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Weekend Update

1. I have always loved the designs of Gareth Pugh, but they’ve usually been way, way out of my reach price wise – plus, he seems to be distributed in quite limited quantities, so I’ve never been lucky come sale time. The items which do make it, are always a bit too extreme/Hot Topic for me.

This is a great dress from Pugh – I love the cape effect detail, very reminiscent of his design aesthetic, yet not too extreme to be unwearable for most people. The back is absolutely stunning. The price at $805 is still staggering in the land of normal prices, but I have to say its pretty reasonable for Pugh. I wanted to share it as I love this dress, and I know there are other readers who are fans of this line. I’m still hoping to grab it come sale time, but it doesn’t look like it will make it!

2. I don’t really “get” a lot of the Vetements praise – probably because I’m an old fuddy duddy, but I don’t really want to pay designer prices for what looks like old hoodies from my angsty early teenage years. That being said, I found this interview with the design and management team, via iD about both their thoughts on the future of the fashion industry and how they plan to run their own business, quite interesting. I’d love to hear your thoughts on Vetements. 

3. I laughed and found this article, via The NY Times about working with millennials absolutely fascinating…and hilarious! I believe by my age, I barely qualify as one of the oldest millennials…but I don’t feel like one (although working like one sounds like quite a lot of fun, given this piece!).

coach store

4. After what seems like so many years of hearing about the strength of top luxury brands and weakness in the middle, CNBC reports that the opposite is now the case – “affordable” luxury brands are finally growing, while top tier brands are still experiencing weakness. What was interesting to me, was the point that those customers who buy the most expensive luxury brands aren’t necessarily trading down – instead, they’re just buying nothing at all.

5. This week I finished  I’ll Drink To That: A Life In Style, With A Twist,  by long time personal shopper at Bergdorf Goodman, Betty Halbreich.

Ill Drink To That Halbreich

I’ve been meaning to read this book for awhile, but mixed reviews had kept me away. I really enjoyed it, and found it to be a worthwhile read. What I would say is that I did come away wanting a little more from Ms. Halbreich – I’ll Drink To That is partial biography, partial her thoughts on style – but there wasn’t enough of either. The parts I did get were absolutely fascinating (and I loved reading her thoughts on the shoddy quality of many designers today…she clearly doesn’t hold back). I just wish there was more…but I’ll take what I can get from someone as interesting as Betty Halbreich.

12 Comments

  • Reply
    Grouptink7
    March 25, 2016 at 10:19 am

    What I found with luxury items is that the quality has been in decline. This all across the board. I shop at Barneys regularly and I have had some pieces break down on me with mininimal use. I like more understated brands where the quality is there. I just bought some pieces from Mifland. They are a United States based company and they hand make everything. I am more into niche markets now. Less is more.

    • Reply
      Katherine
      March 27, 2016 at 6:52 pm

      I’d never heard of Mifland – off to check them out!

  • Reply
    Viola Huang-Beck
    March 26, 2016 at 7:50 pm

    Hi Katherine,
    You’ve convinced me to try the Everlane street shoes? Did you size up a 1/2 size per their recommendation?

    Thanks!
    Viola

    • Reply
      Katherine
      March 27, 2016 at 7:31 pm

      I did my normal size actually and they are fine – I tried 1/2 size up originally and they were too big!

      • Reply
        Viola Huang-Beck
        March 27, 2016 at 11:06 pm

        Thank you, Katherine!

  • Reply
    Viola Huang-Beck
    March 26, 2016 at 7:54 pm

    Oops, the first sentence should have ended with a period.

  • Reply
    Stacie Jean
    March 26, 2016 at 8:00 pm

    I read the Betty Halbreich book and also thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved how no matter the client or designer she told it like it is…she truly has led a fascinating life.

    • Reply
      Katherine
      March 27, 2016 at 7:31 pm

      Yes she has! A very unique lady.

  • Reply
    Tracy
    March 28, 2016 at 2:26 am

    I find myself right-clicking on every one of your reading list recommendations,
    1. Gareth Pugh dress – beautiful
    2. Vetements – keep hearing the name but nothing sticks
    3. Millennials in the workplace – could barely finish the article because of dread, but thankfully my sins are relatively minimal
    4. It’s exciting to see how Coach and MMK are getting it right, and how I no longer need to torture myself longing for things I cannot, must not, will not buy (at least for the next decade).

    • Reply
      Katherine
      March 28, 2016 at 8:38 pm

      Thank you Tracy! I laughed at your reaction to the millennials article 🙂

  • Reply
    Tracy
    March 28, 2016 at 2:27 am

    I find myself right-clicking on every one of your reading list recommendations,
    1. Gareth Pugh dress – beautiful
    2. Vetements – keep hearing the name but nothing sticks
    3. Millennials in the workplace – could barely finish the article because of dread, but thankfully my sins are relatively minimal
    4. It’s exciting to see how Coach and MMK are getting it right, and how I no longer need to torture myself longing for things I cannot, must not, will not buy (at least for the next decade).
    5. I’ve heard about this! I want to read it, sounds like a quick fun read.

  • Reply
    Tracy
    March 28, 2016 at 2:29 am

    I find myself right-clicking on every one of your reading list recommendations
    1. Gareth Pugh dress – beautiful
    2. Vetements – keep hearing the name but nothing sticks
    3. Millennials in the workplace – could barely finish the article because of dread, but thankfully my sins are relatively minimal
    4. It’s exciting to see how Coach and MMK are getting it right, and how I no longer need to torture myself longing for things I cannot, must not, will not buy (at least for the next decade).
    5. I’ve heard about this! I want to read it, sounds like a quick fun read.

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