Holiday Glamour by Vera Wang

If you're searching for those last minute holiday gifts for the fashionistas in your life, be sure to check out the Simply Vera Vera Wang Holiday Collection at Kohls. From glitzy multi-strand necklaces to sequined hats to chiffon fingerless gloves, you can't go wrong with the name that has become synonymous with sophistication and style. And the best part -- many of the accessories in the collection are less than $40! Now that makes for a Very Merry Christmas!!

Google Your Way To Being Fashion Fierce

Ever wake up in the morning, spontaneously decide you want to venture out and try to wear something a little different, and panic because you don't know how? That apparently happened to one of my clients last week, and I awakened to a "mayday, mayday" text message she had sent at 6:56 am. Needless to say, I did not get that message or the picture she emailed me giving me a sneak preview of her "look" until she was work. That didn't give us any time to correct that fashion faux pas on the spot, but at least we were able to rectify it a couple of hours later before too many of her co-workers had seen her.

If you ever find yourself in this situation, first pause and acknowledge that this is exactly why our mothers told us in high school to pick out our clothes the night before. (Sorry I had to go there . . . I couldn't resist.) Then, go straight to the internet and do a google search on the trend in question: "How to wear two cardigans?" or "Can I wear a blush-toned dress with a bright platform pump?" You can also search YouTube for possible step-by-step instructions. Regardless of the method you choose, you can feel confident that you walked out the door looking your best.

Farewell My Sweet Lady

It's been well over a month since I've posted a blog entry.  As they say -- sometimes life just gets in the way.  This past Saturday, we escorted my grandmother, the late Claries Toomer Bennett, to her final earthly resting place in Hope Mills, NC.  She was the Matriach of the Bennett family, and her life had a profound effect on every person who came within her reach.  

I would be remiss if I didn't dedicate this entry to her.  The picture above is of my Grandma taken in the late 1940's . . . she was in her 20's.  This picture surfaced over the weekend as people from near and far gathered at her home to celebrate her life.  Over the years, many have asked me where my sense of fashion and style originated.  I immediately respond "from my mother," who is the epitome of class and sophistication.  When I saw this picture only hours before my Grandma's "Homegoing Celebration," I realized it originated with my Grandma.  In addition to teaching my mother the virtues of unconditional love and respect, she clearly passed down the attributes of what it means to look like a Lady!

Grandma, you are missed, but never will you be forgotten.  I end this blog the way I ended my tribute to her on Saturday . . . "Rejoice my sweet lady. Heaven is happy to welcome one of its finest angels back home." 

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Kicks Off Tomorrow at its New Location - Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park

(Photo from stylelist.com)

I have two favorite times of the year -- February and September. Is it because my favorite holidays are Valentine's Day and Labor Day? Absolutely not! It's because those months include two weeks out of the year when every fashionista feels like she's died and gone to heaven: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week! And this year provides a tee bit more excitement because after 18 years at Bryant Park (I must say attending my last show there last season was a little bittersweet), the shows have moved to Lincoln Center. I feel like a kid waking up on Christmas morning -- I know I loved all of the presents under the tree last year, but I'm hoping this year's presents will be even better!

The move to Lincoln Center has brought about many firsts, not the least of which is Fashion GPS, a web-based system rolled out by IMG Fashion (the producer of MBFW) that over 80% of the designers showing at the tents have opted to use. Instead of those often lavish paper invitations being sent in the mail, PR firms emailed invitations which contain a link for you to go online and RSVP with a touch of a button. You are immediately sent an email containing a confirmation number (gone are the days when you wonder whether or not your RSVP by email or voicemail was ever received), and . . . drumroll please . . . a barcode to be scanned at one of 9 kiosks on site! (The barcode can even be scanned right from your PDA!) These kiosks will spit out your seating assignment, and off you go to your show. They will even have computer terminals and printers available if you happen to forget to bring your confirmation email with you. IMG is hoping that this will dramatically cut down those long lines (which look more like a sea of people huddled together) you wait in to check in with a PR person frantically looking through a binder filled with names. (Of course the PR teams will still be on hand to handle the real problems and the computer glitches.)

While this to me is the biggest and most dramatic change, the new location now includes a significantly larger space, lounge-style seating in the lobby area to wait around between shows (music to my feet!), two interior courtyards, wireless internet access, and a 4th venue (venue names are now from largest to smallest: "The Theatre," "The Stage," "The Studio," and "The Box"). The Theatre can seat almost 1,000 people and can accommodate another 400 standing; The Stage will fit more than 800 fashionistas; The Studio has seats for 390 plus standing room; and The Box -- a smaller room for designer presentations, industry forums and press conferences -- can hold 450 standing. It also appears as though the chairs in the venues have been replaced with stadium style bench seating, no doubt one of the reasons they are able to accommodate more people.

Although I will miss the first day of shows tomorrow (last day of my Bermuda vacation), I hit the ground running before daybreak on Friday morning to make it to NYC in time for my first show at 9:30 am. My day starts off with Tadashi Shoji, followed by Duckie Brown, Georges Chakra, and Ports 1961. Hopefully I will get a quick nap in at some time so I can be ready for all of the Fashion's Night Out festivities!

Lanvin and H&M Collaborate!

This is probably one of the most exciting rumors to be confirmed in a while! Yesterday WWD (THE voice of the fashion industry) tweeted that we might be seeing yet another fabulous collaboration that would potentially knock our socks off, and today they have come back to say it is indeed true. On November 23, Lanvin for H&M will hit approximately 200 stores - hopefully one near you!

Lanvin is the newest designer to join the ranks of guest star designers like Stella McCartney, Karl Lagerfeld, Zac Posen, and Anna Sui who have created limited edition "cheap chic" lines for cost-friendly chains like H&M and Target. What better news could a fashionista receive right before the last official weekend of summer when the reality of needing to spruce up the fall wardrobe really begins to set in?

If you are one of millions of women like myself who simply can't wait to get your hands on a few of these pieces, I strongly suggest you mark the date on your calendar and plot out your course of action. This collection is likely to sell out in nano seconds!

THINK GREEN!

No, I'm not talking about recycling! Green is without a doubt the go-to hue for the fall season. Now, I must admit . . . just 2 years ago you would not have caught me dead in the color. Although I may have loved the piece, if the color was green, the first thing out of my mouth was: "I don't do green!" I think the color routinely reminded me of Emerald City in "The Wizard of Oz," not exactly the place you reflect upon when you think about must have fashion trends.

Fast forward to last fall when I became somewhat obsessed with the color after Gucci did this beyond fab snakeskin bag in forest green. It literally took my breath away. After seeing this magnificent creation, I began embracing that particular shade as a neutral that could be worn with black, navy, brown, or tan. The next thing I knew I was in Soho at one of my favorite shoe boutiques, Keito, purchasing a pair of "too fierce" platform leather and suede booties in the hue. The end result has been a love connection that was well overdue!

From fabulous ponte dresses to Chanel inspired tweed jackets to cashmere cardigans and platform pumps - you will definitely find that must have piece to add to your wardrobe. After all, it can be easy being green.

bebe Launches Petite Line!

We asked and apparently bebe finally listened! This week the brand known for its uber chic styles officially launched its petite line, a much needed remedy for those of us who must get every pair of pants we purchase hemmed!

The petite selections are targeted to women 5'4" and under, and include jackets, pants, and jeans. In the past, bebe has occasionally done a few of their pants in petite lengths, but the selection has been quite limited. By the time you realized the item was sold in petite sizes, they were completely sold out.

The line currently includes 11 pieces, and is available exclusively at bebe.com.