THE DEVIL SHOULD WEAR KIFKA + HELLER

Reminiscent of any high-end Soho boutique, but right in the midst of Hell's Kitchen, dwells Kifka + Heller, where the Devil really is in the details.

Reopened this past April, K+H provide wearable, chic fashions for the men and women in and around the 10019. The current collection is designed using rich but versatile materials such as silk jersey, leather, linen and denim with the idea that fashion-forward couples can build wardrobes that are complementary and also linked via meticulously designed and styled travel bags (see photos).

So what more can be said about New York City clothing boutiques that we all haven't already heard? Well, in this case, K+H caters to an individual's tastes and desires. Want that dress in a different color? Ask. Need help figuring out how to wear those jeans and top? They'll style you from head to toe (and will lend you shoes to ensure that you can visualize the full package that is you). Feel like you need some jewelry to go with those new separates? They have a relationship with the jewelry designer next door. In the "industry" and need wardrobe? They do industry rentals. Hell, need a one-of-a kind chair for your living or bedroom? Well they make those too.

So what does the (near) future hold? For the forthcoming Summer 2009 collection, K+H are planning new designs using green fabrics comprised of bamboo / hemp and blends. Just don't roll them up and smoke 'em.

Going to K+H is more like visiting your personal stylist and having your whims catered to from the minute you walk in the door, but without price points that will send you running back to TJ Maxx (their prices generally run from $185-$950). And I can almost guarantee that if you go there now, you will one day be able to say, "Oh I used to go to Kifka+Heller back in the 2000s when they only had that small space on W. 49th St!"

See you in Hell!('s Kitchen),

GSNYC

ATRIUM: Warehouse Sale: May 29 - June 8

Jill Anderson: The New Gear - May 29

Memorial Day sale: Personal Affairs

Personal Affairs
20% off of current collection
Sunday, May 25th and Monday, May 26th.

Locations:
102 E. 7th St.(Ave. A & 1st Ave.)
NY, NY 10009
1-212-420-7778
open Monday: late afternoon (pls make appointment) Tue-Sunday: 1:00-8:00p.m.

236 E. 80th St. (2nd & 3rd Ave.)
NY, NY 10075
1-212-288-0192
open Mon-Friday: 1:00-8:00p.m. Sat & Sunday: 12:00a.m.-7:00p.m.

http://personalaffairs.de/index.php?en_company
http://www.pa212.com/

p.s. Lord & Taylor and Bloomingdale's are having big Memorial Day sales too!

Eugenia Kim Sample Sale: June 10-13

My love affair with hats, which began in the 80s and took a hiatus through the 90s and most of this decade has been reignited. The right hat is the most transforming accessory one can wear. Yes, even more than a pair of shoes or a PURSE (eww). In that regard, might I suggest you check out the Eugenia Kim sample sale, which commences on June 10. Read on for the 'tails...

All Eugenia Kim HATS, HAIR ACCESSORIES, and BELTS for both WOMEN and MEN will be 50-70% off. Original runway samples from DKNY, Coach, and Michael Kors will be sold along side the following popular styles from the SS08 collection:
• Cameron Diaz's straw Max fedora (was $285, now $125)
• Paris Hilton's Marissa engineer cap and Muffy equestrian caps (was $185, now $95)
• Fergie's silk headscarves (was $155, now $65)
• Pete Wentz's linen porkpie (was $195, now $85)

WHEN: Tuesday, June 10th - Thursday, June 13th, 10AM - 7PM.
WHERE: Eugenia Kim Showroom
347 West 36th Street, Suite 502, between 8th and 9th Avenues

Acceptable forms of payment: Cash, Visa, AMEX, Mastercard.

Cushy Brands Soaps

Cushy Brands soaps could really only be from some non-U.S. entity, probably Japan, but in this case, London, England. Maybe you've heard of this place? Anyway I got four 175 g soaps (does anyone know how big this is in our ridiculous non-metric system? Well anyway they are BIG soaps) in Lime Cologne, Pink Fig, Lime Colada and Citrus Bliss. The smell makes me want to eat them. Or at least put them somewhere that doesn't smell that nice. I haven't washed myself with them yet, partially because I don't want to disrupt the over-the-top packaging. The little boxes are like mini-"drawers" in which you find your special bar of soap engraved with an "HB" or a "C" (not sure why...but let's just go with it). The Lime Colada and Citrus Bliss packages are adorned with tweaked animal creatures on one side and letters from "Honey Bunny" on the other (AH-HA! The "HB" mystery is solved!) with lines like this, "Kitty Colada has always been known as the most Fashionable and Stylish Cat in town. Being seen constantly sipping Cocktails in the most happening joints has become a ridiculous obsession!" (Has someone been reading my diary?) The soap flavo(u)r is described as "AWESOME WILD COCONUT AND EXOTIC LIME COCKTAIL" and the "drawer"-part looks like that fake wood paneling from a station wagon circa 1980. I think someone over there is on happy drugs. But better for the rest of us to enjoy the results!

Club Monaco: Mem Day Weekend Sale

First, you have to check this out: http://www.1988revolution.blogspot.com/ Talk about branding! I wonder if the NRA is involved.

Then, I haven't talked much about Club Monaco recently but they are having a sale starting today and going through June 26 so now I'm talking about them. 25% off already reduced merch.

John Varvatos Sample Sale

From today's Urban Eye, a sale you boys can't afford to miss:

If You Can’t Take It, Fake It
So you can’t afford to shop in the new John Varvatos boutique in the old CBGB. Don’t get your leather in bunch: neither can Mike Albo — though he wants to, because everything fits so well. If, like him, you’re not “punk rock enough to shoplift,” head to the Varvatos showroom’s sample sale (207 West 38th Street; 212-239-7272) where suits, blazers, knits, T-shirts from spring, summer and fall are marked down by as much as 70 percent through Friday. Rawk.

“Backstage All-Access Passwear,” by Mike Albo

A Very Sacco Birthday

I really like the store Sacco. Problem is, it's a little bit too pricey for me. However, they have some really spot-on shoes and accessories, two of which I treated myself to for my birthday this weekend (I went to the one near Union Square). Additionally, they a running a little promo right now; if you buy one item you get 10% off, two items 15% off, and three items 20% off. It's not a complete windfall, but it provides you that little bit of encouragement you need to say, "oh what the heck!?"

The first, as you can see, is a pair of black suede sandals. They look a little bit dowdy, I agree. Until you put them on! Then they transform into this comfy solution to all of your seasonal shoe issues. You can wear them with anything and well into the early fall. A score indeed.

Then, I purchased this leather backpack - mainly because my Chiropractor told me to. But also because it turned out to be about $300 cheaper than the one I was considering having Jutta Neumann make for me. (Jutta's handcrafted leathers are really wonderful, but the price tags are just too much for me to justify. If you can stomach them, I suggest you check out her store on Allen St.) Anyway back to the pack - I also do really like it. It's simple and goes with everything and doesn't make me feel like a dork for wearing it.

See what happens? You get a year older and start wearing "health-conscious" apparel. Sigh...

AIDS Walk 2008 - THANK YOU

Hi all:

Not only did I complete the AIDS Walk yesterday, but I did it in about 1 hour and 40 minutes (yes, I realize it's not a race, but this is my version of a marathon) AND.... I RAISED $1,005! Thanks to all of you for helping me reach and exceed my fundraising goal!

And, if you haven't heard:
New York, NY, May 18, 2008--The 23rd Annual AIDS Walk New York, on Sunday May 18, was the largest and most successful AIDS Walk ever held, setting a fundraising record even in the face of a troubled economy. Organizers announced that 45,000 walkers helped to raise a record total of $7,058,497. Since its inception in 1986, AIDS Walk New York has now raised more than $100 million for Gay Men's Health Crisis and dozens of tri-state area HIV/AIDS organizations.