The house of plaid is suffering as profits drop by 24% in the first half of this year.

Apparently, the new Costco on 116th in New York City is now selling designer goods at a discount. The Chanel bag will run you $1,999, Burberry’s mini satchel for $1,019.99, Tod’s medium shopper handbag for $549.99 and a Ferragamo “Marissa” handbag for $629.99.

Congrats to Christopher Baily for his ongoing contributions to Burberry.

I know I say this a lot, but really, this is the coolest spread I’ve ever seen! The creatives at Flamboyant Magazine shot a variety of breads painted with different designer staple patterns for “The Hate Issue.” Despite the many phallic shaped breads, this is quite the clever way to market the many labels, from Burberry to Vivienne Westwood,  featured in this spread!

In June, Burberry will launch a collection of 100 color products for eyes, lips, and skin with Inter Parfums SA, the holder of Burberry’s beauty license. The line will be carried in only 30 stores globally, including Nordstrom.

Burberry is back in action with plaid print trainers (sneakers), $250

In attendance were Mary-Kate Olsen, Alexa Chung, Liv Tyler, Agyness Deyn, Emma Watson and Freida Pinto.

1. Michael Lewis: Lewis is footwear’s best kept secret and has impressed the likes of Marc Jacobs at Louis Vuitton, Christopher Bailey at Burberry and Tom Ford at Gucci with his shoe-shaped talents – before recently stepping into the role of creative consultant at Kurt Geiger. He brings his own label collection to LFW for the first time this season.

Has an eye for: What women really want – fun yet luxurious, affordable shoes.

Is inspired by: “Early Kenzo and Russian fairytales.”

Shop it: Exclusively at Dover Street Market for autumn/winter 2009.

2. Michael van der Ham: The Dutch born designer’s Warhol art-inspired dresses caught the attention of more than one fashion insider during his autumn/winter 2009 Central St Martins show – for which he also scooped the L’Oreal Professional Award. Prior to this, the young impresario honed his talents with stints at Alexander McQueen and Sophia Kokosalaki.

Has an eye for: The eclectic – van der Ham’s mismatch approach to design ensures there’s never a dull moment.

Is inspired by: Women who aren’t afraid to be bold.

Will be: Showcasing as part of NEWGEN’s Ready-to-Wear exhibition at Somerset House.

3. Fred Butler: New kid on the block Fred began life as a set designer and prop maker before packing a style punch with her first jewellery collection of bold, bright and sculptural designs for autumn/winter 2009. Since then she has presented workshops at London’s Design Museum, guest lectured at the London College of Fashion and collaborated with Asos.com on their limited edition ‘Hit’ line.

Has an eye for: Creating “wearable sculpture,” by using graphic shapes, clashing colours and tactile forms.

Is inspired by: The unpredictable in the everyday.

Shop it: Online at Kabiri.co.uk this season.

4. Mark Fast: Since the success of the 28 year old Canadian’s Central St Martins graduate collection in 2007 (which was quickly snapped up by Browns Focus) the young designer has gone from strength to strength. His autumn/winter 2009 show featured a bold collection of black knitted body-con dresses, embellished with fringing and dramatic cut-out panels.

Has an eye for: Exquisite pieces that are contoured to the body.

Is inspired by: Finding innovative ways with knitwear.

Will be: Available from Browns Focus.

5. Eun Jeong: 2008’s Fashion Fringe winner, Eun Jeong leapt on the scene with a collection made entirely from white cotton lace. The Korean designer has since been working hard to develop her own label ‘1st element by hong eun jeong’.

Has an eye for: Neat pleats and effortless tailoring.

Is inspired by: Uniqueness in others.

Shop it: at Net-a-porter.com

6. Emilio de la Morena: Having trained as a sculptor in his native Spain before sharpening his fashion skills at Central St Martins in 2002, de la Morena’s designs are inspired by structural shapes and traditional Spanish artisan techniques.

Has an eye for: Fluid and feminine sculptural lines.

Is inspired by: The relationship between organic shapes and defined silhouettes.

Shop it: Online at Browns Focus.

7. Josh Goot: His sleek and monochromatic autumn/winter 2009 collection had London based Goot dubbed the new king of modernism, for his simple yet sophisticated use of black and white on shifts and neatly tailored suits.

Has an eye for: Colour blocking and clean lines.

Is inspired by: Human anatomy and abstract forms for spring/summer 2009.

Shop it: At Liberty.co.uk.

8. Mary Katrantzou: Since her fun graphic print collection for autumn/winter 2009, that featured dresses emblazoned with images of perfume bottles, we have not been able to shake the feeling that Katrantzou is going places. Having worked under fellow Greek, Sophia Kokosalaki and freelanced for Bill Blass, the young print designer also makes jewellery to complement her collections.

Has an eye for: Digital prints and bold, industrial jewellery.

Is inspired by: Antique perfume bottles and 18th century portraits for spring/summer 2010.

Shop it: At Browns Focus and Harvey Nichols.

9: Maria Francesca Pepe: With style insiders dipping into Pepe’s jewellery box for her hand-crafted Italian pieces to adorn their fashion pages – including Harper’s Bazaar – it is little wonder the designer already has a loyal following. You might have seen her designs embellishing the shows of Roksanda Illincic (S/S09 and A/W09), Emilio De La Morena (A/W09) and Louise Grey (A/W09), for which she designed a shoe collection.

Has an eye for: Chunky tubular necklaces made using old, handcrafted Italian techniques.

Is inspired by: Pieces that appeal to all tastes and ages.

Shop it: At Dover Street Market and the label’s own online store that launches this December.

Mfpepe.com.

10. Veryta: Designer and Fashion illustrator Tanya Ling brings her talents to the role of Creative Director of not-for-profit label Veryta, which appears for the first time this season. Launched with the backing of Yves Saint Laurent’s Stefano Pilati and Filippo Binaghi of Italian Silk manufacturer, Lorma, 10 percent of sales from the collection will go direct to children’s charities in India.

Is inspired by: Her native India.

Veryta.com

(Harper’s Bazaar U.K.)

Facebook is so last season. Burberry sets plans to launch social network.  Apparently, it’s only for trench coat wearers. Good luck…

The Europeans take to the streets for Fashion Night Out. We’ve got all the coverage from the nights best events.

Fashion people love riding boots. Every season they show up somewhere on the runways, and are considered a classic must have. As far as flat practical boots go, riding boots are as chic as it gets.

No signs of the plaid. This could be the best thing that has happened to Burberry in a long time. Finally starting to see a bit more style in the designs rather than relying on their fad of a plaid print.

Gallery: RUNWAY RUNDOWN: Burberry Prorsum Spring 2010 Collection

via C’est La Vie

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Little Hermoine goes from Hogwarts to haute couture as the face of Burberry’s fall 2009 campaign. This is a first for 19-year old Emma, as this is her first major modeling gig, and I must say she does well for a novice. Shot by Mario Testino in central London, Emma looks every bit the grown-up with her sultry makeup, nonchalant pout and wisp of a hairstyle. This represents a shift for Burberry since the brand is known for casting actual models throughout previous campaigns–Lily Donaldson, Rosie-Huntigton Whitley, Agyness Deyn—and it seems as if they’re conceding to the celebrity-as-spokesperson angle. I say let actors be actors and vice versa, but when it works…

As if living in New York during the recession wasn’t cause enough for you to feel economic pressure, now you can look into the night sky and be reminded of Burberry, and the fact that no, you’ll never be able to afford even a pair of their socks. Yesterday, May 28th, marked the first ever Burberry Day, because hey, if you’ve got the money to replace the logo on the New York building, you’ve got the right to a day in your honor! Burberry hosted a lighting ceremony party last night, and boy, do I wish I was invited to that one. Celebrities, well dressed socialites and a British boy band…what else could a girl want? 

GALLERY: LAST NIGHT’S PARTY: Happy Burberry Day!

Thanks My MANy Bags!

As if being engaged to Marc Jacobs weren’t awesome enough, Lorenzo Martone celebrated his 30th birthday with 150 of his closest friends at the private nightclub, Avenue, on Tuesday night. Complete with Jesus Luz at the turntables and drinks/entertainment courtesy of Burberry, Jacobs certainly made his man feel special. Cheers Lorenzo and happy birthday! We’re jealous of your fiance, your friends, your parties and your life.

GALLERY: Living Vicariously Through Lorenzo Martone

Thanks W!

Am I the only one who is completely over Burberry? I mean sure they make good suits, but their prices are so high you could get a much better suit for the same price. If you ask me they need a drastic reformation of the brand. Now that I got all that out, here’s the latest Black Label Collection for Spring 2009. Enjoy!

via Men’s Rag

The 37th Annual Lighthouse International sale starts a week from today and will feature designers like Jason Wu, Christian Lacroix, Alexander McQueen, Burberry, DVF, Hermes, Lanvin, Marc Jacobs, Prada, YSL, Zac Posen, and others who donated to the sale. There’s a Chanel tweed jacket for $150, a wool Stella coat for $350, a $300 Marchesa gown and even a Dior wedding dress.

There are samples, vintage and slightly worn pieces from more recent runways – including Kim Cattrall’s green Jimmy Choos or her gold Valentino’s (above).

The sale takes place at 110 East 60th Street between Park and Lex from Thursday, May 14 to Saturday, May 16, 11am to 7pm and Sunday May 17th from 11am to 5pm. A one day pass is only $10, four days is $30 and you can buy tickets here.

I know it’s Burberry and people will use the label to justify their purchase, but I will be the first to say it, what in the hell happened? I know this is just a diffusion line, but seriously! The label has more or less fallen off the face of the Earth, and for good reason. Their plaid is played out, and it really seems like the brand is struggling to prove that they weren’t just a trend.

Gallery: Burberry Prorsum: Fall 2009 Collection

via Men’s Rag