Category: ‘NYFW’

With faux snow and fun music, the beginning of Pamella Roland’s Fall 2009 show was really quite enchanting, as seen from my perch on a standing-room-only-no-actually-please-fill-an-empty-seat seat. So thank you, defaulting fashion editors who had more important things to do.

In all, Ms. DeVos (the line’s designer) trotted fifty-six outfits down the runway, and for that I must applaud her. Some were pretty dresses (left), and some articulated the Russian theme a little too well to be practical (center), and some were in between (right).

One sad observation: Paris Hilton (who is everywhere this week) in some sort of all-white getup – complete with shoes, tights and sunglasses – which I immediately Twittered about . Then, to my chagrin, said chalky tights appeared on the runway! Thankfully, they only showed up once.

Many of the other Roland models were clad in more flattering, more older-than-a-toddler-appropriate tights in blacks, browns and purples. We like these better. We also loved these subtle ombre tights (below) that a stylish woman outside the show paired with a black and gray ensemble. You can make your own ombre pair, or if you prefer, just pick up a navy pair ($12) from Urban Outfitters.

The final tally:

Outfits I’d Gleefully Wear: About 28
Outfits I’d Play Dress-Up In: About 28
White Tights: 2
Hiltons: 2
Obnoxious PR Chicks: 0!
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Total Score: Good to Excellent, with major bonus points for nobody yelling at me unnecessarily.

One of several designers who opted out of the Bryant Park tents this season, Joanna Mastroianni held her Fall 2009 presentation in her showroom. Which meant, in short, no lines, passed champagne, and the opportunity to take decent photos of the clothes.

It actually felt more like a photo shoot than a fashion show, with photographers directing the models from four feet away. And look! One model even posed just for me!

Many of the pieces, shapely, well-structured dresses with waist-defining details, are actually very wearable. If you can figure out where to buy them, I’ll give you a gluten-free cookie.

Since there is apparently nowhere to purchase these clothes, we suggest a similarly silhouetted dress. This black Calvin Klein number ($118) has a removable belt that you can switch out for something brighter if you’re feeling colorful. The textured metallic fabric on this Lela Rose dress ($298.50, was $995) is reminiscent of the black fabric on the dress above.

Also: we knew turquoise statement pieces were making a comeback.

The final tally:

Friendly Door People: 2
Usable Photos Taken: 25
Pretty Dresses: Many
Alcohol: Available

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Total Score: Very good
 

What: Vivienne Tam Fall 2009 Presentation at her Mercer Street Store

Sitting or Standing: Standing. We were all standing, including the poor models, for two hours. I arrived only 30 minutes into the presentation and already the models were showing their boredom / annoyance / supreme discomfort via body language or by continually taking sips from mini water bottles. But they looked fantastic.

The Clothes: Structural separates, cocktail dresses, and quilted coats in rich jewel tones. 

Celeb Sightings: 0, but it was really dark in there so I could have missed out on some big ones. But usually they're lit up like Xmas trees from the flash of multiple cameras and blinding lights. Didn't see any of that, except on Tam.

Coolest Thing There: Blogging stations from HP with TouchSmart computers. There were these massively huge screens set up along the walls of the store for anyone to walk over and tweet, or live blog, about the event. I logged onto the homepage of Twitter, immediately became too self-conscious to overtly share my tweet with the entire room as I was writing it, and sent one from my phone instead.

Most Interesting Trend in the Crowd: Boyfriend blazers paired with statement necklaces. Lots of good-looking women wore oversized blazers with large bejeweled statement necklaces. One woman mentioned her vintage bib necklace was from House of Lavande. The jewelry there is stunning and available online, yet quite pricey, so you can get the look for less with this Kenneth Jay Lane Pendant Necklace ($174, was $290) paired with an Aqua Boyfriend Blazer ($88).

Most Unfashionable Person Spotted: Everyone looked good, but then again it was really dark. 

What: Tory Burch Fall 2009 presentation (not to be confused with “show,” where there are assigned seats and it’s hard to see anything).

Sitting or standing: Standing, like everyone else.

The clothes: In turns clean and opulent, with tailored jackets, full skirts, and a good amount of fur. Also, this exceedingly MObama-like belted purple dress.

Celeb sightings: Kanye West with a sizeable entourage, Kim Raver looking radiant, Amanda Bynes with the same Chanel bag she was carrying at Pamella Roland, and Tory Burch herself, who is tiny and quite gorgeous. Here’s Kanye and Tory chatting like they’re friends (are they? I kind of doubt it) and Kim Raver being smiley.

Trends in the audience: Ridiculous numbers of black booties (I wore tan riding boots, oops), many of which were Tory Burch.

Get the look with a pair that has a standout design detail, like the cutouts on the pair at left ($78) or the exaggerated elastic panel on these patent booties ($231).

Most surprising happenings: Literally rubbing elbows with the designer, momentarily chatting with a member of the Kantourage.

What: Mackage Fall 2009 show at Bryant Park

Sitting or Standing: Sitting – after an intern I went to high school with gave me a big “S[tanding]” card, I made myself comfortable in one of the many vacant third-row seats.

The Clothes: Mackage is the only outerwear designer that showed in the tents, and the relative monotony – everything was a jacket – was a little jarring. Still, every coat was well-designed and practical – something we rarely get to say at Fashion Week.

Alleged “Standing Room” Guests I Spotted in the Front Row: 5

Celeb Sightings: None, but I ran into Erin from The City on the way out. I'd say something snarky about The City, but she was really nice, so I'll just say that I might have once hung up on a potential date to watch the show.

Audience Trends: I was surrounded by three very bleached blondes, who I will choose to ignore in favor of the woman on my right, who was wearing a surprisingly pretty shade of gray nail polish. She lamented that it’s hard to find matte gray polish, but this soft shade from Rescue Beauty Lounge ($18) approximates her find pretty well.

I felt so important walking up the steps of the NY Public Library to the Jill Stuart show yesterday, mostly because of the nice little photographer who decided to snap my photo (Disclaimer: he was taking pictures of ANYONE wearing sunglasses, including the group of goth twelve-year-olds smoking cloves on the steps. I think Getty threatened to fire him if he didn't reach his quota for the day).

Once inside, the reality that I am neither Anna Wintour nor an Olsen twin set in when I was nearly trampled to death by two girls eager to introduce themselves to Bethany from Real Housewives NYC. The pixie thin, DD-cupped reality star politely obliged, yet declined to remove the red lollipop from her mouth. Bethany, how many licks will it take before you realize sucking on anything in a photograph at a fashion show is just plain tacky? What would the Countess think?

Peering down onto the heads of those important enough to be seated, I noticed the majority of them were covered in furry Russian hats or those Elmer Fudd flap ones. There were also lots of plain knit beanies worn by grungy, beautiful, emaciated girls. 

The front row was chock full of young celebs, with the Hilton sisters causing the most commotion (they're still around and popular?). When they arrived, so many cameras went off we thought MObama was in fact making a Fashion Week appearance. Imagine my disappointment when I found out all the fuss was over Paris. Oh, and that Trachtenberg girl.

Both Hiltons wore shrunken black leather jackets, and since we would never advocate copying Paris Hilton's anything, I recommend taking some style cues from the other sister. Try out Nikki's look by pairing this Lucca Leather Jacket ($736) with bad-ass  Promiscuous Booties ($114). And If you want to give the brooding knit cap look a try, opt for this Slouchy beanie ($28) over unwashed, I just came to this morning's show from last night's afterparty hair.  

The show had a dark, brooding vibe to it as well, with the collection inspired by women in music. More than one look reminded me of Madonna circa Like A Virgin. Oversized crosses were a big accessory, and there was no shortage of lace, eyeliner, or the color black. I can see Paris in some pieces, not so much the meek, doe-eyed Brittany Snow sitting two seats down. 

Friday night’s Venexiana show was a different type of entertainment – not quite what I was expecting. The PR girls were nice enough, and there were plenty of distractions while waiting in line. Miss J Alexander was having a conversation close by (not in the standing line, of course). Shortly after, however, the “celeb” sightings took a turn for the worst. Miss Teen Pennsylvania was standing near me making unsolicited, awkward comments to passersby about their accessories. About 20 minutes into this, I was tempted to comment on hers – the tiara.

Once inside, it immediately became clear that the tiara was an incredibly appropriate accessory at the show, which featured an overwhelming amount of fur and rhinestones. Despite the fact this is not necessarily my style, the combination of music (think techno meets punk rock) and bejeweled headpieces created a funky vibe that had the onlookers smiling. The majority of the pieces were flamboyant and over the top, combining sparkles and luxe fabrics in outlandish ways.

Such enthusiasm for glamorous accessories got me thinking that there must be ways to translate these runway looks into reality. A toned down version of the fur wrap like this faux fur stole ($63.90, was $128) looks chic and can be worked into an evening ensemble.

Sparkle can be added through unique headpieces, such as this Swarovski headband ($180). Just stay far away from the tiara, unless you're planning on running for a Miss Teen title anytime soon.