Arctic Bear

Okay, this girl is adorable but what I really love is this coat.

Can anyone identify it? Designer? Store? Anyone? anyone?

Another questionable trend...

These pants are seriously high-waisted. What do we think of these as a look? I'm on the fence although I lean towards thinking these should go the way of jumpsuits and "Hammer pants" but since those 2 trends keep resurfacing like cockroaches maybe these will never go away either...although she actually looks alright in them I think on most people this look would scream fashion victim.

a timeless look

One normally thinks of "timeless" as something conservative, like a Piaget watch for example, but really what is more timeless than black tights, black boots and short short denim? Whether shorts or a miniskirt it's a look that never goes out of style...and this is a particularly good version.

We'll pass you to the next round.

Yes, this is Kevin Christiana, one of the Project Runway alumns, so it should be no surprise that we'd like his look...or that of the woman with him. Together they seem to have a contemporary take on a bygone period. We're loving her lace up boots with a super long skirt,(so refreshingly off trend) lace gloves and beret. On him the pinstriped vest paired with a simple t-shirt is a nice twist and we also love the oversized lapel on the coat.

Should this trend be saved?

There are some parts of these looks that we love (like the intense blue of the eyeshadow on the two girls on top) But what is up with feathery/flim-flam hair pieces? I know they're all over Etsy and have been featured at one point or another in all teen girl and younger fashion magazines...but I'm not convinced they make anyone look like anything but a hopeless trend follower. But go ahead and convince me I'm wrong.


The only thing that (I thought) was redeeming about these hairpieces is that they weren't yet another heinous '80s revival. Alas. I thought wrong. Here is the original Barbie and the Rockers straight from the '80s. Note the headgear. And they each came with alternate headbands too...ummm...don't ask me how I know this....

A study in neutrals

Love the charcoal grey tux jacket with a satin light grey tie and paired with grey pants. This look could be Garanimal, but somehow it isn't. We also find the similar footwear a charming endnote.

hello high-low

We love the mix of jeans with jaunty blazer, monogrammed tie and casually draped fur. We especially love the fashion week checklist. A lighthearted way to make a serious point.

Stripes? Check!

We love both these looks: the yellow biker jacket paired with black and white keeps it in the spotlight and the striped suit keeps cool with Converse and a bow tie which suggests a sense of humor in the wearer.

Crown Prince

Okay, maybe not a prince (princess?...no not that either). But we love the ingenious hat and these 2 dashing fellows added flavour to the week.

BFFs

They both have: high bangs, high heels. cuffed jeans and cute coats.
Kind of like how girls in highschool used to dress alike...only more stylish and more successful.

The End of Fashion Week...

Fashion week came and went in a blur (like this photo taken at the Ports 1961 show) but we're going to stretch it out longer and bring you photos from those who showed up in style. Here are a few that make fashion week what it is on the sidelines.

Patrick Macdonald: club kid? (so said a paper this week) fashionista? writer? Perhaps simply the most consistently stylish man on the scene. A hardcore devotee of all that is fashion.


Lynn Yaeger: proud eccentric, former fashion writer for the Village Voice covering fashion week for New York Magazine. Check out her personalized Goyard bag. Brilliant.



And the ones who really pay the bills: the loyal customers. These ladies were at the Nicole Miller show. It's the only show they attend which they attend together every season. All dressed in Nicole Miller, naturellement!

I was dissed by Oksana Baiul

So fashion week is almost over and I spent my day at Bryant Park going to shows and photographing people for Style Defined. As you know celebrimees aren't my thing which is why you won't see photos of Paris Hilton at the Pamela Roland show or Tori Spelling making her entrance to Christian Siriano's show. Tonight however I approached a woman in a silver lame jacket with false eyelashes and a blonde updo. A little over the top, I thought, but could be interesting. I asked if I could take her photo and she said "yes" then proceeded to turn around and begin talking to some other people. When I expressed confusion it was explained to me by (presumably) her manager that she was Oksana Baiul "the famous olympic skater" and that I had to wait until she was ready.(he also gave me his card and requested I send him a copy of the picture) ...after about 4 minutes I just said to him "thanks, but no thanks". Whatever happened to simply saying, "No thanks, I'd rather you not?" But considering this was the only rudeness I encountered this week it's not so bad.

Look for more real photos of people who are really fabulous here tomorrow...i need to go to bed!

And backstage at WALTER

We had the opportunity to go backstage at the WALTER show






Walter himself overseeing backstage...to read a review of the show click here

And on the other side of the runway...

is the audience that has come for the show.
Be a model, or just pout like one.

Self styled sartorialists.

Be a model or just pose like one.

Crossing over from fashion to theatricality.

Academy of Art University Show at Bryant Park

The Academy of Art University showed in the tent at Bryant Park on Friday evening. Quite honestly I was skeptical both because it was a student show and because it was from a school not located in the Fashion Capital of the Universe. (as the signs outside Bryant Park refer to New York). But this show unmasked my provincial prejudices with the level of skill and presentation shown throughout.

Six different collections of recent graduates were shown.

The first was a large group collaboration called The Britex Fabrics Project. Using fabrics such as oversized houndstooth and wool crepe donated by Britex Fabrics, the students created pieces that successfully sculpted volume – creating new shapes while maintaining a softness and sense of movement. The result being both avant-garde yet approachable.


Qianya Martin’s collection came next. Inspired by the ripples and repetition of the ocean the earthtone color palette also brought to mind ripples of sand dunes. Simple shift dresses and tunics with details such as sheer panels resulted in imminently wearable pieces with refined simplicity.


Heather Howard and Cat Janky created an eco-friendly collection of longer layered smock dresses and jackets that was a bit ‘90s grunge crosses the Little Matchgirl. The delicate textile designs and lightness of the fabric however give the individual pieces a flexibility to be worn with less severity than how they were presented on the runway.

Scott McFarland, a formally trained sculptor translated his skills into knitwear design. His presentation of knit sweaters and coats for men were inspired by Art Deco patterns which were readily apparent as well as metal work and the androgynous styles from the 1920s. The cut and colors of his pieces would be attractive to women as well.

I-Shan Liou and Myoung Hee Kim presented a collection of knit dresses with abstract painterly designs. While the prints were stunning I have a concern that the volume and length of most of the dresses make them unwearable for anyone without a model’s physique.






The final and perhaps strongest collection was by Emily Melville and Ivanka Georgieva. It was elegant and sophisticated with silhouettes that seemed to be a modern interpretation of the early ‘60s. With pale creamy colors and intricate detailing these clothes evoke a rarefied world and would not be out of place at a White House cocktail reception.

Seven New York vs. Pleasure Principle Afterparty

Because it wouldn't be fashion week without the after party...here are some of the party people that spent Valentine's night with all the love at Le Poisson Rouge. Audio by Tronik Youth, AC Slater, The Misshapes, Spencer Product and our friend Larry Tee.

Black is the new black.

We love: dapper dandies in the black sea. (note: there is nothing wrong with this guys eye. It's an artifact of flash+shutter speed)

We love: tiger tats and church lady hats.

We love: how this guy dances...trust us!

NYC loves Barbie

Who knew that the hottest ticket would be the show for the doll that has everything? Well Barbie turns 60 this year (oh my!) and in celebration there was a runway show in Bryant Park which featured several different designers...the show was so overbooked they stopped allowing even press in. So here are some of Barbie's fans who did make it into the tent - and presumably the show!