I Heart New York & Valentino!

Just back from a whirlwind tour of New York this weekend looking for fabulous new pieces for Fall 09 and I have to say there will be a whole lot of 70s inspired clothing coming down the pipes so get ready!

Went to see the Sam Mendes' (yes, he's Mr. Kate Winslet) directed production of A Winter's Tale at BAM, which was magnificent. Ethan Hawke played a very bad boy, sexy Troubadour/Rogue with a Tom Waites voice (has he been smoking 2 packs a day?) and the amazing Sinead Cusak (Mrs. Jeremy Irons) stole the show.

Met with fabulous Anna Scholz and Melissa Masse who had the most incredible pieces to show me. I haven't even received our spring shipments yet and I'm already looking forward to fall! They are both true artists and make the most flattering & sexy clothes. Yay for curves!

Managed to get in a little window shopping at Sak's Fifth Avenue. Had to go visit with the Valentino purses I covet, it was my version of going to the museum. The very dapper looking salesman came over to inform me that my favourite raspberry coloured Dome bag was actually "Frambois". And he was completely serious. Felt like saying "Actually, it is pronounced framboise".

Had to go all the way to the 9th floor to take a look at their Salon Z (14 +) department which shares the floor with the bikini section!!?! They didn't have a very inspired collection up there, hardly worth the climb. Heard a rumour they were closing it down.

The ecomony is taking its toll on the 14+ industry too. One of our designers - Abby Z has closed its doors and several of the designers who normally offer 14+ sizes are scaling back on those collections. Just when I thought we were getting somewhere! Sigh.