CFDA president Diane von Furstenberg, Vogue‘s Anna Wintour, Vanity Fair‘s Graydon Carter and a host of industry professionals including Calvin Klein‘s Francisco Costa, Tory Burch, Zac Posen, Theory’s Andrew Rosen, Nanette Lepore, Derek Lam and Joseph Altuzarra joined Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) at a breakfast yesterday to outline the initiative.

“This is such an opportunity for all of us — as an industry, as New Yorkers, as people who do an extraordinary job in creating economic growth — to join with the NRDC to take on this mission, which I think is unprecedented, and really herald a new era of what social change can be done by industry,” Gillibrand said.

One of Clean by Design’s goals is to get designers, retailers and brands to better understand their chain of supply and promote factory improvements. Those in attendance were shown a video depicting a Chinese river polluted by dyes with the statement that next season’s colors will be dictated by the colors of China’s rivers.

“We have found opportunities to reduce impact, using means that actually save the factories money, with process efficiency improvements that win-win, so to speak,” said Linda Greer, director of NRDC’s health and environment program. “The era of operating without knowledge of your factories abroad is ending, and the curtain is rising above the sorts of problems and aspirations that we have abroad.”

Anna Carter, a trustee of the NRDC, added, “It takes as much as 200 tons of water to produce 1 ton of fabric. Since less than 1 percent of the world’s water is drinkable, and our demand for it is on track to double over the next 40 years, this is an issue we need to address. We would be much more effective if we address it together.”

To that end, the NRDC developed its 10 Best Practices, low-cost solutions to reduce water, electricity and energy usage; from leak detection and maintenance in factories to recovering heat from smoke stacks. For every ton of fabric produced, these 10 practices can cut water usage by up to 23% and fuel usage by up to 32%.

PPR and one of its holdings Stella McCartney have already signed on to Clean by Design, though McCartney totally phoned it in; literally.  While she couldn’t make the breakfast, she sent along a video acknowledging her support. [WWD, sub req'd]

(In order of succession to the President)

President Anna Wintour

Vice President André Leon Talley

Secretary of State: Diane von Furstenberg

Secretary of the Treasury: Bernard Arnault

Secretary of Defense: Karl Lagerfeld

Attorney General Steven Kolb

Secretary of the Interior: Ralph Lauren

Secretary of Agriculture: Marc Jacobs

Secretary of Commerce: Valentino

Secretary of Labor: Nanette Lepore

Secretary of Health and Human Services: Glenda Bailey

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Mickey Boardman

Secretary of Education: Michael Kors

Secretary of Veterans Affairs: Carine Roitfeld

Secretary of Homeland Security: Calvin Klein

Chief of Staff: Simon Doonan

Environmental Protection Agency: Emmanuelle Alt

Office of Management & Budget: Donna Karan

United States Trade Representative Ambassador: Daphne Guinness

United States Ambassador: Grace Coddington

Secretary of Small Business Administration: Fern Mallis

And there, indies, is your political lesson of the day.

Now the question is, would you vote Anna Wintour for president?

The other question is, can you find our h McQueen? Happy Presidents Day off!

See the future ahead.

Pulling some tricks from Stella McCartney this outlining trick slims and stuns all at once. it tricks the eye into giving the body perfect curves.

Color blocking has been vertically integrated. Split the scene two-faced for a cool contrast.

The hues run deep in Fall 2012, but none deeper than burgundy. Red wine flooded nearly every runway this week, and left us delightfully buzzed.

Perhaps inspired by the multitude of collar necklaces that have surfaced since Spring, collars are now stepping into the light, taking on their own colors separate from the rest of the garment. And it pops in a way that you won't have to lift it up.

Fanny who? These waist bags are all grown up, and some have even doubled. Hands and shoulders-free has become so chic.

The boob tube turned fuzzy as black and white meshed like a snowy television. The signal may not be coming in clear, but the trend certainly is.

Designers are pointing out your sexiest curves: hips, boobs, shoulders. On point.

Jackets hems hit the floor, billowing out behind as you take a step. The look is regal, the effect is long.

Because we live in the future (and Christopher Kane flourished with it last season), laser cut leather lace is cutting out everywhere.

Whether we're getting our athletics on, or yearning for old "glory days," this trickle up trends has saturated the runway and blown up street style. They. Were. Everywhere.

What brought about this mod British Indian melange?

“It was the tarot cards, and no one knows where they originated. Everyone wants to claim the tarot. The inspiration was: Oscar Wilde reads your Tarot cards then you put on your best menswear pajamas and have a great dance party.”

Stunning! That’s a party I want to be a part of. Now a question for President Lepore of Save the Garment Center: If you were in an elevator with a young designer about to send production overseas, what would you say?

I would tell them that they’re out of their mind. That there’s so much opportunity here in New York. Actually there’s one I shared a train ride with who was working in China. I was like, ‘You’re so making a mistake. You have to work here in America.’ She didn’t understand how to do it. And she’s gone, out of business. you can be so  hands on and so much in control of your fate if you’re right three. these factories want you to succeed. They’re there to nurture you. They’re not going to cut you off after one season if you haven’t brought your minimums to where they’re supposed to be. They will work with you. So I would do everything in my power to stop them from [going overseas].

On Friday, the CFDA signed a 10-year lease on a new 9,310-square-ft office space at 65 Bleecker Street, where it plans to move this summer. Nanette Lepore, a staunch supporter of the Save the Garment Center movement, couldn’t help but express her concern: “We are extremely disappointed by the CFDA’s decision to leave the Garment Center. We only hope this does not signal the end of their previous support for New York City manufacturing and emerging American designers.”

Anthony Lilore, a founding member of Save the Garment Center, was a bit more equivocal: “Symbolically, I do think it is a black eye, but the New York Times is not located in Times Square, Sullivan Street Bakery is not on Sullivan Street and Madison Square Garden is not at Madison Square, so the CFDA should be where the designers are and that could just as easily be L.A. [Ed. note: No it couldn't.] but they are still in New York City. I wish them well in their new home.” Adding,  ”I think that, symbolically, it’s not right, but the industry has changed so much over the past 20 years and even five years that I don’t think it makes a whole lot of difference where they are.”

Citing a need for more space and a lack of prime real estate in the Garment District, CFDA CEO Steven Kolb insisted that his organization would nevertheless remain committed to its old home: “The CFDA is still there and to what extent the other stakeholders are disappointed about the move, our work is going to keep going. We are not abandoning anything. Our commitment stays strong.”

And to put all fears to rest, DVF — ever the angelic voice of reason — swooped in with her two cents: “We needed a very large space so we can have board meetings and clinics there. We found a great space with a great deal, and that’s that. We looked for a long time, and we didn’t find the right opportunity.” Not content to just talk the talk, von Furstenberg is also walking the catwalk by expanding her business in the Garment District with more factory space and sample room.

Because those wrap dresses ain’t gonna wrap themselves. [WWD, sub req'd]

Yesterday at the Priemière Vision/Indigo textile trade show, I walked through the entranceway and gravitated to this table. They told me about this low-minimums book, that all vendors listed in The Designer’s Guide would have minimums of 350 yards, all the way down to 1 yard! (A minimum is the fewest amount of yards a textile mill will allow you to buy). This book, slimmer than the one above, is only $75. Which is a steal when you think of the work that went into gathering this information, which isn’t readily available anywhere else. I somehow walked away from The Designer’s Guide, insisting that I’d buy it online. However, after an hour of pounding the trade show pavement and hearing the phrase “3,000 minimums” about a dozen too many times, I realized I needed a copy of this book, then and there. So I went back to the About Sources table, and was invited to sit down with the mastermind behind this operation.

Since 1988, the author, Susan Power has been compiling her Garment Center and national resources to create these guides for designers and manufacturers. She worked in the industry, and one day decided she wanted to make little boys’ clothes, noting the abundance of adorable girls’ clothing, and a lack of cute boy stuff. So she started out calling mills, and the minimums were far beyond what she needed; children’s clothing uses far less fabric than adults’. It was there she started making a list of fabric houses that would sell at lower quantities.

For a brief spell, she sat on the board for Nanette Lepore’s Save the Garment Center, and she has worked with government trade agencies, but found these all were falling short of what the meat of the problem was; design entrepreneurs need information about where these US-based mills and factories are, what they can do, and what they produce.

The heftier version is called The Sourcer’s Guide, this volume at $120, gives all fabric sources with under 500 yard minimum, and who to go to for any aspect of production. You can buy it on their website RRAG.net.

She also created The Contractor’s Guide. At $60, it leads you to all sewers, knitters, finishers, cutters, etc. All of this is included in in The Sourcer’s Guide.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!! Susan Power is hosting a the Designer’s Guide Expo textile trade show for only low-minimum suppliers. It’s happening February 6-7, 2012 at Hotel Pennsylvania on 7th Ave at 33rd St. If you’re a young designer, you need to be there. You must discover The Sourcer’s Stone for yourself.

Heidi Klum will be portrayed by Angela Lindvall. The role of Nina Garcia will be played by Marchesa‘s Georgina Chapman. Joanna Coles, editor-in-chief of Marie Claire will star as mentor-in residence Tim Gunn. And returning to the fashion reality competition show stage is Isaac Mizrahi as Michael Kors. Guest judges will include Diane von Furstenberg, Miranda Kerr, Miss Piggy, Pharrell Williams, Nanette Lepore, Rachel Roy, Catherine Malandrino, and Mark Badgley and James Mischka.

The All-Stars in question are past Runway contestants who weren’t quite up to snuff, such as Austin Scarlett, Sweet P, Kara Janx and that much-reviled whiny copycat, Kenley Collins. Personally, I stopped watching Project Runway as soon as it hopped from Bravo to Lifetime,  deciding along the way that a season in L.A. was a good idea, but this new spin-off series could bring some much-needed fresh air into the franchise.

The All-Stars will compete for a handsome set of prizes, the most lucrative in Runway history: “an exclusive designer boutique in select Neiman Marcus stores and on neimanmarcus.com; $100,000 in technology and office space to help expand their business from HP and Intel; $100,000 cash from L’Oréal Paris; a feature spread in Marie Claire, for which he or she will serve as a guest editor for one year, and a sewing and embroidery studio provided by Brother International.” Well, at least they made returning to the scene of one’s former and very public embarrassment suitably enticing.

Will you watch Project Runway All-Stars when it premieres January 5 on Lifetime, television for women unemployed gay men? [WWD]

The red of next spring is primarily bold. Think fire trucks and Louboutin soles.

In contrast to this past spring's tangerine, this orange has gone pumpkin, with reddish bronze undertones.

Just shy of neon, this near-blinder shows hints of marigold. It's vibrant and saturated, ready to tackle any busy print in a fight for loudness.

Green is feeling minty fresh. The pastel finish is crisp and clean.

True blue is blowing up cobalt. There's a great depth in this striking color.

Baby got back to the hue of blue that kisses the sky through a layer of mist.

Lavender sweeps in with an essence of calm. The color is regal, light as a princess (not nearly as light at Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge - skinny bid).

11. University of Delaware Newark, DE

Campus Tour: The smallest state also has a small design program that is focused on quality garment making from every angle. The program follows a garment through its entire lifecycle, from the creative design and tailoring, to a focus on sustainably producing goods on both small and large scale in a socially and environmentally minded manner. An entirely student run fashion magazine, UDress, and fashion shows exist outside of class, working to show and pull fashion out of this college driven town.

Programs: Apparel Design, Merchandising, Sustainability

Student Body: 16,500

Tuition:  $27,000

Star Alumni: Well, me. And a fierce force that is the backbone of the garment industry.

Alexander McQueen

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JANUARY 16: Actress Catherine Zeta-Jones arrives at the 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at The Beverly Hilton hotel on January 16, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

attends the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2011 in New York City.

Rick Owens

Alber Elbaz

Milk is now represented by Creative Artists Agency and has brought on Lexus and American Express as sponsors in addition to original partner MAC Cosmetics.  This partnership has also gone through some changes and beginning this Fashion Week MAC & Milk shows will be under the name of Made.

Lincoln Center on the other hand has IMG, Mercedes-Benz and Maybelline, as well as AmEx with MAC also providing make-up for many a MBFW show.

While Made focuses on emerging designers and does not charge to rent their space — MAC is the exclusive make-up provider leaving models and music on the bill — Lincoln Center caters to more high-profile designers, who in addition to paying for the venue also have to dig deep for models, hair, music and makeup. And these are just a few of the differences:

Number of Shows:

Made – 35

MBFW – 98 (81 on-site, 17 off)

Sponsors:

Made – MAC, American Express and Lexus

MBFW - DHL, Maybelline New York, American Express, TRESemmé, W Hotels Worldwide, Fiber One Bars, ideeli, Fiji Water, AriZona Beverages

Designers:

Made - Sophie Theallet, Cushnie Et Ochs, Peter Som, Erin by Erin Fetherston, Billy Reid, Simon Spurr, Ohne Titel, Jeremy Scott, Nahm

MBFW - BCBG Max Azria, Tommy Hilfiger, Nicole Miller, Cynthia Rowley, Derek Lam, Tracy Reese, L.A.M.B., Diane von Furstenberg, Betsey Johnson, Tory Burch, Badgley Mischka, Vera Wang, Diesel, Michael Kors, Nanette Lepore, J.Mendel, Milly by Michelle Smith, Anna Sui, Elie Tahari

With Fashion Week just around the corner and all those sponsorship dollars, designer reputations and AmEx black cards floating around, the stage is set for a good ole-fashioned walk-off between Milk Studios and Lincoln Center. [WWD]

- Wu-Tang still ain’t nothin’ to fuck with, but they’re also a prime employment opportunity. [Refinery29]

I’m Lauren, your resident NYC dweller, crazed shopaholic and blogger from Diary of a Fashion Addict. Join me as we explore this week’s best online sample sales, NYC street deals, exclusive discount codes from your favorite designers and more.

Deal for a Day:

Let’s keep it simple: Gucci on Rue La La today, 7/19! If you’re in the market, sign on at 11 a.m. on the dot to get first pick.

For an invite: email Lauren@diaryofafashionaddict.com

Iridescent beading works its way up what is surely a dress under that crop coat.

This pointelle cape looks sumptuously flexible.

Marigold maxis make me smile like sunflowers. Just take off the business suit and play.

These faded twenties colors get colorized in the detailing. This is as pastel as colors should ever get.

Photos courtesy of nymag.com

Lepore went on Vine Talk (oh, Stanley Tucci) and seeing the velvet cloth covering the bottles was reminded of soft-core porn of the late-70s and early-80s — or as like to refer to it, the Golden Age of Porn.

I mean, those mustaches alone…

She went on to say that her fall collection will be inspired by films from that era. Yes, please! — sign me up for my Nanette Lepore assless chaps.

Meanwhile, I’m openly in love with Stanley Tucci and can’t wait to start watching Vine Talk, where guests apparently take part in blind wine tastings.

I would make a tasteless joke about Stanley Tucci placing some grapes of his own in my mouth, but I’m a lady and I don’t think Stanley Tucci would like that.

Link Love: Page Six

$72.41, ASOS

$65.61, ASOS

$22.80, Forever 21

$345, Karen Millen

$495, Haute Hippie

$178, Nanette Lepore

$219, The Reformation

$295, Cynthia Steffe

At an outdoor event in the Hamptons this weekend Calvin Klein – donning dark slacks on the hot evening – proclaimed his strong dislike for the nighttime shorts look that stars like Gwyneth Paltrow have made so big this summer. “I think it’s inappropriate,” Klein said. “We’re all sweating. That’s what happens; you have to sweat sometimes.”

We couldn’t disagree more. The shorts look is hot and there are many ways to show off those tanned, tones legs and still be classy enough for dress-up or nighttime events. The proof is in the pudding:

Black silk tie-shorts like these BCBGMAXAZRIA Micro Sateen Shorts ($118) are as dressy as a skirt. Pair them with a crisp white tee and extra long gold chain for a cool going-out look.

These majorly discounted Elizabeth and James Flared shorts ($73.50, down from $245) are super-flattering and still available in all sizes.

You will want to live in these incredibly soft and comfortable Oonagh by Nanette Lepore Cotton Pleated shorts ($38.99, down from $98). Dress them up for a night out with a bright ruffled top and high peep toe pumps.

Find the best shorts for your shape, plus must-have blazers right now, and then see our guide to celebrity denim,  celebrity style sunglasses, plus more celebrity style posts.

Related posts:

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2. Zoe Saldana and More Show How to Keep It Simple Yet Sexy in Calvin Klein Diane Kruger (the new face of CK beauty), Zoe…
3. News: Calvin Klein To Livesteam, Naomi Shows A Softer Side, More 1. Calvin Klein is jumping on the digital bandwagon–the brand’s…

LINK LOVE:Calvin Klein Hates Shorts, Says You Must Sweat For Fashion

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Ever see your favorite celebrity in a really cute pair of shoes and you can’t find out who the designer is? Or you’re watching Gossip Girl and you love the necklace that Blair is wearing? Shoppingandinfo.com is a shopping blog for celebrity fashions.

Shopping and Info has the best of celebrity fashions on bags, shoes, and clothing daily. You will find out where to get your celebrity favorites. Check in daily for private coupon codes and secret sales.

You can also follow them on twitter @shoppingandinfo and Facebook.

Nanette Lepore’s wool and nylon vest over Rebecca Taylor’s silk blouse, wool shorts and boots with Me & Kashmiere’s cashmere scarf worn as a belt.
Photo by John Aquino

See by Chloé’s wool, nylon and sequin sweater and silk, nylon and sequin shorts with L’Agence’s suede jacket and silk blouse. Cynthia Steffe shoes.
Photo by John Aquino

Loeffler Randall’s wool jumper and Alexandre Herchcovitch’s jeweled silk blouse. Alexandre Birman shoes.
Photo by John Aquino

Cynthia Steffe’s wool sweater over Mulberry’s silk blouse and wool shorts. Mulberry handbag and shoes.
Photo by John Aquino

Pendleton meets Opening Ceremony’s cotton and wool jacket and wool shorts with Oonagh by Nanette Lepore’s cashmere sweater. Tory Burch boots.
Photo by John Aquino

Shorts, those warm weather essentials, are everywhere for fall. In chunky wool or covered in shimmering sequins, they offer a playful take on the tomboy trend.

PHOTOGRAPHED AT LA PLAZA CULTURAL; MODEL: MARHARYTA FOR MAJOR MODEL MANAGEMENT; HAIR AND MAKEUP BY CABIRIA ROSADO; FASHION ASSISTANT: DANICA DAWN TERLITSKY; PROP ASSISTANT: SHANE RICCARDI; ALL LEGWEAR BY HUE

(WWD)

Viewing the featured looks has given me a whole new outlook on the “shorts thing.” Tomboy is not a description that I would apply, as I find the looks very feminine, especially when worn with tights and a nice bootie. Then there is the sequined short that adds that instant touch of panache for a night out. I’m partial to looks one, two and four…..the gray with colorful shoes makes for a stylish look. I look forward to giving them a “test run” in the fall.

LINK LOVE:"Make it Short"

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Nanette Lepore’s show today was actually really really good. I LOVED the dresses in colors like Cherry, Olive, Caramel, Gold, and Cinnamon and the fabrics were divine, she used Tweed, Wool, and (like many others this season) Velvet. This collection was young but also Très Chic. The coats were also beautiful.

Gallery here.

I was able to chat with one of the sweetest and most graceful ladies when I was at Sundance…. Davie Blue… not only is her name cool but she is very stylish and talented…. here is a sneak peek into her world….

What film were you promoting at Sundance? Tell us about the film.

Bass Ackwards is a poetic road movie directed by Linas Phillips and produced by Thomas Woodrow. The film follows a man in a challenging moment in his life journey from Seattle to New York in a shortened VW bus. You can actually watch Bass Ackwards right now on iTunes, Amazon VOD, Sony Playstation, and YouTube VOD.

Who did you play in the film at Sundance?

I was Georgia–a married woman who will not leave her husband for the lead character Linas and thus spurs his trip across the country.

How did you relate to your character? How did you prepare for your character?

Hmmm… well, it’s funny, because we (Linas and I) wrote the scenes together and we used maybe half of what we shot in the actual film. Then after we got into Sundance we wrote a scene that I think really fleshes out my character and gives her some depth that allowed me to relate to her more…I am SO thankful that we had the time and courage to give her a little more integrity because she was playing rather manipulative before this addition in my opinion!

Who else is in the film?

A whole slew of NYC theatre and indie film geniuses including; Linas Phillips, Jim Fletcher, Paul Lazar, Alex Karpovsky, Erika Mayfield, Christian Palmer and countless other fantastic characters!

What other films / television shows have you been a part of lately that you really loved and learned from?

I was in a few of Lynn Shelton’s (Humpday, My Effortless Brilliance) MTV web series episodes shot this summer and premiered at Sundance. I really enjoyed working with Lynn because she has a very strong vision but doesn’t let that compromise her collaborative spirit. She’s fantastic and the whole Seattle crew was such a lovely and kind group of creatives. I also shot a video game in the mountains of Patagonia in Argentina last fall–that was pretty incredible. I love traveling for work!

What did you wear at Sundance for the different events you attended?

Mostly my own casual assortment of pieces. I live in NYC and have lots of friends in fashion who were really good about offering to loan me things, but in the end I just wore what was comfortable and warm!

What was your favorite dress / outfit you were photographed in at Sundance?

I loved the black Nanette Lepore dress that I wore to the Eldridge and Caravan Party. One of my girlfriends is a knitwear designer there and she let me borrow it from her closet. I wore it with warm tights and suede booties that my old roommate gave to me last Christmas. I felt dressed-up but also true to myself.

Who is your favorite designers for dresses and shoes?

I have a great pair of Tony Lama cowboy boots that I wore in a photo shoot today–I love them because they’re super well-crafted and sleek. I guess, I look best in more tailored vintage-y designs that celebrate curves, so I stick to those eras and comb through thrift stores!

What type of jewelry do you like to wear?

I love Seattle designer Decker Jewelry. She makes lots of bold pieces that feel really celebratory based on her many years as a mehindi (henna) artist. I got into her stuff when I lived in Seattle and wore a lot of it at Sundance.

Who is your style icon?

My mother and little sister–they’re both totally unpredictable and absolutely right-on. And Audrey Hepburn, of course!

What will you be working on next?

I just moved to NYC so am feeling my way into the scene–I expect to land a TV show in the next week or so. No, but really, I have a screenplay that I am finishing writing now called Fancy Goldfish. It’s fun and has a lead role that’s perfect for me!

Beautiful colors, prints and flowing lines. Nanette Lepore was thinking about color for Spring, and she ended up with a palette of highlighter hues. Acid yellow, neon orange, and hot pink lent the season’s long and fluid silhouette a bit of heft (not to mention some of the energy that was missing last season). “I wanted the colors to give the clothes a more powerful look,” Lepore explained backstage before her show. The result was a playful mix of airy, printed dresses and striped knits that would work on a summer day in South Beach or Southampton. Lepore’s chunky wedges—hybrid booties and strappy sandals—in prints and patterns as eye-grabbing as the clothes offered a grounding element to the lightness on top.

Written on Cult Indie