DRESS FOR LESS: ISAAC MIZRAHI

Isaac Mizrahi's yummy cotton faille dress,below left, $285.00 on the designer's website, is featured in June's In Style magazine. Get the subtler version, with the same design aesthetic, for $34.99, from the Isaac Mizrahi for Target line!

CDTBK Sample Sale

coup d'etat brooklyn is having a sample sale this Saturday at Addy & Ferro.



















Check it out. I assure you it'll be the ultimate collaboration!

MADEWELL

So apparently J. Crew has opened a store, a subsidiary, called Madewell! The store is located in Houston and L.A. -- with new locations to be opened soon...

Madewell is shrouded in secrecy, for what reason--I don't know! Perhaps a clever marketing ploy? The store doesn't have a New York location, but every so often they'll roll into town, to a secret location and sell items for brief stints at a time!

As Gawker accurately pointed out, some New Yorkers (ahem), are instantly interested in anything that is "exclusive" or "limited edition"...which might have something to do with my surreptitious trips from the office to tango with little old women who stand between me and certain one-of-a-kind, limited edition offerings from a certain model, via a certain Euro design house...more on that later!

I digress... in all seriousness, maybe the Madewell marketing ploy is not so effective, because I had never heard of them until loyal reader, Shamika, told me about it!

Check out Madewell's comfy, weekend-chic jeans, tanks and shoes...all at very reasonable prices!

EYE CANDY

Shu Uemura has upped the ante and has added some major bling to their iconic eyelash curler.

The Japanese cosmetics brand has created the 24K gold eyelash curler to celebrate the fifteenth anniversary of the invention. The curler retails for around $37.00 with gold case (and approximately $20.00 without), but you can purchase two for $22.00 at Designer Fragrance & Cosmetics Company in the concourse at Rockefeller Plaza!

Hurry in...and tell them I sent 'ya!

STAR STYLIST

Someone over at ICED media sent me the following! Looks awesome, check it out...you might have what it takes to win the chance to become a real-life star stylist, receive a shopping spree in NYC and win a spot in Teen Vogue's Fashion U.





Were you the first to rock leggings with flats? Is your new micro-mini the talk of the town? Are fashion faux pas something other people commit? Find out as The N kicks off Star Stylist, a new interactive, multiplatform reality series, hosted by South of Nowhere's Valery Ortiz. The new series will feature eight fashion-forward young thinkers as they vie for the chance to be named Star Stylist. The interactive series premieres on The N and online at The-N.com on Friday, June 15. Judging the show will be fashion icons Mark Jacobs, Louis Johnson and Jamie Rosenthal.

From Monday, May 14 through Thursday, May 31, aspiring stylists who are 13 years of age and older can go online at www.the-n.com and upload a video of what they think is the perfect post-prom look. Then from Friday, June 1 through Thursday, June 14 th, Star Stylist will put fans in the driver's seat as The N's online viewers will vote and decide who will be the final eighth contestant who gets the chance to compete for the title of Star Stylist.

Good luck! Tell 'em I sent ya!

HEADS UP, THUMBS DOWN!

I'm not sure how I feel about this trend. That's not true...actually, I'm quite sure how i feel about this one! I don't like it one bit! Ashley sports the turban-like headband, below, and that looks ok, but I'm not quite sure where Prada was going with this. Her turbans made their debut on the spring 2007 runway, but has only generated negative chatter...everywhere (even in the Jamaica Observer--I couldn't resist)!

Rachel Roy wore a turban to the Saks gala at the Met...she doesn't look half bad! Could it be that its 'cause she's Indian? Or maybe just because she's fabulous? Personally, I can't avert my eyes from her shoes, so either which way....

... with respect to the turban, not a good look!

NYC SAMPLE SALES!!!

What: Betsey Johnson
Why: Coats $140, Jackets $85, Dresses $80, Sweaters $70, Seperates$70, Belts $20, Shoes $50, Bags $50-100.
When: Wed, May 16-Fri, May 18 Time: 10-8pm.
Where: 263 West 38th Street(Btwn 7th & 8th). Cash & Credit Cards only.






What: stylebug.com (featuring Escada, Chanel, Christian Dior, Valentino, Monique Lhuillier)
Why: Gowns, were $4,990, now $690; Dresses, were $2,490, now $399; Handbags, were $895m now $249.
When: May 15-17, Tues. - Weds. 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Thurs. 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: New Yorker Hotel, 481 8th Ave., 3rd Floor at 34th St. (800-763-4159)



What: Yigal Azrouël
Why: Dresses, were $700, now $165; skirts, were $335, now $85; tops, were $245, now $75.
When: May 15-17. Tues. & Wed., 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Thurs., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: 225 W. 39th St., b/t Seventh & Eighth Aves., 7th flr. (212-302-1194).

What: John Robshaw
Why: Exquisitely soft duvets for $75, quilts for $50, sheets for $40, pillows for $20-$30.
When: May 17-19. Thurs., 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: 245 W. 29th St., b/t Seventh & Eighth Aves., ste. 1104 (212-594-6006).

What: Abaete
Why: Up to 70 percent off dresses, swimwear, and everything in between.
When: May 17-19. Thurs.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: 560 Broadway, at Prince St., ste. 509 (212-334-4755).

What: Castle Starr
Why: Celestial dresses, were $650, now $350; tops, were $400, now $220.
When: May 17 & 18. Thurs., noon-8 p.m.; Fri., 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: 231 W. 39th St., b/t Seventh & Eighth Aves., ste. 602.

What: Steven Alan
Why: Men’s and women’s labels like Steven Alan, Les Prairies de Paris, Loomstate, Superfine, and such at 30-75 percent off.
When: May 17-20. Thurs. & Fri., 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat., noon-7 p.m.; Sun., noon-5 p.m.
Where: 87 Franklin St., b/t Church St. & Broadway (212-343-0692).

What: Lela Rose
Why: Spring dresses, were $1,100, now $400; tunics, were $695, now $250.
When: May 16 & 17. Wed. & Thurs., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Where: 224 W. 30th St., b/t Seventh & Eighth Aves., 13th flr. (212-947-9204).

What: Adam+ Eve
Why: Cozy tees, undies, and sportswear for lads and lasses, all up to 75 percent off.
When: May 16-19. Wed.-Sat., 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Where: 75 Ninth Ave., b/t W. 15th & 16th Sts. (212-675-2022).

What: Denise Williamson Showroom
Why: Development by Erica Davies, Nobody denim, Ulla Johnson, and more for men and women at up to 70 percent off.
When: May 17-19. Thurs. & Fri., 8:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; Sat., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: 119 Mercer St., b/t Prince & Spring Sts., ste. 2s (212-226-5507).

What: Hollywould and Tibi
Why: Hollywould ballet flats, were $250, now $65; pumps, were $485, now $120. Tibi blouses, were $235-$350, now $105-$150; dresses were $295-$420, now $130-$190.
When: May 16-18. Wed., 1-8 p.m.; Thurs. & Fri., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Where: 336 W. 37th St., b/t Eighth & Ninth Aves., 15th flr. (212-966-3773).

SUMMER TRENDS + CELEB STYLE

Looking for ways to incorporate this season's trends into your summer wardrobe? Check out our feature in MIMI Magazine! We've highlighted some of the summer's must-haves, such as brights, and black and white (scroll through the style section)...much more reasonable than the ones below! If your budget allows, ball out on net-a-porter, where you too can dress like a celeb!

Camilla Belle wear's Oscar de la Renta's silk scoop neck creation...

Get it for 2,005.00 pounds over on the UK net-a-porter....

Get Thandie's asymetrical black and white striped Giles dress...

...also from net-a-porter, this silk satin mini is $4,095.00

NYC SAMPLE SALES!!!

Mark your calendars...the sample sales below will be here in no time! Thanks to the Krupp Group for the info!



What: MINT Jodi Arnold
Why: Linen and silk graphic print dresses, cropped jackets and coats, applique tops and spring sateen pants for wholesale and below!
When: June 5-6. Tues.-Weds., 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; June 7. Thurs. 9 a.m. -3 p.m.
Where: 230 West 39th Street, 2nd Fl., b/t 7th and 8th ave.





What: Cadeau Maternity
Why: Stretch jersey tees and spring cotton skirts, chic pants and embroidered smock dresses up to 75% off
When: May 23-24. Weds.-Thurs., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Where: 254 Elizabeth Street, b/t Prince and Houston (212-994-1801)

WEEKLY STYLE REVIEW

Check out these stylish celebs!

POLITICS OF FASHION: MR. PRESIDENT

I was fortunate enough to not only co-host, but leave work early enough to attend, the Women for Obama event held at the Harvard Club last night!

with Barack and other members of the host committee...

Michelle Obama was the keynote speaker and her husband came out to lend his support! Her speech was particulary moving and resonated with the rest of the audience as much as it did with me...I guess that's why she may be the next first lady!

She's really commanding in person...as tall and beautiful as any model. She looked amazing in her ruffled shirt and belted pant suit!

Speaking of models...Iman is as sweet as she is beautiful! She spent a lot of time chatting us up and taking pics...ummmm, I refuse to post any pic of me standing next to her, so...moving on...her ruffled shirt (with black skinny pant) was super feminine and romantic! Is that Chanel?

Gayle King was exuberant in a beautiful peach ensemble with fierce, matching, ostrich bag!...she missed the Chicago premiere of the Color Purple in order to introduce Michelle and Barack.

Phylicia Rashad exuded quiet confidence in a sophisticated, and safe--but this is a political event--dark suit!

I'm not sure who this woman is, but she looked super cute and sophisticated in a simple A-line dress and oversized pearls!

Click the label below to check out other style events!