Donna Karan

Today is the official start to the Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week for Fall 2013 Collections! Wow, okay, not excited? I can almost hear your “over-it” sighs proceeded by an exaggerated eye rolling. I know, I know, another year, another fashion week. You are fans of fashion, heck, you live for fashion, but you feel like a kid during recess who is left out of an exciting game of kickball. Year after year you read reviews straight from the runways, drool over photos, and watch six-foot tall models from around the globe strut around your city like they own the place. There are fashion events everywhere and you are not invited. I get it. But fashionistas do not give up! Do not throw away the opportunity to be ahead of the trends and to keep up on all the happenings of your favorite designers simply because you feel left out! Seize the opportunities that this year’s fashion week is presenting to us! With more public events plus the ability to now stream runway shows live online, you will have the same perks that Anna Wintour has! Well, almost. Ok, not really. But let’s pretend because this is your ultimate chance to get out your notebooks, jot down your favorite looks and participate in the fashion gossip that is buzzing around on the web, whether it be on a message board or your own fashion blog, as well as talk shop in person with fellow fashionistas at fun and free events.

Fashion Week Kick-Off!

Tonight is the night to schmooze as you sip champagne with industry insiders and celebrities alike. Head over to XL Nightclub for the Official NY Fashion Week Kickoff Party when doors open at 8pm to assure entry and to grab yourself a prime time spot in order to people watch and see which fashion maven you can talk up in order to score an invitation to the upcoming week’s runway shows.

THURSDAY, February 7th — Fashion Week Day One

This year, Lincoln Center expects to see more than 100,000 people in their Damrosch Park during eight days of fashion. Many fashion lovers will camp outside the invitation only shows to simply people watch and spy on what the who’s-who of fashion is wearing. But it’s too cold for that this year. You, my friend have an invitation of your own this time around. Such sites as newyork.mbfashionweek.com and livestream.com, as well as designer’s respective official sites, will offer a live view of their individual runway shows.

From here on out, follow the links we provide for shows that we recommended in order to snag a front row seat to all the fashionable action.

9 a.m. ET — Nicolas K

10 a.m. ET — BCBGMAXAZRIA

FRIDAY, February 8th — Fashion Week Day Two

3 p.m. ET – Rebecca Minkoff

In between live streams, head down to Bloomingdale’s in SoHo to shop brand new ready-to-wear collections from noted emerging designers. Designers featured in this one-time showcase include Aristotle Rosario, Daniella Kallmeyer and Sunghee Bang. Pair your hot new clothing with accessories from on the rise jewelers Anna Coroneo, Laura Wass and Leonard Bridges. All designers noted above were the winners selected from Bloomingdale’s B Seen program in January.

6 p.m. ET – Nicole Miller

SATURDAY, February 9th — Fashion Week Day Three

11 a.m. ET – Jill Stuart

The popular Nolita restaurant Ken & Cook will play home to a special event titled “A Night of Art Meets Fashion,” which is hosted by Amy Poliakoff from Bravo’s “Gallery Grils.” This pop-up is a mash-up of stunning pieces by talented artists and designers alike. All artwork, by both established and upcoming artists, will be on sale during a fun cocktail reception starting at 9pm. Also available for purchase will be unique fashion items from Fashion Week designers during a lively fashion show presentation at 11pm. Proceeds will benefit Women’s Cancer Research and the Hurricane Sandy Relief Kitchen.

SUNDAY, February 10th — Fashion Week Day Four

2 p.m. ET – Tracy Reese

4 p.m. ET – Diane von Furstenberg

6 p.m. ET – Vivienne Tam

MONDAY, February 11th — Fashion Week Day Five

10 a.m. ET – Carolina Herrera

2 p.m. ET – Donna Karan

5 p.m. ET – Betsey Johnson

Monday evening in the West Village brings us another fun and fashionable benefit. From 7pm-10pm Ayza Wine and Chocolate Bar (our two favorite things) will celebrate Fashion Week as they host “Sip IN Style,” and evening full of live jazz music, fashion inspired cocktails, and raffles for designer handbags and jewelry, all benefiting the New York City based charity Dress For Success. Simply RSVP to [email protected] to get your name on the list.

TUESDAY, February 12th — Fashion Week Day Six

10 a.m. ET – Badgley Mischka

11 a.m. ET – Vera Wang

3 p.m. ET – Dennis Basso

6:30 p.m. ET – Oscar de la Renta

WEDNESDAY, February 13th — Fashion Week Day Seven

10 a.m. ET – Michael Kors

11 a.m. ET – Nanette Lepore

1 p.m. ET – Rachel Zoe

2 p.m. ET – J. Mendel

6 p.m. ET – Anna Sui

THURSDAY, February 14th — Fashion Week Day Eight

Happy Valentine’s Day! Unfortunately neither Ralph Lauren nor Calvin Klein wish to be our valentine and in turn are not offering live streams of their runway shows. That’s fine. We’ll just have to stalk to trades for reviews of this one.

So until the next go-round of live streams and fashionable events, Bye Bye Bye Fashion Week! It’s been fun!

By Caitlin Colford

In case you missed all the fun (and free drinks) last night at Fashion’s Night Out, here are some pics from some of the Upper East Side stores who opened their doors to all of us. First off, it felt like the number of stores celebrating the event has diminished from last year.

Then, there were the private parties, some of which we get. Yes, I was not dressed for a Chanel party, but J Crew? Wasn’t democracy and affordability the whole idea behind the brand?

Where were the crowds? At Bergdorf Goodman,  Michael Kors and New York and Co. 
What was the most fun appearance? The Great Dane at Georg Jensen.
A big surprise? Running literally into Donna Karan at her event.

DONNA KARAN at Fashion’s Night Out 2012

BERGDORF GOODMAN Fashion’s Night Out 2012

SCHUTZ Fashion’s Night Out 2012

MICHAEL KORS Fashion’s Night Out 2012

GEORG JENG Fashion’s Night Out 2012

GEORG JENSES Fashion’s Night Out 2012

ALICE AND OLIVIA Fashion’s Night Out 2012

First off, it’s not just DKNY; The sample sale at 260 Fifth Avenue has a little bit of everything  from “The Queen of Seventh Avenue”: Donna Karan, DKNY, DKNY Jeans, DKNY Pure, even a few collection items.

Since we were lucky enough to be invited to the preview, we got a chance to see what they had at the opening. But if you are concerned that they will run out of merchandise by the time you get there, don’t be. We were reassured that they will re-stock with the same items throughout the week. The well organized, well attended sale is certainly designed to put a smile on everyone’s face, although women, by far, get the most attention. The prices are extraordinary with one exception; read on, we are getting there.

Before you start shopping look at the price list on the wall, take a picture of it, and check it out as often as you need. The prices are not marked on the label, so it  is  a good idea to keep that phone handy.  I personally started the preview in the mens section where there are blazers, trousers, shoes, sweaters and outwear –  pretty much everything he needs. The extensive blazer selection has mainly summer items with just a couple in wool. Sorry, no men’s fitting room.

Women’s shoes are from DKNY with a few pairs from Donna Karan. Make sure you understand the difference between the two, as price and quality are quite different. There are also belts and tights and gloves and accessories, oh my. I think I’ve even noticed an iPad sleeve in somebody’s hand.

Now, about the prices. We thought everything was priced EXTREMELY well (see image with complete price list) until I was charged 30 dollars for a t-shirt that had a retail suggested  value of 50 dollars.  I am not sure what  rule they applied when discounting t-shirts, but it just didn’t seem consistent with the discount rate used on the other items.

The women’s apparel section had everything between cozy sweaters, outerwear, comfy jersey dresses, trousers, jeans, sequin blouses and evening gowns. Everything is organized by number, and there are so many things that are worth talking about, that I am going to conclude these annotations by encouraging you to go today.

Doors open at 10 AM: 260 Fifth Avenue (Between 28th & 29th Streets)

WHEN: 8/21 – 8/25; Tue (10-8), W-Th (9-8), F (10-6), Sat (10-5)

WHERE: 260 Fifth Avenue
(Between 28th & 29th Streets)
New York, NY 10001
N / R/ 6 Trains to 28th Street

By Mirela Gluck
Photographs Micky Filip