SOMETHING LIKE A PHENOMENON...

Let me preface by stating that I blame the blog for my newfound fascination with online shopping. Unsurprisingly, I love clothes. Surprisingly, I detest shopping. But! Ever since I started blogging (which requires that I look for clothes online), I’ve started ordering and ordering and ordering…I mean, I like the Target collaborations and all, but I’m not going to wear half of that stuff. And, seriously, how many CFDA-Vogue Fashion Fund-Gap white shirts can a girl own? It doesn’t help that my work require that I sit at a desk in front of a computer for countless hours…and so, when I have no time to go out and shop, and when I’m feeling sorry for myself for not having any time, what do I do? I send myself gifts! Methinks I need to get another hobby.

All of this is a really circuitous way of saying that: if you’re going to shop online, you might as well look into the tres exclusive (high end luxury discount) sites below. Moschino straight from the runway? Check. Dolce & Gabbana? Duh. Badgley Mishka? They’ve got it. And for dirt cheap—so to speak. Each site is by invite only and requires a referral (in the case of Editor’s Closet, no referral means you’ll have to join the waitlist—and folks have been waiting since time immemorial!). If you’re interested in joining, shoot me an e-mail at stylechil@gmail.com and I will send you an invite.

Brief synopses of a few of the more popular sites follow. Happy shopping! You can thank me (or not) later. And I have to thank David B. for inviting me to two out of the five listed below. He totally fuels my passion for fashion!

Gilt Group

www.gilt.com

"Luxury Brands; Hand Selected Styles; Members Only Prices"

StyleChile Rating: Amex up!

This one should be called “guilt group” because guilty is how you’ll feel after each purchase…it’s not that the items are expensive per se…well, relatively speaking…it’s just that the prices are so good, that the frequency with which you’ll make a purchase might prove problematic. I have a friend (she shall remain nameless, but if you want to know who, click here) who curses me for sending her the invite…she’s lost track of what (and how many) items she’s ordered…some of us have self control (ahem) and…a $25.00 credit for each referral who makes a purchase. So, my Valentino skirt, which would have otherwise been $200+, was almost free. Read here for Forbes' article on Gilt Group.

Haute Look

http://www.hautelook.com/

"The Most Exclusive Sales, Happen In Private."
StyleChile Rating: MasterCard down!

While I was able to buy a super cute “Plenty” by Tracy Reese car coat (for cheap folks, I’m talking cheapy-cheap cheap), I was not impressed with the wait time. If you’re anything like me…I need instant gratification (don’t ask why I shop online)…you’re going to grow impatient with the slouchy service! Be prepared to wait 7 days for HauteLook to receive your item (that’s 7 days AFTER you’ve clicked submit), plus a few—or many—additional days for them to ship it to you. Being the letter writing lawyer that I am, I was able to score a terse apology and a miniscule credit for my wait time.

Editor’s Closet

http://www.editorscloset.com/
StyleChile Rating: Visa’s on deck!

I’ve yet to try this one, but I’m intrigued. I was even more impressed when my Cavalli-wearing, French-shopping-spree-executing, gazillion-Louboutin (what these ole things?)-having friend, sent me an e-mail to thank me for this invite…she said she was wondering how she was going to get on. So you know this one must be good!

Rue La La

http://www.ruelala.com/
"Rue La La is an exclusive online destination of private sale primier brand boutiques that are each open two or three days each. Membership is free, as long as you know somebody."
StyleChile Rating: Debit Card at the Ready!

I joined this one today, and sadly, made my first purchase today. It was worth it though! I mean, the discounts are unbelievable. Miu Miu sale is tomorrow, so hop to it!

Urban Daddy

www.urbandaddy.com
StyleChile Rating: Cash in Hand!

Interested in hearing about the coolest and newest roof top lounge in your city? Want to know what the hot restaurants are doing with absinthe now that it’s legal? Want perks that most other urban dwellers can’t get their hands on? Well then, get in the know with Urban Daddy. Downside? They’re pretty aggressive with the e-mails…and while it’s all good information, I wish they would send weekly newsletters in lieu of bi daily feeds.

Sheesh, I think this might be my longest. post. ever.

YOHJI YAMAMOTO + HERMES

Not every collaboration is going to be available for bargain basement prices. Introducing the ultimate in luxury synergy--the "Yohji" bag, designed by Yohji Yamamoto and created by Hermes! Perfect for use as a briefcase or a laptop bag.

The "Yohji" bag, rendered in Hermes' Barenia calfskin leather.
The crocodile leather version was created for Yohji Yamamoto's Fall/Winter '08-'09 runway show.

Want your own "Yohji"? The bag is available made-to-order in select Hermes stores; starting at $6,200 for 35 centimeters and up to $7,100 USD for 41 centimeters. Click on the label below for vintage Style Collaborations!

TARA SUBKOFF FOR BEBE

So, apparently, high-lo/designer-mass retailer collaborations are spreading faster than one could say: Balenciaga by Ghesquière Prêt-à-Porter!

And for good reason. I for one think that haute fashion should not be limited to the wealthy. These collaborations gives the hoi polloi (myself included) access to designers who they would only otherwise admire from afar.

And what about the argument that joint efforts between these sought after designers and jumbomarts dilute the brand? Pish posh. I think this phenonmenon actually expands a designer's customer base and hopefully instills brand loyalty into many who may be better positioned to purchase luxury goods in the future.

Consider, for example, actress cum designer, Tara Subkoff, co-founder of Imitation of Christ. Her designs may now be found at Bebe! Check out the entire Sara Subkoff for Bebe collection here. I've pasted a couple of pictures below.

NYC SAMPLE SALES!!!

What: DVF
Why: Holiday '07 and spring '08 dresses ($150), gowns ($300), blouses ($80), samples ($50), flats ($100).
When: June 3-7. Tues. & Fri., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Wed., 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Thurs., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: 260 Fifth Ave., between 28th & 29th Streets.


What: Philip Crangi
Why: Giles & Brother and Academie lines with steep discount.
When: June 5 & 6. Thurs. & Fri., noon-7 p.m.
Where: 147 W. 29th St., between Sixth & Seventh Aves., 2nd floor.


What: Saja
Why: Save 75 % off day-to-evening dresses, gowns, skirts, knits, and more.
When: June 5 & 6. Thurs., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: 250 W. 39th St., between Seventh & Eighth Aves., ste. 1601.



What:Jennifer Alfano
Why: Handbags and clutches in exotic leathers up to 75 percent off.
When: June 4-6. Wed., 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Thurs. & Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: 257 W. 39th St., between Seventh & Eighth Aves., 10th floor., suite. 8 (212-730-4740).



What: Fred Perry
Why: British street fashion for ladies and gents.
When: June 5-8. Thurs. & Fri., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat. & Sun., noon-6 p.m.
Where: 547 W. 27th St., between Tenth & Eleventh Aves., 3rd floor. (212-736-3030). Cash only.


What: Cadeau Maternity
Why: Look hot and pay less while preggers. Up to 50% off.
When: June 4 & 5. Wed. & Thurs., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Where: 254 Elizabeth St., between Houston & Prince Sts. (212-994-1801).


What: Rebecca Taylor
Why: Wholesale and below on kittenish dresses, dusters, and tops.
When: June 3-5. Tues., 1-8 p.m.; Wed. & Thurs., 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Where: 145 W. 18th St., b/t Sixth & Seventh Avenues. (212-388-0339).



What: Secrets of Charm
Why: Up to 70% off dresses and girly tops.
When: June 3-5. Tues.-Thurs., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: 95 Horatio St., at Washington St., suite. 706 (646-414-0052).


Thanks to Daily Candy and the folks at DVF!

DRESS FOR LESS: LITTLE WHITE DRESS

Did you see the Sex and The City movie this weekend? OMG. It was a fashion lover's dream. I was overstimulated. I simply could not keep up with each of the many ensembles. And, crazily, the audience was literally an extension of the movie...everyone was decked out!

Acquire--Right: button front sun dress available at topshop for £25.00; shell stud earring $3.80 at Forever 21; snake gladiator sandals $25.50 at Alloy; metallic crinkle scarved $28 at Kitson; Kimono sleeve sweater $49.99 at Spiegel; and Tracy shine slim clutch wallet $36.00 at Guess.

Aspire--Left: button front sun dress available at topshop for £25.00; Orb necklace by Herve van der Straeten $415.00 at Vivre; Christian Louboutin's "Very Noeud" slingbacks $795 at net-a-porter; Gigi Caron lucky girl earrings, by fellow blogger Wendy Brandes, $250.00; antique shagreen minaudiere by R. & Y. Augousti available at Vivre for $375.00; Jimmy Choo aviator sunglasses $295, at Neiman Marcus; and "Adelaide" denim jacket $118.00 at Lucky Brand.

I mean, I expected a fashiony crowd but, seriously, I had never experienced anything like that for a night at the movies?! I, of course, was dressed up only because I had dinner after ;)

If you're not betrothed to Mr. Big and your budget doesn't include bi-monthly Manolo purchases, check out the slide above to see how you can create a trendy summer look, irrespective of how much cash you've got in your Louis Vuitton denim patchwork.

Click on the link below for vintage dress for less posts!

RIP YVES SAINT LAURENT

A maverick in his day and still a trailblazer until passing, Yves Saint Laurent, who became chief designer of the House of Dior at the age of 21, succomed to a long illness today in France. He was 71.

"Fashions fade, style is eternal."-Yves Saint Laurent

His legacy lives on through his slim pantsuits, safari jackets, tuxedos and gorgeous gowns. Read more here.

WEEKLY STYLE REVIEW

Check out this week's crop of celebrities in Cannes and one the red carpet.