Lifestyle // Men's

EJ Viso’s Guide to Packing Light and Fast

Posted 08.24.12 by Jean Scheidnes

Earlier this year we road tested Spring men’s wear in Miami with IndyCar driver EJ Viso, but he’s a very busy man these days, with the IndyCar racing circuit nearing its season’s end. This weekend he competes in the Go Pro Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma. Next it’s on to Baltimore, then back to California. And not only does EJ race, but he manages other drivers. Busy! So when our friends at Tumi started shooting their Case Studies, a look at the packing habits of stylish globetrotters, we put our favorite speedracer forward. We can all learn something about packing from a man who has this little time to fuss around.

indycar

Earlier this summer, we cheered EJ at the Texas Motor Speedway.

Categories: Men's » Accessories, Lifestyle » Culture, Leisure & Travel, Lifestyle, Men's, Men's » Sportswear | Tagged , ,

Lifestyle // Women's

On Set: A Dune For Brunello Cucinelli

Posted 08.23.12 by Jean Scheidnes
Brunello Cucinelli

Sure looks like sand...

By now you must know the story—how Brunello Cucinelli started with Italian cashmere sweaters and has developed into a head-to-toe, casual-luxe lifestyle brand, produced by cherished artisans in a medieval town in Italy. (If you’re unacquinted, you’ll enjoy the video here.)  There’s an unmistakable Cucinelli look nowadays, comprised of delicious layers of ultra-soft, wonderfully textured, neutral-colored separates that bridge urban sophistication and country coziness. The September Book from NM contains an insert dedicated to the women’s Fall collection, photographed by Alistair Taylor-Young. It shows two women, swaddled in Cucinelli, contemplating the change of seasons on a windswept sand dune. Except that’s not a sandy beach, it’s a studio filled with semolina—the wheat particles used in pasta.

Brunello Cucinelli

Not sand.

Somehow semolina seems appropriate, since Cucinelli’s company is renowned for its outstanding employee cafeteria, and the epic industry dinners that it hosts in Italy every season.

Brunello Cucinelli

The plumed necklace is exclusive to NM.

You may also notice the plumed necklace worn throughout the shoot—it’s exclusive to NM.

Up Close: Brunello Cucinelli runs through August 26 online and in NM stores.

Categories: Women's » Accessories, Lifestyle » Art, Women's » Designer | Tagged , ,

Women's

New at NM: Lanvin Anniversary Collection

Posted 08.22.12 by Michelle Padgett

To celebrate his 10 year anniversary at the helm of Lanvin, Alber Elbaz has designed a limited-edition capsule collection, “Happy” Les 10 Ans. These accessories feature his favorite design elements and hallmarks of the house. Grosgain – a trim appearing in every Lanvin collection – appears woven through a chain of a bag, as a bow atop a flat, and as a necklace reminiscent of Elbaz’s famous bow tie. A cult-favorite panther clasp from the 2010 collection makes a showing on a leopard print bag and necklace. French bijoux, feminine bows, sparkling sequins and the scribbled Lanvin logo all recall the past ten years’ greatest hits.

Lanvin "10th Anniversary Happy Shoulder" bag, $4,450.

A shoulder bag from Lanvin's 10th Anniversary "Happy" collection, $4,450.

And as for what’s next, well…what will be, will be; the future is ours to see.

Alber Elbaz sings "Que Sera, Sera" after Lanvin's Fall 2012 runway show in Paris.

Alber Elbaz sings "Que Sera, Sera" after Lanvin's Fall 2012 runway show in Paris.

Categories: Women's » Handbags, Women's | Tagged , ,

Women's

On Set: Tom Ford Optical

Posted 08.21.12 by Sarah Bray
Tom Ford opticals.

Tom Ford opticals.

For a glossy September mailer, NM creative director Tim Flannery framed Tom Ford’s sophisticated spectacles in a scope of style scenarios. As you can see, Tom Ford’s optical collection clearly complements everything from sporty puffer jackets by Burberry Brit and borrowed-from-the-boys monochrome suits by Elie Tahari to glitzy cocktail dresses by David Meister and breath-taking ball gowns by ML Monique Lhuillier. Flannery gave us some insight into why the pairings work.

Tahari

Elie Tahari

“The chunkier, borrowed-from-the-boys frames play off the feminine details – ruching, lace, fur. And something about the tone-on-tone-on-tone berry shades made the choice of tortoise easy.“ – Tim Flannery

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Lifestyle // Women's

Bam! Pow! Phillip Lim!

Posted 08.20.12 by Jean Scheidnes

3.1 Phillip Lim

The Fall collection from 3.1 Phillip Lim was inspired by the spirit of comic books, or graphic novels, such as Sin City and V For Vendetta and the neo-noir heroines who inhabit them. The comic book is the natural medium to tell this story, so Phillip Lim co-wrote Kill The Night, an original comic book, with John Ostrander. Jan Duursema of Star Wars comic book fame was commissioned to draw it. “A story of duality and metamorphosis, day and night, black and white, love and betrayal,” it’s the world’s most fashionable comic book—says so right on the cover. Visit 31philliplim.com to reserve a copy.

3.1 Phillip Lim

3.1 Phillip Lim accessories at NM San Francisco

Categories: Women's » Accessories, Lifestyle » Books & Media, Women's » Contemporary Fashion | Tagged , ,

Lifestyle // Women's

How It’s Made: L’École Van Cleef & Arpels

Posted by Ellen Groves
van cleef arpels

Working with uncut emeralds at L'Ecole Van Cleef & Arpels

Laughter and wax fly out from the worktop where Carole, an expert jeweler, is coaching a student attempting to carve a wax mold. Across the room, master setter Frederic guides another pupil as she manipulates a graver into metal. Meanwhile, jewelry teacher Victoire keeps a watchful eye as I tackle a gouache painting.

It’s just another school day at L’École Van Cleef & Arpels.

van cleef arpels

L'Ecole in session

Opened in February in the Hôtel d’Évreux, a palatial, eighteenth-century townhouse on the Place Vendôme, L’École Van Cleef & Arpels is the first school of its kind—open to everyone, professionals and amateurs alike, with a passion for jewelry. Seven modules (plans call for 25 within five years) of four hours each span the intellectual to the practical, from jewels in mythology to distinguishing flawed from flawless diamonds.

It’s a rare window into a historically secretive industry and its preciously guarded techniques.  Some things, including the surnames of our teachers, remain a secret.

Van Cleef & Arpels brooch, available through Neiman Marcus stores.

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Categories: Lifestyle » Culture, Leisure & Travel, Women's » Jewelry, Women's | Tagged ,

Men's

In Detail: Colored Laces

Posted by Sarah Bray
Hook + Albert colored laces.

hook+ALBERT colored laces.

This season we are tied up in a new men’s trend – colored laces. The pop-of-color that stepped onto men’s soles in the Spring now loops to laces. For Fall, classic black and brown brogues get a kick of color with shoe strings in a spectrum of cool hues.

Hook + Albert laces.

hook+ALBERT waxed cotton shoelaces.

After discovering the micro-trend on blogs, the NM Men’s buying team collaborated with burgeoning men’s accessory label hook+ALBERT to design waxed cotton shoelace sets that are exclusively at NM stores. Even better — the fun packs contain a guide on how to string your dress shoes in a variety of creative ways.

NM men's assistant shoe buyer Chris Buffington shows two variations of lacing.

Assistant shoe buyer Chris Buffington shows two variations of lacing.

The laces come four to a pack for $25, in your choice of 2 sets.

Colored laces in the Men's shoe sample closet.

A look at the laces in the Men's shoe sample closet.

Categories: Men's » Accessories, Men's, Men's » Shoes | Tagged ,

Lifestyle // Women's

Conversation With: David Yurman

Posted 08.15.12 by Sarah Bray
David Yurman rides his horse Chicken Enchilada at a charity event for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

David Yurman rides his horse Chicken Enchilada at an event for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

David Yurman‘s passions span from craftsmanship to horsemanship. We joined up with the jewelry designer to talk about his horses Chicken Enchilada, Mr. Scooter and Commander, and his latest collection, exclusive to NM.

NM: Most people associate your name with jewelry, but you are also an avid horseman.

DY: Yes, around here, we refer to it as my alter-ego… I started riding when I was 9 years old. My father taught me; it was about spending time together. We’d ride every Sunday – out the door by 7:30 am, on the horses by 8:30 am. It was a special time and place.

NM: What is it about riding that you fell in love with?

DY: It’s about partnership. When I go through the gate on a horse, I enter their world, away from the constraints we live with – it always clears my head.

Cuffs from Yurman's Labyrinth collection.

Yurman's new Labyrinth collection sports his signature cable.

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