Since we decided to forgo Market week and do Fashion Week instead, we (of course!) were all about the parties and the shows. One of the biggest treats was being invited to Milk Studios 2 nights in a row. LOTS of celeb sightings there!

Kate Lanphear: the hair, the spiky jewels...

and that trench!

Arlene and Garance. They look like old friends, don't they?

Little Miss Tavi dutifully studying the Gary Graham presentation...

...while sporting her Miu Miu collar. So cute.

We also ran into Susie Bubble (who we/I had accosted 3 nights earlier outside the Chelsea Piers), Sam Shipley and Rogan Gregory (sooo hot!) I admittedly felt a little like an adolescent school girl at a Justin Bieber concert… But more important than my silly, little “celebrity” sightings was the fashion.

The fun and colorful Peter Jensen

the hard edge of Pamela Love

and the luxurious layering of Gary Graham

an attendee in Gary's FW10 peasant blouse

This isn’t the first time we’ve said this, but we’re OBSESSED with Gary Graham. His talent leaves me breathless. You should have seen his inspiration board at the showroom. It was so thoroughly realized that it was 3D!! We’ll post pics of that later. SO much more to recap… stay tuned!

Pamela Love images via Vimeo and Refinery 29; all other images via us!

Today officially marks exactly one week till Fashion’s Night out in NYC and the start of fashion week  Yes, folks, Brandon and I will be there and we cannot be more excited.  Thus, the countdown begins!  Our schedule is confirmed…The shows will be Rachel Comey, Gary Graham & Peter Jensen and for Fashion’s Night Out what sounds like more fun than an outdoor party hosted by Rag & Bone & 3.1 Phillip Lim and mini makeovers with Gucci Westman??  7 days and counting…

Well here in the studio, at least. New fall merchandise has been arriving at a rapid pace for the last month. We’ve been styling and snapping and cropping like crazy to get it all up on the site, which means that we’ve been staring at all our new goodies for hours on end. It’s truly not glamorous, but it sure is fun to play with a bunch of amazing clothes every day!!! Some of my favorites so far…

First, 3 of my favorites all in 1 outfit! The dress makes me feel… well, ethereal is the word that comes to mind. And the booties are so light that I’ve even been wearing them during our incredibly humid weather. But the leather shirt. The leather shirt just makes me crazy. So soft, so versatile and just so freaking cool. LOVE it.

SFRD leather shirt vest, Gary Graham pintuck dress, Rachel Comey Memo booties

The Ruse dress from Rachel Comey. I ordered this, but it doesn’t fit SOOO disappointed.

I am always on the lookout for a great pair of pants, and these Vanessa Bruno Athe pants are just the best pair EVER. I wasn’t supposed to own these, but fate — and my dog, Kuma — lent a hand. Arlene and I were trying them on when they first landed and were in the process of telling ourselves and each other that they weren’t for us and that we needed to save them for our customers when over walks Kuma (he doesn’t like to be left out). He looks up at me and then gives me a giant lick on the leg (he’s a black lab, so his licks are pretty big), leaving a giant stain on the — now mine — pants. BAD dog.

Vanessa Bruno Athe soft trouser, Gar-de leather jacket, Sophomore tee, Loeffler Randall pumps

And the coup de grace, the Navy faux fur from SONIA by Sonia Rykiel. Knocks me out, it’s so good. Arlene and I actually both bought this, which might be a problem since we do everything and go everywhere together. We’ve had matching outerwear before, but nothing like this. But how could we resist? It feels so delicious when you’re all wrapped up (and you don’t even have to worry about those pesky animal activists!) And it’s navy. I mean, come on. How many times in your life do you come across a great navy fur???

SONIA by Sonia Rykiel faux fur, stripe tee and zipper leggings, Prairies de Paris pumps

So many other amazing things, but if I list them all here I won’t have time to actually do my work! We’ll be back, I promise.

WOW.  What a really amazing evening of fashion at this year’s Annual School of the Art Institute NightWalk 2010 benefit.  It was a gorgeous evening, a gorgeous event and everyone in attendance came out in full force to support the school.  Another big WOW for the all amazing streetstyle that night.  That was by far what made the evening so fun for me, next to meeting Gary Graham  Everywhere I turned was another fantastic look!  With 76 years of fashion, art & design education and with alumnus such as Halston, Matthew Ames, Cynthia Rowley & Gary Graham to just name a few, no surprise that the Fashion Department at the School of the Art Institute Chicago could gather so many lovers of fashion & art into one room.  I’ve already marked my calendar for next year’s event!

Always lots of fun running into Ms Candace Jordan at these events.

Too cute. Glasses and nose ring never looked better together!

This year's event was held in Renzo-Piano-designed Griffin Court of the Art Institute's amazing new Modern Wing

Here we are both in our pieces by Gary Graham. A little homage to this year's SAIC Legend of Fashion Honoree.

This woman's dress was one of my favorites. I loved it paired back to her flat lace up boots.

I just loved this woman jacket...look at the great knit insets under the arms.

Me, Gary Graham, Eliane from Gary Graham, Brandon & Amanda of SassafrasChic.blogspot

Exciting weekend this weekend!  Lots of great style happenings all around town from home to fashion.  We’re doubly excited about Gary Graham coming to Chicago and showing his F10 collection at The School of the Art Institute’s annual fashion show, NightWalk….then again the following evening this time, up-close-and-personal, at Robin Richman.  Gary Graham creates some really incredible pieces that we find completely irresistible!  We love his lux materials, the handmade construction, all the unique embroidery details & prints.  All beautiful worn individually or layered, layered, layered.  Needless to say, we’ll be at both events We can’t be more thrilled to be offering some of our favorite Gary Graham pieces in our Shop this fall.  Here’s a little taste of spring and fall10.

and Fall….

images via Gary Graham.  Thank you Eliane!

Quick, quick post….we are having such a great time!  We’re back in NYC, this time to get down and dirty and go shopping!!  Shopping for twentythirtyforty.net.  NYC never changes…fabulous style at every corner, good coffee, food, food, food, fantastic reps and friends :)….topped with sunshine.  Couldn’t of been a better Sunday in NYC.

Great style sightings EVERYWHERE. I could not resist snapping this charming girl in purple coat and purple handbag.

I had to snap this one too. He layered his pants with shorts!

our most adorable rep, Amy with Loeffler Randall

our other most adorable rep, Jen with Gar-de

We just had to visit.... :[ I find it interesting that 2010 just disappears into the flowers.

we squeezed in a yummy late brunch at The Standard Grill

Kissing S & P shakers at The Standard Grill

Our last appt of the day w/the fabulous Gary Graham

Ms Eliane sharing with us the inspiration board at Gary Graham

and the most amazing collections to wrap up our day. Thanks Eliane!!

We love our dresses and now we love Gary Graham from NYC.  NYC, yes, but a graduate of our famed School of the Art Institute of Chicago  How impressive … he’s been out on his own for 10 years and has now recently earned himself a CFDA/Fashion Fund Finalist title (oh also, a shop-in-shop in one of my favs, ABC Home).  His beautiful creations are such a breath of fresh air from all the studs and rocker chic looks out there.   Wouldn’t you just LOVE any one of these pretty keepers?  Oh yes!

images via Gary Graham