Ann Taylor steps up
Ann Taylor, best known for moderately priced career clothes, is partnering with dress doyenne Kay Unger on a line of formalwear in the store’s first designer collaboration.
The five-piece collection should bring more mainstream customers to Unger, whose gowns are in the $500 range at Neiman Marcus and other high-end department stores. The most expensive piece in the Ann Taylor line tops out at $328 -- a navy satin gown with a sweetheart neckline. It’s plain, like the others, but still more stylized than the rather dreary “celebratory wear” Taylor stocked before.
A red satin above-the-knee cocktail sheath ($228) is draped elegantly, while a black-and-white halter dress ($228) is a decidedly feminine take on the tuxedo. But a long black Grecian-style silk gown ($328) with black beading at the waist looks cheap.
The dresses are true to Unger’s signature style, and if you’re a fan, it would be foolish not to pocket the savings.
Kay Unger for Ann Taylor Celebration in stores now. www .anntaylor.com
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SALES
Barneys Warehouse Sale Thursday: The legendary warehouse sale arrives at Barker Hangar for 11 days, offering men’s and women’s designer clothes and accessories at 50% to 75% off, as well as home goods. In the past, we’ve nabbed Lanvin flats, Ella Moss dresses, Marc by Marc Jacobs jackets and Barneys private label suits for men at this bargain bonanza. Barker Hangar, Santa Monica Air Center, 3021 Airport Ave., Santa Monica. (310) 777-5700. 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. Beginning next Sunday, weekends 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Ends Aug. 17. www.barneys.com.
DecadesTwo Friday: Co-owner Christos Garkinos is celebrating his favorite lucky number with a crazy eight-style closeout on every pair of designer shoes in his posh consignment shop. Find more than 250 pairs of gently worn Chanels, Manolo Blahniks and Jimmy Choos -- some from the closets of Selma Blair and Charlize Theron -- for $88.88, or up to 90% off original prices. A portion of the sales will be donated to No On Prop 8, a group opposed to the statewide ballot initiative that would reverse same-sex marriage law. Purchases are limited to two per customer. 8214 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 655-1450. 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. www.decadestwo.com
Intuition Saturday: Lauren Conrad’s less-than-stellar clothing line just got booted out of Kitson, but fans shouldn’t fret: Her cotton jersey dresses are now up to 70% off at Intuition. Conrad’s in good company; the Olsen twins’ Elizabeth and James tent dresses are on sale ($141.99, from $475), as well as Victoria Beckham’s dVb brand sunglasses. If only these goods could talk, the world would be one reality show richer. 10581 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 234-8442. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.shopintuition.com
Katy Rodriguez Through Thursday: Visit the designer’s very own vintage store to find pieces from her entire collection dating back to spring 2006 for 75% to 90% off. Jewel-toned party frocks and geometric print shifts start as low as $99; flirty crop tops are a mere $49. The most expensive piece to be found is an iridescent orange floor-length taffeta gown, on sale for $500, from $2,850. Resurrection, 8006 Melrose Ave., L.A. (323) 651- 5516. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. www.resurrectionvintage.com.
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EVENTS
Lauren Conrad Personal Appearance Aug. 7: You can’t keep this girl down. LC will present her fall collection and mug at Bloomingdale’s in Century City. Perhaps “The Hills” cameras will be in tow. Bloomingdale’s Century City, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles; 5 to 7 p.m., second floor.
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