NEW FEATURE: EDITORS PICK

Starting today we are excited to share a very special benefit with our loyal followers. Each week, our staff will pick our favorite item from the closet and offer a 30% discount code for that item, for that week only.

The codes will change weekly so make sure you check back to find out that week’s code. This week we are featuring this amazing clutch from the Spring collection of one of our favorite new designers, Katherine Kwei. (We featured a video profile of her on the blog a couple weeks back if you want to see/hear more from her or find out what celebs are carrying her bags.)

This week’s code is: WYSIWYG because what-you-see-is-what-you-get! Just enter it at checkout for a 30% discount on the featured item.

ds in the press..

we love, love, love anything from angel jackson, but are particularly fond of this one- the vintage disco jai satchel, or “alexa” bag as it has been referred to since it’s alexa chung’s current fave as well. but we love our girl, regina gardiner even more! thanks reg.. the issue looks AH-Mah-zing!! PSW rules.

The press declared the death of the “It Bag” upon the birth of the recession.. but if you ask me this looks a little suspicious.

Stream of Consciousness

One of the many legacies the late, great Alexander McQueen left is the live streaming of fashion shows. His extravagant and eerie “Plato’s Atlantis” (above) sparked an online revolution last season, and pushed forward, arguably, the most widely publicized collection of his career.

Last week in NYC, more designers jumped on the “live” bandwagon, including Reed Krakoff who launched his first collection very successfully by promoting his show on his site through Facebook. We know designers Burberry (they were actually first to stream last season in London) Michael Kors, Dolce & Gabbana,  Rodarte and Oscar de la Renta and Louis Vuitton are already old pros; and it’s a pretty safe bet to say that many more will be swimming upstream for S/S2011.

Written with help from Telegraph UK. Video is of AMQ’s SS2010 show- “Plato’s Atlantis”.

Love Hate

This should be a post about how cool these two new ubiquitous Spring trends are, but honestly the (at least our) jury’s still out. The first rule of fashion is to stay open-minded about things that aren’t comfortable to you right away, but this is really pushing the proverbial envelope. When Erin at Be&D showed us their version of the fanny pack last October at market, we were intrigued, but there may be too many crazy associations here. I mean it’s one thing to bring back something that was once cool, but were fanny packs ever cool?

The other side is that they are incredibly functional, and a little novel at that. Come to think of it, this little LV one is kind of fab- leave it to them. Still on the fence though.. we may have to file these two fashion statements with our Jimmy Choo for UGGS post for now..

SPAM ALERT: Vogue’s attempted entry into the social media space..

Thanks, for the note, Mark. It must be so cool to be you.

Independent Fashion Bloggers Conference: Evolving Online Influence

WWD covered (and we attended) the IFB conference last week and learned much about the industry we thrive in, and the players who are driving it. We ran into many of our friends and fellow bloggers, including Pamela- founder of Market Publique (a self-proclaimed DesignerSocial fan) and Suzanne Xie of Weardrobe.com.

The conference was a great way for fashion bloggers to come together, share ideas, and learn from eachother. One of our favorite discussions centered around “The Future of Blogging,” with Britt Aboutaleb and Lauren Sherman of Fashionista, Marc Jacobs muse Bryan Boy, Tavi of StyleRookie, Susie Bubble, and Phil Oh of Streetpeeper. Here, a couple of common myths dispelled:

Myth #1: Editors hate bloggers- To quote Fashionista’s Aboutaleb, “A lot of the fuss is made up.” And the inverse is also true. We at DS have worked in print and love our editor friends. They bring a much revered “diva-fabulousness” to the fashion world. Whereas, we bloggers are generally more comfortable behind the scenes.

Myth #2: The social media “hype” will die down- There is no denying the growing and exponentially greater influence that the Internet will have, not just over the fashion world, but the world in general. Blogging is the next iteration of print. Similar, but different.. like radio vs television.

So ready or not, it’s fashion Darwinism- survival of the fittest. May the best Bloggitor (Blogger + Editor) win..

FALL 2010’s FASHION WEEK WINNER..

Marc Jacobs delivers yet another stellar collection. His shows are always packed, start late, and inevitably piss someone off (usually an editor). But in the end, he manages to pull off a little bit of magic every time.

We at DesignerSocial are particularly fond of his show because he pays such stellar attention to the accessories. Take a peek at some of the new designs for Fall.. Call us crazy but is the grey bag looking a little “Kelly”??

MJ Photos: BagSnob, Hermes: Luxurynavi.com

The Best (And WORST) of Fashion Week

As things start to wind down we wanted to do at least a few posts on what we thought were the more significant showings this season- at least from an accessories standpoint.

And while we haven’t decided on a “Best” yet, this shot from Isaac’s show today unfortunately speaks for itself. (Which is really too bad because I personally happen to have been obsessed with him since watching Unzipped.) He’s basically your favorite gay friend, except funnier, smarter, 100X more stylish, and wears a bandana.

Through the bankruptcy, Bergdorf’s and even Liz Claiborne, we stood by him.. AND of course we realize fashion is, um.. subjective, but start to finish this is just so wrong!!

LAST TO FALL

The only two brands not available for purchase on their own websites- Marc Jacobs and CHANEL (even Hermes and LV have been doing it for awhile now) have finally caved.. CHANEL has recently hired a NY agency to create their e-commerce platform, and Marc Jacobs is reported to be selling on their site as early as August of this year. Both are rumored to be starting with fragrance, but accessories are said to follow shortly thereafter. Well good for you guys- you’re only about 5 years tardy to this party.

DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A BUYER?

We’re uber-confident in our members’ supreme taste and discerning eye when it comes to handbags, and we’re putting our $$ where our mouth is this season.. Look at Botkier’s Spring 2010 linesheet above (broken up into 3 pages) and tell us what styles you think you’ll see next week on designersocial.com. (We bought 3 pieces from this collection.)

The first person to correctly identify our picks this season wins their choice of Botkier handbags! Hint: one bag from this shipment is already up on designersocial.com. (OK so just guess the other 2.) Email your answer to: support@designersocial.com. First person to submit the correct 3 pieces wins the bag, plus we’ll feature you on the blog.

Good luck and don’t be surprised if we contact you to work here if you guess right!!

She replaces Michelle Myers, who went to LUCKY mag Friday. Big ups here.. we happen to LOOOOOOOOOOVE this woman! Karin is the former Associate Publisher of Lucky and was most recently at InStyle. GO KARANIMAL!!!!!!!!!! ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

New York Fashion Week Schedule - Monday, February 15th

9am      Zac Posen: The Altman Building, 135 West 18th Street (6th/7th Ave.)
10am    Carolina Herrera: The Tent, Bryant Park
11am    Zero + Maria Cornejo: Hosfelt Gallery, 531 West 36th Street (10th/11th Ave.)
11am    Carlos Miele: The Promenade, Bryant Park
11am    Ecliptica Presentation: Union Square Ballroom, 29 Union Square West
11:30    Vittadini Presentation: International Center of Photography, 1133 Ave. of Americas (43rd St.)
12pm    Jill Stuart: Astor Hall (5th/42nd St.), NY Public Library
12:30   Timo Weiland Presentation: 521 West 25th Street, 4th floor
1pm     Vaute Couture: The Greenshows 311 E. 11th St (1st/2nd Ave)
1pm     Tracy Reese: The Salon, Bryant Park
1pm     Showroom Antwerp- Flanders Fashion Institute Presentation and Brunch
Flanders House, 620 8th Avenue, 44th floor (41st St.)
2pm     Donna Karan Collection: 711 Greenwich Street (Charles/W. 10th St.)
3pm     Monique Lhuillier: The Promenade, Bryant Park
3pm     Thieves by Sonja Den Elzen: The Greenshows 311 E. 11th St (1st/2nd Ave)
4pm     Yeohlee: 225 West 35 Street, 16th floor (7th/8th Ave.)
4pm     Rad Hourani: Milk Studios, 450 West 15th Street
4pm     Koi Suwannagate Presentation: Capsule Studio, 873 Broadway, Suite 204
4pm     Bibhu Mohapatra Presentation: Marianne Boesky Gallery - 509 W. 24th St.
4:30     Chris Benz Presentation: Drive In Studio, 443 W. 18th St (9th/10th)
5pm     Tadashi Shoji: The Salon, Bryant Park
5pm     Devi Kroell: Eyebeam Studios, 540 West 21st Street
5:30     A Detacher: The Altman Building 135 W 18th St. (6th/7th Ave)
6pm     Korto Momolu: Union Square Ballroom, 29 Union Square
6pm     Alexa Chung/Madewell Launch: Bowery Terrace, Bowery Hotel, 335 Bowery
6pm     Carmen Marc Valvo Presentation: Nasdaq Tower, 4 Times Square
6pm     Barbara Tfank Presentation: Milk Studios, 450 West 15th Street
6pm     Casertano Presentation: 531 W. 24th St.
6:30     Halston Presentation: Stage 37, 508 W 37th Street
7pm     Althea Harper: Sundaram Tagore Gallery, 547 West 27th Street
8pm     Marc Jacobs: New York State Armory, 68 Lexington Avenue (25th St.)