Copyright 2008 The New York Sun Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:33:03 -0400 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Style :: Stories from The New York Sun http://www.nysun.com/style istoll@nysun.com (Ira Stoll) webmaster@nysun.com en-us PIA CATTON http://www.nysun.com/style/signs-of-spring-at-paris-fashion-week/86859/ Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST PARIS — This city doesn't need to rely on bright sunshine and fragrant fall breezes to make it beautiful. But yesterday, Paris had both. The Tuileries gardens were teeming with people lounging outside, making the most of the good weather. With so many languages, the city's international flavor was easy to capture: The world comes here to witness and share in something grand. And the same holds true for Paris fashion week. While the biggest draw of the day, Christian Dior, is a symbol of France... PIA CATTON http://www.nysun.com/style/moving-fashion-forward/86836/ Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST What makes Paris fashion week the pinnacle of the industry is not just the collections from venerable French houses, such as Dior, Chanel, Balenciaga, and Lanvin. No matter the brand, the Paris shows cultivate a sense of tradition and respect for craft. It is a mood that is established by history and maintained by the efforts of the president of the Fédération Français de la Couture, Didier Grumbach, who if he had his way would make the week an even more civilized affair. While fashion week in... DINA FIERRO http://www.nysun.com/style/point-click-bargain-shop/86835/ Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST Sample sales were once exclusively the bastion of savvy (and determined) New Yorkers, but the markdown events have migrated from the showrooms of the garment district to the simplicity of point, click, and buy. A crop of recently introduced, invitation-only online shopping Web sites such as Gilt Groupe, ideeli, and HauteLook offer designer merchandise at a deep discount: Apparel, accessories, and home goods are sold at prices 30% to 70% below retail for a limited time only (generally between... GABRIELLE BIRKNER http://www.nysun.com/style/designing-women/86371/ Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST The Magnes sisters say they have always worked well together, collaborating as children on schoolwork and art projects. Now all in their 30s, the sandy-haired trio is capitalizing on their knack for teamwork: In 2005 they launched a line of leather handbags from their parents' home in Red Hook, Brooklyn. Nearly three years later, the Israeli-born designing women have a studio of their own, and their Magnes Sisters-brand purses are sold at more than 150 retailers the world over. Each day, Dina... JAY AKASIE http://www.nysun.com/style/reimagining-fashion-as-decorative-art/86370/ Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST It's not every day a clothing auction draws the attention of a 20th-century decorative art and design specialist. But that's just what happened when Simon Andrews learned that his employer, Christie's, planned to sell the private collection of the co-founders of the renowned boutique Resurrection. Mark Haddawy and Katy Rodriguez opened the Mott Street shop dedicated to vintage and historic clothing in 1996. "These garments are as important as furniture, automobiles, and architecture in the... PIA CATTON http://www.nysun.com/style/will-the-real-alyssa-milano-please-stand-up/86372/ Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST A bad dress is a bad dress, but let us lay blame at the right pair of platform heels. At the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards, actress Christina DeRosa showed up in the frightful concoction pictured here. Turns out that several news organizations — including E! Entertainment Television, the Associated Press, and The New York Sun — reported that the woman in white was Alyssa Milano. But we should have known better: Ms. Milano — who did not attend the ceremony or related events that night — would never... NELL GLUCKMAN http://www.nysun.com/style/geor-g-ia-on-my-mind/85912/ Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST At Georgia, a beauty shop and full-service salon that opened recently on East Houston Street near the Bowery, clients can shop for lingerie or bath soaps while waiting for a cut and color. The owners and operators of the shop, sisters-in-law Jodie Patterson and Kiara Ellozy, were consumers with their own particular needs when they came up with the idea for the place. After experimenting for years with the dizzying array of products available, for the long, curly locks in particular, the in-laws... CHARLOTTE COWLES http://www.nysun.com/style/the-real-story-on-organic-dry-cleaning/85914/ Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST In everything from fruit to furniture, consumers have a choice between conventional or organic goods. And increasingly, the option is available in dry cleaning, an industry known for its use of hazardous chemicals, namely the volatile solvent perchloroethylene, known as perc. The definition of "organic" is somewhat unclear when it comes to dry cleaning. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) certifies agricultural businesses as organic based on a list of requirements. Dry cleaning is not... PIA CATTON http://www.nysun.com/style/in-the-details/85913/ Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST The Ralph Lauren collection for fall 2008 is strong on outdoorsy themes and hunting motifs. And that extends to the accessories. Several handbags in the brand's most popular shapes, including the "Ricky" and the "Greenwich" (shown here, $2,995), are made in leather known as baranil, which is naturally tanned in France. The rich color of the leather — a light shade of brown nicknamed "RL Tan" — has made it a favorite of the designer himself, who has a Mercedes-Benz lined with it. The bags have a... REBECCA THOMAS http://www.nysun.com/style/a-fitting-finale/85771/ Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:24:09 EST The spring 2009 installment of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York concluded Friday much the way it began a week ago today — drenched in the downpour brought on by powerful storms (first Hanna, then Ike). But the interminable rain was no match for the exuberance of devoted fans of Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan, who presented runway shows at separate, downtown venues. Mr. Lauren's collection conjured an African safari: Imagine the British primatologist Jane Goodall in her early years trekking... PIA CATTON http://www.nysun.com/style/so-hip-to-be-square/85738/ Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST It wasn't just minimalism that Francisco Costa delivered for the 40th anniversary collection at Calvin Klein. It was the geometry of minimalism. Squares and cubes were the defining shapes, which were gracefully twisted or wrapped around the body to form what we know as dresses. The three-dimensionality of the cubes was maintained by way of a corner or a whole line jutting out away from the body. In some cases, stiff, square panels were contrasted against curves that looked inspired by Frank... MARTHA MERCER http://www.nysun.com/style/fashion-ticker-rebecca-taylor/85709/ Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST With her spring 2009 collection, Rebecca Taylor lived up to her reputation for romantic, ultra-feminine clothes, sending out airy, ruffled tops and dresses that seemed to float on the models wearing them. The New Zealand-born Ms. Taylor, who has said she is fascinated by all things sparkly, added glitter to belts and shoulder bags trimmed with fringe; her dresses shimmered with sequins or beads. Khaki jodhpurs and blazers were matched with flowing tops, giving a preppy element to the... PIA CATTON http://www.nysun.com/style/fashion-ticker-zang-toi/85710/ Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST In lieu of a runway show, Zang Toi rented out the restaurant Daniel and threw a combination fund-raiser-presentation to benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation. A crowd of supporters and fans of Mr. Toi gathered in the bar area of the restaurant to sip Champagne and place silent bids on lots that included sketches by the designer. One guest, Janice Montanta, flew in from Arizona to attend. Wearing a silk organza white shirt by Zang Toi, she said she was introduced to the brand by a salesperson... CANDACE TAYLOR http://www.nysun.com/style/patricia-field-sells-directly/85711/ Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST As the costume designer for the hit HBO series "Sex and the City," Patricia Field created a vibrant on-screen world of fashion. Though some outfits were over the top, accessories and brands that Carrie Bradshaw wore became hits — from oversize flowers to Manolo Blahnik stilettos. Now her creativity is going mainstream: Ms. Field has created a 50-piece limited collection, "Patricia Field's Destination Style New York," that is currently available for pre-sale on the Home Shopping Network. Every... CHARLOTTE COWLES http://www.nysun.com/style/fashion-ticker-milly/85712/ Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST Hippie-inspired looks dominated the Milly spring/summer 2009 collection on Wednesday. Tie-dye prints, slouchy caftans, and headbands worn around the forehead played up the 1970s mood. Models walked through an archway erected under the Promenade that evoked — somewhat oddly — the architecture of a Middle Eastern mosque. A palette of lavender, brown, and olive green was manifested in swirling patterns on loosely cut silk chiffon dresses. The label's designer, Michelle Smith, accessorized by... REBECCA THOMAS http://www.nysun.com/style/razor-sharp-and-rustic-on-the-runway/85713/ Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST During Fashion Week, the largest of the three tents at Bryant Park — tagged, quite simply, "The Tent" — is an expansive space with what appears to be enough seating to accommodate an entire class of first-year students from the Fashion Institute of Technology. For the uninitiated, a glimpse at which designers stage their runway in the main tent is a quick way to tell the difference between fashion's establishment and its newcomers. Anna Sui and Vera Wang are firmly in the former lot. Ms. Sui is... LAURA SINBERG http://www.nysun.com/style/fashion-ticker-marchesa/85714/ Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST At the Chelsea Art Museum on Wednesday, Marchesa delivered a collection with allusions to ancient Chinese aesthetics. The presentation included 10 installations that celebrated dynasties past. Mandarin collars adorned stunners such as a gold, embroidered, thigh-length dress with beaded detail. Yet the collection turned decidedly toward the West with a black glass organza embroidered dress with a gold bird on the shoulder, reminiscent of ancient Rome. Dramatic patterns of black and gold, black... AMANDA GORDON http://www.nysun.com/style/fashion-ticker-nanette-lepore-tory-burch/85604/ Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST EIGHTIES REVIVAL At the finale of the runway show for her spring 2009 collection yesterday, designer Nanette Lepore and her daughter, Violet, appeared wearing T-shirts bearing the plea, "Save the Garment Center." Ms. Lepore's show at the Promenade under the Bryant Park tents made the best case for what can happen when a young talent is nurtured by the fashion industry in New York — the designer has said she started "with a $5,000 loan and a dream." Her collection was creative, focused, and... LAURA SINBERG http://www.nysun.com/style/fashion-ticker-vivienne-tam/85605/ Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST A stunning red satin sheath splashed with peonies opened the Vivienne Tam spring/summer 2009 show at Bryant Park on Tuesday night — and it set the tone for the entire collection. Ms. Tam created an ode to her native China, and to the blooms of spring. Along with the peony — the country's national flower — a variety of floral prints adorned the demure looks, including a silk accordion dress matched with a cotton canvas trench. A black wool pinstripe suit played on a long, linear silhouette, and... PIA CATTON http://www.nysun.com/style/calmed-by-fashion/85606/ Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST Innovators are always easy to cheer for: They carve out a place at the forefront of their industry and, once there, determine the shape of things to come. But designers who are known for consistency also have a place in the collective fashion heart. Every season, Oscar de la Renta and Michael Kors, who both showed their spring 2009 collections yesterday, each receive a hero's welcome when they come out for a bow. Season after season they deliver collections that buoy the spirits during fashion... REBECCA THOMAS http://www.nysun.com/style/star-attractions-at-fashion-week/85607/ Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST To judge by the front rows during this and recent seasons, young designers are not succeeding unless a B-list actress or reality television star is in the front row. This season, the cast of "Gossip Girl" has been seated all around town. And the stunning Joy Bryant has attended Thakoon and Matthew Williamson. But while the association with fashion helps new starlets get a boost in the press, does it really help these already well-received, growing labels? Designers like Mr. Williamson, Thakoon... PIA CATTON http://www.nysun.com/style/fashion-ticker-max-azria-malo/85608/ Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST Max Azria's namesake collection was full of sexy draping. Dresses hung from one shoulder and fell over or under the mesh belts as if they — not the designer — had decided which way to go. Harem pants were present, as were supple leather jackets that lent an air of polish. The backs of several dresses were open, either in full or in dramatic, diagonal slits. Flat knits had form-fitting cuts; few beige cotton sweaters ever looked so attractive. Several hemlines and necklines were asymmetrical... LAURA SINBERG http://www.nysun.com/style/fashion-ticker-ports-1961-betsey-johnson-ohne/85515/ Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST PLAYFUL PROPORTIONS Tia Cibani's spring collection for Ports 1961 was inspired by Canadian artist Emily Carr (1871-1945). Titled "Beloved of the Sky," the collection was strong on linear silhouettes and pleated details, as well as plays on proportions. A three-quarter-sleeve caribou lace jacket was draped with extra material. Several outfits, such as a sleeveless cape dress, hid the female form entirely. Ms. Cibani's use of crochet knits and yarns, along with a base of neutral colors, inspired... MARION MANEKER http://www.nysun.com/style/what-the-other-half-wears/85516/ Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST Even in fashion-conscious New York, the menswear look suggesting a slim scarecrow wearing too-short pants has only limited appeal. So what else can the boys buy? Fashion week has offered up a few hints at what will be on the shelves for spring 2009. The younger, design-savvy man is the holy grail of men's retailing. Get him hooked and he'll buy clothes from the same company season after season. At Hickey Freeman, they've started a new brand, Hickey, to do just that. The brand is operating off... PIA CATTON http://www.nysun.com/style/marc-jacobs-reinterprets-american-life/85517/ Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST At the Marc Jacobs show on Monday night, the zippy, shifting strains of Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" made for a stirring soundtrack. And the music was an astute choice. While Gershwin's score captures the bustle and glory of New York, Mr. Jacobs's clothes seem to celebrate the people who made not just this city, but America as a whole: immigrants. Model after model walked the runway like a live parade of American Girl dolls; there were historical references to the vast variety of clothing worn... AMANDA GORDON http://www.nysun.com/style/fashion-ticker-dennis-basso/85518/ Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST MANHATTAN TRANSFER American and European resorts inspired Dennis Basso's first full ready-to-wear collection for spring 2009, the designer told The New York Sun a week before his show at Bryant Park. But the collection he sent down the runway yesterday possessed an edge and energy particular to Manhattan. What else to make of a taupe alligator jacket with short sleeves and a fitted waist, or a gray Russian broadtail jacket with lace inserts? The same could be said of the beautifully tailored... LUCY COHEN BLATTER http://www.nysun.com/style/fashion-ticker-monique-lhuillier/85519/ Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST ISLAND CHIC A designer who launched her career with a line of ultrafeminine wedding dresses, Monique Lhuillier, knows how to make a woman look — and feel — like a princess. For her spring/summer 2009 collection under the tents at Bryant Park yesterday, Ms. Lhuillier maintained this approach, showing fluid, soft daytime halter dresses and structured ball gowns. The looks were undeniably pretty, and inspired, according the show notes, by a trip to the tropics. There were pieces for day as well... PIA CATTON http://www.nysun.com/style/summertime-brights/85408/ Tue, 9 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST Fashion collections for the warm-weather seasons lend themselves to brighter colors than the cold-weather seasons. But even with all the bold shades, abstract prints, and floral patterns that designers have been showing during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, black and white turned up just as often. If color palettes rather than hemlines were read as a financial indicator, the message would simple: cautiously exuberant. At Carolina Herrera, suits and dresses in deep orange silk organza offered... LAURA SINBERG http://www.nysun.com/style/fashion-ticker-sari-gueron-and-herve-leger/85409/ Tue, 9 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST BLACK AND BLUE Sari Gueron brought an Asian flair to her collection on Sunday. An oversize white cotton shirtdress was designed with kimono details and paired with strappy black sandals. The collection combined sharp black pieces with colorful prints that brought together shades of deep purple, lime green, and midnight blue. Ruffles ran down the fronts and sides of soy-silk print dresses. A black, silk short-sleeved dress with lace side paneling was perfectly feminine without being overdone... AMANDA GORDON http://www.nysun.com/style/fashion-ticker-christian-cota/85410/ Tue, 9 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST Can you wear the sunset? The young designer Christian Cota answered "yes" with his spring 2009 presentation yesterday at the Altman Building. Mr. Cota achieved the look in a painterly way, using a pastel palette of orange, blue, lavender, and rose on fabrics such as silk chiffon and taffeta. The collection featured two main silhouettes. One was loose and flowing, with hints of the Grecian, dramatized by feminine accents — buttons off to the side running the length of a long gown, circle skirts... REBECCA THOMAS http://www.nysun.com/style/fashion-ticker-thakoon-isaac-mizrahi-and-thuy/85411/ Tue, 9 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST Hip-hop star Kanye West — who has been nicknamed the "Louis Vuitton Don" because of his penchant for the luxury brand — turned up at the Thakoon show yesterday, perhaps in search of another fashion muse. And there was much to be inspired by. The label's namesake and designer, Thakoon Panichgul, served up seduction and sheer elegance — with an emphasis on sheer. Several fitted dresses in black and ivory featured a crisscrossing fabric that had the effect of appearing to strap in the frock... PIA CATTON http://www.nysun.com/style/suiting-up-in-one-piece/85329/ Mon, 8 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST Strange but true: The one clear trend to emerge from the first few days of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is the presence of jumpsuits and rompers. These one-piece wonders have popped up in the spring 2009 collections from DKNY, Yigal Azrouël, BCBGMaxAzria, and more. While the proportions and styling differed enormously from runway to runway, the question remained the same: Will women really go for outfits intended for janitors and children? One has to guess that Donna Karan knows what she's doing... LAURA SINBERG http://www.nysun.com/style/fashion-ticker-jason-wu-and-erin-fetherston/85330/ Mon, 8 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST Jason Wu showed a demure spring 2009 collection that, true to his word, was "young, chic, and put together." Inspired by a trip to Tokyo, Mr. Wu created flowing silhouettes cinched to make a woman look like a woman. A tulle ivory tank embellished with French knots and Swarovski crystals incorporated a scoop back. Silks and chiffons were on prominent display on everything from faille coats to pleated dresses. Also notable was Mr. Wu's work with tweeds, not just in coats and blazers, but skinny... REBECCA THOMAS http://www.nysun.com/style/amid-high-winds-and-protesters-fashion-week-rolls/85331/ Mon, 8 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST The weekend's tropical storm made for a soggy beginning of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, but the real frisson came from an A-list celebrity and aggressive protesters. On Sunday morning at DKNY, anti-fur protesters holding signs crashed the show and jumped in front of cameras — after which they were hustled out by security guards. Outside the tents, a group of zaftig women challenged the fashion industry's fixation on thin bodies. Chanting, "Curves on the catwalk," they held aloft signs bearing... CHARLOTTE COWLES http://www.nysun.com/style/fashion-ticker-adam-and-lacoste/85332/ Mon, 8 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST Inside the rectory of the General Theological Seminary in Chelsea, Adam Lippes showed his line Adam, which was full of bright colors and translucent silks that contrasted sharply against the muted setting. Inspired by the bold hues at the Museum of Modern Art's "Color Chart" exhibit, Mr. Lippes used a palette of cerulean, butter yellow, and bubblegum pink. Movement was emphasized by several pieces in feather-light fabrics. Models in tiered dresses and silk georgette tops walked toward a carved... LAURA SINBERG http://www.nysun.com/style/so-you-want-to-be-a-fashion-designer/85233/ Fri, 5 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST If you're a watcher of "Project Runway," you know that it's a long road for the designers who make it to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, which begins Friday. They have to win the nutty challenges, overcome stiff competition, and woo the lovable yet tough judges. But plenty of designers don't want to give up months of their lives for television — even with the possibility of a runway show at the end. What, then, does it take to have your work shown in America's fashion capital? First, a designer has... PIA CATTON http://www.nysun.com/style/how-to-buy-a-seat-at-a-fashion-show/85190/ Thu, 4 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST Twice a year, the giant white tents go up at Bryant Park, signaling the return of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. But while the location itself is central and visible, it's a bit of a tease for the public. Every season, passersby gather outside only to be turned away by burly security guards who have heard it all. What's a fashion obsessive to do? Short of trying to slip in or con someone at the door, which can get you summarily bounced, there's one move that always works: Spend your way in. At... REBECCA THOMAS http://www.nysun.com/style/thuy-floats-into-fashion/85013/ Tue, 2 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week kicks off Friday, and on the roster of spring 2009 collections to be shown is that of newcomer Thuy Diep, a SoHo-based designer making her debut at Bryant Park. Founded in 2007, her line — Thuy (pronounced twee) — has a floaty, feminine look, and her runway show will mark her entry into fashion's major league. It is also the culmination of a family's long struggle. Ms. Diep was born in Phan Thiet, Vietnam, to parents who worked as professional tailors. The Dieps... AMANDA GORDON http://www.nysun.com/style/dennis-basso-moves-beyond-fur/84988/ Tue, 2 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST After years of outfitting women in stylish furs, Dennis Basso is giving his clients fashion for the rest of their closets. Next Tuesday, as part of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Bryant Park, Mr. Basso will present the debut of his first complete ready-to-wear collection — with hardly a pelt of fur in it. Although he has created two small spring collections in the past two years, the spring 2009 collection is the first to have a full runway show. Mr. Basso's appearance at the tents, along with... PIA CATTON http://www.nysun.com/style/fashion-central/84989/ Tue, 2 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST As the last of the summer sun settles on New York, fashion designers will present their spring 2009 collections at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, beginning on Friday in Bryant Park. The week will include America's most recognized designers — Ralph Lauren, Oscar de la Renta, Diane von Furstenberg, Calvin Klein. It also will showcase the designers, such as Phillip Lim, Tracy Reese, and Yigal Azrouël, who are building their brands and expanding their influence. And perhaps most important, it will... Staff Reporters of the Sun http://www.nysun.com/style/ysl-freebies/84990/ Tue, 2 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST Rubberneckers on the Brooklyn Bridge won't be the only ones stopping traffic during rush hour today. At 6 p.m., the bridge will double as a runway for models walking the "No Sleep Til Brooklyn" fashion show, part of the second annual Fashion Indie Week Brooklyn. The eight-day program, which kicks off today, features fashion shows, after parties, and in-store events designed to showcase up-and-coming, Brooklyn-based designers. Sponsored by the fashion Web log FashionIndie.com, Fashion Indie Week... PIA CATTON http://www.nysun.com/style/so-french-so-new-york/84575/ Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST The weak dollar may have put the kibosh on your summer trip to Paris, but that's no reason to skip a season's worth of Gallic style. Shopping in New York for French brands can give a sense of direction to an afternoon (or day) of browsing and, inevitably, buying. But cross-cultural exchange can take on many looks, from French-perfumed Uptown polish to Left Bank-SoHo chic. RELATED: French Shopping Guide. While some French brands have locations both north and south of 14th Street, the downtown... REBECCA THOMAS http://www.nysun.com/style/shop-box/84576/ Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST Between a looming economic recession and the arrival of the oversize, fashion-packed September glossies, the compulsion to shop — and the indicators to refrain — could not be more at odds. For those inclined to proceed with caution, the Intermix Biannual Warehouse Sale offers the best of the boutique chain's high-end garments, accessories, and shoes, but for a fraction of the retail price. Shoppers will find discounts of up to 70% off pieces by designers and labels including Chloé, Stella... http://www.nysun.com/style/french-shopping-guide/84578/ Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST Uptown Finesse Barneys New York, 660 Madison Ave. at 61st Street, 212-826-8900 Bergdorf Goodman, 754 Fifth Ave., between 57th and 58th streets, 212-753-7300 Celine, 667 Madison Ave., between 60th and 61st streets, 212-486-7900 Chloé, 850 Madison Ave. at 70th Street, 212-717-8220 Henri Bendel, 712 Fifth Ave., between 55th and 56th streets, 212-247-1100 Hermès, 691 Madison Ave. at 62nd Street, 212-751-3181 Roger Vivier, 750 Madison Ave. at 65th Street, 212-861-5371 Sonia Rykiel, 849 Madison Ave... REBECCA THOMAS http://www.nysun.com/style/glamorous-maximus/84112/ Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST Every summer brings its own trends, and the summer of 2008 will be remembered as a season of short shorts, tight jeans, shrunken vests, and, most certainly, the gladiator sandal. In the last few months, it's been hard to miss women shod in the super-flat sandals that combine the footwear of ancient Rome with modern chic. The strappy flats showed up everywhere, but were particularly evident wherever the young and stylish gathered — from a rain-soaked Vampire Weekend concert in Central Park to an... PIA CATTON http://www.nysun.com/style/scan-to-shop/84113/ Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST Polo Ralph Lauren is launching its 2008 U.S. Open Collection along with a new system that allows shoppers to purchase gear via cell phone. All that's necessary is a camera phone or hand-held device loaded with software that can read the black-and-white symbols known as Quick Response (QR) codes. Advertisements, store windows, and mailers will be printed with the codes; when scanned, they send the user to an Internet shopping portal, m.ralphlauren.com. The site also has software available for... PIA CATTON http://www.nysun.com/style/aviators-and-wayfarers-take-to-the-street/84114/ Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST Trends can peak and valley in ways that surprise the entire fashion industry. This summer's most notable disparity was between editorial coverage of sunglasses and the actual trend on the street. While fashion magazines (and certain newspapers) featured spreads with all manner of large plastic frames, New Yorkers seemed to favor lighter, metal styles, such as aviators, this summer. That's not to say that plastic frames are out. With so many high-profile fans of Ray-Ban's Wayfarer — including... LIZZIE SIMON http://www.nysun.com/style/clothing-by-the-artists-own-hand/83651/ Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST Ask artist Mike Latham where he bought his shirt or jacket or even his sneakers, and the answer isn't simple. Every stitch of clothing he wears is of his own design and was custom-made for him in Vietnam. "You know how you have your favorite shirt?" he asked. "I got tired of that shirt being at the dry cleaner all of the time." Thanks to his team of stylists, designers, and tailors, Mr. Latham has created his own uniform, and he's sticking with it. "I don't have to wear other people's clothes,"... PIA CATTON http://www.nysun.com/style/deconstructing-the-classic-chanel-jacket/83652/ Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST In today's luxury economy, Chanel is identified with a lively, ebullient approach to fashion. This has much to do with its founding: In the early 20th century, Coco Chanel offered women a new way of dressing — one that introduced ease and comfort to feminine elegance. That legacy has endured in various ways, especially in the form of the classic Chanel jacket. Originally inspired by a traditional Austrian men's style, the jacket borrowed some masculine flair but was distinctly chic. Its loose... LACEY TISCH http://www.nysun.com/style/haute-handhelds/83165/ Tue, 5 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST Now that cell phone manufacturers have mastered essential functionality, a range of prestige brands are pushing the limits of what the devices can offer. "With everyone owning a cell phone these days, the novelty of the basic handset has run its course," an Austrian designer and jeweler who created an 18-karat-gold Apple iPhone, Peter Aloisson, said. Luxury brands such as Prada, Porsche, Bang & Olufsen, and Giorgio Armani are capitalizing on the craze, giving polish to the cellular phone market...