I’m a fan of this Lanvin coat worn by Uma Thurman to the Opening Night Gala, and the premiere of Motherhood in Chicago.  Ms. Thurman was honored with a Career Achievement Award, and she did dress the part.  Beautiful coats are on my radar right now because it’s been getting cooler here in New York City.   The coat is reminiscent of a mens tails jacket, and would immediately add a bit of elegance to any look.  It’s even a little edgey; I would love it with a pair of dark washed skinny jeans and a bright colored cashmere sweater.  While I’m at it, let’s throw on a pair of thigh high boots and a chunky necklace, and let’s have a girl’s night out.

Anna Wintour’s appearance at the 92^nd Street Y with Jonathan Tisch made our Rollcall list this week.  The Vogue Editor-in-Chief showed why she is still in charge at the fashion bible.  Ms. Wintour is much more in-tuned with the economy than many would have believed, and even acknowledged that women can be fashionable while being price conscious.  While she was at it, she went so far as to applaud the collaboration of high end designers with mass retailers like H&M and Target. 

When asked about moving on from her job, she unequivocally put to rest the rumors of her impending retirement. She apparently loves her job, and has no plan to retire right now, and who could blame her.  Designers all over the world hold her in high esteem, as well as many others within the fashion industry.  If the fashion industry were a ship, Anna Wintour would want to be at the helm to help guide it through choppy waters.  The choppy waters of course would be the troubled economy.  Now is not the time to bow out gracefully, it is time to roll up one’s sleeve and get to work.  It isn’t difficult to believe that she is enjoying her job right now, we are in the throes of a recession, and she is a valued voice at the table.

Wintour proved that she is truly unflappable.  A PETA supporter heckled her about the use of fur in Vogue’s editorials and advertising and she responds “[f]ur is still a part of fashion, so Vogue will continue to report on it.”  You can’t make this stuff up, she is tough.  She just tells it like it is, there is no holding back, and I love it.

The interview gets an ‘A’, it was informative and engaging.  I can now say that Anna Wintour is officially one of my idols; she has a Teflon quality that is admirable.   I can’t wait to see her 60 Minutes interview with Morley Safer.  Who knows?  She might make our Rollcall list two weeks in a row.  Her frankness and ability to say exactly what she is thinking is so rare and refreshing.  Frankly, it’s very entertaining.  Ms. Wintour manages to fascinate us because she appears available and elusive at the same time. [The Cut]

Yesterday I attended the Sunday with the Magazine panel discussion with The New York Times fashion critic Cathy Horyn as moderator.  The discussion centered on First Lady, Michelle Obama and her fashion choices.  The panelists were fashion designers Narciso Rodriguez, Maria Cornejo, and Thakoon.  All of whom have dressed the First Lady. 

It was refreshing to hear the designers speak openly and frankly about issues, or stories we’ve all been talking about on blogs.  One topic in particular centered on the criticism of Michelle Obama by well-established designers about her clothing and designer choices.  On this topic, they were extremely vocal and did not hide their displeasure.  The consensus among them was that the First Lady has ushered in a new era, and her process of selecting designers to dress her is far more democratic now than in the past.

The audience was also made privy to little facts that were not widely known.  For instance, Thakoon shared the story behind the pink dress and matching coat worn by Michelle Obama in France at her meeting with Carla Bruni-Sarkozy.  Apparently the dress was commissioned in anticipation of Inaugural Day, but it was too cold to wear it.  We all know that she wore a yellow Isabel Toledo dress and coat instead and it was suitably lined.  Thakoon said in hind sight, he would have lined the dress with a warmer fabric. 

When asked by Ms. Horyn if they have noticed an increase in sales since the First Lady started wearing their designs, they each answered that it was hard to quantify sales specifically tied to Michelle Obama.  However, they stressed that publicity gained from the First Lady’s patronage could only benefit their businesses.

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.