Every Friday for the rest of the summer, we ask some of our favorite people for the song they’ve got on repeat.

"Tisci's Tribe" from the September 2010 issue of W, photo by Willy Vanderperre

Today, Givenchy designer Riccardo Tisci can’t help but fall for the effervescent beat of rapper Nicki Minaj’s paean to summer loving, “Super Bass.”


Super Bass by Nicki Minaj

After a summer of punchy Popsicle brights and cool blue polishes, make way for a new season’s more sophisticated shades—darker shimmers and muted tones including gray, moss, deep gold, and other harbingers of fall.

Above, clockwise from top left: 1. Chanel Quartz, chanel.com; $25. 2. Dolce & Gabbana Chocolate, saks.com; $20. 3. Orly Sea Gurl, orlybeauty.com; $7.50. 4. Chanel Peridot, chanel.com; $25. 5. Butter London Wallis, butterlondon.com; $14. 6. OPI Uh-Oh Roll Down the Window, at Ulta; $8.50.

Photo by Hannah Whitaker

Reminiscent of prima ballerinas and the bejeweled wives of Henry VIII, Nina Ricci designer Peter Copping’s richly adorned glass beaded headband is fit for the magpie in everyone (at Esti’s, Brooklyn; $595).

Photo by Stuart Tyson

In the first of a new series of collaborations, Swarovski tapped four leading designers—Andre Kikoski, S. Russell Groves, Stephen Burks, and Todd Bracher—to work with its renowned in-house team to dream up modern chandelier silhouettes. And while the designs are certainly striking from a distance, it’s the up-close experience that sets them apart, such as the revelations that the “arms” of the Crystal Empire (above) are leather, not metal, and the moonlight on-snow effect of the ReveaLED is actually produced by thousands of faceted crystals. “I thought it should be about seduction,” says Kikoski. “The closer you look, the better it gets.”

Illustration by Bella Foster

Since 2009, Florsheim by Duckie Brown—a marriage between the classic footwear company and the hip men’s wear line—has been shodding men in dapper shoes with a downtown twist. This fall the brand is finally seeing to envious girls, too. The debut of the women’s collection includes a cranberry cordovan brogue and a dark gray and gold-accented jazz-worthy saddle shoe (florsheimbyduckiebrown.com; $300 to $600).

Illustration by Bella Foster

Last week in London, it was all about the decadence, glamour and hairspray-enhanced glory of 1988. As part of the Creative Festival’s Restaurants in Residency series, Bistrotheque, a favorite East End hang out for London’s cool creative types, launched a pop up restaurant in a soon-to-be demolished postmodern office building in Canary Warf.

David Waddington, owner of Bistrotheque

At last Tuesday's dinner (the restaurant ran through Saturday) Bistrotheque’s owner, David Waddington greeted guests at Westminster Pier, where they were transported to the pop up in a Mumm Champagne-stocked speedboat (could there be a more 80's-appropriate mode of transport?). Upon arrival, the likes of Henry Holland and Princess Julia, the eccentric English DJ who practically was the 80's club scene, were ushered into the pink-neon lit restaurant by hostesses and servers dressed in black geometric frocks designed by Giles Deacon.

The dining scene

“We chose 1988 because that was the year Canary Warf started being built in earnest,” explained Waddington, who topped off his 80's look with a black and white polka dot bowtie. “The late 80's were a moment when design was very important. Style was everything,” he recalled. Waddington went on to note that the menu, which was created by Head Chef and Director of Bistrotheque, Tom Collins, and Head Chef of Blueprint Café, Jeremy Lee, is representative of the simplified Italian cooking that began to arrive in the UK during the period. And judging by the fact that guests cleaned their plates of risotto and peas, devoured their tiramisu, and all but licked up the espresso martini shooters that topped off the meal, the menu is still a hit today.

While admiring the retro accents, which included black and white checkerboard floors, a color blocked dining room and a waiter with an uncanny resemblance to Patrick Dempsey in Can’t Buy Me Love, diners discussed the evening’s theme.

Princess Julia

“In 1988, I was Dj-ing, but I also took a course in computers. I had a feeling that they were going to be a thing,” laughed Princess Julia, who, wearing a vintage emerald turban and an exquisite black satin dress, which was gifted to her by a famous Irish drag queen, also recalls watching pop group Take That play early gigs in gay bars around that time.

“My favorite part of the 80's was the hair. Because I still have it!” joked Henry Holland. Naturally the designer, who’s launching a range of cheeky his and her skivvies in Selfridges this fall, came dressed for the occasion.

Dining photos: Neil Wissink

Fitist is a new service (launched in New York earlier this year and opening in Los Angeles next month) that curates a mix of classes to help you reach your fitness and wellness goals. Pick the right plan for you—they include Rookie, Slim, Intense, and the yoga-only Body & Soul—then reap the benefits of access to the best classes in the city across a variety of disciplines (core, cycle, Pilates, and yoga are just a few), without the hassle of multiple memberships (fitist.com; monthly costs range from $150, if you’re just getting started, to $760, for access to everything).

Illustration by Bella Foster

Shiseido Perfect Foundation Brush gathers together soft, cushiony synthetic bristles and cuts them to a slanted edge to better meet the contours of the face. The result: a flawless application with any foundation, from liquid to powder, and one more testament to the virtues of Japanese precision (saks.com; $30).

“The brush is supercompact, lightweight, and easy to use,” says Dick Page, Shiseido Makeup’s artistic director. “I also use it to apply cream blush.”

Photo by Stuart Tyson

Edited by Karla Martinez and Vanessa Lawrence

Kate Foley (above), a buyer for Opening Ceremony in New York and our August issue’s It Girl, likes her bags mini, her heels chunky and her furniture colorful and printed. Here, the 22 year-old British transplant reveals her fashionable finds.

Define your style in three words: Contrasting, Comfortable, Feminine

Greatest hits: Charles Anastase green ostrich leather and wood wedges, red Opening Ceremony pumps with a metal toecap, lace Opening Ceremony dress and my Grandmother's wolf fur jacket that helps me survive the New York winter.

Preferred footwear: Nearly always wedges or platforms, I always seem to find myself gravitating towards heavy chunky heels. If I'm not wearing wedges I'll be wearing sneakers; black and white Nike Blazers or Adidas Sambas—even with dresses. I really love contrasting ultra girly, feminine pieces of clothing with a heavier or “unexpected” shoe.

Delfina Delettrez Skull Ring, three vintage gold wedding bands and a vintage gold snake band.

Finishing touches: I love really simple accessories. I wear the same collection of rings, earrings and necklace everyday and night— my Delfina Delettrez Skull Ring, three vintage gold wedding bands and a vintage gold snake band. My necklace is a silver skull, a gift my mother found for me in Mexico.

I usually only carry tiny bags or linen cloth bags if I need more space. I love rich jewel colors with gold hardware. The purple bag pictured is just a vintage one I found and the orange a Louis Vuitton heart wallet. I love them both! My red Chanel bag is so old and battered now, but I still use it a lot.

Nighttime look: I never change my outfit to go out unless it’s to go to something incredibly formal. Perhaps the most I would change is my shoes to a pair of heels if I'm not wearing them already. I like the idea that your daywear can be worn all the way through into the evening. For me it feels too high maintenance to change. I never dress super “nighttime” or overtly sexy so I guess this is easier as my nighttime look is just the same as what I'd wear in the day!

A few of Foley’s preferred Lilliputian purses.

Best recent discovery: I recently started using Michael Van Clarke "3 More Inches" Hair products, which I am now addicted to! I also just discovered the work of jewelry designer Jordan Askill and sunglasses designer Thierry Lasry both of which I really, really love!

Favorite stores: Liberty of London, Colette, Opening Ceremony and Dover Street are all amazing stores. They think beyond just the products they're selling. The experience should be about more than just that.

I am obsessed with fabrics both new and old. My favorite stores/designers are Stella Dallas vintage fabric store in NY and The Cloth House in London. I love the textile prints of both House Of Hackney and Josef Frank. They're both totally original.

Some of Foley’s beloved wedges and flowing, white dresses.

Style pet peeve: Purposefully ripped tights— I just don't get it at all.

Style icons: I don't really have any style icons as such. I more just get inspired by my current surroundings.

Last purchase: I just ordered a cobalt blue and gold mini Chanel bag, which I must admit I'm pretty excited about!

Lusting after: A bright pink animal print sofa from House Of Hackney and printed fabric covered Trunk which a friend Freya Closs makes.... oh and also the Balenciaga pistachio Lego style heels from the Fall 2010 collection.

Favorite haunts: The new Ruschmeyers Hotel in Montauk is so cool, I went for the opening on Memorial Weekend which was so much fun, the food by the guys at the Fat Radish is amazing.

I love being outside at the beach or in a garden. My mum’s an amazing gardener and I've grown up with the most incredible English Garden. I am my most relaxed when I can spend time there whenever I'm able to escape back to the UK. I'm planning on creating my own roof garden in Brooklyn at the moment but we'll see how that goes!

Photos: Dan McMahon

New York City charity circuit regulars are a bit spoiled when it comes to the locations of their nocturnal activities. While we may drone on about having to go to Cipriani 42nd Street yet again, when all is said and done, at least you’re just a cab ride away from bed when the evening ends.

From left: Steven Klein, Delfina Blanquier and Nacho Figueras

Saturday night made me realize just how blasé I’ve been about the convenience with which I drop by events when I headed out to Bridgehampton for the annual Cocktails at Sunset benefit for ACRIA, the AIDS Community Research Initiative of America, held at Steven Klein’s house. As I was only stopping by for the evening, there was the Jitney ride out there in party-ready attire, and then Juanita, the lone taxi driver whom my friend hailed down to shuttle us to Klein’s house.

After making Juanita promise to return at 9:45 p.m. (we had to make the last Jitney home or we were stranded), we were then shuttled yet again on two sets of golf carts down a bumpy grass road lined with tiki torches illuminating the vineyards on one side. Our second of two golf cart drivers was nicknamed Sugar Ball Butts because of his love of derrieres. Charming.

There were quite a few of those on display, by the way, in the silent auction portion of the cocktails, housed under a white tent next to a dance floor, bar and deejay booth. There, works by the likes of John Baldessari, Dan Colen and Herb Ritts—many showing the male form in all its unclothed glory—were mixed in with Baume & Mercier watches and plush weekend carryalls. Perhaps inspired by images of such physical perfection, the one item with the most bids, at least early on, was a fitness package with trainer Louis Coraggio, including Barry’s Bootcamp sessions.

From left: Calvin Klein; Kelly Klein and Nick Manifold

Not that guests like Kelly Klein, Olivier Theyskens, Nacho Figueras and Calvin Klein had to worry: food wasn’t terribly easy to come by or in large quantity when found. But the party was packed despite the 90 degree heat, perhaps because as Helen Schifter explained, contrary to my personal trek, the benefit had a feeling of laissez-faire to it.

“It’s so nice because it’s a charity, but you can just roll in from the beach,” she said, looking much more like she rolled in from a well-stocked closet.

Others were, well, more audaciously clothed (or not). One fellow was topless, save for a cropped leather vest. Another had a red kerchief around his neck. And muscle tees and barely there tank tops abounded.

From left: Olivier Theyskens; Rodger Berman and Rachel Zoe

I had some fun playing a game of Where’s Waldo, the Steven Klein version. The elusive photographer supposedly popped out of his house early on, then disappeared, reemerging after I’d already left. His grounds certainly provided quite a lovely scene, with a fire pit going and a pool lit by candles.

It was unfortunate I had to leave so early into the night, but alas, my Jitney beckoned. Though Juanita, did not. Instead, my friend and I stumbled upon a limo driver, Patrick, there waiting for a bachelorette party of girls to return from their follies, who in the interim ushered us into his car after clearing the back area of their detritus. Sketch city, but we were desperate.

Part-way through the drive, I felt a furry thing fly over the divider between the front and back seats and land on my arm. Lucy, his shitzu, who apparently keeps him company up front. And likes pink bows in her hair. She promptly collapsed on me for the rest of the ride, which fortunately got us to the Jitney stop with minutes to spare.

Come fall, I will probably bemoan again the hours I clock rotating between the Plaza hotel, Cipriani and Lincoln Center. But hopefully I’ll have the wherewithal to recognize how lucky I am not to have to rely on Juanita for my ride home.

Photos: Patrick McMullan Company