Bergdorf's Shoes About Town

Here's your next fashion/social media tid-bit. Bergdorf Goodman's blog, 5th/58th, has just launched the coolest online initiative for shoe-lovers everywhere!

Shoes About Town is an interactive map of Manhattan that features user-uploaded Instagram photos of women's shoes at "their" favorite locales. Examples so far include a pair of Chanel booties at LADURÉE* on Madison Avenue and Jimmy Choo platforms spending time on the Highline.  When users upload their photos via Instagram, the geo-locator is used to assign the proper location of the shoes to the map.

My next project: add a photo of my Louboutins hanging out in Soho. Where do you and your shoes hang out?

If you are big into designer shoes, and don't mind tantalizing yourself a bit, you can also download Bergdorf's iPhone app, "Today's Shoe."  Every day users are sent a new pair of shoes, from the store's collection of very-high-end designers like Brian Atwood, Lanvin, Christian Louboutin and Miu Miu, to name a few.  [Lucky people who don't need to to pay rent] can click to buy straight from the app. Brace yourselves, prices start at about $400 and don't stop at the $1,000 mark!  Perhaps just for inspiration...

*If there's one thing you can afford to buy from this post, it's a macaron from LADURÉE!  This famous French store from the Champs-Elysées in Paris has just opened it's first U.S. location at 864 Madison Avenue near 70th Street.  Stop by for a macaron in one of the unbelievable and imaginative flavors offered, such as Madagascar chocolate, Black Forest Cherry or Caramel with Salted Butter.  It won't enhance your wardrobe, but it will be French and fabulous.  Enjoy!

Michael Kors is All That: Part II

Reason #2:

His New Blog

I am proud to say that my love affair with Michael Kors began long before he became a household name, through his role on Project Runway alongside Heidi Klum.  I noticed his classic, classy clothing and accessories years ago and quickly became a convert (At Filene's, in Boston, before Macy's devoured my former favorite department store).  These days, Michael Kors runs a veritable fashion empire, with three separate lines, stores in 58 countries, and a huge product offering that now includes jewelry (see post "Part I").

A few weeks ago, to top it all off, Kors launched a travel blog called Destination Kors.  The blog is fantastic, with links to the Michael Kors Kors YouTube channel, photos of each look from his new collection, pictures and blurbs from his "Travel Diary" and more. I especially love the Weekly Style Tip and the street style photo roll, "How do You Wear MK?"  This fantastic blog was clearly the next move in what has been a career full of growth and success: 

About Michael Kors

Michael Kors now has a whopping 83 "lifestyle" stores in the United States, that carry his Michael Kors, MICHAEL Michael Kors and KORS lines of ready-to-wear, shoes and accessories.  This is not even including the countless specialty and department stores that carry Michael Kors, or outlets.  Michael, Michael, everywhere!

You know a designer has made it big when the Council of Fashion Designers of America presents them with one of its annual awards.  Last year, in 2010, Kors won the CFDA's Lifetime Acheivement Award, an incredibly prestigious honor whose past recipients include Calvin Klein, Karl Lagerfeld, Diane von Furstenberg and Caroline Herrera.  The Lifetime Acheivement Award is presented to designers who have offered a "lifetime" of consistent, creative influence and dedication to fashion.  At 50, Kors is the youngest ever to win.  I love how each winner brings something different to the fashion forefront.  As far as Michael Kors' contribution, I will always adore his simple, structured handbags, modern women's wear and affordable/beautiful watches.

For Value-Seekers
For economically-minded shoppers, the MICHAEL Michael Kors line of handbags especially offers incredible value.  Full sized bags range from $178 (totes) to $498 (satchels), with a selection of clutches and cross-body bags for between $68 and $198.  My favorite picks for this fall are the Small Saddle Messenger Bag in Peanut ($198), perfect for roaming around on the weekends, and the top-handled "Margo," in Luggage, soo amazing for a polished professional look.  An MK bag, given the proper care, can be used for a lifetime!  For the best deals, monitor sales at department stores where Michael Kors is sold. 

Fall Fashion Fun

For its Fall 2011 collection, the French brand LANVIN decided to do something a little different.  And by a little, I mean a lot.  Please, please, please click the link below to watch LANVIN's YouTube video of both female and male supermodels dancing to the tune of "I Know You Want Me" by Pitbull in various ensembles from the line.  Yep, it's amazing!

LANVIN Fall 2010 Collection

How is this related to affordable fashion you ask?  I've given it some thought and, yes, there is a correlation.  This video reflects the way that online and social media are influencing the way the world is beginning to think about communication.  Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Foursquare, etc. represent the future of online communication. Get with it, people!  Not only do these channels offer a great way to converse directly with the brands you love, there are also exclusive products, deals and experiences on the sites!  

Example A: Those who "Like" Diane von Furstenberg re eligible to buy a Facebook-only dress (one every month!).

Example B: Gilt Group offers certain sales to it's Facebook users only!

Example C: For Fashion Week earlier this year, Foursquare users were entered for a chance to win tickets to the designer's show by friending him first, then checking in at any Marc Jacobs store.  Four winners were chosen!

 

Fashion homework: go "Like" your favorites now!