Saks Fifth Avenue along with the Entertainment Industry Foundation recently announced that Gwyneth Paltrow will act as the new ambassador for the 2008 Key to the Cure, a women's cancer initiative. Karl Lagerfeld has designed the exclusive tee for the cause, with all proceeds going to cancer research.
The weekend-long shopping event is slated for October 16 through October 19 at Saks stores nationwide and online at saks.com. Two percent of proceeds from the weekend's totals will be donated to the Women's Cancer Research Fund. Now in its 10th year, the annual Key to the Cure event has raised over $28 million for cancer research and treatment programs.
Earlier this week the first quarter statements for two of the biggest luxury retailers, Saks and Neiman's, reported a healthy status but both aren't seeing as many shoppers as usual. For February, Saks enjoyed a small, little bump in revenue as sales rose 3.4 %, but Neimans dropped 7.3.% after January promotions. Although a recession never seems to affect the uber-affluent who will continue to shop for premium luxury items, the economic woes of late may make the aspiring customer hesitate until the market turns back around. I think its impressive how much internet buying adds to the bottom line -- last quarter Neiman's online sales were $180 million, up almost 16%! Both retailers are finding every opportunity they can to cut costs and provide items that will appeal to their customers, such as specialty items and certain must-have colors. Maybe they aren't enjoying the crowds of yesteryear but they aren't in any real pain yet...
Looking for an excuse to go shoe shopping? (Who isn't?) Well the style section of this week's Sunday Times got pretty interesting for shoe lovers come page 7, where a full page spread advertised that designer Christian Louboutin himself would be hanging out at Saks to autograph shoes this Thursday, February 7th.
So if you get an awesome new pair of heels autographed, or maybe an old favorite (will he sign shoes that aren't newly purchased?), will you then wear them and risk ruining it? Maybe it's better to buy two pairs -- one pair just for the signature and the other to actually walk around in.
Not to be left out by other department stores, Saks Fifth Avenue has their own version of over-the-top holiday gifts but a portion of the price of each of their gifts are donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The most coveted is the chance to own the first-ever SLR Mercedes-Benz Roadster Convertible. As part of the package you will fly to Monaco for the 2008 Formula One race and take private lessons from the pros at the Circuit Paul Richard Racetrack in Provence, France. The package costs $520,000, $10,000 of which will be donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The rest of the five gifts are a concert experience with Matchbox Twenty ($25,000, $5,000 of which will go to St. Jude's); a vacation experience in Bora Bora with chef Jean Georges Vongerichten which costs $115,000 ($5,000 of which goes to St. Jude's); a weekend in New York City which includes the chance to create a customized ring with jewelry designer Temple St. Clair and formulate your very own fragrances with Bond No. 9 founder Laurice Rahme, dine at Gramercy Tavern and go on a private shopping spree at Saks Fifth Avenue before the store opens which sells for $60,000 ($5,000 of which $5,000 will be donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital) and lastly five customized snowglobes to share with family and friends for $3,000 ($1,000 will be donated to St. Jude's).
Possibly the tiniest functional purse I've see, this Mini Purse Key Ring from Bottega Veneta is worthy of Cute Overload. Attached to a 9-inch chain, the little purse is about 2" high and made of soft, supple leather. It has a tiny clasp at the top, opening the bag to slip in a few well-folded bills or a couple of coins, and comes in both white and green. The chain also has a keyring and a belt hook, making it easy to attach and carry around with you. Price: $200.
On January 2nd, Saks Fifth Avenue is getting a brand new logo. Or more specifically, they're having an older logo reinvented to introduce an element of modernity into their classic image. To achieve the new look, Pentagram took the classic 1973 script logo, placed it on a black background and divided it up into 64 tiles, all of which can be arranged in an impressively large number of ways and provide a new signature look to Saks packaging. The overall look is contemporary and dramatic, but maintains the elegance that the brand name has come to represent.
The plain, script logo will be prominently featured in stores and on packaging, as well.
Gucci's men's jewelry collection, which is new to Saks, is a lovely line of sterling silver pieces that are elegant and decorative, but quite simple. The line includes a couple of bracelets for men who already feel very comfortable wearing jewelry and a nice array of cufflinks, like these Circular Cuff Links. The cufflinks are, like the other pieces, made of sterling silver and have the Gucci logo engraved on them. They are a great way to add an small, but overt, reference to Gucci to your wardrobe without going over-the-top with one of the vanity belt bucklesfrom last season. Price: $375.
The last thing we are thinking about is the winter holidays but Mercedes-Benz is showing off the new 2007 CL600 flagship coupe which will debut in the Saks Fifth Avenue's "The Gift" Holiday catalog. The 20 Saks Special Edition CL600 coupes have a Mystic White exterior, Porcelain Nappa leather and Piano Lacquer Black interior with five-spoke 18" wheels, and a 510-hp twin-turbocharged V12 engine. Pricing has yet to be announced this year but last year's 20 S600 flagship sedans which cost $145,775 sold out in less than ten minutes. The catalog comes out in October. A shot of the interior is after the jump.
After sending out correspondents to 12 stores of 5 different luxury department store chains in 6 cities across the country, the Wall Street Journal reported its findings yesterday, comparing how the stores stacked up in terms of service, product selection and their "extra touches." Bergdorf Goodman came out on top, winning the "best overall" rating. They had the shortest wait time for staff help, the largest selection of high-end, ready-to-wear designer apparel, excellent restrooms and even a DJ that will download music onto your iPod. Barneys got a nod for their insightful staff and number of new designers. Neiman Marcus was praised for their huge catalogue selection. Nordstrom, though only half its stores carry all their luxury brands, had one of the best shoe collections as well as easy returns. Saks has refreshing water bars and ultra-attentive staff.
Saks Fifth Avenue along with the Entertainment Industry Foundation recently announced that Gwyneth Paltrow will act as the new ambassador for the 2008 Key to the Cure, a women's cancer initiative. Karl Lagerfeld has designed the exclusive tee for the cause, with all proceeds going to cancer research.
On January 2nd, Saks Fifth Avenue is getting a brand new logo. Or more specifically, they're having an older logo reinvented to introduce an element of modernity into their classic image. To achieve the new look, 
After sending out correspondents to 12 stores of 5 different luxury department store chains in 6 cities across the country, the 
