From the whimsy of 5th Avenue to the glitter of Paris's Boulevard Haussmann (where Printemps partnered with Dior and Galeries Lafayette teamed with Louis Vuitton), the annual department store windows are always a treat to behold. But in case you can't make it in person to each far-flung locale to ogle them all, never fear; we've gathered up the best of them right here, and they're all sure to inspire plenty of cheer.
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>> As far as Zac Posen is concerned, there's no reason his 12-piece Z Spoke collection for Lord & Taylor can't be as sensational as the gowns he creates for the red carpet.
"I don't believe that true trends actually come from high fashion down anymore," Posen said of his capsule collection of dresses, all of which are priced under $200. "I think that if you have the ability to create directly at that price point . . . that's really exciting because then you're addressing a much wider audience. And it makes it more fun."
For Posen, fun means colorful, straightforward dresses created with his core design principles in mind. "They're still flirty. They still have our signature construction in them," he said. "Sometimes we'll take out the lining of some of our couture gowns and even that on its own would just be an amazing dress."
But these dresses aren't just glorified crinolines — they're ways for new consumers to get more familiar with his work. Coco Rocha attended the capsule collection's launch party on Wednesday clad in a blazer from Posen's Target collaboration. She said the Lord & Taylor dresses were a smart move.
"For so long, no one could really relate to him," Rocha said. "It was all about really beautiful gowns and a romantic sort of fairy tale. I think this is appropriate, because now we all — even I! — can have a Zac Posen dress."
>> The collaborations just keep coming: Zac Posen and Nanette Lepore are the latest designers to announce mass market deals. In April, Posen's capsule collection of 12 dresses — ranging in price from $149 to $199 — will hit 30 Lord & Taylor stores. And in early 2013, Lepore will launch a line for juniors with "sophisticated tastes" at over 600 J.C. Penney locations. Entitled L'amour, Lepore's line will feature dresses, prom looks, silk-screened t-shirts, sportswear, and denim. "This will not be a capsule collection," J.C. Penney president Michael Francis told WWD. "This is a meaningful, multi-year relationship." Francis also noted that this isn't the only collaboration the retailer has in the works, adding, "This is the first of our new designer partnerships. We will bring in the right designers."
At left: Lepore with daughter Violet at the Nanette Lepore Spring 2012 show. Getty
With only eight days to go until New Year's Eve, I thought it fitting to pay homage to the quintessential party girl and ladylike legend, Holly Golightly. The iconic image of Miss G enjoying coffee and a croissant while gazing into Tiffany's is permanently ingrained in my head. Holly was the ultimate glamorous girl-about-town, and she always dressed the part. Get her glam look with a long black sheath dress ($80), shiny kitten heels, and elbow-length gloves. Make the look modern with a crystal headband and sequin clutch — and don't forget the pearls.
Nicky Hilton's holiday shopping 'fit is flawless. While strolling the streets of LA, the pretty lady donned a structured leopard print coat with lusty Christian Louboutin Babel platform boots. Black leggings, Ray-Bans, and pleated Valentino bag are her accompaniments of choice. So fine-tuned and foxy.
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Ashley Greene joined fellow celebs at the Tim Burton exhibition at MoMA — lucky! — looking quite fine in a D&G ensemble. Her outfit might look like a plain lace LBD at first glace, but look closer. The New Moon actress paired her decadent lace skirt with a shimmery sheer top and peekaboo bra. For extra spice, she accessorized with a cute ribbon belt and sophisticated pair of lace pumps. Striking.
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Emmy Rossum showed off her sweet side wearing a pleated jewel-collared cream dress by Temperley London at the US Open party in NYC. Check out how the embellished neckline adds a decadent touch while her rope belt injects funk factor. For adornments, the actress donned sassy gold Jimmy Choo sandals, stacked bangles, and a shimmery box clutch. Isn't she just the cutest thing?
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In 2004 Lord & Taylor dropped Liz Claiborne but, thanks to Isaac, they're relaunching the line "in a big way". ..
Oscar de la Renta reiterated his frustration with Michelle Obama's fashion choices, after complaining to the press last week.
Australian Harper's Bazaar is making waves with an underwater fashion spread featuring a voluptuous model.
Comme des Garcons is collaborating with Vogue Nippon to open a pop-up store in Tokyo arranged in magazine format.
Last week it was Avril Lavigne, and this week it's Rachel Bilson joining the celebrity designer foray.
Rachel contacted DKNY Jeans to express an interest in working with them, and that's how her junior sportswear line, Edie Rose for DKNY Jeans, came about. The collection will include 15 pieces when it launches in September, including button-down tops, sweaters, jackets, tees, dresses, and dark wash jeans in a black, white, and yellow color palette.
Rachel seems dedicated to her designs: "This line is my main focus right now," she said. "I can't draw at all, so I won't be doing any sketches, but I am learning to sew. I think it's important to know more about the whole process of making clothes."
She named the line for her grandmother Edie, and Rose, a close family friend, because she didn't want to use her own name: "I want people to see these clothes for what they are, not just another line designed by another celebrity," she said. "I want the line to be taken seriously." From these first looks, will you be taking it seriously?
To see a few more looks from Edie Rose for DKNY Jeans, read more
Everyone from Gap to Target to H&M have recruited major designers to create less expensive lines for their brand, so what's stopping Lord & Taylor? Nothing. The department store tapped Tuleh (left) designer Bryan Bradley to create an exclusive line called Bryan by Bryan Bradley in April and the feminine and affordable pieces have already hit stores.
Cynthia Steffe and Charles Nolan are also part of the Lord & Taylor family; Cynthia is designing for the accessories department, while Charles offers affordable and chic clothes. Rumor also has it that the next designer collaboration may be with Peter Som. Fingers and toes crossed.
