Sex and the City, It's a Fashion Show!

The world premiere of the much anticipated movie, Sex And The City (SATC) takes place in London tonight. Personally I think that New York should have had the first screening, I mean that's where the HBO series was set and shot, that's where the 30-somethings Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha strutted their stuff!

Regardless, as much as Sex and the City is about columnist Carrie Bradshaw, her three gal pals, and their lustful urban quest for good sex, love and fab clothes, being set in New York City, fashion has always been a major part of the story. But now some four years on what can we expect when it comes to the fashion?

Also, will it simply continue on from where the series left off or will the now 40-somethings have matured and matured in the fashions that they wear. Will we see more of the breaking of the rules, the unexpected and outrageous, or will we see a more mature collection of fashion. The following video by BlackTree Media might shed some light on these questions.

 

Well there are some clues there. It is said that "the fashion is really different. Everything is more expensive, more beautiful, the shoes, the jewelry..." and when talking about the show's stylist and costume designer Patricia Field, Sarah Jessica Parker says that "she's really good at telling the story with clothes and she really knows these women in the city." And yes we can expect some maturity as Sarah Jessica Parker later says that "taste has changed, palette has changed and that's what happens when you grow up."

Pat Field herself says that the "fashion comes from Paris, it Comes from Italy, it Comes from New York, it comes from everywhere" and when talking about the costumes Kristin Davis (Charlotte) says that "there were just tables of bags, like every new bag that you haven't even seen in the stores yet and then there were tables of shoes, and I mean it was just like Mecca."

So from this we can expect some new ideas but I'm sure that we'll see the latest in designer clothing, shoes and designer handbags. Yes there will be lots of love and sex, but just as importantly, the feature-length Sex And The City movie will be like going to a fabulous fashion show. I can't wait.

The Money's in the Prada Handbag!

Well did you manage to purchase any of the unique Prada prototypes at the Prada Spring/Summer Women's 2008 Fashion Auction which ended on Tuesday? The Prada handbags, skirts, pants and boots were certainly one-of-a-kinds in terms of design, style and colors. Here's a brief roundup on this auction.

Prada Designer Pants

The first items on the bidding block were three pairs of couture pants. The low-rise bell-bottom Cyclamen Pants, as shown in the pictures directly below, are made off silk fabric as used extensively in haute couture collections of the fifties. These very unique pants, in cyclamen

color and shell print are printed with a 20-color flat screen process and appeared with different print in the last Prada fashion show for the Spring/Summer 2008 women's collection. The one-of-a-kind Prada designer pants were purchased during the auction for 2000 Euros. There can be no doubt that these Prada pants in hot cyclamen color are super chic but I just can't get my head around the large bell-bottoms.

Next in the bidding we saw the low-rise bell-bottom Sunny Yellow Pants as shown in the picture on the left. These pants are made of silk gazar, generated by a 20-color flat screen printing process which ensures a richer, more accurate result compared to the normal 10-color printing technique. Screens with the designs are used to apply the inks on the cloth. A specific screen is used to print each separate portion of color and given that this involved a 20-color flat screen printing process, you can easily see that the end result is spectacular.

Although very similar in style to the Prada Cyclamen Couture Pants, due to the motif print and its sunny yellow color, the Sunny Yellow Pants are certainly unique and given that it attracted a highest bid of 2100 Euros, one can imagine that they will be worn proudly. Once again however, because of the large bell-bottom they are not my style and I'm not so hot on the yellow color, well not in pants anyway!

The third item in the first group of prototypes auctioned was the Orange Pants shown in the picture here on the right. Once again, like the two prior items, this prototype is a unique low-rise bell-bottom pants created exclusively for this auction.

The silk gazar fabric is printed through the same 20-color process that guarantees a more accurate result compared to the normal 10-color printing technique. This fashion piece is absolutely unique due to its combination of color and print, as for the cyclamen and sunny yellow ones. The highest bid for these was 2000 Euros. Again because of the bell-bottom design, this one-of-a-kind fashion piece, is not my style.

Prada Handbag and Designer Boots

A Plum Buckskin Prada handbag and two pairs of Prada designer boots made up the second group of items which were auctioned off in the week ending April 29, 2008. Shown in the pictures below, I described each of these items in my Exclusive Prada Designer Auction post of Thursday April 24, 2008.

The Plum Buckskin Prada Handbag went for 4000 Euros, the Plum Buckskin Boot for 1450 Euros (pictured in the center directly above), and the Antique Rose Buckskin Boot (pictured above on the far right) went for 1300 Euros. I have to say that out of all items, the Plum Buckskin Prada Handbag was my favorite piece in the auction but more on this later.

Prada Designer Skirts

You've got the pants, the boots and the Prada handbag so now what about a unique Prada skirt or two to match? Well that's what the final part of the Prada Spring/Summer Women's 2008 Fashion Auction was all about, skirts!

The first of these is the Ankle-length, Sunny Yellow Skirt shown here on the left. This skirt is made of silk gazar printed with a shell design as used in the last Prada Spring/Summer 2008 Women's Fashion Show. Gazar is a heavyweight organza that was used extensively in haute couture collections of the fifties. This skirt was purchased at auction for 1500 Euros. Now I didn't like the low-rise bell-bottom Sunny Yellow Pants described above but I do like this skirt, and even in yellow!

The second skirt is the shell design, Cyclamen Silk Gazar Skirt shown immediately below on the left. This skirt is also inspired to the 2008 Prada Spring/Summer Women's Collection. The luxurious print portrays a world full of carnivorous flowers, dragons, hybrid creatures, and mysterious fairies. As the previous, this prototype is absolutely unique as it is the only version in this color in existence. The Cyclamen Silk Gazar Skirt was purchased at auction for 1300 Euros.

 

The third skirt in the group is the Orange Silk Gazar Skirt shown in the picture directly above on the right. This gorgeous skirt is decorated with a shell print and carnivorous flowers, dragons, hybrid creatures, and mysterious fairies. A similar model was shown for the first time during the Spring/Summer 2008 fashion shown in Milan but this piece is unique thanks to its orange color. As in the case of the Cyclamen Silk Gazar Skirt, this unique, one-of-a-kind item was purchased for 1300 Euros.

The final piece in this group is the Orange Knee-Length Patchwork Skirt shown in the pictures directly above. This is another piece in the collection made of printed silk gazar, a heavy-weight organza used extensively in haute couture collections that was quite popular in the fifties. This prototype in orange is decorated with cut-out elements that are hand-sewn on the skirt. This unique, one-of-a-kind item was purchased for 1700 Euros.

Final Words - The Money's in the Prada Handbag

I would love to hear from you if you managed to snag one of these covetable pieces. What's your story? What motivated you to bid and finally purchase the piece(s) that you did? Will you wear the fashion and take the Prada Handbag with you or will simply keep these with your coveted private collection? Do you perhaps own a boutique and plan to display your newly acquired treasure in your store? What ever your story I would love to hear from you.

Amazingly one seriously keen Prada lover snatched eight out of the ten items auctioned. Someone who goes by the screen name of Transito paid 4000 Euros for the Plum Buckskin Prada Handbag, 1300 Euros for the Antique Rose Buckskin Boot and 1450 Euros for the Plum Buckskin Boot. Add to these Transito also purchased the Cyclamen Silk Gazar Skirt (Euros 1300), the Orange Silk Gazar Skirt (Euros 1300), the Orange Knee-Length Patchwork Skirt (1700 Euros), the Sunny Yellow Pants (2100 Euros) and the Orange Pants (2000 Euros). Now that's a total of 15,150 Euros or $23,380 USD so fashionista Transito is one hell of a Prada lover. Will these prototype Prada fashions end up as part of a rare collection or will we see them back on some other auction site at some later date? I'd love to know. Transito, you take care of that Prada Handbag. It's really chic!!!

Up To 40% Off Spring Designer Sale!

eLUXURY.com has announced new Spring markdowns with savings of up to 40% on a range of ready-to-wear designer clothing for both men and women.

The sale collection includes a good range from designers including Fendi, Versace, Dior, Zac Posen, Marc Jacobs, Juicy Couture, and many more! And as an added bonus, on Tuesday, May 6th, eLUXURY.com is offering free shipping on all orders of $150 or more.

I like the deep v-neck D&G Dolce & Gabbana Pleated Cotton Dress, in white cotton (shown below left). This classy D&G Dolce & Gabbana designer dress was originally priced at $895 but bag at $539 during this fashion sale. The Gold colored a-line shaped Michael Kors Bugle Beaded Shift Dress, shown bottom right, is also hot. Made in Italy, this fully lined designer dress has a woven box pattern with metallic threading. It has been reduced from an amazing $2,595 down to $908!!

However, my pick of all picks in this designer fashion sale is the D&G Dolce & Gabbana Chiffon Polka Dot Blouse shown in the very top picture on the left. It has long blouson sleeves with contrast banded cuffs, single button closures and front button placket. The blouse, especially with its long ties at the neck and pintucked seams over each shoulder, gives a classy look but I think its semi-sheer makes this a top super chic and sexy. Originally priced at $355 but bag this designer top for just $215 during this sale.

Owned by Moët Hennessey Louis Vuitton (LVMH), the world's leading luxury fashion group, eLUXURY is an online fashion retailer that offers the hottest designer apparel, must-have trends, online exclusives, and and an exclusive Louis Vuitton boutique.

Visit eLUXURY.com to check out the range of designer clothing on sale.

A-List Designer Clothing Sample Sale!

LA Fashionistas! It's early Saturday morning and you may still just be waking up. Perhaps you're having your morning cuppa and pondering what to do today or you may well have already planned your day but either way do read this!!!

Here's a great ONE DAY ONLY Designer Clothing Sample Sale. Today Saturday May 3rd, from 11am to 4pm, you've go the chance to bag some brand new overstock fashions from a wide variety of top designers and stores, as well as high-end pre-owned stuff from celebrities and other private individuals. This includes designer pieces, gently worn or still with tags. At this sale you'll find jackets, dresses, pants, shirts, skirts, cashmere sweaters and accessories including belts and purses. There will also be tons of new and gently worn designer shoes and boots in assorted sizes. This merchandise will be on sale from an incredible 50% to 75% below retail.

 

So whether you are looking for an incredible deal on a pair of designer pumps, a super-chic designer dress or a unique piece of jewelry, this A-List Sample Sale is the place to be. Here's a summary of the details:

What: A-List Sample Sales!

When: Today Saturday May 3rd, from 11am to 4pm

Where: 420 N. Orange Drive, Los Angeles, in between LA Brea and Highland, North of Beverly Blvd. No early birds so don't ring the bell. The sale is outside in the driveway and back area.

Payment: Cash, VISA, Mastercard but no checks.

Fashion Designer Sample Sale: 50-70% Off!!

Up-and-coming fashion Designer Olga Kapustina's is having a sample sale in New York this week where you have the chance to bag some of her chic summer and spring designer clothing at up 50-70% off!!!

Perhaps not so well known but let me tell you that Olga Kapustina designs are huge with celebrities like Angelina, Cameron and Reese, and sold at hot spots like Barneys and Neiman Marcus, as well as choice boutiques across the U.S. So fashionistas, if you're in NYC then this designer sample sale will definitely be worth checking out.

Here's a glimpse of the chic and edgy women's designer clothing by Olga Kapustina during her Spring 2008 Fashion Show at the Chelesa Art Museum.

WHO: Olga Kapustina

WHAT: Annual Sample Sale of chic and edgy women's designer clothing

WHEN: Wednesday, APRIL 30th & Thursday, MAY 1ST, 9am - 8pm Friday, MAY 2nd, 9am - 7pm

WHERE: 161 W 22nd Street, Between 6th/7th Avenues, 3rd Floor, New York

WHY: 50-70% off summer and spring designer dresses! Silk "party dresses" and cotton office looks. Sizes 0-10.

Exclusive Prada Designer Auction

You may remember back in July 2007, the elite Italian fashion house Prada began auctioning a number of its designer prototypes originally created for the catwalk of the Fall/Winter 2007 season. This Exclusive Prada Auction started with the auction of 3 items, a unique Prada designer dress with a faded green embossed bodice and voluminous wool silk radzmire skirt, a Prada designer coat made from quartz colored mohair treated with a fur effect and a pair of gorgeous and really chic Prada designer shoes, yellow and black patent high-heeled 'Maryjanes', truly one-of-a-kind items.

Well Prada recently started its Spring/Summer 08 auction with exciting designer prototypes from the spring 2008 collection. The first items on the bidding block were three pairs of couture pants but currently up for grabs is a Plum Buckskin Bag, an Antique Rose Boot and a Plum Buckskin Boot. So if you're a Prada girl then here's your chance to bag something truly exclusive!!! However, be warned this is a hot, hot auction! I tried several times last year to snag some of the stunning items being auctioned but each time I bid, there was someone else out there even keener that out bid me :(

Prada Designer Plum Buckskin Handbag

This super fabulous designer handbag, measuring 36cm by 26cm, is made of Plum colored buckskin that underwent a stunning ink jet printing process and was subsequently polished to create an extremely glossy surface. As well as a Gold Prada insignia, the bag features Gold plated hardware and a zipper closing. It's lined with nappa leather and has a zippered pocket and small buttoned pocket inside.

As you can see the Plumb Bucksin designer handbag is decorated in an imaginative and colorful print. A similar design is distributed in the Spring/Summer 2008 collection, but this Prada designer handbag is absolutely unique because it is the only version in existence in this color. At the time of writing Hollywood has the hots for this designer handbag having placed the highest bid of 3100 Euros and with some 4.5 days to go before the close of bidding on this item, one can easily see that this exclusive designer handbag will fetch a boatload. It's a real stunner!

Prada Designer Antique Rose Boot

Oh yes the Devil wears Prada! Well the pictures here say it all, don't they? The Prada Designer Antique Rose Boot is certainly a unique piece of Prada history. This exclusive designer prototype is made from antique rose colored buckskin that underwent an inject printing process and was subsequently treated to create its extremely glossy surface. Apparently the heel is hand painted and coated with transparent enamel.

You can easily see that the Antique Rose Boot is as decorative as and printed in a style very similar to the Plum Buckskin designer handbag. You'll definitely stand out in the crowd in these one-of-a-kind boots :) However if the 37 size fits you, would you wear them? At the time of writing the highest bid for the Antique Rose Boot is 1200 Euros, and with 4.5 days to go it will be interesting to see what this unique boot fetches.

Prada Designer Plum Buckskin Boot

Similar in style to the Antique Rose Boot but in a totally different print and color, the Plum Buckskin designer boot is another unique piece, exclusively produced for the auction. The boot is made of plum colored buckskin and printed with inkjet technology before being rubbed down to obtain to create its extremely glossy surface.

The ABS heel is hand painted and protected with a transparent topcoat enamel. The highest bid thus far is 1250 Euros so at the time of writing this post, of the first three items in this auction, the Plumb buckskin designer handbag is certainly way out in front in terms of the highest bid so far.

The auction for each designer item has a maximum duration of 7 days from the moment of the online placement of the auction for that item and when you visit the Prada site, you will see that the time remaining until the termination of the auction is constantly indicated by a counting down clock. The highest bidder for a given item will be the successful bidder/purchaser of that item. At any time you can track the bid history of each product through a graphic chart. The auction ends on April 29, 2008 and proceeds from the sales will benefit the San Raffaele Foundation, one of the most important Italian institutions concerned with medical research, clinical work and training.

There can be little doubt that these very unique Prada designer items are exclusive collectibles and it will be interesting to see what prices these once-in-a-lifetime designer pieces finally fetch. It will also be interesting to see what other Prada designer items will be auctioned after these items are finally sold although I have heard that we can expect some really chic Prada skirts. I'd love to hear from you if you manage to snag one of the covetable goodies.

Cynthia Rowley Designer Sample Sale

Designer sample sale shopping is a way of life for most New Yorkers in the know. How else do you think they can afford to dress so stylishly and well?

Just ask any New York fashionista and she'll explain that some of the most amazing designer fashion bargains are uncovered at sample sales, designer clothes at prices anyone can afford!!

And now at this sample sale, Savvy Designer Sample Sales brings you classic Cynthia Rowley fashions direct to you at prices, which are at wholesale and even below wholesale. Certainly at prices that are far better than what you would find in an outlet store.

Starting at 12 noon on Tuesday, April 22 to 12 midnight on Friday, April 25 Savvy Designer Sample Sales NYC is hosting a sample sale of some gorgeous Cynthia Rowley designer pieces.

Cynthia Rowley fashions are a fave of many celebs including Hillary Duff, Eva Longoria and Paris Hilton, and now with this great online designer sample sale you get the chance to snag a Cynthia Rowley sample or two at significantly reduced prices.

For example, the Gold brocade dress shown in the picture above and having pretty slightly puff sleeves accented with a single ruffle down the middle which regularly retails for $440 is yours for just $120 during this designer fashion sale. Now that's a massive almost 73% savings!!!

The Cynthia Rowley Black brocade double-breasted jacket shown here in the picture on the left regularly retails for $572 but you'll pay just $156 during this online designer fashion sale.

There are other great buys like only paying $129 for the Cynthia Rowley long cotton black and white crisscross dress with pink banded empire waist which regularly retails for $473 or just $184 for the throwback skirt from the 50's which regularly retails for $308.

This Cynthia Rowley piece is perfect for those upcoming summer days and weekends. The shimmery lilac tank dress with racer back and tie at left shoulder which regularly retails for $308 but on sale at just $84 is also worth a look.

Visit Savvy Designer Sample Sales NYC online now to snag some gorgeous Cynthia Rowley pieces now.

Up To 70% Off Boutique Designer Sale

The online fashion boutique Kristinit.com is having a huge online fashion sale starting this Sunday, April 20 and ending May 15, 2008 with limited edition, select pieces from the previous and current collections on sale including the silk Biba dress worn by Eva Mendes. Many items are up to 70% off!!

If you don't know much about this designer fashion label, first launched by fashion designer and artist Kristina Lenss in 2006, then check out some of the styles and alluring and elegant pieces shown in the pictures both above and below.

Some of my favorite pieces from the limited sale collection include the Ava Jacket, the Biba Dress and the Camille Dress. The Ava Jacket (black linen with silk bow), shown here on the left is the perfect designer jacket. Structured linen with Biba style high set sleeves and peplum hem and featuring a striped silk waist band and center bow and hook and eye closures. Wear it couture style with a pencil skirt and stilletos. Originally priced at $385 it's on sale at $249.

This stunning silk clover tunic dress was recently featured in OK magazine and worn by the lovely EVA MENDES! 100% silk tunic style dress features a mod clover print. Very versatile and perfect for the upcoming holiday parties and soirees. It's a cute little dress that you can wear as either a dress over tights or as a tunic over jeans or skinny pants. I love the contrasting fabrics. Very Limited edition with only two left in stock. Originally priced at $310, it's now on sale at $135.

This third piece is the silk Camille designer dress featuring a vintage Gucci style, dramatic French sleeves, and ruffled hem. Inspired by great models like Verushka and the ladies of the French Riviera in the 60’s, this 100% stunning silk designer dress will make you feel like fashion royalty as well. It's so perfect and easy for spring. Originally priced at $285, the gorgeous Camille Dress is now on sale at $135.

Check out the fabulous fashion at this very limited designer sale but don't leave your run too late as stocks are indeed very limited! Visit the online fashion boutique Kristinit.com before stocks run out!