Just a little note.
The Barney's sale is a-mazing. At least the recession has provided more equal access to fashion ;).
I picked up the most beautiful Lanvin boots from Fall 08 (remember those highly coveted flat ones that LL and Nicole Ritchie were sporting?).
Sign. Heaven.
Get thee to Barney's. And, hey--just think of it as a safer investment in these trying times. Ha.
xo,
BG
By the way, meant to tell you about this days ago...apologies, this vacation is slowing me down! So if you care, the Kate Moss collection for Topshop at Barneys has been replenished and new pieces are in as well.
Get it here.
Yawn.
FYI girls:
Stopped by Barneys Coop this Afternoon for like 2 seconds and saw that there was a little replenishment of the KM for TS collection. The dress I did not snag but wanted, the famed "Pansy Dress" is present!!! There are a few size 6's, an 8 and a 10, they ring in at 120$,. Tried the dress on, and surprisingly its really lovely, cut very flatteringly. These additions to stock were shipped in from other Barneys across the US where they did not sell. Get 'em while you can! Literally there were only five there, and they will probably be gone by tomorrow.
OK--have to run. Event uptown in like 3 seconds, madly dashing about trying to get ready.
Ta, BG
Whew! What a day.
Soooo, in spite of waking up super early to get into Barneys for their 10am opening time....I didn't end up making it there until 20 minutes after 10...I am not so good at mornings. Things were pretty calm when I entered the store, there were a few reporters out front asking questions of shoppers who had already been in and out...I heard some talk of hype and exorbitant pricing...cashing in, etc.
When the elevator opened on the 7th floor, there was definitely a pronounceable din...and an energy buzz. The Kate Moss collection was clustered around a small space in the middle of the room comprised (at this point at least) of 7 or so racks that were being attacked in a gently chaotic manner. Certainly things were quite civil and not at all madness. Having arrived just a tad too late...I missed out on nearly all the dresses, 'cept for that particular one I was hoping to get (alas I didn't like the way it hung after all) and a chiffon number (see below) that at 200$ was so way overpriced and just not my thing.
The Chiffon 'Tatoo" Dress 
The Cowl Neck 'Dress' as terribly photographed by Moi in the dressing room. Hmm looking at it here, I kinda like it....at the time I thought, not worth 115$ and truthfully its not...tho it is cute. Anyway, too late.
The only vest option (and another majorly crummy pic by moi) they had...I snagged one when it was returned to the rack after someone deferred. A button popped off before I even got to try it on, at that price, I was like 'forget it'...plus it was made in China, not such a great indicator of quality workmanship...passed on this one too.
Other than those 2 dresses there was little else in the way of variety, a large number of the 'beater' tanks in white, khaki, pink and black, some short-shorts, a couple of patterned T's, a beaded shirt/dress that no one seemed to be going for (though I thought was cute but pricey and heavy), a few pairs of black skinny jeans and even fewer pairs of blue denim cropped jeans. It really was slim pickings. People seemed to keep hovering around the same 6 racks filled with redundant pieces, waiting for the rare occurrence when someone would return a piece after nixing it. By the time I left the 7 or so racks were down to 4 measly barren racks.
In essence, a rather disappointing affair that fell short in both variety and quantity. The pieces just weren't that interesting or 'new'. I left with a pair of the black skinny jeans but truthfully I already have another black pair from Topshop and I am not so sure these are too different, so they may end up going back. The highlight was probably just seeing all the great outfits that everyone at the turnout was wearing. Certainly they were far better dressed than any of these pieces could ever hope to aspire to.
A very New York event, no one ever looked like they cared too much, just enough to get the goods. Calm aloof mayhem. "Did you want this? Oh no, you take it...." Who me, care? Certainly not. Brilliant, perfectly New York.
For those of you wanting to cash in on a little of the action in farther off places, the following items are still available online at Barneys Coop.
P.S.
The front display windows had live models with Kate Moss masquerade-type masks over their face, making subtle references to being coy. Maybe that should have been my first indication that like their masks, this event was not quite the real thing.
Cowl Neck Dress. My goal.
Off I go. Wish me luck girls.
TTFN.
Gosh, so much to talk about. Last nights MET Costume Institute Gala....and the dresses!!! And then coming up tomorrow, Kate Moss at Barney's. OMG, it's too much. Starting today there is an ongoing witty commentary by Simon Doonan on the Barneys website. An excerpt below:
"Is she here yet? Is she bringing Pete? Is she going to clamber into the window like she did at the UK launch?...Can I come to the Party and bring my extended family? Oy Veh!!!!!
I have been at Barneys for twenty years and nothing-no store event or opening-has rivaled the insane, frenzied, build-up to the arrival of Kate and her Topshop line. I would put it right up there with the Invasion of the Faukland Islands, and the first episode of AbFab, or at least the launch of the DVD of Abfab."
Geez people, have we forgotten about the other huge, major Brit on the scene, hello: The Queen!!!
Right but anyway, yes back to important things like Topshop. Argh, I can't believe I am actually willingly going to subject myself to the madness that will be tomorrow.
And, my fave five pics from last nights gala:
Cam D. Love how she always contrast colors. Love the turquoise accents with the bright fuchsia.
Scarlett Johanson
Jessica Stam
Mary Kate Olsen
Ashley Olsen
Liv Tyler
And some of the more interesting and creative dresses:
Margherita Missoni
NY Socialites Tinsley Mortimer and Zani Gugelman
Kirsten Dunst
and Miss Anna herself.
TaTa dahlings, have to run.
xo, BG
O.K., so I admit I am almost hesitant to post anything more about the Kate Moss for Topshop collection coming to barneys in less than 2 weeks, for fear of an even more chaotic madhouse than I already anticipate it will be.
But anyway...
Check out the countdown.
Needless to say, I am SO excited!!!
Lanvin Patent Ballet Flat in Black. These are amazing, they are made in France and the leather inside is so soft, they just glide on, they are quite pricey but if you save up a great investment. umm, yummy!
Joan & David Hillary Flat. I love, love, love these.
Christian Louboutin Open-Toe Flat in Pale Grey Patent Leather. These are so very spring, from the peep toe to the blanc creamy color. Umm. Love it!
Miu Miu Black Satin Crystal Ballerina Slipper . OMG, these are so chic and Principessa. I am sure these will sell out in no time. Get 'em while you can. I know they are on the pricey side, but better to invest in one fabulous pair of flats that you will love to death than several of shoddy quality that are so-so. These are my favorite.
Giorgio Armani Studded d'Orsay Flat. These are great for summer, and a very elegant cut.
Giorgio Armani Bow d'Orsay Flat. Love the bow detail and the Patent. They would look amazing with skinny jeans as a "dress me up, dress me down" mix.
L'Autre Chose Flat Black Patent Skimmer
Medium-Price Range:
French Sole Rhythm Collapsible Ballet Flat. Great bow, love the square shape, very modern, simple, tres cool.
Juicy Couture Rose Travel Ballet Flats. OMG. These are too cool. Love the little baggie, perfect for when you are travelling on a plane..maybe going from colder to warmer, just pull out your flats and switch when you get to your warmer destination. I think I am partial to these because in Grade 7 I owned a Benetton (back when B. was 'it', along with Esprit) pair in Silver that were suspiciously similar, bag and all. If only I was still a size 8.
Some more affordable but still brilliant, options below:
Topshop Ballet Flat with Over-sized Bow in Pewter. These are so chic and totally affordable at £.20.
Topshop Slingback Twist Flat Shoe in Mushroom. These are SO cool. Love them. Again totally affordable (and yes Topshop now ships to the US) at £.35.
Sam Edelman Celine Snake Embossed Ballet Flat. Cute cut-out detailing.
AK Anne Klein Paleo Ballet Flats. These come in Patent or plain. I love patent, so I'd likely go for the patent in black.
The much-anticipated collection which drops May 1st at the flagship Oxford Circus London store (always a madhouse, can't imagine what it will be like May 1st) will be available a week later here in NYC at Barneys Co-op. Kate herself will make an appearance on the day of. I am sure this will be a big scene, I really do want a few of the pieces though. I suppose I will brave the masses. Oh and I keep hearing rumours of the opening of a Topshop here in the city later in the year. Anyone have any updates??
Fashion Week Daily reports on the collaboration:
“Topshop is a lower-end mass store that offers a lot of style; Barneys is an upscale luxury store that offers high style,” said Julie Gilhart. “What we both share is a love of style.”
“Kate’s style is so much of a Barneys style, so it’s like having a peek into her closet,” Gilhart compared. “But the most important thing is that we buy produce first, regardless of designer or name.”
Check out ShopDiary for shots from British Vogue of the new collection.
