L.A.'s Fashion's Night Out

Los Angeles’ is pulling out all the stops for their sophomore effort for Fashion’s Night Out.

Will.i.am and Vogue West Coast Editor Lisa Love will host the opening ceremony at the Los Angeles hub of FNO, The Beverly Center. With three floors of celebrations carrying on into the night, the shopping center is set to be a whirlwind of fashion reverie. Nicole Ritchie will host two fashion shows in the main court while each store offers its own special events—Shoppers at Prada can enjoy complimentary Proseco, snack on fresh ice-cream sandwiches and lemonade at Macy’s, and get modeling tips from stars of America’s Next Top Model All Stars at Express.

"This year, Rodeo Drive is going above and beyond with what will likely be the most famous high-end fashion carnival ever created,” says Rodeo Drive Committee President Jim Jahant about Beverly Hill’s participation in the event. The mecca of high-fashion shopping in Los Angeles will feature the return of last year’s 60-foot-tall Ferris Wheel and a new partnership with Cirque du Soleil. As shoppers weave in and out of flame-throwers and stilt-walkers, they will have the opportunity to attend countless in-store events and enjoy offerings from some of LA's best food trucks.

Stores throughout Los Angeles will be throwing open their doors with special events and deals to lure in shoppers. Vince on Robertson Boulevard will pamper guests with services from Kalologie Med Spa. Nearby, Philip Lim is hosting indie darlings Cults with additional music provided by KCRW to benefit the Silverlake Conservatory of Music. Oscar de la Renta on Melrose Place will host a performance by Nicole Sherzinger and a raffle of an Oscar de la Renta dress. Partnering with Lomography Store LA, Space 15 Twenty in Hollywood will provide guests with free drinks, music, and photography workshops. West Hollywood will hold the official after-party at Skybar for weary shoppers to unwind in style after the night’s events.

If this list of events is dizzying, don’t worry—the official Fashion’s Night Out website (http://www.fashionsnightout.com) offers a scheduling option to help you plan your evening along with a full list of participating retailers.

By Marissa Demers

Quiksilver Pro New York Series

If you don't have any Labor Day weekend plans, you do now. Taking place in Long Island, New York, the Quiksilver Pro hits the East Coast to deliver fifteen days - starting 1st September - of surfing, skating and BMX action. On top of the sporting events, music headliners such as The Flaming Lips, Girl Talk, Interpol, Neon Indian and Taking Back Sunday will be playing for FREE.

Check out the event guide here for dates and times.

Willem de Kooning exhibition comes to New York

Rider (Untitled VII) 1985. The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Purchase and gift of Milly and Arnold Glimcher.

2011 The Willem de Kooning Foundation/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

For the first time under one roof - that being The Museum of Modern Art - an exhibition solely devoted to Willem de Kooning's work will be on show in September. Spanning the entirety of de Kooning's career, the retrospective will include some of his most prolific pieces such as Pink Angels to his more unknown works such as Labyrinth - a painting made for a theatrical backdrop in 1946. The exhibition opens 18 September through to 9 January, 2012.

Daphne Guinness at FIT Museum

With Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week just around the corner, and Fashions Night Out even closer, fashion in New York this coming month doesn't seem to be slowing down. Opening on September 16, The Museum at FIT will host Daphne Guinness's wardrobe featuring over 100 pieces from her personal collection - including pieces from Isabella Blow's fashion collection that Guinness purchased last year!

The New Gypsies

Starting this Monday, Clic Gallery will host an exhibition of photographs unlike anything we've seen before. Photographer Iain McKell documented a group of modern-day nomads coined 'The New Gypsies' over a period of ten years to offer compelling images and a fairytale-like subject matter.

MTV Video Music Awards

MTV's 28th Music Video Awards, held in downtown LA this Sunday, will have plenty of drama and fashion to talk about for days to come.

Of course, all eyes will be on Lady Gaga who's opening the show with a performance that is expected to trump last year's stellar performance in her meat dress.

A special Britney Spears and Amy Winehouse tribute will be a highlight of Sunday's show, with some of the stage acts alluding to Britney in their performances.

Although MTV VMA producers decided to go with a no-host format this year, they've certainly amped up their performance lineup with a recent announcement of Beyonce taking the stage. Adele, Bruno Mars, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Pitbull, Ne-Yo and Young The Giant are also slated to perform on Sunday.

Day Three: Pool, Las Vegas

The whirlwind convention that is Magic came to a close today, so I finished off the third day at POOLTRADESHOW scouting emerging brands for unique womenswear, footwear and accessory designers. My pick of the day had to be Filles à papa designed by two Belgian sisters with edgy street style and provocative apparel. I love their contrast cardigan with over-exaggerated and embellished panelling.

Day Two: Project, Las Vegas

I headed to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center for Project yesterday to highlight the best brands presenting their Spring/Summer collection. The tradeshow was set up to mimic areas of New York with rows named after streets in the East Village. From the overwhelming amount of exhibitors, we have to say, our three favorite items were Primary New York's blouse with sheer shoulder panelling, Katty Xiomara's mesh overlay skirt and Kolae's striped palazzo pants.

New York Primary, Katty Xiomara and Kolae

Day One: Magic, Las Vegas

WGSN is currently in Las Vegas for Tradeshow week to make our way around Magic, Project, Pool and Capsule. Our first stop today was Magic where we scouted for the best juniors and womenswear, footwear and accessory designers. Keep an eye out on the site for the Live From report.

Must shop: Treasure & Bond

Tomorrow is the grand opening of Treasure & Bond in Soho. Though owned by Nordstrom, Treasure & Bond is a new, independently operated boutique that plans to donate 100% of its profits to non-profit organizations benefitting children of New York City.

To keep costs down, the 11,137 square foot store has a no frills aesthetic, and incorporates reclaimed and recycled fixtures from Nordstrom. The brand mix tells a story, with merchandise laid out in a bazaar, flea market style.

Over 150 brands are represented, including jewelry from Akong London, limited edition bags from A.toy, Bliss Lau’s hybrid apparel-jewelry-accessory pieces, custom couture hats from Satya Twena and authentic vintage glasses from The Vintage Frame Company. Check it out over the weekend and do good by shopping!

Treasure & Bond
350 West Broadway between Broome and Grand
Tel: +1 646-669-9049
www.treasureandbond.com

BOFFO Building Fashion

September is always an exciting, albeit chaotic, time with fashion week and all the surrounding festivities, but we're especially excited for BOFFO's first installation for 2011 featuring Nicola Formichetti and Gage/Clemenceau Architects. The collaboration will showcase Formichetti's work within a temporary retail environment - and their first free standing pop-up space - giving both the designer and architects the opportunity to wow New Yorkers.

Long Beach Free Store

This past weekend the Long Beach Free Store opened to an impressively large crowd.

The retail strategy is simple; everything in the entire store is free. Simply “share what you have and find what you need,” by bringing any item to “donate” and take any item, despite the trade-in value.

While some shoppers brought in used CDs, artwork and homewares, the majority of merchandise is apparel. Products include everything from vintage sundresses and purses to designer shoes and accessories. One shopper picked up a pair of authentic Prada heels and left Ben Sherman ties in their stead.

Keep in mind that shoppers that don’t enjoy the hunt need not frequent the store. Although organized and (somewhat) neatly displayed, the racks can be somewhat overwhelming and finding sizes is definitely a challenge. At the end of the day, it’s a refreshing way to upcycle clothes and maybe, just maybe, find a fashion gem.

For more information including store hours and location visit www.lbfreestore.com

Missoni for Target

Debuting in stores on September 13th, Target's collaboration with Missoni has the fashion world buzzing. The retailer just released a teaser lookbook of the 400 piece collection on its dedicated tumblr, All The Way Up Here, which is run by an anonymous blogger named Marina.

The collection, which ranges in price from $7.99 to $199.99, makes its official debut during New York Fashion Week, but until then, I like what I'm seeing. For apparel, the simple crewneck sweaters and shift dresses seem most wearable, but for interiors, I'd love to snag this colorful beach cruiser!

WGSN Loves...Wellen

While previewing the Spring/Summer 2012 collections at Agenda Trade Show in Huntington Beach, I came across an exciting emerging brand, Wellen. Based in San Clemente, California the contemporary men's brand offers a selection of clean, timeless surf-inspired looks ranging from pale pink oxford shirts with wooden button detailing to slightly quirky boardshorts.

What I loved most from the collection is the brand's hand-drawn tees by San Diego artist Sky Walker. It's easy to see the joy and tranquility in these lighthearted pieces and feel transported to a happy place.

For the complete Agenda trade show report, check out www.wgsn.com.

Athleta rolls-out retail stores

With a growing presence in the athletic apparel sector, Athleta is making a giant leap into the New York retail scene. After its recent launch on the Upper West Side on Columbus Avenue, the brand is expecting to open an additional 49 stores along the east coast by 2013.

The new stores will offer Athleta’s collection of women’s active lifestyle apparel for yoga, swim, running, gym, hiking and skiing - all designed by female athletes. We're expecting Athleta's on-trend merchandise and wallet-friendly prices to give NYC's favorite yoga store, LuluLemon, some strong competition in the market.

Escape 2 New York Festival

WGSN ventured out to Southampton over the weekend to capture some trends at the Escape 2 New York festival. Keep an eye out for our street style report going live shortly!

Photos by Sarah Owen

Karl Lagerfeld for Macy's Impulse

On August 31st, Macy’s will launch a capsule collection specially designed by Karl Lagerfeld (the long reigning creative director of Chanel, artist, photographer, rabid iPod collector and Diet Coke aficionado) for their contemporary department, Impulse.

The 45 piece collection mixes the allure of the gamine with the recklessness of the rock ‘n roll groupie and blends downtown attitude with uptown grace. With elements of faux leather, classic tweed, lightweight knits and gauzy chiffons, it includes a broad range of work-appropriate dresses, flirty dresses, sexed-up leather leggings and suiting separates.

Lagerfeld nods to Chanel in his starched, high collars and colour palette choice of black, white and greys with a few punctuations of pink tones. A master of tongue-in-cheek self-promotion, his larger than life persona is prominent on knit tees and tanks.

The price points are poised for a junior contemporary market and range from $50 - $170. The collection will be available in 235 select Macy’s stores across the U.S. and online at Macys.com. After selling out his H&M collaboration in 2004 in a matter of days, Macy’s + Karl will surely equal mass hysteria.
Chris Tsuyuki, WGSN

Lightspeed Mobile

Retail is moving forward with Lightspeed Mobile, a revolutionary new experience for retail stores. Similar to what we've seen in select number Apple Stores, the operating system enables staff to bring the Point of Sale experience straight to the customer. The innovative add-on includes iPhone hardware that allows sales associates to scan merchandise, swipe credit cards and print receipts all on the phone. Promoting one-on-one interactions between the sales associates and the customer, Lightspeed Mobile also cuts transaction times and allows for register-less retail design.

www.lightspeedretail.com/mobile

Key trends at Outdoor Retailer

Columbia Sportswear

Emerging trends at Summer Outdoor Retailer include vivid color, unexpected materials, heritage design and hybridization. Bright color continues to be embraced, with attention paid to the smallest details: shock cords, cord locks, eyelets and Velcro all appear in contrast pop colors. Hybrid garments combine materials for optimum performance and versatility. Some budding brand favorites include Columbia, The North Face and Fjallraven.

New Street Art Gallery in São Paulo: Logo

Every time someone from the WGSN team visits Brazil, I always take them to Vila Madalena to check out the local graffiti and street art. Recently, I included a new stop, the Galeria Logo, a space that just opened in the neighborhood of Pinheiros.

Logo features work by important players in the new Brazilian street art movement, such as Bruno 9li, Sesper and Alex Hornest.

The gallery premieres with Perturbo Collective and the branded project MCD Fake Sunset, inspired by the iconic California sunset, a perfect example of one of our macrotrends for the 2012 summer, Cinematic.