Fashion Funhouse Emporium

JNBY COATS:  photo courtesy of JNBY

Are you thinking its about time for a new cozy coat? I've been in Las Vegas visiting my sister for the past week and to my surprise, its been cold! In the 40's and low 50's with major wind.

I fortunately brought my winter coat all the way from New York, but what about people who are not so fortunate?

The understated cool contemporary clothing brand JNBY has partnered with New York Cares to help entice you to help someone else. From December 1st until December 31st, bring your gently used coat in exchange for 15% off a new coat at JNBY located at 75 Greene Street. (Note, "gently". Just because someone is in need doesn't mean they want your frat party puke stained coat from your hard partying college years.)

If you don't live in New York, does this mean you can't help? Not at all. There are plenty of other similar charities throughout the country which provide warmth in the cold for those in need.

Burlington Coat Factory is partnering with the One Warm Coat organization to accept outerwear until January 15. Just visit the website and find a participating store near you.

If you're more of a luxury shopper rather than boutique or discount chain, LadyLux Magazine is a great resource for charity events. If you're going to spend anyway, then why not do some good?

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What is Your Winter Coat Style?

Capes Instead of Coats?

New York's holiday store windows are in full effect. Bergdorf Goodman on Fifth Avenue shows winter scenes, with Christmas's Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, otherwise keeping the decor fairly non denominational.

I'm a full on Christmas nerd and fashion geek. I love this time of year when merchandisers pull out all the stops to make passersby notice what is inside a glorious department store like Bergdorfs. There are grinches that will try and tell me that fashion, with its leanings towards the unattainable, in both price and perceived standards of beauty.

I have no shame and I will  stroll through a luxury department store, with a credit card which is maxed out at the measly limit of $300. Realistically, I know that I can't even purchase the paper bag that these pieces come in, but for me, the feeling I get when brushing up against a beautifully crafted dress or see a pair of shoes that I know, some designer somewhere, dreamed it and made it available for all the world to at least see. Though only a selection of the population can buy it and have for thier own,  I like to appreciate it for what it is.

When I was a kid, Christmas was that one magical time of year when reality took a back seat, presents appeared under the tree like magic (even if your drunk step dad pulled a full on department store burglary to make sure of it) and all my favorite specials like A Charlie Brown Christmas, Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer showed on the television while I ate green and red sugar crusted cookies.

Now that adulthood robbed me of the notion that a man in a red suit brings presents that I dream of, I still have fashion. No need for disclaimers, lawsuits or people who feel its in my best interest to tell me that what I see is not real.

Let me dream if I want to.

Dress, computer wires by Tina Sparkles for Austin Fashion Week. Photo via Gizmodo.

Currently, if you do a Google search for the key word "fashion", the top result is fashion.net--and not this blog might I add. It seems I have some work to do when it comes to the technical end. A lot of work. So much work that I might very well be happy with the traffic that already passes through, thanks to Google.

It seems my competition has become more fierce, with Google getting into fashion. This Wednesday, the search engine king is set to launch its own platform. The idea is like that of already existing sites like Shopstyle and Polyvore, where anyone can create their own personalized boutique and play stylist.

But with Google involved, I'm guessing this means more tracking of what we fashion types actually do on the web, giving opportunity for highly targeted ads.

Once I Googled those colored ball bit balls to buy for photo shoot props. For a good week, most sights I landed on showed me options of children's bouncing houses, you guessed it, filled with yellow, green, red and purple plastic balls. (if you're noticing my repetition of the word "balls" you are so immature!--or maybe its just me) I digress.

Though where the giant web search engine has the advantage over other similar sites, is that they have the power to hire the heavy hitters. Sarah Jessica Parker, who has come to fame as a fashion icon herself due to her hit show Sex and the City will be a part of the newly created style site. She will be creating her own virtual boutique, so that you may buy anything she likes, that is if you have the cash for the high end Halston. Rumors say that the big G is trying to get Dawson's Creek alumnae and wife of Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes to do the same. Holmes, signature "style" was quite schlubby if you recall, pre-Cruise.

Will Isaac Mizrahi, Tory Burch, Erin Fetherston Marchesa, and Cynthia Rowley have their own boutiques? Check.

Google's Boutiques.com? is essentially nothing different except that it's Google, and they can afford to "invite" the aforementioned to "shop." Already, Shopstyle and Polyvore are the two biggest fashion middle men according to Google analytics with nearly 1.6 unique visitors a month.

OnSugar, which hosts my blog has a partnership with Shopstyle. Often the pieces selected on this blog are taken from this site, as it's easier to link and find sites that provide the wardrobes that I want to showcase. Though, my criticism of Shopstyle is that I can only choose from what they offer. And why shouldn't it? Its a pay service. For sites like Net-a-Porter to be listed on shop style, you can bet they are paying to play. These types of sites are simply the Shopping.com or Bizrate of the fashion industry.

If you are looking for say "Chanel clogs," you'll notice that you may get pictures of clog shoes from various brands, but not the actual real deal Chanel. This is because Chanel, notoriously tight with who buys, sells and advertises their brand, is not paying to have their product on these sites. Karl and company want you to walk your sweet little ass into a real life boutique and buy there. The company has been so concerned with counterfeits, knock offs and brand tarnishing that they've launched several lawsuits, and have even sent out memos to editors warning them of using the Chanel name in any manner that eludes to your cheap crap being remotely like the $2000 merchandise.

What does this mean for Boutiques.com? It will be interesting to see. With the power and checks that Google has, surely they will be able to bring aboard more famous buddies, and perhaps blow its competition to the bottom of the web search abyss.  As with all online fashion though, I'm guessing there are some brands you'll never get your little fingers on via the web. And depending on how much these brands have to pay in regard to costs per click, is there room for more indie and original brands to come and play as well? Or will Google's Boutique.com be another case of mainstream luxury or retail chain down market only?

Photo via Comptior de Cotonnier Lookbook

Comptior de Cotonniers has been around since 1995 in France, but is slowly making its way into the US. I was vaguely familiar with the casual Parisian pieces. I've used it in photo shoots before. Saturday Night Live's Kristin Wiig (who has great style on her own) loved Comptior's pale pink cowl neck shirt so much, my boss had me track it down and get it for her.

Until now, there have been stand alone boutiques, including a Soho, NY location. Though, while I was struggling to buy clothes for a client, I was distracted and forgot I was on the clock when I saw the Comptior section at Bloomingdales on 59th Street. The quality chic French pieces are priced affordably at $300 for a thick weaved navy plaid wool coat, draped floral dresses at $160 and adorable high waist pants for $150. It was all I could do not to wrap my arms around an entire rack, grab and run.

The only issue with my new favorite line? Its hard to find and there isn't an e-boutique for the US yet. And given the two hours I spent on a Saturday, before the holiday season in tourist crammed Bloomingdales shopping, you may understand why the lack of online availability bums me out.

Photo: Micheal Jackson.com

What to you do when to keep the money rolling in your last name is Jackson, but your first name is Tito, Jermaine, Marlon or Randy--and not Micheal?

A Jackson 5 fashion line is set to launch in collaboration with Connected International Sales, under the name of "J5 Collection." WWD reported.

If you were a kid in the 1980's and you missed the chance to wear Micheal's infamous "Beat It" red leather or "Thriller" jackets, you can get one this February for around $600. If you had a time machine, you could then get decked out in a full King of Pop ensemble, go back to fifth grade and make Jennifer, the most popular girl in school squeal with glee. Don't forget the sparkle glove and loafers with socks.

Says one of the brothers who once had an afro and sang back up to the family cash cow, He's seen his friend Puffy Sean John Combs Puff Daddy become successful with a clothing line. “I’ve been in this business for a long time and our name is known around the world.” Er, he has been in business, right?

Much like Micheal's hay day, when merchandising included everything from lunch boxes, dolls and alarm clocks  imprinted with his famous altered face, the J5 Collection is also full of graphic t-shirts of the same for both men and women.

Don't fear that the Jackson's brothers are going to just screen print t-shirts and make replica jackets. There is also talk of a reunion tour. World, prepare yourselves for a Micheal Jackson style hysteria. They said maybe Janet (the sane one) "will get in on the tour as well."

Is J5 Collection ironic or a tribute? You can judge for yourself by noting the retailers that jumped off the wall to carry the collection: Urban Outfitters, Pac Sun, Kitson Men, Revolve and 80's Purple.

As for me being more of a "When Doves Cry" kind of girl, I'm waiting for Prince's brothers to create a collection featuring that macrame yellow ass-less suit he wore for the MTV Music Awards in the early 90's. As soon as it comes out, every man I know is getting one.

At Artistic Tile's flagship showroom at 38 West 21st Street in Manhattan, tiling covers more than just kitchens and bathrooms. The showroom, which showcases luxury tile and design services pieced together a window that deserves to be gawked at.

As I was walking by, I spotted this couple, decked out in the latest trends in fine artisan glass mosaic. While you can't go in the store and purchase head-to-toe tile wear (or maybe you could if you stopped in and asked?) you can admire the hours it must have taken to clothe these two tile-crossed lovers.

I assume since the woman is wearing a white gown, she's taking the trend of alternative bridal dresses to a whole new level. As for the dude, well, I'm not quite sure why he's walking down the aisle shirtless and in skinny "denim" (very accentuated, tight "denim") but nonetheless its still very creative and cool.

There are more fabulous glass fashions featured in Artistic Tile's ad campaign. including a red clutch and halter top. Check it out!