After spending the week ogling the reviews and pictures from New York Fashion Week's events and runways, I'm left mesmerized by how many of these creations have so much value in their artistry and craftsmanship, but the possibility of me obtaining something of this caliber is unlikely in this lifetime, if for no other reason than cost. But, a more useful - and still stylish - dress is available, yet not for sale, at least in the traditional sense, from OurGoods, which is an experimental endeavor in artists' networking and bartering.

After being resurrected from its ashes, Nau hesitated to make the same mistakes again—letting ambition take the reigns before the brand had legs enough to stand on. But opening up a one-month pop-up shop in New York City's Soho neighborhood proved a great way to test the market and expose local clientele to the brand without the risk of long-term investment.

Giorgio Armani tried to kill Fabrice Penot. At least, it seems his business almost did. A perfume designer, Fabrice worked for years on the House of Armani brand. But even though he was brought in to run the fragrance division, he was constantly called to answer to the financial and marketing departments, who demanded a justification—a real world example of how and where a particular concept has worked for someone else—for every idea he tried to pursue. Demonstrating tested marketplace success before acting is the opposite of innovation, and nearly drove Fabrice Penot mad.

If turkey leftovers are in the fridge, Santa has ridden past Macy's, and your pants are fitting a bit more snugly then they were this time last week, you know for sure that the holidays - and the accompanying season of shopping - have officially arrived.