---------- FashionFirstLunchLater

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Michelle wears Wu


Not like presidents wives in the past who dawned Oscar de le Renta for their inauguration dance as first ladies, Michelle Obama gave a progressive take on an old faithful and decided to surprise spectators with 26 year old Brooklyn designer Jason Wu. Although some say it looks like a bedsheet Congrats to Jason and his pr team, C&M Media Ltd!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Dubbed as the Trousergate Scandal...


This week Giorgio Armani has issued a "Trousergate" scandal in Milan, accusing D&G of copying the quilted men's pants that he showed as part of his collection in June.

The Guardian described it as "the most acidic row to hit the world of fashion for more than 15 years." After the D&G showed in Milan this past weekend, Armani noted that at least sixteen pairs of the quilted pants walked down the runway. "Now they copy me. Tomorrow they will learn," he told reporters. "I would understand if they were nobodies. But honestly!"Dolce and D&G are defending their designs arguing "We surely have plenty to learn, but certainly not from him," the partners, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana said in a statement. "The Armani style was never a source of inspiration for us and it is years since we have bothered to watch his collections." An Armani spokesman says the designer doesn't plan to take any legal action and called his comments "a casual observation."

Why are these quilted satin blankets constructed into makeshift pants even worth the argument?

Overexposed Gisele


Gisele Bundchen will be seen on every magazine cover come Feburary or at least on every cover of Elle magazine worldwide. Gisele has teamed up with Project (RED) to help fight AIDS, and as a result will be gracing over 30 February Elle covers ( all in different looks) internationally.

Gisele is also the face for Spring 2009 Christian Dior, shot by Craig McDean.

Dining in New York City


Dining in New York City, is a hardcover collection of New York City's 40 most highly-rated restaurants. Created and designed by Dutch photographer Jan Bartelsman, the book is both a comprehensive fine dining restaurant guide and a beautiful pictorial of New York City's top restaurants and chefs. The book highlights culinary luminaries from Tribeca pioneers David and Karen Waltuck, to rising star April Bloomfield as well as 3 star Michelin chefs Eric Ripert and Jean Goerge Vongerichten.

The 256 pages are interspersed with articles by noted food writers such as Vogue's Jeffrey Steingarten. A few of the selected restaurants include Degustation Wine & Tasting Bar, Del Posto, Devi, The Modern, Nobu and Per Se.

The chic-onomic update on Outnet


There is good and bad news about Net-a-porter's new Outnet outlet store. The clothes on the new site will not be stale merchandise but all new stock ordered by department stores that never made it to the shelves because of over ordering. Therefore, all the new clothes from the season’s runways, are up 80% off. The bad news? The site was scheduled to launch in early February, however it has been pushed to an April launch. ....Sigh

Michelle Obama's Inauguration Dress by Toledo


Michelle Obama looks particularly put together on this special day in a pale yellow gown and matching jacket by designer Isabel Toledo...wonder if Oscar de la Renta will be worn tonight?

Friday, January 16, 2009

Haute Restaurant of Week: Ruby's


A tiny yet salient staple to the Nolita neighborhood is Ruby's café, an Australian bistro that doubles as a girl about town hotspot, owned by Aussie natives Nick Mathers, who recently opened Kingswood and Lincoln Pilcher. Beneath the bare bone structure of the five communal picnic tables and exposed brick walls, lays a captivating crowd of DNA and Elite model darlings; along with flourishing downtown artists. The small space is conducive to the charm of this down under hideaway, with an expansive brunch-and-dinner menu featuring Aussie indulgences from the east- coast.


The menu dabbles in delightful salads such as the Pumpkin with baby spinach, pine nuts and caramelized balsamic dressing but the heart of Ruby's fare is the true-blue Australian burger which keeps the crowds at large and consistently waiting for a space at the multiparty table. Choose between The Bronte, The Bondi, The Bluey and The Whaley, for a very unique and even decadent take on a traditional burger, try the Aussie burger, complete with ground beef mixed with chopped peppers, then topped with a fried egg, beet slices, and roasted pineapple.

In the mornings when burgers are just not an option, enjoy the Sunday Style Section of the New York Times with a Flat White –none too foamy version of a latte, and a warm bowl of the succulent oatmeal topped with fruit for a conventional Aussie "brekky".


The constant flurry of Nolita regulars denotes the notion that the people who dine here may suffer from Tall Poppy Syndrome. However, the relaxed atmosphere of Ruby's assures one to check their pretentions at the door.


RUBY's 219 Mulberry St between Prince & Spring St. Hours Daily: 9am-11pm. Cash only

Monday, January 12, 2009

A new but predictable face for Vogue

Here's a new starlet to add to the rotation of Vogue cover girls...none other than Gossip Girl's (super saturated, seen on every magazine cover) Blake Lively. We really need some high fashion on these American Editorial Covers.

ICP celebrates the year of Fashion photography


Thursday January 15Th a press Preview will be held in honour of vintage pictorial photographers as well as new and upcoming fashion photographers.


The five exhibits will include:


Edward Steichen: In High Fashion


The Condé Nast Years, 1923-1937


Weird Beauty: Fashion Photography Now


This Is Not a Fashion


Photograph Munkacsi’s Lost Archive


Images by more than forty of the most innovative photographers working in the fashion industry today will be on view in Weird Beauty: Fashion Photography Now, To highlight the original context of these photographs, this exhibition will feature hundreds of tear sheets, along with approximately twenty original photographic prints, and online media.


The Exhibition will be available for viewing at 1133 Avenue of the Americas at 43rd Street from January 16th through May 3rd at the International center of Photography.

Reem Acra wins "Best Dresses" for Golden Globes












Our pick for the three out of the Five best dressed starlets of the night wore Reem Acra.
Rumer Willis, in Reem Acra with Neil Lane jewels

Megan Fox, in Ralph Lauren Collection with Amrapali jewels

Eva Longoria Parker, in Reem Acra with Verdura jewels and a Swarovski clutch

Olivia Wilde, in Reem Acra with Van Cleef & Arpels jewels

Renée Zellweger, in Carolina Herrera with Verdura jewels