Many were thanking Matthew Williamson today who, besides Marc Jacobs, gave us a break from the safeness of black and clumpy clothes with a burst of multi-color print and texture. As part of Team British Invasion, Williamson dazzled crowds with a mixture of shimmery beads, zigzag knits, ruffled cocktail dresses, skinny leather trousers, fur-trimmed shaped coats and sequinned gowns. A nod to his Pucci days came in the form of geometric-shaped prints, which featured in everything from column dresses to shiny suits, and worn with zebra cut-out ankle sandals. Although he did get a little carried away at times, overall I can see how many (especially New Yorkers) might flock to this collection for a touch of uptown society style.
Loved the accessories at Badgley Mischka! I’ll be posting tons of backstage pictures and runway shots later on today, but wanted to get you this video ASAP! Classic Badgley Mischka, wouldn’t you say?
I guess I can’t judge Bee Shaffer for giggling with her mother (Anna Wintour) in between looking utterly disinterested in the fashions at the William Rast show, considering I spent half my time twittering about who was in the front row and taking these pictures. Nicky and Paris Hilton seem to be making the rounds, and this was my first official sighting of both Wintour and French Vogue editor Carine Roitfeld. Plus, there was the added bonus of seeing Justin Timberlake come out and take a bow at the end. (Check out a video of the show here!)
Acid green, electric blue and red – Chris Benz clearly got the ’80s memo as well. But, it really seems like designers have hit a stride with the ’80s inspirations and found a way to make new modern looks with that era in mind. After last season’s pretty, flowy pastels it’s as if Benz turned up the volume and definitely tightened up the tailoring. I loved the fitted looks and flattering retro silhouettes pulling from many decades in printed silk charmeuse, micro-paillettes and wool. One thing’s for sure, fall is going to be anything but boring.
Are we seeing a theme here? Everywhere I turn it’s a tribute to the Eighties for fall 2009… and I like it! Marc Jacobs wasn’t exempting himself from this nod to the neon era, but added a futuristic twist. There wasn’t a kilt in sight, just loads of bright hues, pleated trousers, sculptured cocktail dresses, colorful ponchos, printed leggings, thigh-high boots, all worn over black tights and topped with coiffed hair. Throw in some serious ’80s block shades, padded clutch bags, and long leather gloves and it was clear that Steven Sprouse for Louis Vuitton was still very much on Jacobs’s mind. Overall, it was daring, exciting but above all, fun. That said, I’m sure many will struggle to transfer these looks into wearable pieces, let alone afford to buy them. And sadly, at a time like this, that’s a worry.
Forget the ’80s it was all about uptown elegance at the Carolina Herrera show yesterday.
Feminine pieces, designed with the actual female form in mind, floated down the runway in bronzed business suits, high-waisted pencil skirts, shimmery satin blouses in purple, fuchsia and teal.
Each fabric was so rich in colour and texture in was enough to make you want to reach out and grab it right off the model.
Everyone loves a bit of Eighties rock ‘n’ roll and that’s why we *heart* Miss Sixty. The front row was adorned with young starlets including Mischa Barton, Kristen Bell and Minka Kelly – which gave you enough of a hint at who this line is targeting. Models thumped down the runway in shoulder pads (yup, really!), magazine-print jumpsuits, tough leather jackets, and too-tight-for-words acid wash jeans. Leggings were virtually painted on the models’ legs in loud prints and for a bit of warmth they were matched with fluffy wraps and coats. But keep your eyes peeled for the shoulder pads – srsly!
Last season, Victoria Beckham was suspected of allowing Roland Mouret to lend more than just a helping hand in her collection. But after presenting her fall/winter 2009-10 on Sunday, those suspicions appear to have been erased. Twenty-three dresses were showcased, each offering structure and tailoring but with a little bit more adventure this time. For example, cape-style coats, zipped sleeves, and fish-tail floor-length gowns. There were, of course, short hems in timeless designs, that she says can be worn for more than one season, a nod to the recession no doubt.
“I see these are investment buys. They’re designed to be worn from year to year, not season to season,” she said.
Shoulders. Shoulders, shoulders, shoulders. We’re only a couple of days into fashion week, but already there’s a big trend emerging. We say ‘emerging’, we’ve known about the return of the shoulder for ages, but it’s really showing itself in the collections in New York. Following a much softer silhouette last season, Jonathan Saunders has delivered a much stricter, more powerful collection for Autumn / Winter, with shoulders at the forefront. They were chunky and square, round and bubbled, or accentuated with sashes of bright colour. The main inspiration was birds, with bright colours cutting through a black background, and touches like rich brocades, bold prints and skyline-effect belts cut through to add interest. As usual, Saunders was on top form, bringing together all kinds of ideas but somehow delivering them cohesively.
Diane Von Furstenberg’s flower children have definitely grown up for Fall 2009. Picking rich, sumptuous fabrics, glam prints and beautiful brocades, the collection was a touch of subtle glamour for a season that’s driven mainly by the recession. Huge cocoon coats and slouchy draped cardigans concealed layered looks in clashing prints like leopard, Prince of Wales check and geometric swirls. The usual wrap dresses, chic knits and wearable shaped were teamed with leggings, huge pom-pom hats and chunky jewellery for a youthful edge. By night, it got more glam with bacofoil dresses, animal print sheaths and sequin shifts. [all images courtesy of Coutorture.com]
I just love Philip Stephens, and this Fall 09 collection of UNCONDITIONAL luxury basics proves why. Warm, fun and tough-cool, this label does not disappoint.
Guess what? Body-con ain’t going anywhere according to the folks at Preen. Their fall 2009-10 collection was choc-full of sliced body-con frocks offering just a glimpse of skin here and there. Add to that oversized houndstooth coats, fluffed up with Mongolian wool in black and white, skinny shiny trousers, and mini mod dresses in check. There was an interesting use of leather in one tight-fitting dress, modelled by Catherine McNeil, which featured a knot in the middle and cut-outs all over. Justin Thornton and Thea Bregazzi’s continual pushing of the envelope was even enough to bring Kanye West and his entourage to the front row. Yes, really.
Oh hai! Just taking a break between show reviews and thought I’d report on what’s happening inside the Bryant Park tents and beyond!
- Things are buzzing backstage at Diane Von Furstenberg in preparation for her 4 p.m. show. All the in-house girls are wearing the colorful spring 09 dresses thanks to our “warm streak.” Diane arrived about an hour ago with her adorable grandchildren in tow and Whitney Port was spotted backstage as well.
Friday night was really special. It wasn’t about the models, designers or the clothes– it was about the people who make it all happen. The kick off event sponsored by Mercedes Benz and held at Shang inside the Thompson LES Hotel was filled with the who’s who of fashion week. Fern Mallis, senior vice president at IMG, (the company who produces Fashion Week) kicked off the night with a special welcome to guests. She thanked people for coming and stated “that despite what you hear in the media, fashion week is alive and strong with a tremendous amount of talent this year”. Shortly after, she introduced “The Virgins” who originally hail from downtown NYC. Lead singer, Donald Cumming rocked the house with his amazing voice, including their critically acclaimed hit single “Rich Girls”. To top it off the event Mercedes Benz, sponsor of Fashion Week gifted guests with a VIP gift bag featuring two new nail polish colors made by Essie, “Black Series” and “Palladium Silver”. So between “The Virgins” and the nail polish, Fashion Week for me, was a huge success.
From:Pictures: 2012 British Soap Awards - Best dressed, Michelle Keegan, Jennifer Metcalf and more