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Here's Why You Need to Line Up For Francisco Costa's Calvin Klein Dress Collection For Macy's

Chi Diem Chau — Wed, 09 May 2012 10:33:07 PDT

Zoe Saldana, Kerry Washington, and most recently Emily Blunt at the Met Gala are just a few of the celebrities who don Francisco Costa's minimally chic collection for Calvin Klein, and now you can get a piece of Francisco's genius designs for much less. Today, we got a preview of Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein (Francisco's first ever diffusion collection), exclusively available at Macy's on May 15, and believe us when we say the line is every bit as chic as the designer's main collection. "It's a good price, great design," said Costa. "One of the inspiration points came from the Museum of Modern Art in Sao Paulo, which was really inspirational because there was a picture of a sunset picture, and the sun was just hitting the pavement. It was so significant to me and that's where the color palette came from . . . The fabric is so nice, very versatile, and easy to wear during the day, to the office, and into the evening." One touch of the fabric and you will not believe that each dress only costs from $135 to $180. "If you think of Jennifer Lawrence in her red dress at the Oscars, this is basically it, what it represents," said Costa. Check out the slideshow to see the collection - additional colors like guava, warm cocoa, and iron are not included in the lookbook, but will be available upon launch - right now, then remember to check out Macy's in stores or online on May 15 and nab a dress, or two, before they sell out fast.

Nicole Richie Will Be Designing a Collection For Macy's

Chi Diem Chau — Tue, 08 May 2012 05:42:02 PDT

Macy's has nabbed Nicole Richie as the next designer for its Macy's Impulse capsule collection series. "With each collection I do, it all starts with music," said Richie. "Music is the driving force behind my inspiration." The limited-edition collection, launching online and in 100 Macy's stores in mid-September, is set to feature 30 pieces highlighting a mix of masculine and feminine pieces, via a bold peacock print from Richie's archives, bright colors, pretty chiffon pieces, faux leather, and tough zipper details. Furthermore, Richie says her line, "represents the many different layers of a modern woman. Women are wearing so many different hats these days. We are evolving." Previous designers who collaborated with Macy's include Karl Lagerfeld, Giambattista Valli, and most recently, Alberta Ferretti. Stay tuned for photos from Nicole Richie's collection for Macy's, but for now, see some of our favorite pieces from Nicole's Winter Kate and House of Harlow Fall line in the slideshow.

Brazil Sends Its Vintage Scents to the States

Annie Tomlin — Mon, 07 May 2012 09:55:00 PDT

Unless a trip to Rio is in your future, good luck tracking down Phebo soaps and candles. Founded in the 1930s, Phebo is one of Brazil's most venerable perfumery brands - and as well-known as the line is in South America, it's extremely hard to find in the States. That's all about to change, as Macy's begins to stock a variety of Phebo bath and body products this month. Three hundred stores will have soap gift sets in fragrances ranging from rose to neroli; flagship stores in San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Atlanta, and Miami will have an extended range that includes beautifully packaged candles and bath salts. If you're interested in getting your hands on the brightly wrapped goods, move quickly. With only a three-month run planned for Macy's, Phebo will be gone faster than you can say tchau.

Francisco Costa's Designing a Calvin Klein Capsule Collection For Macy's

Chi Diem Chau — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 08:39:23 PDT

Francisco Costa's modern and minimal Calvin Klein collection has been spotted on celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, Diane Kruger, and Jennifer Lawrence, and come May you, too, can get a taste of the designer's high-end style for a much lower price point. Francisco Costa will be designing a limited-edition capsule collection of dresses for Macy's special "A Magical Journey to Brasil" promotion next month. "This fresh, youthful line of dresses reflects both my roots and the modern, yet timeless spirit of Calvin Klein," said Costa, who is a native of Brazil. The crepe and jersey dress collection, ranging from $135 to $180, will feature architectural lines and bold colors inspired by Brazil. Take a look at the slideshow to see sketches from Francisco Costa's Calvin Klein capsule collection for Macy's, plus looks from his most recent Fall 2012 runway show.

Let's Have a Parade! Behind the Scenes at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Rebecca M Gruber — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 19:36:13 PST

Strike up the band; the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is ready to go! A time-honored tradition for many families, the nationally televised parade is the perfect mode of entertainment for multiple generations who've gathered together for the holiday. This is the 85th year Macy's has put on the parade that winds its way through New York City, and it looks to be bigger and better than ever. With 15 gigantic balloons - including new friends such as Paul Frank's Julius, the Aflac duck, and a new character created by Tim Burton, as well as longtime favorites like Kermit the Frog, Mickey Mouse, and Spider-Man - 27 floats, 800 clowns, and 1,600 cheerleaders, there's plenty to entertain fidgety tots.

I got a behind-the-scenes look at the helium-filled wonders tonight, as their handlers - the large balloons require up to 100 handlers each! - got them ready for their moment in the spotlight. Under the direction of a new grand marshal, the parade gets underway bright and early on Thanksgiving Day. If you don't plan to be one of the 3.5 million people who line the streets to watch the festivities pass by, check out my sneak peek at the fan-favorite balloons, and then tune into NBC to see just how high they fly!

Macy's Teams Up With Doo-Ri For Next Designer Collaboration

Chi Diem Chau — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 05:42:29 PDT

Timing couldn't be more perfect for Macy's next designer collaborator: Doo-Ri Chung. The designer who's known for her beautiful draped dresses and separates - Chung's gorgeous purple dress was worn by Michelle Obama at the state dinner welcoming South Korea last week - will emulate the same aesthetic in her collection for Macy's Impulse line via short and maxi-length dresses, leggings, blouses, and trenchcoats using jersey, knitwear, and art prints. “Women definitely want clothes that are versatile. I love pieces that you wear for day, and when you accessorize, become perfect for evening, too,” said Chung.The collection is set to retail from $39 to $159 and will be available Feb. 15 online and in stores. Check out the slideshow to see Doo-Ri's latest Spring runway collection plus two sketches from her line for Macy's!

See the Complete Giambattista Valli For Macy's Collection

Chi Diem Chau — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 09:31:10 PDT

With fans like Sarah Jessica Parker, Zoe Saldana, and Jessica Biel to name a few, it's safe to say Giambattista Valli is a favorite among the red carpet crowd. Lucky for us, the designer teamed up with Macy's and created a flirty collection set to debut Oct. 26. With the impending amount of holiday parties and cocktail hours to attend this season, the line, filled with leopard prints, ruffles, and metallic touches, comes at the perfect time. “This capsule reflects my enduring loves but is really a celebration of my biggest inspiration of all - the energy and vitality of women themselves," said Valli. "I love dressing them for all their happiest moments, making them feel as special as possible. This collection is a passport into my world and a chance to experience the passion and romance of my house and Paris itself." See our top three pieces from the collection below.

This cool patchwork shift dress is perfect for night out with the girls.
The leather detailing and drop waist on this leopard-print confection are a luxe touch. Just pair with booties and you're set.
We love the idea of wearing these statement trousers with flats and a plain tee for chic downtown vibe.

Now check out the slideshow to see the rest of the collection, plus the full ad campaign.

Judging a Culinary Competition: It's Not as Easy as You Think

Susannah Chen — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 09:15:11 PDT

I've always envied the chairman and all the judges on Iron Chef America. After all, who doesn't want to sit down to live entertainment and not one, but two, incredible dinners made by star chefs?

Naturally, when I was recently approached to judge the Macy's Mystery Basket Battle in San Francisco, I couldn't say no. The event featured two local celebrity chefs, Staffan Terje from Perbacco and Hoss Zaré from Zaré at Fly Trap, facing off in a 45-minute battle to create at least one dish that incorporated the following six ingredients: kabocha, mint, fennel, cocoa powder, anchovies, and animal crackers.

The event wouldn't have been complete without a live audience of about 50 and a judging panel (which included myself, Masterchef finalist Alejandra Schrader, blogger Carolyn Jung of Food Gal, and SF City Dish founder Kevin Blum). But judging a competition wasn't anything like I thought it would be. Read more for some surprising postcompetition observations.

Confirmed: Giambattista Valli's Collection For Macy's Will Debut This Fall

Chi Diem Chau — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 08:00:25 PDT

After earlier speculation in June, it has now been confirmed that Giambattista Valli will design a collection for Macy's. The designer, who's known for his decadent gowns worn by celebs like Emma Stone and Selena Gomez, is the fourth designer to participate in the Impulse Only at Macy’s collaboration. He follows on the heels of Karl Lagerfeld, whose collection debuts in September. Just in time for the Holiday season, expect a much dressier collection from Valli when it bows on Oct. 26. Drawing inspiration from his signature namesake collection, Valli's creations for Macy's is set to feature a predominantly red and black palette of cocktail dresses, skirts, blouses, jackets, and pants made in lace, tweed, brocade, fake fur, and tulle. The best part? The whole collection is set to retail from $50 to $150. There are no pictures yet, but we'll be on the lookout. For a refresher in Giambattista Valli's designs, check out his Fall 2011 runway collection.

Check Out the Karl Lagerfeld For Macy's Collection

Chi Diem Chau — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 08:23:00 PDT

The Karl Lagerfeld for Macy's collection is one of the most anticipated collaborations of the season and the latest batch of photos from the line reveal some promising pieces for Fall. The 45-piece collection, dropping in stores and online on Aug. 31, stays true to Lagerfeld's classic aesthetic showing a good helping of black and white pieces, via tweed coats, high-collar cotton dresses, and faux leather pants, along with a smattering of hot pink tops and Karl-print tees priced from $50 to $170. Here are our favorite pieces from the collection:

This simple black dress, seen above, with a slightly oversized collar. We can already see cool girls like Alexa Chung and Zoe Saldana wearing it with heels or loafers.

The moody floral print sheer blouse. We'd wear these black leather shorts and booties for a fresh, Fall-transition outfit.

The high-collar tweed dress. The modern racer-back detail and strong neckline are the perfect contrast against the classic tweed texture.

Check out the rest of the collection now!