Holidash. Blogging the holidays so you don't have to!

Jason Wu's Night Out at Satine

Tuesday night designer Jason Wu presented his ladylike Spring collection at L.A.'s Satine Boutique, the one West coast spot to score exclusive designs from Wu.

Co-hosted by Lucy Liu and MySpace Fashion, the evening teemed with Wu fans including Kate Mara (at right with the designer), January Jones, Erica Christensen, Rachel Zoe and China Chow -- a host of chic stylesetters eager to praise the young designer.

And no wonder -- Wu explained to us where his inspiration comes from: "I love working with young actresses who are just on the verge. It's always good to have a muse."

Jason Wu is a CFDA finalist whose collection can be found at Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus, and of course Satine.

$5 Million Bra and Diamond Underwear at Victoria's Secret Runway Show


At the Victoria's Secret fashion show in Miami on Friday, some very special things were worn by some very special women in some very special places.

I'm talking about Adriana Lima in a $5 million Black Diamond Fantasy Miracle Bra with white and black diamonds and rubies, and Heidi Klum in a sexy red bra and panty set laced together with strands of diamonds and adorned with giant red sequined wings.

As you can see, it was a glamorous show flanked with silver palm trees and many of the most beautiful women in the world. There were 68 outfits in total, each with its own spectacular theme. See our ten favorites in the gallery here.

Gallery: Victoria's Secret Fashion Show November 2008

Heidi KlumAllesandra AmbrosioAdriana LimaSelita Ebanks

The Victoria's Secret fashion show will be on CBS on December 3rd.

[via StyleList.com/blog]

Brioni to Sell a 25% Stake

Classic luxury Italian fashion brand Brioni, best known for outfitting Pierce Brosnan during his tenure as James Bond (right), is looking to sell a 25% stake in the business. "This is a family company. We need to think about the future and ways to develop the brand," Brioni CEO Antonella De Simone tells WWD.

The company, founded in Rome in 1945 and named after a resort on the Adriatic Sea, makes ready-to-wear and bespoke men's suits costing from $6,000 - $36,000, and has a women's line as well. Some of its luster may have been lost when James Bond switched to Tom Ford, but the brand is undeniably valuable.

How A Louis Vuitton Case Is Made

Vintage Louis Vuitton from Bentleys LondonLouis Vuitton makes a case for everything. Really. If there's something you want to carry in a Louis Vuitton case, they will probably make one for you.

The only criteria-strictly enforced to honor the original spirit of the 150-year-old company-are that the item is portable and that its raison d'être is transport. "We are in the business of movement," says Patrick-Louis Vuitton, a fifth-generation member of the founding family who oversees all of LV's custom projects. "A special order is a compromise between desires and needs from the client and our aesthetic and technical requirements." - Men's Vogue

Louis Vuitton makes about 450 special-order cases every year at their Asnières, France workshop. The process of creating a perfect case for a client's needs can take four to five months, but their policy is to never exceed eight.

Over the years, cases have been created for everything from hookah pipes to a portable altar for a French priest heading to a desert archaeological dig in the 1920's.

Louis Vuitton won't make just anything, though. If they don't like your request (say, to put little LV's all over the interior of your car, a move similar to the one that ended up with Britney Spears on the losing end of a Vuitton lawsuit), they'll modify the idea and make a suggestion - their polite version of refusal.

[via Men's Vogue]

Tom Ford Quantum of Solace Sunglasses


Tom Ford didn't just outfit Daniel Craig in suits for the latest James Bond movie, "Quantum of Solace" he did the eyewear too. The Limited Edition Tom Ford James Bond 007 TF108 sunglasses are available for us non-Bonds too. The aviator-style sunglasses are the exclusive shades featured in the latest James Bond movie " Quantum of Solace" and feature :James Bond 007" inscribed on the case, cleaning cloth, and on frame. The glasses have leather temple tips with a Tom Ford logo plate inlaid on both ends and sell for $349 on Eyegoodies.com.

SoLace Marbled Silk & Accessories

I first met Barb Polin when the two of us were stationed next to each other at a craft fair. I was showing fine jewelry and she had these gorgeous silk scarves... I basically spent all the money I made that day selling jewelry at Ms. Polin's booth. I should have known better than to actually visit her store, where I'd find more than small accessories -- whole outfits of the most beautiful marbled silk material I'd ever seen. Goodbye, paycheck.

I may have parted with more than I could afford at the time, but it was money well spent. Years later, everything I bought from Ms. Polin's studio, SoLace, is still holding up marvelously. The silk that she uses is extremely lightweight, but also very strong and sturdy, so these clothes are really an investment.

Most of her designs are made from a marbled fabric, which she dyes herself in her studio, making every piece one of a kind. She also marbles leather for accessories like wallets, photo albums, and various types of cases. Clothing styles are available for both men and women, and Ms. Polin has been known to take custom orders. You can browse and buy on the SoLace website, or catch her at a craft fair or in her studio in Elkton, Virginia, where you'll find an even better selection than what you see on her website.

Oakley's New Artist Series Frogskins


Oakley recently collaborated with artist Andrew Petterson to create a unique and refreshing collection of handcrafted one-of-a-kind Frogskins. There are 50 individual designs (I picked my favorites for the gallery below) and they're all so bright, cheerful, and (perhaps most importantly) stylish I'm sure you'll want more than just one pair. Coordinate them by color with your outfits or fall in love with a particular design and wear it as a signature statement.

Available at retail locations around the country -- click here to find one near you -- for $350.

Via acquire

Gallery: Oakley Artist Series Frogskins by Andrew Petterson

Moncler to Open in Aspen

Moncler, the Franco-Italian luxury outerwear brand known for its sleek puffers and fashion-forward parkas, is finally slated to open its first freestanding boutique in the U.S.

The Aspen-based flagship will resemble a modern ski chalet, according to Fashion Week Daily, and is set to open November 28 -- just in time for Thanksgiving weekend skiers...and shoppers.

The jacket shown at right is currently available at Bergdorf Goodman for $1,075.

[via Fashion Week Daily]

The $10,000 Dunhill Mechanical Alligator Belt


London men's luxury goods firm Dunhill is coming out with the ultimate alligator belt for the holidays, featuring a high-tech gold, steel and diamond buckle. The Mechanical Belt, which is being produced in a limited edition of 25 pieces globally at a cost of $10,600 each, is designed for ultra-precise adjustments of exactly 35mm - the "two thumb" measurement a tailor will traditionally build into a custom made suit for added comfort. The five-axel buckle contains a patented system of over 108 movable, mechanical parts including roller bearings, plates and levers.

The mechanics make perfect one-handed adjustments a cinch, so to speak, for instance while maneuvering into and out of a low-seated vintage British sportscar. Hand finished by expert artisans, it is comprised of stainless steel and 18 carat rose gold components ornamented with two inset diamonds. A choice of two alligator skin straps are supplied as well. The belt will only be available in Dunhills' flagship stores located in London, New York, Shanghai and Tokyo, with only a handful of pieces to be sold at each one.

Alyssa Milano Designs for NFL Fans


Alyssa Milano has an option for female NFL fans tired of wearing oversized men's logowear but still wanting to look fashionable while supporting their team: her "TOUCH" apparel and jewelry line, available at NFL Shop.

Launched in spring 2007, TOUCH, which also includes lines for the NBA and NHL, was born out of necessity, according to Milano's Web site. When Milano, an avid baseball fan, went to games, "she wanted to wear fan gear to support her team, but found that the product mix offered in the marketplace did not address her everyday fashion needs. She felt women should be able to look stylish while cheering on their favorite team. So, she partnered with G-III Apparel Group and Major League Baseball to design and distribute a line of juniors' ladies MLB apparel." And so it began.

I just learned about the line when I saw a TV ad during a Sunday night football game; it seems the NFL partnership is fairly new. This line includes 245 products that range in price from $16.99 - $89.99.

View the gallery for some examples. Most of the products are available for multiple teams.

Gallery: Alyssa Milano Designs for NFL Fans

Touch By Alyssa Milano Oakland Raiders Women's Ruffle VestTouch By Alyssa Milano Minnesota Vikings Women's Short Zip JacketTouch By Alyssa Milano Tampa Bay Buccaneers Women's Denim JeansTouch By Alyssa Milano Green Bay Packers Women's Full Zip Hooded Fleece with SherpaTouch By Alyssa Milano New York Giants Women's Long Sleeve Top

Armani's 20th Anniversary Sunglasses


Armani Eyewear has a new special sunglasses design to celebrate its 20th anniversary. Evoking a slight Lennon vibe, the limited edition glasses are an updated version of one of Armani's early designs and feature white goldtone palladium, rounded gray/green lenses, and curved arms (I hate the way those feel, personally, even though they look good when you're not wearing them). Each pair is engraved with its edition number of 0001 - 1000 on the inside by the temple and comes in a specially marked "Anniversary Editon" Neiman Marcus case. $1000

Via acquire

The Classicist: Bespoke by David Chu


Last month we wrote about the timeless appeal of classic men's tailoring as epitomized by Savile Row, especially during times of economic uncertainty. There's no need to travel all the way to London however to indulge in custom-tailoring of the highest quality and style that transcends trends and fads, if you know where to look. In New York City, David Chu, founder of the Nautica brand who has since gone on to revitalize luggage maker Tumi, operates an ultra-chic Bespoke shop at his gorgeous Townhouse in Gramercy Park.

The Bespoke shop (above) is located in the penthouse of the Townhouse, which is home to Chu's design studio and other businesses. Ebonized and limestone floors, marble fixtures and a collection of contemporary artwork and Chinese antiquities create an elegant, polished and modern atmosphere. French doors open out from the shop onto a landscaped roof deck with captivating city and park views. "The bespoke experience is about understated elegance," Chu tells Luxist. "It's more for yourself. You put it on, it feels great, and that's the most important thing."

David Chu Bespoke "blends the best of Savile Row and Neapolitan tailoring, marrying craftsmanship with modernity." Garments are hand-cut and stitched by a master tailor based in Naples. A gentleman can order anything he requires to be custom made, from suits, overcoats, tuxedos, and sport jackets to trousers, shoes, scarves, and 12-fold ties. The emphasis is on classic, luxurious fabrics such as super 150's wool, worsted spun cashmere and vicuna sourced from the world's best mills.

Gallery: David Chu Bespoke

The Bespoke shopBespoke suitBespoke in the makingDavid ChuChu's Townhouse Collection for Tumi

Continue reading The Classicist: Bespoke by David Chu

Helena Christensen Stars in New Agent Provocateur Ads


Supermodel Helena Christensen is the newest face (and body) of hip British lingerie brand Agent Provocateur. The Danish siren stars as a sexy pirate in Agent Provocateur's latest ad campaign (above), the story line of which involves her seducing the captain of a ship she's attempting to plunder. The Pirate-inspired lingerie also features in a video clip containing cryptic clues, along with pix of AP's other new line, Witches. As we reported in August, Agent Provocateur has big plans for expansion. See the gallery for more.

Gallery: Helena / Agent Provocateur

Helena #2Helena #3Witches #1Witches #2Witches #5

Bogner Mila-DPL Jacket

You can certainly spice up your winter wardrobe with this glamorous jacket. Its Chevrolib leather makes a real statement in a fitted form and the coyote trimmed hood looks cozy and chic. The chocolate brown color is perfect for fall and the cashmere lined hood is a sensational way to keep the cold out with luxe comfort. It's perfect for the Alps or Aspen in both its fashion-forward look and goose down warmth. For $3,999 this could make a great early holiday gift for that special lady in your life.

Curtis & Co. Watches

Curtis & Co Big TimeYou've probably heard of Curtis & Co. watches. They've been seen on everyone from 50 Cent to Paris Hilton, to Stuart Scott on ESPN. They list famous wearers here, on their "Awristocrats" page.

Their collections all start with the words "Big Time," and include Air (in blue with black casing at right), Ice, Hers, and Limited Edition pieces like a gorgeous rectangular watch celebrating the new golden age of Dubai.

Are these watches "Big Time?" Yes. Each watch has a beautifully crafted face, multiple first-rate functions, and there is an extensive selection of straps in different colors and textures. Curtis & Co. makes exquisite and stylish watches for gifts or to be seen wearing.

Click here for retailers.

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