Welcome to Scottsdale Prada, or shall we say, Benvenuta to the Italian retailer who so elegantly snuck into Scottsdale Fashion Square this week. reports the Phoenix Business Journal. The remodel of the old Banana Republic space took forever and the “Prada” sign was an agonizing reminder of what we were dying to see. I even emailed the public relations director in New York months ago for a sneak peek at the store and the answer, “NO.” The universal language of “no.”

I don’t feel so bad about the brush off when Lynn Ducey for the Biz Journal wrote this week, “The store had long been the subject of speculation, and the retailer has kept quiet about its arrival and opening date. A call to Prada officials in New York was not immediately returned on Tuesday afternoon. However, a call to the store in Scottsdale confirmed it’s open.”

So I plan to go at some point. Though I have long sworn off Prada for an unnecessarily testy customer service experience I had a few years back. Did I ever tell you about that? Prada’s not so fond of their own handbags breaking. Really? ME NEITHER!!

Image Prada

I met with the incredibly sweet Ken Downing, fashion director and senior vice president of Neiman Marcus today. He’s literally the man behind the suits, dresses and fashion style of the luxury department store and more and he was an utter doll to speak with. Our meeting, was full of fashion and fun, with the glowing-in-Gucci Downing giving me tip after tip of how to look great for Fall 2011 and even, how to look younger. The following article by me, was posted earlier on Desert Living Today.com:

I just had a lovely interview with Ken Downing, Fashion Director and Senior Vice President of Neiman Marcus. He’s a glamourous, Gucci-donning ball of fiery, fashion-fueled energy and in just a quick few minutes, we are energized for fall fashion. So what trends have the man-about-fashion fluttering this season? Here’s a list of what in at NM and Downing’s quick tip for looking younger in an instant:

Insider Tips from Ken Downing:

• The color of the season: Bordeaux, shades of red, juxtaposed with shades of pink. Pink is the color of upcoming Resort 2012, so your pretty-in-pink pieces will last.
• Return of the Lady: Ensemble dressing, nodding to the 60′s lady and Kate Middleton is in. Jackets that match your blouse, skirts. Nails that match lip colors, in shades of bordeaux and reds. Handbags that match shoes. Downing calls them, “Clothes that belong together.”  Creating that polished, together look.
• Leather and fur: Not just jackets here. Vests, trimmings, leather leggings,
• The Classic Pump: Wear it for day and into night. Juxtapose the edgy look of those leather leggings with the soft, polished lady like touch of the perfect pump.
• Low Velocity Bling: High shine dulls down, yet creates high drama for day time looks. Tarnished, blackened jewels and glittered fashion pieces are a must.
• Nail It: Downing’s collaboration with Le Metier de Beaute brings us the easiest way and our favorite way to update your look: nail polish. He suggests either a glittery champagne or a glittery bordeaux.
• Day and Night: No more transitioning from night to day. Wear your day for night and your night for day – pumps during the day, flats at night.
  
• Make It Fit: Wear clothes that fit. Tailor, alter, make it fit you. You’re not hiding anything under those baggy clothes.
• Men: Tuck in your shirt!
• To Look Younger: Stay relevant. It isn’t about Botox and facelifts, it’s about staying relevant to the moment. Sporting your same style since high school, dates and ages you. More women, when they catch up to what’s relevant, feel and look younger.
• What Downing Never Leaves Without: A leather jacket and a soft, cashmere hoodie. Both great for layering.

And Neiman Marcus is about to update its own style as well, with the introduction of our very own “Cusp” store-in-store coming 2012 to Scottsdale Fashion Square. Cusp will re-introduce their contemporary sportswear collections with a more contemporary shopping experience, combining designer pieces, jewelry, accessories and more in a boutique-like setting inside the department store. Stay tuned for more!

Image via Neiman Marcus

Designers who accept SOTB’s invitation are then given their own storefront that is built around their own preferences and products, plus the luxury of having a web tech team at their fingertips 24/7 to update and maintain. They are showcased on SOTB’s homepage, newsletter and social media forms including Facebook. Twitter and Tumbir. In addition, customers can communicate with the designers via the website, to ask questions or request something custom-made.

For local designers who want to apply to sell with StyleOutsideTheBox, click here for more information.

Check out a few accessory finds from SOTB:

British jewelry designer, 77 Diamonds, delivers high quality diamonds to your door. Their impressive selection of diamonds, chosen for clarity, quality and choice will ship worldwide, with a 30 day money-back guarantee. From earrings, to necklaces to loose diamonds, 77 Diamonds guarantees quality and service.

Beyond the selection, the site offers valuable advice for anyone searching for the right ring or diamond gift. Visit their Education center here.

For more information or to view their collection, click 77 Diamonds.

I’ve had a few weight management emails over the past few months regarding weight loss and  how to lose weight. My secret to slim is sticking to a healthy, clean diet of mainly raw fruits, veggies and ocassional lean meats and the delicious Sunrider body nourishing products including hot detoxing teas, cool cleansing teas, herbal shakes and powerful herbal antioxidants. The same products adored by LA weight management centers and celebrities such as Sharon Stone and Faith Ford.

Above and beyond keeping my weight in check, after years of battling chronic sinusitis, fueled by Arizona allergies, seasonal allergies, unknown food sensitivies and emotional stress, I had a miraculous cleanse just 4 weeks after started the program that has kept me completely sinus infection free and breathing much easier.

The products are simple. The program is simple, delicious and powerful, on a physical and emotional level.

If you are interested in the program, please email me at kira@fashionphoenix.com.

Here’s a sample of my most favorite day time tea, that seemingly magically melts fat – Fortune Delight.  It’s an amazing and powerful cleansing drink. The demo really works.  A powerful intestinal cleanser.

WIN! WIN! WIN!

Win a chic blue summer tote filled with fabulous product samples from Neiman Marcus!

Here’s the skinny:

1. “Like” Fashion Phoenix on Facebook. Link: Fashion Phoenix Fan Page

2. Post on our wall, your favorite summer fun activity.

3. Post your entry by Wednesday, June 8th.

One winner announced on fan page Thursday, June 9th.

You might be a hipster if:

Your girlfriend can wear your jeans

Your girlfriend can’t wear your jeans because they’re too tight

You don’t have a girlfriend because your general untidiness and usual Pig Pen-esque cloud of cigarette smoke is off-putting

You would never consider footwear outside the Vans/Converse/Toms family

You smell like you haven’t showered weeks and are more comfortable that way

You swear that you liked that band before they sold-out

Your “totally original look” can be easily achieved by walking into any Urban Outfitters, American Apparel or Buffalo Exchange

You consider neon a wardrobe staple

You bought a record player because “you like the imperfections in the sound”

RSVP to RSVP@shopdesignerdistrict.com

Awesome! I will be there, not just because I live next door to La Grande Orange and the Arcadia Room and go there daily, but because it sounds awesome! Hope to see you. Here’s a little look from one of the sponsors, Flipped Bird…

Flippedbird.com. Fun, funky reversible hats and bags.

For more, click www.flippedbird.com

EXTENDED HOURS TIL 7 PM

I love Reachel Bagley and her personal wardrobe classes are top-notch. If you’re looking for a little fashion direction, check out a class or two with a sweet savings of 30% of with the code above. Now through March 31st, 2011.  For a list of services, click Cardigan Empire Services.