hats off

totally loving the flat hats, especially the editorial in february Vogue, Its a Madcap World and the new issue of Lula. talk about contemporary chic! I hope I have an outing soon that will require the proper head gear.. or even better I can't wait for the easter parade to view all the easter bonnets.

"dreams come true; without that possibility, nature would not incite us to have them." john updike

nothing wrong with wanting right.... my mom says I have to much time on my hands, but hey I think it's good to figure out what you want in life.... you never know, maybe we will come into a huge lump sum of money and have to spend it all in one day! so there you have it. the wish list for the month!
A. McQ geometric cardigan
B. maison martin margiela pants
C. super glasses
D. 3.1 phillip lim
E. comme de garcon for H&M outfit (this is the only one on here I could afford but it all sold out)
F. miu miu purse
G. chanel tights
H. marni heels
I. alexis bittar ring

pantonemania!!!!

Finally some color on the runway! The week of fashion has moved to London and yesterday the House of Holland offered up a full-tilt paean to Pantone. Different tones of green banded with white, then purple, pink, turquoise, and on and on. It was a fresh, graphic idea and it was best at its simplest. I am loving the shoes. The colors are super fun and would add some pizazz to any ensemble!

More in pantone:

In September 1963, Lawrence Herbert, Pantone’s founder, created an innovative system for identifying matching and communicating colors to solve the problems associated with producing accurate color matches in the graphic arts community. His insight that the spectrum is seen and interpreted differently by each individual led to the innovation of the PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM, a book of standardized color in fan format. Today, the Pantone name is known worldwide as the standard language for accurate color communication, from designer to manufacturer to retailer to customer, across a variety of industries. For the discerning taste of the creative class, Pantone is, quite simply, the color bible.

With the creation of the 09/63, SeaVees celebrates the founding of Pantone and the release of the first PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM. For the first time in their 45 year history and through an exclusive agreement, Pantone has allowed an external design team into their hallowed archives. SeaVees cofounders Steven Tiller and Derek Galkin selected seven vintage colors from the original Pantone color guide. The palette, chosen from the only authentic guide known to exist, epitomizes the cool, casual style of California in 1963. I know I will definitely be picking up a pair of these!!! I'm not sure yet what color is on my wish list but I love the grey and purple!

Can be purchased at Conveyor Fred Segal.

guilty until proven innocent

I must say I am guilty... of course that is if we are talking about my favorite past time pleasure, Gilt Groupe. Most of you are aware of this latest obsession but for those who aren't you are about to enjoy a whole new world of shopping. Gilt Groupe provides access, by invitation only, to men’s, women’s and children’s coveted fashion and luxury brands at prices up to 70% off retail. Each sale lasts 36 hours and features hand selected styles from a single designer. All sales take place only on www.gilt.com and start at 12:00pm, so be sure to log on early.
For all the men reading... please note they have amazing men's sales as well. So take the time and log on and start spending those $$$$. Here is my personal invitation to you:

http://www.gilt.com/invite/danadavis

the smile

Even though the economy is going down the tubes there are still some entrepreneurs who are willing to open new businesses. I wish this entire team much success and I will definitely stop by to check out the space and hopefully have a bite.

"The Smile, which opened unofficially on Friday, is a conceptual mash-up, housed in a rustic two-floor space designed by Luke Scarola, owner of the Brooklyn antiques store Luddite. There is a cafe, with a Mediterranean-inspired menu created by Melia Marden; a tattoo parlor, run by Scott Campbell of Saved Tattoo; a gallery curated by Mr. Quirarte (Nate Lowman’s smiley-face work is now on display); and a wall of shelves filled with exclusive or custom-made products from Adam Kimmel, Sol Moscot, the Brooklyn-based lingerie line the Lake & Stars, the Parisian knitwear label Wool and the Gang, House of Waris, White’s Boots and the candle maker Cire Trudon, which dates to the 17th century and designed a candle inspired by the scent of the salvaged-wood interior. “So many stores just chase trends,” Mr. Quirarte (right) said. “We’re trying to do something different.” "

The Smile, 26 Bond Street (between Lafayette Street and Bowery)

info taken from the NY times

feeling gloomy

Been one of those days were nothing seems to make me smile so I figured I would bring you all down with me.. just kidding. Instead here are some photos that have inspired me to brace my moody blues and kiss the day goodbye!

time to save those pennies!!!

I absolutely love when a designer will collaborate with a major corporation and design for us common folk! 2009 is gonna be the year to pinch your pennies and save save save! With that said here are some of the projects that will be available to all!



Matthew Williamson has teamed up with H&M. In May, the British designer’s flowing chiffon tops and bold-color dresses will hit the racks. I even heard that they are going to have more product and keep the designs on the floor for longer then usual.. I sure hope this is true because fighting the crowds for these pieces is sure to get out of hand!
This duo totally struck me as odd but hey if everyone is gonna do it why not Walmart! Norma Kamali has teamed up with the mega super store to create affordable designs for all types. Now you can shop for all your household needs and grab some sweet gear, talk about the one stop shop. This line should be in stores now.. I have no idea cause we don't have Walmarts in the big apple.

Topshop here I come. This March the british store is coming state side. Not only will it carry Kate Mosses collection but will also have Jonathon Saunders dresses for under $100!!!!
This launch has got me going... really really goin! March 4th Alexander McQueen will release his McQ line for Target.. collection will be full of skinny jeans, rocker Ts and tons of studs. Got me thinking of rock-chic. just look at that amazing zig zag print dress above!

So that sums up my discussion on how to buy designer wear and still afford to pay your rent.
xox
d

"just like heaven"

"Daylight licked me into shape
I must have been asleep for days
And moving lips to breathe her name
I opened up my eyes
And found myself alone alone
Alone above a raging sea
That stole the only girl I loved
And drowned her deep inside of me"
the cure

The rock goddesses have arrived. If it's not punk rock 80's then I don't know what it is.. Marc Jacobs show last night definitely took his audience back to a city that doesn't even exist any longer. These are the girls who would be stomping the grounds of lower east side and dancing the night away with their spiked heals on concrete bars. Outfits were layered as per usual but this time there was lots of black with splashes of bright neon like hues and seriously big shouldered jackets and tops. Mohawks and updo's galore.I must own this top!

Jill Stuart also nailed the rock goddess look down.. she even claims the show was inspired by, "iconic women of music." Her play on vicious vixen versus angelic angle was irreproachable. The mix of masculine to feminine was the perfect amount of salt and pepper!

Inspiration had to have been Courtney Love for this look.. which is marvelous!

And then you have primary colors! I had to post this because it totally reminds me of what me and my husbands kitchen will look like someday. All our kitchenware is Red, Blue and Yellow. Thanks Chris Benz.

I'm watching you

There are plenty of trends that have already made themselves known for fall 2009. One of the strongest I have seen has been cutouts. Everyone has thrown triangle like slashes and tears to either pants, shirts and even dresses. Then of course you have the great depression look... mens wear transformed into feminine silhouettes with extremely sharp edges. This look in particular I am loving because it seems to be taking tailoring to the next level and goes great with the punk rock accessories it's being styled with. I really loved this look by Karen Walker. She mixed the perfect amount of preppiness with hard core. Those red shoes pull the entire look together.
And then she pulled of my latest obsession with full monotone colors. I am totally enamored with grey on grey on grey! Of course she has some of her amazing sunglasses in the collection!!!! I sure would love a pair of those!Rag and Bone hit the nail on the head with the mix of blacks and navys. People always ask me if this is okay, you know, to wear black and navy together... answer, it's not only okay it's amazing! This look in particular really touched a warm place in my heart. The layering is perfect and the addition of the leather collar not only lets you know she is serious but that she could also kick your ass! Leather has been all over the runways. From corset like dresses, bomber jackets, to those silly leggings, and subtle details. I am very excited for the rest of the week. I will keep you updated on as much as possible. All photos are from style.com so you can always go and see entire collections there! enjoy.

let the week of fashion begin

Fashion Week has begun and I had the pleasure of heading over to the Abaeté show. Of course it was suppose to start at 12 and did not begin until 12:30.. boy they sure do love to make us wait! Nonetheless once the lights went down the show began and the first look was a beautiful black dress with the most amazing chain coin purse belt, designed my Thea Grant. I knew right away that this was gonna be good. The girls clothes were all adorned with amazing brooches, ribbons, belts and earrings! The collection was titled, Les Incroyables, which was a group of French gentelmen who rebelled against the Revolutionaries by dressing in extravagant clothing in the 18th century. On the runway there were plenty of ascots, highly tailored jackets, coat tails, the usual chiffon draped dresses and some lovely mixed prints. Lots of black, charcoal, and some vintage inspired colors, such as dusty rose and sterling blue. The models were also adorned with Abaeté's new shoe line for payless, which will mark her 13th collection for the super chain. I must say the jewelry definitely was the show stopper! check out style.com for great pics and click below to watch my video!

studio visit

I had the joy of spending the day in the BazzdeGrant studio with 3 of my favorite people. Husband and wife team, Thea and Nico and of course the best addition of all baby Grey! The studio was buzzing with drills, printers, bangs, and baby cooing. The two are super busy right now with getting ready for their fashion show collaboration with Abaete, which is tomorrow, and designing the new collection for Designer and Agents NY (feb 21-23). Please check out their website to view all collections and get the whole story on the amazing dynamic duo!
Looking forward to seeing the pieces they made for the show tomorrow, which will be kicking off my fashion week.. thanks for the invite!
www.bazzdegrant.com

arts for the hearts

Last night my husband and I decided to go and see the opening of the Visual Arts Gallery. Our dear friend Priscila Gonzales had two pieces there and boy were we impressed. I definitely suggest going to check it out.
Visual Arts Gallery 610 West 26th street, 15th floor. Feb 6th-Feb 21st.
Here are some of my favorites.



an amazing DVD they had playing called Inflatables by Joshua Allen Harris. They were creatures that were connected to the air vents above the subway and every time the trains came the animals sprung to life!






Priscilla and I in front of Lysistrata (Lysistrata is one of the few surviving plays written by the master of Old Comedy, Aristophanes. It's a comic account of one woman's extraordinary mission to end The Peloponnesian War. Lysistrata convinces the women of Greece to withhold sexual privileges from their husbands as a means of forcing the men to negotiate a peace, a strategy however that inflames the battle between the sexes). made from resin and collage. was hard to get a great picture of this cause my camera kept reflecting off the resin..


This painting by Sarah O'Donoghue really caught my eye. the colors are absolutely amazing and I love the shading and depth on the faces.

"Comic-Con"

I don't think words can describe my last three days! The Comic Convention has been taking place at the Javits and I was there working for Rockstar games.... I've never been to the "Comic-con" before and had no idea what I was getting into. I have made so many new friends and have had the pleasure of playing the brand new Grand Theft Auto (GTA) Chinatown Wars game for hours upon hours (if you own a Nintendo DS then this is the game for you, sorry folks only coming out on the DS). I was transplanted into a carnival filled with superheroes, toys, video games, and totally weird people! Storm trooper's, ugly doll's, hell boy's, chubaka's, batman's, joker's, and wonder women galore! I guess the comic kids, and mind you most weren't kids, live for this weekend. Gotta say I am glad it is over!