Women's

Women's

Ana Maria’s Fashion Week Diary – NY, Friday

Posted 09.07.12 by Ana Maria Pimentel
AnaMaria hails a cab Thursday morning. Balenciaga dress, DVF jacket and Celine tote.

AnaMaria's NYFW/Fashion's Night Out look. Balenciaga dress, DVF jacket and Celine tote.

Friday September 7, 9:07 AM: Rise and shine!  Looking forward to day two of New York Fashion Week. NYFW officially kicked off yesterday with a light day of shows and Fashion’s Night Out. For day one I wore a lightweight white Balenciaga dress. (Whoever said white after Labor Day was a no, is no longer living!) I paired it with soft silk black DVF jacket over the shoulder for those overly air-conditioned show venues, and off I went.

AnaMaria ready for day two of NYFW.

AnaMaria, ready to face a day of NYFW.

Today I am on my way to meet with jewelry and handbag designer Kara Ross for a quick preview of what’s to come for Spring 13. Then off to Peter Som, Jason Wu, Rag and Bone and the list goes on. Schedule is packed today and I’m hoping I made the right fashion wardrobe decision… Alexander Wang lightweight printed floral shirt dress and my very comfy Givenchy heels! Weather is sticky and humid but the shows must go on. Thrilled to preview what’s to come for  Spring/ Summer 2013. My crystal ball is showing electric colors, fabulous prints, soft dressing, sky high shoes, novelty bags and fun jewels. I promise to report every step of the way! XOXO AMP

9:49 AM: Our fabulous Ken Downing and Kara Ross!

NM fashion director Ken Downing and designer Kara Ross.

NM fashion director Ken Downing and designer Kara Ross.

 10:31 AM: Making a stop at Kate Spade to congratulate Creative Director Deborah Lloyd. Gingham and Florals in a whimsical Garden Party theme!

kate spade Spring 2013 presentation.

kate spade Spring 2013 presentation.

Deborah and Brad are always looking sharp!

Kate Spade's Deborah Lloyd and Brad Goreski.

Kate Spade's Deborah Lloyd and Brad Goreski.

 3:01 PM: Leather and lace at Jason Wu paired with the most perfect ankle strap heels! Have just been transported to iconic Helmut Newton and Lilianne Bassman images.

Jason Wu, Spring 2013. Photo, Dan Lecca.

Jason Wu, Spring 2013. Photo by Dan Lecca.

Jason Wu, Spring 2013.

Jason Wu, Spring 2013.

8:04 PM: Waiting for the Helmut Lang show to start with our fabulous Cusp fashion director Caroline Maguire and buyer Alison Day. I am loving the cherry vs wine lip!

Cusp buyer Alison Day and Cusp fashion director Caroline Maguire at the Helmut Lang show.

Cusp buyer Alison Day and Cusp fashion director Caroline Maguire at the Helmut Lang show.

Helmut Lang, Spring 2013. Photo by Dan Lecca.

Helmut Lang, Spring 2013. Photo by Dan Lecca.

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Women's // Lifestyle

Store Soirée: Lanvin

Posted 09.06.12 by Kristen Spaulding

Every Fall, Neiman Marcus welcomes one premier designer to its Dallas flagship and restages the designer’s Fall runway show, and this year we tapped Lanvin. The event takes months of preparation, and all goes to support The Crystal Charity Ball Committee, which has raised more than $100 million for Dallas children’s charities since 1952. This morning Dallas society came downtown for a taste of Paris. “Ten Best Dressed Women of Dallas” were presented (all wearing Lanvin, naturally,) before everyone took in Lanvin’s spectacular 10th anniversary Fall collection and a preview of Resort. Oh la la.

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Women's

How It’s Made: Nancy Gonzalez

Posted 08.27.12 by Contributor
nancy gonzalez

An artisan crafts handbag decorations by hand.

If you don’t already own one, chances are, a Nancy Gonzalez precious-skin handbag is high on your things-I’d-like-to-have list. Each piece designed by the petite Colombian and crafted by artisans in her native Cali represents the epitome of quality and luxury. With her innovative use of precious skins and unconventional colors, Gonzalez has created a style that’s internationally recognized and coveted.

nancy gonzalez

The Nancy Gonzalez workshop

But there’s more to Gonzalez than gorgeous accessories and a keen business sense. In a culture where successful women, especially entrepreneurs, are a true rarity, she’s a role model for female accomplishment and an agent for social change—dedicated to improving life in her native community by providing employees with the optimism and dignity that comes from a rewarding work place. Her factory employs 400 artisans—90 percent are women. Many are single mothers, whom she seeks out for apprenticeships and provides with on-site daycare.

“If a mother has a job, then her child has a much better chance for a healthy life and a successful future,” Gonzalez asserts. “My way of helping the community is to provide work and encourage women to accomplish their goals.”

nancy gonzalez

Designer Nancy Gonzalez

See Nancy Gonzalez handbags at NeimanMarcus.com and Neiman Marcus stores.
nancy gonzalez

Nancy Gonzalez handbag

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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.

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Women's

How It’s Made: The Fendi Baguette

Posted 08.09.12 by Sarah Bray
NM exclusive Fendi Baguette, $4,480.

NM exclusive Fendi Baguette, $4,480.

The Baguette is back! Just in time for its 15th birthday, Fendi‘s iconic nineties “it” bag has made a comeback, and the house has reissued six designs to celebrate.

The lengendary Fendi Baguette was born in 1997 when Silvia Venturini Fendi, the house’s accessories director and the third generation of the family business, was assigned to design a practical handbag for women. Instead, she created a meticulously detailed small handbag to be carried under the arm, like the French loaf it’s named after. Her ingenuity was an unprecedented success. Baguette-mania ensued and resulted in a fashion phenomenon that, in only a few seasons, transformed the handbag into a cult object.  With some 700 versions, all handmade with different materials, there are designs for every personality and endless styles to collect.

The first Fendi Baguette was created with a patterned velvet and featured Fendi’s double F monogram. The hand-stitched fabrics are produced by the Fondazione Lisio looms, a centuries-old Italian textile manufacturer that specializes in the ancient art of hand-weaving. The video illustrates the craftsmanship that goes into the making of a Baguette.

See more statement handbags at NeimanMarcus.com and Neiman Marcus stores during the Trend Event, through August 15.

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Women's

Conversation With: Proenza Schouler’s Lazaro and Jack

Posted 08.07.12 by Ken Downing

Our fashion director catches up with two of fashion’s brightest stars: Proenza Schouler designers Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez.

Ken Downing with designers Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez.

Ken Downing, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez

Ken Downing: Jack, Lazaro, Proenza Schouler is one of the most dynamic and directional collections on the American fashion scene. How do the two of you continue to stay ahead of the curve?

Lazaro Hernandez: We make it up to stay ahead! We reject popular things. We allow everything to inspire us—music, art, people. Nothing is sacred.

KD: It certainly works for you. You’ve had the attention of the fashion world from your very first show. How old were you when you started the collection?

LH: 23

Jack McCollough: No, no, we were 22.

LH: 22, 23… We were very young, just out of Parsons School of Design.

Proenza Schouler, Fall 2012

Proenza Schouler, Fall 2012

KD: And the decision to call the collection Proenza Schouler after your mothers’ maiden names?

LH: It was a very last minute decision. Our moms loved it, our dads, not so much.

Read full article »

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Women's

Meet Caroline Maguire, Our New Cusp Fashion Director!

Posted 08.01.12 by Kristen Spaulding
Caroline Maguire

Cusp Fashion Director, Caroline Maguire.

Meet Caroline Maguire. As contemporary/bridge fashion director at Neiman Marcus Group, she is THE trend authority for all things Cusp. New York-based Maguire describes her style as “East Coast meets West Coast” and attributes her laid-back sense of style to her California roots.

NM: What are you coveting this Fall?

CM: Color! I’m loving hunter green or navy.

NM: How would you describe your personal style?

CM: Playful, chic, laid back. On weekends, I love to lounge around in J Brand cut-offs with an oversized T-shirt.  When I’m in my “chic mode,” I like to throw on a vintage lace top passed down from my mom, tuxedo blazer and sky-high Zanottis.

NM: Who are your style icons?

CM: Kate Moss, Carine Roitfeld and Emmanuelle Alt.

NM: What will we not find in your closet?

CM: Ruffles or bows.

NM: What are your favorite fashion blogs?

CM: Garance Dore, Manrepeller, Refinery29, Jak and Jil and Hanneli Mustaparta.

NM: Best splurge for Fall?

CM: The perfect jacket! I can’t wait to get my hands on the Pierre Balmain fringe leather jacket.

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Women's

Announcing the NM Fall Forward Pinterest Challenge Finalists

Posted 07.30.12 by Kristen Spaulding

Dear fellow “pinners,” thank you for participating in the NM Fall Forward Pinterest Challenge, our first ever! The #NMFallTrend boards were eye-catching, creative and inspiring. It was difficult to narrow it down but these are our faves!  Stay tuned, as NM accessories director AnaMaria Pimentel declares the winner on Tuesday, August 14.

Eleanor Weston

Eleanor Weston’s “Mixed Greens” board.

Amy Donovan

Amy Donovan’s “Navy: The New Neutral” board.

Sita Laba

Sita Laba’s “Mixed Greens” board.

Betsy Carter

Betsy Carter’s “The Jacket” board.

Read full article »

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Women's

Jason Wu’s First Fall Campaign

Posted by Jean Scheidnes

Behold Jason Wu‘s first Fall campaign, shot by Willy Venderperre and starring Shalom Harlow. “I was thrilled to work with Shalom, she was such an icon for me growing up. Through her unique looks, combined with her understanding of movement  she was able to transformed herself into the strong warrior woman that represented my Fall collection,” said Jason, who was inspired by three archetypes of Chinese iconography—military Mao jacket, royal court of Qing Dynasty, and the 1940’s Hollywood classics films like “Shanghai Express”—and used all three elements to create an urban warrior. And let’s not overlook the ladylike handbags.

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Women's // Men's

Tom Ford Shoes & Bags Are Online!

Posted 07.17.12 by Jean Scheidnes
tom ford bag shoe

Tom Ford, you guys!

Tom Ford shoes and bags are now online, ladies and gents. They’ve been in stores for a couple of seasons. Now Neiman Marcus Group is the first and only retailer to offer these accessories online. So you can be the chicest woman or man in…wherever you are.

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