Fab Time at French Pharmacie Last Night

French Pharmacie hosted yet another terrific party last night, this time to welcome designer Be Inthavong of Be&D handbags and now...shoes, too! Yes, Be&D - known for exquisite bags with an edge (but not so trendy that you'll be sick of them in a year) - has branched out into shoes. And they are lovely.

My favorite is the Chamberlain - a very cool lace up spectator that comes in both blush and a lovely light beige with black. I'm a sucker for a spectator, but this one is most certainly not your mother's spectator. Cool, yet just classic enough to work at work. I love them!

And it was wonderful to meet Be - he's very charming, and a true craftsman. My favorite bag on display was a new take on their classic hobo, which I believe has been in the line since the beginning. But the body of this one was woven leather - very tiny strips, thinner than a Bottega bag. I've always held the Bottega woven bags up as the pinnacle of beautiful workmanship, but I have to tell you that this Be&D bag beats all.

Another highlight of the party was my first glimpse at the new spa that Stacy has opened above the store. They very generously were offering free laser peels and polish changes, so of course I partook. I can't wait to see what my new face looks like once I emerge from my old skin like a snake! Sounds horrible, I know, but that's the price of beauty.

Early Warning - Gap/Phillip Lim White Shirts Coming Soon!

So, I'm really liking the "Gap Design Editions" idea. Yes, it's a complete imitation of Target's Go Designers program, but whatever. The results are good, in my opinion.

And they're doing it right. They've taken it so far as to have opened a special Design Editions boutique next to the big Gap on Fifth Avenue in New York. When I walked by on Friday, it was full of the Gap/Pierre Hardy shoe collection.

Mark your calendars for next Tuesday, April 15. Yes, it's also tax day, but that's immaterial. What's most important about that date is that the newest collection of designers' interpretations of the white shirt will be arriving at the Gap. You might recall last year's, which I thought was stellar - Thakoon, Rodarte and others interpreted the white shirt in some fabulous ways. My favorite was probably the 50s-ish white shirt dress - it cost under $100, and every time I wore it I got major compliments. You can bet it's coming right out as soon as the weather warms enough for a sleeveless white shirt dress.

This year's collection promises to be equally exciting - if not even more so. One of my most favorite designers, Phillip Lim, has designed some of the styles. And, this year's collection goes beyond white shirts to include white jewelry designed by Philip Crangi. I've not seen too many of the styles, but the big white bangles with the gold studs look cool.

You can bet I'll be at Keystone at the Crossing next Tuesday to check out the line!

Well, That Was Easy

So I guess all it really takes to find a cute gladiator sandal is a quick trip over lunch to Circle Center Mall. Leave it to Nine West to interpret the gladiator in a totally wearable, comfortable style. Yet hip.

Just a little over a tenth the price of the Prada version, and I've got a lovely little modified gladiator to take me through spring and summer. Granted, it's not in that sublime gray color, but it's still cool.

I also noted that Nine West has a pretty spot on of the Gucci Sevigny sandal. I'm including photos of both at right...you tell me, is the Gucci version really worth $500 more than the Nine West? I know there's something to be said for owning the original, but really...

Be & D Trunk Show Coming Up at French Pharmacie

Mark your calendars - on April 8, there will be a trunk show at French Pharmacie of Be & D handbags. I believe the trunk show happens from 3 - 8 p.m.

In addition to fabulous handbags and the apparently infamous "Be" of Be & D (I understand that he's quite charming and hilarious), there will be some spa specials happening. As I've reported, French Pharmacie is opening a day spa on the second floor and this event will be an opportunity to highlight that. There will be free polish changes, facials and even Botox injections (although those, for obvious reasons, aren't free...but let's all remember the things you WANT to pay full price for - sushi and surgery). Don't worry, a plastic surgeon (Stacy Kosene's cousin) will be there giving the Botox injections, and he's apparently a master.

So check it out! And be sure to call ahead for appointments/availability if you'd like to partake of any of the spa specials going on that evening.

See you there!

Going Ga Ga for Gladiators

I'm totally getting suckered into the gladiator sandal trend for spring. I know, I know - gladiators have come and gone over the years, and to be honest, I've never been much of a fan of them. First off, I don't wear a lot of flats, and I've also never been huge on the going up the ankle thing. I just think that can be a tough look to pull off, particularly if - God forbid - you have a bit of a cankle.

But this year somehow the gladiator thing seems different. Maybe it's because more designers are doing a modified gladiator, even with a heel in some cases.

Of course, the one I love happens to be Prada's version, and costs nearly 600 bucks. A lot for what will likely be a relatively fleeting trend...so I'll be on the hunt for some sort of reasonable knock off (Steve Madden, where are you when I need you?). I know it won't come in this lovely shade of grey, but oh well...

Et tu, Aldo? Please?

Why I Love Indy

Fashionistas have it easy here in Indy. I know, I know - we occasionally have to deal with some indignities like H&M not thinking we're cool enough to get the Roberto Cavalli stuff, but on the otherhand, we don't have fight kicking and screaming for the latest and greatest collections when they hit mass retailers. Well, the GO stuff selling out at Target on day one notwithstanding.

Anyway, in search of a wine rack I headed to KatC last night. Yes, I found said wine rack at Crate & Barrel, but that's another story that's not at all interesting. What is interesting is that I took a quick peek in the Gap and what did I find - the new shoe collection designed by Pierre Hardy. "Collection" might be overstating it a bit, as there were only two styles - both available in two different colors - but the KatC Gap had plenty of sizes left in everything. Apparently the shoes arrived last week.

I just read about this partnership between Pierre Hardy and the Gap - although there is no indication on the box or the signage that it's Pierre Hardy who's done the designing. I find this curious as he's such a big star in shoe land, but maybe there were some legal trademark issues or something. Anyway, it doesn't matter. The point is, they're cute, and they're a chance to put a little Pierre Hardy magic on your feet for under $100 - which is great since you'd pretty much have to add a zero to that number to enjoy some mainline Pierre Hardys. And if you lived in Chicago or New York, you'd be SOL by now on these, since I'm sure they sold out on the first day. Online on www.gap.com, sizes are extremely limited. So if you want them, get over to the KatC Gap. And be aware - they run large. I'm normally a 7, but the 6 1/2s fit me. Enjoy!

Prada "Trembled Blossoms"

Ok, so I couldn't get the image of the Prada wallpaper to post correctly, so I'm hoping this video works. This is Prada's "Trembled Blossoms" animation, and I find it mesmerizing. I know I'm gushing over Prada lately, but I truly believe that Miuccia is just lightyears ahead of most other humans in terms of creativity. Lightyears.

Here's the link to the YouTube video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcHJamFZcGc