Little bit Country, Little bit Rock'n'Roll

Country singer Tim McGraw brought down the house last night in his sold-out show at New York's Beacon Theater. Spotted on Tim were some beautiful necklaces by Lazaro, as well as some one-of-a-kind Lazaro charms hanging on a large sterling silver safety pin through his jeans. Seems like Tim is taking a bit of city-slicker style away from his recent visit to NYC. Lazaro jewelry isn't just for men, their Soho showroom has an excellent selection of pieces for men and women in a variety of styles ranging from rock and roll, to bohemian chic, and bold statement pieces for those interested in Big Chunky Gems!

Love Brigade “Defends Their Neighborhood”

In a bid to raise awareness of all locally-owned businesses, Brooklyn-based fashion label Love Brigade is launching its “Defend Your Neighborhood” campaign next week, to include campaigns for each of the three surrounding neighborhoods, “Defend Williamsburg”, “Defend Greenpoint”, and “Defend Bushwick”. Specific custom designs have been issued, with each neighborhood getting its own iconic battle ship graphic to remind us all to put our money where our house is and “Support Our Local Everything”.

In a city filled with corporate-owned chains, locally owned businesses are struggling for survival, and the recent opening of Duane Reade directly across from locally owned 9-year old King’s Pharmacy on Bedford Avenue had an emotional impact on the Owner and Senior Designer of Love Brigade, Alyssa Key. “I have seen this type of thing happen before, in my hometown neighborhood. First it was a Subway, then a Starbucks. Every local competitor had to shut their doors within two years. Our hopes are that we can remind locals to revolt the giants.” Love Brigade is committed and passionate about promoting their community and preserving the integrity of their at-risk neighborhood. Starting April 1st, Love Brigade began offering t-shirts to all local businesses with the messages printed on the front. To truly help their neighboring businesses, Love Brigade will be providing these t-shirts to fellow locally-owned restaurants, coffee shops, bars, clothing boutiques, music stores, and pharmacies at cost and will be encouraging up-sell to the community at large by advertising the items all throughout the three neighborhoods. The Williamsburg community thrives on its originality and unique enterprises, so what better way to remind everyone to support local business than through wearing something with pride? The T-shirts will be available online as well as Love Brigade’s self-branded retail store at 230 Grand Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211.

Rad Hourani - The Future of Cool

Rad Hourani's Unisex Collection for Fall 2011 has an amazing structural and architectural edge to it. The six amazing and transformable garmets can be combined and contorted to make 22 fabulous and futuristic looks (ALL 22 shown here - after the jump). The garment construction gives off a downy feel that makes you want to snuggle in these simultaneously sharp edged yet pillowy soft looks reminiscient of Japanese geishas. Although these modern day obis are a bit more minimalistic - with a multitude of uses.

Fashion Happy Hour at Commonwealth Proper

Commonwealth Proper, a men's bespoke suit and shirt-marker based in Philadelphia, is opening its Rittenhouse Showroom doors (1732 Spruce) for Happy Hours starting Wednesday, April 6 from 5-7PM. Come to socialize, view their new space, and see the awesome Spring collection.

Commonwealth Proper makes suits and shirts, from scratch, for the contemporary gentleman. Ther garments are designed to strike a balance between being modern and at the same time remaining appropriate for any setting, be it business or after hours, so how appropriate is it for you to purchase next week's happy hour attire at a happy hour this week.

Anne Valerie Hash E-Boutique

Amazing French designer and artist Anne Valerie Hash launches her e-boutique tomorrow, and the first 100 customers are going to get a special gift. March 2nd might not be Black Friday, but I am sure that there will be some fashionistas lining up (on-line) in order to be one of the few to take home that extra prize.

Check it out at www.a-v-h.com, and if you get the prize and we don't, at least let us know what it is!

Paola Hernandez - Fall 2011

Paola Hernandez presented her Fall 11 collection, titled “A Look Within,” at the W New York on Sunday. There is nothing I love more than art and fashion with a few cocktails mixed in. The presentation consisted of a mix between models and actual artists from the New York Academy of Art in looks ranging from layered corset dresses to long wool layered coats.

The authenticity of the artists highlighted the concept behind the collection which was based on the idea of balance. The pieces were primarily simple colors, black and grey; paired with a silver lining, suggesting light and revealing the power for creation within. While sipping on Perrier and Whiskey Sours provided by Auchentoshan (admittedly more Auchentoshan than Perrier), we were able to actually observe the artists creating, whether it was painting, sculpting, drawing, or writing.

Commonwealth Propper Opens PA Showroom

In 1861, the US was split in two by ideological differences and war erupted. Philadelphia, home of Commonwealth Propper, became the center of the Union effort to clothe its soldiers with the proper garments to endure harsh winters on the battlefield. As the war raged on, the great Union generals - Lincoln, Grant, Sherman and Porter - met in clandestine locations to discuss and philosophize about the fate of the States. It is these secret back room meeting places that, 150 years later, have inspired the design of the Commonwealth Proper showroom at 1732 Spruce Street. Moreover, all CMMP suits, shirts, shoes and ties are proudly made here in the United States of America.

56th Annual Viennese Opera Ball

The Viennese Opera Ball was an international affair yet again. Participants flew in from all over the country as well as locations ranging from the more expected European countries (like England, Austria, and Germany), to Argentina. Leading up to the ball there were events at the Austrian Consulate, drink gatherings at the Pierre Hotel's 2E Lounge and UES watering hole Haven, and practice sessions at the Waldorf Astoria. The evening was capped off by a spectacular performance of ballet (dancers delivered to the ballroom floor in a horse drawn carriage) and opera, with some of the cadet escorts getting in on the act as ''admiring fans'' of the primadonna. After the Tanz Bar the debs, escorts, and junior committee jetted down to the after-after party at a Greenwich Village apartment. Notable Debutantes and Escorts included Eiseley Tauginas, Hermione Sharp, Frederick Havemeyer, Stephanie Nass, Klaus Pecnik, Dani Wandersee, Carlisle Williams, Pierce Cravens, Katherine White, and Miguel Angel Ferreyra. Proceeds from the evening supported Lauren Bush's charity the FEED Foundation.

South American Summer and It's time to (SPRAY) Tan

Friend and Spray Tan specialist Celina Fowler of LA Bronze has let us know about her participation in BA Bliss... If you feel like you need a pickup on your tan and don't want to risk the UV rays definitely go and check this out on Saturday:

AF148-AF147 Now Boarding...

AF148-AF147 is a custom jewelry collection that is the combination of four very creative designers. Named after the flight from Paris to Delhi where the four first met, each season AF 148-AF147 combines elements of French romanticism and playfulness with direct references to journeys around the world. Whether it is the light and ephemeral pieces of the Phases of Love collection (above) or the layered pieces of the Wild West Show collection (below) that mix modern and ancient, AF148-AF147 has the jewelry for any girl. The painted and nickel plated flowery pieces of the Phases of Love collection is perfect for the girly Upper East Sider in you. Meanwhile the chunky amalgamations in Wild West Show are reminiscent of the Outlaws, Cowboys, and Native Americans of tall tales. And the pieces are almost as unbelievable - they are filled with thematic pieces and charms ranging from metallic bandanas to cactuses, revolvers, cowboy hats, and feathers.