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

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.

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.

Fall 2011 Fashion Week: Milan

EMILIO PUCCI

Peter Dundas continues to make Pucci relevant, creating glamorous clothes for the modern woman.  His fall collections's jewel-tone purples and greens were right on trend, and the sex appeal of Dundas's body conscious cuts was amped up with dramatic portrait necklines.  The tradition of beautiful Pucci prints was reimagined through embroidery and velvet burnouts, and sometimes accented with fringe.  Dundas introduced some elegant separates, but his strength lies in dressmaking--I expect to see several of these gowns and cocktail dresses on red carpets.












D&G

Dominico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana bucked the '60s and '70s trends found on the majority of fall runways, choosing instead to channel the '80s.  Their collection featured loud, colorful prints created from lettering, which was most successful on their softer sheer pieces.  The designers kept everything lighthearted and youthful--I'm convinced that wearing these clothes would put you in a good mood.  My only quibble with the collection is the styling.  The wedge sneakers and alphabet necklaces were fun, but the whole collection would have looked much more polished with pumps and more sophisticated jewelry.










VERSACE

Donatella Versace went clean and graphic for fall.  She showed less of her usual overt sexiness, choosing instead to focus on laser sharp military-inspired cuts and to pull from Versace heritage for embellishments.  The signature Versace leaf and flower emblem were magnified, rendered in bold color, and featured on a series of black crepe dresses.  Gold buckles and buttons also echoed Versace tradition, and contributed to the militaristic feel.  Although I miss the usual showstopping gowns, I was impressed by Donatella's strong focus in this collection.