Filed under: Shop Talk

Social Diva

imageWhen it comes to jet-setting, do you want ‘More Everything’ (and by ‘More Everything’ we mean that your lifestyle includes VIP access to the hippest hotels, your own guest list at the hottest night spots, and chilled bubbly awaiting you at the coolest restaurants)?

If you answered yes, and love to live the luxe jetSet life, Social Diva and journeyPod have big news for you!

Social Diva – the free email newsletter and website that offers ‘More Everything’ by keeping you in the know about all that is diva-worthy – and journeyPod – the premier insider’s guide to luxurious travel around the world – are hooking you up with the chance to win one of their Special VIP Giveaways, including a swag bag filled with luxurious goodies, and an uber-fabulous, all-expenses paid trip to Miami!

Click here for more information and your chance to win!

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Filed: Shop Talk

Double Take

imageBeing a professional shopper (with 35 years of expert training under my belt), it’s not unusual that I often receive compliments on my style and wardrobe. Like math or juggling for some, shopping is just another skill, one which I’ve always excelled at. Just the other day, three people asked me where I purchased the stunning “Mike & Chis” charcoal gray hooded bubble sweatshirt I was sporting. Truth be told, it was a $90 Japanese knockoff, which I bought at my favorite new Flatiron boutique, Yamak.

A deceptively cheap ’n chic, husband-and-wife-owned clothing and handbag shrine, Yamak sells of-the-moment local and international brands that won’t break the bank. A second addition to its Bleecker Street flagship, Yamak is hardly the kind of place you’d expect to encounter at a frenetic intersection filled with fast food chains, shoe cobblers and Home Depot. When I stumbled upon the store last month (it opened in late August), I was awestricken by a buttery, deep burgundy leather tote with glimmery gold buckles (Anna Corinna), a fitted tweed blazer with ruching (Nanette Lepore), a flirty tunic top and a beautiful gold leaf necklace (Krush). And that was before I even ventured inside!

While no larger than the size of a walk-in-closet, Yamak still manages to stock a surprisingly large lineup of in-demand labels for night and day. You’ll flip over the flirty ’n feminine frocks from Amanda Uprichard (a silk cobalt tunic dress with gemstones), Soia & Kyo (an haute Houndstooth coat), Free People (a military blazer with pleats), LaRok (a fancy black capelet), Gold Hawk (sexy party dresses), Yumi Kim (a purple Kimono-inspired top) and Raven Tailored (slenderizing wide-legged trousers). And since us gals can never have too many handbags, Yamak sells a killer selection of mid-priced lines such as Lamb (the leopard print bowling bag is a must), Cynthia Rowley (a cool quilted number), Aaneta (a gray slouch bag), Francisco Biasia and Tano. Mad hatters will love the head-turning collection of pageboy caps and felt fedoras. And for accessories junkies, there’s a mind-blowing assortment of baubles by Alexis Bitar, Kenneth Jay Lane, Lee Angel and Wendy Mink.

In my humble opinion, Yamak’s true gems are the no-name, below-the-radar brands, which Kanako (Yamak’s owner and buyer) culls during her frequent trips to Japan. Stop by often enough and you’re bound to spot a crazy bargain, just like the sweatshirt I found from “Mike & Chris.” Don’t worry… no one but you will know.

Exclusive Deal Just For YOU! Yamak is offering Fashion Junkie subscribers a special 10% discount off any items of your choice at the 23rd street store from Friday, October 26th though Friday, November 2nd, 2007. Present a print out of this email at the cash to receive your discount. Happy shopping!

Special Fashion Junkie Announcement! On the heels of Al Gore winning the Nobel Peace Prize for his work with the environment, I thought it only fitting that I do my share. That’s why I’ve decided to reduce your email clutter to 2 days a week. Starting next week, your “Fashion Junkie Fix” will now be sent to your inbox on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Don’t panic! Every Fashion Junkie Fix will still be chock full of the same fashion and beauty coverage, so you won’t be missing out.

  • Yamak
  • 6 West 23rd Street (between 5th & 6th)
  • 212-255-7771
  • Mon.-Fri. 11am-8pm, Sat. 11:30am-8pm, Sun. 12-6pm
  • yamakny.com
  • $49-$650
  • store credit or exchange within 7 days of purchase
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Filed: Shop Talk

Freaky Friday

With less than 2 weeks to go ’til Halloween, now’s the time to buy that bewitching costume. But before you even think about subjecting yourself to those never-ending specialty store lines and scarce inventory (by now the best merch has been picked over), read this round-up of freakishly fashionable online finds. From “boo-tiful” black polish to ghoulishly gorgeous skull bags and frightfully foxy jailbird uniforms, here’s a host of party-ready essentials that will ensure you have a “RIP-roaring” Halloween.

imageBring out your inner bad girl with this naughty jailbird number. Add a faux Paris Hilton-esque wig to the mix and you just might be thrown in the slammer. Jailbird costume • $24.99 (paparazzi not included) • available at RickysHalloween.com

imageBuy this super-strong, hemp-infused hair gel for an impenetrable Amy Winehouse bouffant. The dark grape color adds that extra touch of Goth. Lush Goth Juice • $14.95 • available at usa.lush.com

imageMake your peepers really pop with these over-the-top feathered falsies. For a creepy Clockwork Orange effect, try the lashes with turquoise tassels or black diamantes. Shu Eumera Tokyo Lash Bar Collection • $20-$50 • available at sheuemura.com

imageGlow all out for Halloween with this mini pack of after-midnight polish. Mix ’n match 4 spooked-out shades, including Jack’s Back (a jack-o-lantern orange), Boo-Berry (a blue hue that glows in the dark!), Witch Way? (as black as a witch’s hat) and Cool Ghoul (a ghastly white shade). You can create even scarier looks with the enclosed nail decals. O.P.I. Glow Out For Halloween! •  $9.95 • available at Amazon.com

imageJust one spritz of this invigorating gardenia-infused fragrance will have the dead dancing in their graves. Eau De Halloween by J Del Pozo • $19.95 • available at cosmeticamerica.com

imageMake no bones about it… this bag is a must-have for Halloween. Plus, the heart-shaped design is more than roomy enough for storing all your die-hard make-up. Skull Handbag • $7.99 • available at RickysHalloween.com

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Filed: Shop Talk

Fringe Movement

imageThis might sound strange, but my criteria for buying a handbag is similar to selecting a bottle of Bordeaux… the best ones, while pricey, get better with age. With high quality handbags, the leather softens and the color intensifies over time and, if kept in mint condition, should increase in value. That’s why I’m fixated on the ones fashioned by New York-based designer, Katherine Kwei. An haute line of collectible-worthy hobos, totes and clutches, which debuted in the spring, Katherine’s in-demand shoulder candy has since been flying off the shelves at luxury retailers around the globe.

“Knot” your ordinary handbag, Katherine’s cutting-edge creations are meticulously hand crafted with a traditional Chinese knotting technique taught by her grandmother (a Hong Kong-based seamstress who once whipped-up clothes for silver screen legends Katherine Hepburn and Anthony Quinn). Made from a mouth-watering mix of the finest Italian lambskin and water snake, Katherine’s Asian-inspired designs are ideal for fashion-forward femmes who want something unique, that transitions well from day-to-night. Rather than brand her bags with flashy logos and chunky hardware, Katherine’s pieces are elegantly adorned with chic, yet subtle details such as Swarovski crystals.

Among the stars in this season’s lineup: an over-sized charcoal gray tote (perfect for stashing file folders and fashion mags), a posh jet-black pouchette with a detachable strap and a dainty mocha mini bag. If you really want to make a statement, the signature fringe-like “Donna” designs (imagine leather that’s gone through a paper shredder) are well worth the investment. These wearable works of art, which sport intricately curled “eternity knots” along the bottom that swing and swoosh as you walk, are said to symbolize love and happiness. Now that’s what I call retail therapy!

Exclusive Deal Just For YOU! Katherine Kwei is offering Fashion Junkie subscribers an insanely affordable “wholesale” discount off her stunning spring/summer ’07 and fall ’07 collections. Current retail prices of $200-$1800 will be slashed in half to $90-$760 from Monday, October 15th through Sunday, October 28th. Call Katherine Kwei at 646-339-8365 to book your private appointment. Make sure to mention Fashion Junkie to receive your discount. Happy shopping!

  • Katherine Kwei
  • 646-339-8365 (by appointment only)
  • katherinekwei.com
  • special wholesale prices of $90-$760 (discounted from $200-$1800!)
  • final sale on all items
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Filed: Shop Talk

Night Owl

imageWhen shopping for clothes, I always look for three things: quality, convenience and customer service. Call me lazy, but since I live within spitting distance of the bustling Union Square hood, I frequently stroll over to Owl’s Lab (formerly known as Addict), an haute East 12th St. hideaway that consistently fits all of my fashion criteria.

Nestled in a neighborhood saturated with crowded mega-chains like Strawberry, DSW and Forever 21, Owl’s Lab is a refreshingly chic shopper’s retreat. Ideal for working city gals who do give a hoot about what they wear, this sleek boutique regularly stocks a stellar selection of day-to-night staples. Rather than crowd the racks with a mishmash of merch, Owl’s Lab prides itself on handpicking a selection of brands that seamlessly work together to create utterly stylish and wearable wardrobes. Just last month, I visited the store on one of my personal-shopping tours with a client who bought some snazzy going-out essentials such as a silky LaROK halter shirt, wide-legged Citizen jeans, a billowy Development blouse and an Ella Moss sweater dress. If she wasn’t paying for my services, I’m sure we would’ve duked-it-out over Alice & Olivia’s sequin strip dress, C&C California’s casual tunic tops (because you can never have enough basics), Chaiken’s cashmere trench, Rodnik’s to-die-for purple popcorn dress, a smokin’ Eugena Kim fedora and a cinched Kooba shoulder bag.

Thanks to the staff’s undivided attention and hands-on approach (ask for Liza and she’ll personally pull items for your body and budget), Owl’s Lab has garnered a cult following. In fact, even indie celebs’ Maggie Gyllenhaal and Parkey Posey make regular pit stops. But you need not be a local to dress like one, now that your favorite Owl’s Lab frocks can be found online. Now isn’t that wise!

Exclusive deal just for YOU!
Owl’s Lab is offering Fashion Junkie subscribers 20% off any online purchase of your choice from Friday, October 5th through Friday, October 12th, 2007. To redeem this special offer, simply go to owlslab.com, make your selection and enter the promo code “FJFIX” upon checkout. Happy shopping!

  • Ow’s Lab
  • 20 East 12th Street (btw University Pl. and 5th Ave.)
  • 212-633-2672
  • 12-7pm, Monday-Sunday
  • owlslab.com
  • $100-$600
  • returns or exchanges on merchandise* within 10 days of purchase. Final sale on discounted purchases, shoes, handbags and accessories. *Merchandise does not include final sale on discounted purchases and accessories.
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Filed: Shop Talk