Evidently the luxury sector has proven to be steadfast in the eye of the economic downtown. Most luxury good companies are reporting positive financial gains this year, proving that people are still willing to pay for top- notch goods. Hermes International reported net gains of 55% this year when compared to its sales just last year. Not only are sales up 17% in France- Hermes's home- but the company is also registering growth in Asia and the United States. Hermes also plans to open and renovate 20 of its international boutiques this year.

Its official: starting this autumn, Lanvin will be the latest design house to collaborate with fast-fashion retailer H&M. The new mens and womenswear collection will go on sale November 23rd at around 200 H&M stores worldwide. Because the anticipati0n level will be unbearable for most, the collection will have a pre-launch to show the world all the collection November 2, just 3 weeks before the clothes hit the stores. Since joining Lanvin as artistic director in 2001, Alber Elbaz has transformed the Paris-based label, founded in 1889 by Jeanne Lanvin, into a fashion powerhouse bursting with ideas and creativity. Alber Elbaz has pioneered there some of the biggest trends of the past decade - ribbon, bows, pearls, raw edges, sumptuous colour and metallic embellishment among many others. “We are thrilled about Lanvin’s collection for H&M, it is such an exciting moment. Lanvin will bring to H&M a luxurious French tradition that is also modern and playful. It is very much a Lanvin collection, using their cut and tailoring, with lots of focus on form and details for both women and men. The launch in November is going to be full of wonderful surprises.” Margareta van den Bosch, creative advisor at H&M. Lanvin is the latest brand to collaborate with H&M, with previous collections designed by the likes of Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Comme des Garçons and Sonia Rykiel. In a new twist, the Lanvin for H&M collection will be revealed to the world through a special film which will be launched on November 2. The film will be available for all to see online at www.hm.com.

The Lady-like trend is not stopping with below the knee full skirts, classic handbags and jeweled sweaters. We are now seeing a trend in lady-like footwear becoming prominent in the next coming seasons. Feminine bows and ankle straps are all part of the trend which we are seeing adorn low to medium and even high heeled shoes. We are also seeing a trend of pointed- toe shoes and even boxy front shoes which have a slight retro feel, all giving the "she's a true lady" look.


Mui Mui

Prada

Valentino

Louis Vuiiton

Prada

Burberry Prorsum has proven in the past year to have one of the most exciting and innovative marketing strategies in fashion these days. The british brand has taken their runway shows to a whole new level by offering a live web stream and the option for people to buy the collection straight from the runway. During their last runway presentation in February, Burberry sold about 20 outerwear jackets from their aviator theme collection designed by Christopher Bailey. For their Spring 2011 runway show this September 21, Burberry will be offering the same immediate online sales with delivery in just a few weeks. It isn't certain exactly how much of the collection will be offered online but the brand intends to offer a variety of items including handbags. Burberry is at the leading edge with e-commerce, creating excitement for a generation who loves the opportunity to own the latest in fashion before it hits the stores.





Looks From Burberry's Fall 2010 Runway Show.

Le Bain
The Standard Hotel
Where: 848 Washington Street , NYC

Le Bain, the other 18th floor bar and roof bar at the Standard Hotel is the sister to Boom Boom Room, which up until this point- has been the most exclusive nightclub in Manhattan. Trendcocktail decided to go see LeBain for the first time last night. In our opinion, only the beautiful people (familiar models or celebs), familiar promoters fashion designers, or stylists have any chance at all to get past the door people. Trendcocktail tip: if you look up to it, walk in with a pack of models and pretend you're with them. Once you zip up the elevator to the 18th floor, the first thing you see is the amazing ceiling to floor views of the city. The decadent fun begins. We notice fashion models splashing around in the famous mini swimming pool, still dancing to the music inside as they wade back and forth in the water. Just as we turn another corner, we run into singer Katy Perry and her fiance Russel Brand chatting together. Then later we see designer Alexander Wang energetically dancing near the dancefloor. There is also a rooftop bar that serves drinks and has stunning views of the city. How can someone not expect such night time fun when Le Bain has legendary Parisian nightlife darling Andre Saraiva-of Le Baron fame- behind some of its best nights?


Designer Alexander Wang with model Natasha Poly


Singer Katy Perry and Russel Brand


People enjoying the Le Bain Swimming Pool

With huge carry-all bags being dominant over the last 10 years, it is not surprising the classic smaller handbag makes a return. As lady-like looks trend more in the next months, we thought we would take a look at some of the classic handbags out there that would be great to pair with the latest 1950's looks. Our favorites are from Marc Jacobs, Prada and Louis Vuitton as below.

BAROQUE/ OPULENCE





NEO FOLK





ANIMAL PRINTS







BOUDIOR





LIKE A LADY







CAMEL

Designers like Miuccia Prada and Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton took a look back at 1950's movie stars like Brigette Bardot and Marylin Monroe for inspiration for their Fall 2010 collections. A celebration of a woman's body is the theme of this retro trend where pronounced curves are beautifully accentuated in silhouettes that are dainty and elegant. It is refreshing to see this super feminine ads on the magazine right now, for example for its fall campaign, Louis Vuitton casted super models Christy Turlington, Karen Elson and Natalia Vodianova.




Prada's Fall 2010 Ad Campaign featuring Angela Lindvall and Miranda Kerr.

While shopping in Amsterdam's old city center we came across a really cool menswear label called Ontfront. The young designers Liza Koifman and Tomas Overtoom are creating a really cool brand that offers men clothing that is both Avant-garde and wearable. Superb tailoring and really innovative details were some of the things that really caught our eye when we passed by their pop up shop. Shirts and coats with intricate cuts and inserts which make the garments look modern and architectural. We specially loved the silk nylon shirts inspired by a trench coat and the tank top vests with overlay insert details on the chest. If you are in Amsterdam this summer be sure to visit their pop up shop which will be open till October.

Ontfront
Oude nieuwstraat 23
1012TD Amsterdam
Ontfront.com





Looks above are from Ontfront Spring / Summer 2010 collection





Looks above are from Ontfront Fall / winter 2010 collection

In its second year, Fashion's Night Out will be held Sept. 10 throughout New York City, with nearly 1,000 retailers participating in the after-hours shopping spree. Stores will stay open until 11 p.m, hosting all sorts of special events, from designer appearances to live performances. Some of these special appearances that we'd like to hightlight will be Tom Ford at Bergdorf Goodman, Oscar De la Renta at Macy's, Daphne Guinness at Barneys and Karen Elson who is featured in Balenciaga's fall ad campaign will perform live with her band at the Balenciaga Flagship store in Chelsea at 9:ooPM. In addition to all of these exciting apperances a huge public fashion show will be held on September 7th at New York City's new Fashion week venue Lincoln Center featuring 200 top models. The Fashion Show will be styled by some of Vogue's top fashion editors and it will showcase some of Fall 2010 most glamorous trends. Tickets for this event will be sold on Aug.19 at Lincoln Center's box office with prices ranging from $25-$400 and the proceeds will go to NYC AIDS Fund.
For a complete list on all the events visit their website Fashionsnightout.com where you can plan your evening according to your taste.



Model Stella Tennant Wearing this year's official Fashion's Night Out
collection tank top paired with a ballgown skirt.

For his new ad campaign designer Alexander Wang has recruited one of his friends, actress Zoë Kravitz. She is the 21 year old daughter of musician Lenny Kravitz and actress Lisa Bonet.

Trendcocktail was in the beautiful city of Tel Aviv in Israel last week. We found the city to be very cosmopolitan with many excellent hotels, beautiful beaches and friendly people. The young Israelis have a bohemian chic style that reflects the attitude of this wonderful city.

One of the best shopping centers in Tel Aviv is Dizengof Center. The architecture is modern and it has a very unique mix of shops varying in prices and styles. This is a great meeting point for many locals.
We found a really great neighborhood in Tel Aviv called Nevei Tzedek that has a very European flair with quaint streets and beautiful homes as well as stylish boutiques. One of our favorite shops was Dunia Bags; it carries one of kind natural handmade leather bags and accessories.

Next to Nevei Tzedek we found the Tahana an outdoor shopping center that was built where the old Jaffa train station used to be since 1890. The Tahana is really nice and it's still considered very new and special. There are many boutiques with some cool Israeli labels such as: Shoofra, Yosef, Charlie Paloma, Hella Ganor, Studio Noah, Bellinky Oolalaa, Naama Bezalel, Razili, Butterfly, Ido Recanati, Shika, Tamarindi, Ronen Chen, Elise, Harraca, Efrat Cassouto.

We are starting to see the latest September magazine covers pop up this month internationally. September being the biggest month for fashion magazines, the mags usually have more pages and more designer campaign ads all vying for the attention of the reader. After a long summer of cut-off denim shorts, flowy dresses and sandals, most women use the September issue as their style bible which helps them create looks for the next coming fall and winter months. And if the importance of the September issue wasn't obvious enough, who could forget the movie starring Vogue editor Anna Wintour, appropiately named "The September Issue".

We all know it as the magazine where the cover models only expose one eye. Over the years we have seen ID Magazine gracefully, artfully and creatively showcase their signture cover detail with some of the most fabulous and coolest people in fashion. The big news now at the London-based magazine is current editor Ben Reardon will be leaving ID and heading over to GQ Style. The magazine's deputy editor, Holly Shackleton, who manned the front and back sections of the magazine over the past couple years, will take over from Reardon. Not leaving without a bang, Reardon will leave behind his mark on the magazine with his latest September covers of Kate Moss, Lady Gaga, and Naomi Campbell shot by photographer Nick Knight.

Oh how we love Copenhagen! We fell in love with the city upon our first visit. Sleek modern design, extra nice people and the happiest people in the world are just a few perks you will experience when visiting Copenhagen. August 11-15 are the dates. Designers Preen and Jil Sander are just a few of the fashion designers who will take on the Scandanavian runway. Along with Fashion Week, Copenhagen will also be hosting many other international fashion folk for its popular CPH Vision Tradeshow which will be held within the same week.