Get Fancy for Fall: Accessory Trends from Neiman Marcus

New York – When Neiman Marcus compiles their list of the season's best trends, it's time to sit up and take some style notes. Whether or not your fall budget can accommodate a new pair of leopard print Louboutin stilettos, the key is knowing to buy animal print-anything. It's as essential in your wardrobe as a little black dress.

Here's a few more important Fall 2010 trends highlighted at Neiman Marcus' latest accessories preview on Thursday, May 13 in New York:

Military influences. From army green to epaulettes, brass buttons and chunky boots with camouflage prints, tough military details are still going strong.

Fur. A controversial material, yet designers can't seem to get enough of it. Go for the faux if your conscience and your wallet preclude purchasing the real thing. Look for fur-trimmed booties, curly astrakhan-style fur purses and "Nanook of the North" fur vests.

Lace. Leave it to the European designers to give us the best takes on lace, whether it's a spectacular lace print rubber rain boot by Valentino (could soggy weather be more fashionable?) or a delicate Victorian-esque lace bootie by Dior.

Feathers. Manolo Blahnik's sophisticated d'Orsay sandals flutter with feathers, while ostrich plumes look luxe on everything from a Lanvin handbag to an exclusive-to-Neiman's feather stole by Ilana Wolf.

A wardrobe of boots. That's right, not a pair, but a full wardrobe of boots are necessary for fall. Why? Because there are too many fantastic pairs to choose from, from tall wedge boots by Chanel and Marni to Alexander Wang's anything-but-boring flat boots with a killer sculptured heel. And Givenchy is still making splurge-worthy buckled booties that are guaranteed to be on every fashion editor's must-have list for fall.

The structured handbag. Bulky hobo bags are banished and sleek is chic with these proper purses.

Pearls. Conservative, boring pearls are a thing of the past with chunky, layered designs by Vera Wang, Alexis Bittar and Lanvin. But the best pearls, mixing edgy black chain links with the pale glossy baubles, are Roxanne Assoulin for Lee Angel, though any mixed-media pearl concoction can work, too.

Emerson Fittipaldi endorses TW Steel watch brand

Emerson Fittipaldi endorses TW Steel watch brand



TW Steel, the Dutch-based international watch brand specializing in oversized timepieces, announced at the ‘Bahrain Grand Prix’ that Brazilian racing legend, Emerson Fittipaldi, is to become a Global Brand Ambassador.



Additionally, TW Steel has announced that to celebrate the association, it now plans to produce a TW Steel Emerson Fittipaldi watch the design of which will feature direct input by Emerson himself.



Present at the Bahrain International Circuit to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Formula One World Championship, Fittipaldi, the 1972 and 1974 F1 Drivers Champion, was unveiled to the assembled international motorsport media as the latest ambassador for ‘The Watch in Steel’.



“We are incredibly proud and excited to have someone of Emerson Fittipaldi’s iconic stature associated with TW Steel,” commented Stewart Bain, TW Steel’s Chief Commercial Officer. “Emerson has a real energy about him that’s incredibly infectious. When we first introduced him to TW Steel he was so enthusiastic about the product we knew we wanted to partner with him immediately. We’re looking forward to working with him both as a brand ambassador but also as a commercial partner.



“With that in mind we will liaise with Emerson to design and produce a watch baring his name – something I’m sure fans of both his and TW Steel will embrace as a unique and exceptional timepiece. The fact that he has never been involved in such a personal design project before is a testament to not only his belief in TW Steel, but also his desire to offer a product that truly reflects the values that made him a legend on the race track and so popular off it.”



On his association with TW Steel Emerson Fittipaldi remarked; “I am naturally very excited to become a global brand ambassador for TW Steel. They boast a tremendous collection of watches and I’m obviously thrilled to be working with them to design a signature Emerson Fittipaldi edition. Watches are something I’ve always had an interest in but to be given the opportunity to work with TW Steel and create my own is very special. I look forward to sharing this project as it develops and representing TW Steel around the world.”



The 63-year-old from Sao Paulo, Brazil, retains his worldwide popularity courtesy of his enduring passion and enthusiasm for his sport.



Following his success in Formula One, Fittipaldi enjoyed similar levels of success competing in North America. A two-time Indy 500 Champion, his triumphs coming in 1989 and 1993, Emerson also captured the 1989 CART Championship for Team Penske.



Details of the TW Steel Emerson Fittipaldi watch will be announced in due course. TW Steel will maintain a continued presence in Formula One this season as the ‘Official Timing Partner’ to the Renault F1 Team – part of a three-year relationship announced last October.



TW Steel, celebrating its fifth anniversary in 2010, continues to develop and lead the oversized watch market. A family-owned company, headed by 27-year-old Chief Executive Officer, Jordy Cobelens, ‘The Watch in Steel’, has emerged as an innovative, bold lifestyle brand – now available in over 50 countries worldwide.

Divos Live

El Museo del Barrio's spring gala had a slightly different tenor this year, and his name was Plácido Domingo. The Spanish superstar singer flew in from the West Coast, where he's in dress rehearsals for the Los Angeles Opera's production of Wagner's Die Walküre, to be honored by the Upper East Side museum.

"Silence is the most precious thing," Domingo mused amid a noisy swirl of fans and photographers inside Cipriani 42nd Street. There wasn't much of it for him this night, of course, between all the obligatory chitchat and the acceptance speech he made later. The evening's golden-voiced headliner (along with his co-honoree, artist Tony Bechara) helped the museum raise more than a million dollars. Supporters shelled out for Judith Ripka jewelry and luxury vacations in Acapulco and Puerto Rico, with the room pausing noticeably to appreciate the elder-statesmen moment that occurred when Oscar de la Renta introduced Domingo at the dais.

"It's nice to be among my people, no question about it," de la Renta told us down at ground level. He couldn't be tempted to stay for dessert, though. No matter: Don Oscar's handlers tapped Christian Cota to fill his seat before the legendary designer's half-eaten scallops had even been cleared. Joked Cota: "I was tempted to take a bite, for inspiration."

Browse > Home / Fashion Features, Fashion Show / Spring 2010 Fashion Week Presentation Spring 2010 Fashion Week Presentation

New York Fashion Week (September 12, 2009) – Stacey Bendet once again brings her work to life with the launch of alice + olivia’s spring 2010 collection. This season the innovative designer will transform a raw gallery space in New York City’s meatpacking district into a live rock concert scene featuring a performance by French girl band Plastiscines and styled by Stacey’s longtime friends Anda and Masha.

Following the success of the past themed presentations “alice in wonderland”, “breakfast in bed”, “hippy queen” and Mick Rock photo gallery at alice + olivia’s Bryant Park Store, Stacey once again spins a stylish tale through the music of the Plastiscines, enlisting the band to perform and promote the playful mood of the collection. Both the band and the runway models, posing as adoring fans, will showcase the designers’ spring looks.

Stacey’s inspiration for her spring 2010 collection was “the power of the female”. She wanted to represent girls “predicating sexuality, cleverness and charm” by combining influence from all the women who influence her every day. Keeping her feminine side in mind, she set about to create a collection she describes as “playful with an edge”. The designer often credits her line as catering to every kind of woman; creating clothes that are meant to make a woman feel both sexy and sweet. After seeing the Plastiscines’ “Barcelona” video, Stacey decided that there was no better way to bring her spring collection to life than with a performance by the band. The band exudes a “candy punk vibe” that is in tune with alice + olivia’s cleverly unique style.

Chic structured dresses in pale pinks, purples and neutrals are mixed with the brand’s traditional black and white colors. Small floral prints, embellished tops and structured jackets with cut out details define the flirty and inventive collection. alice + olivia will also showcase their basics line featuring t-shirts and button-downs in soft, butter-like fabrics, linens and metallics. This season alice + olivia also unveils their latest collaboration with the jewelry line Erickson Beamon and their continued partnership with Payless, featuring fashion-forward footwear for spring.

Mod Metal by GUESS

One thing that rarely goes out of style is a good jewellery watch. Fashion giant GUESS is no stranger to all things shiny and edgy, and there’s no wondering why their fans never die down. The latest addition to their timepiece collection, Mod Heavy Metal is the perfect number for ladies who want a statement piece without going overboard.

The Mod Heavy Metal from GUESS Watches features a polished silver case, decorated and edged with crystals. With straps made out of chains, it finds the right balance between feminine and masculine elements. The minimal rectangular case also has a silver dial, and is complimented even further by a sparkly crystal embellished case. Darn sexy, we say.

What we like the most about the Mod Heavy Metal would be its versatility – it’s just perfect for the corporate workplace, dinner meet-ups, after parties, formal events and more. Prices begin at RM479 and are already available to the public.

.First lady wears blue Soronen gown to state dinner

Michelle Obama chose a shimmery-blue gown for the state dinner Wednesday night honoring Mexican President Felipe Calderon and his wife, Margarita Zavala. It had a one-shoulder silhouette, similar to the one Mrs. Obama wore to her husband's inaugural balls.

The dress was by Peter Soronen. It's the fourth gown by the designer the first lady has worn.

Soronen said he knew the corset-style gown, complete with lace-up back, was being considered for this lavish event that drew about 200 people, including celebrities Whoopi Goldberg, Eva Longoria Parker and George Lopez. But, he added, he didn't know for sure until she stepped out on the president's arm.

"In some ways, it's more exciting not to know and just wait for the photo," Soronen said.

"It's a clever, memorable, sophisticated choice," said Avril Graham, executive fashion editor at Harper's Bazaar. "It's one of my favorites that's she's worn. It's all so right, so picture-perfect right."

Graham said she particularly liked the cobalt color, which stood out against the red carpet and the White House background.

Deborah Lloyd, creative director of Kate Spade, says women are inspired by Mrs. Obama's fashion choices because they are "soft, feminine and modern."

Spring Awakening

Early on last night at the Lincoln Center Institute's Junior Spring Benefit, all the pieces seemed to be in place for a charity rager. At least one guest had called in a "doctor's appointment" for the next morning, and the venue—the Hudson Hotel, which co-sponsored the event with Valentino—was supplying extra-large Champagne flutes. "They want to get us waaasted!" reckoned Nina Freudenberger.



But the interior designer and most of the other committee members kept it together, if only because seemingly every other one of them needed to be stage-ready the next day. Zoe Kazan, currently starring in A Behanding in Spokane, was cuddled up on a couch with her boyfriend, Paul Dano; a seat over were Mamie Gummer and her fiancé, Benjamin Walker, who's playing the lead in Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. And if you're Lily Rabe, who's currently in rehearsals with Al Pacino for the Shakespeare in the Park production of The Merchant of Venice, you probably don't want to be battling a hangover at work.



Proceeds from the first-time event benefit the educational arm of Lincoln Center, which nurtures the sort of creativity Rabe and most of her fellow ticket-sellers (including designer Lyn Devon and photographer Frances Tulk-Hart) have been fortunate enough to cultivate more or less on their own. "As someone who struggled with math and science, I'm grateful for the arts education I had," noted Rabe, who majored in theater at Northwestern. Doubtless Whitney Port and Lindsay Lohan, also in attendance, would have echoed that sentiment.

—Darrell Hartman