Marchesa Beauty

Marchesa showed their Fall '09 collection at the Chelsea Art Museum and it was an appropriate venue as the collection was full of dresses that looked like works of art.  Full of many Oscar worthy dresses, I wont be surprised if we see at least one this Sunday night.

Image via style.com

Did I Miss Something?

Okay, so as I mentioned in my post about the Monique Lhulier show, one of my biggest gripes was her use of body stockings to accessorize her show.  Now Ruffian and Threeasfour have committed the same offense.  I mean besides being distracting to the clothes, I just think they are so completely awful and there is just nothing attractive about them and it would NEVER cross my mind to use them.  Did I miss something in school?

NY Fashion Week: Wang, Wu, and Bamboo

Since being awarded the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award Alexander Wang has already started to mature, his collection that is.  An always interesting, fun, and fresh show, Wang stepped it up this season by adding some beautiful tailoring and even more luxurious fabrics.  It was nice to see a smooth evolution from his previous collections as opposed to a huge jump.

Jason Wu's post Obama collection was a beautiful collection of cocktail dresses and gowns, straight out of a fairy tail.  I guess that would be fitting since he said this collection was inspired by a book of illustrations by Arthur Rackham.  There was of course some day wear mixed in between the gowns, offering the working girls a wonderful opportunity to wear Wu to the office.

In their eleventh collection to be shown at fashion week, design duo Thuy Pham and Miho Aoki, showed a brilliant collection under the United Bamboo label.  The highlight of the collection for me was the print designed by artist Rita Ackermann.

Images via style.com

And We're Off.....NY Fashion Week Begins!

So NY Fashion Week has begun and the shows have started.  Well I should say shows and presentations, since a lot of designers have scaled back and are just doing a more simple presentation as opposed to a big runway show.

Monique Lhuillier opted for the presentation route and chose the famous Oak Room at the Plaza for her venue.  I have to say I am far from impressed.  The styling of the show got in the way and really distracted from the gowns she showed.  Big disappointment.  Gowns are a statement as it is and when you throw full body stockings and ropes of jewels, its just overwhelming.  I have a feeling people would have had a much different reaction to the show had it really focused on the gowns.  

** I should preface that I am not going to try and cover every show. Mainly shows that disappoint, inspire, and deliver.**

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My First and Only Fashion Week Invite!

I guess it helps being the former roommate of one of the designers and former classmates of both that I was invited.  I am just sad I wont be in NYC to attend.  This is the second collection for Laurel Anderson and David Peck under the Untitled 11:11 name and I'm sure not the last.  If you are in NYC and want to go...send an e-mail to RSVP to try and get on the list.  RSVP@UNTITLED1111.com  RSVP'ing does not guarantee a spot at the show, but it doesn't hurt to ask right?  I will have a full review and pics of the collection after the show.  Best of luck Laurel and David!

Styling The First Lady

"Behind The First Lady, a Shadow Stylist" by Cathy Horyn and Eric Wilson is an interesting article looking at the relationship between Michelle Obama and Ikram Goldman a Chicago boutique owner and stylist to Ms.Obama.

The Ikram boutique was one of my first stops when I moved to Chicago.  I did a lot of research on what boutiques were hot and Ikram I was informed was a must see.  As the article states the shop is full of unknown designers, up and coming designers, and established names.  While I'm not necessarily their target customer, I was pleased with their selection and I'm sure that through all of this extra exposure they will be able to broaden their range of great talent.

Hey..1% is 1%!

"U.S. retail sales jumped 1 percent in January, reversing a six-month declining trend and defying economists' expectations by posting the biggest increase in 14 months." - from Marcy Gordon's article Retail Sales Rise Unexpectedly in January

J'Adore Dior

A couple of weeks ago Milan and Paris showed their Haute Couture collections and while there were plenty of gorgeous collections the Dior Haute Couture collection by John Galliano was by far my favorite.  Gathering inspiration from Flemish paintings and Christian Dior, John Galliano created a beautiful fanciful collection you can get lost in.  Click on the image to view the entire collection.

Image via style.com

Change Is Not Always Good

I know it seems strange coming from me, someone who has moved 5 times in 7 years, but sometimes it just seems wrong. 

I am talking about the announcement that Mayor Bloomberg made on February 3rd that Bryant Park will no longer be the home of New York Fashion Week come 2010.  The shows will be moving to Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center.  While I'm sure there is a logical explanation for this, it just wont be the same.

Countdown to Fall '09

New York:  February 13th-20th

London:  February 20th-25th

Milan:  February 25th-March 4th

Paris:  March 4th-12th

Movie Review: Lagerfeld Confidential

A wonderfully fun look into the mystery that is Karl Lagerfeld.  The documentary by Rodolphe Marconi was released in 2007 and won the hearts of fashionistas over.  I have always been a huge fan of biographies and documentaries and this one was no exception.  I went and saw the movie in a small theatre in NYC with my friend Howie back in 2007 when it was released.  I remember the theatre being full of NYC fashionistas and everyone knew someone, it was very funny.  This past week I've watched it a couple times, I got it through Netflix, and it just reminded me why I love fashion.  The movie is fun, silly, and full of gorgeous people.

Click on the picture to read about the movie on IMDB.com

I'm Back

Sorry for the brief hiatus everyone.  I just got a little down with all the layoffs happening, chapter 11 filings, and recession news that I just didn't want to write about it anymore, but I am feeling inspired again and ready for Fall '09 fashion weeks!