shefinds» NYFW

Fashion Week Diaries: SAFE by Rebecca Turbow..Lots Of Grey Clothes And Pornographic Cereal Boxes

kristindiva — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Monday we ventured "off-campus" to witness the hipster/goth model explosion that was SAFE by Rebecca Turbow. Shown in a gallery that has VERY provocative art on the walls (we can’t show you any of it close up but think cereal boxes using extremely, um, stimulating imagery), we were thrown into a grunge, underground art explosion filled with a crowd of very moody artsy types drinking boxed wine out of plastic cups.

We consider ourselves pretty creatively open but even we couldn’t get past what they did to poor old Cap’n Crunch on that wall.

Once I gained focus, I realized I actually dug the clothes. Rebecca’s got quite the knack for tailoring and showed in a palette of almost entirely grey, silver and black. The models hung out on white cubes in front of the art and managed to achieve the perfect hipster slouch paired with slightly disgruntled facial expressions – so perfect, in fact, we had a hard time distinguishing them from onlookers dressed in similar shades of black and grey.

The trends at this show? Well, other than copious amounts of eye makeup (on both sexes), we can honestly say that we’ve never seen so many black peacoats in our lives. The ubiquitous Army/Navy store piece is firmly entrenched in the hipster culture here in New York and we think it’s something worth borrowing.

We’re particularly fond of this Indya Hoodie Peacoat ($159) which is warm enough to fight off the elements but cool enough to dress up denim or toughen up a pretty dress. And if you want to mimic the caped grey look SAFE was showcasing, we suggest this Soia & Kyo Cape Coat ($207, was $413).

So, we’re back to the tents again and we can definitely say the next time we haul our 4” heels off-site, we’ll be sure to bring extra mascara just in case.

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Robert Verdi Treats Us To Food And Jewelry – Pretty Much A No Lose Situation

kristindiva — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Are there enough words in the English language to explain how much we love our celebrity style guru, Robert Verdi? Robert always introduces us to amazing things and we’ll be covering a lot of the beauty goodies we received in our HUGE swag bag at his latest brunch, but we have one little gem we had to tell you about right away: Margo Morrison New York Jewelry.

Margo is a jewelry designer whose necklaces have appeared on many celebrities, including Gossip Girl’s Blake Lively, Julianne Moore, and Ugly Betty’s Becki Newton. Her lariat necklaces are convertible into so many different shapes we got dizzy just exploring all the options.

After getting the star treatment and getting layered with some gorgeous pieces (as shown on me in the photo,) I walked away with this Lariat in Freshwater Pearls and Swarovski crystals ($395). This Faceted Chrysoprase Short Strand with Toggle ($395) is also one of the many gorgeous layers I'm wearing. For the price of one necklace and the multitude of options on how to wear them, we think we can justify the cost.

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Fashion Week Diaries: At Pamella Roland, Fake Snow And White Tights

Rebekah — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +0000

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!
______________________

Total Score: Good to Excellent, with major bonus points for nobody yelling at me unnecessarily.

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Fashion Week Diaries: Joanna Mastroianni Welcomes Us With Champagne And No Line

Rebekah — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +0000

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

________________________________

Total Score: Very good

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Fashion Week Diaries: Bored Models And Giant Blogging Stations At Vivienne Tam

Bryn — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +0000

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.

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Fashion Week Diaries: Third Row At Nanette Lepore With That Guy Who Almost Peed On Carrie Bradshaw

kristindiva — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +0000

What: Nanette Lepore Fall 2009 Runway Show

Standing or Sitting: Sitting, third row

Favorite Front Row Outfit: Editors keeping it comfy and low key in grey jersey dresses and oversized black wraps

Outfit in the Crowd That Should Have Stayed at Home: Pink wig and black catsuit with boots like Jennifer Garner's outfit from Alias

Celebs of Interest: John Slattery from AMC’s Mad Men was front row at the show…in a full beard. We know, random.

Favorite overheard comment/conversation: "That guy in the front row? Isn’t that the politician that wanted Carrie to pee on him on Sex and the City?" “Yeah, but he’s on a different show now. Mad Men or something.”

Not only did we have seats but the lovely folks at TRESemme gave us space in the VIP lounge, an escort past the line, and seats right in the middle of the venue. Yippee! Nanette’s clothes had a very rich gypsy vibe. Great coats and jackets with exaggerated shoulders and tons of prints.

This show's front row was awash in little grey jersey dresses with long black sweaters. It’s a very comfortable, no-fuss option for the editors getting ready in the morning and we can get behind it. This Turtleneck Ruffle Dress ($264) paired with this Banana Republic Shawl Cardigan ($69) is a perfect way to steal these two wardrobe staples for your own closet.

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Fashion Week Diaries, Tory Burch: Egalitarian Celeb Access And All The Black Booties In Manhattan

Rebekah — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +0000

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.

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Fashion Week Diaries: The Best Seats Ever At Anna Sui, Where The Entire Crowd Wears Anna Sui

kristindiva — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +0000

What: Anna Sui in the Tent at Bryant Park

Standing or sitting: Best. Seats. Ever. We had press box seats at the end of the runway above the crowd. Again, thank you, TRESemme.

Celebs of interest: Taylor Momsen (Jenny from Gossip Girl) came in and set off a photography firestorm.

The clothes at the show: Think Moulin Rouge and French bohemian clothes wrapped up in one dazzling show… Iridescent tights, gorgeous princess dresses, smart tailored rocker suits

Most interesting outfit in the front row: Anna's own designs from previous seasons

Outfit in the crowd that should have stayed at home: Full-on body leotard complete with sequined cape and ballet slippers

Favorite overheard comment: "Darling, you only got this seat because of me. Now spit out your gum and act like you weren’t raised by wolves.”

You’ve got to love when people show up to a major designer wearing the clothes from that designer. We spotted some of Anna’s cute dresses on a lot of women in the front row, like this Paisley Lace Dress ($337) and boho-chic Mixed Print Dress ($620). Both worn with tall black pirate boots and black tights, these dresses really stood out in a crowd.

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Fashion Week Diaries: Shirtless At Mackage

Rebekah — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +0000

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.

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Fashion Week Diaries: People Freak Over Paris At Jill Stuart

Bryn — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +0000

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.

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