Runway/ Trends

SPRING FASHION WEEK 2010- RUNDOWN

As spring fashion season winds down, it seems the opportune time to break down the best looks. Fashion to me, is best analyzed in hindsight, a couple weeks after lines hit the runway… you know, once the aftertaste has set in.

One of the first events of New York Fashion week was the Arise Magazine Fashion Show that took place on the day of love—February 14^th (clarification for the non-romantic). The best thing about Arise is that they bring to the forefront a smorgasbord of African talent unseen in the covers of Vogue. Like….

Black Coffee- Fall 2010

Black Coffee a South African. The duo of designers was obviously enamored by fabrics this season, as coats had layers upon layers of cloth. Coats were paired with every outfit and often were the main entente. Color palette: beige, light blue and brown—not a far cry from their Spring collection, but less girly cuts.

Black Coffee- Summer 2010

We also had Loincloth and Ashes at Arise from the Tanzanian designer, Anisa Mpungwe. Three words: Inspired. Fun. Embellished.

Referred by Vogue as his “strongest—and crucially, most rounded—to date [collection]“, designer Bibhu Mohapatra really did his thing this season. An ode to old-Hollywood glamour, this collection was simply stunning. It says a lot when a man can understand the importance of not only feeling but looking like a women, without being overly sexy.

Another gold star winner– in my factitious awards– is Naeem Khan. The Indian-born designer gained popularity last year with The First lady, Michelle Obama, wearing his gown at the state dinner. His gowns are stunning, glamorous and somehow exude confidence… clearly why Michelle rocks his pieces.

LESSONS FROM COUTURE FASHION WEEK- 2010

Last week the top couturiers showed their stuff on the runways of Paris. You cant walk away from any show without gaining some type of knowledge, so here is my cheat sheet.

Lesson 1: Inspiration comes in many forms

Chanel and Christian Dior lines both were something out of time warps. Dior designer, John Galliano was inspired by a research trip to the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum. of And Karl Lagerfeld by a light bulb or pastels, errr…or something like that in his head.

Chanel Iman in Dior

Lesson 2: To be a muse, you MUST wear the designers clothes to a tee.

Singer, Ciara was unofficially deemed Givenchy’s muse earlier this year and has been sporting the haute couture ensembles since. Being pals with head designer, no doubt helps keep her repertoire fresh.

Lesson 3: More people are anticipating the real Fashion Week

Although the usual’s (Kanye et al, Anna Wintour, Andre Leon Talley) were at the shows, there really wasn’t that much hoopla about being there. It may have to do with the fact that the couture pieces are less accessible than ready-to-wear lines or that everyone is more excited for the real deals in mid February.

THE GOOD-GOODS

As NY Fashion Week ended others begin and so do the trends of the fall and upcoming spring. I have to say I was rather impressed at how functional and normal designers styled this runway season. I guess gone are the days of ridiculous props, crazy hair and extravagant makeup that once donned a show, A SHOW.

Guess it has something to do with the tight market and designers efforts to appeal to the mass market. And by gosh…they got it.

Some dope trends this season were:

Strong shoulders, like this Trussardi 1911 dress. A lot of designers cut the hems higher and added padding to the shoulder for a hanger look.

Kelly Rowland sported this look at Dsquared2′s recent event.

And Indian designer Bibhu Mohapatra had several pieces with this look.

To my surprise there was another trend that just shouted out 8th GRADE PROM. Maybe because the look was hot back then or because the tightness of the dresses reminded me of how we were so pressed to look like tiny trollups in middle school….disgressing.

One shoulder, tight dresses were the pop-off this season!

BCBG

Tracey Reese

Emilio Pucci

Dsquared2

Even my girl Serena sported the look at the Gucci event with Lebron. Cute photo op!

AND As every smart fashionista knows a good outfit is nothing without a cute pair of heels.

Dolce Vita has surprising low priced heels, that are classic but still work with the trends. Booties have been in for a minute (and dont seem to ever be leaving) and this season its all about the strap ups. In high boots we have the over-the-top calf boots, but we also see thick wooden heels.

Michael Kors is on the frontline.

And again Dolce Vita is rocking a trend in a great…and yes, affordable way! Speaking of affordable don’t forget to go to the “Grapevine” section to see what sales are in your area.

PATIENTLY WAITING FOR THE NEXT

OOO its almost that time of the year! I see it in the streets, hear it in the mouths of young hipsters and feel it in my wallet.

It seems like as one fashion season ends another one falls quickly behind and designers are already scrambling for their Spring 2010 collections.

Since us fashionista damsels in distresses can’t wait, I decided to be a little nostalgic and review some of the looks from Fall 2009.

When I think of girlie, I think of Tracy Reese. She always has some form of flowers, pastel bursts or soft fabrics that just scream I AM WOMAAANN!

But this season she went with a more sophisticated approach, which I must say myself, is a refreshing . Black replaced the smorgasbord of pinks and girlie cuts were replaced with (dare I say) more androgynous looks.

She still managed to sneak in some of those damn pastels, but I’m not mad. Stay true to yourself, girl.

Don’t even get me started on Rachel Roy!

Everyone knows I loves, loves, loves her work. And for this season she brought it again. Classy, sophisticated and the ever abused word…chic.

For some reason the spirit moves to tell me that sequins, glitter and glam are coming back. I just feel it. And although she didn’t overdo any of the three, her pieces still say ‘I’m a star’!

Plus the shoes in her collection are the kind a girl puts on, solely, to get a husband. Fierce.

Can’t wait to see what she brings for the spring. In the meantime check out her Resort 2010 collection (makes me wanna go to a Hampton’s beach party).

At first, I, like soo many others thought Diane’s feather thing last spring was a little pretentious. I think seeing it on The Hill’s Whitney Port for the first time didn’t help.

But honestly, the trend was in good hands. My goodness…it’s from the same women who gave us the ole reliable wrap dress. And now I can go as far to say that I kind of want one of those whimsical headbands.

Diane somehow approaches womanhood in a way that still makes you feel girlie but sexy. Her fabrics never over do it and all her pieces seem to just slip on.

This fall had the same theme with girlie fur accents and slip on wool dresses.

Can’t wait what this spring will bring.

Pics Courtesy of STYLE.com

Last, but certainly not least.

I can’t end my collection wrap-up without mentioning my favorite label Yves Saint Laurent.

True to the originators nature, Stefano Pilati came with a uber dark, yet feminine collection that just makes you wanna do work, honey!

Nothing in this collection doesn’t say bossy bitch. The broad shoulder jackets and blouses fall into narrow silohettes that just pop.

Although Pilati pulls straight from the classic colors of Laurent, it would be nice to see vibrant colors for spring.

But, alas we will just have to wait and see. Reminds me, gotta start hunting for those good fashion week seats!

Until then, cheers!