This animation accompanying NM’s 2012 Christmas Book makes us a little giddy for the upcoming season.
Illustrator Elvis Swift collaborated with art director Janet Longstreth, who directed model Karlie Kloss based on their vision, then Janimation, a Dallas-based company, brought it all together. Look for more Elvis Swift illustrations from NM throughout the season.
Heritage Hen Mini Farm
The arrival of the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book each Fall is widely considered to mark the official start of the holiday shopping season; and the 86th annual edition was unveiled today in Dallas. Without further ado, here are this year’s most spectacular and unique holiday gifts. Including one with a Target twist!
Heritage Hen Mini Farm, $100,000
Inspired by Versailles’ Le Petit Trianon, this is the poshest hen house ever. The buyer will receive an initial farm consultation and grounds survey and two additional onsite visits from Heritage Hen Farm expert, Svetlana Simon, who will select three to ten heritage-breed hens carefully selected to suit your region. Installation includes two custom raised vegetable or herb garden beds. For every Heritage Hen Mini Farm purchase, NM will donate $3,000 to The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that protects genetic diversity through the conservation and promotion of endangered breeds.
Annie: The Musical
Annie: The Musical Walk-On Role, $30,000
The recipient of this gift will take the Broadway stage in a walk-on role in the revival of Annie: The Musical. After your curtain call, you’ll sit down with one of the show’s producers for a five-star meal. Includes six show tickets. Only one package available; participant must be 18 or older. The proceeds of this gift will be split equally between Pedigree Foundation, whose mission is to help dogs in need find loving homes by providing grants to shelters and dog rescues, and Pajama Program, which provides new pajamas and books to children in need.
McLaren 12C Spider
2013 Neiman Marcus Edition McLaren 12C Spider, $354,000
Your Neiman Marcus Edition 2013 McLaren 12C Spider—one of just 12 made—is heralded as the most technologically advanced supercar ever. Carbon-fiber MonoCell one-piece molded chassis, Formula 1 brake steer, 616 horse-powered V8 twin turbo engine, zero to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds, maximum speed of 204 mph (196 mph in convertible mode). Includes a McLaren luggage set and a business-class trip to England for a VIP dinner with McLaren Chairman Ron Dennis and a tour of the McLaren Technology Center. For each sale, NM will donate $3,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters. Reserve by calling 1-888-756-0775, precisely at noon EDT on October 24, 2012.
Pinel & Pinel Arcade PS Trunk
Pinel & Pinel Arcade PS Trunk, $90,000
The ultimate gaming toy, the custom-made Pinel & Pinel Arcade PS Trunk is all you need for an evening of high-adrenaline entertainment. Handmade in Paris and encased in calfskin, this trunk furnishes you with Formula 1 racing seats with Thrustmaster T500 RS Force Wheel, a selection of 24 PlayStation3 games, Bluetooth wireless music system, SingStar microphones, PlayStation Move controllers, PlayStation Eye Camera, fighting sticks, DUALSHOCK 3 wireless controllers and more. Not a gamer? It’s ideal for karaoke too. For every purchase, NM will donate $3,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters, the nation’s leader in providing mentoring to children.
Bulleit Woody Tailgate Trailer
Bulleit Woody Tailgate Trailer, $150,000
Tailgating will never be the same after you roll up with the Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Woody-Tailgate Trailer. Created by interior designer Brad Ford with sleek leather furnishings and details from Moore & Giles, rich wood finishings (handcrafted from reclaimed Bulleit Bourbon casks), elegant glassware and barware, and a Sony entertainment system including a flat-screen TV, Blu-ray disc player, and state-of-the-art sound system, plus a one-year supply of Bulleit Bourbon and Bulleit Rye. Ten percent of the proceeds from the purchase will benefit amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research.
JetLev R200
Part sci-fi, part British secret service agent, your water-propelled jetpack is about to send you soaring at speeds up to 32 mph. It runs for up to 4 hours and 80 miles on a single tank of high-octane gasoline. The package includes all the gear, plus a CFI 1 Pilot Certification Training & Safety course. For every JetLev R200 sold, NM will donate $2,500 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County, an organization that helps young people reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
Robert Wilson's Snowy Owl
Snowy Owl by Artist Robert Wilson, $70,000
In his Video Portraits series, artist Robert Wilson features animals and people who appear static, as if in a painting, but the viewer is caught off guard when the subject unexpectedly breathes, blinks, or shifts. This modern riff on the eighteenth-century tableaux vivant beautifully pushes the boundaries between reality and imagination. The buyer of this limited edition, hand numbered and signed artist’s proof will choose the color combinations for the polka dots. The purchase of a “Snowy Owl” benefits the Watermill Center, an interdisciplinary laboratory for performance art and a unique environment for young and emerging artists.
Left to right: Thomas Keller, Jerome Bocuse, Daniel Boulud and Richard Rosendale
Chef’s Dinner For Ten, $250,000
Nine of your closest friends will gather at your home, where four world-class chefs—Daniel Boulud, Thomas Keller, Jerome Bocuse, and Richard Rosendale—will prepare a feast. (Don’t worry, a professional event planner will arrange and oversee everything.) Bertha Gonzalez, the world’s first female maestra tequilera, will kick off the evening with a Casa Dragones tequila tasting and provide the party favors: personalized, engraved crystal bottles of Casa Dragones. Fine wines will accompany all courses after the cocktail hour. This epic culinary event is limited to just one NM customer. All proceeds will benefit the Bocuse d’Or USA Foundation, an organization dedicated to inspiring culinary excellence in young professionals.
Van Cleef & Arpels "Poetic Wish" Watch Set
Van Cleef & Arpels ”Poetic Wish” Watches and Trip, starting at $1,090,000.*
The “His & Hers” fantasy gift tradition continues this year with the Van Cleef & Arpels “Poetic Wish” watches and trip. The watches animate a Parisian romance between a tiny man and woman. Their cases are 18-karat white gold and set with diamonds. The new owners of the watches will also receive a trip to Paris and Geneva to tour the Van Cleef & Arpels boutique, atelier, and watchmaking workshops. Neiman Marcus will donate $10,000 for each His & Hers 2012 gift sold to The Norman Mailer Center, which supports writers.
Target Mystery Package
As you surely know by now, Neiman Marcus and Target are collaborating on a holiday collection featuring items by 24 designers from the Council of Fashion Designers of America. You can avoid the crowds and the jockeying on December 1 by ordering the Mystery Package now. It includes the entire collection, which has items for men, women, children, pets and the home. The package will arrive after December 1, with free shipping. Call 1-877-9NM-GIFT to order. Only 5 packages are available and the offer expires midnight CST on October 15, 2012. NM and Target made a $1 million donation to the CFDA, supporting the development of American fashion designers.
The third annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic returned to Will Rogers Polo Club in Pacific Palisades on Saturday. The event—co-hosted by renowned Argentinian polo player and face of Ralph Lauren‘s Polo fragrances Nacho Figueras, alongside designer/stylist Rachel Zoe and president of Veuve Clicquot U.S., Vanessa Kay—drew a crowd including celebrities and polo enthusiasts from around the world. The event was inspired by the famous 1922 match in Delhi, India where Patiala faced Jodhpur. Guests were welcomed to the match with coupes of vintage rosé, which continued to flow throughout the day. Later that afternoon, actress Ali Larter kicked the match off by throwing out the first toss. It ended with Nacho Figuera’s team Black Watch defeating team Nespresso with a score of 10 to 9.
Inez and Vinoodh, Freja and Raquel with Tourists by Duane Hanson - W Magazine, 2009. Courtesy the artists and Gagosian Gallery, New York.
Danish fashion photographers Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin opened their first institutional exhibition, in the United States, at the Dallas Contemporary. The duo’s meticulous and bold imagery has been inspiring the field of fashion photography for over two decades. In celebrating more than 25 years in the industry, the couple created an exhibition comprised of more than 300 works called, Pretty Much Everything.
Inez and Vinoodh, Lara as Chicholina - Vogue Italia, 2007. Courtesy the artists and Gagosian Gallery, New York.
“I have been following the work of Inez and Vinoodh since the late 1990s. At first glance, their images appear to be well-packaged cultural reflections. But their rhetoric has an underhanded virtuosity, capable of producing unexpected effects with a bit of black humor tossed in discreetly in the final ensemble,” says Dallas Contemporary director Peter Doroshenko.
Inez & Vinoodh are regular contributors to Vogue Paris, Purple Magazine, W Magazine and V Magazine among many others and have created iconic advertising campaigns for leading fashion and fragrance brands including: Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, Gucci, Chloe, Givenchy, Balenciaga, Chanel and Roberto Cavalli.
Inez & Vinoodh: Pretty Much Everything runs through December 23, 2012.
Fall’s go-to topper, The Jacket, has covered the runways this month. For Spring, designers are delivering moto, baseball and bomber jackets in traditional leather cuts, and also sporty and grungy variations. The rugged styles balance out the season’s floaty sheer fabrics and in many cases are used as a component of the season’s completely leather looks.
NM shoe buyers pick color combinations for Resort at Hadleigh's atelier.
As you know, this Fall we are all about a certain chic flat – the smoking slipper. And the newcomer that has stolen the spotlight this season is Hadleigh’s Bespoke. You might have noticed the preppy slippers (you’ll never see a black pair from Hadleigh’s) in the NM shoe department. The Italian-made loafers were conceptualized by Ed and Gable Shaikh, the husband-and-wife team behind a burgeoning boutique atelier in Dallas.
Ed and Gable outside their storefront.
We followed the NM shoe buyers to Hadleigh’s sunlight soaked space tucked in Dallas’ historic Highland Park Village. The purpose of the trip was to select custom color combinations for Resort 2013, so a rainbow of shoes were lined up on the table, most with Hadleigh’s embroidered English men emblem and others with tassels and bows.
Italian fabric swatches for Hadleigh's Resort designs.
“For Resort we picked up this new linen, it’s medium weight,” Gable said. “I actually prefer this medium linen. It’s durable.”
Gable’s knowledge of retail comes from years working, like her husband, at Ralph Lauren.
The doorstep to Hadleigh's.
In 2009 the couple decided it was time to pursue something they had been dreaming about for a long time – opening a custom atelier for men and women. ”It was something we had in ourselves; we were excited about product,” Ed said. The business came into fruition after the birth of their first child, the brand’s namesake.
Resort samples.
“From the stitch of the fabric’s thread, to the button hole, to the pattern matching, to the story board it is all very intricately detailed by myself and Gable.” Ed said.
Custom tailoring is the basis of the brand that began with men’s made-to-measure suits and women’s blouses.
“The niche that we created for our slipper revolved around the textiles being used,” Ed said. “Everyone else does a velvet smoking slipper, but we use amazing fabric that is backed with leather and is double shanked at the arch. The heel has a rubber backing so it has a great support and is really durable. It is not just a slipper for the house.”
“We don’t compromise anything,” Gable adds. “It’s our daughter’s name we have to uphold.”
NM-exclusive smoking slipper for men.
A wall of smoking slippers at Hadleigh's.
Resort styles will arrive from Italy at Neiman Marcus stores in November.
NM shoe buyers flag pairs of interest with Post-it notes.
Skaist Taylor Spring 2013.
Entering Skaist Taylor’s Spring 2013 presentation, atop The McKittrick Hotel in New York’s Chelsea neighborhood, felt like stepping into an early 1970′s musical jam session (the kind you read about in Patti Smith’s book, Just Kids.) The loft-like industrial elevator opened and James Taylor’s “Fire and Rain” vibrated the dark hallway, while the scent of incense led the way into an intimate outdoor space. Celebrities, editors and buyers were nestled around rustic tables and benches, models emerged from a variety of vantage points with teased tresses, cotton crochet dresses and tea-stained eyelet skirts. Like the souls that found themselves at The Troubadour in its early ’70s heyday, co-founders Pamela Skaist-Levy and Gela Nash-Taylor riff off the vibes of friends, icons and each other to create an eclectic, autobiographical mix. Bold bursts of poppy and lemon dance through the collection in a dip-dyed silk motif, while laser-cut metallic leather pieces are grounded by lightweight knits. The Skaist Taylor train is movin’ and groovin’ this Spring. Here’s the soundtrack…
Skaist Taylor Spring 2013.
Designers Pamela Skaist-Levy and Gela Nash-Taylor.
Skaist-Levy and Nash Taylor share the songs that inspired their Spring 2013 Collection.
Music by John Taylor, featuring:
1. The Way I Feel by Gordon Lightfoot
2. You’re No Good by Linda Ronstadt
3. Get On Top by Tim Buckley
4. Witchy Woman by The Eagles
5. Fire And Rain by James Taylor featuring Allison Iraheta
6. Suite Judy Blue Eyes by Steven Stills
7. Love Me Like A Man by Bonnie Raitt
8. So You Want To Be Be A Rock And Roll Star by Patti Smith
9. You’ve Got A Friend by James Taylor featuring Allison Iraheta
Shop Skaist Taylor online at NeimanMarcus.com or Neiman Marcus stores.
Fashion month continues…
London: Sunday, September 16
Tom Ford, Spring 2013.
5:00 PM: I’ve just made a very quick stop in London for Tom Ford and must say I’m still dreaming about the monumental gladiators he sent down the runway! Wow! We’ve got something to look forward to.
Milan: Monday, September 17
24 hours later, I’ve landed in Milan to find the most precious ring lizard bags at Prada which of course Miuccia has decorated with flowers and stones to perfection!
Spring 2013 handbags at the Prada showroom.
Milan: Tuesday, September 18
Runway shoes at Gucci in vibrant electric colors.
Spring 2013 shoes in the Gucci showroom.
Milan: Wednesday, September 19
At the Dolce & Gabbana showroom, I am suddenly transported to Southern Italy in the Sixties. Lovely ceramic prints and iconic party scenes of the era!
The inspiration wall inside the Dolce & Gabbana showroom.
Milan: Thursday, September 20
7:00 AM: At Linate Airport in Milan en route to Paris. Feeling very anxious due to my delayed flight when this non-piggy bank made my day!
An airport shop find 
Paris: Sunday, September 30
12:40 PM: Off to the Celine show!
Celine Spring 2013 show invite.
1:15 PM: Loving the chic folio clutches at Celine!
Celine, Spring 2013. Photo by Dan Lecca.
1:30 PM: Fall is all over the Spring collections this season. Check out this yellow mink Celine pump on the runway. If too covered for spring, Phoebe also showed a fur covered Birkenstock. Now that’s a decadent pedicure shoe!
Celine, Spring 2013.
3:00 PM: Then to the Charlotte Olympia showroom…
La Vie en Rose at Charlotte Olympia
Paris: Monday, October 1
10:00 AM: Eagerly waiting for the Stella McCartney show begin at the Place de l’Opera.
The ceiling of the Place de l'Opera.
Stella McCartney, Spring 2013.
4:15 PM: White continues to appear on the runway from NY, London, Milan and Paris. Here’s Chloé‘s interpretation of crisp white!
Chloé, Spring 2013.
Paris: Tuesday, October 2
9:45 AM: Kanye West chatting up editors outside the Grand Palais.
Kanye West at Chanel.
10:00 AM: Solar and wind energy setting at Chanel show. Waiting at the edge of my seat for the show to begin.
Wind turbines inside the Grand Palais for Chanel.
10:40 AM: Pear-shaped embellished lady looks open Chanel.
Chanel, Spring 2013.
Chanel, Spring 2013.
10:50 AM: High energy sportswear!
The hula hoop beach bag at Chanel.
11:00 AM: King Karl!
Karl Lagerfeld.
1. Belstaff Hayle Shearling-Collar Officer’s Coat
“Living in New York, I definitely need a warm and stylish coat. I love the mix of masculine English tailoring and the touch of femininity that the shearling collar adds to this Belstaff coat.”
2. Tom Ford Cherry Lush Lip Color
“Seen on almost every Fall runway, the cherry lip brightens up any look.”
3. Eddie Borgo Gold Cone Bracelet
“Eddie Borgo is one of my favorite jewelry designers. I love mixing and matching the gold and silver cone bracelets for Fall.”
4. Alice + Olivia Bettie Rhinestone Knit Top
“I love this navy top with a tough black leather skirt.”
5. Giuseppe Zanotti Tasseled Velvet Loafer
“The perfect smoking slipper for Fall. The rhinestone tassels on these Zanotti’s give the slipper a little extra something special.”
6. Diane von Furstenberg Kivel Houndstooth Shift Dress
“This DVF dress is a ‘Borrowed From The Boys’ statement that I adore.”
7. Balenciaga Baby Daim Classic City Bag
“I adore the hand-stitched detail and brass hardware, not to mention the lovely blue color.”
8. Helmut Lang Patina Leather Leggings
“I already own black leather leggings so I decided to opt for a colored leather leg this Fall.”
9. McQ Alexander McQueen Griffin Printed Knit Dress
” A modern take on the printed dress.”
10. Pierre Hardy Leather Suede-Panel Boot
“I’m really feeling the navy and black trend this season.”
Shop Fall Trends online at NeimanMarcus.com or Neiman Marcus stores.
Fall presents so many opportunities to upgrade your style. My friend Brett Fahlgren is GQ‘s executive merchandising stylist. We got together to discuss Fall’s key trends and address some of the most common questions guys ask when I’m making my rounds of NM stores.
What do you wear when an invitation says creative black tie? We break out of the black-tie box and explain what the alternative evening wear trend is all about.
This season suits are textured and in slimmer proportions. Whether you favor houndstooth or windowpane, we are here to help you shop and style the season’s patterned suit.
