Who needs the Biebs when we’ve got the Zee?! Joe & Co. get on the line at Bloomingdale’s to kick off season of giving

Jessica Szohr, Joe Zee, and Piper Perabo donate warm winter coats to New York Cares at Bloomingdale's 59th Street.

While Rockefeller Plaza was buzzing Wednesday night with bundled-up Beliebers, another star-studded holiday kickoff was underway just a few blocks east on 59^th Street. The always jolly Joe Zee brought a little holiday cheer and a lot of fashionable friends to the fifth floor of Bloomingdale’s to celebrate the second season of Zee’s hit show, All on the Line, and donate outerwear to New York Cares’ annual holiday coat drive.

“I love this charity!” Mr. Elle magazine told Videofashion. “This is the industry I work in, and this is a way I can take what I do and give back. I love the idea of paying it forward,” said Zee. Model-mom Veronica Webb shared his sentiment. “This is a really important event that we support every year—my kids do it at school, too,” said Webb. “There’s no better gift to give than warmth,” she added. Also heating up Bloomie’s outerwear department: actress Piper Perabo, who accessorized her fête frock with an armload of plush parkas. “I brought a lot—we filled the bin!” said the Covert Affairs starlet.

A svelte Valerie Bertinelli went the extra mile to make sure her much-loved but little-worn coat will find a more fitting home in NYC. “I flew that coat out here in my bag!” the actress told Videofashion. “I didn’t get a chance to wear it a lot in Los Angeles, because it’s just not cold enough,” she added. “Someone else will get better use out of it!”

While additional guests including Gabourey Sidibe, Jessica Szohr, and All On the Line cast members dropped off outerwear and sipped bubbly, we chatted with the man of the hour about AOTL’s sophomore lineup. “There’s a lot more fashion and a lot more guest stars this season,” Elle’s Creative Director told Videofashion. Expect to see designers Rachel Roy and Nicole Miller in upcoming episodes, as well as a cameo by Zee’s former The City co-star and Elle crony, Olivia Palermo. AOTL’s focus on real designers in real turmoil—and in real need of Zee’s boot camp—injects the fashion-reality TV genre with, well … reality. “We don’t just talk about inspiration; now we make inspiration. It really shows another side of the fashion business,” Zee explained.

Momentarily setting all things business and fashion aside (it happens … occasionally …), we couldn’t let the stylish set escape the Upper East without sharing their holiday plans.

Valerie Bertinelli with Joe Zee Wednesday evening on Bloomie's 5th Floor to support the New York Cares holiday coat drive, and toast Season 2 of All on the Line.

Ms. Perabo is en-route to visit her 102-year-old (!!!) grandma before indulging in a seasonal guilty-pleasure: the theme soiree. “One of my friends has an ugly Christmas sweater party—everybody wears crazy appliqué sweaters,” she spilled. “It’s not beautiful, but it’s really funny!”  While Ms. Webb will be chillin’ in balmy Palm Beach, Jessica Szohr is headed for chilly Wisconsin to kick-it with her fam.

What’s #trending on wish lists for December 2011?

Piper’s dreaming of a white Christmas (“I want it to snow!!!”), generous gent’ Joe craves some well-earned R&R (“Time off and a vacation!”), while Ms. Bertinelli’s ultimate gift is anything but time off (“For Hot in Cleveland to be on the air ten more years!”). The TV Land star also summed up the essence of the evening. “The comfort of a coat on a really cold day—there’s nothing quite like it. It’s like a hug,” said Bertinelli.

If you’d like to give a “hug,” Bloomingdale’s on 59^th Street is accepting outerwear donations in the fifth floor outerwear department now through December 5 (visit the New York Cares website for additional opportunities to donate). And if you’re not already obsessed with Joe Zee’s All on the Line, don’t forget to check it out Fridays (that’s tonight!) at 9:30 p.m. EST on the Sundance Channel!

time’s not a wastin’ at new soho store

Time is of the essence when it comes to planet-friendly style. Here is just one design offered at the new Sprout pop-up shop.

Just in time for Earth Day (this Friday!), eco-chic timepiece brand Sprout Watches is opening its first retail store in New York’s Soho neighborhood. The West Broadway pop-up shop offers planet-conscious customers greener options for keeping time. All Sprout watches are at least 80% Earth-friendly, made with materials including corn resin (bio-based; uses no oil to produce), organic cotton (grown without pesticides or synthetic fertilizers), and mineral crystal (replaces synthetic plexiglass; recyclable)—and powered by mercury-free batteries—but you’d never know these modern, multihued watches have such green ingredients.

At a preview event last week, Videofashion checked out the latest Sprout collection, and spotted a few standout styles. The white bracelet-band timepieces (pictured) are modern and ladylike; the watch is constructed from 99% biodegradable corn resin and features conflict-free diamonds. We were also enthralled by the assortment of fish-skin wrist bands. Yes, FISH SKIN. Who knew the scaly stuff could be so sturdy and chic?! The skins are one of the strongest leathers known to man, and thanks to eco-friendly dye, are offered in a rainbow of colors.

While offering environmentally conscious products, the Sprout store is also giving back to the eco-community at large; a portion of proceeds will be donated to the New York Restoration Project, Riverkeeper, and the Surfrider Foundation.

The Sprout pop-up shop is open Sunday through Friday from 11 a.m. till 7 p.m. through May 27. To celebrate their grand opening—and Earth Day!—Sprout is partnering with the Lower East Side’s MARCOART and NYC’s Treats Truck to sweeten up Friday afternoon. Stop by 423 West Broadway (between Prince and Spring Streets) this Friday to shop the collection and celebrate with Sprout!

A Christmas Carol, John Bartlett-style

Designer John Bartlett and artist Alex Stadler

The spirit of giving—and giving back—was in the crisp West Village air last night, emanating from John Bartlett’s 7^th Avenue boutique. The designer—with a “FUR” button pinned to his festive red vest—played  host to a multi-faceted holiday party; celebrating the season, toasting a new collaboration, and shopping for a close-to-home cause were all on the agenda.

Bartlett recently teamed up with artist Alex Stadler on a line of limited-edition scarves debuting just in time for the exceedingly frigid northeastern chill. “I work with a great wool vendor in the Garment District, and the scarves are knit right here in New York on 39^th Street,” Stadler told Videofashion. “It’s a really good yarn, stranded to resist pilling,” he added. Available in a variety of abstract, geometric prints and bold hues—including one shade Stadler calls a “manly orange”—the scarves make for a tasteful, and practical, holiday gift!

Also debuting at the holiday fête: a special edition t-shirt designed in memory of Bartlett’s much-missed canine comrade. After discovering Stadler’s doggie fashion tome, What Willie Wore, Bartlett asked the artist to draw Tiny Tim—his beloved pooch who sadly passed away earlier this year. Much like the Christmas Carol character of the same name, Tiny Tim was disabled, but full of vigor. “He’s a very evocative dog, so we drew him for the t-shirt wearing a scarf, with his one leg and one wing,” said Stadler. “A little broken angel.” (tears!!!)

A portion of the proceeds from the evening’s sales will go to one of Bartlett’s favorite charities—the North Shore Animal League. “Tiny Tim came from North Shore, and we do a lot of rescue events with them,” Bartlett told Videofashion. The designer expressed an interest in broadening his good deeds to benefit local shelters as well. “If an animal makes it to North Shore, they’re safe, but the animals that are really at risk are the ones in the city shelters,” he explained.

While partygoers of the two-legged and four-legged variety warmed up inside JB headquarters, sipping bubbly (just the two-legged guests) and checking out the wintry wears (two- and four-legged: see photos below), we chatted with our host about all things holiday!

VIDEOFASHION: Besides the beautiful new Stadler-Kahn scarves, what are some cool stocking-stuffers available right now in the John Bartlett store?
JOHN BARTLETT: The best stocking stuffers are our candles and our incense. They’re amazing. One is called Tobacco Bark, one is called Fireplace, and one is called Twine. They’re really interesting, kind of rustic scents that are all made locally in Harlem.

VF: Those sounds like some masculine scents to compliment Alex’s “manly orange!” Where will you be spending your holiday?
JB: I’m going to be in New York; my family is here, my brother lives in New York, so we’ll be here, and then try to go some place warm in February. But just kind of burrowing under.

VF: Sounds like a plan! You’re obviously a dog lover—ever thought of designing some canine couture?
JB: Yes—we’ll have a line of leashes and collars out in the spring!

 

John displays this touching photo in his West Village store

 

Gifting ideas!

Uh-oh! These pooches got into some mischief ...

the Tiny Tim shirt on display in JB holiday window

Stadler-Kahn/John Bartlett

Dressed appropriately for the below-freezing temps!

John Bartlett's store by moonlight