2009 March | Lisa Shops

Monthly Archives: March 2009

Pierre Cardin Wants to Sell His Company for $1.3 Billion

March 31, 2009 – 11:00 am

Designer Pierre Cardin is looking to sell his company. Known for his avant-garde designs, Cardin doesn’t put on fashion shows anymore, but his substantial empire includes restaurants, hotels, food products with his name, and numerous other licensing deals. The 86-year-old designer tells the new issue of Fantastic Man, “The asking price is 1 billion euros [about $1.3 billion], and if prospective buyers can’t pony up the funds, then that’s their problem, not mine. It’s not like I’m strapped for cash.” Cardin says he hammered out a deal last year but that fell apart along with the economy. Also, Roberto Cavalli had wanted 1.4 billion euros for his company last July and never got it. So yeah. He and Pierre should do lunch.

PIERRE’S PRICE [NYP]

Read more posts by Amy Odell

Filed Under: designers, money call!, pierre cardin

By Amy Odell | Posted in Fashion News |

Is Anna Wintour’s Eye Wandering From Roger Federer?

March 31, 2009 – 10:15 am

Andy Murray.

Anna Wintour went to see Roger Federer play over the weekend. Instead of daughter Bee, she brought her son Charlie Shaffer. In addition to seeing Roger, Charlie and Anna went to watch Andy Murray play. Does this mean Roger is on the way out? There are only two Mogue covers a year now &#8212 which one would she choose? [Fashionologie]

Read more posts by Amy Odell

Filed Under: andy murray, anna wintour, roger federer, wintour wonderland

By Amy Odell | Posted in Fashion News |

A Night Out With | Adrienne Bailon: Rolling With Her Friends

March 31, 2009 – 9:30 am

Adrienne Bailon, a host of “New Afternoons on MTV,” successfully strikes a pose. With a bowling ball, she did not fare as well.Hanging out with Adrienne Bailon, a host of “New Afternoons on MTV,” at the Lucky Strike Lanes and Lounge on West 42nd Street.

By By DOUGLAS QUENQUA | Posted in Fashion News |

Preen’s Topshop Line Launches Thursday; Valentino Goes to 1Oak

March 31, 2009 – 9:30 am

Jonathan Saunders for Topshop.

&#8226 Jonathan Saunders and Preen’s collections for Topshop will hit stores April 2, the same day the New York outpost opens. [British Vogue]

&#8226 The knee-length version of Carrie Bradshaw’s Vivienne Westwood wedding dress sold out on Net-A-Porter in a few hours yesterday. That version cost about $6,500, but you can get the real thing custom made in London for around $16,000. [British Vogue]

&#8226 Chanel is sponsoring an exhibit of European court costumes from 1650 to 1800, opening in Versailles today. Karl Lagerfeld wrote the program notes. [WWD]

&#8226 After Naomi Campbell walked in that fashion show in Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai, Bollywood producers supposedly swarmed her and asked her to appear in their films. God, we hope one of those offers pans out. [British Vogue]

&#8226 What’s this? Valentino stopped by gay night at 1Oak on Sunday? Walked in, scanned the crowd, and left immediately? [NYP]

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Filed Under: chanel, designers, jonathan saunders, karl lagerfeld, lakme fashion week, loose threads, models, naomi campbell, preen, topshop, valentino, vivienne westwood

By Amy Odell | Posted in Fashion News |

Designer Clothing Prices DOWN

March 31, 2009 – 8:45 am

Oscar de la Renta, fall 2009.

Remember how everyone was speculating that those crazy 70-percent-off sales that kicked in before the holiday-shopping season could knock clothing prices down across-the-board in the coming seasons, since no one would be willing to pay full price for something? That’s exactly what’s happening for fall. Retailers that have lost a lot of money in the downturn, including Saks, Neiman Marcus, and Nordstrom, are asking designers to lower prices because they don’t want to pay full price for things. Many have slashed budgets by up to 30 percent, and with the exception of a handful, designers are obliging and lowering prices. Albeit grudgingly.

Don’t get too excited, though, because this doesn’t mean that come October we’ll all be walking around in head-to-toe Oscar de la Renta because it’s practically free. Oscar de la Renta CEO Alex Bolen said they didn’t want to lower prices, but had no choice. So select items, mostly shoes, will be cheaper. An Oscar blouse that might have cost $900 will now cost $795. Chloé has already marked down prices &#8212 its pre-fall collection was about 35 percent less than a year ago. J. Mendel cocktail dresses that used to start at $3,500 will now start at $1,700. Catherine Malandrino made some cotton pieces for fall that will retail between $195 and $345, while her highest collection piece is $1,900. Malandrino called the new pricing strategy “a new way of thinking.” Oh, the newly broke are so cute. Some of us regularly broke people only buy one full-price item a year, if that. (All thanks to this.)

And then there are the stalwarts who refuse to lower prices, like Chanel, Prada, and Versace. Versace’s CEO told WWD that lowering prices would force the label to compromise quality. “We want to respect those clients who have always given us faith and have bought our products convinced they were buying a quality product,” he said. At least someone respects the full-price shopper these days. Because a good part of the world probably just resents her.

Designers React to Stores Asking for Lower Prices [WWD]

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Filed Under: bright sides, catherine malandrino, chanel, chloe, designers, economy, j mendel, neiman marcus, nordstrom, oscar de la renta, prada, retail, saks, versace

By Amy Odell | Posted in Fashion News |

Sales: 85 Percent Off Elie Tahari; 60 Percent Off Alice + Olivia

March 31, 2009 – 8:00 am

STARTING TODAY
• Elie Tahari samples are up to 85 percent off — handbags are $79 to $249 (originally $498 to $995), shoes are $69 to $79 (originally $228 to $525), and dresses are $79 to $129 (originally $398 to $898). Through 4/4. 510 Fifth Ave., nr. 42nd St. (212-398-2622); T–F (8:30–7:30), S (10–5).

• At Scoop’s one-day sale, women’s and men’s fall merchandise is up to 70 percent at the uptown location only. One day only. 1275 Third Ave., nr. 73rd St. (212-535-5577); 9–9.

• The funky, feminine clothes by Alice + Olivia are over 60 percent off. Party dresses are $139 (originally $295 to $484), skinny pants are $99 (originally $264 to $298), boyfriend blazers are $149 (originally $385 to $440), and shorts are $69 (originally $187 to $231). Through 4/3. 80 W. 40th St., nr. Sixth Ave. (212-840-0887); daily (8–7).

ENDING TODAY
• Save 50 percent on the casual clothing at Skunkfunk. 181 Orchard St., nr. Stanton St. (646-478-7785); T, W, Th, Su (10–8), F, S (10–9).

• Get $20 off your $150 purchase at Msg when you shop the stock of local and international designers like Enshallah, Isola, Mimi Golzer, and Face Too. Msg, 66 Kenmare St., nr. Mott St. (212-334-4032); daily (12–7).

• SophieRoan is closing down shop and putting most of her stock on sale; clothes by Secrets of Charm, Chandi, and more are up to 70 percent off. 117 E. 7th St., nr. First Ave. (212-529-0085); M–S (noon–7), Su (noon–6).

• The Sapphire3 Photo Abrasion Therapy Facial is $180 per session (originally $300) at Sava Spa. Get skin-tone and texture results with just one session. 211 Pinehurst Ave., nr. 187th St. (212-543-0008); M, Th (10–10), T, W (11–8), F (10–7), S (9–5), Su (11–6).

• Get a free manicure (originally $32) or lip waxing (originally $19) when you get a cut-and-color package at Frédéric Fekkai . Receive a complimentary pedicure upgrade (originally $23) when you get a manicure-and-pedicure package. Through 3/31. 712 Fifth Ave., nr. 56th St., fourth fl. (212-753-9500); M–F (8–8), S (8–7), Su (12–7). 394 W. Broadway, nr. Spring St., second fl. (212-888-2600); T, W (10–8), Th, F (10–9), S (9–8).

• Soho’s Haven Spa offers discounts on two 60-minute tailored facials; the Remedy Facial is now $85 (originally $110) and the Boot Camp Facial is $110 (originally $175). The latter includes a personalized acid peel. 150 Mercer St., nr. Prince St. (212-343-3515); M–F only (11–7).

STARTING TOMORROW
• The sample sale for Brooklyn duo Hayden-Harnett has current and past collections for 40 to 80 percent off &#8212 the Bleecker backpack is $74 (originally $148). Through 4/3. Hayden-Harnett Showroom, 16 W. 36th St., nr. Sixth Ave., Ste. 501 (718-383-4450); daily (11–7).

ENDING TOMORROW
• J. Mendel dresses are 75 to 90 percent off and Tracy Matthews pieces are 50 to 90 percent off. Hudson Hotel, 356 W. 58th St., nr. Eighth Ave., third fl., Hudson Room (212-247-0769); M (noon–7), T (9–7), W (9–5).