The Shophound

This Week In UNIQLO:A Heattech Party In Gramercy Park

There was a nip in the air last night which was perfectly appropriate for UNIQLO's party at the top of the Gramercy Park Hotel to continue the ongoing promotion of its HeatTech line. The increasingly popular Japanese retailer (which is very much mass in Asia, but still extremely exclusive in the US and Europe) is serious about making sure everyone knows about their cold weather clothing, and to that end they gave us a closer look at the collection as worn by the four charming models above and provided us with a couple of pieces to try out on our own . The company has a global sales target of 50 million HeatTech units, and we're happy to help them out for a cocktail and a gift bag.
The line has been getting lots of blog attention for its ad campaign featuring 12 of the most in-demand models shot by Mario Testino, but the real news is an expanded collection whose little foil envelopes (which top out at about $15.50 each) are being snatched up in bulk by shoppers at the UNIQLO flagship in SoHo.
Just to mollify the Federal Trade Commission, we'll report that our gift bag included two HeatTech tops ($15.50 each), press releases and a $50 UNIQLO gift card (as if we have ever received a gift bag whose contents we didn't immediately announce to the world).
We write enough about UNIQLO that you would think they paid us (and last night they actually kind of did) but these are not our first pieces of HeatTech, and we can honestly report firsthand that it is immensely effective when those biting February winds rush through the city. The high-tech synthetic fabric is light and whisper thin and uses all sorts of technological innovations to keep you warm without bulk. This year's collection includes new anti-static properties as well as features that help the stretchy garments hold their shapes.
The other new development is UNIQLO's first US online store devoted solely to the line. So far, HeatTech is the only thing currently available for purchase, but we have heard that a long awaited e-commerce site is in the works for those of you who can't make it to SoHo in person.
UNIQLO HeatTech (Official Site)

More HeatTech images after the jump

White Collar Update: Free Shirt Frenzy Overwhelms Rockefeller Center?

We're glad we stood in line yesterday because our friends at RACKED tell us that USA Network's White Collar Thomas Pink shirt giveaway at Rockefeller Center gas gotten totally out of control. One of their commenters has reported that as of 8:20 AM the line was already closed and the wait was estimated at a whopping six hours!
Sorry folks. You just might have to wait until the next time USA launches a show that has a clothing related title.
Total Shirtpocalypse at Rockefeller Center (RACKED)
Previously:
Today In Complimentary Items: How Long Would We Stand In Line For A Free Shirt?

The Shophound In Los Angeles: Is There Something We Don't Know About Johnny Cupcakes?

SO WE'RE HERE IN LOS ANGELES for the first time in more years than we'd care to say, taking a slightly early morning walk down Melrose (lot of empty storefronts, sadly) on our way to Ron Herman at Fred Segal (more on that later), and we see a bunch of people camping out in front of some closed storefronts at around 10:30 AM. We're used to seeing this sort of thing in front of A Bathing Ape in Soho, but LA's Bape is half a block away, and there's no line there. We learn that this camp-out is in anticipation of cult t-shirt maker Johnny Cupcakes' release of limited edition Halloween t-shirts tonight at 9 PM.
Johnny who?
You may recall that a few years a go, in the early days of The Shophound, while casting about for some links on a stormy day, we discovered the young brand, and frankly, that's the last time we though about it —until now. Apparently, the bakery-inspired tee designer has become quite the underground sensation since then, and now has two exclusive shops —the other's in Boston— which, aside from the brand's website, are the only place to get the now highly coveted brand.
We thought we were pretty well versed in such things, but, you see, this is why sometimes we have to leave town (even our own fabulous town) to discover new stuff. For those of you East Coasters, the event will be repeated tomorrow October 10th at the Boston Store, so you should literally get in line now if you are so inclined. Apparently, it's quite the scene.
Johnny Cupcakes 7959 Melrose Ave, West, Hollywood
Previously:
Linkage For The Shut-In (6.7.06)

Fashion's NIght Out: Forget The Sales, It's Drinks For Everybody!

Click images for a larger view in a new window.

Fashion's Night Out is over and we are pooped. POOPED!
If the goal of the event was to get people into stores, then in Manhattan, at least, it succeeded wildly. Every shopping area we hit was busy, and some were downright teeming with people.
We started the evening after three runway shows and three presentations, so really, we would just as soon have stayed home, but that would have been shirking our duty, and if the designers are putting in extra effort, so should we.
We began at Saks, whose main floor was packed with surprisingly dressed-up customers. The entire store felt like it was a busy Saturday in high season, with particularly concentrated crowds on the sumptuously renovated, designer laden third floor. We made our way to 7 to meet our friend DJ Aaron Elvis who was spinning for Marc by Marc Jacobs with a martini and margarita bar in tow, and the drinking was in full swing.  As we were next off to SoHo, our friends from Marc urged us stop by their Mercer Street shop where we found the designer himself in his signature kilt with more cocktails and snacks. Between Marc, Vera Wang, Costume National and Marni, that particular block was a raging party scene.
Onward to Greene Street, where we had Champagne with our friends from PHI and met Creative Director Andreas Melbostad along with star of the runways Suvi Koponen, who is lovely and tall, especially in her PHI boots. We would have happily to spend the rest of the evening there, but there was more to see. SoHo in general was buzzing, and some stores like Intermix were forced to impose velvet ropes on the sidewalk like nightclubs (which kind of defeats the purpose of the event, does it not?)
A Bathing Ape had a line wrapped around the corner of Spring Street, but that happens there every other day. The new Original Penguin store celebrated its grand opening with live models in the window, and Opening Ceremony was a madhouse. Throngs waited on the sidewalk to get in, but even if you weren't ready to face that, there were vendors on the street like Band of Outsiders' Tie Truck, selling specially priced neckwear just for the evening. Perhaps no store was better suited to the evening that Jil Sander across the street, whose first level is basically empty display space, making an easy transition to stylish downtown bar. After a quick tour through Anna Sui's elaborate Target Pop-Up on Crosby Street where models played various "Gossip Girl" characters and we were on to the final phase of our evening.
The last leg of our tour took us up to the West Village, where we meant to stop in at John Bartlett, but as his tiny store was quite full, and our feet were starting to give out, we headed up Bleecker Street where Ralph Lauren's string of shops had people flocking and Marc by Marc Jacobs was offering customers their photographs taken with models.
Finally, Raindrops began to fall as the Meatpacking District loomed. Adam by Adam Lippes had a lounge-y vibe and giant searchlights rotating at the front door. Theory's huge flagship was packing them in and taking orders for young designer accessory lines, and Jeffrey had a crush at the door that was surely brought on by rumors of Hugh Jackman. Did we stick around? No. Could we have gotten if we had? Probably not, but our feet were thanking us for turning homeward as we passed the door lines at Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen at 10 PM.
Did the event translate into sales? We don't exactly know yet, but what we do know is that retailers and designers have learned that they now need to do more than just hang up the clothes and open their doors to get customers back shopping again, and open bars don't hurt.

Fashion's Night Out: Mrs. Wintour Promises To Shop

Anna Wintour promises to do a lot more than show up and cheer on Fashion's Night Out this Thursday.
She will shop.
We all know that the Vogue Empress in Chief does not get her clothes in actual stores (okay, maybe her tennis clothes). Her Condé Nast clothing allowance is the stuff of legend, and if anyone on Earth has the clout to shop wholesale, it's Anna. The designer showrooms of the world are her own personal Paramus Mall.
Even so, she plans to buy retail, if just for the night, to do her part. She tells the Times of London her rather ambitious plans for the evening:

I’m going from Macy’s in Queens to Manhattan, where I’ll drop by Ralph Lauren, the Oscar de la Renta store — Oscar promises to sing! — then Intermix to see Sienna Miller, and on to Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman, Dior, Saks Fifth Avenue (where there will be a William Rast pop-up shop), and Sean John, finishing up at the Meatpacking block party hosted by Theory and Diane von Furstenberg.
What am I looking to buy? Something in red, some new boots, and some kind of savage fur (that’s American Vogue shorthand, so you know, for a rough, shaggy stole or collar of some kind)

Well, that will keep her busy, and if all goes well, and she hits all her marks, you might get to see her in the flesh.
Don't even think about crossing that security detail.
Confessions of Vogue's Shopaholics (TimesOnline via The Cut)

Fashion's Night Out: More Events Than You Could Possibly Attend In A Week Let Alone One Night

Stores around town are beginning to gear up for what has become the immense Fashion's Night Out event this Thursday night. For example, Catherine Malandrino (pictured left) will be featuring an elaborate "Paris Meets New York Marché" street fair inside her Hudson Street boutique including live models, performers, food drinks and an 11 PM performance by French Afro-Cabaret-Pop stars Les Nubians.
Sound like fun?
Oh there's more. Lots more. Lots and lots more.
We couldn't even begin to count the number of press releases that have floated through The Shophound's inbox over the past few weeks telling us who will be appearing in which stores. In fact, Malandrino's party all by itself would be worth a spotlight in The Shophound, but we had only randomly checked to see what she would be up to. It's but a drop in the bucket among the tons of other events all taking place at exactly the same time. Many stores will be offering "Shopping Incentives", though they are trying to stay away from promotional markdowns. If there's any consistent theme to the evening it's cocktails and drinks. We're beginning to think it should be called "Fashion's Night Drunk", or maybe "Fashion's Night Out Cold". Oh, we got a million of 'em.
Has Fashion's Night Out morphed into an unwieldy extravaganza or will there just be fun excitement in every corner for everyone this Thursday? Maybe both? We'll reserve judgment until afterward, but we won't be able to enjoy more than a small fraction of the goings on, and neither will you, unless you are able to be in one hundred places at once. Literally.
We have all heard about Bergdorf Goodman's Celebrity Fashion Game Show, Alexander Wang's Runway Lessons at Barneys and Anna Wintour's Kickoff Party with Michael Kors and the cast of HAIR at Macy's in Queens. Most of the large Manhattan department stores will be holding multiple events with an abundance of celebrities and designers, so expect big crowds there, but there is stuff happening all over the place, even in unexpected corners from exclusive boutiques to Loehmann's and Century 21. Here's what's going on in some of our personal favorite stores and a few of the places where you might run into The Shophound on Thursday night. :

• SAKS FIFTH AVENUE is looking like the epicenter of the evening, with a huge store to house multiple events including the launch of a dazzling, new fully renovated designer floor on 3 which will bring a parade of designers (Donna, Carolina, Ralph Rucci). Along with that, folks from Marc Jacobs and DETAILS will be carousing in the Men's Department along with our friend DJ Aaron Elvis featuring T-Shirts, iPhone cases and signed iPod Shuffles for some lucky full price Marc by Marc Jacobs customers. 10% of all sales proceeds (from September 6^th -10^th) will be donated to the New York City AIDS Fund in The New York Community Trust.
• JOHN BARTLETT will be greeting customers in person as he celebrates the second anniversary of his West Village boutique along with special guest star, Project Runway's Tim Gunn. 10% of the night's proceeds will be donated to The Trevor Project. 143 Seventh Avenue South at Charles Street.
• PHI will be offering champagne for all and an appearance by creative director Andreas Melbostad. even better, for anyone who spends $2,000 or more, a ticket to the Spring 2010 runway show –always one of our favorites featuring an intimate setting (no cavernous tents here), the very best models on the runway and the very best editors and buyers in the audience. Worth every penny. 71 Greene Street between Broome and Spring Streets.
• ADAM LIPPES will be offering personalized versions of his famous T-Shirts along with custom made Havaianas flip flops as well as cocktails and music by DJ Phresh until a decadent 1 AM. All proceeds from Havaianas sales will be donated to the 9/11 charity fund. 678 Hudson Street at 13^th Street.
• BILLY REID will be serving Pabst Blue Ribbon and Woodford Reserve as customers are treated to a live performance of bluesy Southern rock by the Greg Spradlin Outfit. 54 Bond Street between Lafayette Street and Bowery.
• KIKI DE MONTPARNASSE will be presenting "an intriguing and elegant evening celebrating intimacy and inspiring romance. Our specialists will be holding salons on our instruments of pleasure and the art of seducing your lover. Guests will enjoy exploring their fantasies in our erotic portrait booth and creating a picture to keep or take home to their lover. Champagne and indulgent aphrodisiacs will be served throughout the evening." Clearly, drinking will be mandatory. 79 Greene Street between Spring and Broome Streets.
• BIRD's Williamsburg location will be featuring the lovely designers of Vena Cava as well as lots of food and drinks from neighborhood restaurants. 203 Grand Street between Bedford and Driggs Avenues, Brooklyn.
• OPENING CEREMONY will be holding a block party featuring special appearances by designers including Jack McCollough & Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler, Kate & Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte, Delfina Delettrez Fendi, Alexander Wang and Scott Sternberg of Boy/Band of Outsiders selling special goods made for the occasion out of the backs of their own customized cars. 35 Howard Street at Crosby Street.
• MODEL ALERTS: We have heard that top models will be scattered throughout the city Thursday night, but we know that COCO ROCHA will be giving an Irish Dancing performance at 9 PM at DKNY (655 Madison Avenue at 60th Street) while DARIA WERBOWY will be on hand to help you choose the perfect shades at Times Square's SUNGLASS HUT (1585 Broadway between 47^th & 48^th Streets). Really! Sunglass Hut!
• UPDATE: Could we have forgotten UNIQLO? Not that they need any help generating customer traffic these days, but this Thursday, the Japanese mega-chain's SoHo flagship will be launching a shop-in-shop called the “Art Convenience Store,” devoted to the art and culture of Tokyo featuring apparel, stationery, toys, and character goods in collaboration with Hiroshi Fujiwara, Chitose Abe, Masaaki Honma, and Yasuko Furuta. Thursday's launch will feature the DJ team Activaire and free bottles of ITO EN tea. The shop-in-shop will  be at UNIQLO until September 1. 546 Broadway between Prince & Spring Streets

Even more events after the jump

It's That Time Again: Barneys Warehouse Starts Today

There is no more reliable sign of Summer's waning as the Barneys Warehouse Sale which began this morning and runs through Labor Day.
No, we didn't get up at the crack of dawn to wait in whatever line may have formed, but we will be stopping by later today to check out this season's offerings.
At this point, no news is good news, although they do throw in a few new twists every season. This far into a year that has seen more sample and clearance sales that we could possibly have foreseen or even begun to follow, we are somewhat curious to see if there is any enthusiasm left for more rummaging amongst crowds through packed racks. Alexander McQueen's recent fully stocked but surprisingly uncrowded sample sale might suggest some sale fatigue has hit, but we suspect Barneys will still be able to pull the crowds. Often, the prices are no lower than they were at the final clearance inside a full Barneys store, and look out for private label goods that may have really been made specifically to be sold in Barneys Outlets rather than Madison Avenue's flagship, but that shouldn't discourage you if you are rarin' to shop.
After the jump, our list of tips, only slightly updated from its original appearance in 2006.

Anna Goes To The Outer Boroughs: Fashion's Night Out Takes Shape

Fashion's Night Out, the CFDA/Vogue/NYC&Co. initiative to stimulate shopping scheduled for September 10^th has unveiled its own website and an ever growing schedule of events which will apparently include Anna Wintour's appearance at Macy's.
In QUEENS!.
Talk about going out of your way.
Wintour's appearance will also include a visit with Michael Kors and a performance by the cast of Hair. We think it will probably be worth going just to see them drag La Wintour into their signature sing-a-long of "Let The Sun Shine". We doubt Kors will need any prodding.
Her friend Andre Leon Talley will be staying closer to home at Bergdorf Goodman where he is scheduled lead a fashion gameshow whose contestants are reported to include Donna Karan, Linda Fargo and Robert Verdi, and these are just a few of the events planned for the one night (that's right, one night) when stores will be open until at least 11 PM.
Every retailer, designer and editor in the city appears to be brimming with enthusiasm about the event, so we wouldn't dream of  questioning what happens a week or a month after an entire industry has focused its efforts to revive business on one single all-or-nothing night in September.
We're just trying to figure out how we are going to cover even a fraction of the goings on after we've been through what is usually a busy first day of Fashion Week.
Fashion's Night Out (Official Site)
Fashion's Night Out Gains Steam (WWD)

Weekend Cearances: Truckoads Of Gucci At DSW

Last week, DSW advertised a huge sale of merchandise from an unidentified "legendary designer" label, which was quickly revealed to be Gucci.
This is an unusual development in the off-price world. We are not sure if these gods came directly from Gucci, or perhaps from a large retailer who had an unusual overstock, but the ultimate result was a huge bunch of merchandise with the emphasis on quantity over quality, spread across several stores throughout the chain.
A quick glance around answered any questions about how all this Gucci stuff found its way to DSW.
These were the dogs of Gucci from the past few seasons.
To be sure, not every piece was a klunker. Hidden among the misfires were some some simple classic women's boots, some perfectly nice driving loafers that would surely make some preppy feet happy, and a few styles of black patent leather men's shoes that could be worn with a tuxedo for years to come.
But then there were the others...
Above you see a full rack of Gucci rubber wellies, whose initial appeal was obviously limited. At $149, we still don't think they are much of a bargain, and clearly neither did anyone else, though the prices in general were pretty good by Gucci's lofty standards. The pepto-pink pumps with vertiginous heels didn't appear to have too many takers either, but we saw the most egregious offenders among the men's shoes, with some styles so garish and poorly designed that we could only picture Tom Ford, the label's previous designer, clicking his tongue and shaking his head at the brand he had worked so hard to re-invent.
As for bags, we saw literal heaps of two styles, both of them large satchels in either brown leather or black patent that were neither offensively hideous nor especially attractive or interesting. We kept looking at them and thinking, "This is Gucci?".
Worse than that was the table full of random accessories and other odds and ends. Some very nice leather agendas had calendars inside dated 2007, which should give you some idea how old this stuff was. Then there were the boxes of baseball caps in logo canvas, stuffed animals, rubber balls (?), and even pet or doll clothes. One carton was overflowing with silicone trays for making ice in the shape of little Gs —the wretched excess of a brand that couldn't find enough things to slap its logo on. Does Gucci really need to be making rubber flip-flops, that were still over $100 even at DSW?
Gucci spokespeople have said that in response to the current economic climate it would refocus its production and trim its product lines. If it means less of this kind of crap, then perhaps the recession is doing it a favor.

A Civilized Sample Sale At John Bartlett

After seeing The September Issue director R.J. Cutler's appearance at The Apple Store, we headed over to John Bartlett's West Village home/studio for an invitation-only sample sale.
When was the last time you were offered a drink at a sample sale? It was a lesson in civility, with John mingling with customers and offering offering deep discounts on overstock and, for the slender of waist, last Fall's runway samples. It was a great chance to pick up some choice Fall items like outerwear and tablefull of sweaters in anticipation of when the weather finally cools. Of course, half the fun was getting an extended look at John's inspiration boards. Was that the model lineup for next season's show? And over there's a couple of CFDA awards to look at up close.
20% of the proceeds were donated to The Trevor Project, an LGBTQ youth suicide outreach program.
Oh. if every sample sale could only be this pleasurable.