The Shophound

The Spree: Lounge Won't Die ...And Other Stories

We thought that when former SoHo jeans palace Lounge would finally be done for good when it vacated its outlet store in the church on Sixth Avenue that was once the Limelight.
No such luck, according to our friends at RACKED. Lounge has now taken an even more permanent looking storefront on Sixth to continue selling who knows what?
The original word was that after leaving SoHo, Lounge was set to move down to South Florida and open a more upscale designer boutique in the Aventura Mall just north of Miami, which apparently happened last fall. So is this outlet offering the leftovers from this Florida mall store? It looks like Lounge just can't let go of Manhattan no matter how seedy they have to get.
Now Open: Lounge Reappears on Sixth Ave (RACKED)
UPDATE: The Post is now reporting that Lounge owner Jack Menashe has not actually left the Limelight space, and will be reopening the 150 year old deconsecrated church as a permanent retail store called Limelight Marketplace. We will reserve judgement until it opens, but the last days of Lounge in SoHo don't give us a promising feeling.
We liked it better as a nightclub.
The Limelight Is Going Retail (NYPost via The Cut)
And in other news:

• Original YaYa designer Yael Aflalo has brought her second act East from L.A. to the Lower East Side. The Reformation on Ludlow at Rivington features vintage clothing reconstructed with a modern twist. (The Cut)
• The 2009 Vogue/CFDA Fashion Fund finalists have been announced featuring a pleasingly eclectic bunch including Flora Gill and Alexa Adams of Ohne Titel, Natalie Chanin of Alabama Chanin, Patrik Ervell, Sophie Theallet, Waris Ahluwalia of House of Waris, Wayne Lee of Wayne, George Esquivel of Esquivel Shoes, Gary Graham, Monique Péan, and Simon Spurr of Spurr.
The fund’s winner and runners-up will be announced at a gala on Nov. 16. (WWD)
• Legendary, yet often beleageured retailer Eddie Bauer will change hands once again as Private equity firm Golden Gate Capital will rescue the brand from bankruptcy with a $286 million cash bid. (WWD)
• Still one of The Shophound's favorite shops, Leffot continues to introduce new, independent shoemakers to New York. Next Thursday, July 23, the Rider Boot Co. of Richmond, Virginia will hold a trunk show featuring some exceptionally fine shell cordovan boots. (Leffot Blog/Shophound Inbox)
• The wave of the future? Macy's online sales have outpaced their brick and mortar store numbers for the past six months in a row. (5 Blogs Before Lunch)
• The Sample Sale crush seems to have finally lightened up for the summer, but there are still a few tempting ones coming up, including:
TIM HAMILTON July 18 – 20, 11 AM – 6 PM. 195 Chrystie St between Stanton and Rivington, Second floor
SEIZE SUR VINGT through July 26, Monday – Saturday, 11 AM – 7 PM, Sunday, noon – 6 PM, Groupe 16 Sur 20/Seize Sur Vingt, 267 Elizabeth Street between Houston and Prince Streets
PENFIELD  July 17 – 19 Friday, AM – 7 PM, Saturday, noon – 7 PM, Sunday, noon – 6 PM Reed Space Annex, 151 Orchard Street between Stanton and Rivington Streets.
• This weekend, Gilt Groupe is featuring sales from Shoshanna, Shipley & Halmos, Anichini, Elie Tahari and Loree Rodkin among many others with TIBI, Derek Lam, and Brian Reyes coming up next week. Click HERE now for your exclusive invitation.

The Spree: Christian Audigier To Show In Paris (snicker) + More Posh & Becks and Other Stories

Designer Christian Audigier has announced, among other things, that he will be showing his next collection on the Paris runways.
We know! Right? Hilaaaaariooous!
Big change from the MAGIC show in Vegas. Seriously, people are chortling all over town about this one. Apparently the man thinks that his t-shirt lines will hold up against Dior, Chanel and Lanvin. Well, he is French. We have to give him that.
Of course, we have been lambasting him since the first Ed Hardy store appeared in the West Village, and he keeps getting bigger and bigger, so clearly it hasn't held him back. In fact, the more that we (and hordes of others, we can assure you) go on about how tacky and crass his clothes are, the bigger he gets. His mysterious rise is incomprehensible, but there it is. We wonder if the Paris runway audiences will actually boo? Throw things? According to British Vogue (via The Cut), Audigier claims he will have a performance by a huge (but yet to named) superstar at his show, which may be the only way he will get people to come.
All we can say is that if it looks like Anna Wintour is getting anywhere near that crap, we may have to throw in the towel. Fashion will really be dead then.
Also, he has announced that he will be the next tenant of the Holmby Hills mansion where Michael Jackson met his end last week.
Ick.
We did say crass, didn't we?
As for Posh & Becks (above), these are the latest shots from their Emporio Armani Underwear campaign by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott. We are posting them just because everyone else totally is, and we don't want to be left out. Also, wouldn't you rather look at them than another Ed Hardy picture?
In other news:

• Brooklyn's Beehive Salon will be offering you the most iconic celebrity hairstyle in the history of such things for $50 on Friday July 10. The “Farrah Blow-Out” in honor of the late Angel will benefit Sanctuary for Families, a New York State organization that provides assistance to victims of domestic abuse, a cause that Farrah herself supported (remember "The Burning Bed"?). (Chic Report)
• Kelly Osbourne gets a makeover...again. (Fashionista)
• Roberto Cavalli is fixing to join the ranks of Haute Couturiers. Will money and nerve be enough for him to get him accepted into that dwindling group? (Fashionologie)
• Beloved West Village diner Joe Jr's is being forced out of its corner location after 35 years. First Florent, and now this? (Jeremiah's Vanishing New York)
• Ann-Sofie Back débuts her tattered '80s collection for Cheap Monday. (Refinery 29)
• Does the Times cover Muji so frequently because it's right downstairs? Can we blame them? (The Choosy Beggar & The Moment)

The Spree: Bartlett's Claiborne Pop-Up Extended & Other News

Our replacement swag polo shirt has arrived and it fits perfectly thanks to the fine folks at Claiborne by John Bartlett. We aren't the only ones who are pleased with the newly revamped label. The Claiborne Pop-up has been such a success at Bartlett's West Village store that it has been extended through this weekend. John promises to be on hand this Friday to work the register at 143 Seventh Avenue South at Charles Street. (Shophound Inbox)
And in other news:
• Starting this weekend, SoHo's Madewell will be bolstering its offerings with a special department of merchandise drawn from the Brooklyn Flea. (The Cut)
• Tell us something we don't know: Male models diet too. Surprise! (NYTimes)
• Jennifer Lopez has shuttered her U.S. apparel business, but don't worry. You can still get J.Lo sweats overseas. (WWD)
• Hollister is getting ready to out-Abercrombie itself with all sorts of titillating/offensive promotional measures building up to the big (sorry, "EPIC") store opening next month in SoHo. (RACKED)
• Aside from their usual sample sales, this Saturday, Gilt Groupe will be holding sale of special merchandise from the CFDA's Health is Beauty collection designed by Diane von Furstenberg, Michael Kors, Donna Karan, Patrick Robinson and Talbots. Proceeds will benefit the CFDA's two health initiatives. Click HERE for the exclusive invitation you will need to shop the collection, and while you are there, check out the upcoming sales including Amrita Sing's jewelry, Zac Posen Handbags, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Hunter Boots wellies and, next Monday, Christian Lacroix.

The Spree Charity Shopping On Fire Island This Weekend & Other Stories

The Summer Charity Shopping tour usually stays in the Hamptons, but this weekend it will be jumping the bay to Fire Island Pines with Shopping On Sunday where a host of designers including Calvin Klein, Diesel, DSQUARED², Michael Kors and Prada will be offering more than 2000 discounted items for sale to benefit various LGBT charitable organizations. In addition, fashion shows will be staged throughout the afternoon by Project Runway alums, and up and coming designer Kai D will be offering 100 special t-shirts for the event.
Oh, and since it's the Pines there will obviously be an open bar, so drink up.
S.O.S. 11 AM - 3 PM, Fradd Theatre and Lepage Pavilion, Whyte Hall, Fire Island Pines (Shophound Inbox)

• An Australian Designer named Katie Perry who has been in business for two years is getting trademark heat from singer Katy Perry who may be starting a clothing line of her own... because that will help her sing better, of course. (Fashionista)
• Columnist Michael Musto was unceremoniously dumped from an ad campaign for Daffy's. Dodged a bullet there, Musto. (Village Voice)
• The crowd at the Dyptique sale is full of unruly, greedy candle freaks! (RACKED)
• The economy strikes: Adam Lippes ditches menswear for now. He better not stop making those t-shirts. (WWD)
• You like model Tao Okamoto's cute little haircut? Thank 81-year-old Vidal Sassoon who basically invented it in the '60s and was just made a CBE (that's Commander of the British Empire -not quite a Sir) by Her Royal Majesty. (BBC)
• Phillip Lim's Los Angeles  boutique looks even more dramatic than the SoHo one. Undulating walls are the new minimalist white box. (Selectism)
• Iconic British coatmaker Crombie will be rescuing iconic British trench coatmaker Aquascutum from oblivion. (Financial Times)
• A look backstage at a Dolce & Gabbana underwear shoot starring the Italian Swim Team. Yes, that's the Italian Swim Team. There's video too. You're welcome. (SWIDE)
• The Strand Bookstore has finally eliminated that pesky bag check as legions of literary murse carriers rejoice! (RACKED)
• Coach designer Reed Krakoff, ever in search of exclusive prestige, is said to be developing an eponymous line at the company. (Fashion Week Daily)
• Get ready to channel your inner Norma Desmond. Turbans are coming back! (Refinery 29)
• In the event that it keeps raining (and it looks like it will), you will probably find yourself surfing Gilt Groupe who will be offering sales from Geren Ford , Richard Chai Men's, Habitual, INHABIT and Barton Perreira Sunglasses among others over the weekend. Click HERE for your exclusive invitation.

The Spree: Beckham' In His Undies... Again & Claiborne Pops Up At John Bartlett

Shoppers thronged Selfridge's in London earlier this week as David Beckham made a personal appearance to unveil his new advertising campaign for Emporio Armani Underwear. So you're probably thinking this is just some flimsy excuse to post pictures of Beckham in tight skivvies.
Click on him. He'll get bigger.
You're welcome.
In other news,
• John Bartlett will be turning his boutique at 143 Seventh Avenue South at Charles Street into a pop-up showcase for his Claiborne men's collection next week, just in time for Fathers' Day. The line has been callously underrepresented by retailers, so this is a perfect opportunity to see the collection in the city. Trust us, it's not the stuffy, old Claiborne anymore. Click the little picture at left for more info.
• The SoHo Stroll runs through Saturday. A $20 silicone bracelet purchased from the sponsor booth at Spring & Wooster will entitle the wearer to discounts and promotions from nearly every retailer in the neighborhood. Proceeds benefit the Association for Community Employment Programs for the Homeless and The SoHo Partnership which enable New York City's homeless men and women to re-enter the workforce and achieve long-term, economic self-sufficiency. Worth a $20 bracelet, which you'll probably make up in discounts anyway, right? Find more information about participating stores and restaurants HERE.
• Virgin Megastore on Union Square will close forever this weekend, and the place is a jumbled mess which is to be expected when the liquidators take over. Pretty much everything is now 70% off, so it's a great time to pick up some CDs or DVDs for basically a few bucks. Unfortunately, nothing is in any particular order anymore, so it's a needle/haystack kind of situation, but certainly an entertaining challenge for the scavenger.
• See the tiny picture on the left? Click on it to enlarge and print it out so you can get a 20% discount on purchases over $45 at Kiehl's stores or, at the very least, free shipping on Kiehls.com. Once again, you're welcome.
• This weekend, Gilt Groupe will be offering sales from Dunhill Accessories, M Missoni, Rich & Skinny jeans, and Loomstate for men. Early next week, get your mice poised at noon for Abaete, Vera Wang Lavender Label, Trovata and Richard Chai. Click HERE for your exclusive invitation.

The Spree National Doughnut Day & Other Stories

Ladies and Gentlemen, mark your calendars. This Friday June 5^th is NATIONAL DOUGHNUT DAY!

Really.

To celebrate, Dunkin' Donuts will be giving away a free doughnut with any beverage, and, even better, Krispy Kreme will be giving away one free doughnut per customer with no purchase necessary! Can we get Doughnut Plant involved in this?

Sure, most of you will have your doughnut with coffee, but if you are really daring (and somewhat self destructive) you'll eat yours Paula Deen style –as hamburger buns.

Again, not kidding. (5 Blogs Before Lunch, and see Paula Punish her arteries HERE or after the jump)

• Attention all pork lovers: There is a store in Bushwick devoted to logo merchandise from the Boar's Head deli meat company. (Bushwick BK via RACKED)
• Interview With A Visionary: Norma Kamali gets the third degree. (The Fashion Informer)
• It is the rare Ralph Lauren sample sale that is open to the public. They happen... like... never, so the one that is happening at Soiffer-Haskin on 33^rd Street right now has an interminable sidewalk line. (RACKED)
• British Blogger Susie Bubble draws the ire of designer Pam Hogg for posting pictures of herself trying on a catsuit in Hogg's boutique's dressing room. We just like this story because of all the kooky british names. Are these people characters on AbFab? (StyleBubble)
• Roberto Cavalli has finally agreed to sell a 30% stake in his company. (Reuters)
• Apple's 5^th Avenue store does a whopping $440 million a year in sales as the company's top grossing store. SoHo adds about another $100 million at #2. That makes over a half a billion $ in sales in Manhattan alone, and the West Side branch has only just been officially announced. And they say retail is down... (AppleInsider)
• A new book chronicles the rise of Jimmy Choo from obscure London custom cobbler to international luxury brand. (Wall Street Journal)
• During the month of June, online designer sample sale source Ideeli will be offering a chance for members to win a custom made one of a kind dress from Oscar de la Renta. Other prizes will be awarded as well along with access to Ideeli's impressive roster of sample sales. Click HERE for your opportunity to join.
• This week on Gilt Groupe, look forward to sales from KORS Michael Kors, Mischen, Ted Baker, Fratelli Rosetti for Men and Women, Leonello Borghi, Vera Wang Collection, Alexander McQueen Clothes and Accessories, AG Jeans and Converse by John Varvatos Clothing and Shoes. Click HERE now for your exclusive invitation.

Where We'd Like To Be...

It's looking like a gorgeous Memorial Day Weekend, and we're willing to bet that a lot of people are already out of the office, and so are we. Here are a few things of note to amuse yourselves with over the weekend if you aren't going to be at the beach.

• John Bartlett will be holding his Bi-Annual North Shore Animal League Pet Adoption Event on Sarturday the 23^rd from 12-5 at his West Village boutique. Come down and meet John along with Tiny Tim, his three legged dog and mascot at 143 Seventh Avenue South.
• Today begins the last leg of Save Fashion's month at Port Authority featuring great prices on collections from Alejandro Ingelmo shoes, Black Fleece by Brooks Brothers, Doucette Duvall, Hayden Harnett, Katy Rodriguez, Lorick, Shipley & Halmos, Staerk and Sue Stemp among others. If you haven't stopped by yet, we strongly recommend a visit before next Wednesday.
• Gilt Groupe is having a special clearance sale of their leftovers at Samples For Eco (Compassion) in NoHo. These events are always be hit-or miss, and require some effort on your part, but it took only a few minutes of rummaging for us to find Trovata polo shirts for $10. That's a good deal by anyone's standards. They are probably still opening boxes of merch, and the advantage here is that you can walk in and see the goods for yourself at 2 Great Jones Street between Broadway & Lafayette Street.
• In the event that it starts raining and you just want to stay home, Gilt is open for business all weekend featuring Memorial Day sales of Women's Accessories, Men's Sportswear and Men's Designer Collections as well as lots of other good stuff. Get your exclusive invitation by clicking HERE.
• Madison Avenue Spy and The Choosy Beggar continue to give excellent info on boutique markdowns, so keep an eye on them for Spring sale and Pre-sale dates.
• Our friends at Racked tell us that the best of what's left of Bendel's apparel merchandise is landing at Gabay's Outlet in the East Village. Expect crowds at 225 First Avenue between 13^th and 14^th Streets.

The Spree: It's A New Pop-Up World And Other Stories...

All things considered, is it really surprising that designers and luxury brands are increasingly turning to temporary stores and limited seasonal locations to test the waters before investing in costly, permanent flagship locations? Once the province of smaller designers, the pop-up has come of age with Chanel and Louis Vuitton jumping in the fray. (WWD)

• Apparently, Thom Browne's skirtsuits for men have more appeal than we gave them credit for. They are sold out on GILT Groupe. Frankly, we think that ladies bought them. (RACKED)
• The vast array of underwear choices in the market today is leaving men flummoxed. Poor, silly men. (Wall Street Journal)
• Here are preview shots of Acne's Fall collection that take it way beyond an unfortunately named jeans line. (Refinery 29)
• A glimpse inside London with shoe designer du jour, Nicholas Kirkwood. (The Moment)
• The Times' Cathy Horyn was not impressed by Morley Safer's condescending, puffball profile of Anna Wintour on "60 Minutes". Neither were we. (On The Runway)
• As predicted, Henri Bendel's fashion director Ann Watson has left the building. (WWD)
• The RFK Center for Justice & Human Rights has all sorts of fashion related items for bid in its annual fundraising auction including Lunch with Tim Gunn, Tea with Jason Wu and a trip to four (four!) runway shows during fashion week accompanied by André Leon Talley. There's also an internship at Diane Von Furstenberg available for anyone who fantasizes about being on "The City". (Fashion Week Daily)
• A video visit to jewelry designer Robert Lee Morris's Studio. (The Cut)

Downsizing Report Converse Pares Away Varvatos Womens Line ...And Other Stories

John Varvatos can't see to catch a break when it comes to womenswear.
Converse has decided to discontinue the women's line designed by Varvatos in favor of focusing on the more profitable and popular men's line.
Is this a total shock?
Varvatos' signature women's line was shuttered after only a few seasons, which leads us to believe success and skill in menswear does not always translate terribly well to the other gender (Armani, Raf Simons and Ralph Lauren notwithstanding). (Fashion Wire Daily)

• Breil Milano has shuttered its Spring Street jewel and watch boutique after less than a year. (RACKED)
• Rick Owens has discovered the soundbite, and now, to the delight of bloggers everywhere, he can't shut up. (The Cut)
• To celebrate its 10^th anniversary, chic travel store Flight 001 is taking 30% off all purchases over $50 through this Sunday (Shophound Inbox)
• The Topshop line is officially a sham, Have we not mentioned this before? (Page Six)
• Here's a preview of some of the delightful fashions that will be available in the upcoming auction of Michael Jackson's personal possessions which are not to be missed if you are in Los Angeles this week. (Material Interest)
• New York Magazine approves of Topshop, so stop your bitching! (The Cut)
• Retailers are jumping around on Madison Avenue to take advantage of newly deflated rents while they can. (The Real Deal)
• Keep an eye on Gilt Groupe tomorrow at noon for the big Men's Main Event clearance sale which features even cheaper prices than usual on 19 different designer collections including John Bartlett, Michael Kors and Marc by Marc. Other sales this week include Carolina Herrera, Sferra's luxury linens, Temple St. Clair and a two part Women's Clearance Event featuring a zillion different designers. Click HERE for your personal invitation. (Shophound Inbox)

The Spree:Matzoh Ball Edition

The Shophound is in transit today as we are off to an urgent gefilte fish and matzo ball eating project. This will take several days, so posting may be a bit on the light side until next week. In the meantime here are some things to keep you busy.

• In deference to the current economic climate, Sir Philip Green decided to hold smaller low-key parties for the big TOPSHOP opening instead of a huge blowout bash like Uniqlo's a couple of years ago. It turns out, however, that his discreet little parties probably cost him somewhere in the neighborhood of $1.8 million. Kinda makes that big extravaganza party sound like a bargain, no? (Fashion Week Daily)
• If you can bear to part with your well-worn, perfectly broken-in jeans, the folks at Earnest Sewn (whose jeans we deeply love) will trade them in for a brand spanking new pair so they can study your every naturally made crease and distress mark for future inspiration and production. (Out Stylelist)
• The folks at The Cut are now chronicling the clothing at Michelle Obama's every public appearance since the inauguration just for all you fashion stalkers out there. (The Cut)
• A look back at Grande Dame Gloria Vanderbilt (otherwise known as Anderson Cooper's Mom), who's about to make another return to the spotlight. (WWD)
• Woody Allen's lawsuit against American Apparel's unauthorized use of his image on a billboard continues with barbs from both sides. AA, in typical fashion refuses to back down even thought the suit seems like a no-brainer. (NYPost)
• Blatant copyist Steve Madden still can't unload the Balenciaga knock-offs he released a year ago. Perhaps shameless copying isn't the way to go after all? (RACKED)
• Always one to jump on a bandwagon, Designer Wolfgang Joop is selling his art too. He is auctioning off a covetable collection of 10 Tamara de Lempicka paintings at Sotheby's in New York this May. (Luxist)
• By now everyone with a computer has learned that GILT Groupe had a big Christian Louboutin sale today. It's pretty much sold out now, but in the next few days they will be offering Peter Som, Rock & Republic for Men and Women, Y-3, Vera Wang Lavender Label, Little Marc Jacobs and Nina Ricci (get your Olivier Theyskens while you can) among others. Click HERE for you invitation. This stuff is selling out faster and faster. (Shophound Inbox)