There is a major sale being held at the Port Authority on May 1^st, and it has made the Rollcall list this week.  It’s all a part of the ‘Save Fashion’ sale, a bid to help the industry during the economic downturn.  You might be making a face at this news, but check out this video from Aja Mangum of New York Magazine.  Please withhold judgment until you find out about the deep discounts on designer items, trust me you’ll be glad you did.  You’ll find pieces from Charlotte Ronson, Lyn Devon, and Alice Ritter to name a few. 

The Early Show on CBS was very timely this morning with a piece on Spring Cleaning Your Wardrobe.  Last night I began the process of separating some of my clothing items into three piles; one to keep, one to discard, and one to donate to charity.  When I resumed my work on the piles this morning, I found myself debating whether or not to sell the items I had intended for charity.  The charity pile was in good condition, but the items no longer suited my style.  Eventually I decided to donate to charity as originally planned, and so I dropped a bag full of clothing into one of the red clothing collection bins located in my neighborhood.  Sometimes we have to give to others without expecting anything in return, not even a tax deduction.  Check out the video, you will get great tips on your spring cleaning.

We have been inundated with news of the global recession and now, Swine-Flu. Sometimes we all need a little diversion from reality. Here’s a video from Newsweek that has been edited to feature Michelle Obama as a contestant on America’s Next Top Model, or as they call it, America’s Next Top Superfirstlady.  It gave me the biggest chuckle.  Each time I view it I find myself laughing at the absurdity, but I am mostly surprised at Newsweek’s great sense of humor.  Hopefully you will find it amusing as well.  You need not be a follower a Tyra Bank’s hit, America’s Next Top Model to appreciate the hilarity.

Matthew Williamson’s collection has finally arrived at H&M, and this collaboration has made our Rollcall list this week.  Watch the video as the designer discusses his craft and the Matthew Williamson signature of relaxed glamour, color and femininity a week prior to the launch.  The collaboration worked because he was allowed creative freedom, and he looked back at all his work over the last eleven years to create this line.  You can see photos of the launch of Matthew Williamson’s line at H&M today in Manhattan by clicking the link. [The Cut]

Related Post: High End Designers at H&M.

Here’s a video of fashion designer Brian Reyes from New York Fashion Week Fall 2009 as he talks fashion, the economy, and Michelle Obama.  He is pleased with The First Lady’s decision to embrace young designers, and would welcome the opportunity to dress her.  It is refreshing to hear from a young designer, and to get his take on Michelle Obama’s fashion selections.

Yesterday we discussed Michelle Obama’s positive impact on J. Crew’s stock price, the retail industry, and the economy.  Today it was revealed that another fashion designer, Arnold Scassi, takes issue with the First Lady’s wardrobe choices.  He suggests that she should pick a few designers and work with them exclusively.  I wonder if he would be interested in being one of the selected few.  Should Mrs. Obama take Mr. Scaasi’s suggestion, she would end up excluding so many young and talented designers.  Mr. Scaasi has had the privilege of dressing other First Ladies for decades.  It is time to share that honor.

Michelle Obama breathes new life into a system that was getting stale.  The global economy is in a tail spin, including the fashion industry.  Now is not the time for the First Lady to prop up a few well-established designers, at the expense of new talent.  It’s time to step out of the box and bring back excitement to fashion.  Michelle Obama’s approach to her fashion selection is just what the industry needs.  Every talented designer has the chance to dress the First Lady, and that’s the way it’s supposed to be.  A return to the old ways would be unthinkable. [The Cut] via [British Vogue]

Related Post: The First Lady and J. Crew

Here is incontrovertible proof that the First Lady’s fashion choices do have an impact on the bottom line of the fashion companies she chooses to wear.  Her wardrobe selection goes beyond the aesthetic value, it now affects stock prices.  According to a Bloomberg Television report, which can be viewed in this video below, J. Crew’s stock price has increased by almost 80% since Inauguration Day.  The First Lady has worn J. Crew on the Tonight Show, pages of Vogue and abroad in London.  To state the obvious, Michelle Obama is good for the retail industry and the economy.

Related Post: The First Lady’s Critics

Photo: Courtesy of DKNY

Yes, it’s Friday, thankfully the work week is over.  A stroll on the beach would do us all some good this weekend.  Paris Hilton has got the right idea, and she manages to do it very stylishly in this black sarong and a DKNY Ikat bodysuit.  See you at the beach!