Yet another fabulous NYC opening!
Alex McCord, of “Housewives of New York” fame, hosted a celebrity-packed cocktail party yesterday evening celebrating the opening of “Second Time Around” at their new Nolita location. “Second Time Around” is a designer consignment shop selling luxury goods that run the gamut from Ralph Lauren bags for around $30, to Yves Saint Laurent shoes for around $270, to Chanel coats for around $5000. Indeed, there was fashion and luxury to be had in every shape, size and price-range! The company is originally from Boston, but Alex, as their consultant, has brought them to our New York City doorstep. In an economy where luxury goods are becoming less and less affordable, stores such as “Second Time Around” are a blessing to the New York budget-conscious fashionistas
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As always, Alex was absolutely charming to all her guests, who were eagerly purchasing treasures left and right. And if fashion wasn’t enough, there was also Voga Sparkling Pinot Grigio, Salontea, and sweets from the Cupcake Stop truck on hand to gratify everyone’s sweet tooth. By the end of the evening, all the guests found themselves well-refreshed and absolutely glowing from the nirvana of shopper’s bliss!
Celebrity guests were in abundance for this event. John Bartlett, head of menswear for Liz Claiborne, fellow “Housewife” Kelly Killoren Bensimon, “Project Runway” vet Kevin Christiana, and celebrity stylist Derek Warburton from “Derek Loves Shopping”, among others, all came by to view the merchandise and lend their support.
In addition, Derek Warburton collaborated with “Second Time Around” owner Jeff Casler and Alex McCord in featuring his own line of clothing in the store, with a portion of the sales from that evening’s event being donated to “The Bottomless Closet”. “The Bottomless Closet” is a New York charity that helps disadvantaged women gain economic self-sufficiency by providing career development, training, and business clothing. But Derek is more than just a donor to “The Bottomless Closet”. This prêtre de mode is also the host of “How to be Derek Fabulous”, where 20 underprivileged women are given beauty and style makeovers with Derek and guest celebrity artists from the fashion world. They also receive gift bags containing products that will help them after the event is long over. He is truly proof that fashion cares, and can be both life-enhancing and empowering.
More pictures from the event:
What do you get when you mix one part classic menswear designer, one part generic menswear line, recession proof pricing and beautiful tailoring? A superbly elegant concoction that is “Claiborne by John Bartlett”!
tailored clothing in bright summer colors for recession proof prices. This ain’t your dad’s Claiborne in standard beige poly-blend! John has infused his brand of clean, deconstructed tailoring into a line of clothing that once induced a collective yawn in the fashion community. For years, Claiborne menswear built its reputation (and has since lost it) on clothing that was generic, standard issue department store menswear in generic, standard issue colors. Now, bright colors and rich textures are par for the course. I believe, though, that the best way to describe this collection is a quote by John Bartlett himself taken directly from the tags of his merchandise: “A breakfast meeting, contract signing, movie date, dinner date, ‘take the Mustang out for a spin’ date, get a haircut, get a girlfriend, get a compliment, woo your wife, give the kids a piggyback ride, dress with a bit of genuine refinement.” ‘Nuf said!
Being compulsive shopaholics, Ed and I could not leave the party unless we purchased something, therefore, we each purchased a beautifully tailored white summer chintz blazer priced at $188.00. A STEAL!!!! Bright colored polos in stunning orange, pink, blue and green will set you back $39.50. Bright pink, blue and green dress shirts with stylish white colors will cost you $69.50. The clothing is true to size, and some pieces in the collection are very democratic in cut and go up to an XXL. This is just a small selection of the incredible merchandise available at his shop until June 22nd, and coming soon to a department store near you.
NYC’s premiere framing studios. New York based clothing designer Peter Som. Hand bag designers Rafe Totengo of Rafe and John Truex of Lambertson Truex fame (one of my favs!!), both New York based designers. Menswear designer Jeffrey Banks. Former president of the Counsel of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and design legend Stan Herman. Senior Vice President of Production and Programming at the Bravo cable television network, Andy Cohen. “Project Runway” season 4 veterans Kevin Christiana and Jack Mackenroth. “The Housewives of New York” power couple Alex McCord and Simon VanKempen and fiery “Housewife” Ramona Singer. Celebrity stylist Derek Warburton, and a host of other fashionistas and celebrities. And last, but certainly not least, John Bartlett himself, whose genuinely sweet disposition makes purchasing any of his merchandise that much more satisfying.
