NYFW – Derek Lam

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The Fall 2013 collections have made their way to London, but before we cross the pond it wouldn’t be right not to feature one of my favorite designers, Derek Lam, who had one of the best New York collections.

Derek Lam, commenting from backstage, neatly summed up his customer; “She’s got a bohemian spirit, but in a modern, controlled way.”, which also adeptly describes this collection.

It is 2 parts modern, relaxed elegance displayed to a tee in the standout cape-back white satin blouse and tapering navy satin pants, or the double face wool, loosely fitted cargo trouser and matching sweater with criss-cross cape detail. Another modern stunner was the closing look of a camel boucle cape over a simple white wool crew neck dress.

Lam brilliantly wove in the 2 parts bohemian look, continuing the patchwork and crochet theme he started in spring. My favorite being the dark navy dress of leather strips woven together with a fringe hemline and topped off with a navy fox fur vest – it’s boho elegant at it’s best. Another example of his new take on evening came in a suede dress with a just-below-the-knee skirt, and T-shirt style top with geometric pieces sown in at the neckline resembling a mosaic pattern.

The clothes came with some dynamite accessories, I (and I’m sure everyone else) want every pair of wedge ankle boots, along the camera case cognac leather bag. In fact, Lam’s entire collection was made up of accessible pieces that one could easily see investing in. The difficult part will be in deciding which ones.

To view the entire collection, go to vogue.com.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY

NYFW – Rag & Bone’s Dynamic Duo

With their jeans and knits gracing the bods of major celebrities and models, their accessories line expanding briskly, and all while pursuing a global expansion that’s building at a rapid clip, Rag & Bone’s David Neville and Marcus Wainright have been very busy boys. But that didn’t stop them from presenting their tightest, most accessible and all out fabulous collection yet.

The collection themes were spelled out within the first few looks – texture, menswear influenced prints, knits and super short skirts and dresses. The first look matched an ultra chic tweed jacket with a pair of quilted leather pants followed by a mega short sweater dress with its rubberized trim and oversized houndstooth that expanded on the textural story, and laid down the blue print of the collection’s reinterpreted classic menswear print theme. Besides the blown up checks the duo showcased a digitized Prince of Wales wool in menswear inspired, tailored pieces that clearly were designed for vital, strong and sexy women.

The extremely short hem lines on the fitted and flared skirts and slightly A-lined dresses flaunted super sheer thighhighs with extra thick bands (love this look) that is sure to become a trend among confident, fashionable women next fall (if not sooner). As will the collars that stood away from the neck or rolled over on oversized boxy sweaters -  I must have the magnificent sweatshirt inspired leather sweater with its ultra high neck and dropped shoulders that closed the show.

“We started with flight, aviation, Pan Am uniforms,” Wainwright told Women’s Wear Daily backstage before the show of the designer duo’s inspiration. “We wanted to start with something very clean, and then it quickly evolved from the minimal to much more modern military aviation.” The stand outs being the fabulous trench and parka (which I can envision wearing day and for dressy evening) whose sleeves were articulated the same way as an airforce jacket back in the forties, and which took ten go-rounds to get right. Aviation made its way into the color palette as well, merging dark, military service shades of black, gray, and olive, contrasted with a keenly sophisticated use of deep purple, brilliant blues (love the pale blue-grey leather), and a flash of an orange that originated from the lining of a MA1 flight jacket.

If this dynamic duo is busy now imagine what their future holds. I hope they’ve mastered time management!

Alexander McQueen’s Pre Fall 2013 Collection

Sarah Burton did it again! The woman is a superhero, in the last weeks before her twins are due to arrive she was putting the finishing touches on her sublime Pre-Fall 2013 collection. Inspired by ecclesiastical dress, she spoke backstage of researching “the low church, puritans, nuns, and popes”. It is never more evident than in her closing number of a white gown and spectacularly ornate lace-covered cape or the black jacquard cropped cape with red trim over a black evening dress with mini train. It’s a collection of stately shapes and whose elaborate detailing rivals the output of Paris’ couture houses.

It begins with cassock-like black velvet coats with nipped waists, flared laser-cut hems with poufs of cotton emerging from underneath, prints reminiscent of rorschach tests, and surplice-inspired cotton shirts and shirtdresses. Then came the most perfect high-waisted wool flared pants – the standout topped off with a wool cape nipped at the waist – while knitwear featured jacquard stained-glass window patterns.

The evening portion begins with fur which is sculpted from fox, astrakhan, and shaved mink creating texture in a luxe white fur cloak and coats. The grandiose and stunning dresses could easily be seen on any red carpet  – slim caped dresses, one black, one white, in which organza frills frame portholes through which lace bras can be seen – and the ivory “communion lace” dress caught up in panniers at the sides, while not quite the dress the Duchess of Cambridge wore, would make any bride feel like a princess none the less.

While Sarah is away having her babies McQueen’s fall March show in Paris will be scaled back to two small press presentations. But the woman with a fervent work ethic promises, “ it will be something quite different.” The woman knows no bounds!!

 

Stella McCartney’s Pre-Fall 2013 Collection

Stella McCartney’s grasp on clothing for the modern working women (albeit ones who are corporate heads) is irreproachable. In fact, her path to pre-fall 2013 was “to address every need of the modern woman’s wardrobe.” The success of her Fall 2012 collection has made pattern a no-brainer, with the prelude to fall 2013 concentrating on stripes – a standout being the vertical brown and white striped trousers paired with a smaller brown and white swirly striped blouse topped off with a sleek 3/4 length camel overcoat – and feathered jacquards most noticeably in a 2 piece navy satin ensemble with teal and green embroidery.

Stella even took to mixing her prints, like a red suit in super luxurious layered jacquards sprigged with various sized flowers and a trapunto sweater appliquéd with a gigantic kestrel bird. As McCartney put it, “it was about loosening the stricter side of a woman and adding a little playfulness—bringing two emotions together.”

“Evening is hard,” she said. “It can make you look older, too young—it’s very delicate.” To me she made it look quite simple yet still stunning – a couple of cocktail ensembles, a few classic long-sleeved column dresses modernized with color-blocking, and one very striking bustier jumpsuit in those graphic stripes.

Her new sustainable optical collection made its debut which I can’t wait to see (pun intended)!!

Kate Ciepluch’s (Shopbop.com Fashion Director) New Line Of Blazers – Laveer

Kate Ciepluch, fashion director of Shopbop.com, turned designer when she set her sights on creating the perfect blazer.  “Jackets are the classification I am most passionate about. It is the outer layer that is truly the piece that defines your look”, says Ciepluch, 30, of her reasoning behind pulling together a collection dedicated solely to the wardrobe staple in different lengths and fits. She goes on, “It’s like a handbag or a great pair of boots, an amazingly tailored jacket is a great investment—it is an item you can rely on and wear constantly to provide that pulled-together finishing touch instantaneously.”

Kate choose Laveer, an old nautical term meaning “to sail against the wind”, as the name because she loved the “feminine, mysterious sound of the word and that the reference points to going against the grain”.  The line, which she describes as “urban bohème”, is cut from herringbone tweeds, tartan plaids and ombré wools, edged in bright piping or inset with leather and given vintage-like buttons for an idiosyncratic twist.

Kate plans on extending the line beyond blazers in a few seasons, but for now she is content in focusing on the jacket. After all, she says: “A blazer is the finale that communicates your personal style to the world.”

Clockwise from top left: Laveer Reverly Blazer $695.00 www.shopbop.com,, Laveer double-Breasted Jacket $525 www.barneys.com, Laveer Colorblock jacket $495.00 www.barneys.com, Laveer Kadette Blazer With Plaid $495.00 www.shopbop.com.

Thakoon Pre-Fall 2013

Elegant and the perfect classic take on modernity – pretty much sums up Thakoon’s pre-fall 2013 collection. When mulling over “What is elegance?”, Thakoon’s Panichgul mused “It’s been all about the street, about being edgy and cool. I’m so sick of street.” style.com reported from backstage at the presentation.

The dress was a primary focus, most often A-line, made in white cotton poplin, hot pink leather, a gray men’s suiting fabric, and for evening, black silk. Otherwise, it was artfully draped. A standout was the oversize blue and white crochet print dress with cut-out shoulders. The print also received the mix-and-match treatment, accompanied by a Mongolian lamb vest and a pink pencil skirt. Fabulous!!

My favorite piece from the collection was a brilliant budding cotton print dirndl skirt paired with a knitted striped Mongolian lamb sweater (dare I say more edgy than elegant, sorry Thakoon). The print was also worked into a sleek, classic trapeze coat worn with slim cropped pants and the to-die-for voluminous a-line skirt with a boxy 3/4 length sleeve jacket.

With a pre-fall collection this sublime, I can hardly wait to see Thakoon’s interpretation of Fall 2013. View the entire collection at vogue.com.

Fall’s Gold Rush

There is no shortage of glimmer and glitz come the holidays, but that is a ways away and this fall trend transcends that season and is a first-rate way to add a little (or a lot) dazzling shine to your day. When paired with austere hues like army green, burnt orange or deep plum the shades becomes even more brilliant.

Jeffery Campbell Uniform gold oxfords worn with skinny jeans is a tres cool and unexpected way to wear the oxford trend, and Malene Birger’s Lufiendes metallic jacquard top can be dressed down to obtain an urban chic look -  it also has matching pants for a beyond amazing night look!!

Wanting to delve into your inner rocker side? Pixie Market’s gold dust jeans paired with a tee and motorcycle boots would do Blondie and today’s rockers proud!

These day gold prices may be astronomical, but there are plenty of ways to cash in on this trend without breaking your bank. Try Eddie Borgo’s safety cuff chain for $395.00, you just might not want to take it off.

Clockwise from top left: Marni Gold Shopping Bag $1040.00 www.marni.com, Gold Dust Jeans $101.00 www.pixiemarket.com, Eddie Borgo Safety Cuff Chain $395.00 www.cultstatus.com, Anya Hindmarch Glitter Valorie Clutch $550.00 www.stylebop.com, By Malene Birger Lufiendes Metallic Jacquard Top $395.00 www.netaporter.com, Jeffery Campbell Uniform Gold Oxfords $110.00 www.needsupplyco.com.

NBC Hosts Live Telethon For Hurricane Sandy Victims Tonight

Hurricane Sandy may have come and gone, and the full scale of the damage it left behind has become apparent. Loss of power (Sandy knocked out electricity for more homes and businesses than any other storm in history), subway stations shut down, a multitude of property damage leaving thousands of people homeless, and sadly, death of people’s family and loved ones.

Tonight Bruce Springsteen, Christina Aguilera, Billy Joel, Bon Jovi and other stars will come together for a one-hour telethon to benefit the victims of Hurricane Sandy. The event, dubbed Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together, will be hosted by Matt Lauer and will air live on NBC at 8/7c. Other stars scheduled to attend the benefit include New Yorkers Tina Fey, Kevin Bacon, James Gandolfini, Jon Stewart and Jimmy Fallon.

The telethon will also be live-streamed on NBC.com and will be broadcast across NBCUniversal’s network and cable channels, including Bravo, CNBC, E!, G4, NSNBC, Style, Syfy and USA. (The telethon will be tape-delayed on the West Coast.)

All proceeds collected will go to the American Red Cross. To donate, visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-HELPNOW or text “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make an automatic $10 donation.

It feels good to give to others in need and certainly is very stylish. So break out your credit cards and donate, even small amounts can add up to large amounts of aide for the victims!

Trend Report – Jumpsuits Still Going Strong

There is nothing like the ease of a dress when getting ready leaves you with less time than you can spare. But, what about those times when you need the comfort of a pair of pants? That’s easy, the jumpsuit trend is going strong (many designers paraded their unique versions down the runway) with plenty of options for both day and evening duty. Accessorize with a bold cuff, slim belt and statement shoe and you are good to go!

Style icons like Gwyneth, Rachel Zoe and Kate Bosworth have been rocking them for many seasons.  Kate Moss, at photographer Tim Walker’s opening Tim Walker: Story Teller, held at the Somerset House in London fabulously worked a key Fall/Winter trend in a military-inspired look featuring a khaki jumpsuit with a gold detail belt, a long black velvet coat and heeled ankle boots.

Now, if we could only solve that pesky restroom problem!

From right to left: Kate Moss, Rose Byrne in Nanette Lepore, and Boy. by Band Of Ousiders Fall/Winter 2012,

Clockwise from top left: A.L.C Scout Crepe Jumpsuit $635.00 www.netaporter.com, Mango Printed Long Jumpsuit $89.99 www.mango.com, Trina Turk Twist-Neck Jumpsuit $398.00 www.neimanmarcus.com, Mason By Michelle Mason Strapless Jumpsuit $450.00 www.barneys.com, 3.1 Phillip Lim Silk Jumpsuit $1057.00 on sale for $529.00 www.mytheresa.com, Dark Wash Denim Jumpsuit $99.90 www.zara.com.