait until February to find out.

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Can profit be made with such low prices?

Apparently not because on Wednesday for the second time in five months Steve & Barry’s filed for bankruptcy. The home of cheap college apparel, Bitten by Sarah Jessica Park, Dear by Amanda Bynes, also lines by Venus Williams and Stephon Marbury is going under. The super low prices were an eye catcher to any consumer but apparently that just isn’t enough. The Steve & Barry’s started their liquidation sales last Thursday. The new owners intend to initially close 103 of the chains then maybe another 276 store. Well head to Steve & Barry’s I hear their having a great sale! Buy all the tee shirts and sweat shirts you can because we all know at the book store they will be so much more.

No bail out for this company.
R.I.P- Steve & Barry’s

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November 19, 2008

The Angels

The Victorias Secret Fashion Show is here! This amazing show was held at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Florida Saturday night. The show will broadcast on December 3rd on CBS. There will be 35 different models that strut their stuff down the runway. Some highlights will be a $5 million, 1,500-carat bra worn by Adriana Lima, two performances from Usher, and the conclusion with Heidi Klum wearing a huge bow.
usherx.jpg
heidix.jpg

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November 18, 2008

ahhh rei kawakubo !


comme des garçons h&m line was a hit last week.

the line for h&m is crazy with plays on deconstruction, patchwork and the signature Comme des Garçons’ polka dots.
the line includes:
some great jersey polka dotted pieces. perfect trench coats for men and women. skirts, dresses, and pants that have been constructed abnormally and shirts cut on the bias. some cute polka dot bags, canvas shoes and other accessories.
although there was apparently a 2 piece limit to customers, ebay sellers are doing quite well.




anyone get lucky on ebay? any comme des garçons h&m hanging in your closet?
any rei kawakubo fans in buffalo?


Posted by Stacy at 09:58 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

November 17, 2008

Things are tightening up for men

Leggings at this point are an item that some girls just can’t live out. But the question is will this soon become a trend for men. For many designers they get their inspriation from mens wear. So now are mens wear designers getting their inspiration from womens wear? How do we feel about this? I see guys all the time with jeans much tighter then mine and I would like to give them credit because it looks painful, but so many of them pull it off. Would the next step for these ambitious men be to jump into the leggings? It is definately a trend I want to keep watching to see where it goes. This trend has been going on for a few seasons in run way collections. Now we just have to wait and see if it will trickle down and catch the eye of the masses.
calvin klein 2007 2.jpgcalvin klein 2007.jpg
Calvin Klein 2007
mens leggings1.jpg mens leggings2.jpg
Marni fall 2008

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The Phelps Mansion

Over the weekend I went home to Binghamton, NY to help my mother at a craft show. It was held at a place called the Phelps Mansion which was built in 1870 for a man named Sherman D. Phelps who was a successful banker, business man, Republican Elector for Abraham Lincoln, and mayor of the city of Binghamton. The mansion is a two-story brick and stone building and features amazing post-civil War Victorian architecture, if I must say so myself. The mansion has been designated a historical landmark by the Binghamton Commission on Architecture and Design and is one of the first buildings in Binghamton to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Phelps Mansion 002.JPG

My mother is a frequent participant in craft shows and fairs but this is the first year she has done this particular show which is kind of a big deal in the craft world. She makes fused glass jewelry, candle holders, and what she calls “wall pockets” (pictured below).

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The majority of the vendors there were selling various types of hand-made jewelry but there were also hand-made scarves, soap, antique jewelry and trinkets, oil and water paintings, and there were even items made from alpaca!

Phelps Mansion 009.JPG
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Phelps Mansion 012.JPG

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Schmoove Over Mister!

Schmoove over! That’s what you should tell your lame little Jordans, Nikes and etc when you get a look at these shoes! I love the wing tip shoe ( just as must as I love loafers) on a guy. Show me that you know more about footwear than every other average Joe on the street. Schmoove’s intricate detailing can make a simple canvas sneaker look like gold [ok, I’m exaggerating… but they’re cooler than Keds]



Posted by Jenelle at 05:58 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Now You Know: WRATH ARCANE


Not a person but a brand.

Based in Cleveland [who would’ve thought], WRATH ARCANE is the brainchild of two friends. One of whom had an idea and the other who knew how to design. By April 2006 they had a complete line and had a 100% sell through within two weeks. Now approximately two years later, WRATH ARCANE is an international menswear label.

With a tag line like: Big Labels are F***ed! WRATH ARCANE is definitely a clothing label with a message:
WRATH ARCANE taken literally means “secret anger”, or “forgotten rage”. To the creators it means that people seem to have forgotten the fact that changing their environment for the better will change their lives for the better.
And as for the masks, the creators say: “We never want a model to sell our line. That’s why we use the masks. Too many brands are 90% model, 10% clothing… and 0% about making our industry better.”
The clothes are effortlessly stylish… definitely something that you can just wear anytime and look well put together and feel comfortable. This is what guys should be wearing!
I’m still sort of in shock… this looks pretty cool to be based in Cleveland!
Snaps!







Posted by Jenelle at 05:54 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Something for the Fellas!

Sorry guys… but as females we become so engrossed in ourselves and the cool, sexy swagger that we inhabit that we sometimes forget about the well-dressed [and well-mannered] males that walk the Earth.
Not to fear!
Jenelle to the rescue—- tired of wearing the same, old crap from Abercrombie, A&E and Hollister like all the other boys in Western New York?
Check out this brand!



Andres Izquieta and Dee Murthy founded Five Four in 2002. Since that time, Five Four has grown immensely, from the line of 6 basic tees that debuted at the Magic trade show in 2002 to an international brand with over 150 designs in over 1000 stores!

Creative director, Andres, and best friend, Dee, created Five Four to fit their lifestyles; A style that they feel embodies, “A multicultural upbringing in a modern world, pursuing success through risk and conquer”. The name, Five Four, is short for 5-4=1, signifying “one”, or “one love”.

The L.A. based brand’s spring collection is definitely representative of their lifestyle — modern design, crisp colors, clean lines, and attention to detail. Their intial style could definitely be compared to the likes of Stüssy or 10.Deep, but Five Four offers something else on top of that: A decidedly modern look that feels more polished than street. With their unique aesthetic and way with denim, Five Four may just become a classic and stick around for years to come.

Check out their equally stylish website to see the rest of the collection and keep up with the brand. The website also offers a denim guide and word is that a women’s line might be out as early as this fall.

Posted by Jenelle at 05:47 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

November 16, 2008

MASS APPEAL FASHION SHOW


AHHHHH ! mass appeal fashion show was friday night as you all know. it was amazinggg !!
i absolutely loved the craziness and the anticipation of this much awaited show. since the first day working at krudmart and erin giving me and sammy ng a quick low down on what was going to go on. two months later and all the notes, phone calls, meetings finally became a great success.

erin did a wonderful job and I’m so thankful for the opportunity to work for the her and the show. i had so much fun (and stressful days !) getting my models together, dealing with fittings and spending hours on friday managing everyone and praying everything would be perfect. i encourage anyone who ever receives an opportunity like this to work a fashion show- to lend a hand and help! no matter how small the job maybe. erin actually also teaches the fashion show production class this spring semester. if there’s spots still open … SIGN UP !

here are some pictures i may have stolen off of erin’s blog.

i did not get to see the actual show because of working backstage and my brother cannot take pictures to save his life, so i’m trying to find more pictures online or if anyone has some- let me know !






OMGGG THE CHURCH LOOKED SOO SICK.



hope all that came enjoyed !
stacy


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November 15, 2008

The Comeback Kid!

Remember those plasticky shoes called Melissas that were all the rage a while back
[a wwhhhhiilllleee baaaaaack]?
I remember when everyone and their mother had them. They even had high top versions.
I still have mine somewhere deep in one of my closets.
Anyway, the brand survived the jelly fad and has totally evolved. The Brazilian brand famous for their eco-friendly recyclable plastic shoes, had collaborated with a widely known female architect Zaha Hadid.
The ankle strap jellies (£200) come in eight bright colors and comprise a series of criss-cross straps and wedge heel.
Not quite my style but it was cool to find out that the brand wasn’t dead.

Posted by Jenelle at 06:02 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

November 06, 2008

Where My Dogs At?!?

… right here!

Was anyone scared when they first saw this picture? I damn sure was!
WTF is this you ask?
Designer Tom Ford has come out with a limited edition collection of fur boots for men [really?! , is this necessary?] with prices reaching up to $9,240.
So who’s willing to shell out the cash to look like an eff’n fool?
Fashion or not… that shit looks mad! =[ Thumbs down Tommy boy! smh …

Posted by Jenelle at 06:00 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Target gets Bridal…


Isaac Mizrahi is now making affordable wedding dresses for sale at Target.com and Target stores. I guess they’re good for brides on a budget but none of the gowns say ‘WOW!’ —- just a simple ‘Oh, ok’
Sure it’s just ONE day, so why should you spend all your money on a DRESS— but come on, it’s your WEDDING! But if it’s probably your second or third, then yup— you should def buy one of these bad boys! = )

Posted by Jenelle at 05:58 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Don’t Fall For the Hype


Everyone seems to be talking about this not-so-hot bag.

Karl Lagerfeld recently announced Chanel’s unveiling of a new line of bags and accessories under the label Chanel Unlimited.
The bags are made of a “glossy gray canvas material.” [think about all the money these will sell for —- and they’re canvas]

The collection will include hobos, clutches, mini and maxi bags, even a large garment bag littered with words like “Coco,” “Paris,” “31 Rue Cambon,” and “Chanel” … all in this same “glossy gray canvas material”. [ like a more expensive LeSportsac]

I have no idea why people are going crazy over this. The bag looks nothing but regular and almost ugly —- just because it says Chanel doesn’t make it worth purchasing.


No record on the price point, but let it be known that i will laugh at people who spend money on this crap.


oh boy!

However, if you want a cute bag… check the rest of the blog entry!

Continue reading "Don't Fall For the Hype" »

Posted by Jenelle at 05:48 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

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