The Clothes You Wear

What do leaders in the fashion world like Anna Wintour, Marc Jacobs and Oscar de la Renta all have in common? One word: Impact. While it may be hard to articulate how much of an influence these and many other major fashion figures have on artistic design today, IMPACT: 50 Years of the Council of Fashion Designers of America by Patricia Mears is one book that explains it all.

A peek inside will reveal a preface by Diane von Furstenberg, a foreword by fashion journalist Cathy Horyn and 500 exquisite illustrations. As the publication marks the 50th anniversary of the CFDA, we are more than ready to partake in the celebration by getting lost in the 300+ pages of this journalistic gem! And if you’re begging for more, you’re in luck: the Museum at F.I.T. in New York City will be hosting an accompanying exhibit next month featuring the work of approximately 400 CFDA members. We don’t know about you, but our coffee tables are seriously ready for some chic impact.

Get ready for a new line from fashion icon Victoris Beckham.  She has wowed us with her ready-to-wear line and now is set to do the same with her new dress line called – yes you guessed it Victoria.  The line will debut on Net-a-porter in early February.  These dresses come just in time to sweep your Spring wardrobe off its feet.  This line of free-spirited dresses ( who would not expect anything less from her) features a series of short, colorful dresses that are effortless and fun while constructed in exquisite fabrics.  As how you wear each piece in the line, we think that you can channel Victoria’s signature style by paring your favorite one with peep-toe pups and a lady bag.

Who knows you might get a David Beckham look-alike to notice you!

People have been talking about and now it’s finally here – Jason Wu’s collection for Target.  Since the web site has not crashed yet I suggested you visit and buy everything you can.  With great details and nods to the 1960’s, it’s the mass retailers most polished collaboration yet.

The 29-year-old designer best know for dressing the First Lady for the Inaugural Ball and her Vogue cover designs modern, modest clothes for women of all ages.

His 53 piece collection for Target has a grown up American girls attitude with pleated dresses, peplum tops and woven saddlebags,  Two of the best are the waist-defining trench coat and a flowing party dress.  I also like the cream-colored silk blouse with a pretty velvet bow.  Prices range from $35.00 to $60.00

Love the way he mixes punchy solids and stripes with delicate floras and lace, plus the cute black-cat pattern on some of the scarves and totes.  While inventory is limited we hear Target has ordered extra pieces to avoid last season’s Missoni mania.

Macy’s Herald Square, the world’s largest store, is about to get even bigger through a sweeping $400 million, four year renovation that will impact almost every part of the flagship.  The renovation is unprecedented considering renovations of the 110 year old site have been piecemeal int he past.  One of the  most dramatic elements: creating another 100,000 square feet of selling space bring the total to 1.2 million square feet. adding a string of luxury shop-in-shops to broaden its appeal and building what Macy’s calls the largest shoe department in the world.

Aside from being the largest store, Macy’s Herald Square could be considered the most paradoxical.  The store is highly trafficked, drawing 20 million shoppers a year from all over the world, yet widely maligned.  Criticisms range from being difficult to navigate and overly promotional, to decaying infrastructure and poor housekeeping.

Macy’s said the project will create 1,600 construction jobs, and that by the Fall of 2015, about 800 store positions will be added to the current workforce of about 4,600.

So, you’re having one of those days where you don’t want to get dressed—you just want to stay in your cozy threads all day long. Only problem is, there’s no such thing as fashionable loungewear…right? Way wrong. Piamita Silk Loungewear embodies the ideal combination of stylish and incredibly luxurious comfort. Bringing fashion and ease to a classic pajama set, this blush-toned ensemble has us positively tickled pink!

Designers Karla Martinez—W Magazine’s Market and Accessories Editor—and Cecilia de Sola were inspired by the idea of holiday jet-setting when they created their luxurious resort line, with items ranging from flouncy maxi skirts to silk shrugs. But our current crush comes in the form of the Isabella Stretch Double Georgette Blouse echoing a traditional men’s pajama shirt with a feminine twist, and the Nan Stretch Double Georgette Pants, which convey a clean, tailored fit. When worn together, they scream comfort-meets-couture! With spring and summer on the horizon, we also have our eye on the flirty warm-weather version à la the Clemence Pajama Tap Shorts. It matters not whether you’re dressing for work or settling in for the night, this sultry assortment will prevail all day long!

First, of all, I have to tell you that I believe in true meaning of giving Christmas every day. In these trying times that have most Americans in one big Negative page in our history books, it can be the simplest notion that can warm a heart.

Fashionable ideas for the notion of Holiday Cheer:

Food–It can be a store bought pie, cake, cookies. fruit, nuts. It could be plate of a holiday mix of food, nuts and fruit. It could be a bag of groceries. If you bake, it’s that very personal and delicious gift. In one of my offices, it was common for people to give home made eats in holiday cookies, cakes, breads, or cupcakes.  I did not bake and some friends would ask me not to!

Arts and Crafts–It is a Treasure to get a piece of artwork that was crafted especially for the recipient. If you have access to acrylic paints that are water proof, you can paint a piece of clothing, a coffee mug, plate or glass with a loving detail. For instance if your Mom gardens, then paint her a garden with pretty blooms. If your recipient lives by a lake or ocean, a boat scene, could be good. Paint  a pet, paint a picture of them or yourself or a big heart! If you have the talent to create a center piece of artificial florals, or with real winter greens and flowers mixed with cheap ornament that can add the sparkle to someone’s life. It could be a hand painted card with a big I LOVE YOU. Something that is original from the heart is always a big winner. And very personal from the heart.

Get Togethers– It can be the opening of your house to invite a friend or neighbor in for some cheer of whatsoever. It can be that delivery to or spending time with a friend, neighbor, or relative that is housebound. It can be volunteering in the community’s local charities or food banks. In my office, 6 of us gave a boss an evening out for dinner somewhere (reasonable). It was a gift to the boss and a gift to us to get out and vent about this crazy business.

Notions—Number one, is the gift of friendship with unconditional love. Just being there for a friend in whatever manner counts.  If you have a talent like trimming a hedge, pet sitting, fixing a pipe, car washing, etc, you can write a gift certificate for a service you can give as gift. By all means, It is the thought and heart care that is worth more than gold. Charity of the heart is the biggest gift one can give.

Wishing you the best for Season and everyday from all of team at The Clothes You Wear.