Brooks and Barneys

Last week, Barney's named Amanda Cutter Brooks their new women's fashion director.  Sometimes she's just seen as a socialite but Amanda was previously creative director for Tuleh and Hogan.  She's also contributed to Vogue and Men's Vogue.  She also wrote the great book, I Love Your Style.  As my friend Jessica Gold pointed out, "she's a good mix of uptown and downtown with a bit of quirk thrown in for good measure."  I always thought the previous women's fashion director, Julie Gilhart, was a little too downtown for me so it will be interesting to see what Amanda does at Barney's.  Everyone needs a little change to shake things up from time to time including stores. 

Photos from Vogue and Tommy Ton

Barneys 2010: Have a Foodie Holiday!

The holiday windows have all been unveiled and the funniest are always at Barneys.  Simon Doonan and his creative team are wishing everyone a Foodie Holiday this year.  One particularly cheeky window features everyone's favorite lady chefs including Ina Garten, Paula Deen, Martha Stewart, Sandra Lee all in personalized Snuggies. 

Sanda Lee, Food Network chef and newly elected first girlfriend of New York.

Anthony Bourdain and other chefs feast on Mario Batali in another window. 

The fire under the stew pot looks real but the dress made from Illy coffee packaging below is the real show stopper!  Have a Foodie Holiday everyone!

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

La Table d’Hermès

I'm officially over summer and all I can think of is autumn with it's crisp cool weather and beautiful clothes. I also think this amazing sepia toned tableware "Les Maisons Enchantées" from Hermès would be perfect for fall feasts and even more spectacular at Thanksgiving! You might just want to keep it away from the kiddie table! It's available now at Barneys in New York (seen here) or Hermès.

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

Richard Ginori at Barneys

I didn't make it to The Whitney yesterday but I still saw some fabulous art. It was just in the form of Richard Ginori hand painted china at Barneys. While collection looked fabulous en masse, I could also picture it looking especially bellissimo mixed with Haviland Limoges Lacque de Chine China. And it makes me want to pick up a paint brush! Ciao!

Top Photo: Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

Have a Witty Holiday!

Call me old fashioned but I usually like to digest my turkey and pumpkin pie before I can even start to think about Christmas. But since the holiday windows in New York are starting to be unveiled, I figure I have to get over it and start posting them! Simon Doonan, the Creative Director of Barneys is wishing everyone a witty holiday to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Saturday Night Live. The Coneheads window is my personal favorite!

"I can't wait for this recession to be over - it's such a drag. I'm not one of those people who thinks it's brought us to our higher level of consciousness. I just think it's a colossal bore. But boom times or bad times, my job is to create desire." - Simon Doonan in Departures

Have a Witty Holiday!

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

Hippie Holiday!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the city and feel like like it too! It's freezing! But before it turned too cold, I managed to take a few photos of the Barney's holiday windows. This year, they are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the peace sign with a Hippie Holiday. I am a little surprised they didn't do anything political this year but since the planning begins so far out, I guess it's little hard to predict who will win. Regardless, they are a fun and free activity for you and the kids and just the beginning of the fabulous holiday windows to come! Peace out!

To My Shagreen

I happened to be looking around blogland today and stumbled upon Studio Annetta's lovely blog to find that she had just profiled one of my favorite design firms, Augousti. Owners Ria and Yiouri are pictured above. You have probably seen their shagreen and snakeskin bags around, as many stores carry them but their furniture is exclusive to Barney's and it is amazing!

It just so happens that I was at Barney's recently and had photographed their shagreen desk and matching chair. It was not only beautiful but was so well crafted and thought out. The little doors on each side open to reveal storage areas, one hidden by a lid and the other for hanging folders.

The desk alone was $4,000 so I didn't even bother to check how much the chair was because if you have to ask, you can't afford it and I definitely don't think I could have afforded it, much to my chagrin. I may have to make due with one of their little clutches. They seem to be a bit more in my price range.