Last week the Akris trunk show at Bergdorf produced over one million dollars in sales. On the first of three days it broke the record for the highest sales by one designer in the same day. Apparently the recession isn't stopping Akris fans from snatching up Fall 08 in multiples. And aint' that just the beauty of a trunk show. While a constant point of debate in the fashion industry is that knock-offs are available six months before the originals are shipped, along comes a one million dollar turnaround of the real, live thing. No, this doesn't override the fact that the H&M's of the world will be selling one hundred times that much, in styles that are similar, before the next collections are shipped. But it helps, no? As for Resort, Akris kept with it's signature architectural shapes in pale, palatable colors. Akris, a decades old Swiss company with a loyal following of refined fashionistas, is making waves and sellin' tons of clothes at Bergdorf, in spite of our Target for Barneys for Target consumer culture.

Image Courtesy of WWD

Thank goodness for the 'faux' in this wrap dress, there's nothing worse that having the public witness your choice of 'comfortable' knickers. The first time we picked up an Issa dress, we were joking about how it belonged in the same family as the leisure suit, and the first time we put on an Issa dress, tears of joy were streaming down our face (okay, not tears but, still, we were really happy). To explain our first impression you have to understand that Issa frocks are exclusively loud in print, and always made of silk jersey. This doesn't always feel right; especially at $600 a pop. The catch though, is their tailoring and the ability for heavy silk jersey, print, and tucks of fabric to transform you into a total bombshell without the control top hosiery. So this frock, part of the Net-a-Porter blowout sale, is definitely worth a click-and-buy. It's a lovely print with that signature fit and, if you don't believe us, just consider how shapely and pulled together the (sometimes disheveled) mannequin looks.

Stella McCartney will show a collection at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts on June 1. The show is part of a program that will celebrate Liverpool as the European capital of culture in 2008.

Proenza Schouler continues resort season with a collection inspired by loungewear and layering. WWD calls it a collection full of contrast: "masculine, slouchy suit in delicate silk paired with a structured linen coat, and a flimsy checkered beaded dress layered over pajama pants."

Yigal Azrouël is opening a destination store in Water Mill New York. We have no clue where Water Mill is located.

Marc Jacobs thinks Tom Ford was a preppy back in the day. We say Tom Ford can be however he wants to be.

Apparel trends are still dismal. And we mean finances not the actual clothing.

In Soviet Russia Gap clothing wears you! No really, the Gap is opening in Russia thanks to a franchising agreement with Fiba Holding AS.