1. Texas crafters are coming to the Big Apple--witness their arrival during the Etsy Texan Trunk Show at Brooklyn's own Etsy Lab.

2. For plus size fashions under ten bucks hit up the Fat Girl Flea Market at the LGB&T Community Center this Saturday.

3. Green consumers should check out the fashion show during Eco Fest this weekend at the Lincoln Center.

4. The ABBA Mania Dance Party tonight would be the perfect time to debut that sparkle unitard.

5. For a continuation of the green theme, hit up the 11^th Annual Art Under the Bridge Festival at the Dumbo Arts Center.

(Photo of Marco Scoffier's Kite Project at the 2006 Festival Under the Bridge, courtesy of Brooklyn Arts Project)

Hey remember these ads that ran in the New Yorker and other "intellectual" publications back in the 70s? Well I don't, because I hadn't been born yet.

Luckily, the folks at Gant have updated their image, and their New York flagship store. The space is large (6,600 square feet) with three stories and a small mezzanine featuring displays on the label's history, all connected by a white, spiraling staircase made of Corian and Venetian plaster.

The clothes themselves are nothing too wild, just very classic, preppy styles for men, women and children that should go over well with the Ralph Lauren crowd. I would definitely come here for classics like button-downs or a blazer.   

I especially liked the Rugger line, which is the more youthful sportswear line. A striped sweater dress and flannel cropped jacket were particularly attractive, and the jackets for men had a classic look without being too boring.

Click here for more details about the new Gant store, and make sure to check out our complete list of new NYC shops.

Name: Kristen
Lives: Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Spotted: 85th Street and Fifth Avenue

Hey, nice day out, eh? I love this school girl thing you got going on. Thanks, I got this blazer from my old job as an assistant designer at At Last Sportswear. It was a sample from the junior line. I don't think it ever went into production. The skirt I got from a clothing swap circa 1998 from my friend Kitty in Richmond, Virgina and the shoes I got from Target.

Nice variety of places. Do you have any favorite shops in Brooklyn? My all-time favorite shop was a shoe store on 7th Avenue near Union Street in Prospect Park. It was a great source for cute vegan shoes but they closed about two weeks ago. I'm still in mourning.

Any favorite hangouts? My neighborhood, my couch with my kitties and La Taqueria. I could eat the vegetarian fajita burrito everyday. Tea lounge is also a great place.

What are you into these days? Fashion, hobbies? I love Oscar de la Renta's craftsmanship and the conceptual pieces from Victor & Rolf. I'm currently feeling inspired by 18th century menswear and 19th century childrenswear . . . it's what I'm studying in grad school, but it's stirring design ideas more than anything academic.

Vogue EIC Carine Roitfeld at Armani show in … American Apparel?  [Fashion Addict Diary]

Has Patricia Field gone too far in the new Sex and the City movie? [Go Fug Yourself]

How to dress like Mrs. Cruise. [WhoWhatWearDaily]

Old Navy hires Todd Oldham as creative director. [The Shophound]

London Fashion Week wrapped up this weekend and let me just tell you those cats across the pond really know what they're doing. After viewing the new collections, which were comprised of safari ensembles, playsuits, ethnic textiles, romantic frills and ruffs, I found it hard to narrow my "best of" to a measly three, but here they are:

1. I've always loved Matthew Williamson; weigh in a performance by Prince followed by a runway show of eclectic bohemian/gypsy ladies adorned in ethnic print dresses and he's definitely one of my top faves for spring (photo, left).

2. Oh Eley Kishimito, how I love thee! I never thought anyone, except those FRUiTS girls, could ever pull off wearing mismatched patterns, but E.K. took their trademark of beautiful graphic prints and made the fashion faux pas adorable (photo, center).

2. For Spring, Biba took on a rich and deep color palette, creating elongated silhouettes referencing one of my favorite time periods, the 70s (photo, right).

I should probably give a shout out to Nicole Fahri, Basso and Brooke and Christopher Kane (who recovered quite nicely after a part of his collection was stolen) they all created lovely wardrobes for spring. Ciao for now London. Hello, Milan Fashion Week!

(Photos Courtesy of NYMag)

Hickey Freeman Trunk Show
Sept. 27, Thu 6pm-8pm
at Village Pourhouse

Finally, a way to combine boozin' and fine tailorin'. This Thursday at the Village Pourhouse in the East Village, Hickey Freeman representatives will be on hand to help you choose from 300 different fabrics to create your ideal suit, sport coat or trousers. Additionally, all clothing purchased will be discounted 20 percent! And you can celebrate by drinking beer! This Hickey Freeman sale seems like a no-brainer.

Don't forget to check out our other New York sample sales as well.

The controversial Zara bag embroidered with swastikas was finally pulled from shelves this weekend.

Last Friday, New York press was shown the new documentary on Karl Lagerfeld in Soho. Be on the look out for the film when it debuts on October 28.

Old Navy may be spicing it up a bit with Todd Oldham as their new creative director.

Last week Conde Nast launched the first ever Vogue India, featuring articles on Bollywood, new rules in Indian marriages and beauty secrets.

Tonight, Paper Magazine and Diane Pernet will host a viewing of You Wear It Well, a series featuring short fashion films at Tribeca Grand. RSVP here for the event.

Thakoon goes eco-chic with his next collaboration with People Tree, a green and fair trade fashion company.

(Photo Courtesy of the Bag Lady)

Is it just me or has September flown by and there are still a bazillion things left to do? This weekend won't spare you the down time to detox--there's shopping to be done, art shows to see, fashion battling to be fought and music to hear, so break out your flasks and Red Bull and hit the streets of New York with these fashion fives.

1. Be sure you wear heels and brass knuckles to the sneak peak of Style Battles at 205 Club tonight.

2. For a marriage of fashion and art check out costume designer Laura Anderson Barbata's latest show at the Galeria Ramis Barquet.

3. The School of Visual Arts showcases six emerging fashion photographers at Click Chic: The Fine Art of Fashion Photography (above, photo).

4. Hip-hop fans should hit up the New York-Tokyo Music Festival (including fashion and skate ramps) at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park this Saturday.

5. According to NYTimes, there's still time to buy the Vera Wang line at the Kohl's in Brooklyn!

(Photo Courtesy of Sarah Silver and SVA)

Fall is here … kind of! As I write this it is 81 degrees outside. But that doesn't mean you can't start dressing yourself in autumn's finest. As a toast to the season, I've compiled nine hot items from local boutiques that will help you look so NOW ... and by now, I mean circa 1976. Hey, you need something to look good with that new pair of high-waisted jeans. So check out the hip hats, vintage boots, soft leather handbags and Prada's new knee-high socks, all in our Must-Have Fall Accessories guide.

Ramone Demi Bag from Hayden-Harnett.

Dunway women's fedora from Still Life.

Name: Sonja
Lives: Upper East Side
Works: Just completed MA thesis on the DIY movement

Black is really the new black. Where did you get your ensemble? I got the dress on the sale rack at Anthropologie and the top from Wasteland in L.A.

Where do you shop? Mostly online right now.

Do you have any favorite designers? Preen, Jessica Trosman, Comme des Garcons,Thierry Mugler.

What are some of your favorite hang outs? Hmm, I can't really eat dairy, so any place that makes it easy for me to order food without dairy. Liquiteria and B&H Vegetarian are my favorites!

Are you inspired by fashion lately? I've been getting a lot of inspiration from fashion and design blogs, like yours, and also women like Dita von Teese, who are always so put together, are amazing to me!