Saks Fifth Avenue celebrated Fashion’s Night Out (FNO) in style last night, Friday September 10, 2010– with Claire Danes, Diane Kruger, Ed Westwk, Jessica Szohr and designers Viktor & Rolf, Donna Karan, Zac Posen!

Diane Kruger

Saks Fifth Avenue hosted thousands of customers at last night’s Fashion’s Night Out celebration. Customers were able to meet designers, play games with celebrities and super models and shop the latest looks for fall, all while enjoying cosmetic giveaways, mini-makeovers and expert styling advice. In just a few hours, the store completely sold out of Fashion’s Night Out t-shirts. Sales of the t-shirts benefit the NYC Aids Fund.

Chairman and CEO Steve Sadove noted “Saks Fifth Avenue was proud to participate in the second annual Fashion’s Night Out. Thousands of customers visited our store to meet their favorite designers, see the latest fashions and have fun while shopping.  Our store has always been about the excitement of fashion and this year’s Fashion’s Night Out was the perfect kick off to the fall season.”

Donna Karan (R) kicked off the evening by celebrating her 25th Anniversary on the 2nd floor, along with actress Claire Danes (L)

Gossip Girl’s Ed Westwick played darts with customers and designer Simon Spurr

Customers got in bed with designers Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren

Super model Karolina Kurkova, Gossip Girl’s Jessica Szohr and designers Chris Benz, Peter Som and Rachel Roy played bingo.

Vogue’s Meredith Melling Burke hosted a “Win, Lose or Draw” sketching game show between Christian Cota, Prabal Gurung, Diane Kruger, Heidi Mount and Coca Rocha.

Christian Siriano played Pictionary with Veronica Webb and customers.

Rebecca Minkoff’s new luxurious handbag line, Rebecca Minkoff Collection debuts this month exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue. The Collection features exotic skins, customized rose gold hardware and multi-strand shoulder straps that mimic long necklaces. Rebecca’s signature ‘Morning After Bag’ gets a hip makeover in this Collection with grid studwork and exaggerated buckles on the sides. Prices range from $450 – $850.

Saks Fifth Avenue announces the debut of famed designer Rebecca Minkoff’s luxury handbag collection. The line will launch this May 2010 and is exclusive to Saks Fifth Avenue stores across the country.

For spring 2010, original shapes from her eponymous line, such as the ‘Nikki’ and the iconic ‘Morning After’ bag are superiorly refined in lizard and adorned with metal studs. Minkoff will also introduce exclusive new shapes, such as drawstring bucket bags, oversized classic totes and side-saddle messenger bags in zig zag patchwork skins and new tonal plays on color. Multi-strand chain straps that mimic long necklaces add an edgy twist to each piece.

“I chose to partner with Saks to launch my collection line because of the timeless luxury and superior quality the store represents,” said Minkoff. “It is an exciting honor to join the list of exclusive luxury handbag designers available at Saks Fifth Avenue. Saks customers are already familiar with the current Rebecca Minkoff line and have been very supportive over the years. I am hoping to not only provide my existing customers with a more luxurious option, but to also tap into a new set of young Saks shoppers who purchase designer bags for the style and quality, not just the label.”

“Rebecca Minkoff’s handbags have always been in high demand at Saks,” said Cody Kondo, group senior vice president and general merchandise manager for women’s shoes, handbags, accessories and jewelry. “We feel strongly that this new collection will bring her designs to a new level of sophistication, one which our customers will fully embrace. We value Rebecca’s willingness to work with us exclusively and are excited to bring her bags to a new group of customers.”

Recognized for her flirty-cool aesthetic, the New York-based designer is known for fusing exotic skins and intricate hardware to create uniquely inspired handbags. Since the launch of her label in 2001, Minkoff’s handbags have attracted A-list celebrity fans, such as: Blake Lively, Rachel Bilson, Leighton Meister, Alexa Chung, and Agyness Deyn, who have all been photographed toting one of Minkoff’s iconic handbags.

Introducing Saks-en-Rose Bond No. 9‘s newest fragrance which has launched this week exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue.

This light and floral scent features a contemporary blend of top notes, including lantana leaves, dry dates and spicy mace.

With just the right hint of musk, the scent lightly segues into the floral heart of a pink rose. Traditionally the pink rose has been bestowed as an expression of admiration, elegance and appreciation, making Saks-en-Rose the perfect gift for Mother’s Day (it’s coming up guys)!

Bond No. 9 Saks en Rose Exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue Retail: $215 for 100ml; $145 for 50ml Also available on Saks.com beginning 4/19/2010.

Saks Fifth Avenue and Jimmy Choo invite you to play fashion stylist. How would you wear your Choos? Visit ClosetCouture.com Saturday, March 27, 2010, through Saturday, April 10 2010, and style an outfit using the CHOO 24:7 Shoe Collection. The creators of the top three outfits will each win three pairs from Choo 24:7.  No purchase necessary to enter or win.

Introducing Luxury-to-Go, a new way to try before you buy Essential Complements Samples by La Prairie. Starting week of March 15th, 2010, at La Prairie counters nationwide.

La Prairie, the renowned Swiss beauty company best known for their cult-favorite Caviar and Platinum-infused anti-aging creams, will be doling out complimentary “essential” trial samples from a particular collection to clients who participate in an at-counter skincare consultation. The trial samples of assorted eye, serum and face products are signature La Prairie chic and luxury, meaning packaged in deluxe tubes and jars – no messy packets.

To experience La Prairie’s top-notch service and legendary skincare (and NEW “essential complements” samples), all you need to do is stop by for a consult at your local La Prairie counter at Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Chris Benz Signing Lancôme’s Chris & Tell lipsticks tomorrow at Saks NYC! Are you looking for the Chris Benz Chris & Tell lipstick, here’s one of their last chances to get it. Chris is doing a personal appearance at the Saks Fifth Avenue Lancôme counter in Manhattan tomorrow 2/18/2010. Chris will be signing lipsticks and sharing the inspiration for his Spring 2010 collection. Saks is the official retailer for Chris & Tell and this is one of the only counters that has any lipsticks left (and only because a special batch was reserved for Chris’s P.A.!).

Chris & Tell, as you may know, was created specifically for the Chris Benz Spring 2010 presentation held in September 2009. Since its debut earlier this month, it’s become one of the fastest-selling lipsticks in the Lancôme Pout-à-Porter designer lipstick series. Six hundred of the lipsticks sold on lancome-usa.com in just 48 hours. Beauty aficionados have already snatched up most of the supply and some have already popped up on eBay.

Chris is happy to sign previously purchased lipsticks too, so if you or your readers already have a Chris & Tell, feel free to stop by. Joining Chris will be makeup artist extraordinaire Daniel Martin, co-creator of the gorgeous peachy coral lipstick, the Lancôme team and some of his favorite models, who will be wearing the clothing and the makeup look from the Spring show.

WHAT WHEN & WHERE:
Chris Benz Personal Appearance
Thursday, Feb. 18th, 2010
Saks Fifth Avenue Lancôme counter
Fifth Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets
5 to 7 p.m.

I’m already a huge fan the La Prairie Anti-Aging Longevity Serum and this is why I’m excited about La Prairie’s latest addition: White Caviar Illuminating Système.

About White Caviar Illuminating Système from La Prairie: Luxury Swiss beauty company La Prairie is dedicated to keeping skin as young looking as possible, as long as possible, and that means launching high-performance products to target lines, wrinkles and now, age spots.

Introducing White Caviar Illuminating Système from La Prairie, which includes:

White Caviar Illuminating Cream – $450
White Caviar Illuminating Serum – $450
White Caviar Illuminating Eye Serum – $250

This feast for your skin is an innovative three-part system that works to reveal a brighter, clearer complexion, free of future age spots and pigmentation patches. At the heart of White Caviar Illuminating Système is Golden Caviar, sourced from environmentally-regulated farmed sources, combined with clarifying Whitening Complex with Larch Tree Extract, detoxifying Swiss Garden Cress Sprout Extract, Vitamin C and various bio-technology. As a signature La Prairie touch, attention to detail applies not only to the formulas but also the packaging. To that end, White Caviar Illuminating Système is housed in substantial white pearlescent jars with La Prairie’s silver caviar beads around the cap.

This white hot system is a must for women of all ages who are looking to fight aging and skin discoloration. On-counters NOW, La Prairie White Caviar Illuminating Système is available at Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue and www.laprairie.com .

On my last trip to Sephora I fell in love with Gucci perfumes! It was Flora By Gucci. I also loved Gucci By Gucci Eau de Parfum.

Did you know? The inspiration for the Flora By Gucci fragrance originates from an iconic design from the Gucci archives that was rediscovered by Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini and has been the catalyst for several of Gucci’s most popular products.

From its original incarnation as a silk scarf specifically designed for Princess Grace in 1966, to the sought-after accessories and ready to wear designed by Giannini in the 21st century, Flora has proven to posses a timeless allure. The Flora world today includes sunglasses as well as the expanding fragrance collection. Fragrance Notes: Citrus Accord, Peony, Rose, Osmanthus Flower, Pink Pepper, Sandalwood.

The Flora By Gucci product line will be available globally starting January 2010. It will be supported in traditional retail outlets as well as sold online at the new Flora micro website, www.florabygucci.com  . The microsite is dedicated to the entire world of Flora and allows for an interactive exchange of ideas and imagery for Flora fans globally.

The range
Eau de Parfum 1.0 fl.oz $60.00
Eau de Parfum 1.6 fl.oz $80.00
Eau de Parfum 2.5 fl.oz $100.00

Flora by Gucci Eau de Parfum is available February 2010 at Bloomingdale’s and Saks Fifth Avenue stores nationwide.

Talking Makeup is excited to share with you Lancôme’s chic gift-with-purchase promotion that runs until this Saturday, January 30th, exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Spend $50 with Lancôme and here’s what you can walk away with: A black mini bowling bag filled with a slew of makeup samples, such as a Color Design eye shadow compact featuring several star shades, Color Design Lipcolor in Pale Lip and the always-popular Définicils Mascara. Choose your own anti-aging trio, including a day cream, eye cream and serum, from the Rénergie, High Résolution or Absolue Premium βx collections.

Last week I had the pleasure to meet with Giorgio Armani celebrity face designer Tim Quinn at Saks Fifth Avenue Biltmore in Phoenix. I had fabulous time chatting with Tim and also getting my makeup done. One of the products that caught my attention was the  Giorgio Armani Mascara Top Coat Gold. I love shimmer (you know me) but shimmer on my lashes, my beauty world couldn’t be any better. I have got to have it! After Tim applied Eyes To Kill mascara by Giorgio Armani Beauty on my lashes he added a coat of the Mascara Top Coat Gold. My lashes and eyes sparkled like no tomorrow, and Marta was very happy:)

From left: Marta Walsh, Giorgio Armani celebrity face designer Tim Quinn, and Giorgio Armani Mascara Top Coat Gold

Giorgio Armani Mascara Top Coat Gold: Sparkling top coat mascara creates a luminous and sophisticated shimmer effect on your lashes. The limited edition mascara has a professional applicator for perfect lash separation and definition. $28.00