Money Where Your Mouse Is

The vision that Gucci creative director Frida Giannini has brought to bear on the luxury giant's flagships is exacting, to say the least. Everything from the color palette to architectural subtlety is considered, down to the very last detail. This is true whether in Rome, New York, London or Shanghai. The problem is: how can the richness of the shopping experience be replicated online?

Gucci, already an e-tailer since 2002, has solved this problem with the launch of its Digital Flagship. Following an 18-month renovation—under the careful direction of Frida Giannini, of course—the new e-store takes visitors (and there's a lot, to the tune of 2.5 million monthly) on a virtual tour of a physical Gucci store. Products are displayed against a backdrop of gold, beige, and rosewood, while video and photographs explain each item. But for those who prefer avoiding retail associates, we're pretty sure you can turn this feature off. In all, it's one more reason to never leave the house.

• Posted September 01, 2010
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A Store Is Born: Downtown

When you’re alone and life is making you lonely, you can always go...shopping. Following the success of his San Francisco men's shop, the Archive, Michael Kelter has opened Downtown, arguably the only store in town for gals of the edgy persuasion. Okay, so our cheap rendition of Petula Clark's classic song pales next to hers, but did she have Balmain, Haider Ackermann, Natalia Brilli, or 30-something other labels from Japan, Italy, France and Germany—most of them exclusive? We think not.

Located at 55 Maiden Lane, on a posh block not far from Chanel and YSL, the boutique radiates a similar vibe to the men’s outpost, which is to say black and gritty—but in the super-chic and exclusive way. Only a month old, the shop is a break from the chains for Bay Area shoppers and a new reason to go...downtown. Bonus: this fall, Kelter also debuts a jewelry collection made in collaboration with local jewelry designer Geoffrey Young.

• Posted August 30, 2010
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Sale Alert!

One of the perks of Fashion's Night Out (besides witnessing fashion royalty go out of their way to drum up support, practically tap-dancing for your dollar) is the abundance of sales. Some of them, predictably, are just token discounts, but others will surprise you. Over at Seven New York, Preen will unload archival samples at a staggering 75%-90% off. These aren't random factory rejects, but the very pieces worn on the runway by models. And as you know, models don't perspire, so these are pretty much in mint condition. September 10, 6 pm - 12 am, 110 Mercer St. 

• Posted August 27, 2010
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Hooked: YSL

Goats are great for so many reasons. They're fun to watch head-butting unsuspecting groins, their milk makes delicious cheese, and now it turns out their bristle-like hair looks smashing on the spine of Yves Saint Laurent's Palais pumps. You've seen the Palais before, with its platform heel and slightly bulbous toe, but this is the first season they're available with a mohawk. That's right—not a faux-hawk, no-hawk or cross-hawk (really, what's the point of that?), but a full-blown mohawk. Yet, somehow, they manage to preserve a sense of decency and propriety. They don't scream wannabe rebel, like some fat skinhead slamming against you in a mosh pit, but simply whisper to you, privately, throughout the evening: pretty in punk. $935 at YSL stores, in blue or black suede, or metallic tweed.

• Posted August 26, 2010
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Barr Service

God Morgon, Mr. Barr:
I have recently formalized my divorce from an Ambien-popping, stripper-sexting, philandering golf star. In exchange for my silence, my ex has paid me enough money to buy my native country. Normally, I dress like a sporty young mom, but now that I’m single, I’m ready to mingle in a look that’ll make every man's 9 iron as hard as titanium. I used to be married to a tiger, now I’m going to be a cougar.
Pussah! Miss Woodchopper

Dear Miss Woodchopper,
Brava! You are a shining example of gold-digging done elegantly. To paraphrase one of my personal heroes, Mrs. Ivana Trump, you didn’t get mad, you got everything! I've put together a sexy all-black look for you that's sure to turn you into the hottest MILF on earth...

Balmain suede V-neck dress: $10,085
Nothing says gay cougar divorcée like a short black dress with a plunging neckline.

Hervé Léger lace-up skinny pants: $2,650
Getting these off is going to be hella tricky, but you’ve got to make the next man who wants to taste your lingonberry jam work for it, girl!

Kiki de Montparnasse lace garter tank top: $295
A crotchless bodysuit? Talk about a hole-in-one!

Azzedine Alaïa studded suede belt: $2,460
There’s a stud on this for every million you got in the divorce settlement.

Burberry leather gloves: $375
Everyone knows cash is full of germs. What better way to keep your hands microbe-free than these lovely gloves?

Alexander Wang goat-fur boots: $925
Show off your savage sex appeal in these totally cavewoman boots.

John Hardy tiger-head earrings, ring & cuff links: $2,180
Commemorate your kill with a suite of tiger-themed bijoux.

Lanvin python bag: $3,470
You were married to a snake, now you can carry all his money and stash it in this python bag…

The Truth about Cheating: $6.75
Let’s make sure this never happens again!

Grand total: Who cares? You’re rich!

I’m so proud of you! Rob

Email your problem and picture to Robert. If he’s moved, touched or turned on, he’ll virtually style you in the best fashion has to offer. Also visit his blog, The Barr Code.

• Posted August 25, 2010
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Hooked: Proenza Schouler

With its leather skirts, heavy fur trims, gobs of black lipstick, and skintight jeans with an all-over scribble motif (a collaboration with J Brand), Proenza Schouler's fall collection could have been a gaggle of goths having the proverbial smoke in the girls' room. But no. In fact, these are honor-roll, college-bound young women, and we know this by the smart-looking book satchels they discreetly carried down the runway. Called P.S. 11 (by the way, P.S. stands for public school in the New York area), the sturdy leather bags in Ivy-League brown or black—with gold pyramid studs, silver hardware, a shoulder strap, extra buckles, and room for more than a credit card and breath mints—are the valedictorian's answer to the night creature's clutch. And that means Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough have earned their degree in higher-education chic, not to mention the 2009 CFDA Award for accessories. $1850 at Barneys New York.

• Posted August 24, 2010
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Hooked: Adam Kimmel

Not one to resist a little artistic clowning, Adam Kimmel paired up with impish painter George Condo for his fall men's presentation. The collection, Casino, featured a gamble-ready line-up of James Bond staples—smoking jackets, robes, and other Monte Carlo basics—topped with Condo's masks, which resembled a demonic Beaker from the Muppets. Condo also created monogram crests for a few choice pieces that are as charming as they are scary. Now, just announced, come these limited-edition Uncle Harry tees, exclusively for Comme des Garçons. A recurring figure in Condo’s work, Harry is given the dapper makeover with a velvet dinner jacket and bow tie—because even caricatures want to be playboys. At Dover Street Market in London, 10 Corso Como in Milan, and Isetan in Tokyo.

• Posted August 20, 2010
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Hooked: Balenciaga

The year 2000 was big. A lot of, you know, important stuff happened: the Supreme Court took sides in a presidential election, Sony launched Playstation 2, the feds seized little Elián González, and O magazine was born. (We looked up three of those four, in case you were wondering.) But for a certain ilk, nothing was as momentous as Nicolas Ghesquière's introduction of bags at Balenciaga. And so it's with a sense of the future and an eye on the not-too-distant past that he's come out with these 10th-anniversary City and First bags in warped animal-print ponyskin—as bold, unapologetic and limited-edition as the women who carry them. $1595-$1795, exclusively at Balenciaga stores.

• Posted August 18, 2010
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Hermès Opens a Leather Lair

Jean Paul Gaultier may have left the building, but the kink for leather continues at Hermès. On September 14 (but open now), the French luxury house will officially launch a newly refurbished floor dedicated to the stuff at its New York flagship, 691 Madison Avenue. Designed by RDAI, the architecture firm founded by the late Hermès interior designer Rena Dumas, the space is a veritable candy store for all things leather, from formerly wait-listed Birkin bags to leather wall paneling. The opening of the leather lair also marks the U.S. debut of the limited-edition So Black bags, all of which begs the question: When will Hermès go all the way and make dominatrix gear?

• Posted August 18, 2010
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Sale Alert!

Sure, 20% may not sound like much, but how often do you see a denim sale? And when that sale is at Barneys New York, you pretty much know you'll be ogling the best selection anywhere. We took a quick gander and found acres of J Brand (that Hussein Chalayan designed), Marc by Marc Jacobs, Rag & Bone and Genetic Denim. And because it's also online, this might be the denim sale of the year.

• Posted August 16, 2010
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