Looks like the new Target that recently opened up in Harlem got more than a star studded opening! Now that Dolce Vita has designed a range of shoes for the budget friendly chain, they are giving Target’s Harlem location first dibs:

According to TheCut, Dolce Vita’s Target collection is currently available in the Target store in Harlem, while it won’t be available in other Target stores until August 22. Their will only be 4 styles available, and they will range in price from $30-$35, which is a hearty fraction of the usual $150+ that Dolce Vita shoes usually cost. You can check out more pictures from the collection here. If you are interested in shopping it up at the new Target Harlem location, you can head on over to 116th St.!

First a light bulb heel, now a vintage clutch inspired by music? Karl Lagerfeld has to be one of the most innovative men in fashion. I don’t want to totally give him that title though, then I’d be pushing it (hello, Valentino?) But Karl Lagerfeld is a style genius, nonetheless:

This lucite relic clutch is a vintage clutch and is a big hit for the Spring 2010 season, as Fendi made a similar clutch this season, just a little more simplistic:

The Chanel cassette clutch is going for $1,500 on Luxirare.

Spring has been frustratingly indecisive this year; one day it’s sweltering hot, the next day you have to crank up the heat in your house. I initially thought it was officially time to put up my coat at the first hint of warm weather, but I was wrong. It’s still time for the jacket, so I’ve picked out some perfect Spring cover up’s for you:

3/4 Cropped Leather Biker Jacket, $135.27

Warehouse Seamed Hourglass Jacket, $76.09

Vanessa Bruno Long Sleeved Crepe Cape, $795

See By Chloe Cotton Twill Biker Jacket, $650

Essential Double Breasted Jacket, $32.80

Military Cross Studded Jacket, $32.80

Sass & Bide Heart In A Cage Jacket, $465

Light, functional, and super cute. It’s Spring so have fun with it, play with colors, switch it up as you see fit.

In Part 1 of “What Does Sexy Mean To You?”, I did looks for teens. Now, it’s time for the 20’s! The age where all the mistakes are made and the real trial and error begins, in dating, in work, and definitely in style. Yikes!

Rihanna, Beyonce and Kim Kardashian all collectively represent the early, mid and late 20’s, and all their styles speak for their ages to a tee. Rihanna’s is a young, edgy and sexy, Beyonce is a more sophisticated, tasteful sexy, and Kim is glam sexy. Your 20’s is your right to be sexy, but there’s a right and a wrong way, and there’s only one way to do right like Mario say.

Pleated Slinky Bandeau Dress $76.92

Fringe Back Dress $61.54

Evil Twin Studded Bustier $71.80 (CAUTION: You must have (decent sized) boobs! :p)

Jersey Panel Leggings $42.74

Rare Metallic Bandeau Playsuit $51.28

Your 20’s is your REAL coming out party! You can do a lot at this age [range] and you should take advantage of all the opportunities you are now legally allowed. From jobs, to clubs, to clothes, express yourself and be sexy. But don’t straddle the fence of slutty!

Who knew that Giuseppe Zanotti launched their E-Boutique (finally)? Well, I didn’t!

The new site features all of their new shoes, divided by categories: shoes, handbags, accessories, E-collection, Grand Soiree, and bridal. Giuseppe has maintained a reputation of remaining at the forefront of fabulous, but we’ve always had to turn to third-party sources such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Henri Bendel’s, etc. to get our hands on the goods. Well, your hands, because these prices are out of my range (for now ).

The site is flash driven, but not overly confusing like some *other* sites we know (*ahem*, Sergio Rossi). It has a clean, sophisticated design, and easy-to-navigate tabs and tools that allow you to freely, easily, and encouragingly shop. Go, Giuseppe! To check it out, click here.

Rap mogul Diddy took a seat on the couch of the Home Shopping Network to sell his fragrances and other Sean John products on Monday night, and while many skeptics said he would not sell out fragrances on the network, since people feel the need to smell fragrances before they purchase, he proved them wrong! Selling out a total of 5,600 products in 16 minutes, he proved once again that hip-hop is a transcending culture that is more than money & music, and should never be slept on. His hustle, so Russell! Here’s video from the session:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoeOyvhTbxQ]

I had the pleasure of attending the “Housing Works Fashion For Action 2009″ sample sale and auction event yesterday night in New York City. The Fall benefit and sample sale featured to die for auction packages, and unbeatable designer finds. The event, which is co-chaired by fab designer Derek Lam, is a four-day charitable fashion event, silent auction, and sample sale, that raises funds for Housing Works’ lifesaving services for homeless and low-income New Yorker’s living with HIV/AIDS:

These Balmain boots were on sale for $975!!

Packages auctioned include tickets to the “Essence Music Festival 2010” and a three-night-stay in a hotel in New Orleans, tickets to the Oscar de la Renta, BCBG MAXAZRIA, Tracy Reese, and Rebecca Taylor shows during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Spring 2010 in New York City, and two tickets to the Broadway show, backstage passes to meet the cast and a private theater tour with John Stamos two tickets to the Broadway show, backstage passes to meet the cast and a private theater tour with John Stamos, just to name a few.

As for the sample sale, my FAVORITE part by the way, over 150 top designers donated more than $1 million of merchandise, which was sold at 50%-70% off at retail price. Participating designers and brands include Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Burberry, Christian Dior, Dolce and Gabbana, DVF, Fendi, Gucci, Hugo Boss, Lanvin, Paul Smith, Theory, and Yves Saint Laurent, just to name a few. And with my mentor , Shakara, being as FABULOUS and generous as she is, she decided to cop me a pair of the silver Balenciaga ankle booties from the Fall 2008 collection:

Designed by Pierre Hardy for his friend and designer Nicolas Ghesquière at Balenciaga, for the Fall 2008 collection. With the futuristic feel and sharp attention to detail, it’s no doubt that it garnered a mass following from some of today’s most respected trend setters. Sarah Jessica Parker being one of the biggest fans:

From Sarah Jessica, to Ciara, to Heidi Klum, to Victoria Beckham, and even to BET’s Rocsi Diaz, this shoe has had it’s fair share of red carpet and TV appearances. But originally retailing at $960, I got (well my mentor got) a sweet, mind-blowing deal, snatching up the last pair in my size for $150!! Who’s your daddy?

Overall, it was an amazing, successful event, and besides my brand new, fab pair of Balenciaga’s, the atmosphere was great! Can’t wait until next time!

Pictures: Jeniece Isley/InTheirCloset.com/Zimbio

We’re totally over Fall, and all the leaves are officially off the trees! The weather is getting colder, the winds are getting more intense, and you can actually see when you speak now (that cold weather breath). It’s time to put back up the cute trench coats and motorcycle jackets, and pull out the cold weather coats!

For some winter coats & all that other good stuff that goes along with that…

Theory Parosia Puffa Coat $545

Vivienne Westwood Red Label Oversized Tweed Coat $1,325

Pringle 1815 Funnel Neck Coat $397.50

Lantern Skirt Funnel Neck Coat $155.38

Padded Sweat Jacket With PU Sleeve Detail $100.54

Reiss Nyasia Feather Jacket With Belt $356.46

*I recommend wearing a leather opera glove with a 1/2-1/4 sleeve jacket like this. Or any kind of jacket for that matter that exposes your arms. A long “opera” length leather gloves that goes all the way up to your elbow will make up for the lack of sleeves. [Gloves below]

Dark Faux Fur Headband $18.28

Warehouse Fisherman’s Neck Collar $25.59

Maniyak Chunky Warmer Scarf $29.25

Chunky Ribbed Knit Scarf $21.94

Kookai Cable Knit Tube Scarf $73.12

Salt and Pepper Knitted Beret $14.62

Ignite Chapfur Two Hat $54.84

Faux Fur Deerstalker Hat $36.56

Extra Long Leather Gloves $54.84 [wear with above Fur jacket]

Faux Fur Mittens $18.28

Leather Bow Detail Gloves $27.42

The Holiday’s are coming up, Thanksgiving is around the corner, and the matching (or mis-matching) hat, gloves and scarf set need to come out!

]]> http://www.thefashionmanifesto.com/2009/11/16/winter-wonderland/feed/ 0 http://www.thefashionmanifesto.com/2009/11/11/whats-the-big-deal-about-louis-vuitton/ http://www.thefashionmanifesto.com/2009/11/11/whats-the-big-deal-about-louis-vuitton/#comments Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:59:08 +0000 Tara Decoda http://thefashionmanifesto.com/?p=5564

Well, of course that’s not a serious question, but according to designer Marc Jacobs, people are crazy about it!

Out of all the luxury brands that are being affected by the recession (Versace recently announced they will be laying off 350 people by mid next year!), Louis Vuitton is still going extremely strong! In a recent interview with the London Times, Marc Jacobs spilled the secret to making luxury succeed in a recession– or at least why he is:

In terms of what’s selling at Louis Vuitton, the recession hasn’t changed anything. I’ve cut back, because my partner Lorenzo and I are buying a house in the West Village in New York. And obviously there are a lot of people suffering out there, but our sales are up and I haven’t noticed that people’s tastes have got more subdued. They may be buying less, but if anything, they want it to be even more special. There’s this huge cult following of almost crazy people at Vuitton who just want whatever they buy to be exclusive. The charity angle also means that people feel more comfortable about spending openly.

Yes, people. Louis V is a pretty big deal! And if some people are surprised by the surge of sales, without the compromising of luxury, understand that there is an exclusive market of overly affluent people unaffected by the recession. This recession stuff, has mostly affected already poor people. Politics as usual.

I can’t forget about you! Even though it seems I always do, always dabbling in the high fashion stuff, I gotta keep you ladies fresh too! Not only kicks, but the hoodies, the tees, the whole lifestyle. Must hold down my B-Girls

Even some of the flyest chicks, that seemingly never get caught without a killer pair of stiletto’s on, whip out the dunks every now and then! Like they say, I don’t mind living in a man’s world, as long as I can be a woman in it. And you can be with these options!

Creative Recreation The Galow Hi-Sneaker In Black Jaguar $105, KarmaLoop

Alife The Everybody Mono Quilt $86, KarmaLoop

Supra Yellow Patent Skytop $125, KarmaLoop

Alife The Everybody Hi America’s Cup $88, KarmaLoop

Reebok The Top Down Elite $80, KarmaLoop

Supra The TUF Muska Skytop $120, KarmaLoop

Nikita The Emdal Esparanza Hoody $84, KarmaLoop

Paul Frank The Julius Hoody $32.95, KarmaLoop

WeSC Sweatshirt in Marshmellow $54, KarmaLoop

Married To The Mob Money Tee $35, KarmaLoop

10 Deep The Bigger, Better, Fresher Tee $34, KarmaLoop

I ain’t forget you, lil’ sister! I’ll keep you in mind from here on out.