Jewelry designer Eddie Borgo has been on my fashion radar ever since I laid eyes on his dazzling crystal block pyramid bracelet and it was love at first sight.

Last week it was announced that jewelry designer Eddie Borgo is one of ten talented designers nominated for the 2010 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award.

For Fall 2010, Borgo cast Elle Style director, Kate Lanphear, for a new online campaign featuring his highly coveted  collection of bold baubles. Inspired by stripes Borgo told Style.com, “The symbolism behind the stripe has been unassumingly adopted into the makeup of modern-day punk culture.”

So how is a girl to choose between the fabulous array of spikes, cones, steps and cubes? I must say that the collection of eye-popping pieces is so strong that I am tempted to break the bank and order one of everything.

I have been dreaming of Fall 2010 ever since Louis Vuitton previewed the Pre-Fall collection featuring the handbag du jour, the Monogram Aviator.

For the Fall 2010 ad campaign, Louis Vuitton selected three of the most famous supermodels to showcase their lady-like collection: Karen Elson, Natalia Vodianova and Christy Turlington.

Classic beauty is on full display in not only the lovely ladies, but in the brand’s luxe handbag offerings with the new Monogram Aviator prominently featured in two images.

The Monogram Aviator, Louis Vuitton’s pre-fall 2010 showstopper, is currently available in stores and even with the sky-high price tag is splurge worthy. Influenced by the late Sixties, Louis Vuitton designer Marc Jacobs designed the tote bags in steel lamé jacquard that are lined in contrasting colors and available in navy blue, red berry and khaki.

“For Pre-Fall 2010 season, the Louis Vuitton woman is one who loves fashion. With ever-elegant insolence, she mixes a lively palette of influences into the perfect “fashion gourmande”. She shakes up the rules and personalizes her femininity with unexpected details and combinations in a hip and playful mood. She’s fresh and has an impertinent approach to luxury and the traditional savoir-faire of Louis Vuitton. And as for her handbag of choice, it speaks of humor and comfort… a spirited fashion provocation.”

Combining vintage-inspired details with casual style, the bag is crafted in a steel lamé Jacquard fabric woven with the Louis Vuitton Monogram pattern. Contrasting calfskin leather trim accentuates the simple design, while the closed shape offers the perfect style for hand carry and open shape for shoulder carry.

Already seen on the arm of Gwen Stefani, Katie Holmes and Rachel Bilson, this bag is like nothing I’ve ever seen before from Louis Vuitton with a creative spin on the brands iconic monogram logo. I am a huge fan of jacquard detail and the new tote shape is super-stylish yet practical.

The Monogram Aviator is available in three colors- Khaki, Bordeaux and Navy and is available exclusively at the online Louis Vuitton store as well as all the retail Louis Vuitton stores. The bags are currently available for a jaw-dropping price tag of $3270.

Sarah Jessica Parker, creative director of Halston Heritage, sported at least 3 looks from the brand in “Sex and the City 2” and a dynamite disco shimmering pleated pinky-peach gown to the Met’s Costume Institute Gala. So when the brand kicks off a 2-day sample sale – starting tomorrow – you can be certain that NYC fashionistas will be out in force.

Halston is hosting a two-day sample sale starting Tuesday, July 20^th with prices up to 75% off. Both Halston and Halston Heritage will be included in the sale.

Halston Collection
Dresses $300 – $400
Sweaters $200
Bags $200- $300
Shoes $100- $150

Halston Heritage
Dresses $60 – $90
Tops $45
Pants $35
Shoes, bags, belts $40

Tuesday, July 20 to Wednesday, July 21 from 9am to 8pm
96 Spring Street, 2nd Floor, NYC

Gwen Stefani & Vivienne Westwood

British fashion designer Vivienne Westwood, who is largely responsible for bringing modern punk and new wave fashions into the mainstream, kicks off one of the most anticipated sample sales of the year with 70 – 80% off retail.

She made one of the most famous wedding dresses in history – Carrie Bradshaw’s wedding gown in ‘Sex and the City – and is often seen worn by stylish celebrities such as Gwen Stefani, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Dita Von Teese. And in the official movie poster for ‘Sex and the City 2,’ Carrie Bradshaw sports a pair of strappy brown Vivienne Westwood gladiator sandals with multiple buckles and extra-long dangling straps. The shoes, a sexier more feminine version of her famous “Pirate Boot,” were created exclusively for the Vivienne Westwood catwalk and have never been produced for sale.

Vivienne Westwood Anglomania tops, skirts, and dresses are on sale in addition to merchandise from international designers Iodice and IMPROVD, at the Scatola showroom sample sale.

Dresses are now $150, originally $750+! Belts start at $15 (originally $135), tops start at $35 (originally $175), and lightweight scarves, prices as low as $39!

6/22 – 6/25; Tue – Fri 10am-8pm

544 W. 27th Street (between 10th & 11^th Avenues), 6th Floor

The Catherine Malandrino sample sale kicked off today with lines stretched down the street as stylistas patiently waited to get their hands on the designer’s vibrant Spring Summer 2010 collection marked down to 75% below retail.

Silk maxi dresses are reduced from $795 to $295, Dresses formerly marked at $495 are now $145, Leather jackets are a mere $295 reduced from $1295, Tops are $95 (regular $245), Pants and skirts are $45 (regular $245).

Through Wednesday 6/23, Tues – Wed 8am – 8pm

Metropolitan Pavilion, 123 West 18th Street (between 6th & 7th Aves)

One of the hottest sample sales of the season is on and even started 1 day early due to demand for the socialite-turned-designer’s colorful wares.

At the Tory “Queen of the Tunic” Burch sample sale you’ll find a huge selection of women’s tunics, sweaters, tops, dresses, shoes, and bags at seriously reduced prices. Patent-leather wedges are $75 (as opposed to $165), V-neck cardigans are sliced from $375 to $95, and Bags are a mere $99. Prices will be further reduced on Thursday.

Through Friday June 25; Tues – Thurs 11am – 7pm, Fri 11am – 6pm

261 W 36th St between 7th and 8th Aves, second floor

“The Real Housewives of DC” is going where no other show has ever gone: White House party crashers. And when the latest installment of the hit series debuts on Aug. 5, viewers will already be well acquainted with one of its stars.

Last September, Famespy reported that Washington DC social butterfly Carol Joyant revealed the identities of the five lovely ladies selected to participate in “The Real Housewives of DC.” One of the names revealed was that of the now infamous “White House party crasher” Michaele Salahi, who was described by Joyant as a “tall, blond, former fashion model.”

In November Michaele and Tareq Salahi made world news after crashing President Barack Obama’s first White House state dinner honoring India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The couple filmed the events of the evening for Bravo reality series “Real Housewives of D.C.” and Andy Cohen, Senior Vice President, Original Programming & Development, Bravo, has now confirmed that Michaele Salahi will be one of the five “connected D.C. power players” selected to join the cast of the latest “Housewives” franchise airing August 5.

Cohen addressed the decision to move forward with Salahi today on his blog and in an Op Ed piece he wrote for the Huffington Post saying, “We kept Michaele in the show because she has a compelling life story, distinct relationships with the other women, and most especially because she represents a very real example of the inextricably intertwined worlds of political connections with social hierarchy.”

He went on to say, “To the people who might excoriate us and say we’re making Michaele famous or glorifying what she did: ‘here’s what’ — we don’t make shows to make people famous and as a corollary, we don’t view being on a television show either as a reward or a punishment. That’s up to the individuals who choose to do so and the people who choose to watch and react.”

Cohen added that Bravo had already been filming the Salahi’s as they prepped for the White House festivities, but couldn’t tag along to the high security event: “Late in our production cycle Michaele Salahi told producers that she and her husband Tareq had been invited to the White House State Dinner. The production crew filmed the Salahis’ preparation and arrival at the White House gate, but left as the crew wasn’t credentialed for the Dinner. We learned the following day — as did everyone else, including the other D.C. Housewives — of the alleged “gate crashing” incident.”

Watch what happens as the incident plays out near the end of the series, since it was filmed at the tail-end of the production cycle.

The other castmates include Mary Schmidt Amons (described by Bravo as “the true Washingtonian and granddaughter of radio and TV personality Arthur Godfrey“); Lynda Erkiletian (“the mother hen and owner of D.C.’s top modeling agency”); Catherine Ommanney (a “feisty Brit” who is “married to a White House photographer”); and Stacie Scott Turner (“Harvard grad, active political fund raiser”).

Even if a exotic holiday isn’t on your agenda, look like you just returned from a luxurious trip when Calypso St. Barth hosts their sample sale where everything will be marked 30 – 80% off.

To say I adore this brand would be an understatement, since I fell for their Indian inspired tunics over 10 years ago and have been a loyal fan of the global luxury lifestyle brand since.
Calypso silk dresses are reduced from $165 to $99, Calypso tees are $29 from $65, Madame A Paris linen frocks are $149 from $275, and Chan Luu scarves are lowered from $75 to $29.

June 15-18; Tues- Thurs 10 – 6:30pm, Fri 10 – 2pm.

260 Fifth Ave., between 28th and 29th Streets, NYC

Pssst… I am going to let you in on a little secret.

Kate Spade is having their online sample sale tomorrow – Tuesday – at katespade.com.

Details to follow as soon as I receive, but past sales have included fabulous handbags, luxe accessories, housewares, and apparel.

Happy Shopping!

Bethenny Frankel’s reality show “Bethenny Getting Married?” debuted last week to the largest ratings ever for a Bravo TV show. While we all adore watching the queen of one-liners juggle her business, fiancée, and baby, I couldn’t help but notice the fabulous tutu skirt she wore to her house-warming party paired with a bold chain belt. Turns out both items were designed by none other than my girl, Allison Parris.

Bethenny’s olive green tulle mini skirt has been a staple in the young designer’s collection for a few seasons thanks to the demand for the luscious, flowing layers of frothy fabric.

Available in nude, black, navy, and olive green, this fabulous miniskirt was worn by Bethenny with a black, short-sleeved turtleneck, but Allison herself often pairs it with a simple white tank and super-high heels. So Carrie Bradshaw!

Completing the look was a chain belt with grosgrain ribbon ties in back – the perfect accoutrement to dress up any look, whether worn over a simple cardigan or a statement skirt.

Playful yet sophisticated,the miniskirt is the ideal piece for a warm summer night on a rooftop bar or paired with black tights for a festive look.

Allison Parris chain belt paired with black strapless dress

The tulle mini skirt retails for $375, while the chain belt is $75. Both items can be purchased at Allison Parris’ website.

Check out a preview of the Allison Parris Fall 2010 collection, attended by Natali Germanotta (of Lady Gaga fame) here.