Jil Sander's Veiled Beanie Gets a New Color

Jil Sander’s veiled skullcap, its most popular spring accessory, is now available in a new limited-edition color, burgundy. Designed by the British milliner Stephen Jones for Raf Simons’ penultimate Sander collection before heading to Dior, the high-low beanie epitomizes Simons’ dual aesthetic, ladylike streetwear, combining the old-fashioned allure of a veil with techno fabrics lycra and polypropylene.

$440 at Jil Sander only

• Posted May 20, 2012
• Comment
  Tweet

Money Where Your Mouse Is: McQ

As if owning a morsel of Alexander McQueen wasn’t exclusive enough, the UK e-tailer Net-a-Porter has launched a private service for those looking to get a piece of McQ for fall, Sarah Burton’s first time designing the second line. The service offers first-dibs access to the fall collection, though you'll have to wait until the weather turns colder for delivery.

The nine-look collection, which walked the London catwalk in February, includes tailored coats and dresses in a variety of military-inspired neutrals, along with the brand’s famous tartans, plus a knockout of a leather skirt, deep-red rabbit fur vest and a red velvet brocade dress. The pre-sale will lasts only seven days—May 16-22—so get your Centurion card ready. Prices start from $765.

• Posted May 17, 2012
• Comment
  Tweet

A Store Is Born: Alexander Wang

China has just gotten a lot more Wang for its buck. The New York designer with family in China has returned to the old country with a shiny new store in Beijing, the first following the opening of his flagship, studio and showroom in lower Manhattan not long ago.

Designed by architect Joseph Dirand, the fully customized space focuses on raw materials with an emphasis on marble and bronze, beginning with a monolithic marble wall cut from one stone that dominates the store. Meanwhile, a mirrored bronze prism bisects the upper floor, where a geometric concrete sofa with goat hair sits.

Further cementing himself in the Asian market, starting today Wang will ship throughout the region, including China, Hong Kong and Japan (in partnership with Yoox). This is on top of 14 planned openings across Asia by the end of the year, in key cities such as Shanghai, Seoul, Bangkok and Singapore.

Alexander Wang, Sanlitun Village, Chaoyang District, Beijing

• Posted May 15, 2012
• Comment
  Tweet

Hooked: Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen's blaze print for spring has really caught on, spreading from flame-licked men's shirts to fully engulfed men's sneakers. Made in Italy, the fire-walkers come with a leather top sole and lining, as well as a padded tongue and ankle sections for extra comfort. Who needs a fire under his ass with these on his feet?

£595 at Oki-Ni

• Posted May 15, 2012
• Comment
  Tweet

Sale Alert! Maison Martin Margiela

Sometimes only a Maison Martin Margiela sample sale can heal your deep fashion wounds. Not just MMM, but also MM6, Viktor & Rolf, Dsquared2, and Just Cavalli...

220 W. 19th St., 10th floor, NYC
646-613-8457
Thu, 5/3, 2 - 7 pm
Fri, 5/4, 10 am-7 pm
Sat, 5/5, 12 - 5 pm
credit & debit cards (no cash)

• Posted May 04, 2012
• Comment
  Tweet

Sale Alert! Dover Street Market

Following its mind-blowing shopping frenzy in New York exactly one year ago, Comme des Garçons will again bring its vast archives—going back a full eight years—to the clamoring masses with markdowns of 70-75% off everything in the Comme universe. This time the barely controlled hysteria will take place in London, already home to the original Dover Street Market. Based on our experience at the New York event, we have good news and bad news. The bad news first: no dressing rooms, so be sure to wear most pristine undies as you'll be disrobing right in the aisles. And the good news: stock is replenished throughout the day, so even if something is snatched from your pile (a distinct possibility), more of it will arrive eventually...

Dover Street Market Market (so good they named it twice!)
May 11-13, 10 am - 7 pm
Victoria House, Bloomsbury Square, London, WC1B 4DA

• Posted May 02, 2012
• Comment
  Tweet

A Store Is Born: Nicopanda

Nicola Formichetti descends on Hong Kong this week to kick off a month-long pop-up shop at Lane Crawford, a recreation of his Nicola's store in New York. Shoppers can ogle at Lady Gaga costumes on display, as well as an array of products—dolls, notebooks, umbrellas, prints—built around the Nicopanda character. The wide-eyed bear is already so popular in China a welcoming committee greeted Formichetti at the airport. Hello Kitty can't be everywhere.

Nicopanda lasts May 1-30, Nicopanda Invasion Party on May 4 at the IFC Mall location

• Posted Apr 30, 2012
• Comment
  Tweet

Hooked: Fleet Ilya

Harnesses aren't just for horseback riding and dungeon domination anymore. Now you can exert control throughout the day, thanks to Fleet Ilya. The London haute-leather label has come out with a variety of body harnesses, from the demure and corseted to the showy and studded. Each piece is made from smooth saddle leather and either brass or silver hardware. Chomping at the bit yet?

Around $290-1300 at Fleet Ilya

• Posted Apr 28, 2012
• Comment
  Tweet

Hooked: Marc Jacobs Mouse Flats

Chic, a mouse! In what might be cuteness overload, fifteen new styles of Marc Jacobs' iconic ballerina flats—the ones that take after the lovable little rodent, like something out of a kindergarten staging of The Nutcracker—have been released. Complete with the same folded-leather ears and whisker detailing, the new arrivals come with perforated leather, espadrille soles, or punk-style studs for eyes and spikes down the sides.

Selfridges in London is launching a pop-up store from April 23 - May 5, where British artist Will Broome, who's worked with Jacobs before, has decked the space out in his child-like illustrations. He'll also make a personal appearance April 28 & 29, 3-6 pm.

• Posted Apr 22, 2012
• Comment
  Tweet

Dior Homme Pops Up Downtown

Scottish artist Robert Montgomery's modus operandi is to ambush billboard advertisements and occupy its message with his own solar-powered, night-displaying text, usually mystical and anti-establishment in spirit. One of his less confrontational works—Whenever We See the Sun (2012)—has been chosen by Dior Homme designer Kris Van Assche to occupy the house's temporary location in Soho (133 Greene Street) until the renovation and expansion of its 57th Street flagship is complete in the early fall. 

• Posted Apr 20, 2012
• Comment
  Tweet