3 of the 4 totes.  I was so excited to give Michelle her tote I forgot I had to take a picture first.

What a day!  I’ve been hearing the buzz online for weeks about free YSL totes and I’ve been eagerly waiting for this day.  I didn’t even really think I’d get my hands on some but I scoured the internet last night to find the latest scoop on where the totes would be handed out.  There were many theories.  Some said to go to the YSL Boutique on 57th & 5th, some said to be in the vicinity of Bryant Park (where fashion week is), Times Square, Union Square, and Soho.  But what time? What street?  Oh, the pressure!

Fast forward to Saturday morning, hitting snooze repeatedly but making myself get ready to get into the city in time for the Charlotte Ronson show at 11 am (story & pics to follow - stay tuned).  After seeing the show I exited the tents and made my way up 6th Avenue to walk up to the Colette x Gap store.  The pop-up shop is only 3 blocks from the YSL 57th St. boutique and I figured it would be good to be close by.  As I exited the tent I saw a woman walking down the block with a white YSL tote.  I sprinted toward her and asked “Where did you get that tote?!”  She said they were handing them out down the block.  Could it be that easy??  I run down the block and get a bag.  I actually get 4 - I can be sneaky when I have to.  They weren’t giving out multiple bags but sometimes being a “large handbag” girl comes in handy.  I got a bag and then walked away and put it in my bag and did this 3 times.  By the fourth time I felt like the girls would recognize me so I approached a woman nearby who looked like she did not care about the bags and told her how desperately I needed a bag for my friend but I could only get one - I was ready to offer her money - one of my crazy moments.  She willingly got one for me - and I didn’t have to pay.  Sometimes being polite and smiling will get you what you want. And, no, you won’t see my bags on e-bay.  I have a black and white one for my own collection and I got Liz and Michelle a bag each.

The girls who were giving out the bags gave it to all passerbys, regardless of whether they knew how desirable the bags are.  As they handed you a bag, the girls smiled and politely said in sweet voices, “Yves Saint Laurent.”  That was it.  They all had long blonde hair in pony tails and were clad in black in the same outfits - black leggings, black sneakers and black manifesto cut-off t-shirt dresses (I wanted one of those too!).  I’m not sure how long the girls were there but I exited the tents around noon and from the time I first spotted them to the time they ran out I would say about 2 minutes passed.  I’m not sure where else they were handing out bags but I overheard someone say that he got his in Times Square.  Check out photos from the craziest 2 minutes ever after the jump!

Read the full story

Before Andy Warhol started making his iconic screen-printed color block portraits and hanging out at The Factory, he was a shoe illustrator living on Lexington Avenue. To celebrate how Warhol got his start, Bond no. 9′s third fragrance in the Warhol Series is called Lexington Avenue and the bottle is an homage to his whimsical footwear silhouettes. Each of the scents in the Andy Warhol are lovely: First, there was Silver Factory and then there was Union Square, but Lexington Avenue is my favorite so far because it honors Warhol’s roots in fashion. The eau de parfum has “fresh citrus topnotes and a lingering forest-like base” with notes of peony, orris, patchouli, sandalwood, cardamom, fennel, almonds, cumin, and even crème brulee. Hmmm. Sounds heavenly already. The fragrance is seductive and intoxicating - perfect for the coming autumn-winter season. Bond no. 9 Lexington Avenue launches in September 2008 and will be available at Bond no. 9 boutiques, BondNo9.com and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Also, just in time for the holiday, “limited-edition flacons will feature Robert Lee Morris sterling silver shoe pendants of Warhol’s shoe designs—four of them—on a sterling silver chain.” More info on the inspiration of the eau de parfum and a close-up of the gorgeous bottle with the silver shoe charms after the jump . . .

Read the full story

A photographer friend from NY sent me this info about regulations that the NY City Mayor’s office is trying to put into effect regarding street photography. Here’s his message - if you’re there - please go.

Dear All,

All of a sudden we, as photographers, students and teachers, are facing serious restrictions by The Mayor’s office about NYC street photography.

I know you know everyone so please alert them and have them sign the petition.

We don’t have much time with a deadline of August 3rd.

Here is the URL with the petition to sign:

http://www.pictureny.org/petition/index.php

Introduced quietly just before Memorial Day weekend, the regulations could severely impede the ability of even casual photographers and filmmakers to operate in New York City.

A group of two or more people who want to use a camera in a single public location for more than a half hour (including setup and breakdown time) could be required to get a city permit and $1 million in liability insurance.

According to the NY Civil Liberties Union, “these regulations violate the First Amendment right to photograph in public places, and open the door to selective and discriminatory enforcement.”

SAVE THE DATE:

Friday, July 27th, 6:30 pm

Rally for the 1st Amendment - Union Square

People are invited to turn out to make a statement about New York City’s laws and regulations regarding filming, shouting, biking, parading, and dancing.