Ba Ba Black Sheep, Have You Any Wool?

No, sir, no sir, doesn't seem as if designers do - based on what's displayed at Coterie at the Javits Center for Fall 2011. Ponte, jersey, poly, the fancy soul-sister - lurex - are the dominant fibers.  Today's Fiber Sheet in WWD cites the costs of wool have risen by 40%, while some say raw increases for wool were in the 80% range.

What's a wool loving fashionista to do? Take your re-weaver to lunch - they will be in big demand for Fall 2011. Start shopping vintage. Start storing woolies in lots of mothballs or cedar planks in a sealed container. No wonder they were showing so many textured tights at the runways at Lincoln Center. And stock up on arm warmers at Tibi. And all manners of fur. Fall 2011 will be a cold all-seasons material winter. BRRRR.

A true sweater aficionado will explore Autumn Cashmere for the widest variety of texture, colors and trims and Lauren Moffatt for an interesting felted wool sweater and comeback designer Christian Francis Roth's contemporary line, Roth, for well designed wool coats and dresses in pop-art colors.

/nancy brenner

NOTE FROM GSNYC: For those of you who don't know, the image is Black Sheep's "A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing" album cover, one of the best hip hop albums of that year (1992), and one that I have a great affinity for.

Fall 2011 Trends: Hemlines do double duty as dusters...

Photo: Dan Lecca for Cynthia Steffe

...for your floors, unless you have a handmaiden to lift the bottom of your dress as you scurry about town. Boy blazers, boy flats with shoelaces, menswear-inspired plaids, shapeless bulky sweaters - for girls - why do designers design to dress dames like dudes? Guys look out for a little extra competition from women tomorrow at the Barneys Warehouse Sale who may be stocking up for themselves for Fall 2011. Leather everything. A resurgence of jade, emerald and sea foam greens -- redheads, this is your season to rule. Lush luxe fur looks in rainbow of hues. Sleeves on dresses are back - finally. Opaque tights - use those Lord & Taylor coupons now! Cozy neck wraps. Antique gold. Red. Color me happy.

/nancy brenner

Fashion Week: Tracy Reese: Furs Flying - Pop an Antihistamine if You're Allergic

Black fur skirt, grey fox bolero, ivory fur vest, black fur coat, animal knit storm coat, ivory fur coat, and many more furs on the catwalk. Worth the Zyrtec.  Color addicts have options too: a jade fringed maxi slip, an antique gold cable sequins skirt and a rasberry ponte jacket.  A six week old week old baby boy bedecked in red and black bows bested me in the seating.  Not sure which designer he saw last night, but hope he enjoyed the show. A-listers included Julia Stiles and Gabrielle Union.

<3 Nancy Brener

REPORT From the Front: Cassin Fur For Ladies Who Lunch

If you've married money, or want to splurge, this is the place to do so. If you frequent black-tie events and have the requisite bucks to finance fur fashions worthy of paparazzi pics, seek this sale. Worthy just for the people watching - best dressed, poised sample sale attendees ever.

CassinCollections.com
December 9, 10
Thurs. 9:30 to 7:00, Fri 9:30am to 6:30pm
150 West 30th Street (@ 7th Ave), 5th Floor
 
~nancy brenner

Report From the Front: Adrienne Landau Fur & Faux Sample Sale

The frenetic pace and wardrobe of the original Pedro Almodovar "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown" 80s hit is captured in the Broadway musical starring Patti LuPone (as Lucia) who rocks a leopard coat and hat that takes center stage of this musical set to open on November 4 at the Belasco theater.  Five-time costume design Tony winner Catherine Zuber has created confections in such vivid hues, that you may be inspired to book a flight to Madrid where this vibrant tale of tumult is set. See Women for the A-list actresses who showcase their flair for theater along with their flair for feathers (maribou and otherwise), distinctive silhouettes, white patent ankle boots, passionate purples and even the cab driver in snow leopard pants.

Love Lupone's leopard look? Head to the Adrienne Landau fur and faux fur sample sale where you can find traffic-stopping leopard print hats, vests, or coats. Maybe there will be markdowns since tomorrow is
the last day.  Prices start as low as $35.

518 Eighth Avenue, 21st Floor.  Scope out adriennelandau.com

~Nancy Brenner

Whipped by the Wind? Seeking a mink or seal or faux fur?

Instead of fighting Fifth Avenue tourists for picked over selections at retail store sales, check out Vintage Thrift Shop for one-of-a-kind fur finds featuring designs from destinations across the globe. Also, vintage YSL pieces and designer threads at a fraction of their original prices could become your "statement piece" dress for the New Year. Plus, a small group of interesting jewelry, matchbox covers and pins at the counter.

Stop by at 286 Third Avenue between 22nd - 23rd St. or one the many other thrifts in the area including Guerilla fave Housing Works.

~Nancy Brenner

Adrienne Landau (fur!) sale

I know fur is bad and horrible and we should throw red paint on anyone who wears it, but I have had a recent inexplicable interest in it. So sue me.

So...from yesterday's New York magazine Best Bets Daily:

Mink jackets (now $2,000), fox-trimmed cashmere stoles (now $500 to $750), and fur scarves (now $100 to $250) are on sale at the Adrienne Landau showroom.

When: 12/18 and 12/19 (9:30–6).
Where: 519 Eighth Ave., at 36th St., 21st fl. (212-695-8362).

Subway Fashion: Sunday

Whilst trekking back uptown on the subway on Sunday, after visiting my real apt., which is about 85% rebuilt, I noticed a high level of interesting fashion going on around me. I wondered why....and then realizing that it was the Sunday after Thanksgiving, decided that it was probably full of actual New Yorkers. I.e. the tourists had all gone home and the NYers were all just returning from whence they came. Sorry to all of those out-of-towners who are offended by my NYC fashion snobbery, but 99 out of 100 times, it's the truth. I use the Sex and the City "scrunchy episode" as an example.


Anyway, the best spotting was a trio of young, very thin Asian girls who were each wearing tight stretchy jeans, Converse low tops or leather Airwalk high tops, and many layers of tops, jackets, and/or hoodies. The most interesting thing about their get-ups was that they were each wearing (real) fur "scarves" around their necks. To me, they were the epitome of modern urban street fashion. And no I don't have a photo, which is why I do this for free.