It's so money: Melillo installs ATM exclusively at Barneys

There's a new ATM at Barneys New York, but it's not the cash-dispensing kind.

ATM by Anthony Thomas Melillo is the name of a new line of über-luxe men's and women's T-shirts -- and just T-shirts -- by designer Tony Melillo, that launched exclusivley in Barneys New York and Barneys Co-op stores in February. To mark the occasion, two of Hollywood's brothers Huvane -- Stephen (the publicist) and Kevin (the agent) -- hosted a party and charity shopping event at the Beverly Hills store on Thursday for Melillo (whom they've known for decades), with 10% of all proceeds from ATM sales going to amfAR.

Launching a label with a single high-end T-shirt might have sounded ridiculous if James Perse hadn't done exactly that, and the designer explained that the hyper-focus on trying to perfect a single basic garment like the T-shirt was a welcome change of pace from some of his other projects, the most high-profile of which is serving as creative director of Selena Gomez's exclusive-to-K-Mart apparel line. (In 2009, Melillo, whose CV includes launching sportswear label Nova USA and a stint at Generra, co-founded licensing company Cynosure Holdings to focus specifically on mass market celebrity clothing lines.)

The Elder Statesman's new capsule collection hits Barneys Co-op

The Elder Statesman, a Los Angeles-based stealth knitwear label that handcrafts cashmere into a range of super-soft pieces -- think $425 beanies, $865 scarves and $1,300 sweaters -- stocked at storied high-end retailers like Maxfield in West Hollywood, Isetan in Japan and Mr. Porter online, is widening distribution -- and dropping prices -- a bit with a new seven-piece capsule collection that recently hit select Barneys New York stores.

The Tyro by tes collection ("tyro" is a Latin word that means novice or beginner, the "tes" is short for "The Elder Statesman") consists of  knit caps, shawls scarves and fingerless gloves that range in price from $150 to $495  -- which is just about the entry-level price point for the parent brand -- but Greg Chait, who launched the Elder Statesman in 2007 with cashmere blankets that weigh 10 pounds and cost you more than a mortgage payment (some of Chait's handiwork includes the pillows and blankets on the screening room couches at the members-only Soho House in West Hollywood), is adamant that the lower prices are not a result of cutting corners in the quality department.

"I sort of do one-of-a-kind collections for each of my retail accounts," Chait explained, "using the finest cashmere I can find and the pieces are all handmade in Los Angeles. The only difference for the Co-op collection is that instead of cashmere I'm using baby alpaca and the pieces are being handknit in Peru."

The inaugural Tyro by tes holiday collection, which hit Barneys stores and website about two weeks ago, will be followed by a spring collection that includes Chait's luxe-for less take on the T-shirt. But it's one of his projects coming to fruition before that collection that we're eagerly awaiting -- bottles of Elder Statesman-branded private label Scotch whisky that he hopes to start selling this month.

"It's a single barrel of 1969 Macallan single-malt," Chait explained. "and I thought 'The Elder Statesman' sounded like the perfect name for a whisky brand."

That's the kind of holiday spirit(s) we wholeheartedly applaud.

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-- Adam Tschorn

Photos: The seven-piece Tyro by the Elder Statesman capsule collection includes (from left) fingerless gloves ($150), scarves ($495) and knit caps ($165) and is available exclusively at Barneys Co-op. Credit: Mike Piscitelli for Barneys Co-op

Patti Hansen's Hung on U bag line debuts at Barneys New York

Patti Hansen, the '70s supermodel and rock wife to Keith Richards, has a new gig as a bag designer. Her line, Hung on U, is a collection of slouchy, sack-shaped bags that sling around and across the body for hands-free wear and come in a variety of materials, from high-end exotics to super-soft, earthy suede.

The Hung on U shape is based on an original black suede version made for her by a good friend in the early '80s, which Hansen said she would wear dancing and hanging out during her modeling heyday.

"I used to wear a bag like this back in the '80s, and we'd go out and dance all night" said Hansen, who was dressed in a striking white Michael Kors suit and a white bag from her line to celebrate the debut of the brand at Barneys New York in Beverly Hills on Monday.

She said she started wearing the bag again a couple of years ago and was inspired to create a modern-day version that's versatile and practical for city living.

The name Hung on U was her husband's idea, taken from London store from the 60s. "That's why he's a songwriter and musician, he can think of these clever things quickly," she said.

Hansen's daughters, Theodora and Alexandra, as well as celeb friends including Rebecca Romijn, Allison Janney, Simon Doonan and Patricia Arquette (on her way to see brother David perform on "Dancing with the Stars") all stopped by to try on bags and fete Hansen's debut.

They were also there to check out the display of Hung on U bags being auctioned off to raise funds for the Epidermolysis Bullosa Medical Research Foundation. The 15 or so bags were customized by celebs and fashion stars such as Diane von Fursteburg, Donna Karan, Anthony Kiedis, Ronnie Wood and Doonan, and ranged from the lightly embellished to the outrageous -- a bag covered in long hair extensions courtesy of Doonan.

The versatility of the bags was apparent not just in the various ways celebs customized their pieces for charity, but in how everyone was wearing their bags so differently. Hansen kept it clean and sleek with an all-white look, Romijn punctuated her black-and-white ensemble with a leopard version, and several other guests jazzed up their simple outfits with a small bag done in a shimmery disco-ball-esque mesh.

-- Melissa Magsaysay

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Upper photo: Patti Hansen, right, and Rebecca Romijn. Credit: Barneys New York

 Lower photo: Patti Hansen and daughters Theodora and Alexandra. Credit: Barneys New York

Fashion News: Barneys New York taps Lady Gaga for holiday campaign

 
One of the presents we opened in our email inbox this morning was an announcement that Lady Gaga would be serving up her interpretation of Santa's workshop as part of Barneys New York's holiday campaign called "Gaga's Workshop." The announcement reads, in part:

"Barneys New York has worked closely with Lady Gaga under the creative direction of Nicola Formichetti to design a range of exclusive, limited-edition, small gift items, which will be available for a limited time only at Gaga's Workshop. In addition to Gaga's Workshop in New York, a selection of items from the collection will also be available at Barneys New York locations nationwide and online at Barneys.com."

The retailer will be donating 25% of sales from all items featured in the workshop to a charity of Lady Gaga’s choice. [Barneys.com]

If you ask us, Christmas can't come soon enough.

The latest in shoe-collaboration news? Apparently London-based shoe designer Mark Fast has teamed up with Aldo. At least that's what they're saying over at Catwalk Queen.

In other shoe matters, the legal equivalent of the "Red Shoe Diaries" takes another step forward (or is it back?), with industry trade paper WWD reporting that Christian Louboutin plans to appeal the recent ruling by a federal judge in Manhattan that allows YSL to sell red-sole shoes. [WWD, subscription required]

Speaking of Manhattan, Opening Ceremony, which always throws a good party, celebrated the Bean Pole x Kim Jones collaboration with a good, old-fashioned block party on Friday. [Vogue] 

Summer block party season will eventually give way to the tailgating and football season, and now team spirit will be as close as the nearest Old Navy. Seventy of the nation's top college athletic programs will team up with the Gap-owned label to sell branded clothes and accessories at stores across the country. [WSJ, subscription req'd]

-- Adam Tschorn and Booth Moore

Photo: Artwork from Barneys New York's upcoming Gaga Workshop holiday campaign. Credit: Barneys New York.

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Your morning fashion and beauty report: New 'Twilight' book shows what Bella might wear for her wedding, Daphne Guinness shows how to dress for Met gala

Bella's getting married! And Stephanie Meyer’s new book, "The Twilight Saga: The Official Illustrated Guide," gives some illustrations of what the bride-to-be might look like on her wedding day, which is coming up in the movie "Twilight: Breaking Dawn." The first installment of the two-part film is due in theaters Nov. 18. But Twihards can satisfy their "Twilight" cravings with Meyer's new guidebook, which hits shelves Tuesday. [People]

I'm totally intrigued by this: Artist and socialite Daphne Guinness plans to dress for the Met's Costume Institute Gala in the window at Barney's New York Madison Avenue flagship. It's part of a six-week collaboration between the retailer and the style maven that starts May 2 and will unveil a series of looks from Guinness’ fashion archives, including a selection of pieces from the wardrobe of the late editor and fashion icon Isabella Blow (famously purchased by Guinness last year to keep it from being split up at auction). [The Window] 

Model Agyness Deyn, known for her cropped blond hair and work on major fashion ads, editorial campaigns and runways,  has kept a low profile the last couple of years, but she's back now with a spread in the May issue of British Vogue. [Telegraph]

If you're heading for Coachella for the music festival at the end of next week, FabSugar has some ideas about what to pack. Floaty little sun dress? Check. Sunglasses? Check. Sunscreen? Double check. [FabSugar] And check in (get it?) with us here at Image later this weekend to find out about fabulous shopping in the area and to meet some of Coachella's most stylish female performers.  

Eva Longoria's wardrobe malfunction on David Letterman's show this week could have been prevented -- if she'd just worn a shirt and buttoned her tuxedo jacket more securely. [Huffington Post]

Dolce & Gabbana is throwing a party for Justin Bieber this weekend, following the teen star's concert in Milan on Saturday night. [Vogue UK]

The folks behind the blog whatcourtneyworetoday.com — Courtney Love's personal style blog — have put some of her clothing up for auction on eBay in a store called Courtney Love Couture. [The Cut]

Saoirse Ronan wore a Byzantine-inspired, embellished Chanel dress to the New York premiere of her just-released film "Hanna." It was a fairly bold choice for the young actress. [StyleList]

 --Susan Denley

Photo: Daphne Guinness, artist and socialite, who will dress for Met gala in Barney's window. Credit: Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images

Meet artist-designer Greg Lauren at Beverly Hills Barneys on Saturday

Whether it's describing the inspiration for a particular piece of his crumpled-paper artwork, or explaining how long he spent trying to find just the right pieces of vintage military duffle bag fabric to make a jacket, artist-turned-clothing-designer Greg Lauren knows how to tell a story.

So, if his deconstructed, rumpled, military-meets-formalwear aesthetic is something that appeals to you, it'll be worth heading over to the Barneys New York in Beverly Hills on Saturday, Feb. 26, where Lauren is scheduled to make a personal appearance in support of his debut collection of scarves, jackets, hoodies, T-shirts and footwear.

Lauren will be meeting with customers and talking about his creations on the fourth floor of the Beverly Hills Barneys flagship at 9570 Wilshire Blvd. from 1 to 3 p.m. this Saturday, with additional personal appearances scheduled for Barneys doors in Chicago (March 5) and San Francisco (March 19).

-- Adam Tschorn

Greg Lauren's debut collection is a hero's wardrobe -- no cape required

Paper suits him: Artist Greg Lauren (Ralph's nephew) crafts cool clothes from crumpled paper

Photos: Looks from artist-designer Greg Lauren's debut clothing collection, currently available at Barneys New York. Credit: Adam Tschorn / Los Angeles Times.

Your morning fashion and beauty report: Christina Aguilera, Lea Michele face off at Super Bowl; Lady Gaga's Vogue cover gets a tweet; and Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom launch new fragrance

Lots of attention is being give to Christina Aguilera's flubbing of the national anthem at the Super Bowl. She did mess up, but she at least looked good doing it in her black Dolce & Gabbana suit. Meanwhile, Lea Michele's version of America the Beautiful was spot-on, but that bulky coat and too-big-looking pants? What was she thinking? You can vote on which was the better singer over at our Ministry of Gossip poll. And comment on this post if you have thoughts about their attire.

Lady Gaga tweeted her first-ever U.S. Vogue cover on Sunday. As you might expect, she looks fairly tame and more sophisticated than usual -- this is Vogue, after all -- but is wearing a short, bobbed pink wig along with a jumpsuit by Haider Ackermann. [BellaSugar Australia)

Khloe Kardashian and husband Lamar Odom are launching a unisex scent, "Unbreakable," which is slated to hit stores Feb. 12. [Us] 

Sister Kim Kardashian looked mesmerizing in her ultra-sexy Super Bowl commercial for Skecher's Shape-ups, which she says was fun to shoot. [People] 

LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton has acquired botanical skincare brand Ole Henriksen. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

Brands including Gucci, A|X Armani Exchange, Converse, Calvin Klein, Nautica and Oakley are offering 3D glasses for spring ... but do we need them? [WWD] (Subscription required.)

Barney's chief Mark Lee says the store has dropped all new Prada merchandise other than menswear and shoes. [The Cut]

"Hairstyles: Ancient to Present" by Charlotte Fiell, just released in the U.K., traces the history of all the many things women have done to achieve the latest coiffures. The top style of 1772 was 'the full headdress' or 'opera box', a style 4 feet from the chin to top of the head. A magazine that appeared about the same time listed more than 3,700 hairstyles. Seems like we have it pretty easy today. [Telegraph] 

--Susan Denley

Photos: Top, Christina Aguilera singing the "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the Super Bowl. Credit: Tannen Maury / EPA; Bottom, Lea Michele performs "America the Beautiful." Credit: Mark J. Rebilas / U.S. Presswire 

Shipley & Halmos publish a book all about ... their customer base

A few months ago we told you about designers Sam Shipley and Jeff Halmos (Shipley & Halmos) hitting the road for a “Fill in the Blank Photo Tour.”

Perhaps you recall that they planned to tour Barneys Co-Op locations around the country in search of the “quintessential Shipley & Halmos customer.” The former Southern California guys (who co-founded Trovata before parting ways with its current owner) planned to meet with those who love their line and take their photos, all in the name of pulling together a rather complex portrait of their customer base.

Naturally, they planned  to publish a book of the photos and now that book is available. Its title is “We’re an American ­­­­­­­­­­­_________” and it's available at Barneys and the Shipley & Halmos website.

--Alice Short

Photo: Covers of the book "We're an American __________." Credit: Shipley & Halmos.

Greg Lauren (Ralph's nephew) to launch his own line

Los Angeles-based artist Greg Lauren, whose amazing work we told you about earlier this year, is now getting ready to  move beyond the crumpled paper medium he's used to create iconic (but not wearable) menswear pieces including flight jackets, superhero costumes and dinner jackets, and into a high-end line of men's and women's clothing.

It's not a surprising transition. At a show staged in a Beverly Boulevard storefront in West Hollywood back in April, a rack in the back of the room held a handful of the T-shirts and jackets that represented his first efforts at crafting wearable clothing. And the man is truly talented, with an attention to detail that included things like hand-rolling each lozenge-shaped toggle button on a jacket out of paper.

Talent aside, It's also hardly surprising since Greg is one of those Laurens -- his father Jerry is executive vice president of men's design at Polo Ralph Lauren, and Ralph Lauren is his uncle.

When we spoke back in April, he said the family business had been a big reason he chose to explore his own relationship to clothing through art. (Although born and raised in New York City, Lauren, who is married to actress Elizabeth Berkley, has made his home on the West Coast for the last decade and a half.)

The line has apparently already been picked up by Barneys New York and it is expected to sell in a handful of similar high-end retailers. More details  -- and an in-depth look at the debut collection -- should be forthcoming about the time New York Fashion Week gets underway in the second week of February.

-- Adam Tschorn

Photo: Artist Greg Lauren, flanked by some of the iconic menswear pieces crafted out of paper in April 2009, is set to roll out a high-end clothing line for men and women. Credit: Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times.

Paper suits him: Artist Greg Lauren crafts cool clothes from crumpled paper

Holiday window gazing

 
It's that time of year again, when retailers pull out all the holiday decorating stops. I was in Las Vegas over the weekend, and I snapped a photo of this Ted Baker-does-Marilyn Monroe window at the Forum Shops. The best part? The skirt actually moves from side to side.

For her holiday windows, Tory Burch got creative with the beloved 1970s-era Hasbro toy Lite Brite. She collaborated with New York-based artist Timothy Paul Myers to transform a photo of a reindeer into a colorful, Pop Art design (at right) for the windows of all her boutiques nationwide. There are 46 installations in all, which took 4,900 hours and 2,025,000 pegs to create. 

When it came to flipping the switch, that honor went to representatives from the organization Dress for Success, who were also treated to $500 shopping sprees. (Dress for Success is a nonprofit group dedicated to improving the lives of women by providing professional clothing, employment retention programs and other assistance.)

The Barneys New York holiday windows pay tribute to celebrity chefs, as part of the season's Have A Foodie Holiday theme, in partnership with Food Network, Cooking Channel and Illy Caffe.

As you can imagine, the store's creative director Simon Doonan indulges his wildest Warholian fantasies with coffee cans and caricatures of Mario Batali, Bobby Flay, Jamie Oliver, Rachel Ray, Martha Stewart and Paula Deen (below).

 

Barneys has also assembled some fun foodie-themed products, including this hilarious Armand Diradourian "fruitcake" pillow.

I can think of about half a dozen friends and family members I would like to bestow that gift upon, and the holiday season hasn't even officially started yet!

-- Booth Moore

 

Top photo: Ted Baker holiday window. Credit: Booth Moore / Los Angeles Times

2nd photo: Tory Burch window. Credit: Tory Burch

3rd photo photo: Barneys New York's Have a Foodie Holiday window display. Credit: Peter Serling/Barneys New York.

Bottom photo: Fruitcake pillow. Credit: Barneys New York