New Year’s Eve Returns in June to Benefit the American Cancer Society at the Long Island Hospitality Ball

The 2013 Long Island Hospitality Ball benefiting the American Cancer Society will be held on Monday, June 3 from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Crest Hollow Country Club. Considered the New Year’s Eve for Long Island restaurant and nightlife employees, more than 2,500 guests are expected to strut their stuff and enjoy the evening. Those in the industry see the fashion and style of diners and party-goers every day and this is one of the few nights they get to enjoy themselves while dressing to impress! Last year’s attire ranged from elegant ball gowns to bright-colored mini dresses to high-end printed two-piece ensembles.

The next Long Island Hospitality Ball will be held on Monday, June 3
at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury.
For ticket or donation information, contact Marie Cimaglia, American Cancer Society, at (631) 300-3460.
For information about sponsorships, contact Keith Hart, The Hart Agency, at (631) 752-1053.

Entertainment highlights the evening with featured acts from well-known DJs to live bands including Big Shot with guest appearances by members of the Billy Joel Band. Restaurants and catering entities dish out signature summer specialties such as Besito guacamole and Sage Bistro Moderne salmon tartare. Featured nightclubs and bars as well as wine and spirit sponsors complete the event with cocktails. Tickets are $100 per person (or $150 at the door) and may be purchased at http://bit.ly/2013LIHBtickets

Wow… where’d you get THAT dress? Ohhh right from that um…Truck–

Halal trucks— move over. Hot dog stands, get outta-the-way. Stylish, shopaholic New Yorkers can now get their fix right on city streets. Mobile “boutiques” are cropping up, offering items from unique tops to stylish dresses to handmade accessories. 

“Rolling” retailers are a mainstay on the West Coast, and while table set-ups with fake designer goods are common in NYC, these newest  revamped trucks offer style in spaces where food-on-the-go is usually stationed. Household names such as Cynthia Rowley and Armani Exchange have even delved in this retail phenomenon.

Hoboken, NJ-based Chic Rattle and Roll was started by two hip-thinking mew moms, 28-year-old Danielle Mazzurco and Lisa Dunn, 35 in in December. Danielle’s passion for rock music blended with Lisa’s girly taste and offers Van Halen T-shirts alongside flowing dresses. Joey Wolffer, 31 years old of Manhattan, runs the the high-end Styleliner. Retail is in her blood: she’s the great-great-granddaughter of a founder of the U.K. retailer Marks & Spencer,. Now she drives a 20-foot-long potato-chip delivery truck that’s filled with hand-painted T-shirts and handbags from off-the-radar designers such as Beirut-based Sarah Beydoun, whose artisans are women in prison in Lebanon. Prices range from $30 to $1,800. Jessie Goldenberg, 24, launched her truck, the bohemian-themed Nomad, in late March.

Because this path to sales signals uniqueness and urgency to buyers, many hopeful fashion-minded entrepreneurs see this as a quick entry to selling their prized designs. Be warned: this new retail avenue is not cheap to enter as outfitting a truck runs between $15,000 and $60,000. While nationwide the number of mobile fashion trucks is growing, here Mr. Bloomberg limits the maximum number on the streets to 853 at a time; the waiting list is closed. The American Mobile Retail Association has grown from five members in California in 2011 to about 70 nationwide. So as long as no one conjectures that these trucks are highly caloric or cholesterol-ridden, perhaps the mayor will ease up on the limit…..

This boutique on wheels showcases the latest styles from exclusive designer brands not found in your everyday boutique or department store; and brings them to a corner near you. Fashion Societe loves this!!!

Winter Sale: Not Always A Bargain

This winter season, the sales outnumber the snowflakes. With bargain signs everywhere, where do you start? 90% off is a pretty tempting draw. Just remember, regardless of what something costs, how good you look depends mainly on how wisely you choose.

 

Here are 8 tips to out-smart those sales:

 

1. Don’t buy anything at 50-70% off if it is not something that you would want at regular price. Exception: If it’s a hot and obvious trend that looks totally fabulous, buy this thrill and enjoy knowing it will have a very limited life.

 

2. No matter how inexpensive, it is not a great deal if it doesn’t fit with your needs. It will end up being a cheap find stuck in the back of your closet. Save that money and put it towards something you can’t wait to wear.

 

3. You can’t go wrong with high quality basics from designers that you normally wouldn’t/couldn’t spend the money on.

 

4. Take garment care into consideration. If it is something you’ll have to dry clean with each and every wear, then your bargain may no longer be a bargain. If it looks inordinately delicate and you are afraid it won’t hold up to cleaning/washing, maybe it is best left in the store. Poor workmanship doesn’t hold up at any price.

 

5. Is it a flattering color; does it suit your figure or physique; is it the proper length? By the way, these are questions to ask yourself before ANY purchase.

 

6. Attack the bargain racks like you’re shopping for groceries–with a list of what you actually need for your wardrobe. Advanced tip: What you buy should go with at least 2 pieces you already own.

 

7. A real steal is a garment you truly need in a color you’ll wear often. Basic colors like grey, beige, brown, navy or black are easy to coordinate with other items and stay in style forever.

 

8. Try before you buy when the sale price is marked “Final Sale”. Many ultra bargains are not returnable. Don’t spend if you’re not sure.

Despite these tips you’re the proud owner of a new mistake? Swap your unwanted “treasures” with friends who can use them!

Shoes – the Down and Dirty About ‘Um, by Cathy Berger

There are different degrees of shoe-awareness. There are people with “shoe fetishes” – obsessive collectors with Imelda Marcos-like stockpiles that fill closets. There are the Carrie Bradshaws of the world, patrons of Manolo Blahnik and Jimmy Choo‘s high fashion. There are those who seek out form over function and make comfort their main priority over style. Then there are those who never know the right shoe for the occasion.

There are different degrees of shoe-awareness. There are people with “shoe fetishes”, there are the Carrie Bradshaws of the world, there are those who seek out form over function and then there are those who never know the right shoe for the occasion.

I was recently at a reception, and the honoree’s shoes had really seen better days – they needed a scrubbing, a polish and a resoling. I can’t tell you how many people I overheard talking about it. Both men and women noticed. It isn’t just a cliché –shoes really can “make or break the man”.  Sadly, sometimes, we do need to send a favorite pair to shoe heaven.

Why is footwear perplexing? Any pair will provide basic protection from the mean streets of the world. But which to wear can convey so much about ourselves. Even when times are tough, spending a little more on a classically designed, well-made pair of shoes not only shows you are practical (real leather, sturdy stitching, and quality soles last longer and can be repaired over time at a fraction of the original price) but they tend to fit better and be more comfy. Remember this: A good pair will outlast almost any other item in your closet, especially true for high quality men’s shoes and classic women’s designs, like basic pumps, flats, and loafers.

But, some of you may be protesting, what about fashion? What about sexy stilettos, platforms with embellishments, and pointy-toe boots with kitten heels? Shoes are an important fashion statement, and we all know, it often takes some discomfort to look good.

Have you ever seen pictures of women who participated in the ancient Chinese custom of foot binding? It’s extreme, but it’s the result of, for lack of a better term, a “fashion craze” that went overboard. Even today, sitting in a pedicure chair, you can see the evidence of women (and men) who are victims of ill-fitting shoes. Pointy-toe styles cram toes into narrow spaces and can cause ugly, painful foot afflictions down the road. Wearing a shoe that fits well is so important, no matter the trend du jour.

If the proper shoe truly makes the person, then it’s important to wear the right shoe for the right occasion which looks good and feels good. It’s an obvious way to ramp up your social and professional image. When you get right down to it, out of anything you wear, shoes are the clearly the most important element of your style.~

6 Must-Have Men’s Shoes | Color Ahead Fall/Winter 2012-13

1. Captoe – Conservative but elegant even in a casual format. Finally – what every man might secretly desire. Because what well-dressed man doesn’t love shoes? Blacksuede cap toe from Mark McNairy, $398.00

2. Monk Strap One step beyond the one thick strap you usually find on a monk-strap loafer, this modern version has two thin straps with a lighter buckles.
Choose this in the morning when you feel like making an understated, stylish statement. Leather shoes ($1,260) by A. Testoni.

3. Wing tip – Most high-powered execs have got a need for them Not all wing tips look right with suits. But this pair, with its closed-lace construction, slim leather soles, and rich brown patina, could hold its own with most any two OR three-piece suit.
Leather shoes ($595) by Fratelli Rossetti.

4. Oxford Lace-up – Casual dress down days for sport coats with slacks You can’t get much more elegant than a finely made black lace-up, particularly when the toe looks like this: not too pointy, not too round, and not remotely square.

5. Loafer – Say no to laces. Face it; some days just call for no ties. A hand-rubbed, skillfully shaped pair of do-I know-what-to-wear-or-what loafers like these Berlutis are just the kind of shoes that command respect. Even at the office. Leather loafer ($760) by Berluti.

6. the Derby – For Every Day: The Shoe You Can Wear Anywhere. In dreams there’s one pair of shoes you can wear everywhere, all the time, from tuxedos to track pants. We’ve looked, and honestly, dreams are just that. What we have found though, is one pair of shoes that you can wear almost everywhere: these chestnut-brown derbies from the undisputed champion of Swiss footwear, Bally. Leather Scribe derbies ($725) by Bally

Color Rules: You need 3 different color shoes- dark brown, black and cordovan. Want to focus on one? Dark brown owes its versatility to a few key features: their rich color (a dark brown beats black for versatility any day), their knack for blending well and being less obvious than black, and their range in hue which reaches farther and wider than pretty much anything else around. Consider them the skeleton key to your closet and wear them with care. Because most other colors aren’t nearly as versatile. Relax on the weekend and on a casual evening with a light shade of brown and for an elegant night, or an important meeting, a dark chocolate-ly shade.

4 New Fashion Events in NYC: Siman Doonan, Hack Day 2012, FFF Fashion Week & More!

Just posted on the Fashion Societe Directory…. Check them out to be up on the latest in what’s around town!

Wilhelmina Open Call for W Runway Division Tuesday, June 12 12:00p to 3:00p

at Wilhelmina Models Inc., New York, NY

NYC Fashion Hack Day 2012 Saturday, June 16 8:00a

at Gilt Groupe Hq, New York, NY

Click here to read them all!

What Spring Shoe Sizzles for What Style?

Running on with our theme of how the shoes make the man (or woman), it’s essential to know what silhouettes go with what shoes. For example, pencil skits look fantastic with a stiletto and the newest stilettos with the covered platform are fantastic for work.

Fashion Societe loves this look for the office.

These shoes also look great with slim-fitting ankle-length pants.

Ballet flats are still getting tons of traction in the fashion world, but it’s important to remember that flats can make thick calves look thicker, so we recommend wearing them with pants, just like timeless Audrey Hepburn did in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”

And now that warmer weather is upon us, don’t forget about cork wedges, which go great with everything, from skirts to shorts and every length pants in between!

As an extension of The Zoe Report’s Q&A feature Ask Rachel, each week the celebrity stylist will answers a burning fashion questions exclusively for Who What Wear and now… Fashion Societé readers!

If you were only going to buy one style of handbag this fall, what would it be and why?

Anytime I am faced with the dilemma of choosing just one option of any particular item—I often encounter this predicament when traveling—my instinct is to always go with the most classic, versatile choice. So if I was going to carry only one handbag all fall, I can say without hesitation that it would definitely be a tote!

While shoulder bags, lady bags, and oversized clutches are also very on-trend this season, a tote, which has always been my #1 arm candy of choice, is the most essential option to accommodate all of your belongings while you’re on-the-go. (New moms take note: they are a fabulous alternative or addition to a diaper bag to stow all of your baby gear!)

Breaking down a few different styles, my top pick would be one that is solid leather, like 3.1 Phillip Lim’s Pashili Satchel, Diane von Furstenberg’s Drew Metallic Tote Bag or even my personally designed Zoe Leather Tote, which I am currently relying on to hold all of my necessities amidst the NYFW mayhem!

Other tote-ally chic options to love include any that incorporate the coveted color-block trend. DKNY shows us how it’s done with their Color-Block Leather Tote, while Pour La Victoire’s Bordeaux Medium Tote and ASOS Color-Block Shopper are equally gorgeous interpretations of the look. Finally, I could never forget to mention a few exotic choices à la Malene Birger’s Reptile Nylon Tote and Nine West’s Island House Large Shopper. What will you be toting around this fall? xo RZ

Fashion Societe and Stylista Shopping Tours present – Sep 23 2011 | Crain’s New York Business

As seen in Crain’s New York today:

Fashion Societe and Stylista Shopping Tours present – Sep 23 2011 | Crain’s New York Business.

Falling Forward

Well ladies, although we’re excited to spend this last true summer month under the sun—and in lots of SPF-  today, let’s think ahead with refinery29.com‘s favorite picks for the upcoming cool weather. The great thing about these trends is that you can carry over summer essentials and make them fall basics! Keep bright colored trousers and high-slit skirts (as well as mid-calf skirts) in rotation for the chilly season and you’ll look like you stepped off the runway. Get refinery29′s total fall review here .