SNIP MIAMI BEACH

Longtime hair stylists Riley and Dona McLachlan have embarked on a new space in Miami located at 456 Arthur Godfrey Road. Situated along side trendy restaurants and shops, the new salon provides a relaxing space for a full beauty experience.

The salon provides hair styling, coloring, facials, skin and body treatments as well manicures and pedicures. A new service addition is eyelash extensions which is a new method to give eyelashes thickness and length by applying lash-by-lash for a natural apperance.

On the Products front Snip has expanded their product offerings while continuing to feature Rene Futerer Paris. Overall Snip provides a stylish retreat for beauty with a area overloaded with tourist shops and restaurants.

ALINA HANDBAGS~A STYLISH SOLUTION

Cuban born sisters Alina Garcia and Yamilia Halfon have there eyes set on producing classic and stylish handbags for the non trend seeking consumer. Inspiration has come from legendary Hollywood types like Jackie O and Grace Kelly.

The bags are produced in Italy using the finest Italian leather while incorporating the company's strigent principles of form and function in every creation. This line compliments the sense of personal style, always maintaning each bags versatility. Price ranges start at $850 and go to $6,500. We love the fact that these designers are doing their own thing and are not concerned with current bag trends. It's an investment in enduring style and set's one apart from what we are seeing now.

Zang Toi Fall 2008

Zang Toi has been a man of mystery over the past few seasons by only showing a fall collection. With such a long time gap it makes one wonder what he will show, leaving the spring season alone and only concentrating on fall.

Before show time the night before we received a press release stating the inspiration was via the grand life in the Adirondacks. We know Zang always travels for inspiration but the adirondacks? To say the least we had reservations on this collection.

We must clearly state that the Zang Toi Fall 2008 collection is by far one of his best works to date! The first two looks that came down hooked us. Once again he has combined his two collection into one show and the Toi House white quilted nylon ski-parks with white Mongolian Lamb collar and mini back-pack looked sleek, stylish and snow ski cool. Other highlights were his black stretch wool jersey trench jacket and black cashmere/silk pantsuit. We also love the black leather hipster pant.
Our vote for the red carpet gown is his red silk charmeuse socialite dinner dress with beaded draped Adirondak star brooch. So maybe it’s not a bad thing that Mr. Toi takes a long layoff and only shows once a season, it gives him time to develop blockbuster collections for his recession proof ladies. We could not have asked for a better collection to close out fashion week.

Photos: Mercedes Benz Dan Lecca

Steinunn Fall 2008

We braved the rain to head to the forbidden zone of the meat packing district for the fall 2008 Steinunn collection. When we arrived it was just us and the WWD photographer. I guess the bad weather might have detoured other editors from making the trek.

From what we saw the entire collection is knitwear and seems to be small and safe which is not a bad way to go, but when we read the designers information there was mention of working with both Calvin Klein and Ton Form for quite a period of time. Knowing this, it would have been nice to see a broader range of fabric use. Certainly Calvin and Tom did not just use knitwear to produce collections. The talent is there and maybe a spring collection will bring out a more expansive collection.

Rad Hourani Fall 2008

We had not heard of Rad Hourani so we sum up this fall collection as a first time showing in New York. As for what type of fabrics where used, there was no run of show.

For what Mr. Hourani showed was a red and black collection with very structured cuts. The look is modern with a almost “too cool for you” element. We don’t know who the customer might be and Rad might be trying to figure that out with this collection.

He does demonstrate well tailored pants and tops to match. All designers have to start somewhere and Rad Hourani showed a solid first collection. We are sure in time his designs will evolve into a signature style.

Photos: House of Rad Hourani

Temperley London Fall 2008

The Temperley London Fall collection seemed to have a rock and roll edge with the first few looks that came down the runway. The military style caps evoked strangely a Jimmy Page Led Zeppelin feel as well the thigh high boots. We have seen hints of military on other runways but this sealed the deal! Our radar screen indicates military for the next fall season.

Long flowing evening dresses and leather pants followed which seemed spot on for the fall season. The editorial pieces we liked where both the Black Pagoda Jacket with Black satine skirt and the Cream/Black Lucia top paired with Black Lark Leather skirt. Out of all the collections we attended Temperley London was a standout, showing focus and good editing!

photos: Mercedes Benz Dan Lecca

R. Scott French Fall 2008

It’s been about seven years since we have seen a R. Scott French collection come down the runway. Men’s is not a easy sell since most guys would rather watch TV then shop for clothes.

His fall collection was long and in essence there were three collection shown at once, which made for over sixty pieces to make there debut. With other fashion shows running late pressure was placed on French to rush his collection down the runway which made it hard for us to keep up with the program, we got lost a few times due to the machine gun style the models came out.

Aside from the problems, R. Scott French sent out a good collection if you pick apart what was shown. He’s a master at cutting great pants and coats but the vast selection points to a lack of his potential customer base. He’s there design wise no doubt but a better understanding of his client will produce more streamline collections down the road.

Photos: Mercedes Benz Dan Lecca

Erin Fetherston Fall 2008

Erin Featherson is a gambler. In a season which has yet again be plagued by black and white along with a depressed economy this young designer is willing to play the long shot and roll this dice, this one look live! Her last collection left an impression of a designer who knows her customer; think Tori Amos wearling thoese long flowing dresses with delicate silk fabrics. It’s not hippy chic but runs a similar line,very feminine.

The floral and color rage to Erin’s collection bucks current trends for the season and offers consumers a fresh and different aproach for fall. If your looking for color she’s got a wide aray to chose from. Yeah there’s black but as well green, purple, chartreuse and red. She could have even tossed in warm beige or a dusty soft pink and it would have worked!

With a few New York seasons under her belt and running spectacular collections not to mention her recent target line, it’s quite clear this lady has luck on her side and it’s all working.

Photos: Mercedes Benz Dan Lecca

Sass & Bide Fall 2008

Sass & Bide from Australia came to town with a three ring circus! We saw the ring leader, my pretty pony and other colorful looks from this design duo. It’s evident the the multi coloured circus theme is in heavy play here but with the Australian dollar beating out the US Dollar on the economic indicators, maybe the ladies down under might be in a festive spirit.

The collection left us guessing where and if this line will sell stateside with a recession in full effect.


Photos: Mercedes Benz Dan Lecca

Rock & Republic Fall 2008

Rock & Republic has been know to produce high octane fashion shows with a heavy influence in the rock and roll arena,but it seems this season the rock has left the republic. With a fall collection of purple for ladies and black for men there’s nothing ground breaking going on here. It seems all the suit, jacket and coats were standard cuts which we have seen before.

It’s a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll. It seems the Rock & Republic fashion bus made a wrong turn.

Photos: Mercedes Benz Dan Lecca

Juan Carlos Obando Fall 2008 Presentation

We don’t know very much about Juan Carlos Obando but his presentation left us with an optimism of a great new talent. Beautiful full length gowns with a vintage American sportswear feel, very luxurious and worthy of a runway show come next season.With only showing fourteen looks he left editors wanting more. Juan Carlos is on our radar screen and should be on yours.

Photos: Mercedes Benz Dan Lecca

Duckie Brown Fall 20008

In today’s economic climate there are not many designers who can afford to experiment in new designs in the hopes that editors and buyers will take hold, these are rough times that lay ahead for the retail industry.

With a 20 piece collection from Duckie Brown for Fall 2008 it seems these factors might be at play with a tightly edited collection. It’s a safe collection with no color splashes and everything done in black, there’s nothing wrong with that.

The clothes are straightforward and pull no punches. Pants are cut and tailored well and looked great on the models who walked the runway along with everything else that was shown.

By far one of the coolest men’s shows that we saw with no music and just the sound of camera shutters clicking away. It’s a smart way to focus buyers and editors on the clothing and it worked perfectly.

Photos: Mercedes Benz Media Dan Lecca