I’m still in the middle of surviving SXSW and setting up an online vintage store with my friend (yay! super excited about this project), but wanted to share a few things that came across my desk recently.

1.  The Dallas Vintage Clothing & Jewelry Show

March 16-17 in Grapevine Convention Center, 1209 South Main Street, Grapevine TX

Friday 3 p.m. – 8 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

(advance tickets $20, $8 at the door)

I missed the Austin Vintage Glamporium back in October and I’m thrilled to see that another vintage event is happening in Grapevine.  I believe Vintage Martini will be one of the many fab vendors, and I’ve heard nothing but great things about them.

2. City-Wide Garage Sale

Mar 17-18 – Austin – Palmer Events Center

Austin Show Hours — Saturday 10a – 5p Sunday 11a – 5p Early Shopper Hours — Saturday 8:30a-10a Early Shopper Fee-$10

I’ve gotten mixed reviews about the City-Wide Garage Sale- sometimes there are great finds and sometimes there doesn’t seem to be much variety. But all in all, I think it’s worth the $5 bucks to go inside and see if you can find that special piece. I found an incredible gold and coral brooch the last time I went and got a great bargain on it!

Fashionably Yours,

Nik

THURSDAY, MARCH 15

Style X Music Showcase presented by Charming Charlie

8pm-2am Victorian Room at the Driskil Hotel
Special perfomances by:
Niki & The Dove (Stockholm, Sweden)
B. Bravo (San Francisco, CA)
The Jessie Rose Trip (Manchester, UK)
Letting Up Despite Great Faults (Los Angeles, CA)
Love Inks (Austin, TX)
Electric Wire Hustle (Wellington, New Zealand)

PANELS – FRIDAY, MARCH 16

The Change Landscape of the Fashion Industry

12:50PM – 2:00PM
Panelists include:
Suchit Majmudar, Charming Charlie
Jennifer Margolin, RedSoleDiary
Hilary Peterson, Lyst
Jean Scheidnes, Neiman Marcus

The Influence of Music on Style & Vice Versa

2:10PM – 3:20PM
Panelists include:
Ellen Carpenter, NYLON
Troupe Gammage, SPEAK
Dre Hayes, The Foundation
Kent Zambrana, Letting Up

The State of Menswear

3:30PM – 4:40PM
Panelists include:
Justin Bridges, Tucked Style
Jace Lipstein, Grungy Gentleman
Dan Maynard, Noble Gentleman
Leith Testoni, Zanerobe

Today’s Fashion Media Business: Same Same, But Different?

4:50PM – 6:00PM
Panelists include:
Leandra Medine, Man Repeller
Crosby Noricks, PR Couture
Keith Pollock, ELLE
Shani Silver, Refinrey29
Danielle Snyder, DANNIJO
Anya Strzemien, AOL Huffington Post

PANELS – SATURDAY, MARCH 17

What’s Up With Urban Fashion & Streetwear?

12:50PM – 2:00PM
Panelists include:
Matt Halfhill, Nice Kicks
Kendrick Jackson, The Selected Few
KJ Kearney, H1gher Learning
Larry Luk, We Are The Process
Marcus Troy

Fashion is Cool, But Fashion + Technology is Cooler!

2:10PM – 3:20PM
Panelists include:
Indiana Adams, Adored Austin
Jessica Amason, Refinery29
Mimi Nguyen, Thre.ad
Michelle Sadlier, Karla Otto International

It’s All In The Details: A Design Discussion

3:30PM – 4:40PM
Panelists include:
Sarah Nami Ahn, NAMI
James Jean, JFK Jean
Mike Maher, Taylor Stitch
Kyle Vucko, Indochino
Seth Weisser, What Goes Around Comes Around

What The Olsen Twins Got Right: Family In Fashion

4:50PM – 6:00PM
Panelists include:
Ari Goldberg, StyleCaster
Elisa Goodkind, StyleLikeU
Lily Mandelbaum, StyleLikeU
Joah Speaman, moderator

STYLE X RUNWAY SHOWS

Friday & Saturday 6:15PM – 7:15PM
*Limited press seating available

Modeling SXSW Musicians include:
Andrea Balency
Blitz The Ambassador
Candy Claws
Erin Ivey
Maya Azucena
Radiation City
Record Summer
Schmillion
SPEAK
Torae

Preparing myself for the force that is SXSW.  This is the first time I’ve lived in Austin while it was going on.  Lord help me, lol… stay tuned!

Fashionably Yours,

Nik

FIG FINALE 75% OFF SALE!!

1807 Ross Ave., Dallas, TX 75201

Next FIG Finale: February 9, 10 and 11

FIG finale is a spectacular sale during which the area’s top stores come together at FIG and sell their women’s, men’s and kid’s clothing, accessories and shoes to the public at up to 75 percent discount. It is a shopper’s paradise, with numerous great retailers offering their designer merchandise at unbeatable prices.

VIP Pass – $50

2 Day Pass – $20

Day Pass – $15

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Friday, February 10th – 11am to 8pm

Saturday, February 11th – 11am to 5pm

No strollers or large bags allowed.

For information, call 214.748.4344, ext. 326 or email Megan@fashionindustrygallery.com

Fashionistas, I’ve been going to this premier shopping event for years, and I have NEVER been disappointed!  Check out some of my past fab finds here.

Fashionably Yours,

Nik

Photo Credit: www.thebudgetbabe.com

Collaboration is the new black.  We’ve seen partnerships between the likes of Versace and H&M, Vera Wang and Kohls and now Jason Wu and Target.  Collection goes on sale online and in stores on Feb. 5th!

Fashionably Yours,

Nik

GIFTS FOR THE GIRLS

2011 Women’s Gift Guide: Subscriptions and Memberships

Subscriptions and Memberships

Clockwise from the Top:

1. Birchbox; $10/month

2. Massage Envy; Approx. $59/month

3. Bag Borrow or Steal; Starting at $25

4. Spa Finder; Starting at $25

5. Conde Nast Subscription to Vogue, Lucky, etc.; Approx. $20-30/year

Simple and thoughtful, giving the gift of a subscription or membership makes a great impression.  Subscriptions and membership applies to a range of products, from fashion magazines to massage therapy to makeup and skincare.  And just think: each time your loved one receives her magazine in the mail or schedules her monthly massage, she’ll think of you!

2011 Women’s Gift Guide: Custom/Personalized Style

Custom/Personalized Style

From Left to Right:

1. Rose Gold and Diamond Initial Necklace ($214.99); Photo Credit: Overstock.com

2. Monogram Louis Vuitton Speedy 35 with Personalization ($1,100; without Initials- $800)

3. 14k Gold-Plated “Carrie” Style Name Necklace ($49.95); Photo Credit: Mynamenecklace.com

There’s nothing like a customized gift to show how much you care.  Always popular, initial or name necklaces never go out of style.  And if you want to give an uber-chic gift, Louis Vuitton offers personalization on select items in a variety of festive colors.

2011 Women’s Gift Guide: Fashion Gadgets & Entertainment

Fashion Gadgets & Entertainment

From Top to Bottom:

1. A Patricia Field Trifecta: The Devil Wears Prada, The Sex & the City Movie, and Confessions of a Shopaholic (Approx. $20 each); Photo Credit: IMDB.com

2. iPad 2 Tablet (starting at $499); Photo Credit: Apple.com

3. Purseket: The Original Purse Organizer (Approx. $20-30); Photo Credit: Purseket.com

Fashion and film go hand in hand and make a great gift for any fashionista who’s also a film buff.  Iconic stylist Patricia Field made fashion magic in the Sex and the City series on HBO and other successful shows like Ugly Betty.  Naturally, Pat styled both Sex and the City Movies and others such as The Devil Wears Prada and Confessions of a Shopaholic.  For fashionistas who love history, I also recommend Valentino: The Last Emperor and Coco Before Chanel, starring Audrey Tautou.

If you’d like to give the gift of gadgets, well you can’t go wrong with an iPad 2.  Want to go the extra mile?  How about an iPad preloaded with fashionable movies like those listed above!  Also, there are a variety of fashion apps that can be added to keep the most dedicated fashionista up-to-date.

For fashion and functionality on the go, I think a purse organizer is a great idea.  I’ve seen several on TV: just place keys, a phone, makeup and money in the pockets, and drop the entire organizer in your purse!

GIFTS FOR THE GUYS

Guest Post by J. Edward

2011 Men’s Gift Guide: The 3-Piece Suit

The 3-Piece Suit

From left to right:

1. Photo Credit: Askandyaboutclothes.com

2.Ralph Lauren Suit (Starting at approx. $1500); Photo Credit: Esquire.com

3. Photo Credit: Monkeysuitvintage.com

Every man wants to be stylish, and nothing says class and sophistication like the 3-piece suit.  Whether it’s muted tones and stripes or bold lines and lapels, the true character of any man comes forward with this ensemble.  As a gift to your loved one, or to yourself, this is one gift that will add to any man’s wardrobe.

2011 Men’s Gift Guide: The Professional Tablet Case

The Professional Tablet Case

Top Left: Fossil (Approx. $40); Photo Credit: Ipadcaseden.com

Bottom Right: Louis Vuitton in Monogram and Damier Patterns (Approx. $350); Photo Credit: Most-expensive.net

Who carries around laptops anymore?  The business world is about speed and ease, and the introduction of tablets into the boardroom has changed how we get the job done.  So who wants to be ordinary when you can be fabulous…and why not accessorize what is now as commonplace as our cellphones?  For fashionistos on a budget, consider the very sleek and simple offering from Fossil.  If you have a little more to spend, and really want to standout, visit your local Louis Vuitton retailer to see their selection.

2011 Men’s Gift Guide: John Varvatos Chuck Taylor All Star

John Varvatos Chuck Taylor All Star

John Varvatos Shoes (Approx. $145); Photo Credit: Shopstyle.com

When you’re lounging around on a weekend afternoon, is there anything more stylish and comfortable than a pair of Chuck Taylors?  John Varvatos has lent his style expertise to the brand to create a super cool yet casual rendition to their line.  When you are wearing these All Stars, people will know you didn’t just walk into the local shoe store.

2011 Men’s Gift Guide: The Pocket Watch

The Pocket Watch

From Left to Right:

1. Vintage Watch (Prices Vary); Photo Credit; Gstatic.com

2. Harley Davidson (Approx. $202.50); Photo Credit: Harleyitems.com

Why limit your accessories to the usual… step outside of the norm.  Pocket watches have been around for centuries, and yet remain rare and stylish.  Harley Davidson offers a cool version of the classic time piece.  If you are like me and like antiques, visit your local retailers and trade shows to see what they have to offer.  Never forget that one person’s junk could be another person’s treasure.

Hopefully these gift ideas will find their way onto your gift lists or at least give you some great ideas.  Starting at just $10, there’s something for everyone, and every budget, listed here.  So Happy Holidays and Happy Shopping!

Fashionably Yours,

Nik

Fashionistas,

The Very Best of Versace for H&M Collection is available at Northpark Center in Dallas starting TODAY.  There is already a line outside the store!  There is such a fashion frenzy that H&M has set up a shopping system to make scooping up your favorites a bit easier.  The Ladies’ Collection ranges from about $29.95 to $399 while the Men’s Collection is priced about $17.95 to $299.  If you love bold and bright with a touch of rock ‘n roll edginess, then this is the Collection for you.  Happy Shopping!

Fashionably Yours,

Nik

Photo Credit: Style Crunch

Dear Fashionistas,

I love this recent article from the Boston Herald about fashion’s boy wonder, Zac Posen.  Known for his youthful, fresh and dynamic designs, Posen took the fashion world by storm in his early 20′s.  Now at 31, he is returning to the city that holds a significant place in his career: Boston.  Today, Tuesday November 4th, Posen will hold a trunk show at Neiman Marcus, Copley Place from 6-8pm featuring his resort and Spring 2012 lines.  Highlights from the Boston Herald article:

1. Connections are key: Alexis Maybank and Alexandra Wilkins Wilson, co-founders of the wildly popular flash sales site Gilt Groupe, were both Harvard Business School students in 2003 when they invited Posen to speak to their class.  Posen’s dresses are now featured on Gilt Groupe, often selling out.   Also, Posen counted Oscar-winner Natalie Portman as his muse.

2. Good design is an investment: In 2004, Sean Combs’ Sean John label was so impressed with Posen that it invested in the young designer’s business.

3. Design karma is real: Creating fashion is hard work and Posen believes in making the process enjoyable.  In turn, the joy that goes into making the garment is transferred to the customer.  Happy customers, happy career.

Fashionably Yours,

Nik

Midnight Madness Sale!