Prada

The Style File Daily Cheat Sheet

Kate Spade Resort 2011

"Deborah Lloyd’s resort and holiday collections have Kate Spade’s retro-modern whimsical spirit. Resort looks include navy-and-white-striped jersey jackets and T-shirt dresses along with ruffled blouses and dresses in a shirting fabric with a pop of color in accessories, such as a color-blocked bag or shoes. New this season are denim handbags and Lloyd’s first pair of jeans. Holiday features sparkly, shiny dresses and skirts, made more casual by adding colorful hosiery or chunky scarves."

Vionnet Cruise 2011

"Creative director Rodolfo Paglialunga continues to display his knack for distinctive shapes and cuts this season. Dresses steal the spotlight at Vionnet — from loose jersey numbers to skimpier versions in two-toned sequins and ruched styles featuring rounded hems."

(wwd)Macys.com Names Kantor

"Macy’s Inc.’s Web sites — macys.com and bloomingdales.com — exceeded $1 billion in sales last year, but the corporation wants much more. WWD has learned that Macy’s is developing a strategy to speed growth of its e-commerce businesses and has reassigned a top merchant, Jeff Kantor, to become president of merchandising at macys.com, effective Aug. 1.  Kantor will succeed Helaine Suval, executive vice president of merchandising for macys.com, who is retiring in the spring. In the meantime, she will oversee the development of “an accelerated growth strategy for the e-commerce business,” working closely with Sachse and Kent Anderson, president of macys.com operations, Macy’s said. On the agenda, taking macys.com international. The company will begin to fulfill overseas orders later this year." read more

(Washington Post)Wendy Brandes on why fashion 'torments' women leaders

"Before switching career paths into jewelry design, Wendy Brandes spent 15 years in media and marketing, working at People.com, the Wall Street Journal and investment banking firm Lehman Brothers. In 2004, after designing her own engagement and wedding rings, Brandes became a full-time entrepreneur, drawing on her affinity for strong, powerful women leaders to fuel her own collection. Her website-store offers a mix of whimsical pendants, bold statement rings and eye-catching earrings, some inspired by iconic figures such as Cleopatra and Anne Boleyn, and others taking their story from more obscure sources, such as Marie-Thérèse Charlotte, the eldest daughter of Marie Antoinette. Her latest achievement? Getting a pair of her earrings into the recently released "Sex and the City" sequel. For Brandes, the allure of these luxury items - some cost as much as $15,000 - lies in the backstory of the women who have inspired them. Like so many successful entrepreneurs, Brandes has an eye for detail: Many of her items have a mechanical element, allowing them to open and close, unscrew or twist to reveal some hidden detail, such as a tiny silver chicken tucked inside a gold egg. As she steers her small company and attempts to grow its presence through social media, she draws on her own experiences with good and bad leadership and takes notes from the success and failures of famous women around the world." read the interview with Wendy Brandes and Holly Thomas of the Washington Post.

(wwd)Kabat to Exit Prada

"Randy Kabat, executive vice president, marketing and advertising at Prada USA, is leaving the company, effective July 9. Kabat joined Prada in 1997, immediately taking a leadership role in a business-side trajectory that kept pace with, and reflected, Miuccia Prada’s creativity. Kabat told WWD she considers the past 13 years a privilege, having represented “this company with its incredible brands and visionary leadership...The breath and depth of my role at Prada USA over the years in marketing, advertising and communications has been truly rewarding.” She said that the time “just feels right to make a change. I'm looking forward to leveraging my experience from Prada, and some other great brands before, towards my next professional challenge.” Prior to her arrival at Prada, Kabat worked first at Giorgio Armani, and later, Swatch."

(style.com)In the Mood For Shorts

Style.com has some really cute and affordable alternatives to the light, dark and acid wash jean cutoff's you wore last summer. We love the wrap-front looks and tribal patterned jacquard pair from J.Crew. Here they are at style.com

The Style File Daily Cheat Sheet

Velvet for Uniqlo

(wwd)Uniqlo in Tie-Up With Velvet Brand

"Set to hit Uniqlo’s 950 stores worldwide on June 17, the new venture, dubbed Uniqlo + Velvet, offers 14 jersey styles retailing from $15.90 to $19.90. Jenny Graham and Toni Spencer, the co-creative directors at Velvet, created four separate mini collections inspired by the Southern California lifestyle to appeal to Uniqlo’s diverse customer base. A group dubbed Hollywood Roosevelt features a black sleeveless top with a draped neckline and other slinky rayon pieces that can be worn on a night out, while a set called Venice Beach uses heather gray jersey in a racer-back tank dress accentuated with cotton voile. A cropped harem pant in gray cotton slub comes from a daytime-oriented batch called Point Dume, and lightweight Supima cotton is used for a cap-sleeve tunic in a set named Rodeo Drive." read more

(wwd)Halston's Night Owls: Brand Unveils Men's Lines

"The company unveiled looks from its two Halston men’s lines in an exclusive to WWD, and the iconic American designer’s own personal style (and love of nightlife) clearly made a deep impression." read more

(nyt)Rise and Shine | The Swarovski Award for Emerging Fashion Talent

"The CFDA awards are American fashion’s night to shine — this year, quite literally. Swarovski, the Austrian crystal juggernaut, has been a sponsor of the so-called fashion Oscars for almost a decade. But for the first time, the emerging talents nominated in the categories of menswear, womenswear and accessories have been asked to make a special piece for the evening incorporating Swarovski material. Most of the CFDA nominees — like the jewelry designer Dana Lorenz and the womenswear designers Joseph Altuzarra, Prabal Gurung and Alexander Wang (who bagged the women’s category last year and is currently up for accessories) are no strangers to the sparkly stuff, having worked with Swarovski in seasons past." read more

(wwd)Penney's Expects Claiborne Sales to Double

"J.C. Penney Co. Inc. thinks its designation as the exclusive retailer of Liz Claiborne merchandise could double its Claiborne business. Speaking after the annual meeting of shareholders at Penney’s headquarters here Friday, Myron E. “Mike” Ullman 3rd, chairman and chief executive officer, told WWD that within five years after its introduction at the firm’s stores this fall, Liz Claiborne could reap double the sales of Liz & Co., Penney’s top national brand. He declined to reveal Liz & Co.’s volume." read more

(wwd)Tahari Names Three Executives

"To better serve the U.S. and global expansion, the company tapped Patricia Williamson as president of international sales. In the new post, Williamson will spearhead Tahari’s international sales for women’s and men’s wear as well as accessories. Most recently, Williamson was senior vice president and managing director of international at Collective Brands Inc., and prior to that, president of international alliances at Liz Claiborne Inc.

Tahari also named Dennis Wootten vice president of footwear and handbags, succeeding Joseph Campbell, who left the company to pursue other interests. Wootten joined from Prada USA, where he spent the past nine years, most recently as vice president of footwear. At Tahari, he will manage the shoe and handbag sales accounts and report directly to Helaine Elias, president of wholesale and merchandising.

The company also hired Jonathan Bergman as sales manager for the men’s line. Before joining Tahari in this newly created role, Bergman was director of sales for K-Swiss USA’s apparel division, and before that, a senior account executive at Hugo Boss. He reports to Elias." read more

Ann Taylor Loft

(wwd)Ann Taylor Returns to Black

"AnnTaylor Stores Corp., propelled by strong response to spring fashions selling at full price, swung into the black for the first quarter and said the momentum is continuing.  On Friday, the company posted a $22.6 million net profit for the first quarter ended May 1 compared with a loss of $2.3 million in the year-ago period. The report followed the pattern seen in companies from Gap Inc. to Saks Inc., Macy’s Inc. to Target Corp. Many retailers have posted stellar first quarters, fueling perceptions of pent-up demand and better feelings among consumers about the economy, after last year’s debacle." read more

Terminal 5.

No surprise here. Our night out in London, ended with me getting three hours of sleep and a super awake Paul driving me to Heathrow to catch my flight back to Zurich. At this point I was BEYOND exhausted, totally intolerant and all I wanted was to crash on the couches in the Swiss Air lounge. BUT THEN, I saw the shops at the British Airways Terminal 5. You've seen the commericals and WOW WOW WOW did this place look like the Time Warner Center. But better. Waay better. Unreal.

This is the Harrods duty free makeup and beauty section and fyi, this picture was taken at 6am in the morning...

Just in case you feel like purchasing a Dior handbag before breakfast...

Or a pair of Prada boots...

Oh.My.God. Chanel, Prada AND Vuitton sample sale!!!

Can Hautelook.com get ANY better?? This Wednesday, the high end, hi-fi sample sale web site is hosting ANOTHER sale with Decades Two.  The merch. includes Chanel, Prada and Louis Vuitton handbags and accessories!! Damn, where is my tax rebate check when I need it??