3/29/12 10:05am

Fond Farewells

The designer with Glenda Bailey.

Stefano Pilati Has ‘A Great State of Mind’ Despite Departure from Yves Saint Laurent

“You can find greatness everywhere. You just have to look for it,” said Harper’s Bazaar editrix, Glenda Bailey, quoting former Yves Saint Laurent creative director Stefano Pilati in a brief, prepared introduction. Ms. Bailey had been charged with welcoming the recently departed YSL designer to the stage as a part of French Institute Alliance Française’s Fashion Talks program. (Other fashion stalwarts this year include former president and executive creative direct of Coach, Reed Krakoff and designer Dries van Noten.)

With considerable buzz about Mr. Pilati’s exit after ten years at Yves Saint Laurent—one which had been the subject of many rumors—it was inevitable that the elephant in the room would be addressed. A throng of eager YSL devotees crowded Florence Gould Hall to witness Pamela Golbin, chief curator of Paris’ Musée de la Mode et du Textile, in conversation with Mr. Pilati. Read More

By Jotham Sederstrom 1/18/12 9:30am

the sit-down

Mary Ann Tighe.

The Iron Lady

Two years ago this month, CBRE tristate chief executive Mary Ann Tighe rattled cages when the Real Estate Board of New York named her its first female chairwoman in the 116-year-old organization’s history. During those 24 months, the former TV executive—yes, she helped launch cable channel A&E—helped renew the 421a tax exemption program, oversaw passage of the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act, and shepherded a series of projects meant to fuel construction across New York. Throughout those lobbying efforts, she managed to tally what she described as the second-most successful year of leasing in her career. Last week, REBNY’s first lady spoke to The Commercial Observer about her achievements thus far as chairwoman, the complications behind her deals for Condé Nast, Coach and Young & Rubicam, and what to expect at this year’s gala.
Read More

By Guelda Voien 11/01/11 5:12pm

Anchor Tenant

The Coach House.

600,000 Square Feet of Office Space in the Bag for Coach

Luxury handbag stalwart Coach will relocate its offices to the Hudson Yards, scooping up approximately one-third of the planned south office tower as a commercial condo in a deal that will give the New York City-based company approximately 600,000 square feet.

Coach will move its corporate headquarters and consolidate three New York City offices into the building by 2015. The 1.8 million-square-foot tower, at the northwest corner of West 30th Street and Tenth Avenue, is one of 14 residential, commercial and retail assets envisioned by the Related Companies at its far West Side development site. Read More

By Elise Knutsen 10/27/11 9:48am

Manhattan Transfers

The Olcott (Photo from StreetEasy)

Coach King Lewis Frankfort Leaves The Olcott, Buyer Assembling a Palace

This season was not a hit for Lewis Frankfort.

Although the CEO of Coach has transformed the stodgy bag maker, turning big profits for his company in recent years, the businessman doesn’t exactly show the same prowess when it comes to his real estate dealings. Mr. Frankfort and his wife, Roberta, have sold their place at the The Olcott, and the deal was not a great fit. Read More

By Simon Doonan 8/17/10 9:55pm

How Snooki Got Her Gucci: The Dirt on Purses

There is a wicked new marketing strategy currently sending shock waves through the high-stakes competitive world of luxury fashion. It’s devious, delightful and deliciously dirty.

Here’s the deal: Remember how Snooki, drunk or sober, was never seen without that Coach bag dangling from the crook of her arm? Snooki and her Coach were as synonymous Read More