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FORMER PROJECT RUNWAY CONTESTANT RUNS SAMPLE SALE

The wonderful- or not so wonderful- day of Valentine’s is approaching and everywhere you turn there’s either an advertisement or commercial trying to sell you some lame bracelet or chocolate. But not Emmett McCarthy of Project Runway’s season two who is hooking up NoLiTa and SoHo locals with a bargain they can’t resist with his “Love for Sale”.

For six consecutive days, McCarthy offers the best cashmere and cotton garments in a sample sale from his EMC2 Boutique in New York. Don’t miss this 50-75% off sale, plus shop from his winter collection and get a preview of his Spring 2007 merchandise. *ms

“And they say you can’t buy love!”

What: Project Runway’s Emmett McCarthy “Love for Sale” at his EMC2 Boutique
Why: Dresses, silk blouses, cashmere coats and wool coats up to 75 percent off.
When: Feb. 14-19. Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday, noon-7 p.m.
Where: 240 Elizabeth St., b/t Houston & Prince Sts., (212-431-4134).

LOUNGIN’ IN THE L.E.S.
The Lower East Side was hit with an exclusive live rock concert on Friday night. New York-based Irish band The Laborforce and vocalist Greg Kavanagh sold out the Connelly Center Theater with their four member band including keyboardist Ron Gozzo and his orchestra! And not to compare Greg Kavanagh to any other musician- but being that I haven’t been to many of these concerts- the night reminded me of a sold out 2003 John Mayer concert with a laid back Coldplay audience. Yet- Ron Gozzo’s solo saxophone concluded the evening in perfect harmony. This is definitely a band to look out for. They’re already a hit in Ireland. If you haven’t seen them perform, you should. Below are some videos of last night’s concert where all profits went to the Connelly Center for Education- a private school educating girls from low income families on the Lower East Side.*ms

You know you liked it! Check out the band on an Ireland TV show on YouTube.

To learn more about THE LABORFORCE, go to TheLaborforce.tv

With full backstage access, I had the privilege of meeting with designer Kati Stern right before her show at Bryant Park.

As reporters (and bloggers) squeezed through the over-crowded hair and make up tent- not to mention carefully walking by burning hot combs and curling irons- Kati welcomed the anxious media folks with opened arms.

And in the middle of total craziness, she was quite serene and soft spoken. We didn’t want to take much of her time so we got straight to the point and spoke with the Venexiana designer and this is what she had to say:

“My collection was inspired with pre-war Hollywood. I saw a movie that influenced me,” says the very stylish European-born Stern. “The collection sort of states the sleekness of the Hollywood years of that era with a modern touch.

“I design for every woman- anybody, any age. Absolutely anyone who feels confident and wants to wear sexy but elegant clothes.” Come the fall, Venexiana fans can shop for beautiful garments in chocolate, black and sapphire. And don’t tell PETA, but phenomenal furs are to hit the streets of Venice and New York soon…

Kati Stern resides in both Manhattan and Venice, Italy. Check out Venexiana.us for updates on her fall 2007 collection, and more of her fall line below. *Mercedes Sanchez

THIS JUST IN….

Former playmate and mom Anne Nicole Smith collapsed at the Hollywood Hard Rock Casino in Florida and died, said her lawyer. Two press conferences are to take place later today. The cause of death is unknown; she was only 39.

In his fall collection, Gustavo Arango is bringing it back to New York. For the last two years, the Colombian-born, Puerto-Rican raised designer has been traveling between Colombia and the Big Apple with the recent adoption of his three children. “But now I’m ready to settle down and be part of the New York scene,” says Arango. “So my inspiration [for the fall collection] comes from New York.” His collection consists of various silk chiffon dresses including a Swarovski crystal dress! Take a quick look at his collection on the runway only on MercedesSanchez.com. *ms