Graci to Urban Daddy for rightfully comparing the new spot at One Little West 12th, oddly called The Collective, to something the Mad Hatter might muster up. The giant warehouse space looks like someone stuck a bar at one end then sneezed out a hodgepodge of tables throughout. The Collective might have thought to call themselves “The Collection” as they appear to have “collected” random items from other city destinations like LES’ graffiti, and Urban Outfitter’s pendant lights and from Chelsea, some faux Eames chairs. (Or maybe they are real. How would I know?) But the windows are wonderful and the randomness somewhat endearing. It might be the perfect place for the city variety to gather, er…collect, for post-workday wine or a cocktail before a night on the town.

From the masterminds who brought you STK and Bagatelle (The ONE Group), The Collective is bottle-service free and serves cholesterol heavy American fare (see also: drunk food) that just might give you a heart attack. I still cannot figure out why they added soy kettle chips to a menu that has blue cheese tater tots and short rib sliders, and I gave up chips for lent, but apparently, they are amazing. The menu offers a “Taste of The Hoods” with different entrees from each city neighborhood. (The Harlem is chicken and waffles with gravy. The Upper West side is lamb shank with fruity couscous. And so on…) So you won’t emerge skinny or ready to mix with B&Ters at Meatpacking clubs; but you’ll emerge happy. And that’s all that really matters anyway.

The Collective 1 Little West 12th Street  212.255.9717

With the Academy Awards and Paris Fall 2010, our custom cruising towards maximum capacity.Thank you Valentino for showing us a glimpse of lovely amongst the casual Parisian fare. The dresses…oh we love the dresses. Especially McQueen’s much anticipated heavenly collection. Gucci Group decided to cancel the hoopla and show the collection to small groups. The mood remained somber and the pieces (roughly 80% of his collection was completed) were eerily related to the afterlife. But in true McQueen accordance the mood was whimsically delicious with angel prints and hand carved footwear.
In other news… Retail stocks hit a 436.89 high Monday - the highest since December 2007. And retail stores are hiring up. The U.S. Department of Labor reported a hiring increase for the second month in a row. Maybe demand is back. Even the wintry weather couldn’t stop consumers from spend, spend, spend this February.  February was retailers’ best same-store sales results in two years - a 4% overall increase. J. Crew posted $40 million in 4th quarter profit. Jason Woo is doing it special style for Bergdorf. Jean Paul Gaultier for Target is flying off the shelves, and Burberry is suing TJ Maxx over alleged counterfeits, and yes, I am rushing through this because even more important that all of that is Calvin Klein’s new Calvin Klein X ad campaign.
God bless Calvin Klein. Let me repeat: God bless Calvin Klein for recruiting Emmet from Twilight, the possessed guy from True Blood, Spanish hottttt tennis star Fernando Verdasco and the most famous Asian footballer Hidetoshi Nakata to make this video. You can, and should, thank me later. Actually, just thank me right now.

Emma Dinzebach

Fall 2010 Fashion Week: Paris. Ahhhh the city for lovers, loafs, lattes and lace. After a whirlwind of Fashion Week frenzy, Paris has allowed us to lounge, kick back, and relax. The typical Parisian style could be found around every corner but with a bit more comfort than the Parisian norm. Was that a slouched jacket? Socks with high heels? A shirt untucked?

Paris fashion week shows didn’t close with quintessential elaborate gowns and fancy Dior-esque dresses. (Balenciaga showed not a single solitary gown.) Instead, a sportswear influenced styles, loose-fitting slacks, wrinkly satin, silk skirts and sweaters dominated runways. Nina Ricci, Dries Von Noten, Stella McCartney and Akris, to name a few, had a more modern, multifaceted client in mind when they designed Fall’s flexible wear. Many pieces combined street and evening wear. Designers spoke on their clients’ desire for interchangeable pieces.

Even in France, the four day work week is a bestseller. And in Paris, they’re looking forward to a more relaxing fall.

Emma Dinzebach

In Hollywood, it seems like everyone is shaving a side of their head to jump on board with the newest hair trend - asymmetry. (They can do that on the West Coast because the weather is warmer.) But seriously, Rhianna paved the way then Cassie jumped on board. The new style goes hand-in-hand with the recent nod to Nirvana, rocker chic and neo grunge revival we have going on; but for most, taking the trimmer to your luscious locks is all together too scary. (Or NSFW.)

So like all awesome trends, us regular folk took in down a notch. Rather than getting rid of the right side of our hair, we’re slicking it back, pinning it up to create our own kind of asymmetry. To achieve, blow dry hair like usual, using a round brush or volumizer to score maximum height. Pin one side back (think half ponytail), tight to your head. If you hair is like mine and naturally parts to the side, pin the non-dominant side. Then style the other side like usual adding a little more height than you feel comfortable with. It will fall, and this look doesn’t fly with super flat hair.

Feeling frisky, then play around with the non-pinned side. Add large curls, a dramatic side pony, decorate with a flower, feather or tiny toque. Basically whatever your funky little heart desires for a night on the town or toned down for a day at the office.

For your viewing pleasure:

 
Emma Dinzebach