The Word from Barney's Warehouse Sale

So the infamous Barney's Warehouse Sale kicked off yesterday, August 14th, with it's usual vivacity and carnality. I got a chance to check it out, and it was a pretty god scene. I started off in the men's section (as I am a man), later I went up to the women's to meet my friend and partner in discount crime, Chelsey. The minute I got to the top of the stairs, I was overwhelmed by the obvious rise in heat, energy, and ferocity. I looked out on a floor covered in Prada pumps and Marni minis thrown around the Chelsea location. The stock was pretty good. I found some great Trovata jackets, and Acne jeans, while Chelsey and our other friends found Marc jackets, Balenciaga dresses, and various assortment or Louboutin, Lanvin, and Prada shoes. I was especially stuck on Marc Collection studded flip flops. The prices were good comparatively speaking, a good $200 off those sandals. But that place is overwhelming and tiresome, its a battle just to exit. I would advise arriving highly caffeinated and determined, that's the only way one can survive. All the info is above so you can check it out for yourself.

Title of Show Breaks Boundaries and Ushers in a New Era of The Broadway Musical

I got the chance to see the new Broadway musical Title of Show last night. I had been hearing things about the show since it's first inception at NYMF a few years ago. It was not what I thought it would be, at all. The musical, now playing at the Lyceum theater, is about two guys writing a musical, about two guys writing a musical. It is chock full of musical theater references, gay jokes, and light upbeat songs. What was so captivating was how un-broadway Title was. It played, after NYMF, at The Vineyard Theater, where Avenue Q was born, and thrives in the same nature as Q. It is a show that celebrates the fact that anything good and beautiful can go to The Great White Way, its doesn't have to be a Disney spectacle, in fact it shouldn't be a Disney spectacle. I am excited to see where the show goes, and where the broadway musical will go after the statement that is Title of Show.

Couture Week Arouses and Challenges Pret-a-Porter

So Couture Week in Paris has been over for a few weeks now, designers have moved onto their ready-to-wear collections, but I keep going back to the fine line between Pret-a-Porter (or ready-to-wear) and Haute Couture. The nature of Pret-a-Porter is one of mass-production, for all. But with the economy the way it is, designers, for the last few seasons have been creating with exclusivity and uniqueness in mind. I think that if people are going to spend quadruple digits they want something unbelievably exquisite. Now the couture shows were, as always, about the one-of-a-kind artisanship, but I kept seeing things that could have been in any Pret-a-Porter, especially in Givenchy (pictured above) and Armani. Tisci, in my eyes, started off amazingly at the iconic french house, I loved his gradient leopard last Couture season, and the use of studs in S/S 07, but I saw this collection as lazy and bland at best. Mr. Armani, who was recently celebrated at the FIT Couture Society Gala, has been less than stellar since 1997, not one of my favs, so this collection was hardly surprising. All that being said, there were some incredible collections. Lacroix was spectacular, as was Lagerfeld's work at Chanel. It was not an incredibly ground-breaking season, but the craftsmanship and eye for detail we trust was evident and thriving in The City of Lights this past month.

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!!