So...

I've been a *little* delinquent in uploading the pictures documenting my life for the past three weeks and for that I sincerely apologize- I just didn't think they were that interesting! But I'm looking through them now and laughing to myself thinking about how insane (in a good way) the past four weeks have been. Here it goes...

Zurich wasn't all about fashion, even though I spend a good 36 hours immersed in it while I was there. The first day, Syl and I went for a walk. I forgot my face wash, and after an all night flight my face was SCREAMING for cleaner. This is the main train station near our hotel where the Pharmacie was.  

 

Another view from our walk. Pretty, right?

On the way we found this random Dim Sum take out. We didn't get any, but hello- awesome!

Syl found these goofy scissors in the beauty section. Suggested retail price: 44 Swiss Francs. WTF?? P.S. I did find face wash- the cheapest one I could get was 7 Swiss Francs and totally wrecked my skin.

You know those girls that are OBSESSED with eating chocolate? Yeah, that's not me. So you can imagine the shock to my system when I a) saw this store, and b) was given chocolate literally for every meal. Ack.

I did indulge in these totally delish crepes we got in the main train station. Notice the drizzle of chocolate on them. So much for the Skinny Bitch diet on this trip...

Beacuse if you are gonna go out, do it in style.

With the unemployment numbers reaching record highs (533,000 jobs were lost in November according to Fortune magazine), getting the "I just got outsted, here is my new contact info" e-mail is about as common as getting a google alert on "recession." This is the last sentence in a friend's sign off note (she happens to be eight months pregnant). I loved it. From [Redacted]: ...Also please let it go down for posterity, that although I'm knocked up and laid off, I'm rocking my way out of the building in a stellar pair of heels.

Now that is what I call inspiring.

The set up.

[Redacted]: OMG he is SO cute why didn't you set me up with him before?? Hitha: To be honest, I never thought you were into those hipster guys and I always thought he was a little too grungy.

[Redacted]: ARE YOU NUTS??

Hitha: Well, he did tell me he dated [redacted] the fashion director of [redacted] magazine.

[Redacted]: STOP IT.

Hitha: Yeah, his stock price rose considerably once I heard that bit of info.

This morning on Fox News Radio.

Hi all- If you are up and shopping (and in the car or walk around listening to the radio) tune into the following stations to hear me give my expert advice and tips on Black Friday:

KTRH Houston, TX                          0702AM ET   WSYR Syracuse, NY 0750AM ET   KOA Denver, CO 0835AM ET   WOAI San Antonio, TX 0910AM ET

Schedule for the week.

It's been a crazy week/ weekend and there is lots to talk about- hopefully you all have been following my Twitter feed to get the full scope of how insane it has been and this week will not be any different: TODAY: Monday the 24th: Fox News The Live Desk with Martha MacCallum and Trace Gallagher (panel discussion on all things retail- I think people are going to go out and shop like the world is ending- I am sure others disagree with me) Hit time: 2:20 pm   Wednesday the 26th: Fox Business Cavuto (always a lively discussion on Black Friday and all things retail) Hit time: 6:30ish   Thursday the 27th (Thanksgiving): Fox News America's Newsroom Hit time: TBD

  Friday the 28th: Fox Business America's Nightly Scoreboard with David Asman Hit time: 7:00-8:00pm

Thanks to everyone for watching!!

Backstage with Rodarte.

There are several reasons why I chose Rodarte as the winners of the Swiss Textile Award. 1) Presentation of their press materials and 2) their collection. My backstage pictures doesn't do it justice, but just to give you an idea...

 Check out these shoes!! I am so bummed I didn't ask who made them. If anyone knows please enlighten me.

 Again, my pictures do not do this shoe justice. The black with the tassels were off. the. hook.

This dress was one of my favorites. No, I wouldn't be able to wear it to a meeting, but maybe for a night out...

I love how they paired this dress with the gold platform shoes during their presentation. So great!

Night of Stella.

The Swiss Textile award show was named "Stella." After a looong day of trying to figure out who was going to get the award, we cleaned up and hit the presentation and ceremony.

From left to right, Diane Pernet, me, Hiromi Ushigome, and Patricia Field. Diane and I met the first night when we shared a cab with Stefano Roncato and Marianne Castier. We had the most profound discussion about living in Paris and that was when I realized what a true original she is. I know SO MANY PEOPLE in fashion that just... aren't.

This was taken right before the organizers yelled at me for stepping on the runway with my heels. Oops!

Syl Tang and I were friends before this trip, but I think Zurich solidified our friendship. Syl always has THE BEST accessories.

Judging you.

If you've been reading my Twitter updates, then you know I've been in Zurich for the past two days deliberating on which up and coming designer will get the Swiss Textile award valued at 100 thousand Euros. Well, the awards show was tonight and we the panel decided Rodarte were going to be recipients of the prize. IT was an incredibly difficult decision to make (everyone was so freakin' talented) and we sat in a room for hours discussing it. The awesome Diane Pernet snapped this picture of me and Pat Field. BTW, Diane is what I call an "NFP." That means "new favorite person."  Will explain why in the next entry...

Photo by the talented and gorgeous Diane Pernet. Yes that is me on the BlackBerry Twittering away...

Just to clarify...

... a couple of you (ok, ok a lot of you) have written in re: my post on Michelle Obama's Loree Rodkin earrings. I do realize the Obamas probably have some money and therefore CAN afford $10,000 + accessories- but that's not the point. What I was trying to bring to everyone's attention is that she has been positioned as the "first lady of the people" wearing all those middle priced outfits (instead of Oscar de la Renta she rocked J Crew and H&M). So many fashion writers, editors and critics (including me) have been talking about Michelle Obama's foray into fashion, but why did't we talk about it when she was wearing the stuff everyone else could afford? Aren't we overstating it a little when we call her a fashion icon  (for the record, I DON'T) and compare her to Jackie O? Do you only achieve "fashion plate" status when you start upgrading your wardrobe $$$ wise, AND if that's the case, why is everyone giving Sarah Palin so much flack? Just sayin'... PS thank you for all of your comments. The discussion is GREAT!

When will wearing Obama gear stop being cool?

It seems like the new fashion trend in NYC is not booties and opaque tights for the ladies and skinny jeans for dudes but Obama gear. Between the "Hope" t-shirts and  "Yes We Can" pins and the Obama/ Biden tote bags, I am experiencing some major fashion fatigue (I am in Zurich right now so no one is wearing that stuff). The lovely peeps (and my former collegues) at Metro the free international daily asked me when I thought Bam fans will finally be over wearing all that election tchotchke. I said after the inauguration in January, but I just logged onto the Barak Obama site and it seems his gear is now on mark down. Maybe the Obama gear fad is going end sooner than I think...

Thoughts?

On my way to Zurich.

To be a judge in the Swiss Textiles Award ceremony. I was thinking about how a year ago today, if someone had told me I would be sitting on a panel with Patricia Field (along with other esteemed fashion luminaries) judging designers I never would have believed them. Crazy what can happen in a year. I adore Pat and can't wait to see her soon!

But, before I leave...happy birthday RKB!!

Happy Birthday RKB! Rachel Kramer Bussel is one of my closest friends and last night we celebrated her in the most Rachel way ever-- with close friends and a TON of cupcakes. I am so thankful to have such an amazing person in my life!

Malia Obama's little red dress: $110.

Malia Obama is ADORABLE,  but WHOA why did her parents Democratic strategists put her in a dress that retails for $110?? Really? In this economic climate?? I love how world leaders (Obama included) try to align themselves with the "working/middle class" but in secret eat arugula from Whole Foods and dress up in ultra luxe wear (PS I am not dissing WF or luxe wear, God knows I indulge in both waaay too often).  This dress sells at Neiman Marcus! ALSO, where are the Obamas getting all of these hi-fi clothes? In this Wall Street Journal piece,  Bernadette Reiss, co- owner of Biscotti (the label behind Malia's red dress) says she plans to reach out and offer "style assistance" to the Obama daughters. Interesting...

Michelle Obama's $10,275 earrings.

I don't understand why everyone is all over Sarah Palin's case re: $150,000 wardrobe when Michelle Obama was wearing a pair of Loree Rodkin earrrings on Tuesday night that retail for $10,275! Don't get me wrong, I am OBSESSED with Rodkin's designs. During the press previews several of us lo-fi editors put on a couple pieces and pretended they were actually a part of our permanent collection.  And to be fair, It is unclear where Michelle Obama got these white gold and diamond triple dangles (were they given to her? Did she purchase them at ultra luxe Ikram in Chicago? Did she borrow from her sister-in-law or Joe Biden's wife? ) but they definitely aren't fake nor are they affordable... well for me anyway.

P.S. did Mrs. Obama hire a stylist? Just askin'...

The first lady rocks Narciso Rodriguez.

I didn't love the dress on her. BUT from a pure placement stand point, I am beyond thrilled for Narcisco. Something like this was exactly what he needed. Thoughts?