Spring 2012 Fashion Week: London

London Fashion Week, like NYFW, left me a bit disappointed with my favorite designers' shows.  Everyone is allowed to have an off season though!  Top trends in London were bold color and prints--how perfect for spring!  It felt like everyone was going wild with patterns, from Mary Katranzou to Burberry.  At the head of the print-crazy London pack were Peter Pilotto and Erdem.  I absolutely LOVED these collections.


ERDEM

Dainty, sweet and feminine, this collection just made me happy to be a girl.  Who can resist delicate florals, embroidery and lace?  Erdem Moralioglu's signature floral print looked like something you would see on an antique china tea set.  As if that wasn't precious enough, the looks were styled with lace boater hats, gloves and a bold red lip, for that enviably chic, French-girl vibe.

Backstage at Erdem

PETER PILOTTO

Peter Pilotto and Christopher de Vos's collection fit in nicely with many other spring 2012 shows' sporty/aquatic theme.  The models were cool surfer girls with gleaming skin and wet hair, wearing intense, brightly colored prints.  Despite the strong athletic detailing--black plastic zippers, racerback dresses, and neoprene--the pieces were very lady-like.  Forties silhouettes emerged in the knee length pencil skirts and peplum-waisted dresses.  The colorful optical illusion prints were not only hypnotizing, but also super slimming.  Fashion forward and flattering?  Sign me up!

Happy Holidays!

I am so behind on my blogging, barely trudging through the Spring 2012 show reviews, but all of that will change in the New Year!  Also, it is time to usher in a new, cleaner blog look.  Gotta love New Year's resolutions.

For now, I leave you with something shiny and pretty.  The Alexander Wang Anais shoe caught my eye in February when it walked the runway at New York Fashion Week, and I have been obsessed with it ever since.  It even found it's way into another blog post here.  So you can imagine my delight when the space-age loafer turned up under my Christmas tree this year (thanks, hubby)! 

The Floral Mani

Who says florals are only for spring?  This season, I have been captivated by winterized floral patterns--colorful, but juxtaposed against an inky background for more of an edge.

Winterized florals:  Jil Sander F/W 2011, Miu Miu F/W 2011, Celine Resort 2012, Balenciaga F/W 2011

Unless you have a few months of rent to drop on a Miu Miu dress, I've found that these unique florals are hard to come by (although Zara does have an on-point Celine knockoff).  So, I decided to recreate the print on my nails.  It sounds tricky, but it's not!  You need black nail polish for the base, and as many bright colors as you want for the flowers.  I chose green, red, blue, and yellow.  The critical item is a box of toothpicks, for a precise application.  I applied 2 coats of black, and then applied green in sweeping motions with a toothpick to form stems and leaves.  After this dried, I proceeded nail by nail, dotting on each petal with toothpicks.  This technique is pretty foolproof--there's no brushing or blending involved, just dabbing.  The final step is a good topcoat (I like Seche Vite)--I don't want these babies chipping!

Spring 2012 Fashion Week: New York

The spring shows at New York Fashion Week seemed a little lackluster this year.  There were some solid collections, but  my usual go-to designers (Marc, Rodarte, Proenza, Wang) did not knock my socks off.  Fortunately, Victoria Beckham, Thakoon, Jason Wu and Oscar de la Renta pulled through and produced beautiful, memorable spring collections.

VICTORIA BECKHAM

Victoria Beckham's collections are always very polished, but are usually too one-note for my taste.  She always comes back to the slinky-yet-demure dress, with a strong Rouland Mouret vibe.  This season, Beckham really came into her own, with a very on-trend, athletic-wear inspired collection. The trademark sexy dresses were still there--she has a strong celeb clientele that will surely scoop those up. But she also introduced separates--perfectly tailored, boxy silk jackets, over ultra-mini skirts, and leather leggings. The color palette of black, navy, orange with splashes of cream and lavender felt so fresh and sophisticated. Probably my favorite color story of Spring 2012.

THAKOON

Thakoon Panichgul blazes his own trail each season.  His collections usually leave me scratching my head, not because they don't make sense, but because he manages to fuse disparate elements in a way that shouldn't work, but somehow does.  Last season it was the Masai and Rococo, and this season it is the wild West and India. Each model's runway look was truly a vision--bold metallic paisley separates paired with gold-toed cowboy slingbacks, and topped of with a cloud of cotton candy hair. There was beauty in the details as well, from the sari-inspired gold trim to the Western-inspired embroidery. As out-there as the runway presentation was, the separates could easily mix into your average fashionista's wardrobe--hello, statement blouse!

JASON WU

Jason Wu's career skyrocketed to stardom after designing Michele Obama's inauguration gown, but his signature has since been safe, preppy separates and cocktail dresses. His spring collection's separates continued in the same preppy vein, but were punched up with beaded collars, a digital petal print, and exuberant feathers. It was Wu's final gowns, however, that stole the show. His bold chartreuse ball gown was unexpected and jaw-droppingly gorgeous--one of the most memorable dresses of the New York spring shows, in my opinion.

OSCAR DE LA RENTA

You can always count on Oscar de la Renta to bring the old-school couture showmanship at his shows. He opened with a huge golden ball gown topped with a lace tee--a modern and dramatic interpretation of evening wear. I envision SJP rocking this at the Oscars. De la Renta ended with more voluminous dresses, closing with a delicious frothy cream Contessa gown. In between, he presented the usual feminine day dresses and suits, rendered in lace and bouclé. There were a number of strong looks, but no real continuity--his silhouettes and color palette jumped all over the place. But the shoes--oh, the shoes!--were so fabulous that all else was forgiven. Those pink spectator sandals will haunt my dreams come spring!

Fall 2011: The Must-Haves

This post comes a bit late.  I know that everyone has already pulled their fall clothing out of storage, but I hope you have not completed your fall/winter shopping.  I know I haven't!  This is your guide to the MUST-HAVE, can't-live-without, pieces for fall.


THE MAN-SLIPPER

This is the trend that I promised myself that I wouldn't fall for, but here I am slipping.  It takes a lot to get me excited about a flat, but this one is fresh enough to have piqued my interest.  Brogues are getting tired this season, and ballet flats are more tired, so why not make room for the new flat on the block?  I need these in leopard and glitter.

Clockwise from top center:  Christian Louboutin Roller Girl, Topshop Kosy, Dolce Vita Nariko, Stubbs & Wootton Louie, Topshop Klass, J. Crew Darby, Topshop Manney, J. Crew Darby, and Jimmy Choo Wheel

THE COLLAR NECKLACE

Otherwise known as the choker necklace (I prefer the term "collar", as it sounds much nicer),  this statement jewelry piece adds major punch to even the most basic outfit. The Michael Kors and Lanvin runways debuted this trend back in February, and it is not going away any time soon (hint: spring runways were covered with collar/choker necklaces).  Whether you go sleek and minimal or ornate and flowery, necklaces are chunky and short for fall. 

Top:  Backstage at Michael Kors Fall 2011, street style at fashion week
Bottom: Vita Fede Tubotelle necklace, Dannijo Hudson neklace, Kenneth Jay Lane oversized necklace

WINE

Bordeaux, burgundy, crimson, whatever you want to call it--I'm talking about the deep red color, not the beverage.  Wine is the new black this season, perfect for all your separates and accessories.  Head-to-toe red is the statement I want to be making, but if you are restricted to one piece, a pair of bordeaux skinny pants is essential. 

Street style photo; Clockwise from top left:  Equipment blouse, Zara gloves, Theory sweater dress, Celine bag, Zara waxed trousers, Lyn Devon leather skirt

THE SIXTIES SHIFT

The '70s have dominated the runways for the past two seasons, but for fall, Prada was the one to say ENOUGH!  Let's take it back to the groovin' '60s.  I have a serious weakness for mod styling--the big hair, doll-eyed makeup, bold colorblocking--so I was more than ready to usher in this trend.  Whether a dress or a coat, the cut is short, boxy, and high-necked.

Prada Fall 2011; Clockwise from top left:  Shoshanna dress, French Connection coat, Zara dress, French Connection coat

ROSY BLUSH

Last fall had me swooning for bold lips, but this fall, it's all about the rosy cheek.  The heavily flushed look was popular on runways--from Oscar de la Renta, to Marc Jacobs, to Prada.  The key to the look is building up a natural glow with a cream blush.  At Prada, Pat McGrath (genius makeup artist) used this Covergirl blush to great effect.

Fall runway makeup: Marc Jacobs by Francois Nars, Prada by Pat McGrath and Oscar de la Renta by Gucci Westman

PYTHON

I know I've already posted about the snake-print trend on runways, but this deserves another mention, because it it shaping up to be a MAY-jor fall trend (and my personal obsession).  Think python-print silk shirts, envelope clutches, and knee-high boots.  Prada's leather boots have had me salivating for python since they walked the runways in February.  Not to beat a dead horse, but when a new trend surfaces at Prada, you sit up and take note.

Top: Python street style, Prada Fall 2011 boot 
Bottom (clockwise from top left):  All Saints Ottavia trousers, Zara pumps, BCBG belt, Zara clutch

FABULOUS FORTIES

If you want to look like a sophisticated lady, this is the era for you.  Take inspiration from the Marc Jacobs and Miu Miu fall shows, and wear fitted pencil skirts, peplum-waist jackets, and shapely dresses with strong shoulders.  The best thing about this trend?  It's totally office-appropriate.

Miu Miu Fall 2011; Clockwise from top left:  Zara gloves, Modcloth dress, Preston & York faux fur stole, Zara bag, ASOS pencil skirt, Topshop coat, and Kate Spade pumps

BOY MEETS GIRL

For this year's holiday parties, try swapping out your go-to little black dress for a little black pant suit.  A sharp menswear look can be just as fun as a slinky party dress, especially when you amp it up with a sequined blazer or metallic loafers. Wearing a full-on tuxedo is a tough look to pull off, so try wearing one borrowed-from-the-boys item (crisp white button down or a long blazer) and adding a felt hat or heeled loafers to finish off the look.

Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2011; Clockwise from top left: Zara sequin blazer, Topshop pork pie hat, ASOS chiffon tie, Tibi tuxedo pants, River Island tie shirt, and Alexander Wang Anais loafers

THE PARKA

Somehow, I've never owned a parka.  Maybe it's because I don't ski or hike or do the rough-and-tough outdoor activities that require one.  Fall runways had me lusting for one though, because they looked so chic when thrown over a feminine frock.

Altuzarra Fall 2011 & Vera Wang Fall 2011; Clockwise from top left:  Daughters of Liberation parka, Laundry by Shelli Segal parka, ASOS wool & leather parka, Zara parka

The Dress: Preview

This has been a year of big weddings with major dresses, the highlights being Kate Middleton in McQueen and Kate Moss in Galliano.  Mine will be much more humble in nature, but I have still made sure to incorporate couture details. 

With only 6 days until the wedding, I just finished sewing my dress, after designing it over a year ago...

The styling was inpired by Edwardian era fashion, which all stemed from my love of John Galliano's fall 2005 Dior couture collection. 



More dress details to come after the wedding...

Fashion Week Eve

I've been so busy with wedding prep, that I haven't even had a chance to properly build up anticipation for one of the most important events of the year, Spring Fashion Week.  It is upon us!!  The shows start Thursday, and regrettably, I will be keeping up with them via the internet instead of at the Lincoln Center.  The good news is that more and more designers are live streaming their shows, so it is all still very exciting!

Here are a few of the New York shows that I will be tuning in for:

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10

5 pm - Alexander Wang http://www.livestream.com/alexanderwang

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11

12 pm - Derek Lam http://www.youtube.com/liverunway

4 pm - Diane von Furstenberg http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2011/09/www.youtube.com/liverunway

6 pm - Thakoon http://www.style.com/live

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

6 pm - Oscar de la Renta style.com/live

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

8 pm - Proenza Schouler style.com/live

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

8:30 pm - Marc Jacobs http://live.marcjacobs.com/

The Goldfinger Mani

Sometimes 10 fingers of the same color, no matter how brilliant the hue, gets boring.  I've been really into doing an accent nail this summer--just a random pop of a contrasting color. For this mani, I chose a metallic gold polish topped with gold glitter polish as my accent nail.  I painted the other nails orange, but any other bright would work just as well.  To tie in the accent nail to the rest of my fingers, I finished each hand off with a topcoat of gold glitter polish.

The result: a vibrant summer manicure!

Lanvin Fall 2011 Campaign Video

Raquel & Karen, two of my faves

I have neglected the blog for an eternity now due to a major impending event that has taken over my life...my wedding!  I'll be doing a wedding preview post soon to show you what I've been working on for the past several months.

Until then, you'll have to be satisfied with this lazy post of Lanvin's fall campaign video.  I have been captivated by Lanvin's glamorous ads that have been gracing the pages of my fall fashion mags.  Karen Elson and Raquel Zimmermann look like they were born to wear Lanvin for this campaign!  When I discovered this video, I was amazed to see that there was a choreographed dance routine behind all of the synchronized posing in the campaign images.  Added bonus--the elusive designer, Alber Elbaz himself makes an appearance at the end.  J'adore Lanvin.

Met Gala 2011 Red Carpet

Leave it to an event as faaaabulous as the Met Gala to pull me out of my blogging hibernation (nope, the royal wedding did not do it).  This year's gala honored the late Alexander McQueen, and kicked off the Met's summer-long exhibition, "Savage Beauty", a retrospective of the designer's work.  I have been looking forward to this event for months, because it's McQueen!  And fashion people!  All on one red carpet!  In a bizarre turn of events, very few celebrity attendees wore McQueen...in fact, more wore Stella McCartney.  Disappointing, but the gowns still were more interesting than the Oscars.  Thankfully, several of the models turned it out--after all, they are pros.  To get my dose of McQueen, I will be visiting the exhibition in July, and I've pre-ordered the collection book! 

Here are a few of my favorite looks from the evening. 

KAROLINA KURKOVA IN JEAN PAUL GAULTIER COUTURE

Jean Paul Gaultier Couture Spring 2011



She may not have worn McQueen, but model Karolina Kurkova absolutely killed it at the gala.  Her couture dress brought the McQueen spirit, and she owned the red carpet.  Favorite gown of the night!

ASHLEY OLSEN IN VINTAGE CHRISTIAN DIOR

The proportions of this dress look amazing on Ashley.

MARY KATE OLSEN IN VINTAGE GIVENCHY COUTURE

Those Olsens have a great eye for vintage.  Somehow, Mary Kate's red and green combo works without looking Christmasy.

SOLANGE KNOWLES IN DRIES VAN NOTEN

Dries van Noten Fall 2011


I loved this dress on the runway.  Dries van Noten is an unexpected choice for Solange, and she is rocking it.

LIV TYLER IN GIVENCHY COUTURE

Givenchy Couture Spring 2011

This is the best Liv Tyler's looked in ages.

SHALOM HARLOW IN MARCHESA

Marchesa Spring 2011

There were several Marchesa numbers at the gala, but Shalom's dress really channeled the sculptural quality of McQueen's designs. 

GISELE BUNDCHEN IN ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

Alexander McQueen Fall 2005

Gisele looked every inch the supermodel--I think Tom Brady's pose in this photo says it all.

ANGELA LINDVALL & KARLIE KLOSS IN CHRISTIAN DIOR

Double win.  Both Angela and Karlie looked flawless in Dior.

KAREN ELSON IN ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

Alexander McQueen Spring 2004

Karen wore a dress that she originally modeled on the spring 2004 runway.

RAQUEL ZIMMERMANN IN ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

Alexander McQueen Fall 2011

Raquel was the only lucky attendee to wear a gown from the most recent McQueen collection.

NATASHA POLY IN ALEXANDER WANG

Custom Alexander Wang

This is kind of a bland dress, but Natasha looks insanely fierce.


CONSTANCE JABLONSKI IN ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

Alexander McQueen Spring 2011

Constance wore one of the ethereal dresses from Sarah Burton's first collection for McQueen.

NATALIA VODIANOVA IN VALENTINO

Simply divine.

Fall 2011 Fashion Week: Paris

FINALLY, I have made it to the last of the fall shows, the triumphant end of fashion month in Paris.  At the top of the pack were my perennial favorites Alexander McQueen and Balenciaga, as well as new favorite Haider Ackermann.

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

This season, Sarah Burton continued to prove herself a deserving successor to Alexander McQueen.  Burton's models channeled a snow queen, the ice-cold, devastatingly fierce variety.  The collection opened and closed with all-white looks, but also featured numerous all-black looks that still read "snow queen".  The silhouette and craft of McQueen's legacy was there--in the strict wasp-waisted forms, and the intricate couture level of detail. Every look had a toughness about it, even the most delicate of dresses.  Leather harnesses, rigid collars, and porcelain-embellished bodices gave the pieces an edge.  The final voluminous white gowns were breathtaking...hello, dream wedding dress!

HAIDER ACKERMANN

This was one my favorite collections of all of the fall shows.  Haider Ackermann's elegant draping was so unusual and cool--he is truely an artist.  Languid silks, frayed at the edges, were tucked and twisted in a seemingly halfhazard manner and paired with tough leather belts and gloves.  Slouchy and untucked, every look had a beautiful insouciance.  Ackermann received a lot of press this year when Karl Lagerfeld offhandedly mentioned his name as his successor at Chanel, but it is Ackermann's own line that deserves attention.  His fall collection was another solid performance and I can't wait to see what next season brings.

BALENCIAGA

Nicolas Guesqiere's fall collection for Balenciaga fused the avant garde and wearable.  He opened with a series of floral dresses layered under black knits, worn under woven faux-leather jackets--the recipe for a killer look.  The bold florals and cocoon silhouettes throughout were a nod to Balenciaga's couture heritage, but were interpreted for the modern woman.  Styling was a strong point in the collection, and will undoubtably be copied over the next year--the open-weave knits over florals, dresses over slim pants, and colorblocked separates were right on trend.  The accessories were spot on as well--the baroque-print clutches and pointy sandal/bootie hybrids could stand on their own.  Overall, it was a fresh, memorable collection.