Queen Bee(s)

Signing in, the one and only source into the lives of Manhattan's scandalous elite, here - or at least, the one and only source into the wardrobe of Manhattan's elite. With eyes everywhere - on Chloe angora, leather miniskirts, and leopard print booties - who am I?

Sort the racks of INA Union Square this week to find the wardrobes of New York's most infamous Queen Bee characters. In the guise of Blair Waldorf's princess chic, Serena van der Woodsen's carefree street denim, and Georgina Sparks' black leather conniving, you know you love me. XoXo, Gossip Girl. 

From top, all merchandise INA Union Square: Chloe pink & white striped angora sweater, leather pleated Astrid miniskirt, Sally Bolhower heart necklace, Christian Louboutin leather clutch with spikes; Versus by Versace black checkered skirt suit; Alexander Wang black jacket with button-cinched sides, white polka-dotted cut out Love miniskirt, Bottega Veneta white thatched leather clutch, white fur hat with ear flaps; Margiela white leather jacket, BCBG chocolate ribbon banded hat, Brian Atwood pony leopard print boots. 

INA Chelsea: A Week in Hemlines

An array of hemlines are floating through Chelsea womenswear at the moment, to be finished off with tall boots. Imagine stockings and warm socks accenting these pants, coats, skirts, dresses in the dead of winter. 

From top, all INA Chelsea: Chanel wool tweed dress with tie cardigan; Chanel snap-away hunter green windbreaker pants; Chanel satin back-bow pump; Marni striped legging with black leather Marni clog; white leather lace-up NKStore pants; Manolo Blahnik black leather boot with gold chain; Proenza Schouler pleated skirt; The Row wool coat with single button closure; Acne riding boots with wool Burberry pleated skirt; Valentino black & white checked suit; Y-3 sheer long skirt with black stripe.

A Patch of a Different Color

What can be said about patchworks - patchwork quilts, patchwork country, patchwork paneling? An anachronistic fabric stitched together with exposed seams, quilted patchwork and skin patchwork run hand in hand, in detail: dangling from the window shopper's arm, a Jil Sander clear plastic tote displays a single python pocket. And in another: the suede elbow patch decorates the elbow of a man resting against a wall. Strategically placed patches appear throughout our New York streets on shoulders, waistbands, and Louis Vuitton soccer balls. 

From above, all INA MEN: Jil Sander midnight plastic tote with python exterior pocket, Antonio Marras charcoal plaid vest, Miharayasuhiro charcoal wool pant with skirt overlay, Visvium Comme Des Garcons navy & white hightop sneaker; Louis Vuitton black jacket, Junya Watanabe navy & white striped trouser, Louis Vuitton olive cashmere turtleneck with suede elbow patches, Fiorentini + Baker chocolate suede boot, Mike crackled metallic sunglasses; Thom Browne grey & white striped hat, Vivienne Westwood charcoal & white plaid button-up, Louis Vuitton gray zip-up sweater with suede elbow patches, Vivienne Westwood navy wool pant with side ties, Marni burnt orange leather lace-up loafer.

One and Only

The jumpsuit has long since woven a new life as an elegant day for night ensemble, rather than as a youthful coverall. That being said, the ongoing charm of the one piece is its youthful allure, the very thought of its effortlessness. Below, with layers: cold weather silken, denim and body-grazing onesies in INA Nolita.

From top: Mayle silk black sleeveless jumpsuit, Ann Demeulemeester long corduroy duster coat, rabbit charcoal hat, Walter Steiger grommeted black leather platform boots; Norma Kamali olive short-sleeved jumpsuit, Zamir Furs rabbit coat, Lack of Color black wool brimmed hat, Celine burgundy leather center zipper boot; Philosophy brown suede fringed jacket, Prada tortoise shell cat-eyed sunglasses, denim overalls, Missoni lace-up bootie with patent maroon square toe, Chanel suede clutch with red shearling trim.

Spooks and Specters, Oh My

As a prelude to Halloween, is it any wonder that INA Noho can offer the finishing costume touches for Dracula and all of the rest - the Victorian, the musician, the cowgirl, the fur animal? 

Ina Noho, from top: Nanette Lepore leather fringed purse, Balmain white leather cuff with gold edges; Romeo Gigli fuschia knit dress with cut-out collar; Dries Van Noten detachable velvet sleeves; Pologeorgis black capra vista goat vest; Embroidered silk tie-waist belt; Issey Miyake turn-down collar circle scarf; Vintage leather fringed jacket with beaded design.

Vertigo

In a fourth floor New York walk-up apartment, the debut of the day's clothing inevitably finds its audience in one's neighbors, met by happenstance on ground floor, the penthouse, and glancingly down the hall. 

Here, look by look, are fall's most coveted items caught in the winding flights.

INA Soho, from top: Halston black fur shirt, vintage leopard hat, Nicholas Kirkwood black suede pumps with white swirled platform; Junya Watanabe black dress with exposed zippers and Perrin black leather glove clutch; Chanel tweed and iridescent sneakers, Armani navy tutu, Issey Miyake patent planetary purse; Dolce & Gabbana navy tuxedo pantsuit with black satin trim; Junya Watanabe red down puffer jacket; Givenchy black fringed purse with woven strap, Comme Des Garcons wool, plaid one-armed jumper with pleated skirt.