ONE KINGS LANE + DESIGNER GIFT WRAP FOR CHARITY

Just in time for the holidays! One Kings Lane and seven forward thinking influencers in the world of fashion, interior design and food (my three favorite things, not necessarily in that order) will give you an opportunity to be fabulous while being altruistic. Log on to One Kings Lane beginning next Wednesday, November 14, to access gift wrap designed by Rachel Roy, Rachel Zoe, Lela Rose, interior designer Charlotte Moss, Alice + Olivia’s Stacey Bendet, Simon Doonan and food critic, Katie Lee.

   

Proceeds of the sale will benefit OphanAid Africa, Save the Children, Edible Schoolyard, the Bone MarrowFoundation, Girls Who Code, Lower East Side Girls Club, and Feeding America, respectively. If you've been living under a rock you don't already know, OneKings Lane is a member's only website that offers time-limited sales of furniture, home decor accessories, gifts, vintage items and then some--every single day. Joining One Kings Lane is easy, use this link: https://www.onekingslane.com/invite/NakiaThomas to sign up. You can thank me later. Happy Holiday shopping to you and yours!

RACHEL ROY + MACY'S

Rachel Rachel Roy for Macy's

Scheduled to debut August 1st, Rachel Roy's diffusion line for Macy's: "Rachel Rachel Roy" will be geared towards a younger set of consumers. However, given that most people are cutting back, the prices and the styles will no doubt appeal to Ms. Roy's usual set of consumers. Rachel Roy's contemporary line will feature sportswear for $59 to $299, shoes for $79 up to $199, up to $195 for jewelry and as much as $109 for handbags. For pictures of the Rachel Rachel Roy line for Macy's, check out Nitrolicious.

Click on the label below for vintage Rachel Roy posts!

FALL '09: RACHEL ROY RTW

Despite unprecedented cancellations, New York's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week did not disappoint. I was unable to attend the most recent Fashion Week, but took cold comfort in viewing pictures and videos of the various collections online.

I was impressed with many, but was truly bowled over by Rachel Roy's collection. Although Ms. Roy faces some criticism for using hair and beauty that is highly reminiscent of Stefano Pilati's Fall 2008 Yves Saint Laurent show, her designs were illustrative of innovation that is all her own: architectural, with peaks and valleys, elaborate cut-outs and artful draping . . . powerful, sexy and feminine, a touch vintage, but thoroughly modern . . . Rachel Roy did not show under the tents, instead she held a presentation in Chelsea. View the entire Rachel Roy Ready To Wear collection on Coutorture and check out NY 1's video here.

Click on the label below for vintage Fashion Week and Fashion Shows posts!

RACHEL ROY FALL 2008: PILGRIMS & INDIANS

Thanksgiving was not able to reconcile these two groups, but Rachel Roy has achieved amity--386 years later. Her collection represents the best of both worlds, an incredible fusion of the puritanical with the "exotic".

This collection is one of my personal faves. I love highly structured apparel (those tulip skirts are to die for), lush fabric and color, peep toe booties and statement making jewelry! Rachel incorporates all of these elements plus bits of feather...and hats... and gloves... and belts...

...and what's more? I can actually get away with some of these at work!*

Photo Credit: Style.com

* I wore Rachel Roy's "Silva" white button down to work a few days ago, it was so fussy I had to keep a jacket on (think puffed sleeves, super high neck, ruffles, French cuffs--all in a "simple" white button down).

NYC SAMPLE SALES!!!

What: Rachel Roy
Why: Up to 75 percent off leather jackets, one-shoulder dresses, wide-leg trousers, and blouses.

When: Oct. 31-Nov. 2. Wed.-Fri., noon-7 p.m.

Where: 25 W. 39th St., b/t Fifth & Sixth Aves., 14th flr.

What: Superdeluxe
Why: Decoupage glassware, letterpress cards, silk-screened gift wrap, scarves, and other items are at least 50 percent off.
When: Oct. 24-27. Wed.-Sat., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Where: 187 Chrystie St., b/t Stanton & Rivington Sts. (212-260-8300).

What: Tufi Duek

Why: Sexy dresses were $495-$950, now $95-$200; tops, were $220-$500, now $50-$120; shoes, were $280-$500, now $95-$120.

When: Oct. 23-25. Tues.-Thurs., 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m.

Where: 530 Broadway, at Spring St., 10th flr. (212-925-8277).

What: Multidesigner Sample Sale

Why: Galliano, Costume National, Just Cavalli, GF Ferre, and Malo clothing and accessories for men and women at up to 80 percent off.

When: Oct. 22-28. Mon.-Sat., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: 17 Battery Pl. S., b/t West Side Hwy. & Washington St., 5th flr. (212-413-4421).

What: Bonpoint
Why: kids need good deals, too. Baby overalls are $52; dresses are $76; boy shirts are $45.
When: Oct. 23-26. Tues.-Thurs., 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: 317 W. 33rd St., b/t Eighth & Ninth
Aves. (718-747-1656).

What: Elie Tahari
Why: Men’s and women’s leather jackets, were $798-$1,398, now $349-$399; sweaters, were $248-$548, now $79-$99.
When: Oct. 23-27. Tues.-Fri., 8:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: 510 Fifth Ave., at 43rd St., ground flr. (212-398-2622).

What: Chaiken
Why: Luxe winter coats, were $700, now $275; pants, were $250, now $100; sweaters, were $498, now $150.
When: Oct. 23-26. Tues., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.;
Wed., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thurs., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: 261 W. 36th St., b/t Seventh & Eighth Aves., 2nd flr. (212-947-8748).

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!