Shop Gucci, Pour La Victoire, J Brand, marc by marc jacobs and more at today’s online sample sales

Shop the following editor’s picks: Gucci, Red Carpet Beauty Must-Haves, Pre-Fall Boots: Pour La Victoire, Charlie My Love, Anouk and More, J Brand Women & Men, marc by marc jacobs, Cashhimi, Theory, and more at today’s online sample sales at Gilt, Gilt City – New York, ideeli, Row Nine, Rue La La, Billion Dollar Babes, Editor’s Closet, Beyond the Rack, HauteLook, Enviius, Gomatta Girls, Lucky Chic, One King’s Lane, Reverse by Revolve, Jetsetter, Gilt Man, Estile, DD Push, The Top Secret, The Skinny, Mintbox, Rent the Runway and more.

Just click on the links to sign up and start shopping!

NEW! Winery Insider: Rhône Wines: 91pt Cotes Du Ventoux, Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve, 91pt Northern Rhône Syrah, 88-90pt Grenache

Avelle & Bag Borrow or Steal Private Sale: 11:30 am (ET) Today Only! Couture Styles 50% off

Beauty Story is a free, highly exclusive and invitation-only sample sale site. In order to join, please email me at editor (at) whatshaute (dot) com: Vapour Organic Beauty, Lash M, Jonathan Antin, Revolution Organics

Beyond the Rack: Lexi Green, Baby Phat, Gucci, Christian Audigier, Make Love not Trash, Classique, Luxury Jewelry Event, OTBT, Luggage Event

Billion Dollar Babes: Red Carpet Beauty Must-Haves, breadandbutter

DD Push is an exclusive online sample sale site. In order to join, please email me at editor (at) whatshaute (dot) com: Kelly Nishimoto, Underglam, Backlot clearance sale

Editor’s Closet: Invicta, Military Chic style, Watches under $50, Going going gone

Enviius: Alzerina Jewelry, Chrysalis Belu, Ariane Arazi, Tova, Baume & Mercier

Estile: Limedrop, Multi-designer sale

Gilt: Carlos Falchi, Color Spectrum: Gerard Yosca, Pono, Wendy Mink, and more, Generra, Gold Hawk, Jewelry featuring M2 by Mary Margril, Me & Ro, and Lizzie Scheck, Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti, Pre-Fall Boots: Pour La Victoire, Charlie My Love, Anouk and More, Up to 80% Off: Home Final Sale

Gilt City – New York: Brasserie, Blonde Redhead Fashion Week Kickoff, Yasmine Djerradine Spa, Randolph at Broome, Cityhouse, Brief Encounter, True Pilates New York

Gomatta Girls: Ravon, Soho Hearts

Guiltless Purse: Carla Mancini, Zara Terez, Treesje, Lambertson Truex

HauteLook: J Brand Women & Men, Ella Moss, Ella Girl & Little Ella, Koolaburra Boots, decadestwo, DermaNew Skincare

ideeli: marc by marc jacobs, betsey johnson, fila, junior drake, lucca, max studio, maternity shop, giella cosmetic, vic firth, white mountain

Jetsetter: New Zealand & Pacific Cruise, Ka’ana Resort – Belize, Casa Palopó – Guatemala, The Crane – Barbados, Capella Ixtapa – Mexico, Hotel Jerome – Aspen, Amansala Bikini Bootcamp, Power Up Sundance

Lucky Chic: Walgreen’s, Dunkin Donuts, Borders

Mintbox is a free, highly exclusive and invitation-only sample sale site. In order to join, please email me at editor (at) whatshaute (dot) com: Mackage, All Saints, Edun, ADAM, La Perla, Charm & Chain

Modnique: Reverse By Dolan, Robin’s Jean Shoes, Hanslin Watches, Titan Design Jewelry, Iceberg Watches, S.T Dupont accessories, Rucinni Gifts, Breil Jewelry, Gucci Sunglasses, FENDER Men’s Shirts, End of Summer Designer Sunglasses Sale, Chimento and Choice by Chimento Jewelry, Versus watches, Flavio Castellani, Henri Purec Jewelry, Akribos Watches, Marcel Drucker Jewelry, Tom Ford Sunglasses, Stockert & Cie Jewelry, Christian Dior Sunglasses, Colibri Jewelry, Lancaster Accessories, People’s Liberation Apparel, Fred Jewelry and Watches, Andre Giroud Watches, Giorgio Armani Sunglasses, Casato Jewelry, FPJ jewelry, Tonino Lamborghini, Stuhrling watches, Salavetti Jewelry, Mirus watches

One King’s Lane - to join, please email me at editor (at) whatshaute (dot) com: D. Porthault Bed, Bath & Table Linens, Zambaiti Throws, Feinberg Antique Silver, Claus Porto Soaps

Oohilove: Bid on Nordstrom, Tiffany, Louis Vuitton and more!

Portero: Save up to 80% on pre-owned Vintage and Luxury Brands at Portero.com Including; Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Rolex, Manolo Blahnik, Hermès, Jimmy Choo, Gucci, Tiffany, Cartier and Many more!

Rent the Runway: Reminder: Trunk Show Today and Tomorrow

Reverse by Revolve: Fluxus, Eight Sixty, LA Made

RowNine: Cashhimi Handbags, Jacquie Aiche Jewelry

Rue La La: Theory, Plinio Visoná, Mandarina Duck, Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa, Arthur Court Designs

Shopbop: Runway to Shopbop – shop your favorite looks from fashion week

Swirl – sample sales by Daily Candy - to join, please email me at editor (at) whatshaute (dot) com: KAS, Victorialand, Last splash – Yumny, Orla Kiely

The Mini Social: Momma Couture, Elizabeth Todd, Obli Organics

The Sample Sale: Minx

The Skinny

The Top Secret: Blowout sale

Tibi - Fall 2009 Fashion Week

For Fall 2009, Tibi designer Amy Smilovic presented a colorfully cohesive collection based on “a lighthearted moodiness influenced by the Russian fairytale, “The Tale of the Firebird“.” Smilovic’s jaunt to Russia resulted in a vivid display of satin dresses, chiffon tops, chicly cut wool coats a peacock-style prints throughout in hues of blue, black and gold.

Though heavily incorporating this Fall’s ‘black is back’ trend, Smilovic’s frequent pops of color and punchy cut pieces set her collection apart. Asymmetical cuts, and carefully placed beading, embroidery and ruffles reminded us of why Tibi remains a go-to designer season after season.

Nanette Lepore - Fall 2009 Fashion Week

Nanette Lepore is known for creating ultrafeminine pieces and her Fall 2009 collection was no different. The designer told media sources that she was inspired by “opulent women who mix and match pieces, travels a lot, collects and keeps clothes and mixes something fabulous with something old and vintage.” In her runway show, it was obvious to see the touches of vintage influences in the fabrics, silhouettes and color choices. But Lepore managed to put a modern glamorous spin on it all.

Rich color combinations were utilized – gold metallic accented black, brown and coral tones in ethnic printed shift, chiffon blouses and plaid shorts and skirts. A heavy use of plaid was also incorporated into the collection as well – everything from asymmetrically cut dresses to softly cut blazers to skirt suits accented with feathered hems. Shades of royal blue and mustard yellow were mixed with khaki and black and leopard printed accessories, including belts and open-toed booties. Chunky wool hats provided a stark yet perfect contrast to the ladylike silhouettes.

Jordi Scott - Fall 2009 Fashion Week

Here we are in the blender. Many of the downtown up and coming designers and the clients that wear them are consistently combining the rebellious looks of the past as a way of striking out at the homogeneity that was constricting fashion. What happens when designers like Jordi Scott and Starr Rinaldi of Jordi Scott get a hold of the uniforms of rebels past is they become style terrorists and use design to attack the numbing fog of blandness that is commercial fashion. As with many designers who have been marginalized and denied exposure, for Fall/Winter ‘09 there was a strong sense that they are now bathing in the blood pouring from the the collapse of the marketplace that was built by the very same “commercialistas” that rejected them.

For Fall/Winter ‘09, the deviant duo of Scott and Rinaldi served up their classic mix of 70s and 80s punk and pop art but with a stronger cohesiveness and a more mature sense of who they are as designers. The collection was still raw and in your face with all of the great punk swagger and oozing sexiness that is their hallmark. But this time gazing through their looking glass though the message felt stronger and the clothes were somehow more substantial and less pop. The show opened with a video encouraging all of us to dance and party. And at a Jordi Scott show it felt fitting to swill and sway while the economic crisis and the cultural carnage it is spewing cast a pall over the city. Then the models stomped and slammed their way down the runway wearing clothes that were sexy and bold. Distressed leggings and faux leather mixed with chain prints and glittering fabrics. Electric colors screamed from underneath black blouses. P.V.C trim adorned shirts and skirts and in one creative touch mimicked electrical tape. Many pieces were perfect for all the bad boys and nasty girls but none more so than the skintight pants and jackets that just sent a ripple of sex through out the crowd. Overall the show was a great step forward for this talented and fierce design team that is just on the edge of being the next big must have for the dangerous, dirty, and fabulous.

Christian Siriano - Fall 2009 Fashion Week

Typically reality show winners suffer the curse of the sudden death of their careers once the show ends. But Christian Siriano seems to have shaken and broken the curse and his meteoric rise in the fashion industry has been something worth watching.

Siriano won last year’s Project Runway and since has reached celeb status, partly due to his fierceness, but mainly due to his incredible talent as a fashion designer. His over the top creations on the show won him fans but we all wondered if he was a one-note. Well, his Bryant Park debut proved otherwise. It was great to see Siriano duplicate some of the things that made him famous but also to see his ready-to-wear pieces that the everyday woman could actually wear.

His color palette consisted of primarily khaki, brown gold and blue tones but that did not limit his imagination. Designing everything from gowns to suits, Siriano certainly put his stamp on every piece in the collection. Present were the expected puffy sleeves and ruffles, but also present were asymmetrically pleated skirts, skinny pants, cape jackets and shirred and ruched satin dresses.

Though you may forget about those other reality show winners, Siriano continues to make his mark on the fashion industry and he won’t let you forget about him and his fierce clothes anytime soon.

Me pictured with Christian Siriano at Bryant Park

Concordia/Wireimage

Ports 1961 - Fall 2009 Fashion Week

Applause is due to Tia Cibani of Ports 1961 for shifting her inspirational focus to a climate that is far, far away from both her home and the home of her last Fall/Winter collection. The choice of India was a risk as far as fabrics and cuts. I really liked the softness of the color palette and the materials looked very soft and luxurious. Being luxurious these days is akin to a mortal sin as well, so hats off to Tia for that choice as well. Some of the dresses were lovely and feminine, but overall far too many of the pieces looked as if the cuts had just missed the mark in terms of fit. I am unsure if it was struggles with the material or simply appearance caused by ill-planned use of volume. I do want to stress though that I feel that there was a strong evolution taking place in Tia Cibani’s personal aesthetic. Also again let me say that the pieces that I did like, I enjoyed a great deal. I am still excited to watch this young talent as she grows and matures and continues to master her craft.

Rebecca Taylor - Fall 2009 Fashion Week

In this strangest of seasons where everyone felt the pressure to reinvent themselves, and a great variety of reactions to that pressure have been on display. The designers who have been the most interesting to watch have been designers who have a fairly traditional, and therefore commercially acceptable, aesthetic. They didn’t need to change for cash but they still had to not appear insensitive. Everyone under the Bryant Park circus this season seemed to change at least a little, simply because they knew that everything else had changed…a lot. So it was with Rebecca Taylor, she used large amounts of knitwear for the first time and also tried some changes in shape and structure. The collection had some very nice pieces and she smartly did not abandon her clientèle, providing plenty of airy florals and quirky combinations. I did have a problem with how some of her cuts handled high volume at the shoulders and down through the midsection. Usually designers balance a lot of upper positive space with tightly sculptured negative space or an equal volume of material somewhere else. This keeps the garment form appearing top heavy or puffy. Taylor’s pieces did not accomplish this and as a result some of them looked inflated and odd. Breaking new ground is tough, especially when your stitching hand is forced by elements outside of your control. All in all I can’t fault Taylor to much as she really had no choice but to change something, anything or appear as if she was the last girl dancing alone at a party.

Monarchy Collection - Fall 2009 Fashion Week

From Russia with love seemed to be the common thread connecting most designers at the Mercedes Benz Fall 2009 collections. While Monarchy’s denim-based line seemed to have touches of Russian inspiration, the brand actually saddled up to a ‘Scottish equestrian’ theme.

Monarchy presented a mix of rugged eastern European-influenced biker-chic with modern bohemian looks under the direction of designer Eric Kim and new womenswear design director David Cardona.

The collection, titled “Smoke & Mirrors,” displayed white hooded tees unexpectedly paired with gauzy, one-shouldered little black minidresses and mid-thigh length leather biker jackets.

Billowing trench coats and ponchos in fall’s earth tones were paired with skinny jeans, high-collared Victorian blouses and equestrian boots.

Models wore Scottish-style hats with fur trim to accessorize and cap off the looks.

Tory Burch Fall 2009 Presentation

Last night found me at a fashion presentation for my favorite designer, Tory Burch. Her designs are a breath of fresh air, consisting of pieces that any and every woman can wear, anywhere. Her Fall 2009 presentation consisted of a multitude of day and evening looks, shoes, boots and handbags. Her design house is truly a one-stop-shop for all of your ready-to-wear needs.

The collection was full of charming, ladylike layered separates like print blouses, cardigans, skirts and pants mixed with short day dresses, peacoats, full-length sequined evening gowns and even flattering satin jodhpurs. On the flip side, Burch edged things up a notch with lots of leather, skinny camouflage pants and studded handbags. Think the jet-set meets the old-money set meets the Lower East Side set.

For accessories, Burch delivered another set of highly covetable pieces that I can’t wait to buy! Clutch and shoulder bags looked disco-inspired with rows of gold pyramid studs and geometric shapes, and sans the infamous double T emblem. For footwear, Burch went downtown for inspiration, moving on from her iconic ballet flats to buckled and pinned edgy slouch boots, and more feminine velvet pumps with a bamboo heel.

And an all-star designer deserves an all-star turnout. Rapper Kanye West and model girlfriend Amber made an appearance along with living rap legend LL Cool J (that’s me with him!), singer Santogold, and music execs Kevin Liles and Lyor Cohen (Burch’s significant other) of Warner Music Group.

Shop Tory Burch at Saks Fifth Avenue.

The Heart Truth Red Dress Collection at New York Fashion Week

This was my first time attending The Heart Truth’s Red Dress Collection 2009 and it was an amazing way to kick off fashion week. Stars who usually sit front row were front and center on the red catwalk, donning stunning red designer dresses to raise awareness about heart disease in women.

Twenty celebrities strutted their stuff in the show. Following an introduction by Project Runway’s Tim Gunn, Amanda Bynes opened the show in Daniel Swarovski, followed by Jennie Garth and Tori Spelling, of Beverly Hills 90210 fame, in Badgley Mischka and Betsey Johnson, respectively. Then out came actresses Nia Long in Tracey Reese, Natasha Henstridge in Verrier, Vivica A. Fox in Jenny Packham, model/TV host Daisy Fuentes in Pamella Roland, Wonder Woman Lynda Carter in Carolina Herrera, and Patricia Arquette in Nicole Miller, followed by singer/actress Hilary Duff in Donna Karan and Katie Couric of CBS Nightly News in Carmen Marc Valvo.

The crowd was treated to animated dances down the runway from Cicely Tyson in B. Michael, Dancing With The Stars co-host Samantha Harris in David Meister, Valerie Bertinelli in Christian Siriano and soap opera megastar Susan Lucci in Gustavo Cadile.

Athletes got in on the glam act as well, with figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi in Vera Wang and Olympic gold medalist Nastia Liukin in Max Azria both modeling in the show.

Celeb spottings: Christian Siriano (Project Runway), Miss Jay (America’s Next Top Model), Gerard Butler, Marcus Schenkenberg, Peter Facinelli.

About The Heart Truth:

The Heart Truth created and introduced the Red Dress as the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness in 2002 to deliver an urgent wake-up call to American women. For the first time ever, a selection of the designer dresses seen on the runway will be auctioned online in February through a partnership with Clothes Off Our Back. The Red Dress reminds women of the need to protect their heart health and inspires them to take action. Each February since its launch, the Red Dress symbol has come to life the runway with the support of the fashion industry and celebrity models at the Red Dress Collection Fashion Show.

Find out much more about women’s heart health at the The Heart Truth.

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