New York-based

Sandro Homme is getting arty! The brand opened its first menswear store in the U.S. this month at 145 Spring…

The latest addition to Beverly Hill’s tony retail scene on Rodeo Drive is Vera Wang, whose 5,500 square-foot boutique will open this Saturday. The outpost, which was buzzed-about back in July, was designed by Brian Sawyer of the New York-based design firm Sawyer Berson. It features a private bridal studio on the second floor; the rest of the shop will have a strong focus on accessories, namely eyewear, jewelry, and shoes. This location replaces her Melrose Avenue shop, which shuttered its doors last week.

For its big 75th anniversary graduation, LIM College has tapped Daniella Vitale to deliver the keynote speech on May 22nd. This is a homecoming of sorts for Vitale: The retail exec graduated from the New York-based school in 1986, and is currently the COO and senior executive vice president at Barneys New York.

Bridal’s Fall 2014 season has arrived!Ready to walk down the aisle, style-wise? New York-based designer Katharine Polk’s bridal dresses have been known to cross over from the aisle to the red-carpet with pretty young celebs like Lily Collins donning her ivory lace gowns for movie premieres…that’s just how she likes it. Polk’s Houghton is the low maintenance girl that wants to look spectacular without looking like a lot of effort has been put into it. Meanwhile, Polk’s beautiful gowns involve plenty of detail, with dresses like an ivory and pink ombre lace dress taking up to 80 hours of painstaking work. The getting-hitched category has made for an unexpected business boom, with clients clamoring for Polk’s custom designs. We caught up with Polk and her bulldog Jonesy in her Manhattan studio to find out how she manages to weave unconventional ideas (like rompers!) into the often-conventional bridal market.
BY PAIGE REDDINGER

Reed Krakoff and Coach are parting ways after 16 years together. Krakoff, who currently holds the titles of president and executive creative director at the New York-based accessory brand, will remain on the payroll until his contract officially expires in June 2014, almost six months after Coach CEO and chairman Lew Frankfort hands over the reins to Victor Luis in January 2014. The designer’s surprising departure comes amid news that Coach is exploring “strategic options” for Krakoff’s namesake label, which Coach helped launch in 2010. The plans may involve “a sale to a group, in which Krakoff would participate,” reports WWD. Moving forward, the 49-year-old designer plans on expanding his eponymous collection and developing additional categories, like a menswear line.

Jovani Fashions has been making the party rounds since the ‘80s, selling their beaded creations in over 3,000 stores. But this season, the New York-based evening brand is bringing a renewed focus to its bridal collection. Designer Julie Durocher tells all!
BY MARIA DENARDO

Sara Pilot, currently a New York-based stylist, has been named Hamptons editor at Daily Front Row…Jesse Ashlock, formerly deputy editor at Details, has been named online director at T: The New York Times Magazine…Janna Johnson O’Toole, formerly senior beauty and fitness editor at Elle, has been named beauty and fitness director at Elle Australia…

Bibhu Mohapatra and the well-heeled team behind Rent the Runway, including co-founders Jenn Hyman and Jenny Fleiss and fashion director Lucy Sykes Rellie, rounded up a covey of eager eds and gathered at Junoon last night on West 24th Street. Pourquoi? To nosh on Indian delicacies, of course, and fete the New York-based designer’s Indo-Deco capsule collection for the fast-growing website, dedicated to loaning designer dresses and accessories to the masses. The six-piece capsule collection on display featured vibrant gowns and cocktail frocks fusing the traditional Indian colors and textiles of Mohapatra’s childhood with architectural silhouettes and details of the ’20s. “Indo-deco captures the subsequent energy of the modern Indian woman,” said the designer on his inspiration behind the poppy-colored lineup. Starting today, the full range will be available to rent for $200 to $400 at RenttheRunway.com for a span of four to eight days, along with 12 additional Bibhu Mohapatra designs that are part of his core collection.

Another day, another case: Tory Burch is headed back to court. On Friday, the designer filed an infringement lawsuit in New York against Bluebell Accessories, Inc., claiming the New York-based wholesaler sold counterfeit trinkets bearing a copy of Burch’s signature double-T monogram. WWD reports that Burch initially hired an investigator on November 6, who was ordered to purchase an assortment of necklaces, earrings, rings, and bracelets on BluebellWholesale.com for verification. Upon arrival, Burch issued a cease-and-desist letter to Bluebell owners Jessica Min and Sung Ki Min, who reportedly have not been forthcoming with pertinent details to the case including sale documentation and supplier lists. Burch is suing Bluebell for an undisclosed sum on the counts of trademark counterfeiting, false designation of origin and false descriptions, trademark and copyright infringement, trademark dilution, unfair competition, and injury to business reputation.

Kate Spade New York CEO Craig Leavitt has big plans for the New York-based company. On Friday, Leavitt attended an investment meeting where he told analysts he expects brand sales to hit the $2 billion mark in the next four years and eventually reach $4 billion. Sales from last year put the company at revenues of $461.9 million and the brand continues to expand with international pushes, plus a foray into home goods. And the home goods are just topping off what the brand already has on offer, which includes legwear, stationary, and watches.