Haute and the City

Nearly one year ago, while I was working running around like a madman talking to media at the Fashion Fights Cancer gala I helped to organize and execute, I stopped short when I saw a woman dressed in some of the most interesting jewelry I had ever seen. That woman was the lovely accessories designer Karen Ko, president of Intersect Designs, a family a of jewelry brands that emphasizes creativity, design and innovation.

I came to learn more about one of Karen’s brands, k2o by Karen Ko, which was one of her edgier collections. k2o by Karen Ko is a jewelry collection for women who have a bit of a fine taste and want a luxury item, but a bit too independent with their style to be confined to diamonds and pearls.

k2o’s signature piece is the Avant Rock Spike Ankle Cuffs, which are used to dress up + glam out your heels. You can actually enter a giveaway to win a pair of ankle cuffs from FashionIndie.com here.

You can purchase k2o by Karen Ko pieces at the online boutique, Modern Mix.

Be sure to ‘like’ k2o by Karen Ko on Facebook!

Whether or not the chilly NYC weather will have you believe it or not, Spring is upon us! One of the best parts about the changing seasons is resurrecting your Spring wardrobe from the depths of your closet, and, of course,  shopping for Spring.

If you’re looking to add a bit of pop to your 2011 Spring wardrobe, try mixing it up with some gold jewelry. Need some guidance? Check out these spring 2011 jewelry trends from ShopNBC that can help guide you along the way:

Bold & Colorful Stones

Unsurprisingly, color is back for Spring! One of the more fun trends this season are the big, bold and colorful stones that were seen all over the Spring 2011 runways. Brighten your accessories collection with some bright colors. [Plus, you can never go wrong with a flower motif in Spring ]

Clean & Structured

Big and colorful a bit too much for your taste? No biggie! Keep it simple with sleek, structured gold pieces. Simple pieces, like the bracelet above, are chic, elegant and versatile.

Rose Gold

This oft-forgotten color of gold has been popping up everywhere lately. Beautiful and feminine, rose gold will also help set you apart from everyone wearing white & yellow!

What do you think, will you be glamming it up with some gold this Spring?

This post was developed in partnership with ShopNBC.

With the fall 2011 runway presentations safely behind us and the thermometers slowly creeping up to warmer temperatures, it’s time to revitalize your spring wardrobe!

But how do you spruce up your wardrobe without replacing all the clothes you own?

“Make it all about the accessories – get a good bag, shoes, jewelry,” advised Peter Davis, the new editor-in-chief of AVENUE Magazine at last week’s American Express Tweet-Up in the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week American Express Skybox Lounge.

For a one-of-a-kind accessory that’ll add some glitz and glam to your wardrobe (just in time for spring soirees!), try on a luxurious handmade bangle by ZEFFIRA.

All ZEFFIRA jewelry is hand-crafted in both Italy and America from buffalo horn (which ensures each piece is exclusive and one-of-a-kind) and the finest Swarovski crystals, creating a beautiful juxtaposition of refined natural material and elegant glamor.

ZEFFIRA’s designer, Vittoria Faccin, names each bangle design with an Italian name (such as “Clodette,” “Delicato” and “Fiore”), in homage to the jewelry’s Italian heritage.

“ZEFFIRA jewelry is created for a dynamic, self-confident, curious woman who bravely faces challenges. She is interested in experiencing the adventures life brings her, but is still feminine and stylish.” – Vittoria Faccin

In order to ensure exclusivity of your jewelry, only a limited number of each ZEFFIRA design is produced each year. You can purchase ZEFFIRA bangles online at www.ZEFFIRA.com and at select boutiques nationwide, including NYC’s Peter Elliot.

Follow ZEFFIRA on Twitter at @ZEFFIRAJewelry.

Disclosure: This post is an advertorial.

TGIF!!!

• Fashion Fund Winner – “Christopher Kane has won the 2011 BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund.”

• Jewelry: Unzip the Bling – “For high jewelry, made almost entirely by hand, technology is still part of the process, as computers are used to develop images and calculate geometric patterns. But the themes tend to focus on nature, suggested in the voluptuous, rounded shapes of animals and flowers. “

• Kenneth Cole Tries to Plug His Spring Line by Making Light of the Crisis in Egypt – … oops.

• The Cat in the Hat Comes Back – Time to get a hat, boys.

As many of you know, being a badass is a 24-hour-a-day, 7-days-a-week kind of job.

While the torn up jeans and leather suits the other seasons pretty well, the puffy coats and glittens of Winter don’t really give off that “I’m a rock star” kind of vibe.

For those of you looking to goth up your winter wardrobe with some skulls, look no further! Try incorporating some of these pieces into your life pronto (you know you want to — plus Avril would be proud):

Alexander Mcqueen Hooded Skull Sweater

Ok, so it’s not really an “accessory,” per se, but I still love it. Not for my faint-of-heart fashionistos.

Diesel Skull Print Jersey Scarf

Paul Smith Black Crystal Skull Cufflinks

Nothing says “formal” like crystal skulls.

Corgi™ socks

My favorite pair of formal socks have a discreet skull and crossbones towards the top. You’ll find there’s a rebellious satisfaction in wearing some skulls where no one can see!

White Classic McQueen Boxer

Speaking of skulls where no one can see, aren’t these boxers adorable?

See? You can be a badass all year-round.

It’s official: 2010 is over. Snooki didn’t drop in a ball like a hamster (too bad- we were looking forward to that one), but the year did indeed change.

In an homage to 2010 (Haute and the City‘s first year), check out the most popular Haute and the City posts of 2010!

10. Social Media Marketing Example: Chanel

I was glad to see one of my social media/public relations posts made it to the top! I will be finishing the series soon.

9. Giant Knitted Scarves

Hey, I’m glad you guys like them, too.

8. 6 Things I Learned from Anna Wintour in The September Issue

This was the very first post I wrote for Haute and the City, before it even launched. I remember going to Barnes & Noble and buying The September Issue the day it came out to write this post.

7. Wardrobe Watch: Kurt Hummel | ‘Theatricality’

We love Glee.

6. Christian Louboutin Men’s Fall/Winter 2010 Footwear Collection

Obviously.

5. Wardrobe Watch: Kurt Hummel | ‘Laryngitis’

So… more Glee posts?

4. Interview: Gregory Gorgeous

He was so fun. Also, someone lands on this interview after Googling “Where does Gregory Gorgeous live?” almost daily. Creepy.

3. Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week: Spring/Summer 2011

Getting ready for our 2nd fashion week!!

2. Interview: Jason Scarlatti of 2(x)ist

This interview was great. Also, quasi-naked men seem to excite you little demons.

1. Lady Gaga’s Top Five Monster Ball Costumes

I almost didn’t write this post, but just did it for fun. Glad everyone liked it!

So, I’m curious, what was your favorite Haute and the City post of 2010???

One of the finest parts of cold NY winter is the warmth of cashmere.

Whether you’re putting together an outfit for the office or a look for a holiday party, you can incorporate cashmere into nearly any piece you wear!

Burberry cashmere beanie

(available at Saks Fifth Avenue)

Cashmere cableknit scarf

(available at Banana Republic)

BOSS Black Scarf

(available at Hugo Boss)

Prada burnt pebble deerskin cashmere-lined gloves

(available at Bluefly)

BOSS Black V-neck sweater

(available at Hugo Boss)

J. Crew cardigan

(available at J.Crew)

HELMUT LANG casual pants

(available at YOOX)

Ralph Lauren Purple Label Cashmere Hand-Knit Cable-Knit Socks

(available at Ralph Lauren)

Do you have a favorite cashmere piece?

I’m so excited to present the first installation in the 2010 Haute and the City Holiday Gift Guide — The Accessories. These are just a few of my favorite accessories that would be perfect for gifting this holiday season.

Everything is linked for your convenience!

Let me know what you think!

Cold Weather

Oak Black Cotton/Cashmere Fingerless Gloves
$42
These cozy unisex gloves are perfect for the iPhone-toting New Yorker who needs to text and stay warm at the same time. I love that the cuffs are extra long, which will prevent the snow and cold from getting in your sleeve as you hail a cab.

All Saints Halden Beanie
$37.50
In NYC, we tend to only wear black and gray in the winter (well, let’s be honest, most of the year), so this slouchy chunky knitted beanie will fit right in!

United Bamboo Striped Scarf
$87
To add a dash of color to an otherwise bleak winter wardrobe, try this scarf. Don’t you love the color?

Jewelry

Aoi Kotsuhiroi Sleeping Claws Ring
$1,998
We all know my love for the Adam Lambert-esque flair, and this luxurious macabre ring is no exception. This decadent black urushi lacquered two-finger ring features  two crossing urushi lacquer covered horns, antique roman 24K gold beads, urushi lacquered silk threads, human hair and pit-fired porcelain skulls.

Alex & Chloe Heart Necklace
$59
If you want to give a gift that also gives back, check out this Alex & Chloe necklace. Proceeds from this necklace benefit the HRC. If the heart is a little too girly for your taste, check out the Alex & Chloe Proud Necklace.

Bags

Jack Spade Swiss Brief with Flap
$379
Men in NYC need bags. It’s that simple. There’s so much travel involved and infrequently enough time to run by the apartment to grab whatever, throwing deodorant and a book in a bag is much easier. This Jack Spade bag is extremely handsome and could even double as a casual work bag.

Tumi Alpha Collection Compact Large Screen Computer Leather Briefcase
$450
For some reason, my briefcase is the center of my universe. I need it to hold my huge computer, my sunglasses, snacks, business cards, notebooks for brainstorms, an umbrella and my book for subway travel. Luckily, Tumi has provided the perfect solution for guys like me who are always taking their work lives on the move!

Dressing Up

Ralph Lauren Narrow Wool Blackwatch Tie
$115
If you are a man, someone WILL buy you a tie as a gift (probably more often than not) at some point. You should make the best of it and ask for a sexy one like this slim Blackwatch tartan plaid pattern tie from everyone’s favorite preppy store, Ralph Lauren.

Topman Bright Coloured Check Slim Tie
$20
Ralph Lauren too preppy for your taste? Try on this colorful tie to spice up the dreary cube farm this winter!

Murano Steel & Onyx Tie Bar
$45
In case you missed any men’s fashion magazine for the past year: tie bars are back and you need one. I like this classic and affordable option from Dillard’s. Want something more upscale? Check out this gorgeous Ralph Lauren Solid Sterling Tie Bar.

Alexander McQueen Dark Silver Skull Cuff Links
$255
Because people LOVE to give cuff links as gifts, I thought I’d throw in a pair that caught my eye recently. I know I’m partial to Alexander McQueen skull accessories, but, come on, these are perfect for the fun twenty-something professional.

What accessories are you asking for this year?

After attending a panel discussion entitled The Rise of Luxury Brands Online (which featured Maureen Mullen of L2 Think Tank, the great minds behind the L2 Digital IQ Index) presented by Fashion 2.0 earlier this week, I was inspired to continue on my analysis of the social media of The World’s 10 Most Powerful Luxury Brands with Cartier.

Cartier S.A., the French luxury jewelery, leather goods, watch and fragrance manufacturer, dates back to 1847. Cartier is an iconic symbol of elegance, rich history and, of course, extreme luxury with individual items selling for tens of thousands of dollars (such as the Cartier Large Americaine Tank LM Alligator Watch, pictured right).

However, this elegance hasn’t transferred completely smoothly online. For instance, the L2 Digital IQ Index: Luxury ranks Cartier at #44, stating “one of the biggest missed opportunities in digital.”

Yikes.

Let’s dive in!

Twitter

The Cartier Twitter page is a huge missed opportunity. Having not tweeted since March 2010, @Cartier has just more than 1,000 followers (a dismal number, considering the brand’s overall power).

At least the page is fairly well-branded?

Facebook

As the L2 Digital IQ Index notes, “Facebook page is more than 30,000 strong but no fan engagement.” Currently, the Cartier Facebook fan page boasts more than 50,000 fans, but still maintains very little engagement. The fan page appears to be updated approximately once a month (more so recently due to the Cartier Winter Tale promotion), which is definitely not enough.

Cartier appears to only update the Facebook with its promotional images and messages. Because the brand has very deep roots in tradition and elegance, it would not be appropriate for the Cartier community manager to maintain a Starbucks-like presence online.

However, Cartier is missing some big opportunities.

Like many French luxury brands, Cartier has done excellent work creating beautiful flash websites that create a luxury experience online. To translate this experience to Facebook, a far more interactive platform, Cartier needs to take small bits of content from their websites to “tease” their Facebook audience.

By using small bits of content, such as videos, images or even a unique Facebook tab on the page that changes with every promotion, Facebook fans will feel like they’re getting an exclusive preview into the brand.

Also, instead of just throwing up all the images and videos at one time, slowly rolling the content out over time will help keep fans engaged.

Futher, as I’ve said time and time again: integration, integration, integration! Why doesn’t the Facebook page even link to Cartier’s YouTube channel or Twitter page, or more prominently feature the current campaign?

YouTube

I actually really like Cartier’s YouTube channel. It’s extremely well-branded and interesting to peruse, while maintaining the overall Cartier online aesthetic.

Cartier clearly spends a lot of money creating their video campaigns, so their YouTube channel is an important asset to showcase this element of the brand. However, videos only date back six months, when I know for a fact Cartier has maintained a YouTube presence for MUCH longer (Cartier joined YouTube in 2006, according to the channel).

Where’d the other videos go??

Overall, Cartier should feel too bad about it’s social media presence.

Yeah, it isn’t good… BUT, as the L2 Digital IQ Index notes, the watch and jewelry sector pretty much blows at social media.

Hear that, Cartier?

There’s an opportunity to beat the competition!

What do you think of Cartier’s social media work? Was I too harsh? Also, how cute is the Winter Tale campaign?

cartier

I first discovered designer Nick Alan and his collection, Nick Alan International,  back when I launched Haute and the City in March and was looking for some cool underground NYC designers, and I’ve been keeping an eye on him ever since. After completing his first collection in 2008, his clothes and accessories have been seen on the backs and necks of celebrities such as Tinsley Mortimer, Eric West, Moya Brennan and Crystal Rose Truehart.

While his shop is currently full of eye-catching accessories and t-shirts, I recently caught up with the designer/musician to discuss the big things he has in store for 2011.

Although there’s something glamorous about being a “underground” designer in NYC, it frequently doesn’t pay the bills as well as it should! So, in order to get his fantastic SS11 collection ready, Nick has started a Kickstarter.com initiative to help with funding. If you donate to Nick’s project, you’ll not only help a supremely talented designer get is line off the ground, but you’ll also get awesome perks like free stuff!

Check out his video and consider donating at the Nick Alan International – 2011 Collection Launch.

When did you start designing?
I started sewing at a young age. My parents owned an upholstery shop, so at the age of 7 I started learning how to sew. Later I helped out by sewing “piping” for furniture. It was an old cast iron “Singer” sewing machine with a leather belt and foot peddle. I started pretty raw. But it made me the skilled craftsman I am today!

What was your first piece?
I used to make all of my own clothes that I would wear to school. I had a pretty crazy wardrobe and I used my school like a runway. (I wasn’t getting anything else out of it, so I made the best of it!)

What inspires you to create?
My dreams and visions drive me. I see things in my head that I can only express by physically creating them and wearing them. Once I create something and put it out in the universe, it’s overwhelming, the reaction and positive feedback that I get. That drives me even more. It makes me realize that this is what I was meant to do.

Where do you see Nick Alan International in the future?
Everywhere! My main goal with my company is to branch out eventually, opening stores all over the world that I can run as I see fit. I want to build a company where the employees actually feel appreciated and respected. I know it seems like a side step away from actual fashion design, but customer service and the proper treatment of people is very high on my list. Working retail for so many years made me really see how ridiculous company policies can be. I won’t mention names… but I have worked for my fare share of huge companies, where all the decisions are made by someone who has never once stepped foot in a retail workers’ shoes. It’s a very sensitive topic for me. I just don’t feel that it is right to put so much pressure on an employee who is severely underpaid, and forced to walk around on hard concrete floors for eight hours a day in three-inch heels. It’s inhumane. I’m going to change that.

How did it feel when celebrities started wearing your clothing?
My first little burst of “is this really happening” was when I saw Crystal Rose Truhart on the Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency in my clothing on national TV. It was a pretty amazing feeling. I remember calling my team and freaking out over the phone. It was a great feeling of accomplishment, as well as some great exposure on five consecutive episodes of the show!

On any given day, what would we see you wearing?
Skinny jeans, white loose t-shirt, black boots and my leather “Claw” coat. I like to keep it fairly simple… I don’t wear labels. (Not that everyone else shouldn’t… I depend on those people!) Dressing is such an anxiety attack for me. I know, odd considering I could make and wear anything in the world I wanted to, but it can be stressful to have all that pressure on you! So I keep it basic and I always feel ready for any situation. I guess I’m just overly sensitive to what I wear.

Are you from NYC?
Nope. I have lived in NY state and parts of PA my whole life but it wasn’t until I last year in June that I moved to NYC. I had great success with my previous collections and I decided it was time to take on NYC! A decision I will never regret!

What are your favorite NYC hot spots?
Honestly, I love to be home. Working my butt off. I don’t feel good unless I’m being productive! Work, work, work! But, on occasion I do get out. I go to see my good friend (personal friend plug!) Artem, “DJ Mess Kid” spin at Greenhouse on Monday nights. It makes me feel alive and one with the city. Seeing these great people so affected by light and sound, and all of us just letting go of the daily anxieties. No one judges, no one cares, everyone feels connected. It’s a great feeling, and a good way to remember why I’m happy to be alive, in NYC, living out my dreams while I’m awake.