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Must-Have Accessory: Modo for Jennifer Creel Classic Sunglasses

Filed under: Apparel

It may not come as too much of a surprise that Jennifer Creel can now add "sunglasses designer" to her long resume and list of talents. After all, sunglasses are a staple for her everyday wardrobe.

"People always knew me for wearing sunglasses," recalls the actress and model, who has appeared on a variety of television shows, including "The Bold and the Beautiful", Plum TV and Ovation TV. "Sunglasses have always been a passion of mine. They stage your mood for the day and complete an outfit."

The idea of designing her own line came after a friend who was familiar with Creel's love of the must-have accessory item, made the suggestion.

In the fall of 2008, Creel got in touch with Alessandro Lanaro, the chief executive of Modo Eyewear, a boutique designer eye wear company that owns such sunglass lines as Derek Lam, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Jason Wu and 7 for All Mankind, in addition to its Modo eyewear collection. A partnership was soon formed in which Creel would design an environmentally conscious eyewear collection.


Creel, who has a background in design (she spent a decade at Polo Ralph Lauren where she was a designer in the women's active wear division), has created eight styles for Modo. "I come up with the concepts and ideas about what women and men are looking for," says Creel. "I don't design for one particular person."

Her well-designed collection includes navigator styles, retro shapes, and a color palette with unique shades and hues of green, bark, purple, blue, red, and orange, in addition to classic options like tortoise and black. The sunglasses are hand crafted in Japan and made of all natural materials, including bamboo and leather. "There is so much workmanship involved with the creation of every piece," says Creel.

Ward Kelvin Jewelry Designer

Filed under: Jewelry


We all read about the famous well known designers regularly and it is interesting to get to know some of the new faces in the luxury industry. Like many seemingly overnight sensations Ward Kelvin has been designing for other names you will recognize immediately, such as Tiffany & Co. and Ralph Lauren. He was also the designer behind the much coveted "Golden Compact" collection for Estee Lauder. An interesting tidbit of information, particularly for all of you aspiring designers, is that his first job after graduating form Pratt institute was as a toy designer. Believe it or not, this jewelry designer whose first collection was launched this past November at Bergdorf Goodman in Manhattan once spent his time designing Happy Meals for McDonald's.

Ward comments that the move from toy designer to jewelry designer is not as big a stretch as one might think as they both require "ingenuity and a playful imagination". He hopes to bring a wit and spirit to all of his design efforts and honed his skills working for others. He has titled his first personal collection American Chinoise. The 40 piece collection is a modern interpretation of the style of the 1930's when all the Hollywood Regency houses featured chinoiserie bamboo and lattice interiors. As seen in the jewelry pictured, there is a lot of light and airy space in every piece and he wants the woman wearing a piece to feel "it was created effortlessly, by the chicest chinoiserie bird, as if it were creating its nest."

The jewelry in the collection is fabricated from precious metals such as gold and platinum, precious and semi-precious stones including diamonds, peridots, Mali garnets and is crafted in New York City. Ward Kelvin's beautiful jewelry comes with a serious price tag and the Bamboo Cuff shown above retails for $20,450. The pieces can be found at Bergdorf Goodman in New York and this coming April at Nieman Marcus in San Francisco. As with many of the more unique jewelry collections you will not find the items online but need to call the stores directly for details.

Neiman Marcus: Premier Luxury and Superior Customer Service

Filed under: Apparel, Handbags, Jewelry, Shoes


Neiman Marcus
is a nominee for the Readers' Choice Award for Best Department Store. The Dallas, Texas-based luxury retailer was founded in 1907 by Herbert Marcus, Sr., his sister Carrie Marcus Neiman and her husband A.L. Neiman. Since then, the company has become known for its merchandise leadership and superior customer service. Its upscale assortment of apparel, accessories, jewelry, beauty and decorative home products cater to the affluent customer.

The company is credited with many firsts. In 1926, the company premiered the first weekly retail fashion show in the U.S. It began offering menswear in 1928, featuring items like French-made ties and English shirtings--items rarely found west of New York City. In 1934 the company started running national advertisements in Vogue and Harper's Bazaar magazines--the first retail establishment outside New York City to do so. In 1984, the company established InCircle, the industry's first customer-loyalty program.

In 1939, the company launched its annual Christmas Book tradition with a wonderland of fur coats, fashion accessories, perfumes, toys and more. The book has since become famous for extravagent, over-the-top luxury items, such as a $25,000 customized and motorized cupcake car and a Jaguar XJL Supercharged Neiman Marcus edition sedan for $105,000, both offered in the 2009 book. The Christmas Book's "His and Hers" gift, which is an annual tradition, currently features a pair of ICON A5 Sports Aircrafts and pilot training for two for the princely sum of $250,000.

Now more than a century old, the company has 41 stores and a total of more than six million gross square feet around the country, from California to Massachusetts. In 1999, Neiman Marcus launched its website, neimanmarcus.com, making it possible for customers around the world to easily access its large selection of designer and luxury brands via the Internet. The Neiman Marcus Group is the parent company of two other esteemed companies: Bergdorf Goodman, the luxury department store based in New York and The Horchow Collection, a luxury mail-order catalog.

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

The Fashion Statement: New York Fashion Week Wraps Up

Filed under: The Fashion Statement

bryant park

How many countless man hours of work goes into New York fashion week? It's particularly impressive that publicists can check in hundreds of people in less than 30 minutes and all the while weed out gate crashers, deal with seat stealers and accommodate divas.

There are certainly more difficult tasks then sitting in the audience. Still, being shuttled through show after show-and trying to retain what you've seen-is exhausting. Today, it all comes to an end.

So what's the best thing about fashion week?

"For me? When it's over!" quipped Fern Mallis, Senior VP IMG Fashion, who organizes Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. "It's such an exciting week. It's like school reunion twice a year."

"Renewal," answered Linda Fargo, Bergdorf Goodman's Senior VP of Fashion.

"People watching for me," said Genlux magazine's creative director Stephen Kamifuji.

And my favorite answer came from André Leon Talley, Editor at Large, at Vogue. "My bed!"

Valentino Buisson Rose Tote, Handbag of the Day

Filed under: Handbags

handbagUber-feminine and dripping with romance, the Buisson Rose Tote from Valentino would be a dead ringer for Valentine's Day but since it is available now I'm picturing it on the arm of a well-to-do heiress at a prestigious horse race. Composed of red satin rosettes with burgundy centers and crystal studded petals, this floral interpretation is complete with matching tonal patent leather top handles, silvertone hardware, red satin lining and protective feet. If your horse is the winner at the race you could both be sporting a carpet of red roses -- I wonder if Valentino makes a matching hat? (14" x 16" x 5" for $3,995)

Coveted Cuffs at BG's

Filed under: Jewelry

braceletIn my personal opinion, cuff bracelets are so much more fashionable and enjoyable than bangles will ever be. Cuffs stay put on your wrist, add punch to any ensemble, and carry a certain strength inherent in their design. In celebration of fantastic cuffs I've highlighted those currently available at Bergdorf Goodman. From simple and sleek to colorful and creative each cuff brings a unique sense of style to the wearer. Designers such as Joan Hornig, Jose & Maria Barrera, Kenneth Jay Lane and Matthew Campbell offer the current coveted cuffs at BG's. Explore the gallery to see more!

(The cuff shown above is designed by Matthew Campbell made of rhodium-plated silver with blue enamel accented with round-cut blue sapphire stones and center citrine stone for $1,800).

Gallery: Coveted Cuffs

  Matthew Campbell Laurenza Enamel Cuff, Extra Large ($1,620)    Joan Hornig Leaf Cuff Bracelet  ($4,825)  Matthew Campbell Laurenza Scroll Cuff  ($2,020)  Joan Hornig Double-Cuff Bracelet  ($445)  Jose & Maria Barrera Gold Cuff Bracelet  ($315)

Jan Leslie Sterling & Enamel Bee Cufflinks

Filed under: Men's Style


Here's a whimsical wardrobe addition from men's jewelry and accessories designer Jan Leslie: hand-painted enamel and sterling silver bee cufflinks. Recently introduced at Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus, the luxe links have become an instant bestseller at $595 a pair. In Leslie's sterling silver hand-painted enamel collection, which also features designs such as racecars, jockeys and spiders, artisanal methods produce unique works of quality and understated elegance. Leslie's creative process begins with the study of the actual subject - insect, animal or otherwise; next a wax prototype is sculpted then cast in sterling silver and polished smooth. The creation is then individualized through a technique of meticulously hand painting layers of enamel, creating the desired blend of color and luminescence. The overall process "transforms a simple statement into a commissioned piece of art."

Luxe Swimwear Cover-Ups at Bergdorf's

Filed under: Apparel


Summer approaches and swimwear beckons to be donned on the deck, around the pool and on the beach. Any swimsuit can become a stylish outfit when a fashionable cover-up is slipped over its outline. Colorful patterns, bright pigments, and plain white and black accent a myriad of styles. Whether short or long, tunic or fitted today's cover-ups are sassy, glamorous and capture the very essence of summer. The gallery below flirts with the various designer options available this season at Bergdorf's.

Custom Nancy Gonzalez Bags

Filed under: Handbags, Events

Nancy Gonzalez Linda Bags
One of our favorite luxury handbag designers, Nancy Gonalez -- just look at this ivory colored, pale yellow suede lined, Nancy Gonzalez Crocodile Cutout Satchel -- is having a very special event!

April 3rd from 2-4 pm EST at Bergdorf Goodman in NYC, handbag lovers will have an opportunity to meet with Nancy Gonzalez and her Senior Vice President Linda Fargo to create a custom "Linda bag" (above). Clients will be able to choose from over 30 colors and finishes and receive design help from Fargo and Gonzalez themselves! The Linda bag comes in three sizes and ranges from $2,950 to $5,000 in price.

And great news: if you're not in NYC, you can order bags by dialing in: 800-558-1855.

We look forward to seeing custom Nancy Gonzalez Linda bags all over town!

Pret a Portea Comes To New York

Filed under: Dining

The Prêt-A-Portea fashion tea which takes place at the Berkeley Hotel in London has finally jumped the pond. The tea which features fashion-friendly treats almost too pretty to eat will be available at Café BG at Bergdorf Goodman during New York Fashion Week, starting February 13. Fashion Week Daily reports that the au courant eats will include Michael Kors' red and blue striped Regatta dress done as a mousse, Chanel's quilted handbag as a petit four, an edible Christian Louboutin crystal pump complete with red sole.

Luxe Wedding Registry - Christofle

Filed under: Dining

ice bucketCertainly if you're planning the big event you're also looking for those timeless pieces that will adorn your table in the years to come. Classic serving and cocktail pieces don't have to be dull especially when your guests are willing to spend a little extra cash. A registry built around Christofle's line is sure to speak volumes about your premium taste in tabletop items. Established in 1830, Christofle created silverware for French royalty, including King Louis-Phillipe and Emperor Napoleon III. Royal standards meet modern design and successfully suit the most discerning of customers. (The gallery below may help convince any indecisive fiances -- prices range from $210 to $1,680).

Gallery: Christofle

Vertigo PitcherMalmaison Lidded Sugar BowlThree-Part Cocktail ServerSmall Rectangular Tray

'White Christmas' Inspired Bags, Handbag of the Day

Filed under: Handbags, Holiday Guides

white handbag
'Tis the season for blankets of snow and frosted branches, ski trips and furry boots, and new handbags to match the winter white theme. Whether you are shopping at Saks, Bergdorfs, Nordstroms, Neimans or Barneys there are clean, colorless clutches, totes and hobos to suit the season. Here are a few of my favorites inspired by the holiday tune, 'White Christmas' that are chic, sophisticated and frosty including the Nablak Vernice Tote from Prada pictured above.

Glittering Ornaments Bring Little Luxuries

Filed under: Decor, Holiday Guides


We've already highlighted Swarovski's Annual Edition Ornament for 2008 but the luxury-minded shopper may have more sparkling needs in the ornament department. This iconic crystal company is offering sixteen other options for glamorous gifts or tree bling at your own home. Snowflakes are the most common design but angels, trees, stars and stockings with a touch of tasteful color will also ring in the holiday season beautifully. Even babies aren't forgotten with the pacifier- or duckie-shaped ornaments to commemorate a first holiday. Faberge's ornaments, available at Neiman Marcus, showcase a familiar egg-shape of mouth-blown glass with delicately handpainted designs. Jay Strongwater's Musical Ornaments at Saks add a sense of frivolity to your tree with a touch of Swarovski bling too. And Bergdorf Goodman is selling L'Objet's Pagoda Ornament which is14K gold-plated and adorned in freshwater pearls and, again, Swarovski Crystals.

A bejeweled tree is bound to make quite a statement during your holiday gathering and an even bigger impression as a gift.

Luxury Retailers Slash Prices to 70%

Filed under: Apparel


You almost expect a Prada-clad shopgirl to announce a blue light special in aisle 8. Except you're at Bergdorf Goodman, and they don't do that there. And yet, over the weekend Madison Avenue Spy reported that Bergdorf would slash prices to 70% off, likely to compete with Saks who'd gone that far the week before.

Those on Barney's email list learned this morning that the store would go to 60% off retail. And we're only a week into December.

According to the NY Times, the recent sales have induced a bit of a frenzy in Manhattan, where lizard-skin handbags are tossed together into bargain-bin like displays a la Wal-Mart...aisle 8.

Akris Outfits High-Powered Women At High Prices

Filed under: Apparel, Celebrity Shopping

Swiss designer Albert "I cannot work with cheap fabric" Kriemler has gradually built his family-owned brand, Akris, into a luxury power seller. Now serious competition for longstanding luxury brands Armani and Chanel, Akris often outsells both in that elusive upper echelon of fashion. But you won't see the brand on many a young starlet. Akris is not for the trendy, despite a criticized attempt to change things up for the Spring 08 collection. Favored by women looking to be taken seriously -- Condoleeza Rice is a fan, as is Diane Sawyer -- Akris focuses on quality and timelessness, with the seasonless, highly packable fabric to prove it. Yet highly packable translates to highly priced: a cashmere/silk jersey dress is in the $3-4000 range. Check out selections from Fall at Bergdorf's and also at Neiman's. Then browse the gallery to see some evening pieces, and all those gorgeously cut pants. To see some new shapes and a few perfectly draped dresses, check out the Akris resort collection on Style.com, which isn't out quite yet.

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