Shoptalk: For Love 21

photo cred: Forever 21

Say what you will about Forever 21 I for one am not above shopping there (there Twelve by Twelve line rocks). There is no harm in buying some “cheap” items and mixing and matching. I do however prefer to shop online and bypass all the preteen/teen angst. What some of you may not know is for a while now in addition to the more upscale Twelve by Twelve line Forever21 has had a little sister store totally dedicated to accessories called For Love 21 and let me tell you this little store is great. You can find jewelry, sunglasses, and handbags yes some are “inspired” looks , but many more are For Love 21 originals and with so much to choose from you won’t even run into anyone with the same exact necklace. Best yet there are two Bay Area locations ( Daly City and Concord) to get your accessories fix, but for those ladies who are like me and don’t want to deal with lines, starting June 6th For Love 21 will be online.

Shoptalk: Gilt Groupe

photo cred: Gilt Groupe

We Bay Area shoppers have heard of the very elusive and exclusive sample sales high end designers and retailers have, unfortunately they almost always require the Bay Area shopper to travel. Now there is Gilt Groupe for the upscale fashion savvy shopper which only requires you to have access to a computer. Gilt Groupe is an invitation-only site that carries luxury labels from the current season such as: Zac Posen; Ernest Sewn; Valentino; Dolce and Gabbana etc. at dramatically discounted prices. This very chic company was founded in November 2007 by Alexis Maybank and Alexandra Wilkis (a.k.a A+A). Both women bring extraordinary experience to the table with Alexis (whom I met personally) being one of the founding members of ebay and Alexandra formerly working at Bulgari and Louis Vuitton equalling the perfect mix of tech ingenuity and luxury brilliance. Gilt Groupe stands head and shoulders above other so called sample sale sites for many reason one is they work directly with fashion houses and hand pick the merchandise we see on each of the 36 hour sample sales. Another quality that sets Gilt Groupe a part is the personalized approach to the entire production of each sample sale for instance all photography seen on the site is done in house allowing them to show details of the clothing that other online stores can’t but the luxury shopper really wants. Best yet Gilt Groupe has also managed to include fashion websites forgotten, men which they launched in April 2008. Alexis also tells me there is much more to come including kids, and décor. Remember Gilt Group is referral/invite only if you would like a membership please contact Gilt Groupe's customer services department or check out one of the up coming exclusive links on Bay Area Style File for future sample sale invites.

Shoptalk: California Select

photo cred: California Select

American Apparel has done it again, no no no not creep you out with some of the underage looking models in soft core porn poses. American Apparel has lunched their own very vintage ebay site called California Select. The store is filled with one of the trends of the moment gear from the 1980’s as well as many other decades past. I have to give AA a hand on the eclectic selections made by their “tastemakers” (I could run with the use of the term tastemakers but I’m not) picking items like a 60’s floral dress to 70’s disco jumpsuit. Hell, what would you expect from the store that brought you high waisted silver lamé leggings? California Select items are also available in store at limited locations (sorry no NoCal locations) with plans to open a non ebay online store in the future but for now you can take a risk and place a bid!

Shoptalk: Nordstrom Buy Online Pick Up in Store

Oh my God, this has to be the best thing to happen to online shopping in a long long time. Electronic Stores like Best Buy and Circuit City have been doing it for a while and now the store with the best return policy on the planet Nordstrom is joining them with the Buy Online Pick Up in Store option. Bad news is they are still in the testing phase and the service is only available in certain departments, good news is it’s available in the only departments that matter anyway ( sorry men) Women’s Shoes; Beauty and Fragrance; savvy; Individualist; t.b.d; and Encore. Now you never have to worry about going to a store not finding your size or fighting with a fellow customer during the women’s half yearly sale. I don’t think this is going to eliminate picking up more items you don’t need on your trip to the store, but it will make a part of your shopping experience more convenient, Happy Shopping!

Shoptalk: Made Her Think

MADE HER THINK by Meredith Kahn is a wonderful hip jewelry line that features some fun chunky rings as well as bangle bracelets that I happen to love. The NYC based Kahn launched the Girly meets Goth line in 2004 and received much adoration from fashionista from both coast and abroad. The line uses a lot of imagery that is typical in the Day of the Dead celebrations skulls, roses, hearts etc and also ranges in materials from Swarovski’s crystal and resin to leather and silver. So if you want to get a fairly inexpensive but well made statement piece of jewelry like Mary Kate Olsen, and Helena Christensen I suggest you check out the Made Her Think jewelry.

photo cred: Made Her Think

Shoptalk: Maribel

File Maribel under consignment chic! This quaint little shop is nestled in-between a bar and dry cleaners and is a rare Oakland clothing store gem. Unlike some consignment stores in the bay area you get really nice quality clothing and most of the time designer clothing ( Joe’s Jeans, Charlotte Ronson, 7 for All Mankind, Citizen’s of Humanity, Marc Jacobs, DVF etc) minus the factory damage, sweat stains, and funky smells. Maribel is more like walking into your stylish best friend’s closet than a consignment store. Here are some of the basics: consignment is Mon-Sat from open- 2pm; you get half of whatever Ann (the owner) or Sophia ( the fab second in command) sales your item(s) for or you can keep the cash in your account and use it towards an item you want to purchase. A bonus point is there are a lot of brand new items that come in and there is always brand new jewelry from some of your favorites as well as local designers. So on your way through the Lake Merrit shopping district stop by Maribel, who knows you may walk out with a pair or my jeans!

3251 Lakeshore Avenue (between Lake Park Ave & Trestle Glen Rd)Oakland, CA 94610
(510) 419-0677

Shoptalk: Aritzia

My new favorite store okay wait I still heart Urban Outfitters the most, but Aritzia is a close second. This Canadian store is an eclectic mix of the high to mid range priced fashions so it does have an upscale urban style appeal. You can find the labels you know and love like Cheap Monday, Covet, Adidas, Mike&Chris, Citizens of Humanity, Earnest Sewn and they even carry fresh from L.A. Fashion Week 2008 designer Whitley Kros ( love this designer). The only drawback is there is only one store I know of in the U.S.A and it’s in San Jose, Ca inside the Valley Fair Mall. And if you were thinking the internet was an option they currently don’t do online sales, although the “shop girl” did mention they’re placing one in San Francisco around summer 2008. So if you’re ever in Canada or in the South Bay and looking to do some shopping would suggest a trip to the fashion foward Aritzia.