Derek Lam to Design Crowd Sourced Collection for eBay from NYFW

 Pictured: One of my favorites from Derek Lam's Spring 2011 collection at New York Fashion week. (photo:  Getty Images)

This just in from The Recessionista's radar alert system.  High-end designer Derek Lam has announced plans to design and produce the first-ever crowd sourced collection exclusively on eBay.  Coach previously crowd sourced a handbag collection by letting customers vote online for their favorites. Lam will unveil a ready-to-wear collection of original designs at a presentation during New York Fashion Week in February 2011 and invite shoppers to vote for their favorites on eBay.com. The voting will allow consumers to raise their collective voice about which pieces are produced for the exclusive collection. This is quite a different approach than the usual fashion week routine of exhibiting for retailers, who choose which pieces from a designer's collection to stock in  stores.  I like this approach.  Fashion Week should be for the end-user, the customer who wears the clothes, not the buyer for the department store.  The final collection will be available for purchase in Spring/Summer 2011 at  fixed price points (read that as "Buy It Now").  The goal is to deliver shoppers immediate, in season access to Lam’s signature designs at prices that will presumably be below his collections at Barney's, exclusively on eBay.   Kudos to Derek Lam for taking an innovative approach to fashion week. I look forward to voting on the collection!

New Kate Moss for Topshop Collection in Stores Nov, 2nd

I've been so excited about the upcoming H&M collection from Lanvin, that I almost forget Topshop will launch a new Kate Moss collection on Nov. 2nd.  The collection arrives just in time for the holidays.  If you're in London, the collection will launch at Topshop tomorrow, Nov. 1st at the Oxford Circus store.  Click here to get the details, and learn about Vogue's Shopping Event. I'll be interested to see what the new collection is all about.  I expect to see evening wear and holiday sequins and bling.  Stay tuned!

ZYNC FROM AMERICAN EXPRESS PRESENTS LUCKY SHOPS 2010

If you love to shop, and you have the new American Express ZYNC card, there's a special shopping event in NYC coming up  that you may wish to get in on.  American Express’ newest charge card ZYNC is partnering with Lucky, to present the seventh annual LUCKY SHOPS event, an ultimate shopping experience. Lucky Shops 2010 will feature over 60 designers and retailers from fashion icons and cult favorites to up-and-coming brands. Favorite fashions, handbags, shoes, jewelry and more will be available with items selling at up to 70% off retail.  There will be music, refreshments, giveaways plus...bargains!


In November, ZYNC will be hosting an exclusive ZYNC Card boutique on-site where shoppers can stop by and check out some of Lucky’s favorite designers, including Tucker, Alex Woo, Twinkle by Wenlan, Tina Tang, and Yumi Kim. The Boutique will also offer guests a chance to win signature pieces from Yumi Kim, Tina Tang and Alex Woo.


ZYNC Card members will enjoy exclusive perks and privileges, including:

· Entry tickets 15% off the regular price at www.LuckyShops.com

· Quick pass to the event via a VIP entrance

· One hour early access prior to doors opening on both days

· Personal shoppers on-site to assist with any shopping and fashion queries

· A trendy purple scarf gift with any purchase on-site

· Immediate ZYNC Card member access and special gift via on-site acquisition


ZYNC is also taking the shopping experience beyond the event by providing consumers with access to shop the ZYNC Lucky Shops on-site designer boutique online at boutiques.refinery29.com through April 2011. Fashionistas will be able to seek advice from Lucky Alpha Shopper Bloggers via e-mail while perusing the online store. ZYNC Card members will have the additional benefits of accessing a Cardmember-only ZYNC Boutique and having early access to the Daily Deals.


WHERE: Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 West 18th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues), NYC

WHEN: November 4-6, 2010

VIP Shopping Party – November 4 6PM-9PM

Friday Preview Pass – November 5, 11AM-8PM

Friday General Admission – November 5, 12PM-8PM

Saturday General Admission – 11AM-5PM

*ZYNC Cardmembers will be allowed VIP access ONE HOUR prior to doors open both days*

Kohl's One Day Sale: Halloween Savings + More

If you're still looking for a Halloween costume, or some decorations for your home, you might want to check out Kohl's 1 day sale today.   You can save an extra 15% to 30% and get Kohl's cash too.

Coming Attractions: Lanvin for H&M

Pictured: From an H&M advertisement, the new Lanvin collection. (photo H&M)

The bible of Women's fashion, Women's Wear Daily has the scoop on the upcoming Lanvin for H&M Collection. According to WWD,  " Lanvin will stage a fashion show in New York on Nov. 18 showcasing designer Alber Elbaz’s creations for Swedish fast-fashion retailer Hennes & Mauritz, including some one-off customized outfits that will be sold for charity afterward. "  The New York show will be held at The Plaza Hotel.  The next day, H&M will host an exclusive preview at their store in Las Vegas.  I will be attending the Las Vegas event along with my two friends, my two Olympus cameras, including the new Pen. My spies tell me that the new H&M Las Vegas store is the largest H&M on the planet. Naturally, I'll be shopping and snapping away to give you all exclusive views of the collection along with my reviews of the pieces vis`-a-vis´ quality for price. Stay tuned! Lanvin for all!

StyleWatch A-Listers: Save 20% and Check Out the Exclusive Outfit Makers at Henri Bendel!

People Stylewatch has an interesting 20% off offer on fashion accessories at Henri Bendel.   People Stylewatch editors have chosen 10 pieces from Bendel's to update your existing wardrobe items including handbags, scarves, jewelry and even a unique pair of Cheetah gloves.  You can print out the coupon above to use it in-store for the discount, or use code STYLEWATCH at henribendel.com.  Needless to say, some of the items might make nice holiday gifts!  This offer ends Nov. 22nd.

Bloggers Unite to Help Los Angeles Designers Exhibit their Fashions

It's sad when up and coming designers invest to show their designs to the public, and their exhibit is canceled via no fault of their own.  According to the Los Angeles Times, "Designers, publicists and fashion fans are baffled by the sudden cancellation of World Coast Management's L.A Fashion Week, which had been slated to take place Oct. 20-25 at L.A. Production Studios. Fourteen designers were listed on the roster of WCM's website to show their collections for spring/summer 2011 during three nights of runway shows which were to be bookended by a party and a trade show. But many of them found out only on Wednesday night that the events had been canceled."

Following the cancellation of Official  World Coast Management's ( "WCM")  LA Fashion Week, due to permitting issues, Fashion Los Angeles has organized a community movement through its Bloggers’ Café program, to ensure that the designers are given an opportunity to exhibit the fashions they have worked so hard to produce.

Designers who are confirmed to present their works are Daisy Gonzalez, L’une, and Paulina Lopez from Mexico City. Since this is a community service event, individuals and groups able to donate time and products (models, hair, makeup, mannequins, etc.) should contact Fashion Los Angeles via email immediately at bloggerscafe [at] fashionlosangeles [dot] org.

The Los Angeles Fire Department called off the WCM event due to several outstanding citations on the venue dating back to March 2010. This unfortunate situation left 18 local and international designers without a venue to present their SS2011 collections.  It's very sad that something as routine as a  permit was not secured far in advance of the show, so that the show could proceed as planned.

The only bright spot in this sad story is that local organizations and bloggers are stepping up to help the stranded designers. Fashion Los Angeles, the group behind the new Los Angeles fashion presentations set to debut February 2011, has joined forces with Two Point Oh LA, an organization that unites 80  Los Angeles’ fashion and beauty bloggers, to offer the displaced designers an opportunity to meet with local media. The Bloggers’ Café event, known by the Twitter hashtag “#bc911,” will take place at Fashion Los Angeles headquarters [600 S. Spring St., Suite 1708 Downtown Los Angeles] from 4:00 and 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 23, 2010.

Help spread the word about the events, or RSVP to attend to help these designers show their designs as planned!