The Shophound

Today In Enlargement: Jack Spade's Giant Tote

The folks at Jack Spade seem to have wound down their bike shop for the season, and the latest attraction at the Bleecker Street store appears to be supersized accessories —really supersized.
Yes, possibly inspired by pop artists Claes Oldenburg and Coosje Van Bruggen, that's a giant canvas tote bag in front of the store, stuffed, perhaps in absence of a bit more structure, with a whole lot of tissue paper.
The Spade staff seems, at least, to know what its customers put in their totes. A closer look reveals a giant pair of iPod headphones.
Dumbo's perhaps?

Jack Spade 400 Bleecker Street between West 11^th & Bank Streets, West Village
Previously: Today In Switcheroos: Jack Spade Ditches Fruitcake for Cycling

More Collaborations: Jimmy Choo X H&M Coming This Fall Including Label's First Clothes

They say that cheap shoes will ruin even the most well assembled outfit, but Jimmy Choo is out to disprove that maxim this Fall.
On November 14th, H&M will release its latest collaboration collection with the luxury shoe label in only 200 stores (several of which are likely to be in Manhattan). The collection will include shoes, bags and accessories for men and women as well as clothing, a category the brand is neither known for nor, as far as we know, has ever produced at all.
Like Matthew Williamson, whose recent H&M collaboration includes his first menswear, Jimmy Choo appears to be using H&M to test the waters for potential product expansions.
More importantly, we will all be looking to see if H&M will be able to successfully translate Choo's opulent designs at what will have to be a dramatically lower price point.
Reserve your places in line now.
H&M to Collaborate with Jimmy Choo by Miles Socha (WWD)

A Moment for Our Feet: J.M. Weston Launches Exclusive Collaborations

Last week, the fine folks at J.M. Weston invited The to The Flag Art Foundation in Chelsea to launch the exclusive French shoemaker's special collaboration collection, "Humeurs" featuring five designers' interpretations of its classic models. As much as we love shoes, we might love our Westons the best. We once described them to someone unfamiliar with the brand as the men's shoe version of an Hermès Kelly Bag, so we were happy to lace up our oxblood demi-chasses and trek out to West 25th street for cocktails & hors d'oeuvres (of course, we are always happy to trek out for cocktails & hors d'oeuvres, but anyway...).
Our favorite pair was Dior Homme designer Kris Van Assche's subtle take on a wingtip oxford (pictured above), but the collection also included Michel Perry's whimsical argyle blucher and modern architect Frank Gehry's unlikely reproduction of an ankle boot with white spats as well as styles from Martin Szekely and Clémence Krzentowski. The seven styles are available for special order through J.M.Weston's boutiques, and we are guessing the prices will fall squarely into the four figure range. For what it's worth, we have a pair of Westons that we have been wearing for 15 years that look better than ever, so the investment value is definitely there.
J.M. Weston 812 Madison Avenue at 68^th Street, Upper East Side

More images after the jump

Be Green Or Else! Earth Day Approaches

Can a marketing hook be both socially responsible and increasingly tiresome? Can we be blamed for suffering from "Green Fatigue"? It doesn't mean that we have stopped recycling or we're deliberately leaving lights on and taking extra long showers, but we worry about what the inevitable backlash might be.
And there will be one. We only hope that all of the high-profile "green" goods we keep hearing about will hold up to proper scrutiny.
It you have noticed an overabundance of stories about eco-friendly clothes, food, cleaning products, furniture, contraceptives, etc., it's probably because Wednesday is Earth Day, which has been going on for decades, but has taken on added significance in recent years as the merchandising opportunities proliferate. This year, for starters, Kiehl's had formed an alliance with Waterkeeper Alliance, which is dedicated to protecting our water supplies from pollution. To celebrate Earth Day 2009, Kiehl’s has introduced a Limited Edition Superbly Restorative Argan Body Lotion, 100% of whose net proceeds will benefit Waterkeeper Alliance.
Beginning Wednesday, April 22^nd, Keihl's will host a three-day online auction of 10 unique items to further support Waterkeeper Alliance featuring one-of-a-kind signed and donated items including:

Adrian Grenier Autographed "Entourage - Season 4" DVD Set (2 Sets)
Best of Kiehl's Since 1851 - For MEN ($494 Value)
Best of Kiehl's Since 1851 - For WOMEN ($493 Value)
Kelly Slater Autographed Al Merrick TUFLITE (SURFTECH) K-BOARD Surfboard
Kelly Slater Autographed Biography – For The Love, by Kelly Slater, Jack Johnson, and Phil Jarratt.
"Israel" Limited Edition Poster, designed by Emek, signed by Erykah Badu and Emek
"Moscow, Russia" Limited Edition Poster, designed by Emek, signed by Erykah Badu and Emek
PARSONS, The New School for Design: Online Course: Hot Cities, Cool Solutions: Living in a Low-Carbon World ($570 Value)

Kiehl's has formed a special website, kiehlsgivesback.com, to showcase its charitable activities, which will offer other products and events throughout the week as well.
Joining the fun, Louis Vuitton has announced that 15% of all sales purchased on the company’s U.S. site,  onthis Wednesday will be donated to The Climate Project, an international non-profit organization founded by Al Gore with a mission of increasing public awareness of the climate crisis at a grassroots level worldwide. Vuitton has been working with it since 2007.
In other Earth Day Shopping news, GILT GROUPE is featuring eco-friendly designers this week including Matt & Nat, Loomstate and Stewart + Brown, Edun for Men and Women, and Stella McCartney for LeSportsac. Also this week, look out for Issey Miyake for Men and Women, Richard Chai, Gryson and Amrita Singh. Click HERE for your personal invitation.

Today In Big Bow News: Aretha's Hat Takes On A Life Of Its Own & Other Links

When was the last time Aretha Franklin launched a fashion trend?
That's right! Never.
It must be said, however, that she certainly has appeared in her share of cringe-inducing outlandish get-ups over the decades. Her showy Inauguration hat topped with a big spangled bow, however, has sparked a run on the style from Detroit milliner Luke Song, who will not reproduce the exact model, but is making pastel variations for spring. The Times has the unlikely story of how an art student who inherited his parent's millinery business has become an overnight success. (NYTimes)
In other news:

• Next Wednesday, Lanvin is holding a rare 70% off, one-day-only sample sale. Details at Refinery 29. UPDATE: Further investigations from our friends at Racked prove that this sale is not happening. Take it off your calendar.
• The Adam Lippes Sample sale is just as good as we said it was, maybe better. Now go down there and get yourself a pretty designer dress for $60. (RACKED)
• L.A. Fashion Week is dying a slow, sad, C-List death. (RACKED LA)
• Project Runway's Christian Siriano has added stores for Fall, proving that a small, young designer may be better equipped to survive in this economy. (The Cut)
• The Wall Street Journal's excellent fashion blog Heard On The Runway may have been axed as of the end of Paris Fashion Week, which was yesterday. BOO Recession! (The Cut)
• American Apparel has sold a 20% stake to London-based private equity firm Lion Capital to solve the dire cash flow problems stemming from its breakneck speed expansion. Failure to do so would have forced a Chapter 11 reorganization, but, for now, let the skanky advertisements go on! (WWD)

And since our inbox is overflowing with SAMPLE SALE notices, here are some that caught our eye for your weekend shopping pleasure:

• RACHEL ROY
Sunday March 15^th- Thursday March 19^th, 230 Fifth Avenue, Lobby between 26-27 Streets
• ADAM by Adam Lippes
Through Sunday March 15^th, Chelsea Market, 75 Ninth Ave. between 15th & 16th Streets.
• GILDED AGE
Through Saturday, March 14^th, 11 East 4^th Street # 2F, between Broadway & Lafayette Street.
• BROOKS BROTHERS (extended -lots of Fall Black Fleece)
Through today? or longer? 346 Madison Avenue at 44^th St., 4^th floor
• GILT GROUPE
Today's sales include Links of London for Men & Women, Technomarine, Marc Jacobs Collection Men's, Women's & Accessories, Perricone MD Cosmeceuticals, Delman, Trina Turk & John Varvatos. Click HERE now for an invitation.

Today In Switcheroos: Jack Spade Ditches Fruitcake for Cycling

In deference to the changing seasons, Jack Spade's Bleecker Street store has updated its mini-sub boutique, and the Jack Spade Fruitcake Shop has given over to Jack & Jimbo's Bike Shop.  We're not exactly sure who Jimbo is. Perhaps he is the bicycle technician who was operating in the store window last Saturday. Instead of dense little holiday sweets, the store now features a selection of vintage bikes in addition to its usual selection of sporty bags and leathergoods.
We view this as a positive development. The last version confirmed to us that fruitcake is still the least appealing food that ends in -cake, and after all, who doesn't like a bike ride?
Jack & Jimbo's Bike Shop at Jack Spade 400 Bleecker Street between West 11^th & Bank Streets, West Village

Everything Must Go: Is Cleo & Patek Shutting Down, Or Are They Just Trying To Fake Us Out?

Above we have a montage of the Cleo & Patek stores in Soho which have traded their permanent 60% to 70% off sale signs for something more dramatic, suggesting that the mini-chain, which has several other stores throughout Manhattan, would be shutting down.
Normally, we are sympathetic to the plight of retailers in a challenging economy, and we typically don't cheer at most stores' closings. There are too many much loved and well run stores who have been forced to close lately, but it's an ill wind that blows no good, and if the recession is knocking out Cleo & Patek, then we say "good riddance".
Why so harsh?
Cleo & Patek is one of those shady stores that seasoned New York shoppers have learned to avoid, but can easily sucker in the less savvy as well as gullible tourists. They have been around for several years now, setting up shop in popular shopping areas and selling handbags of questionable quality at a steep discount from high, fake "original" prices. We have always found their continued, and even expanding, scammy presence to be irksome. Given the company's reputation, we have to wonder if Cleo & Patek is really closing its stores, or using a more extreme tactic to reel in the unsuspecting. Unfortunately, we suspect the latter. If they are still around in three months, then we'll know they are faking it. However, if they really do bite the dust, then the recession will actually have done shoppers a small favor.

Colaboration Redux:Louis Vuitton SoHoGets SPROUSE-ified

Louis Vuitton is not wasting any opportunities to get your attention for the launch of this Spring's revisiting and expansion of the brand's landmark collaboration with the late Stephen Sprouse.
While most Vuitton Stores will have to wait until February 2^nd for the full delivery of their Sprouse items, the Greene Street store will have the entire collection beginning today, and if all goes well, you will have to fight off legions of rabid collectors to get your graffitti bag. Certain pieces featuring the "Roses" pattern will roll out to other Vuitton locations on Friday.
It's only fitting focus this promotion on the SoHo store, since it is only a few blocks from where Sprouse had his own short lived, multi-level boutique on Wooster Street during the '80s. As you can see, the Vuitton store is being festooned with Sprouse-esque day-glo graffitti inside and out. The SoHo store will also feature two items exclusive to that location: three graffitti skateboards with matching trunks for $8,250, and 70 “Roses” patterned T-shirts selling for a mere $250 each, which is presumably a pittance in Vuitton-land. Proceeds from these items are to benefit Free Arts NYC, which provides underserved children throughout New York City with special arts programs.
Vuitton's Sprouse promotion will be under great scrutiny for reasons other than the ongoing interet in the innovative designer's work. If the brand can continue to generate interest and sales from the special collaboration, it will be a much needed, encouraging sign that luxury megabrands can still entice customers to invest in special collector's pieces at premium prices. For the moment, the jury is still out on that point.
We Love Stephen Sprouse(Official Website)

Todsy In Pop-UpsAn Underappreciated BotkierTemporary Store Waits

The Botkier pop-up shop was disturbingly empty a few days ago.
Of course, this entire Holiday shopping season has been more than a little disturbing, and SoHo in general, has been pretty empty. Of course, why would anyone want to shop in a regular store when the city is experiencing an abundance of sample sales the likes of which has never been seen before.
So what does that have to do with the temporary Botkier store?
Festooned with paper snowflakes, the little store is all dressed up like a girl waiting for a very tardy date.
What handbag fans might not realize is that the boots, bags, belts and wallets in the store are marked down to sample sale prices already. And if the thought of that kind of savings without the hassle and the grabbing and the elbows isn't enough to entice you, there's more in the back room stacked on tables and marked down even lower.
So while you are waiting in line on the sidewalk to get into whatever today's overstock sell-off might be, you might save yourself some trouble and consider a visit to Greene Street.
Botkier 117 Mercer Street between Prince & Spring Street, SoHo

Spade Switch:Kate Gives Way To JackOn Bleecker Street

Over the Summer, we reported that Bleecker Street's Eve Salon would be vacating its spot to make way for another Kate Spade boutique, but this week we discovered that the shop has been ceded to brother Jack.
In the Saga of Bleecker Street's transformations, this may be seen as the same difference, but we must say that Jack Spade still retains a bit more cachet than the increasingly banal women's accessory brand he sprang from. Perhaps it's the men's line's consistent, utilitarian design, or maybe it's the witty store atmosphere, but the shop seems somewhat less annoying than another handbag store...even if it really is a men's handbag store.
In a nod to the holidays, a portion of the store has been given over to the "Jack Spade Fruitcake Shop", which could be a nasty double entendre in the West Village, but in this case means that they really are selling a variety of actual fruitcakes.
When offered a free sample, one intrigued customer said he hadn't tasted fruitcake in twenty years. "Yep, that sure is fruitcake," he said after a bite, indicating that he could easily wait another couple of decades for his next taste of the delicacy.
Jack Spade 400 Bleecker Street between West 11^th & Bank Streets, West Village
Previously, Bleecker Street Update: Eve Salon To Exit Making Way For Kate Spade