Forever 21 Joins Times Square With New Flagship Store

Times square, a prime destination for New Yorkers and tourist alike, may have just gotten just a tad livelier with the recent addition of Forever 21 to the busy district.

The eternally youthful brand, known for their fashionable dubs for the fabulous gal(and now guy) on a budget, officially unveiled its 91,257-square-foot flagship store with a pre-opening ceremony (June 24) to a select few. The Fête had a fashion show, hors d’oeuvres, a selection of non-alcoholic cocktails along with bubbly and beer, and a special performance from “The Virgins.”

Unlike the recent opening of American Eagle (also in times square), were some guests sat on the stairs for a temporary reprieve from the packed house, the forever 21, launch was very different.  So small was the party, that it was held in the basement floor of the four-floor-shopping extravaganza.  For an opening of this magnitude, it was rather lackluster.  It felt like a fancy party with cool ambiance, good food (the mushroom soup was delicious) and great music but not an opening celebration.

That said the laid-back atmosphere was perfect for people watching. The eclectic mix of attendees included  Williamsburg artsy types, fashionistas, skinny jeans wearing men, and other taste-makers.   A notable sight was a young “fashionista” in an unflattering latex skin-tight dominatrix dress complete with metal spikes, but most unflattering was the sweat running down her leg. Yes, totally yikes. The “fashion-less” fashionista was not to be undone by a hipster type wearing a skirt over his denim jeans. Interesting, I tell you.

Interestingly enough, the fashion show replicated some of the looks spotted among the party-goers. The make-shit runway show, in a series of mini-shows, showcased a funky selection of pieces and collections housed in the store.  The night festivities were capped by a performance from “The Virgins” who rocked the house with their trademark tunes.  Upon leaving guests (myself including) received a special edition tote, with goodies from the retailer, included a Brian Lichtenberg graphic t-shirt.

The story is officially open for business.  According to Racked.com the store will have “151 fitting rooms, 32 cash registers and [a] mind-blowing 500 employees [that] will switch out merchandise daily.“  The store will operate from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Check out images from the show and the party

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United Nude Shoes NYC Flagship Open for Business

United Nude, a shoe brand known for their architecturally-inspired shoes and for constantly pushing the boundaries between design and fashion.  The combination creates futuristic footwear unlike any other.

Founded in 2003 by world-renowned Dutch architect Rem D Koolhaas, the company now has a new home in New York in the form of flagship store.  And, to christen the 1,800-square-foot flagship store (25 Bowery St.), United Nude called on some of New Yorkers biggest taste makers to help unveil the concept store or “dark-shop” that packed the entire store.

United Nude’s creative director, architect Rem D Koolhaas (relative of the Dutch architect with the same name), hopes that the stores jazzy and club-like feel will help customers “…fully understand the brand and get the total United Nude experience.”   The store is dark expect for the where the shoes are displayed; the interior of the store is intentionally dark, so that “The Wall of Light,” a computer-controlled LED can display the shoes in a series of light boxes that change to different colors while illuminating the individual shoes which are housed in the geometric frames.

The shoes are downright out-of-control,  each shoe is truly unique with slick lines and funky patterns.  Though, while some of the heels are cool, others seem impossible to walk and we wonder which daring diva will take the plunge for fashion.

The store on 25 Bond st. is now open. Take the plunge and check the shoes.

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Macy Gray Performs at Esprit Flagship Store Opening

The 34th Street Partnership can add another store to their retail row with the recent addition of the Esprit Store in the busy shopping location. The 18,000-square-foot flagship store joins Gap, Victoria Secret,  Banana Republic, Macy’s and other retailers; and it features a three-level shopping center packed with everything from evening wear to activewear, as well as the United States’ first selection of the urban line de.corp and serves both men and women.

Esprit, which briefly closed in 2002 and relaunched in 2004 by the Memphis Group who modernize the brand and re-established their success from their high days.  John Gunn, president of Esprit president of the Americas is understandably enthusiastic with the recent changes and has said “we wanted to introduce the new, grown-up Esprit to an important crowd.”  And, if in the opening party is any indication of what’s to come, the Store has indeed grown up.

To mark the opening the store held a party with notable names such as Jennifer Love Hewitt, Robert Verdi, Emmy Rossum, Erin Lucas and a special performance from Macy Gray dressed in head-to-toe Esprit.  In addition to the performance and shopping there was a special raffle were guests pick a card from a bowl and picked a gift card valued anywhere from $10 to $100, I got a $25 card.

(unless otherwise noted images via Racked and MonsterandCritics)

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Badichi Store Opens in NYC – Get Your Belt

Have you ever thought to yourself : Today, I want to design a custom belt–  Is that even possible? Strange as it may seem, the thought never crossed my mind either.  Weird, I know!  However, the very smart people behind Badichi did and recently launched their first American store in Soho (159 Prince Street) devoted to the art of creating a custom belt.

Though, Badichi is new to America is not new to the people from Israel where the concept originally launched.   They started with a simple concept– first choose from the wide selection of belts and buckles,  then get measured and lastly get your belt made.   The best part is that take two minutes to have a belt made once you are measured.  Yes, seriously.  It takes much longer to decide how to design your belt than to actually make it.  I know because I was allowed to “make” my own belt for free and it took me forever to decide what I wanted.

After all the back and forth, I went for a simple skinny red-belt with a classic buckle.  Actually,  its kinda boring!  Though, I loved it because I made it to liking.

You however can go wild with your belt.  And, they are tons of buckles to choose from– there’s your beautiful design buckle which are individually designed by an Israeli designer,  your animals,  your cooky sayings, your rocker chic, and your “classic” design.   And, choosing the right buckle can take as much time as choosing your belt.  Its a fun nightmare of choices.

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Tommy Hilfiger Store Opens in NYC Fifth Avenue

At the end of all the madness that is fashion week Tommy Hilfiger celebrated the opening of their global flagship store on New York City Fifth Avenue with what else a party.  After sitting one of the worst show, I was so over fashion and just wanted to go home but I was encouraged by friends who were at the party to attend the opening.  And, since I was on the list I decided to take a quick train ride down there so see what all the excitement was about.  Well, I am glad that I did.

There was a crowd of excited folks right outside the store waiting for the attention to begin and the famous people to arrive.  So taken aback by all the commotion and with huge dread I make my way to the PR people and say my name and in walks Alicia Keys with bodyguard and boyfriend (Swiss Beats).   Both the PR girl and me are like, was that “Alicia Keys?”  Though, I never saw her inside along with many of other famous attendees that included  Anna Wintour, Alicia Keys, Mena Suvari, Ally Hilfiger, Penn Badgley, Naomi Watts, Mary-Louise Parker, Russell Simmons. So, my initial fear aside I make my way inside to party after I grab my glass of bubbly of course and immediately recognize the sounds of DJ Cassidy on the turntable. I know, I am sad.

The store itself is filled with all the preppy clothes your heart can desire.  And, it is a  huge space complete with a spiral staircase, chandeliers, cool resting areas but that no one took advantage of because everyone was too busy dancing.  That is until eight hit when the music stop and we were told to make our way to the tents for the Tommy show and with that the party was over but the store is open.  So check it out for yourself.

Tommy Hilfiger Fifth Avenue
681 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10022

Images from the opening

Tommy Store Opening