It was only a matter of time before Sophie and Lisa came up with another brilliant idea they simply had to share with their adoring fans. Et voila, Viva Vena! The brand’s newest line retains the signature hand-drawn prints and neo-Dada photo collages, while providing more casual staples at a lower price point. Retailing for under $200, the t-shirts, tanks, and dresses are a mix of organic jersey with silk details and made in the designers’ hometown of  Los Angeles. They’re just the thing for a beach jaunt, or an impromptu picnic in the park.

Viva Vena! will be available at Bergdorf Goodman, Saks, Scoop NYC, Nordstrom, Opening Ceremony and a host of other retailers.

-Kaci Hamilton

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Who: Calypso St. Barth
What: Women’s RTW & accessories, home decor, candles, fragrance – savings up to 80%
When: 12/15 – 12/18; Tuesday-Thursday 10am-7pm, Friday 10am-2pm
Where: 260 5th Ave (between 28th & 29th)

Who: Magnes Sisters
What: $40 – $99 a bag
When: December 8th-10th; 11am-7pm
Where: The Collective Showroom, 16 W36th Street, suite 501 (between 5th and 6th)

Who: Ports 1961
What: Prices start at 85% off!
When: December 11th, 11am-7pm
Where: 601 W26th, Suite 875

Who: Opening Ceremony
What: 60-90% off Acne, Alexander Wang, Erin Wasson x RVCA, Jeremy Scott, Opening Ceremony, Vena Cava & more
When: December 11th-13th; Friday & Saturday 11am-8pm; Sunday 12-7pm
Where: 201 Mulberry (between Spring & Kenmare)

Who: Proenza Schouler
What: RTW from previous seasons as well as F/W 2009
When: December 10th-11th, 8:30am-6:30pm
Where: 495 Broadway, 8th floor

Who: Theory
What: Coats $199 and under; Jackets $149 and under; Dresses $119 and under; Sweaters $109 and under; Pants $99 and under; Shirts $89 and under
When: December 7th-9th, 11am-7pm
Where: 261 W36th Street, 2nd floor (between 7th & 8th Avenues)

Who: Balenciaga
What: 40% off select merchandise
When: December 3rd-January 1st, 11am-7pm
Where: 542 W22nd St

Who: Simon Showroom
What: Merchandise by A Peace Treaty, C&C California, Citizens of Humanity, Falls, Goldsign, Iro, Wren *cash only*
When: December 7th-9th, 10am-7pm
Where: 95 5th Avenue, 3rd Floor (corner of 17th Street)

Who: Helmut Lang
What: Women’s merch up to 60% off
When: December 9th-13th, 11am-8pm
Where: 819 Washington Street (at Ganesvoort)

Who: Lauren Merkin
What: Handbags, clutches and accessories up to 70% off
When: December 8th-11th, 11am-7pm and December 12th 11am-4pm
Where: 231 W29th St, Suite 201 (Between 7th & 8th avenues)

Who: AKA New York
What: Prices $20-$100; up to 80% off *cash only*
When: December 10th 10am-7pm & December 11th 10am-5pm
Where: 246 W38th St, Suite 1109

Who: Diane von Furstenberg
What: Up to 75% off
When: December 8th-11th – Tuesday 9-6:30pm; Wednesday 10-8pm; Thursday 10-7pm; Friday 9-3pm
Where: 260 Fifth Ave, near 28th Street

Who: Autumn Cashmere
What: Up to 75% off
When: December 7th-11th 9am-6pm
Where: 251 W36th St, 2nd floor, near 7th Avenue

Who: James Jeans
What: Jeggings, straight & skinny legs $80, bootcut styles $70-$80, one-of-a-kind samples $15-$50
When: December 8th-11th; Tuesday-Thursday 9:30-7:30pm, Friday 9:30-2pm
Where: 500 Greenwich St, Suite 202, near Spring Street

Who: Alice + Olivia
What: Party dresses $179, pants $99, tops $89
When: December 8th-11th, 8am-8pm
Where: 80 W40th St at 6th Avenue

Who: Rag & Bone
What: T-shirts $40 and under, denim $80 and under, dresses $170 and under, blazers $190 and under, leather jackets $450 and under
When: December 10th-13th; Thursday-Saturday 12-8pm, Sunday 12-6pm
Where: 100 Christopher Street, near Bleecker Street

Who: Vera Wang
What: Bridal & bridesmaid dresses 25-75% off
When: December 12th, 9am-5pm
Where: The New Yorker Hotel, 481 Eighth Ave at 34th Street

Who: Olive & Bette’s
What: Trina Turk, Cynthia Steffe, Velvet, Splendid, Free People, Nanette Lepore, Theory, and more up to 75% off
When: December 10th, 8am-7pm
Where: 384 Bleecker St at Perry St

Who: Miguelina
What: Prices range from $25-$195
When: December 9th-11th, 8am-8pm
Where: 20 W36th St, near 6th Avenue

I’ve been excited for quite some time for the Steven Alan for Uniqlo designer collaboration project to come out, so I foolishly went to Soho on a Saturday. By the masses on Broadway and hour-long check out and dressing room lines inside Uniqlo, who would ever have thought that we’re in a recession? Anyways, the Steven Alan women’s collection was largely in a palette of red, blue, and a bit of black (not mixed together) with ruching, pleats, and sweet little pin tucks. There were some retro dresses that felt a bit Built by Wendy to me, with the real gems being the button down shirts. I like the  ones with accordion pleating and slight Peter Pan collars (seel left), as well as the chest pocket roll-tab ones, both available in blue & white, red & white or black & white.  There was no way I was waiting in the atrociously long dressing room lines, so I tried on the items in a mirrored corner of the men’s section. Final thoughts: for about $50 each, the button tees are a nice investment to make, whose mid-quality wil most likely last you more than a season. 

The men’s Opening Ceremony collection was a nice capsule of lightweight multi-colored button downs (see right), more dressier shirts that came with a pocket square, and blazers. Overall impression was that both of these collections could be a success, however Uniqlo needs to figure out a better way to funnel people through the store, as I don’t think its such bargain basement prices to elicit waiting on line for more than 15 minutes.

-Julia DiNardo

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I’m already a fan of the mega Japanese retailer Uniqlo, frequently visiting the store in Soho and picking up items for my Mom, boyfriend, Dad, and of course myself. I am thrilled to report the following Designers Invitation Project lineup (as written about in WWD):

Launching in March:
Steven Alan for women
Opening Ceremony for men

Launching in May:
Shipley & Halmos for women
Gilded Age for men

Prices will range from $19-$79 — a steal for a tailored Steven Alan shirt — expect to see me there opening day!

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