With half of New York Fashion Week behind us already, I just thought I'd catch you up on my last few days. Hectic as they've been, I secretly love this week more than any other - I am a major sucker for Fall/Winter wear [while sunny weather is always nice, nothing says fashion porn like a truly fantastic coat] and I am not ashamed to admit that sitting in the same space as my icons to view next season's fashions is a sweet combination of dream fulfilling and validating. In short, this week is my crack cocaine - let's get to it, shall we...
I started my week off on Friday, with the always feminine yet star studded Rebecca Taylor. While I am not a Rebecca Taylor girl myself, her collections are always great to keep in mind when planning for a client's press events, appearances and personal wardrobe. She always manages to provide a great amount of separates, perfect for mixing and matching, and her overall aesthetic certainly sets the tone for the softer, less downtown and edgy side of the industry. Inspired it seemed by the repurposing of old fabrics, Taylor presented a collection somewhat indicative of the seasonal trends of wide leg pants, fur, the midi skirt and pops of bold color, but her embellishments at times veered towards gratuitous. To be frank, I did not love her plans for Fall/Winter 2011 as much as I did her Spring collection, but I admire anyone who is bold enough to finish their show with a pair of floral, embellished pants.
Rebecca Taylor Finale F/W 2011
Right after Rebecca Taylor, I caught up with Donna Kim for a brief video interview for KMart Fashion, their new blog she's been penning to keep their budget conscious shoppers up to speed with the trends - starting with FW11. I could only chat with her for a minute or two before popping in a cab to HONOR FW11, which later proved wasteful considering I then waited about 45 minutes in the bitter cold along with fellow bloggers, editors, stylists and the stunning Alexa Chung for the show to open its doors and begin. In a twist of fate, my patience was rewarded with a front row seat once the show began and I got a perfect view of HONOR designer, Giovanna Randall's ideas for next season. HONOR FW11 seemed quite inspired by the colors and lightness of the warmer seasons. While on the runway, Randall's FW11 clothes did not look as expensive as they are priced, a recent pull I did for a client's fitting of some of HONOR's Spring looks proved that this is certainly a new designer to look out for in seasons to come.
Fall/Winter goes Summer at HONOR FW11
After what felt like an epically long to-do, I returned back to the tents at Lincoln Center in time for Cynthia Rowley's FW11 showing. While in the past, I have mentally grouped Cynthia in with the likes of Rebecca Taylor, Jill Stuart and other uber feminine designers, her views on next season are certainly more my speed than anything I expected them to be. Her runway design was the first sign of things going my way - a modern yet rustic hardwood runway set the tone for the uptown bohemian collection, which smartly had models crossing the runway's entryway in satin lingerie before emerging dressed and strutting the catwalk. In photographs, her collection unfortunately does not look as luxurious or exciting as it did in person, but it is safe to say that Cynthia Rowley had me pleasantly surprised. While some of the looks were shapes and prints I could have done without, her collection included a few pieces I would wear personally, and was accessorized with killer shoes.
I admit it, I like velvet - deal with it. Cynthia Rowley FW11
Friday was nothing compared to my stack of shows on Saturday, where I had plans to view Binetti, Jill Stuart, Prabal Gurung, ADAM, Kaelen and later Erin Fetherston, Suno and Pamela Love. Keep in mind, my Fashion Week days as a little blogger and stylist do not even come close to comparing to how editors, top stylists and buyers spend these days. If you think I sound like a busy bee, multiply my day by a ton and there you have their hectic mess of a weekend. I know that long list could have me writing on for far too long, so I will do my best to keep my reviews brief...
Jill Stuart, while similar to Rebecca Taylor in not being my personal style cup of tea, is always fantastic to view and keep top of mind for clients looking for that perfect party dress or the ideal outfit for a dinner date. I always recommend that those I dress try on a Jill Stuart number when they are looking to achieve a bit of Kardashian style va-va-voom. But, similar to her Spring collection, Jill had a mix of silhouettes in her Fall collection which cut away from the body for a more mod effect. With splashes of gold and salmon hued metallics, Jill gave her fans what they were hoping for and presented a leather drop waist dress a la Celine that imbued her collection with a forward thinking sensibility.
Jill Stuart FW11
My favorite from Jill's FW11 Collection
After Jill, something amazing happened. I saw a collection whose inspiration and product was so on point with my own fashion obsessions and inspirations that I got as giddy as a schoolgirl. Prabal Gurung's splatter painted pastel runway was the first sign of something good to come. [While I may be all about disheveled downtown meets uptown glam I am a huge sucker for all things abstract and pretty.] Inspired by one of my favorite books of all time, Great Expectations, Prabal evoked images of Dickens' Ms. Havisham in his deconstructed version of his past season's sensibilities. While certain looks evoked a done-up luxury that felt as though it belonged on the Milan runways, other moments nailed his noteworthy inspiration on the head like Karlie Kloss opening the show in a midi-length, voluminous party dress slipping off one shoulder or the graying, disheveled hair styles complete with pastel extensions. All in all, this was certainly the best show I'd seen thus far and stemmed from one of my literary soft-spots. Bravo, Prabal!
Karlie Kloss as a glam Ms. Havisham
For a client who always veers to sophisticated yet body-conscious silhouettes, this is ideal.
Will we be seeing this at this month's Oscars?
After a quick salad at P.J. Clarke's, it was time for ADAM, inspired by native imagery of American Indians, Adam Lippes' collection definitely looks luxurious in photographs and in person and included splashes of utilitarian plaids amidst soft lace tops and fur coats.
After ADAM, a trip to the meatpacking district to view Kaelen FW11 was on the agenda, and I loved her wearable, downtown pieces and fantastic hairstyles - corn rows on one side, side undone braid on the other. I finished off the night at MAC & Milk, where I viewed the 8th floor's veritable flea market of shows - Suno, Erin Fetherston, Pamela Love and Billy Reid. I fell in love at Suno - first with their phenomenal shoes and then with the tribal inspired separates that infused color into a sense of downtown cool. Oh dear Suno, I will definitely be hunting some of your pieces down for my very own.
Suno FW11
I want this.
Erin Fetherston was, admittedly, quite hard to view due to the overwhelming crowds and structure of the presentation, but what I saw was certainly a bit edgier than Erin's typical voice - i.e. her sequin slouchy trousers a la 3.1 Phillip Lim. Pamela Love delivered insanely innovative, Blair Witch inspired accessories that could double as weapons of not used responsibly. I fell in love with her cuffs and bangles and watched from a distance as Becka Diamond bravely sported the largest bracelet of all time that likely would have taken my eye out if I got any closer. Although it was a madhouse in Milk last night, the showing designers certainly held up to the expectations of the thousands of guests in attendance, some of whom were simply stopping over on their way to Altuzarra, which happened later that night.
Erin by Erin Fetherston FW11
And that was just three days worth of shows! More to come - Derek Lam, Victoria Beckham, Vera Wang and more - even those shows I [sadly] did not and will not be attending myself.
God I love Fashion Week,
C-
Images via Style.com
