barneys new york

>> There's been a lot of speculation, but Barneys new chief executive Mark Lee has finally shed some light on where he's taking the retailer — and it doesn't involve Prada handbags or women's ready-to-wear, both of which Barneys has dropped. Barneys will continue to sell Prada menswear and women's footwear, while Valextra, which is now exclusive to the retailer (it was once exclusive at Saks), will take the place of Prada handbags on the floor.

Lee, who explained, “I’m a worker, not so much a talker,” says there will be several more shifts in merchandise assortments (soon, Barneys will house Azzedine Alaia's largest space in the US), but there are no plans to close any of the Barneys flagship stores, despite recent thought otherwise. WWD noted on Monday: "It is widely believed Barneys New York is bolstered mainly by its three flagships in New York, Beverly Hills and Chicago, and dragged down by newer stores opened in Dallas, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Boston and Scottsdale."

Instead of spending money on new store openings, as Barneys has done in recent years, budget will instead be allocated to store renovations, particularly in the New York and Beverly Hills locations. The awnings at the New York store will be changed from red to black to tie in better with the iconic black Barneys shopping bags, and a new black and white ad campaign is set to break Sunday in The New York Times Style section, followed by appearances in magazines like Vogue — peeks at the ads here and here.

>> After much speculation regarding who would be crowned Barneys' fashion director, the retailer has finally announced its golden girl: Amanda Brooks. “I have long admired Amanda and her effortless blend of luxury and individual style. Her unique perspective on fashion mirrors what Barneys represents and we feel very fortunate to have her join the team,” said Daniella Vitale, chief merchant and executive vice president of Barneys. Brooks, who most recently was director of William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, and in the past, former creative director at Hogan and Tuleh while writing for Vogue, Men’s Vogue, and The New York Times, will officially begin her time at Barneys as the Women's Fashion Director, VP starting February 7.

I've always been a fan of Piero Fornasetti's mystical, black and white designs showcasing the face of 19th century operatic singer Lina Cavalieri. In particular, a throw pillow featuring that famous face is just the thing my sofa needs for a bit of je ne sais quoi. Unfortunately, $135, the price at Barneys New York, is more than I'm currently willing to spend. Lucky me, I recently discovered a much more affordable pillow that's clearly inspired by Fornasetti's work and equally intriguing.

Wondering where you can pick it up? Then continue reading.

>> Former W creative director Dennis Freedman, who left the magazine in March after almost 20 years, has been tapped to replace Simon Doonan as creative director at Barneys. He will start at the retailer on Jan 17.

Doonan, whose contract with the retailer is reported to be up in May, and who is rumored to have tense relations with Barneys new CEO Mark Lee, is moving into a new role as creative ambassador-at-large for the retailer, effective immediately. The change in Doonan's position, which the retailer's announcement release frames as a "promotion," will involve him continuing to be "a key media spokesperson for the company," a contributor to "special window projects," a host of "special events with customers and media," and a "roving ambassador with links to all creative and communication areas including social media."

In the statement, Doonan says: “This exciting evolution of my role at Barneys is brilliant. Change has always been integral to the strength and vibrancy of the Barneys brand. I am delighted to be part of this new chapter." And Lee adds: "Simon has been an intrinsic part of the Barneys DNA for close to 25 years. I am thrilled to work with him and to have him continue to bring his unique wit and multifaceted talents to Barneys in this new role of creative ambassador-at-large.”

Freeman, for his part, will be responsible for the "photographic and video images, graphic design, store design and image, and visual merchandising" of Barneys, Co-Op, and Barneys.com, according to the release. He will also engage artists, designers, and creative collaborators — including Doonan — to curate the Barneys New York windows.

Freeman, in the statement, says: "For decades Barneys New York has stood for creative innovation.  I am thrilled by the opportunity to creatively lead the company forward.  Starting from New York which is the most culturally dynamic city in the world, I will strive to incorporate modern creative energy into the Barneys brand in the years ahead." And Lee adds: "Dennis is a visionary and innovator with great experience and talent across the worlds of fashion, photography, art, design, and architecture. He will bring his tremendous eye and impeccable taste to lead the new creative direction of Barneys New York."

After opening an ungodly amount of Christmas presents each year, it baffles me how we can all continue to shop, rushing to stores for post-Christmas sales or spending hours online in search of "what we really wanted." But I'm guilty as charged, and when the sale alert emails keep on comin', it's hard not to browse — just a little. Here are a few sales I'm having trouble resisting:

• Crate & Barrel's Winter Clearance Sale, with discounts up to 50 percent off.
• West Elm's sale, with discounts up to 75 percent off.
• 10 percent off all products at the Shade Store through Dec. 31.
• Barneys New York Designer Sale, with discounts up to 60 percent off.
• Up to 50 percent off clearance at Horchow.
• Macy's Biggest White Sale of the year, up to 60 percent off.
• Up to 60 percent off home items at Bloomingdale's.
• One Kings Lane Holiday Blowout Sale.

P.S. This dapper, tailored sofa is the Crate & Barrel Trace Apartment Sofa ($899) — such a steal!

Send 2010 out with a bang (for your buck)! Barneys New York has kicked off a designer sale of epic proportions; along with some fab items for ladies, gents, and some very lucky kids, the luxury department store also offers some very lovely products for the home. I adore this trendy, prismic Rhomboid Cube Box ($239, originally $372), designed by R & Y Augousti. There's also an array of ceramic and glass tableware that would make for quite an elegant New Year's party! Check out some more of my picks from the sale below.

>> There's been plenty of speculation on who might replace Julie Gilhart as Barneys's new fashion director — Virginia Smith and Sarah Rutson's names were both mentioned, and most recently, Taylor Tomasi Hill was fingered as a possibility.

Although the first two have said they're not taking the job — Tomasi Hill has not commented thus far — Barneys has not addressed any of the rumors, until this evening, when the retailer released the following statement: "As announced by Barneys New York on November 29th, the search for a new fashion director was launched by Daniella Vitale, chief merchant and executive vice president, who joined the company on December 1st. Contrary to recent speculative reports, no employment offer has been made as of this date to any person for the fashion director position."

• Vogue's Virginia Smith turned down the Barneys fashion director position last week, and now the other front-runner, Lane Crawford fashion director Sarah Rutson, has too. “I have no intention or plans to leave Lane Crawford,” Rutson said over the weekend [WWD]
• Tomorrow's British Fashion Awards will honor Alexander McQueen posthumously for Outstanding Achievement; McQueen's frequent collaborator Nick Knight made a short film of the designer's archives for the occasion, scored by Bjork: “It is being styled by Edward Enninful and will feature black models only” [Style File]
• The first image of Dolce & Gabbana's Spring 2011 campaign, which features Izabel Goulart, Alessandra Ambrosio, Maryna Linchuk, and Isabeli Fontana captured by Steven Klein, has leaked (pictured) [TFS]

• Giorgio Armani and Lady Gaga, who have a multimillion dollar partnership, finally met for the first time last night; Anna Dello Russo also met Gaga and brought her a doll [Styleite]
• See the Ann Taylor-inspired looks the 2010 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalists created as part of this year's competition [Fashionista]
• Hairstylist Didier Malige on Terry Richardson's childhood: "Now I see Terry as an adult, and at the time I knew him as three or four years old. His upbringing was totally liberal compared to a French kid of his age. They had a Fiat 500, which is a tiny little car, and he always had to share it with a huge poodle, like a royal poodle. And he always had to sit in the back with the poodle." [Into The Gloss]
• Juicy Couture co-founders Pamela Skaist-Levy and Gela Nash-Taylor, who favor vintage pieces, furry vests, black leather pants, and vertiginous heels, plan to launch a new label next year, and they're dropping hints: “It will reflect the way we dress now. We have outgrown our track suits and grown up” [WWD]
• Sasha Pivovarova, who likes to make dolls, opens up her Brooklyn loft for T's cameras [T]
• Watch the music video for a young Jean Paul Gaultier's 1988 single, "How To Do That," featuring Naomi Campbell [Jezebel]
• 23-year-old Central St Martins graduate Thomas Tait only does private orders so far, but he's already got fans in Giles Deacon, Daphne Guinness, Stephen Jones, and Manolo Blahnik [T]
• Intermission Magazine's website just launched, featuring interviews with the likes of Gaia Repossi and Hanne-Gaby Odiele [Intermission]