Kifka + Heller is now Blank: Up & Coming Designers' Haven

It was that time of year. And a long time coming! I visited Kifka + Heller yesterday on W. 49th St. Same location, but new name (it's now called Blank), new interior (white gravel floor!) and new retail concept.

While they are still offering some of their own best pieces, they have also opened the space up to cutting-edge up-and-coming designers who haven't yet had a chance to get their names or pieces out to the masses. Or even the minors! So since we all dwell in this real estate insane and scary talent show competition stress factory of a city, Scott and Adam decided to fling open their doors to other design talent that they think deserve an opportunity to be seen and heard.

Welcome....

Leif and Tooya (pictured)

I love this stuff! As soon as I saw it, I was reminded of the "olden" days of Soho...way back in the mid-1980s. And this was a great recollection to have...some of my favorite memories of New York when I thought that it was the greatest place on earth (a thought that has not changed to date, by the way).

Additionally, at price points that are more conducive to relatively normal people who are trying to get by in this bizarre economy, Blank should become a definite stop along your fabulous fashion shopping route.

Ballard Designs Lighting

Did I ever mention these cheap-yet-chic chandees that I bought months ago via Ballard Designs, but have yet to actually install? I guess not. Well, they are hiding in boxes behind my couch. But now that I found this unposted post, I am considering finally ripping them open and finding some big strong man who enjoys electrical work to hang them for me. Properly.

June 11-13, SoHo Stroll to Benefit the Homeless

SoHo Stroll To Benefit the Homeless
June 11-13
100 Stores, Restaurants and Galleries Expected to Participate

The Association for Community Employment Programs for the Homeless (A.C.E.) and The SoHo Partnership will host a shopping event to raise money for New York City’s homeless men and women. During the Stroll, shoppers will have exclusive access to discounts and promotions in each participating store, gallery or restaurant. Promotions will range from discounts to free samples to complimentary cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. Funds raised will go to the SoHo Partnership.

Shoppers will purchase a $20 bracelet, which will grant them admission to the Stroll and qualify them for discounts and promotions. Bracelets will be for sale at the SoHo Stroll Welcome Booth at the corner of Spring and Wooster Streets.

At this time, participating venues include: Alaska House, ALESSI, Atelier Minyon, Bang & Olufsen, Bath Junkie, Burton Snowboards Flagship Store, Children's Museum of the Arts, Christopher Fischer, Coclico, Costume National, DOM New York, Eileen Fisher, Elie Tahari, Fragments, H & M (both SoHo locations), Jeremy Argyle, La Esquina, Lacoste, LF Stores, Ligne Roset, Molton Brown, MoMA Design Store, OK Cigars, SoHo Gem, The North Face, Theory, Tretorn, Via dei Mille and Yvone Christa New York.

Darren Wallace: Handbags & Subway Signs (?)

I just visited the incredible secret lair of Darren Wallace: handbag designer, interior decorator, industrial artist, and who knows what else he's got up his sleeves. If you want one of his bags - some pictured here - or if you're in the market for old subway signs that have been revitalized and fierce-ified with hundreds - nay THOUSANDS - of individual, hand-affixed crystals DW is your man. Check here for other items and contact info.

VOTE: Independent Designer Handbag Awards

Hi all - see this handbag a.k.a. backpack? See it!? Well you can vote for it and ensure that my friend Darren Wallace wins the award for: Best Handmade Handbag at this year's Independent Designer Handbag Awards.

Made of royal blue cayman crocodile backpack and lined with black embossed cow hide, it has a zipper up the middle of the reverse side as well as a small pocket. It also features small embellishments including Swarovski crystals.

You can buy his wares...as well as other commissioned items of pop art, which I will include in another post.

Tracy Porter: New Clearance Section Online

Tracy Porter has a new clearance section on its website with bargains of up to 70-90% off the usual prices. Featuring fun jewelry, clothing, mirrors, pillows, shoes and other doo-dads, you should be able to find some good stuff. Especially the mirrors (pictured: was $175, now $99) and pillows (pictured: was $192, now $44), which I can't get enough of and are usually way too expensive.

ANNA: The Lady In Red...

So wedding season is upon us, and as per usual, I am invited to one. So I trotted down to the store I can't seem to get away from these days (ANNA) and tried on about 12 dresses. Narrowed it down to 5. Bought 3. Will be debuting this red number, which is much more saucy and sophisticated when it is on an actual human. I just need to hunt down the right slip like the ladies did back in the day. Yes, it's going to be THAT kind of outfit. Mizz Kemp says that more of these numbers in some additional colors will be making their way into the store in the coming weeks.

June 6: 5th Annual Housing Works Open Air Street Fair

FREE! On June 6 Crosby Street between Prince and Houston in Soho will be closed to cars as thousands of donated books, records and CDs will be on sale for for $1 a piece, plus clothing, shoes, accessories and housewares from Housing Works Thrift Shops.

Additionally, The Works outdoor cafe will be serving sliders, sweets and beverages. Sixpoint will be beer served up by Puck Fair in the beer tent and ice cream from Van Leeuwen.

All profits go to Housing Works, which provides lifesaving services for homeless and low-income New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS.

WHEN: Saturday June 6, 2009 10am to 6pm (Rain date June 7)
WHERE: Crosby St. between Houston and Prince (one block east of Broadway)

TODAY ONLY - Cole Haan 40% off Online Sale

I am not loving Cole Haan's spring/summer collection, but at 40% off, it may be worth investigating further: http://tinyurl.com/qnw29s

Half-Yearly Sale at Nordstrom

Sale at Nordstrom: http://tinyurl.com/pmyme4

Ernest Alexander Messenger Bags Made in NYC

I was recently told about a new line of [overpriced] messenger bags for men, created just in time for the down economy -- such as the one pictured here, which goes for $245. Although not exactly "Guerilla-esque" in price, my source thought I might appreciate the facts that they are made in NYC, and the logo is placed discreetly inside. So perhaps it is more than just a little Guerilla-esque, since I am a fan of the low-key logo and like the fact that they get all their fabrics and leathers from local garment district suppliers. So visit online and check 'em out yo' self: http://www.ernestalexander.com/

May 27-30: Rebecca Taylor Footwear Online Sale

who: REBECCA TAYLOR - Footwear

what: Footwear this Season's Hottest Trend " The Cut Out Bootie" and much much more! - Prices up to 60% off Retail

when: Online: May 27th 12:00 PM EST (Noon) - May 30th 12:00 AM EST (Midnight)

where: online: http://www.thesavvy.com/

examples: ‘Dina’ Gold Flat Sandals w. Bejeweled T-Straps – Retail $295, at Sale $118;

‘Celia’ Platinum Leather Cut Out Bootie w. Wooden Heel 4.5” (pictured) – Retail $495, at Sale $198;

‘Carrie Studded’ Pink Lizard Leather Strappy Sandals w. Stud Details 4.25” Heel – Retail $355, at Sale $142;

'Ballerina Flower’ Aqua Blue Ballerina Flats w. Flower Appliqués – Retail $295, at Sale $118

May 15-17: Escada Sample Sale

ESCADA

May 15-17: Fri 10-8, Sat 10-6, Sun 10-5

The Altman Building

135 West 18 Street (6-7 Avenues) Ground Floor

212.852.5446 (Escada Clearance Sale Hotline)

Women's Clothing & Accessories

Sample sale. Save up to 75% off at the ESCADA three day Sample Sale: merchandise from ESCADA Collection, ESCADA Sport and ESCADA Accessories. New merchandise arrives daily. Mastercard, Visa, American Express and cash accepted. No checks. All sales final, no exchanges/returns. No strollers or children under 12 please.

May 15: Thompson London Accessory sale on ideeli

SKULLS!!

ideeli is having a Thompson London men's accessory sale this Friday. Perfect Father's Day gifts for the trendy, hipster Daddy-O.

Join via this URL to get the goods: http://www.ideeli.com/invite/guerillashopper

Thompson London Sale

Save up to 65%

Prices start at: $99

Sale Starts Friday, May, 15th

11:00 am
Thompson London’s line of cuff links, tie-clips and key chains utilizes unique and striking elements such as enamel and Swarovski crystals, and unusual semi-precious materials including onyx, tiger’s eye, coral, garnet, abalone and mother-of-pearl, all set off beautifully with sleek rhodium-plated metal.

H&M will begin selling its special collections in most of its stores...

...rather than just a select few...so says today's Wall Street Journal.

Fab Estee Lauder Sale at Lord & Taylor

If you haven't heard yet, you will now: at Lord & Taylor...with an Estee Lauder skincare or foundation purchase of $32.50 or more, you get a free 7-piece "Celebrate Summer" gift, comprised of other Estee make up items, all inside a beach tote.

CHICAGO: Michelle Tan Trunk Show, May 9

May 13-14 Be&D Sample Sale

Semi-annual LaROK sample sale, May 15-17 in SOHO

The semi-annual LaROK sample sale event takes place May 15th through May 17th at a new location in SOHO. The merchandise at this blowout sale will be marked down, up to 90 percent below retail.

What: ready-to-wear pieces, dresses, tops, tees, and more…
Where: 72 Wooster Street (Between Spring and Broome Streets), New York, NY 10013
When: Friday, May 15th 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday, May 16th 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday, May 17th 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Examples of items at the sale:
LaROK
Shrug Dress, Retails $348, Sample Sale Price $40
Check Me Out Shirt, Retails $198, Sample Sale Price $20
Level Mini Skirt, Retails $168, Sample Sale Price $20

New New York Times New Column: THE HAGGLER

The New York Times is beginning a new Sunday business section column called "The Haggler," which is designed to help consumers address their grievances with companies. The column begins May 10. Readers are asked to send in their complaints about transactions that have been problematic. Examples include phone bills, airline tickets and car rentals. Consumer complaints can be sent to haggler@nytimes.com. David Segal is "The Haggler" and he can be reached at david.segal@nytimes.com.

Showroom Seven Spring Sample Sale: May 11-22

Showroom Seven Spring Sample Sale

May 11-22, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. (closed Sunday)
263 11th Avenue (between 27th-28th Sts.)
3rd Floor
cash & credit cards
Orla Kiely, Erickson Beamon, etc. etc. priced at wholesale and below.

Filene's Basement Seeks Chapter 11!

Burju: I Wanna Put on My My My My My Boogie Shoes

I was recently contacted to preview a new line of dance-inspired shoes called Burju Shoes. Not one to turn down such an offer, I obliged.

The line is designed by Burju Perez: a dancer, dance-studio owner, and established choreographer. She recognized a niche for women who wanted the comfort, engineering and support of a professional dance shoe, with contemporary style and design. Burju currently inventories over 50 styles of shoes (for men, women, and children), which can all be custom ordered in terms of color combination, width, height of heel, trim, detailing, and beadwork and are available internationally via the online store (www.BurjuShoes.com) and in select retail boutiques worldwide. Most off the shelf pairs cost around $95, give or take.

OK, so now down to business. The pair I received, pictured above, is known as "Chic" and retails for $80. I kind of liken them to high-heeled slippers. You know the kind that you would see Marlene Dietrich or Mommy Dearest wearing with her fancy night clothes...in case she had to break out into a ballroom number at midnight. Or maybe, to bring it into this century, they remind me of shoes one might buy on Canal Street for $40 or less. They don't have hard soles, so walking around the streets of New York is pretty much out of the question, and I also challenge their overall workmanship. However, I do find them kind of fun in a novelty sort of way - disposable shoes perhaps?

I love Nike

Of all the sneakers out there, I have decided that I like Nike the best. They are comfy and stylish - in the gym or just walking around the mean streets of NYC. Especially these bad boys that I picked up at DSW this weekend. DSW doesn't mark down sneakers much - and they rarely even carry Nike's. However, I had a $20 off coupon so it was a sound economic decision. And besides, I love them. Yay.

25% off at Origins through May 5

You may have to have a coupon, but they were going to give it to me anyway...good promotion, as I would never have gone or spent so much! In store and online - click here: Origins.

Ike Designs: Special Offer on Earrings

April Showers bring May Flowers - AND LOTS OF COLOR! In honor of the gardens blooming day by day, Ike Designs is splashing color to your ears. Ike's May special sale is as colorful as the flowers coming to life each day. Earrings measuring about 1 and 1/4" in a myriad of gems are available for $22 each.

VISIT IKE DESIGNS BLOG AT: http://wwwikedesignsjewelry.blogspot.com//