Saks department gets own ZIP code: 10022-SHOE

NEW YORK (AP) — Saks Fifth Avenue says its new shoe department is so big and fancy it's getting its own ZIP code. That's right Saks own Shoe store, YIPPY!!!

The quintessential Manhattan store is revamping its shoe department, and when it moves from the fourth floor to the eighth floor in August customers will be able to send mail to 10022-SHOE.

"We believe it's such a big move for us it deserves its own ZIP code," Saks spokeswoman Lesley Langsam Kennedy said Thursday. "We wanted to make it a destination."

The retailer worked with the U.S. Postal Service on the new ZIP code — but only the last four characters, which are not necessary when you're mailing something, are specialized. The rest of the midtown neighborhood, which includes St. Patrick's Cathedral, shares 10022.

The new 8,500-square-foot (790 square meters) Saks showroom at the flagship Fifth Avenue store will have more shoes, more service and more stock room capability, Langsam Kennedy said. It also will feature a VIP room for private shopping, spacious seating, refreshments and shoe repair on hand, she said.

This is a dream come true!!

Ms Ray

Crusaders for Fashion: Congolese Lust for Labels

"willingly spend as much on a jacket as they would on a house in Kinshasa"

Was there ever a time when you had a spectacular event or party to attend and you had nothing to wear? Of course! But was there a specific look you were trying to capture? I'm talking about on some, yes -I- am-here-and-let-the-party-begin type of look.
At the last and desperate moment, you decide to splurge on a designer outfit that you know you can't afford, like shopping at Saks on a forever 21 budget. I know you guys feel me because I have been guilty of this countless times.
Well, our fashion friends over on the Motherland, the Congo to be exact, are doing it way big, splurging like you would never believe. Could you imagine living off of $100 dollars a YEAR. HEll to the Naw! So how did the men of the Congo find the way to dress in the European's finest ever day of their lives.

The socialites of a 24 year old movement called SAPE- La Societé des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes (aka Kitendi, the religion of the cloth) sport some of the finest labels in the world such as, Cavali, Gucci, Armani, Yamamoto, and Versace just to name a few. These men of the Congo wear high fashion and couture for sport. It's like Kanye vs. Pharrell, who can rock the best of the best at all cost?...but with a more desperate approach. There is somewhat of a psyche behind this practice to acquiring rich European garments. Somewhat ritualistic.
These guys don't get wardrobes shipped to them for free or just write it off on a business expense. This an every day way of life, and they will kill, rob, and sale themselves for the mighty cloth.
I can barely find a decent outfit to wear to work let alone sport full frontal fashion everyday of the week, so just imagine how serious and dangerous this could be.

Colors Magazine-

These are sapeurs, acolytes of a 25-year-old movement called la SAPE—La Societé des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes (aka Kitendi, the religion of the cloth)

— that revolves around the possession of the most expensive, most luxurious, most extravagant fashion in the world. Followers of SAPE wear $10,000 jackets and $500 shoes, but these mostly young Congolese men otherwise barely eke out a living in the rubble of Kinshasa and Brazzaville or the ghettos of Paris and Brussels, washing dishes or washing bodies, and sometimes selling their own.

The Brazzaville faithful keep to a strict three-color rule—including accessories—for any outfit, in Kinshasa and among the immigrants in Europe, the look is more hip-hop, and features a blinding array of patterns and hues. But in both groups, designer names are at such a premium that rival sapeurs will do battle with each other, flashing label after label, trying to best their opponent, stripping down, if necessary, to their underwear. “It's combat,” says Héctor Mediavilla Sabaté, a photographer who's been studying the sapeurs since 2003, “and the clothes are the weapons.”

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the average annual income is about US$100, among the lowest in the world, according to the World Bank. And Congolese immigrants in Europe are among the poorest, but many willingly spend as much on a jacket as they would on a house in Kinshasa

Peace and Blessings,
Eddie Nicole

Summer Fashion: Patrick Robinson for Target

Yeah know I haven't done any fashion posts in a while. But to be honest, the fashion for the spring and summer can be so predictable and routine. It's all about trends, light fabrics, cute sandals and flats, hot shades and swim wear...... and on and on. It doesn't take a fashion vixen to figure out the must haves for the spring and summer. If you're 23+ like myself, the trick is to stay away from high school trends, even college fashion trends at that matter. Keep it simple, sexy, and cool. Buy great accessories like bangles, necklaces, whatever floats your boat.

Must haves for the summer? I can say for the most part- a light tan trench coat, a great pair of fresh jeans, and tons of clean white fitted jersey knit t-shirts, and flirty sundresses, will take you far for casual wear. Not that it really matters, but guys love girls in tight jersey shirts, especially if you have a nice set of "D"'s.











For club wear (sexy night)- it's all about showing off your assets. If you have great legs, show em' off with a short printed dress and high heels or "Amerie-it" with short shorts. If you have a great ass, wear a short fitted dress, just enough to leave a lil somethin' for the imagination. A great black dress always does the trick. These two dresses are great, one for the day and night. They both work well with all sizes.

















Meet Patrick Robinson

I am excited for Patrick Robinson. Anytime a young black man can break into the high fashion couture world, have is own line featured at the likes of Bergdorf and Saks, and feature his own line nationally through Target, must have the fashion Gods on his side.
He's not the head of designs for Rocawear or Babyphat. He probably has never seen a House of Dereon piece, and if he did he would probably grimace at the quality. You won't find him showing off his designs on Bet's Rip the Runway. You may not even hear fashion divas like Beyonce or Eve mentioning his designs. He doesn't need or want all of the extras because he is just what he is, polished and an adept designer.
I had the pleasure of meeting him in person back in my days as an assistant personal shopper at Bergdorf Goodman.....oh the days...... At the time, he was the Artistic Director for Paco Rabanne. His vision was so concise and fresh. There were no gimmicks or crazy colors with his collection. None of the extreme statements for the love of fashion like a Marc Jacobs or Zac Posen.
All of his pieces were timeless and classic. From the nude simple colors, to the flattering cuts.
I remember him saying, never worry about size, if it looks good, wear it.....no that was the french guy Rolan Mouret, anyway he said something similar to that.

Patrick is the latest for the new hip Target Collections. Designers like Proenza Schouler, Isaac Mizrahi, and Luela Bartley are a few of the designers that have graced the stores of Target. I love this idea. Now divas on a budget can look fly as well....shoot...lets make the world a better place by allowing people with a lower budget to express themselves in a aesthetically pleasing way through fashion..hells yeah!
*disclaimer
I would have never advised my viewers to buy a single piece of clothing from Target, other than necessities. But I will definitely advise you guys to support this man and at least check it out. I will have to make some serious decisions on some of his pieces before I leave to Las Vegas...I'm on a for-serious budget. Can't complain about the price. For more info on this designer, visit the Target website and check out the new line.






















Peace and Blessings,

Eddie Nicole

Prevage!

Proof...not promises.™

From Elizabeth Arden and Allergan®, the maker of some of the world’s leading dermatological products, PREVAGE® contains Idebenone (hydroxydecy ubiquinone), currently the most powerful antioxidant* for addressing the visible signs of aging including fine lines, wrinkles, roughness and discoloration. PREVAGE® anti-aging treatments promote a smoother, firmer, less lined appearance. *When compared to alpha lipoic acid, kinetin, vitamin C, vitamin E, and coenzyme Q10. Ok, this sound like a bunch of yeah, yeah, yeah, I heard it all before. But, I have tried this Prevage
IT'S THE BEST!!!!! It really revitalized my skin, removing blemishes, your skin lighten right away. You don't realize how much the sun damage your skin until you try this Prevage and right away leaving my skin with a beautiful glow.
It's worth $150 dollars Check it out, please !!

Ms Ray

I LOVE IT!!!