“I Mean…What?!?” – Abe Gurko

Who watched Fashion Star? OK, don’t admit it. I am kinda embarrassed to say that I tuned in. The format of Fashion Star is a bad combination of Let’s Make A Deal meets Antiques Roadshow meets To Tell The Truth. They should  re-name the show Have I Got A Schmatta For You. First of all, the little vignettes about each “designer’s” life is so uninteresting, it makes the American Idol visits to the finalists high school seem riveting, comparatively speaking. Attention: Television Producers… no one cares about these obscure hopefuls. I did not care about them on that show Scouted… Read More »

You all know what I think about celebrity turned fashion designers by now. If not, you have been living under a rock. To refresh, my basic belief is that actors/actresses and reality stars should not think just because they like fashion, that they should throw themselves into the already  saturated market and leave the industry alone. It is the rare celebrity that successfully makes the transition, such as the Olsen Twins with their dynasty. Granted Sofia Vergara might be making a boat load of cash with her Attention: K-Mart Shoppers leopard numbers, but making money is not the only gauge… Read More »

Just when we thought it was safe to get out of the water, that the celebrity-turned-fashion-designer trend was coming to an end—hello Sarah Jessica Parker—comes news that fashionista-slash-DJ Leigh Lezark, part of the trinella of sourpusses, the Mishapes, is doing a mini-collection for H & M at Selfridges in London. So, what, now all you need to do to become a fashion designer is know how to borrow clothes? The requirements have gotten so much easier. Surely pretty, and clearly not stupid, Lezark has made a career out of not smiling while standing behind a turntable flanked by two grumpy… Read More »

Pop sensation, Robyn will be at H & M (of all places) performing an acoustic set on Sunday, June 19 at noon. If you have not seen her perform, she is really great and though it might be a zoo, it will be worth it. If you want to win a Robyn CD, Sally Field us on IMW Facebook and write on the wall “I Lerve Robyn”. A handful of winners will be selected at random after the performance and announced on FB and Twitter. get your social media on. Good luck, start lerving. Special thanks  Universal Music.… Read More »

Get ready to rock. And I mean rock AND roll over to Macy’s when they launch Andrew Charles, the rocker inspired men’s fashion collection. You gotta love Macy’s. They are snapping up every bit of celebrity and now sub-culture to keep their name relevant in retail news. I was pulled into a meeting with them over three years ago when they were just beginning to scratch their heads for what to do with themselves. Though I was close to a deal, the September 2008 economy hit and it was put on the back burner. So far back, it disintegrated. But… Read More »

Frankly, I am not a fan of these capsule collections at Target, Kohl’s, K-Mart and BlaBla’s. Who cares if some blubbery couch potato gets access to a Missoni sweater? Do we need to see more overweight people trying to look fierce? Oh, come now. Have you been to a Target lately? Just because their advertising and marketing is slick, that does not automatically translate to the clientele that moseys around the store. On the contrary. Yes, Target does do great events, like that amazing fashion show held at The Standard New York. And they get fabulous press, to the point where… Read More »

The secret is out: Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen did the wedding dress for Kate Middleton…aka Princess Catherine aka Duchess of Cambridge. But the dress is remarkably simple considering it was from the designer who is single-handedly saving the McQueen legacy. She does look stunning. While Facbooking with Alexander Jenkins (Miss J) this morning, he noted (no, not noted as in noted fashion photographer) but noted that the dress is very Princess Grace and added, “Well done Sarah and the House of McQueen. Absolutely simple and gorgeous.” NOTE TO BRIDEZILLAS: See how demure and understated Kate is? Well, take note.… Read More »

You gotta love the Gap. Well, maybe not enough to buy anything for yourself, unless you are in a pinch, or in a mall while visiting your family. But for the way the Gap treats themselves like a serious fashion collection. The Gap showed their Spring ’11 looks in a bunker somewhere in London…très hip…and sure enough, WWD, Vogue and style.com were there to review it, like it was something other than the Gap. Granted, they have a great designer, Patrick Robinson. And surely, if he and a slew of assistants are putting together forty some odd looks, they will… Read More »

If I read one more article about the Big  Stupid Three, (stupid = U.S. automakers),  I am going to barf. This is not the first time these companies have been squeezed to the point of doom. Hello, the 80’s. I’ve been asking everyone if they remember the K Car, developed during the oil crisis, which crippled the industry. No one seems to have any recollection. Having been accused on many occasions of dreaming things up, I found in Wikipedia (my newest obsession) that the K Car series, which rolled out in 1981, was attributed to saving Chrysler from bankruptcy. Over… Read More »