What We're Reading: WE WORE WHAT?

In our world of over exposed blogs and "fad" social media trends, few sites (especially beginner blogs) stand out amongst the vast sea of wannabes. With that being said, we at The Society believe we have found a blog we personally LOVE and think everyone will also enjoy!

This will serve as a good time capsule for those "remember what we wore in college?!" moments!

Anna Wintour On Bloomberg TV Tonight!!

If you aren't going to Miss FIT, which really your only excuse should be you didn't get a ticket then feel free to enjoy this amazing alternative!!

What makes her the most powerful woman in fashion after-all?!

View the trailer, and read more after the jump!

ALEXANDER WANG MENSWEAR!!

Dreams do come true!!

Come Fall 2011 there is a MAJOR addition to the Alexander Wang brand, ready-to-wear men's! Already proving his brand's strength with the opening of a Flagship store, revamp of his online business, and handling two lines (Namesake and T by Alexander Wang), this addition to the formula is no doubt to be a sure hit! Especially if there are as many men out there that have been waiting like I have for this moment!

Must. Have. This. Collection.

Remembering The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Tragedy

You think you know everything there is to know about the fashion industry? Think again.

The fashion industry isn’t all glitz and glamour, especially when you know the history of the devastating 9/11 of 1911.

In 1911, a fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City killed 146 workers, most of them young, immigrant women. 

The devastating results from the fire in 1911.

100 years later, America still struggles with the lessons of the fire.  Recent industrial disasters like the Deepwater explosion, the Massey Mine collapse, and fires in overseas garment factories that produce for American companies show that we still do not know how to ensure safe workplaces.  Other issues we still face today are sexual harassment, crowded and unsanitary housing, powerlessness at work, and invisibility in public debate. 

Need To Know: Nordstrom Buys HauteLook

It has just been announced that department store chain Nordstrom, will be aquiring HauteLook, the private "flash" sale website, in a stock deal that is valued at up to $270 million!

This is a very smart move considering the way consumers have been changing their shopping habits. Gone are the days where people have a couple afternoons a week to spend searching through department stores for the next great find. Today's shoppers are smarter, and we have technology in the palm of our hands to do all the hard work for us!

No major changes yet!

Saks, and Neiman Marcus are two other competitors that have been playing around with the idea of creating their own "flash" sale websites, however, Nordstrom is the first to have gone ahead and bought an already existing, private, website.

As of now HauteLook will continue to run autonomously, with no indications that Nordstrom is the owner on the website. With 4 million members, Nordstrom has made it clear they are breaking into other ways of doing business as department stores are forced to become more creative.

Very interesting story and watch out for any future developments!!

WWD-Nordstrom Buys HauteLook

Carine Roitfeld, What's Next?

The most fascinating of interviews with Carine Roitfeld has just appeared on Style.com's Style File blog, and I believe it's the first in-depth article about her future, and where she is going after French Vogue.

Carine, truly one of fashions greatest influencers.

Of change in fashion, here is what she had to say:

"Everything is going so quick now with the Internet, with the blogs. It’s very important. There are two possibilities; either you go very quick to the Internet or you go to magazines and you make it like a collector’s item. [I still think] it’s very normal to have all these fashion weeks and to go to all these shows. Can you show them through movies? I don’t think this is possible. It’s very exciting to be at the runway, to hear the music, to feel the atmosphere, to feel what people like or don’t like. Even if there are too many shows—I would love if there were less shows—I think we have to live with the shows. But after, maybe there is another way to make fashion stories."

In the interview Carine is very honest about what is going on in her life, the magazine, and the fact that she isn't on speaking terms to the new editor Emmanuelle Alt (SHOCKER!)

The end of the interview is really my favorite part, where Carine really opens up about herself,

"People sometimes think I’m very cold, but I’m not. I’m a very shy person. When people know me, I’m not cold; I’m quite a nice person. It’s difficult as the editor of a magazine to be totally yourself because you’re a bit frightened. Now I think I go back where I was ten years ago, so I get younger, which is always good. Younger with dreams and younger with energy. Younger with risk, because now it will be my own risk; it won’t be Vogue’s risk. Always I will be a risky woman. I will keep this legend."

Quite the fascinating inside look on the life of Carine Roitfelt, read the whole article here on Style File! 

What's Happening?

• BABIES: Congratulations are in order for Victoria Beckham who announced she is pregnant with her 4th child, seems like a fairy tale marriage she has going with David. And Congrats to Miranda Kerr who delivered her baby! At a surprising size of 9.92 pounds! (WHOA GIRL!) 
• Rachel Zoe presented her collection in NYC, lucky for us Harper's Bazaar was able to get a quick phone snapshot! The latest scandal with her collection is that one of the dresses (a white with black flower pattern on it) appears VERY similar to a dress she styled in Teen Vogue a couple years ago...

Very nice Miss Zoe!

• Pre-fall collections continue to come out! Check them out at my favorite resource, www.Style.com 

• Topshop news: Today, Wednesday, Topshop will have camera crews invading the store for the filming of Sir Philip Green's documentary. CNN will also be doing a story on him and the chain, and prepare for many more Topshop/Topman stores in the future, the plan to expand is set in stone and executives are currently scouting Manhattan for an uptown location and will be opening a Chicago store later this year.

Sir Philip with his bestie Kate Moss, I'm sure we remember THAT store opening!



• In an interesting twist for Ann Taylor,  Katie Holmes will be the face for their spring/summer campaign! Good luck! 

K. Holes for Ann Taylor.

2010: Red Hot

In an installment of remembering the hottest trends and stories of 2010, we begin with the boldest color of the year, red!

Yes 2010 was red hot! Seen all over the runways and in just about every magazine editorial it was the color you would not escape. From a feminine and elegant presentation of the color in a gown, to bold and cutting-edge uses of the color in suiting, the passionate color took us to a new level of expression in 2010.

Coatdress by Chloé; top and pants by Haider Ackermann; gown by Altuzarra.

A good sign that we are finally escaping the darks and neutrals of the recession, the bold shades of red are leading the way into 2011, and will continue to empower us, until we return to a colorful and bright fashion season that will be Spring 2011!

Sept.  Harper’s Bazaar, the color of passion & love!

M.S. Loves: The MObama Look Book

Ever since 2007 it has been all about Mrs. Obama, and nearing 2011 the vision of Michelle Obama (often referred to as MObama) is just as beautiful as ever!

No one does casual elegance like MObama.

One of my favorite resources when it comes to staying caught up with MObama's latest looks is the Michelle Obama Look Book put together by The Cut. Separated into 3 parts, the look book covers 2008 to the present day. Get caught up today and see if you can recognize any of the looks she's recently worn.

You mean you don't wear Lanvin to garden?...

BTW, she has FINALLY worn Marc Jacobs, just this week! Keep an eye out for that look!

M.S. Loves The Michelle Obama Look Book

Jessica Simpson: Billion Dollar Beauty

Bow down, the queen reigns supreme!

Remember the Jennifer Lopez collection? Yeah, neither do I. Did you ever check out Madonna's collection at Macy's or H&M? Didn't think so. What about the Jessica Simpson collection? Odds are that most of you have at least tried on a pair of her shoes, if not walked out of the store a happy customer!

Congratulations are in order for Jessica Simpson! She has triumphed as queen of celebrity retail collections! Together the Camuto Group and Jones Group Inc., which own the shoe and sportswear licenses to the brand, have reported sales of $750 Million, for THIS YEAR ALONE!

Overstock.com, on sale for $88.99 and I LOVE! Props to Jess!

It seems as though Jessica has become a power player in the industry, and how could she not? I mean just look at her! She's gorgeous, adorable, genuinely a sweetheart, the girl next door. Basically America ADORES her! 

Her collection is actually pretty good as well. She meets with the design team at least monthly and gives constant input, and she has approval rights. A celebrity that actually does something with their own brand, now that is something I like!

The "Kendale" Pump. Only $78.95 at Nordstrom! Not bad....Looks like Prada to me!

With the success of the line Sportswear and Jeanswear has launched for the Fall/Winter, and an advertising campaign for the lines will be launching in March, in addition to her shoe and accessories lines. For now let's just admire these, pretty, and AFFORDABLE (yay!) pieces from her collection on sale now.

The "Kelle" Sandal. Now that looks more FIT to me! $88.95, Nordstrom!

Jessica Simpson: Fashion's Billion Dollar Baby -WWD

Need To Know: Cyber Monday Results!

People took this WAY TOO SERIOUSLY....

THIS WAS THE BIGGEST ONLINE SHOPPING DAY IN THE HISTORY OF THE INTERNET! 
Sorry, I'll calm down a bit now.
According to WWD and the ComScore firm analyzing results, this is the first time online sales surpassed $1 BILLION dollars on a single day!

• Sales increased 16% beating last year's $887 million in sales. 
• The number of people shopping also increased by 4% to 9 million.
• The amount spent by each increased 12% to an average of $114.24
• The majority of purchases were made by those at work, 52.9%

Taking a look at the Consumer Confidence Index for November it all makes sense: CCI rose to 54.1% in November vs. October's 49.9% 

People are more confident in shopping again! A fantastic sign as we enter the holiday season, so remember to keep your purchases up and take this information to your companies/classrooms and impress!!

U.S.A. <3 Sales

Record Cyber Monday Sales-WWD

Consumer Confidence Is at Its Highest In Months

Need To Know: Black Friday Results!

Did we read WWD this morning?! Well if not then here is a quick update to inform yourself on this need to know information for our industry!

P.S. you still have an hour of Cyber Monday to get great deals online!

You KNOW she got a good deal with that smile!

Thanksgiving weekend 2010 saw the return of shopping! Consumers this year spent an estimated $45 billion in-store and online over the 3 day period! There was also an increase in the number of people shopping, last year there was an estimated 195 million people out shopping, compared to this years estimated 212 million people, with an increase in male shoppers as well!

The really great news is that the average amount consumers are spending is also rising, up to $365.34 versus last year's $343.31! With 40% of the holiday shopping occurring between December 15th and December 25th there is still a lot of money to be spent.

The surprising news is that not only did the number of people who bought items increase, but so did the percentage of people buying for themselves, up to 33% from last years 26%.

It seems retailers did a great job promoting their events and consumers focused on buying certain classifications such as electronics, and finally a return to apparel including cold weather clothing and luxury items.

Overall numbers were very strong and seems to be a good sign for this year's holiday season. However, let's keep an eye out for Cyber Monday results tomorrow and see how much business e-commerce actually makes.

HAPPY SHOPPING!

No trampling seen...YET!

Strong Black Friday Fuels Upbeat Outlook - WWD.com

Need To Know: Kate Middleton

IT'S OFFICIAL! The Princess Di of our generation has arrived! Now many of you have been asking, who is Kate Middleton? While the UK gossip may not have been so hot until her recent engagement to Prince William, Kate Middleton is a woman to know, and will become a name in our everyday lives!

He put a ring on it...

In the past we've seen how the Princesses of England have affected the fashion industry and Kate has already been deemed a fashion icon and "designer's dream" by the likes of Karl Lagerfeld and Valentino!

Kate is a girl's dream come true. From a traditional English family she met Prince William while at The University of St. Andrews, and after 9 years of dating the couple is set to wed on April 29th. The day is sure to go down in history and we'll have to pay attention to how the wedding affects the bridal market. Her Sapphire style of engagement ring has already sold out at many fine jewelry stores and has arrived on QVC to purchase at a price of $39.54! I may just have to purchase one for myself...

Watch out for hats on the runway this coming season, just saying!

Expect this woman to appear everywhere for the next year, I know I will be curious to see how she affects our fashion industry, and how the world accepts this new iconic woman for the British Royal Family. 

For now let's just bask in her glory shall we?

Gorgeous.

Karl Lagerfeld and Valentino Share Their Thoughts on Kate Middleton

American Magazine Editors Will Have to ‘Play Especially Nice’ for Their Kate Middleton Covers

Need to Know: Boutiques.com

The NY Times had a fantastic article on Google's new launch into apparel e-commerce, using their website Boutiques.com, after I logged onto the website I realized just how exciting Google's entrance into apparel actually is!

Shop my favorite blogger? Yes please! 

Boutiques.com is like no other shopping experience I have had, the new technology platform Google has created allows their website to adapt to your shopping habits, including taste in shapes, colors, styles, and even brands.

The website allows you to see merchandise from boutiques all over the world by searching, or you can even shop the "boutique" of your favorite celebrity, a few starlets including Nicole Richie, and bloggers such as Bryan Boy have already created their pages of preferences in looks. Boutiques.com also allows you to create your own "boutique" of items and have people around the world follow you and shop within your boutique.

Finally a website where when you search "navy striped shirt," you will get navy striped shirts! Leaving out all the extra that could come with is such as shorts, shoes, and accessories.

Boutiques.com, welcome to your new best friend!

Have good taste? Let the world shop your boutique!

Google Fashion Shopping Site Makes Debut-NY Times