The Roots and Jimmy Fallon

On the eve of the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards, the Roots hosted and performed in their seventh annual Pre-Grammy Jam Session presented by Hennessy Artistry at The Music Box in Los Angeles.  As in previous years, this highly coveted event was packed with celebrities from every area of the entertainment industry–Jimmy Fallon, Sara Bareilles, and Drew Barrymore were all in attendance. Throughout the night, music from every genre was covered not only by the Roots, but also by their musician friends including Chaka Khan, Asher Roth, and Ne-Yo to name a few, while guests sipped on delicious Hennessy cocktails.

Singers Estelle & Anthony Hamilton

Singers Raheem Devaughn & Sara Bareilles

Designer Richie Rich (L) and Ellen Degeneres walk the runway at the Richie Rich Spring 2011 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at The Studio at Lincoln Center. Photo credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images North America

This season, Rich is opening the party to anyone who wants to come—provided they shell out $25 to $35 for a ticket. All proceeds will go to charity as Rich explained, “this year I’m selling tickets to the show and proceeds go to DOsomething.org as well as Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, which is a charity for little kids who unfortunately have cancer. We have a good friend who passed away in the last couple days…It felt weird at first, selling tickets, but you know if you can help people it makes sense”.

Rich will show his new collection “Villionaire” on February 10th at the Hammerstein Ballroom and says the collection “is Marie Antoinette reincarnated into the East Village.  She is an exploration of the true New York female renegade; from 1920s prohibition sexy to 1980s pure punk.”

We’re not sure what “prohibition sexy” means, but we guarantee you this’ll be quite a show—the Harlem James Gang will perform along with a special guest and there are bound to be a few runway surprises.

New York has been in the grips of a particularly brutal winter. Good thing fashion week is back to generate some serious sizzle. From Michael Kors’ 30th anniversary celebration to the opening of Alexander Wang’s first New York store, here are all the warming trends.

A Matter of Kors

Michael Kors’ 30th anniversary celebrations began last June when he accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award from the CFDA, and they culminate next month in Paris with a dinner at the U.S. ambassador’s residence. Here in New York, the front row at his milestone show is guaranteed to be starrier than ever; ditto the after-party being held at his new Madison Avenue store. In other party news: Westway, the former strip club now in the hands of Carlos Quirarte and Matt Kliegman, is shaping up to be the week’s late-night hangout.

Who You Calling An Accessory

Accessory designers used to be consigned to also-ran status, but no more. This season, a handful are presenting new collections on their own. After showing her Spring ’11 lineup at Milk, Ecco Domani winner Pamela Love is doing the same this time around, and she’ll be joined on the roster by specs-maker Illesteva and jewelry designers Erickson Beamon. The latter—that rare brand that’s both Gaga and MObama-approved—has dreamed up an extravaganza, featuring dancers from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy performing in showstoppers like this necklace.

Thom Thom Club

Thom Browne’s menswear presentations are always a must-see, not just for his tailored looks but for his deliriously deadpan performance art-like stagings. Now the designer—whose debut women’s styles are about to land at Colette, Dover Street Market, and Jeffrey—is taking a stab at womenswear theater on February 14. “I think the performance will show people why I’ve been wanting to do women’s clothes,” he says. Browne’s mum on the details, though he did drop a two-word hint about the design of the collection. “Conceptual tailoring.” One night only, folks.

Wang Bang

Alexander Wang usually saves his hot-ticket parties for September fashion week. This season, however, he has an extra reason to celebrate: He’s opening his first store, as any girl who’s spent the past several months staring lustily at the old Yohji Yamamoto space in Soho well knows. Per usual, Wang is keeping mum on the details of his fête, except to say that it will be a more intimate affair than the carnival romp he threw last season. We expect the real madness to happen on February 17, when the Alexander Wang store opens for business.

French Toast

It’s been a while since A.P.C. impresario Jean Touitou graced NYFW, but this season he has good reason to come back. On February 8, he’s opening his second store in Manhattan. Called A.P.C. Specials, the West Village shop will house projects Touitou hasn’t had the space to do justice to elsewhere, such as the Butler Worn Out series of used, rehabbed A.P.C. jeans, and the Quilt Project, limited-edition throws made from archival fabrics. Quilt designer Jessica Ogden—who also collaborates on A.P.C. Madras—will join Touitou at the store’s opening party.

Ice Capades

Necessity is the mother of invention. Elise Øverland was looking for a venue for her Fall show, and when her friend André Balazs offered her the ice rink outside the Standard Hotel, a whirlwind of creativity followed. Her February 12 fashion show-on-ice will feature an installation from the Art Production Fund and figure skaters from the Ice Theatre of New York. And that’s not all: Longtime Øverland client Johnny Weir is choreographing, and will come out for a skate. Special bonus: The designer will be serving glögg in the Standard’s lounge.

Photo credit: WireImage

The actress and designer has teamed up with members-only online retailer Gilt Groupe to offer shoppers first dibs on her House of Harlow 1960 and Winter Kate collections before the lines hit stores. 
Richie curated the sale to include Winter Kate apparel, House of Harlow 1960 shoes, handbags, sunglasses and two pieces of jewelry designed exclusively for Gilt. “This season I took inspiration from the way my mother used to dress, mixed with photographs of French gypsies, [particularly] the way they layer and mix and match everything,” Richie said in an interview. She’ll also be sharing her fashion favorites in a special section called “Nicole’s Picks.” Although the items on Gilt will still be full price, those who purchase from “Nicole’s Picks” will receive a gift-with-purchase. The sale will start today at 12pm EST so get ready to shop!

Celebrity fan, Paris Hilton wears a Petro Zillia for Forever 21 dress

Petro Zillia and Forever 21 announce a vivid, upbeat collection for Spring 2011, the first in a series of designer collaborations with the successful specialty retailer. The 23-piece Petro Zillia line for Forever 21 represents an ageless and confident way of dressing rooted in the Los Angeles design aesthetic.

“For this collection, I was inspired by everything loving, happy and bright,” explains Petro Zillia designer Nony Tochterman. “Looking at it, you’ll be immersed in upbeat colors and wild and untraditional combinations, like my favorite rainbow print with hearts and stripes. I have every intention to inspire the Forever 21 customer to remember how wonderful life is and to be happy as they wear my designs.”

As a Los Angeles-bred and grown company, Forever 21 chose to highlight local talent for the launch of their first designer collaboration. Priced from $5.80 to $32.80, this is the first in a series of Forever 21 limited edition designer collections.

Liris Crosse, Zari Gomez, Priscilla Monteiro (L to R) | Photo: David Shellman

On Monday, October 18th celebrity guests gathered at the exclusive Soho restaurant, Via dei Mille for the 2010 First Annual PINK for a Purpose Dinner to benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The invitation-only dinner was the brainchild of model /actress Liris Crosse, Priscilla Monteiro of The Fashion Reporter, and Zari Gomez of MATRIX GROUP LLP which brought together celebrities both from the worlds of  music, film and fashion for a great cause.

Liris Crosse and Free | Photo: David Shellman

The dinner begin with a cocktail reception followed by a toast to good health. Model/Actress Liris Crosse opened the event with an empowering speech explaining the purpose of the dinner and how thankful she was for the support from guests in attendance and how herself and two other partners came up with the concept for the event as an annual opportunity to give back during their joint birthday month of October and raise funds for an amazing cause. She described how breast cancer has touched the lives of so many of the esteemed guests, especially tv and radio personality, Free who’s mom recently passe away due to Breast Cancer.

(L to R)Free, Amanda Diva, Tocarra, Mona Scott | Photo: David Shellman

Thanks to events like PINK FOR A PURPOSE and generous contributions from partners and sponsors including Via dei Mille, Footzyrolls, Jovani, Deuce Brand Watches, Triple Fat Goose, Carol’s Daughter, Pirate’s Booty Snacks and B.Marie Handbags this event was able to raise money to help those in need via the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world.

Photo: David Shellman

Both male and female celebrities in attendance wore pink for the themed event whether it be pink wardrobe, a brooch or even a wig like the very short and chic one worn by Tocarra. Female celebs wore very haute dresses and accessories provided by event sponsor Jovani to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research. Celebrity supporters included: Free (TV host and radio personality), Tocarra (Model – ANTM), Amanda Diva (TV personality, VH1 host/AOL Black Voices) and Briana Marie Bigham of BET’s “Harlem Heights” who also generously supported the cause by gifting all attendees with posh handbags from her upcoming B.Marie handbag collection.

Liris Crosse, Tocarra, Priscilla Monteiro, George Wilson, Free, Mike Keyser, Zari Gomez

Also in attendance were heavyweight industry executives Michael Kyser (President of Atlantic Records), Rich Nice (President of IMC), music veterans Mona Scott Young, Jason Riley and presenting event sponsor Giuseppe Tuosto (Owner, Via dei Mille). Next Year’s dinner promises to raise more money for breast cancer. Please be sure to visit the Pink for a Purpose page on the Susan G. Komen website to make a donation or sign the guest book.

The New York based Band Bear Hands, which includes Dylan Rau (vocals/guitar) Ted Feldman (guitar), Val Loper (bass) and TJ Orscher (drums) will be on hand at Bloomingdale’s on 59th Street in NYC to play some of their hit songs.  In addition, MFA artists Jee Young Choi, Natalia Yovane and Erica Greenwald will be present.

Over the past two weeks the windows at Bloomy’s 59th Street have featured three up-and-coming MFA students who created live artwork in the Bloomingdale’s windows, in celebration of the American creative spirit. In addition, there were interactive touchscreen-based customization centers, where consumers had the opportunity to design their own Keds sneakers at the window and save their custom designs to finish from their homes. Users can choose which color or pattern to put on the sneaker body, upper, and tongue, then save or e-mail their design to have it created.

Keds/Whitney Museum window at Bloomingdale’s 59th Street NYC. Photo courtesy of Keds.

Consumers were encouraged to check into the KedsWhitney windows in New York City on Foursquare, as the mayor of each location will earn the privilege of jumping the line and checking out a sound check during the Whitney Live presented by Keds concert series this summer.

Keds, the all-American original sneaker brand, is sponsoring the Whitney Museum of American Art summer season from July 1 – September 26. In celebration of this exciting sponsorship, Keds is launching the KedsWhitney Collection featuring designs by celebrated artist Jenny Holzer, followed by designs by artists Laura Owens and Sarah Crowner in September.

More info at www.theoriginalsneaker.com/whitney