Fashion Junkie

Mackage Arm Candy

I’ve been counting down the days ‘til Mackage’s highly anticipated handbag line hit the market. Alas, my friends – the moment has finally arrived! (more…)

Get Punk’d!

Moda Operandi’s Exclusive Punk Shop

Inspired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s ‘Punk: Chaos to Couture’ exhibit, which recently debuted in New York, I’ve been obsessively canvassing the web in search of some St. Mark’s-worthy fashions.

Out of all the offerings I came across – from ripped Ramone’s T’s fastened with safety pins, stud-embellished combat boots to razor blade cuffs, Moda Operandi’s exclusive punk shop contains the most original and outlandish selection. One particular piece worth collecting – provided you can cough up the cash; this avant-garde Thom Browne wool zipped kilt, currently available for only $3,820.

Thom Browne Zippered Kilt, $3,820

Andy Thê-Anh, zipper panel skirt, $300

Good thing I’ve always been a hoarder when it comes to clothes. With fashion trends being so cyclical, I’m fearful of hastily giving a once-coveted designer item away knowing it could eventually be back in style. Case in point: this edgy Andy Thê-Anh multi-directional zipper panel skirt (a.k.a. the car wash) – a punk-inspired masterpiece I purchased nearly a decade ago at a Montreal boutique for $300. Note how striking similar it looks to the Thom Browne couture piece mentioned above… but at a fraction of the cost.

The moral of the story: anyone who takes trends too seriously will clearly get punk’d.

Rompers… How Old Is Too Old?

Lover Eternity Romper, $649 at Shopbop.com

Maybe it’s the kid in me, but I’ve never been a big proponent of  those popular “How To Dress Your Age” magazine articles – too authoritative and limiting for my youthful taste. Having recently hit the big 4-0, I’m happily breaking “the rules” by donning mini skirts, bikinis (even after having twins) and dare I say, hot pants (better call the fashion police!) Full disclosure: I do have slight traces of cellulite and those dreaded spider veins. But… I do my best to keep it together with daily workouts and a heathy Mediterranean diet, save those early morning spoonfulls of Nutella. Given that gravity will eventually take its toll, I prefer to celebrate the skin I’m in today, rather than dwell on that dreadful birth certificate. Which reminds me, I’ll be celebrating yet another birthday in just 3 weeks! But I digress… (more…)

You Snooze, You Lose! Fashion Junkie’s Closet Castoffs Up For Grabs!

As a follow-up to yesterday’s post regarding my compulsive shopping habit, I thought it only fitting to report on another downside of making so many impulse purchases. The obvious: I’m now stuck with dozens of barely worn designer shoes, handbags, coats and countless other items.

As a New York-based Fashion Junkie with no storage (yup… I’ve invaded all 3 closets in my apt, including my hubby’s and kids), I donate whatever castoffs I can to Housing Works every season. But the more coveted designer pieces a la Alexander Wang (size 6 feet, anyone?) and Gucci, are cramming my closets and desperately need a new and loving home. I’ve periodically posted on eBay and Craigslist, but feel they don’t always attract the kind of niche audience that I’m looking for. Plus, they’re lacking an expertly curated and social component that make online shopping that much more fun.

Lucky for me, the business of luxury online fashion resale is booming. Throughout the last year alone, a proliferation of sites such as Material Wrld, Vaunte, The Real Real, Posh Mark, Shop Hers, Copious and Covetique have set up shop, each offering their distinct take on how to best feature pre-owned designer wares culled from fashion influencers and in some cases, celebs. Aside from the fun and addictive social elements such as building-up a following of like-minded serial shoppers, the biggest benefit of joining said communities: hard core Fashion Junkie’s, including yours truly, can continuously refresh your wardrobe with one-of-a-kind luxury finds at a fraction of the retail cost while cashing-in on items that would normally collect dust and clutter your closet. On that note, you can find a handful of my very own closet castoffs up for grabs on Material Wrld.

Happy Shopping!

xo

Alexander Wang Leather Booties, Size  6

Gucci aviator frames. bought at Ideeli’s NYC headquarters – never worn!

Pour La Victoire pony-hair leopard print wedges, size 6

See by Chloe Suede Knee-High Slouch Boots, Size 6

Fashion Junkie Facelift, Version 3.0

Dara Fleischer… Your Shopping Chaperone

Welcome to the revamped, FashionJunkie.com! I’ve spent the past few months shopping (naturally) and overhauling the site, giving it a much-needed facelift. Version 3.0, if you will. You’ll find the same Fashion Junkie Fixations that you’ve come to know and love such as my globe-trekking shopping safari adventures, Shop Talk, Clothes Encounters, Beauti-Fixations and of course, personal shopping services and tailor-made NYC shopping tours. You’ll be pleased to know that I’ve also added some exciting new things into the mix, including:

• Fashion Junkie Junior – in celebration of pint-sized fashionistas along with my very own 3 year-old boy/girl twins (a.k.a., NoLa)
• Shop  –  my gently worn closet castoffs up for grabs (Alexander Wang, anyone?)
• Social Junkie – the FJ community now spans across Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and more

So, without further adieu, I invite you to explore Fashion Junkie 3.0. Let me know what you think… I love hearing from you.

xo
Happy Shopping!