Text, Vivian G. Kelly
The Reem Acra doll signing at FAO Schwartz
Timestamp: Friday, October 26th, 12 noon
Location: FAO’s flagship, 5th Avenue and 59th Street, 2nd floor, the Barbie Salon
Sometimes, designers do collaborations that are a bit more light-hearted.
We caught up for a moment with Reem Acra at the tail end of a personal appearance she did at FAO Schwartz’ flagship, where she was signing the boxes of the new Reem Acra Bride Barbie Doll. There wasn’t a single child to be found at the event, but there WAS a long line of women who qued up for the privilege of meeting Reem. When asked if she believed that Barbie was still relevant, Ms. Acra smiled broadly and declared, “Barbie is still very relevant!” “It’s every girl’s dream to design a gown for Barbie.”
The new Platinum Label doll retails for $179.95, about 1/20 the price of the actual life-size gown.
Barbie’s gown is an actual Reem Acra design that brides have worn and can order. It’s a great example of Ms. Acra’s skill in being able to design for every body type, a key component to her phenomenal success in the bridal market.
Image of Reem Acra, courtesy of Reem Acra
Image of the Reem Acra Platinum Bride Barbie Doll, courtesy of Mattel
The Target Virtual Fashion Show
Timestamp: November, 6th, 10:00am
Location: Grand Central Station, 42nd Street, NYC
Images, Albert Ferreira/Startraksphoto.com
Group shot [from left]: Mossimo, Dominique Cohen, Liz Lange, Erin Fetherston, Isaac Mizrahi, Keenan Duffty
It was an odd sight to witness – a pack of photographers shooting an animated video rather than live models. What seems new today has a way of becoming S.O.P. [standard operating procedure] tomorrow. We may have witnessed the way of the future, a new way to do a fashion show with far fewer costs: no models, no hair, no makeup, no dressers.
The headless models in the show were amusing and it worked because we didn’t become distracted by the girls and focused exclusively on the clothing and accessories shown. This is after all, the point of a fashion show.
Best moment: Designer Keenan Duffty’s virtual rock band wearing the Bowie by Keanan Duffty collection, which is on fire and was almost completely sold out by show time.
Keenan spoke to us afterwards about working with the legendary David Bowie:
LYRA MAG: You’re in a band yourself with Clem Burke [Blondie], Glen Matlock [Sex Pistols] and Earl Slick [David Bowie].
What was it like working with a rock legend?
KEANAN DUFFTY: Everything clichéd that’s been said about David is true, it was totally a pleasure working with him.
LM: Did you have access to him?
KD: Absolutely. For this collection we collaborated on pieces that were inspired by his Ziggy Stardust jumpsuit. There’s a shirt for $24.99 and an exclusive CD for Target.
LM: Good to see the collection’s blowing-out! Will we be seeing you at Fashion Week in February?
KD: Yes, we missed last time because our band had gigs during NY Fashion Week. The new collection is more subdued and tailored, as that’s the direction I’m going in now – more “grown-up”.
The Bowie by Keanan Duffty line is available at Target until December 24, 2007.
Accessory Alert: Target GO Designer, Dominique Cohen creates a “great luxury rocking look”
Dominique was wearing 2 substantial adjustable necklaces that looked far pricier than the $90 they go for at retail.
It’s apparent by the luxurious detail work, that she’s accustomed to designing high-end jewelry. Some notable details: hand-dyed 100% silk ribbons, lace-covered beads
Dominique Cohen for Target has been in stores since August and will be available until March 2008. Hurry-up though, as customers are grabbing onto a good thing and buying not just one D.C. piece; they’re buying them in multiples!
Says Dominique, “This is the ultimate compliment”.
What she loves about working with Target: the opportunity to reach young [teen] customers and to start building brand loyalty with them at a young age.
In parting, she offered a few fashion do’s and don’t:
Do: mix Dominique Cohen for Target with luxury leather goods.
Don’t: mix Dominique Cohen for Target with her $500 - $50,000 jewelry.
Do: wear same collection jewelry in multiples.
Coming soon : Next month Dominique will be launching her New Madison Avenue Store where you can pickup her designs, this time in 18K yellow gold as well as some luxury leather goods.
www.target.com
The Bruno Jamais 5th Anniversary Celebration/Party
Timestamp: Tuesday, November 6th, 4:30 until ??
Location: The Bruno Jamais Supper Club
24 East 81st Street, NYC
Bruno Jamais and Katherine M. Rothman CEO of KMR Communications, Inc threw open the doors of the European style supper club to fete the Club’s 5th Anniversary Celebration. The evening featured hors d’oeuvres, champagne and wine courtesy of Champagne Paul Goerg and MetroWine respectively.
Our table also enjoyed our new favorite vodka, Christiania Vodka . This Norwegian vodka is better than the much touted Grey Goose and about $10 cheaper when you go to pick up a bottle at the liquor store. Christiania is currently produced at the venerable Arcus Distillery in Norway by a recipe that includes six-times column distillation, 4 generations of charcoal filtration and a unique aeration process, which eliminates the last impurities.
It’s almost a shame to pollute this smooth vodka with mixers, but if you must, it makes for an excellent Cosmopolitan, which one of the bartenders at Bruno’s whipped up for us.
The restaurant was transformed into an art gallery for the evening featuring the works of famed French Artist Cyrille Margarit whose celebrity clients and subjects have included Russell Simons, Ivana Trump, Madonna, and Bruce Willis. Guests had the opportunity to enter a raffle to win luxe goodies such as a $25,000 necklace courtesy of Suz Andreasen Couture, and a $5,000 gift certificate Bradford Rowley Portraits. $1,600 was raised through the raffle and 100% of all proceeds will benefit the charity www.RiverKeeper.org
VIPS present included: Czech Republic Trade Commissioner Thomas Hart, Fox Five Chief Meteorologist Nick Gregory, and La Goulue Restaurant’s general manager Steven Jauffrineau.
Image of Christiana vodka bottle, courtesy of Pam Bristow LLC
Images of Bruno Jamais Invitation, and group photo [from left]: Cyrille Margarit, Katherine Rothman,Bruno Jamais, Metrowine CEP Patrick Baughier, courtesy of KMR Communications, Inc
www.brunojamais.com
Ph: 212 396-3444