Feb 23, 2010 | Media
We recently interviewed Tommy Hilfiger backstage at his Fall 2010 show in New York…and found out that he is a true romantic, digs donuts, and can spell!
Listen to the interview below:
Or read the transcript:
Fashiontribes: What’s your philosophy to being successful in life?
Tommy Hilfiger: Never give up. Think positive.
FT: Favorite travel destination?
TH: The Caribbean.
FT: You have 2 minutes to pack – what do you bring?
TH: Jeans, button-down shirt, sneakers.
FT: If you were a type of junk food, what would you be?
TH: A Dunkin’ Donut.
FT: What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done for love?
TH: Flew my wife from Monaco over here, before we were married – and asked her to marry me!
FT: Are you a typical Aries?
TH: Yes.
FT: Adventurous and energetic; selfish and quick-tempered; pioneering and courageous?
TH: I’m not quick-tempered; I’m not that selfish because I share with my family and my children…but all the rest of it, yes.
FT: How do you spell happiness?
TH: H-a-p-p-i-n-e-s-s.
– Carly J. Cais, Contributing Editor
As written for FashionTribes.com
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Feb 23, 2010 | Fashion
Day 2 (Monday, a week ago) of my trip to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. I attended the
IFB Evolving Influence Conference and met a whole lot of cool bloggers (some whose blogs I’ve been reading for awhile, so I went totally fangirl on them!), and met a really cool girl who used to live in Portland! Due to time running over with the conference I missed the Jill Stuart show (total bummer, but since they never confirmed my RSVP, I’m not sure I would have been able to go anyway:-(. Then I managed to go to the Robert Verdi Retreat event [coverage coming soon – Lil Tot is hitting me in the head with a plastic cup so I can barely get through this post] and
scored TONS of swag which I still have to go through and decide what to give away on my little blog in the near future.:-) Then back to the tents for the Ecco Domani show (still gotta do a write-up ugh but SIKI IM was the awesomest thing I’ve seen in a looooong time there!) I missed the Thieves show, which I was also bummed about…but all in all it was a pretty full day.
Since New York was bitterly cold – I layered a pair of Insight Beanpole Ripped Jeans (similar here
) over a pair of tights for warmth – they’re ombre colored, going from light gray at the top to charcoal at the bottom, so the color just barely peeks through the rips in the jeans. I was going to layer over turquoise tights, but it really didn’t go with the top.
The top I made out of charcoal gray lightweight suiting fabric. I know it’s hard to see – but it has a center front pleat, and then a double-layered ruffle at the bottom, with grey chiffon sandwiched in between. You can wear it with a plain skirt to look business-like or over jeans (like here) to be more casual.
I’m thinking it would be better without the front pleat and with a rounded neckline instead of the semi-V neck it has now. What do you guys think?
This is a fabulous tissue-weight tee from Mossimo (Target) that I wore TONS as a layering piece in New York. It’s so soft and surprisingly warm – best $9.99 I ever spent!!
The silver stretch pyramid bracelet is no longer available from Forever21 but the Lacquered Pyramid Bangle (in Black/Gold or Black/Silver) is here for $4.80.
Handmade studded fabric ring. I wear this all the time.
I got so many compliments on this ring it was ridiculous! I was like – “no, pay attention to the ring and shirt I MADE, please!!” It’s disheartening when, as a designer, the stuff you are wearing that you bought in a store is garnering more attention than the stuff you made. Obviously I need to learn to wear my things to an advantage.;-) But it’s a cool ring and a great conversation-started! ($5.80 at Forever21, people!!)
I am growing more and more in love with this color of Chanel nail polish
. (Saw it on WhoWhatWear, to be honest, and though I was originally looking for O.P.I. Over the Taupe, this is pretty lovely.) It’s a deep mushroom color that in some lights looks like a dark cafe latte color, and in some a light gray with the slightest hint of brown. Plus, it lasts a really long time since it’s Chanel and great quality.
I also added my clip-on Priscilla hair extensions…I so miss my long hair!! (Can’t wait til this current cut grows out…*sigh*) I
love that the extensions are already curly and heat-resistant so I can style them how I want to. Wilshire Wigs has a great selection of clip-in extensions…HairDo hair extensions (from Ken Paves and Jessica Simpson) are super-realistic and great quality!
xoxox
Carly
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Feb 22, 2010 | Fashion
It just so happens that STEPS is a few steps away from the tens at Bryant Park. I checked in there last year, and though their stuff was cute and affordable, I didn’t feel like it much differed from what was sold at places like Jeans Warehouse or Forever21. This year – HUGE difference.
New buyer, new brands – and just stocked with some great stuff. Bright atmosphere – and ton of clothes to look through and squeal over. (Though I can’t say the staff is the most friendly or helpful; my one caveat.)
I almost bought this double-layered tank, but it only came in brown – apparently the gray had sold out. Super-cute for summer!
I could literally buy the whole front half of the store. Piece after piece: tops, dresses, jackets for Spring, had incredible details, unique (albeit a little flimsy) construction – and it was stuff I had seen nowhere else. And so affordable! Tops and jackets ranged from $39.99 (sale) to at the highest $69.99; with dresses and pants somewhere in the middle. Accessories clocked in from $9 – $40. drooooool
Here are a few fabulous pieces I found:
Loved the embellishment hanging off of this – and ended up buying it for $19.99.
White leather zipper skirt – $59.99.
Ombre-dyed crochet-back tank-and-cardigan combo.
Pleated dress for $59.99.
Velvet lavender Western-style shirt with studded pocket flaps.
Studded tank dress under sheer pocket vest/dress.
I bought this coat too – a lovely waffle-knit convertible front cropped jacket. So warm – and the front flaps can be buttoned down in various ways! (Only $39.99 on sale!)
I also managed to swing by AlphabetsNYC [their website has been COMING SOON for a year now] on the Lower East Side, one of the few boutiques I had visited last year, where I bought my Ryu double-hood tunic top for a steal (that I’m wearing here in the photo with Yigal Azrouel). AlphabtsNYC is divided – one store is a music/CD store, the other, a knicknacks/gifts/clothing boutique. Both store sides are crowded and crammed with items – kind of kitschy; a little vintage-looking and tongue-in-cheek…but the clothes are a whole ‘nother story!
This is what the left-hand part of the store looks like if you’ve never been there.
You head to the lefthand storefront and way into the back, and there are racks for both women’s and men’s clothing and accessories. (The sales staff is pretty indifferent, so I just leave them alone.) My male friend oohed and aahed over a cracquel-grain leather briefcase with flap pockets for $150, and turned over hat after hat rendered in tweeds and dandy-ish pinstripes. I concerned myself with the women’s clothing racks on the right – in the far back; both top and bottom racks are a whopping 70% off [unmarked, so you have to ask and make sure!] and I could barely contain myself at the fabulosity – AND the prices.
Sweet little owl-print tank.
Ark & Co chiffon blouse with trim detailing for $39.99. What a great use of trim around the neckline!
A gorgeous windowpane lasercut A-line silk dress for only $25.50???? (Marked down from $86.)
I ended up with the sweetest little sheath constructed of wide ribbon fringes in graduating colors, for only $25! Truly a chic steal!
A close-up of the fabulous square-cut fringe piecing on the front of the dress.
If you are ever in the area you MUST check these boutiques out:
STEPS 1040 6th Ave map it
AlphabetsNYC 115 Avenue A (12 pm – 8 pm daily) map it
Have any of you ever been to these boutiques?
xoxo
Carly
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Feb 21, 2010 | Fashion
Finally, a chance to visit Century 21! I hadn’t been able to last year when I was in town, but this year I firmly avowed (on Valentine’s Day, no less) to stop by.
If you’ve never been inside Century 21 – this is what it looks like.
Racks upon racks of clothing, in some areas separated by designer, in some, marked just “Skirts 0-6”, and in some “SALE – European Designers” or something like that.
The jewelry I wasn’t too impressed with.
But you come for the clothing. And ohmigosh what alot of it! You literally need hours to sort through everything, and even then there will be racks you’ve overlooked and missed. There’s so much in the wrong section, on the floor, or two things shoved onto the same hanger – so you’ve really, really got to look.
But when you do – gaspworthy finds.
A $1910 Pringle of Scotland nubby silk and brushstroked dress marked down to $129.99???? Swoon. (Sorry I forgot to snap a photo of the dress. Assured it was amazing. Now I’m sorry I didn’t buy it…even though the fabric and hem were quite worn and had some damage.)
A $640 Iodice dress on sale for $49.99? (You can see how the bodice has been ripped and pulled in the photo above, which is why it was marked with the red SALE sticker.)
$1045 Lanvin t-shirt on sale for $119.99. You can see how the ribbon detailing is frayed at the bottom.
$385 Galliano beaded tee on sale for $58.99. This was in pretty good condition.
But- a huge caveat to many would-be bargain-hunters: much of the clothing was dirty, torn, or had been trampled. I agonized over a $355 Vivienne Westwood Red Label puff-sleeve top that had literally been ripped in half, having my friend hold up both sides as I tried it on and tried to determine if I could fix it well-enough to be worn. It was marked down to $25.99, but considering the significant damage and the fact that fixing it would alter the fit of the body, I demurred. But it was so hard! $25.99 for a Vivienne Westwood!!! (But it was made of fabric that felt cheaper and more flimsy than the worst Forever21 piece…so common sense dictated letting it go.)
After only about 20 minutes of browsing, what with the people, the noise, the crowds, etc. I started to feel light-headed and had to leave. I was not feeling physically able to even visit the shoe section, though I saw they had some Vince Camuto booties that I wanted to try on. Oh well, another time! One definitely needs stamina to go here!
If you have never gone – definitely put aside at least a couple hours – and some PowerBars! – to fully take in the designer discount awesomeness.
Century 21 (Cortlandt St. store in the Financial District) – map it on Google
xoxox
Carly
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Feb 19, 2010 | Fashion
Crumbs Bake Shop cupcakes r da bomb!! [You can drool over all their flavors here.] I’ve limited myself to one per year – which is what it will take me to work off all the calories.:-)
White Hot Chocolate Cupcake: Vanilla Cake filled with white chocolate mousse topped with vanilla cream cheese frosting edged with mini white chocolate chips and topped with marshmallows and white chocolate drizzle.
Yup. Heaven in cake form.
As a side note: What do you think of my Gickr animation? It’s my first using this site’s feature – I thought it was pretty neat!
xoxox
Carly
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Feb 19, 2010 | Fashion
Picking up a O.N.E. water on the way out from the Pamella Roland show, and reading the label:
“‘Renewability Matters.’ [laughs] That’s how I live my life!”
-Carly J. Cais
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Feb 19, 2010 | Fashion
Wow, talk about a star-studded show! The front row contained: Real Housewives of NYC Alex McCord and Ramona Singer (with poor Jill Zarin stuck in standing room far, far away), ANTM’s Nigel Barker, Rosemary Ponzo, J. Alexander, and Brooke Shields!! [swarmed by media people]
A model sporting a crazy mask straight out of one of Tim Burton’s fantasies began a diverse and fashion-packed show.
(Looking at the photos above, I’m noticing some looks missing from the array. There was actually a wider range of styles shown by the designer and I’m annoyed they’re not all on the industry website available for download. I’m really sorry about that!)
The breadth and range of styles was staggering: from ready-to-wear separates, to activewear, to office-appropriate attire, to chic cocktail looks, to evening gowns, to wedding gowns – Pamella Roland showcased it all. The collection was designed “to convey the confidence and empowerment of today’s woman,” the designer says. Inspired by “classic Venetian glamour…the city’s simultaneously dramatic and delicate state, Roland has created a collection infused with dark, decadent colors and luxe fabrics that speak to Venice’s grand palazzos
, lavish festivals, and shimmering canals.”
I’m not into the shiny fabrics and jewel tones so much; and overall the collection felt disjointed and less like a Runway Collection per se…and more geared towards the retail market. But the clean lines of the white cocktail dress spoke volumes about the sophistication the designer is able to infuse into her pieces, and the last wedding gown was a breathtaking example of craftsmanship. (The model wearing the finale wedding gown couldn’t make the turn at the end of the runway – she stumbled and tripped upon her dress, smiled a little, tried to take another step, and stepped on the train again. She was losing composure when the audience began clapping in encouragement, and, smiling gratefully, she finally pulled the long, cumbersome train of ripped chiffon flowers around the turn and back down the runway.) The amazing Swarovski brooches on the hats caught my eye, as well as the sparkling tights, the back of a t-strap gown, and the Swarovski-encrusted boots are a Fall 2010 TREND IN THE MAKING! (Totally DIY-able by the way…perhaps I’ll do it!;-)
View the video of the runway show here.
And, if you really like Pamella Roland, you can buy some ready-to-wear pieces from her amazingly affordable Sterling for Pamella Roland Collection from QVC (pictured above), which debuted live from Bryant Park last night at 10:00 PM EST. Hurry, these pieces are going quickly! (And I have my eye on the $54.36 Exaggerated Collar Cropped Jacket, strangely enough, in the pictured salmon color!)
What is your take on the runway collection? Do you like the QVC pieces?
xoxox
Carly
runway photos source
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Feb 19, 2010 | Fashion
From The Daily’s Beauty Bar:
*a Rowenta-branded garment bag
*I Love Cafe Bustelo fabric tote
*Cafe Bustelo Coffee drink
*$50 gift certificate to Townhouse Spa
Another one of those head-scratchers: a capsule of pure saffron threads, from the Leifsdottir show. Now I know they’re pretty expensive as culinary additives go…and you can dye fabric with them….but I’m still a little clueless as to how they relate to the show/collection/theme/brand. Hmmmm.
And – the absolute pinnacle of the tidal wave of free stuff…the item of swag that eclipses every single other thing in its utter awesomeness…
An HD Flip Mino, courtesy of Tommy Hilfiger.
Again, burbling and gibbering on my part. How I wish I had had this not at the end of the week, just before the last show! (I had only managed to take a couple videos on my Blackberry before the whole video function died. Well, I think I deleted some critical .dat file from the Blackberry during an upload, but I still don’t know what I did or how to fix it so that I can take videos on it again.)
But a Flipcam! Staggering. Now to figure out how to use it.:-)
I feel so incredibly lucky to be doing this! I feel so amazingly fortunate to be working with my editor and with FashionTribes.com.
Thank you Lesley! You rock.;-)
xoxox
Carly
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Feb 19, 2010 | Fashion
Can you say charisma? Wow. Just…wow. Still gibbering after my one-and-a-half-minute interview with him. To date, he’s probably the most famous person I’ve interviewed. I wonder if James Lipton ever feels like this?
*nbleudjfsdlfslenublub.* Will become more coherent soon.
xoxox
Carly
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Feb 19, 2010 | Fashion, Life
Well, that flew by in an instant! I feel like I’ve barely kept you guys in the loop as to the shows and stuf.
Well, coming forthwith will be the writeups of the following shows:
*Luca Luca
*Vassilios Kostetsos
*Pamela Rolland
*Ecco Domani
*Samantha Pleet
*c. marchuska
*Leifsdottir
*Tommy Hilfiger
I’m so honored and thrilled that I could have been here for the last season that the shows will be at the iconic tents of Bryant Park. It truly is the End of an Era!
What an amazing week. Thank you for following along with me!
xoxox
Carly
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