The City Scapes

Tony Madness

So its been rather busy around here, I just began interning with SPF, but I did catch the Tony Awards, and would hardly call it a catch. The performances were bland and the overall production seemed ill-fitted and lame. In the Heights looks like the only good, new, show. I'm sorry but old men rocking out (as in Passing Strange) is not worth $100. That being said, there are some cool new things on the horizon. Although I all am for originality, I think Saved and Catch Me If You Can will be hits. Saved, based on the film starring Jena Malone and Mandy Moore, is playing now at Playwrights Horizon and, hopefully, will transfer after its run for a fall opening on Broadway. Catch Me If You Can is based on the film starring Tom Hanks, is being put up by the best in the Biz. Marc Shaiman is writing it and directed by Jerry Mitchell. This year was boring for me. I adore South Pacific, and the fact that, that show won out, is sad. Unfortunately I'm looking toward next season for a small salvation. Although I think it takes a lot to put up a show, and mad props, but Xanadu... come on now!

Top 5 Finds: Gladiators Under $100

So after a friend of mine had a gladiator sandal disaster, and was desperate for a new pair without making a disaster out of her bank account, I decided to compile the best sandals under $100.

1) The Steve Madden Croww- This sandal, which buckles at the ankle, is a simple, chic way to pull of the sandal look without making an incredibly loud statement. Its available at www.stevemadden.com for $80.

2)
Jeffery Campbell 'Roman Beads' sandal- This sandal, with its Native American detailing, allows you to keep it colorful for summer picnics and cocktail events. Campbell's shoes always create classic lines, we love his flats. This one is available at www.nordstrom.com for $70.00.

3) Tribeca by Kenneth Cole Rap City sandal- Although this is technically not a gladiator, I think that its definitely chic and helps create an organic yet tough urban esthetic. It's simple bronze construction is classy yet subtle enough to wear them to work. They're available www.piperline.com for $45.00

4)
Urban Outfitters' Leather Buckle sandal- This sandal is my favorite, Its got strong buckles and it weaves around the foot, like a roots of a tree. Its currently on sale on their website www.urbanoutfitters.com for the super low price of $29.00.

5) Old Navy Gladiator- This is the most basic look, it has straps galore with light stitching. At the fantastic price of $20.00, you can get these sandals for day to day wear, available at www.oldnavy.com. 

BIG Barneys SALE

Barneys New York kicked off their summer designer sale today. The sale includes almost all of their Spring/Summer inventory. Check out the Prada multi-weave tote and Philip Lim dresses! To me this means only one thing... The Warehouse Sale is looming!!

Resort! Resort! Resort!: Erin Featherston

It was cotillion night at Erin Featherston's Resort collection. The young designer took references from New York debutantes. The collection was typical Featherston in color; light and girly. She used fantastically youthful cuts and shapes. It was all about the cocktail dress and inherited opulence, very Gossip Girl. 

Talk of the Town: Summer Play Festival

Tickets are now on sale for the 2008 Summer Play Festival at the Public Theater in The Village. The festival showcases new works in drama, comedy, and musical theatre, including the musical Black Suits, Tio Pepe, and the drama Tell Out My Soul. Tickets are available on their website www.spfnyc.com and are available for the amazing price of $20. Check it out, it should rock!

The City Scapes

I took these outside of Grand Central Terminal and in The Park. It was a beautiful day.

Resort! Resort! Resort!: Yves' Legacy Lives On

Just before Saint Laurent's untimely death, the creative director of his iconic house Stefano Pilati, created a resort collection that is the epitome of Saint Laurent. His genius and legacy was bursting from the seems. He used the iconic and controversial Smoking Jacket and re-imagined it in a creative and wearable way. It was androgynous while staying sexy and feminine. He used the suit looks, menswear as women's wear, and the tunic dresses Yves Saint Laurent premiered during his extensive career.

Resort! Resort! Resort!: Marc Jacobs

In Jacobs' extensive Resort 2009 collection, we saw a bevy of experiments in shape color and proportion. The collection started with an incredibly strong coat with a large bow in black along the neck. It was all about the love. Mr. Jacobs used a heart motif in many of the 38 looks. Victoria Beckham even wore one of the heart dresses at the CFDA Award Monday night. Jacobs worked immensely on this pant that created a feminine yet strong and tough look. It was reminded me of  the Yves Saint Laurent Fall 2008 collection, and yet I saw a lot of the Spring 2007 collection by Jacobs. I saw Arabian Nights meets Studio 54. His use of colors like eggplant and gold, as well as an amazing trouser made his collections THE collection to look for in stores. I'm excited to see how the man you brought us such a calm tranquil, modern collection for fall, will grow on this idea for Spring in September.

Dooney and Barf Beats Icon of Luxury Louis Vuitton

A court in Manhattan ruled in favor of the mediocre semi-luxury brand Dooney and Bourke, in the four-year trademark dispute with Louis Vuitton. The"It Bag" by Bourke was in the words of Judge Sheindlin, does not infringe on Vuitton's Monograme Multicolore handbag collection. Although LVMH, the luxury conglomerate that owns Vuitton,  is right in trying to protect their  designs, I think the french company has taken these infringement cases way too far. The bags Dooney and Bourke are hideous and unsightly, but they are an established business that is not taking costumers away from Vuitton, it is an obvious fact, suburban pre-teens cannot afford real Vuitton. If anything Bourke is taking costumers away from illegally smuggled  counterfeit handbags.

YSL RIP

This is sort of late, but it's just so sad that Yves Saint Laurent has left us. What a legend. His place in the fashion chronicles is irreplaceable. He gave us so much, and I for one cannot wait to see Stefano Pilati's next collection for the house. His fall was number one on WWD's top shows, and with the death of Mr. Saint Laurent will only inspire Pilati to move forward to take a retrospective, respectful approach to the the Spring 2009 collection. 

Tory Burch, Great Job Doing Nothing

Monday night was the CFDA Awards in Manhattan and for the most part everything was fair and somewhat predictable. Franco Costa won Women's Wear Designer of the Year, for his work at Calvin Klein, and new-comers at Rodarte and Opening Ceremony won The Swarovski Awards for emerging talent in their fields. The one award I couldn't wrap my head around was the recipient on the Accessory Designer of the Year, Tory Burch. I mean, sure, she makes the perfect flat for the JAPy girl in all of us, her riding boots are one of the only acceptable replacement for the Hermes boots, and her bags look just right on the pretentious Palm Beach old women, but really Designer of the Year? All she did was slap a gold "T" medallion on her ordinary accessories and make them the uniform of New Yorker wannabes and the fashionista off-spring who haven't yet convinced daddy to buy Lanvin or Louboutin. I just feel like there are so many other, more deserving, designers that should've received this honor. I mean, she doesn't even need the award, she will get enough money from her upcoming divorce from the venture capitalist who funded the launch of the company. I'm just saying, there were better choices.