Cotton Hoarders: A New A&E Show?

Everyone from cotton farmers in China to T-shirt manufacturers are hoarding cotton as commodity prices have soared 127% in the last six months.  How will this affect you? The price of everything from undies to Egyptian cotton sheets will rise.

As Fall 2011 collections arrive at Mercedez Benz Fashion Week this month, it will be interesting to note which materials are sourced.

If you are allergic to wool, the mere thought of ponte or sky-high cotton prices, you may want to bear the badge of a hoarder (a cotton one that is). Start stock-piling those high-thread counts at Macy's winter white sales or prepare for poly.

Cotton Fun fact: Egypt imports $248.8 million worth of men's and boy's cotton and man-made cotton shorts for the year ending November 13.
(source: WWD)

/nancy brenner

Online Talent Search from Nine West's "Vintage America Collection"

Last week Nine West launched their new Vintage America Collection and to support the launch the brand is staging an online talent search. The winner will be given the chance to record and release a single through Hickory Records, a division of Sony/ATV Music Publishing.

Nine West has selected singer Miranda Lee Richards as the new label’s brand ambassador. Richards will lead the Vintage America Voices Contest, a talent contest that is already underway. Singers can submit an original song and video at YouTube.com/ninewestfashion. Weekly winners will be crowned through Sept. 1, and a panel of judges will select seven finalists and a winner. The panel includes Richards; Fred Allard; Lucky magazine’s merchandising director, Rebecca Babcock, and Danny Strick, co-president of Sony/ATV Music Publishing.

The new label, which will be merchandised and marketed separately from the core Nine West brand, is inspired by an authentic, all-American aesthetic. It features looks with a casual, worn-in feel, from plaid shirts and cropped sweaters to distressed jeans and cowboy boots. The line will launch at Nine West stores, ninewest.com and department stores such as Macy’s.

Macy's Can be Useful: Mattresses & Ugly Shoes

I went mattress shopping the other day at Macy's. They were offering 10% off all mattresses and free delivery if said mattress cost more than $750. So being the dutiful Guerilla, I ran downstairs, called 1-800-Mattres (yes, I remembered to leave off the last "s" for savings), and also ran into a nearby Sleepy's in an effort to get a better deal. Long story short, I ran for my life back to Macy's and bought the overpriced mat. Why? Because they weren't scary used car salesmen at Macy's. I felt that for the service and "normal" experience, I would be willing to possibly fork over an extra $100 or so. I don't get the mattress 'til May 2, so we'll see how it all works out.

BUT! While I was there, I also came across an entire ladies' shoe section devoted to "comfort." I know I am getting old and enfeebled because I actually took a look around for a good 20 minutes. I am having an internal battle and recalling the days when a doctor ordered me to get orthopaedic shoes...but I may have to give in and buy some Naturalizers or something equally as hideous (see pic, HAWT!!). Tears are already streaming down my face. :(

In other completely unrelated news...a "side bar" if you will...

Openhouse Gallery, a pop-up retail events space, is looking to host more sample sales in its venue, for those who have overstock and no place to sell it. Openhouse is a 2,500 square foot location in NoLIta, right off the 6 train at Spring Street. They also have a huge storefront window that receives foot traffic of 1,000+ people per day. For more information, check http://www.openhousegallery.org/.

Mother of the Groom Picks Anne & Alex

The only thing that may be worse than bridesmaids dresses are mother-of-the-bride (or groom) outfits. So what did a savvy little lady from Madonna's hometown do to resolve this age-old problem?

She went SEPARATES!

Here's how it went down straight from the mermaid's mouth: "The top is Anne Klein, the bottom is Alex Evenings. Both were purchased at Macy's after long hours of trying on the most atrocious 'Mother of the Bride or Groom' dresses...a sea of pastels with beads, sequins and frou-frou."

And as luck would have it, this mother is out of children to marry off, so both items are on sale - a guerilla shopper exclusive! If any mothers would like to purchase said items, she'll give them a deal!

Chicago: Shopping Secret...Shhhh

So in communicating with a GS friend, I have been given some insight from an anti-shopper's shopper:

I'm not a big shopper myself but definitely love a good bargain and get very proud of them. One thing that I discovered in the past year: Chicago is a great city for shopping. I visited a friend there and we shopped for a weekend; Chicago is a big enough city to have a lot of good clothes but Chicagoans are far too practical to spend ridiculous amounts of money. I feel compelled to tell you about my biggest score in Chicago: jeans are a rough area for me (for everyone over 25, I imagine...) There is a dangerously fine line between flatteringly low-waisted and my a** hanging out when I sit down, and I try on a LOT of jeans without buying many. In Chicago I bought a cute pair of True Religion jeans that I can sit in for $50! They were originally $320, but nobody in Chicago is going to pay that much because it's stupid. Even with the flight to Chicago ($200) they were cheaper than retail!My other new thing: for sports equipment, www.steepandcheap.com. They sell only one thing at a time but they sell it REALLY cheap--usually more than 60% off-- and then move on to the next. My sister has actually bought a ton of stuff on there (she's the sporty sister). I check it a lot, though. It's totally worth it. Wow. I totally feel like talking about shopping. I totally agree with you about Old Navy, Macy's and Lord and Taylor.

Sales Galore! + early returns on iPhone

Wow, I don't think I've ever seen more sales going on in one weeknd in my life! From Lord & Taylor to Bloomingdales, Saks, Macy's, Club Monaco, DSW, TeCasan...and on and on. THIS is a great weekend to go out and renew your wardrobe and possibly your entire home!

And the early word on the street from a Pacific Northwest stringer is that the iPhone lives up to the hype.