Barneys New York

Some Prada Items Pulled From Barneys In Retail Stand-Off

If you want to get your hands on the latest Prada handbag you won't be headed to Barneys New York anymore. The Wall Street Journal confirms that Prada is no longer selling any new goods but shoes and menswear at Barneys. Barneys New York Chief Executive Mark Lee says the beef with Barneys began when Prada asked to lease space from Barneys and control its own inventory and markdowns. Barneys refused and Prada decided to pull certain categories. Barneys will be using its former Prada space for pieces from Azzedine Alaia.

The WSJ article goes on to say that this decision was made prior to Mr. Lee's takeover and was related to Barneys position that it doesn't lease vendor space. Lee has said that he wants Barneys to have more exclusive items that can't be found elsewhere. He's also planning a large renovation for existing stores and an overhaul of the store website. He also recently made the controversial move to appoint a new Creative Director, Dennis Freedman, who replaced the beloved Simon Doonan, who is now the Creative Ambassador-at-Large.

Tags: barneys, barneys new york, prada, simon doonan

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Simon Doonan and The Fate of Barneys Windows

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Shopping

Following the appointment of new CEO Mark Lee, Barneys New York recently announced a new Creative Director, Dennis Freedman, who is replacing the beloved Simon Doonan, who will take on a new role as Creative Ambassador-at-Large. While the transition has been billed as a promotion for Doonan, who will be the public face of the brand, many are up in arms over what this may mean for Barney's including the famous Barneys New York windows which Doonan has designed for 25 years. The windows, with their mix of kitsch, pop culture, humor and glamour, have set the tone for the store itself.

The new creative director, Dennis Freedman was the founding creative director as W Magazine where he worked for nearly 20 years until leaving last year. Freedman brings his own strengths to Barneys including relationships with some of the world's top photographers and artists. He also has deep interest in design and interiors. Doonan, however, will be a hard act to follow. Many bloggers have already bemoaned the potential state of the new Barneys windows. Barneys has stated that Freedman will be in charge of the windows but that Doonan will still contribute to their design. Racked NY's Frank Gargione penned an eloquent plea against changing the Barneys magic and Styleite also expressed concern. The verdict remains until Freedman really takes the helm but the response to the announcement proves just how integral Doonan's contribution has been to the Barney's brand. Some recent Barneys windows are after the jump.

Tags: barney, barneys new york, barneys windows, dennis freedman, simon doonan

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Vanity Fair's SunHee Grinnell's Ten Favorite Essential Items on Display at The Surrey

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Luxury Shopping

Vanity Fair's Beauty Director SunHee Grinnell has selected her top 10 favorite essential Upper East Side items.

Vanity Fair's Beauty Director SunHee Grinnell personally curated The Surrey hotel's latest "Top 10 New York" collection, which is now on display at the boutique hotel on Manhattan's Upper East Side.

Grinnell's top ten favorite essential Upper East Side items are displayed inside a Jimmie Martin graffitied armoire in the hotel's lobby. After viewing a sneak peak at some of Vanity Fair's insider's preferred Upper East Side retail offerings, guests of The Surrey may venture a just few blocks to purchase their favorite items in the armoire from the boutiques – or may purchase them directly through the concierge.

SunHee's curated collection for The Surrey's "Top 10 New York" features:

Chanel's stud embroidered flap bag
Yves Saint Laurent's Bell De Jour wallet in turquoise
Dior's Red Silhouette belt
Jimmy Choo's JAVA peep toe ankle boot with handcrafted leather 'ricamo' embroidery in black
Gucci's Guilty Eau de Toilette
Tom Ford's Whitey B5 sunglasses
Valentino's black bow leather gloves
Barneys New York's Simon Doonan Witticism stationary
Pucci's Foulard scarf
Michael Kors' Allover Glitz Watch in black.

Tags: awards-main, barneys new york, Chanel, Gucci, Jimmy Choo, luxist-awards, Pucci, SunHee Grinnell, The Surrey, The Surrey Hotel, Vanity Fair

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The Fashion Statement: Fashion's Night Out

by Kristin Young (RSS feed) —

Filed under: The Fashion Statement

The fashion world is buzzing about September 10. That's when people like Vogue chief Anna Wintour, Donna Karan, New York City Mayor Bloomberg and members of the Council of Fashion Designers of America will hang out with mere mortals like you and me at stores and boutiques in NYC.

The point? Shopping. And it's a boost to retailers, fashion designers and ultimately the whole fashion industry that has been pummeled of late.

This year's extravaganza is apparently bigger than last year's. On a geographical scale, it certainly is, with events planned for stores in Los Angeles, Paris, Milan and London. Okay, you expect those cities. But Fashion's Night Out is also popping up in unexpected destinations around the globe. Jamaica? China? India? Apparently so.

Aside from shopping, or at least window shopping, Fashion's Night Out is chance for non-fashion industry people to get a glimpse of what a real invitation-only fashion industry party is like. Doesn't hurt that September 10 is the start of New York fashion week, so everybody will be in town. And, this year, there will be cameras around filming for a CBS Special.

Last year, Bergdorf Goodman was a madhouse. Victoria Beckham and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen were there, along with designers Georgina Chapman, Mark Badgley and James Mischka and Zac Posen. Charlize Theron showed up at Dior, Kate Hudson at Stella McCartney.

Tags: alexander mcqueen, barneys new york, Bergdorf Goodman, calpso st. barth, Dior, Donna Karan, Fashions night out, NYC Mayor Bloomberg, Stella McCartney, stuart weitzman, Vogue

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The Classicist: E. Tautz, A Sartorial Star Reborn on Savile Row

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Men's Style, The Classicist

E. Tautz & Sons, the venerable fine men's tailoring firm founded by Edward Tautz in London in 1867, has been resurrected by Savile Row's Norton & Sons to carry on its impeccable sartorial standards in a new century. Tautz began as a sporting tailor and introduced many innovations such as waterproof tweeds and knickerbocker breeches for the hunting set. By 1897 Tautz had been granted a Royal Warrant from the King of Italy, The King and Queen of Spain and The Emperor of Austria. Winston Churchill placed his first order with the firm in 1895 and continued to be a valued customer for the next 20 years; later on Tautz dressed such natty notables as David Niven and Cary Grant, and in 1968 the company was incorporated into the larger Savile Row firm of Norton & Sons and ceased to be a standalone label.

As Norton's owner Patrick Grant explained to Style Salvage, though quality on the level of Tautz's offerings doesn't come cheap, fine tailoring in the bespoke tradition pays for itself in the long run. "Tailoring is an incredibly efficient way of buying clothes cost wise and you really get what you pay for," he notes. "You are getting tremendous value for money if you go to a tailor and it just so happens that [Tautz is] in the middle of a community of the best tailors in the world. 'The only name in your suit should be your own' is the old adage and that is a nice way of thinking about it." Of course, custom made isn't for everyone, but Tautz is the next best thing as it shares many of the same tailoring methods with Norton's Savile Row workshops.

"We champion the notion of dressing properly and of men taking pride in what they wear," reads Tautz's mission statement. "We adhere to the age old belief that how you dress reflects your respect for the event and for your host. Edward VIII said it best. 'Be always well and suitably dressed for every conceivable occasion." FIne fabrics including the world's best wools and cashmere are a cornerstone of the Tautz style. Prices for Tautz's new ready-to-wear collection start at $300 for cotton sport shirts, $600 for knitwear, $1,500 for outerwear and $1,700 for sport coats. To begin with the collection will be sold in the U.S. exclusively through Barneys New York.

Gallery: The Return of E. Tautz

Tags: Barneys, Barneys New York, bespoke, Cary Grant, cashmere, David Niven, E. Tautz, E. Tautz Sons, hunting, London, Norton Sons, Royal Warrant, Savile Row, tailoring, Winston Churchill

Readers' Choice Award Nominees for Best in Accessories

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags, Jewelry, Timepieces / Watches

Best Jewelry Line
Each of the Readers' Choice nominees for Best Jewelry Line is a leader in the industry. One is not only known for its signature jewelry, but also for the blue box that it comes in. Another is known for its handcrafted pieces, but it is also known for its many innovations. Another nominee is a newer designer on the scene who is inspired by Florentine jewelry-making, but also astronomy, celestial, mythological and astrological influences. Another nominee is synonymous with glamour and fame and has ties to some of the world's most famous jewels. Finally, there's a nominee known for the panache of its founder, as well as its vast collection of the world's finest diamonds.
Graff Diamonds
Harry Winston
Temple St. Clair
Tiffany & Co.
Van Cleef & Arpels

Best Watch Line
The Readers' Choice for the Best Watch Line nominees include a perennially favored brand among the watch-loving elite that is known for making the most complex wrist watch in the world. Another nominee is known for its functionally-themed luxury sport watches. The third nominee, while an historic brand with almost 200 years of heritage, is known for being a forward focused luxury watch maker of the future. A fourth nominee is perhaps the best-known luxury watch brand in the world, with a stellar reputation to match. Lastly, there's a watchmaker that epitomizes Swiss haute horology with its modern classics and technical innovation.
Audemars Piguet
IWC
Jaeger-LeCoultre
Patek Philippe
Rolex

Best Leathergoods Line
The Readers' Choice for the Best Leathergoods Line for a Luxist Award include award-winning brands from France, Italy and London. One started out making equestrian equipment in 1837, and still makes its goods by hand; some of its handbags are so coveted, there's a two-year long wait list to buy one. Another was started in London by a former fashion editor who partnered with a couture shoe maker to create a company now synonymous with the "red carpet". The third nominee is known for its clean lines and simple classic color palettes while the fourth is a global force of tradition and innovation. And finally, the last nominee epitomizes luxury with its delectable designer bags and vaunted luggage--some of which command five figure prices.
Bottega Veneta
Gucci
Hermes
Jimmy Choo
Louis Vuitton

Best Department Store/Boutique
Nominees for Readers' Choice for Best Department Store/Boutique include one based in London that has no fewer than 330 different departments, a staff of 5,000 from 50 different countries and is visited by as many as 300,000 people on a single day. Another, with roots in Texas, is known for its superior customer service, in addition to its luxury merchandise, including some of the world's most extravagant items. One New York-based store has a shoe department that is so large, it was given its own zip code. Another Manhattan-based store specializes in hard-to-find international designers, many of which it will help launch into fame. Lastly, there's an upstart from London that is so cutting-edge and up-to-date, it launches 300 new styles on a weekly basis.
Barneys New York
Harrods
Neiman Marcus
Saks Fifth Avenue
Top Shop

Best Clothing Designer
Readers' Choice nominees for Best Clothing Designer are award-winning fashion designers from Italy, England, France and the United States. One was started by a wunderkind who was named chief designer of one of the most respected fashion houses when he was still in his 20's. Another has been one of the leading names in fashion for nearly 100 years. A third nominee, known for its timeless style, has outfitted First Ladies on both sides of the aisle for decades while the fourth is famed for its understated elegance. The final nominee is synonymous with high fashion though its roots are in luggage and leather goods.
Alexander McQueen
Chanel
Gucci
Oscar de la Renta
Prada

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Barneys New York: A Leader in Cutting-Edge Fashion

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Jewelry, Cosmetics and Fragrance, Shoes

Sarah Jessica Parker once said, "If you're a nice person and you work hard, you get to go shopping at Barneys." It's not just Parker and her Sex and the City contemporaries in New York that frequent this Luxist-nominated department store -- flagship locations are sprinkled throughout the country from Boston to San Francisco.

According to legend, Barney Pressman opened his first store with the $500 he received for pawning his wife's engagement ring. He packed the 500-square-foot location at Seventh Avenue and West 17th Street in Manhattan with brand-name suits sold at discount prices. To get good deals on his merchandise, Pressman raided showroom sample sales and even a few bankruptcy auctions. He lured customers by offering free alterations and free parking.

Barneys expanded and focused on the high-end lifestlye during the middle of the 20^th Century, emerging as a major purveyor of luxury goods. Barneys also expanded geographically, opening its first store beyond the Big Apple in 1988 and opened its first international location in Tokyo in 1990.

Today, the flagship Barneys in New York is located in midtown. Like the store's other locations, it peddles goods produced by hard-to-find international designers. Products from the likes of Manolo Blahnik, Diane von Furstenberg and Ermenegildo Zegna dot the displays. Though the Pressman family sold its stake in the company in 2004, free parking is still available -- if you can find it on the street.

Cast your vote for the Readers' Choice Awards at http://www.luxist.com/awards-vote/accessories-awards.

Gallery: More from Barneys New York

Tags: awards-main, barneys, barneys new york, barneysnewyork, luxist-awards

Paul Smith Debuts Exclusive Collection for Barneys

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Men's Style

Brilliant British designer Sir Paul Smith (right) is teaming up with Barneys New York to launch an exclusive new limited edition menswear collection. Titled simply "Exclusive", the line of suiting, separates and shirting was designed with the urbane Barneys New York customer in mind and will only be available at Barneys flagships.

Manufactured in Italy using Italian and British cloths, Paul Smith Exclusive has a modern, tailored silhouette, "finished with the design twists and styling details that have become synonymous with the Paul Smith brand," such as colorful linings.

Suits feature subtle stripes and Prince of Wales checks on gray and navy grounds, while shirting is bright with striped and checked designs on white bases. Velvet evening jackets and weekend sport coats complete the exclusive and extremely natty collection. Smith also just opened a new store in San Francisco.

Tags: Barneys, Barneys New York, BarneysNewYork, British fashion, BritishFashion, Italy, Paul Smith, PaulSmith, suits

Barneys New York Wants Out Of The Shoppes At Palazzo

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Last month luxury department store chain Barneys New York got a much needed cash infusion but it may not be enough to save two of its seven stores. The Wall Street Journal says that the company, which is owned by Dubai's Istithmar World, is seeking to close the stores to save money but the real reason may be that one of the stores is proving to be a dud.

One of the stores is the 85,000-square-foot location at the Shoppes at the Palazzo in Las Vegas. Barneys is the anchor of that complex which opened last year in an area clustered with luxury retailers. Barney's had hoped to generate $6 million at that location but with the huge downturn in Las Vegas travel the store has been only brought in around a quarter of that.

Should Barney's close that store it would leave a huge hole in the shopping area that would not be easily filled and so the store may have some trouble getting out of its lease. Also the Shoppes at Palazzo is owned by General Growth Properties which recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Overall, business at the Shoppes seems to be pretty slow. It is a newcomer in a packed area that has several key shopping locations including the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace. Barneys New York's competitors, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales and Nordstrom are located at the Fashion Show Mall on the Strip.

The location of the other store to be closed hasn't been determined yet. Barneys cancelled plans for a restaurant in its Dallas store earlier this year.

Source

Tags: barneys new york, BarneysNewYork, las vegas, LasVegas, shoppes at palazzo, ShoppesAtPalazzo

Barneys For Sale

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Luxury department store Barneys may be the next big brand seeking a buyer. The Dubai-based investment fund Istithmar World which bought the retailer less than two years ago is looking to sell. Bloomberg reports that Istithmar wants to sell for the same $942.3 million it paid in September of 2007. Of course things were a little different then and some say that it's ludicrous to expect the same price now. Luxury department stores have been suffering in recent months with both Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus reporting major sales declines and laying off workers.

Some say that Istithmar World is looking to raise ready cash and the state-owned fund is willing to sell its entire stake. Dubai's rapid real estate expansion and declining oil prices have put the country in deep debt.

Barneys has had a history of ups and downs. The store was founded by Barney Pressman in 1923. The Pressman family lost control in 1998 and the company flirted with bankruptcy.Jones Apparel Group Inc. for $294.3 million in 2004, a number that seems small considering what they were able to sell it for a few years later. Istithmar would have to hold on to the brand for a long time to get a similar return on its investment. The news comes just as Barneys has been in the news for creating window displays celebrating designer Isabel Toledo, the designer of Michelle Obama's inauguration outfit.

Source

Tags: barneys, barneys new york, BarneysNewYork, Istithmar World, IstithmarWorld

Barney's Hippie-Themed Watches Celebrate Peace

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Think of the holidays and of all the images that come to mind I bet none of them are the famous hippie symbol of Peace, but this holiday season Barneys is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the peace sign with an exclusive collection of Nixon watches all featuring a Happy Hippie theme. Designs include watch bands made of hand-stitched hemp, hand-stamped leather, and even one limited-edition version designed by Gabriel Urist that has a band of sterling silver with coral and turquoise inlays. The watches are available only at Barneys CO-OP stores (click here to find one near you) and prices range between $500 and $8000.

Gallery: Barney's Nixon Happy Hippie Watch Collection

Source

Tags: barneys, barneys new york, BarneysNewYork, hippie, hippies, nixon, peace, peace symbol, PeaceSymbol, timepiece, timepieces, watch, watches

Barneys' Volkswagen Beetle Cufflinks

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Men's Style

As part of Barneys New York's 1960s Peace & Love "Hippie Holiday" theme, cooked up by creative director Simon Doonan, the store is offering a special set of Volkswagen Beetle cufflinks. The links, designed on behalf of a holiday partnership between Barneys and Volkswagen by the Caroline Collection, are modeled on the iconic 1967 Beetle. The whimsical "antiqued" cufflinks (above) are made of sterling silver and enamel in various colors and will retail for $550.00 a pair. Commenting on his adoption of the hippie theme, Doonan noted, "We only picked the cheery, upbeat aspects of the '60s! No overdoses or assassinations."

Tags: Barneys, Barneys New York, BarneysNewYork, cufflinks, Holiday, Simon Doonan, SimonDoonan, Volkswagen, Volkswagen Beetle, VolkswagenBeetle

Turn In Your Old T-Shirt at Barneys

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Green

Most of us have a collection of T-shirts we no longer wear. Now instead of donating them to the thrift store you can take them to Barneys. Barneys New York, the Sundance Channel and the eco-chic fashion brand Loomstate have created a national T-shirt recycling program that will start on April 13. Drop off the old shirts Loomstate will "re-fashion" the T-shirts (re-style, re-dye, re-print, etc.) as part of a new, limited edition T-shirt collection which will be sold exclusively at Barneys for Holiday 2008. Those who drop off a shirt will receive a 20% discount on women's Loomstate for Barneys Green and men's Loomstate merchandise from April 13-27. Proceeds from the program will benefit 1% for the Planet.

Source

Tags: barneys, barneys new york, BarneysNewYork, green, loomstate, t shirt, TShirt

Leader Of The Pack Collar By STRAY

by Star Sutherland (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Pets

Barneys New York always has the most stylish new accessories, so it comes as no surprise that their dog section is also to die for. This chic collar by Stray is perfect for any designer pooch or lovable mutt. Available in three sizes, with the words LEADER OF THE PACK spelled out in nickel studs, these handmade leather collars are available for $355 on the Barneys New York website. Stray dog accessories are made in Paris, by designer Venetia Rudland, who spent years as a designer at the Hermès ateliers making their famous bags.

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Tags: Barneys New York, BarneysNewYork, dog, pets, Stray dog collar, StrayDogCollar, venetia rudland, VenetiaRudland

Roberta di Camerino Tartaruga Stripes Large Caravel, Handbag of the Day

by Sandy Maple (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags

If this bag were made of leather, it might seem too stiff and structured. But the fact that it is made with velvet certainly softens my perception of it. I love the muted colors and the contrasting stripes, but most of all I love the pretty gold-tone details - delicate little "R's"dangling beneath the hinged frame,which opens wide for total access to the interior of the bag. Inside, it's lined in leather and features a large zippered pocket. Also available in a camel/gray combination, the bag sells for $3,2000 at Barneys.

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Tags: barneys new york, BarneysNewYork, designer handbag, DesignerHandbag, handbag, luxe handbag, LuxeHandbag, luxury handbag, LuxuryHandbag, purse, Roberta di Camerino, RobertaDiCamerino, velvet handbag, VelvetHandbag