London Calling

With New York Fashion Week delivering looks that looked like J.Crew got a hold of some really expensive muted toned fabric, I was hoping that London’s Fall Fashion Week, though always a bit drab, would at least produce a few collections that were smart, inspired, and funky. While there was an overabundance of dark, ill-fitting clothes that were somewhat depression inducing (Christopher Kane, are you listening?) there were several collections that were bright spots.

Probably the best overall was Erdem. Erdem Moralioglu’s detailing and use of color on his dresses was exquisite (lace and print that works on the same garment? Genius). Another very good collection was Paul Smith Women—it paired frumpy sweaters with tailored pieces to create a look that was very English country-side meets West End. Also, Mary Kantranzou debut line was a little over stimulating—some of her designs looked more like Magic Eye puzzles than dress patterns—but she deserves credit for starting a clothing line on such a bold note in this economic climate.

It was definitely an improvement over New York Fashion week simply because the London designers didn't panic and think, "Shit, I have to be commercial now and make boring clothes people will buy!" Because hey, even if we're broke, we definitely don't want to look it.

Boys Will Be Boys .. hmm?

Does it ever cross your mind that men around the world are going to run ramped with no thought or regard for anyone around them? Have we really overcome the sexist issues of our past, or have we just learned to adapt in a more modern way? Do men ever really grow up? I've started to believe that they only become older children, not maturing much at all. They grow into a mans body but their childlike behaviors can be hard to overcome. The drooling and gawking they do at women as they walk by makes me think of a piece of meat hanging before a lion who hasn't eaten in 3 weeks. However, the lion is trying to survive, big difference. 

Do I like the lingering stares as I sit here at this cafe by the surrounding men? Knowing that when I get up to go get my mocha they're going to be checking out my ass. No, actually I don't. It doesn't make me feel good about myself, it doesn't make me feel pretty, in fact it makes me wish my shirt wasn't a fitted white wife beater but a parka zipped up to my throat. Argh... Where are the respectable men, do they even exist? The only women who condone that sort of behavior are the ones slinking around in their cheap trashy Forever 21, Bebe and Arden B dresses to look even remotely decent in the dark dim lights of a nightclub... dip your hair in some bleach and cake on the entire MAC counter and we've created a bimbo. I saw this first hand about a week ago, damn why didn't I pretend to be some photographer, I could have got a photo opt, after all I did have the canon! ;)

Bitch Slapped on the Red Carpet

So, let's talk Oscars. Fuck yea! No, let's talk about how much bullshit they are. I mean seriously if I hear about what Juliana Rancic (Rancid) thinks about Angelina's gown one more time I'm going to shoot myself in the face. The only thing faker than her Botoxed head is Ryan Seacrests heterosexuality. I mean, are you kidding?! And, don't get me started on Sarah Jessica Parker! God, love her but put away the poof! It's done! We get it! You're eccentric! You've pioneered women's fashion! Oh no wait, that wasn't you. That was Patricia Fields. Copy that?!

My hatred of the Oscar red carpet and basically any other red carpet event stems from a lack of substance and a high octane rating of generic Barbie doll princess Cinderella crap. Sure, the dresses are nice, and I am in NO WAY undermining the intense precision and complexity that goes into making a couture gown but it's all a fake show; and the Oscars have come from a celebration of talent and film work to a who's who of who's wearing who. Granted, fashion has always played a major role in the publics obsession with celebrityism but give me something my brain can work with! I'm not the 30 something overweight dental receptionist having a meet-n-greet Oscar potluck party, gossiping about TomKat around the tacky Wal-Mart table setting. 

I'm sorry, but I love it when I'm exposed to an art piece that makes me think and be stimulated. I want to see something that I wasn't expecting and combined with a beautiful wacky topping. I'm bored...period.  

YSL Sale. Any Takers?

We’re not talking about the clothing line. We’re speaking of the man himself. Or at least all of his belongings. When Yves Saint Laurent passed away last year, he left us safari wear, expertly tailored pant suits, and a magnificent legacy of haute couture at its grandest. With all his contributions to fashion design, it is easy to forget his other great passion—art and antiques. And with his Parisian apartment’s beloved treasures for sale this week at Christies, Laurent’s Picassos, Légers, Ingres, Mondrians and Goyas found homes for reportedly $262 million—and that was just the first day of bidding. So much for the recession. Apparently, Mr. Laurent can’t escape being over-the-top fabulous even after death. What’s more is that all the proceeds will be very generously donated to foundations that support AIDS research and prevention. To view the New York Times slide show of his amazing abode, click here.

Two Wipeouts in The SAME SHOW?

Dang, what I would have given to be at this show! They never fall in the Marc Jacobs shows, perhaps I need to re-evaluate my choices of shows I attend if I want to see some real action. Oh I'm just kidding!  Fashion week was boring enough, a few crashes would have spiced it up a bit. So while I'm picking action packed shows to attend I think designer Herve Leger might want to rethink his footwear for his shows. When two models crash in the same show minutes after each other something has got to be wrong. Eeek! The model was of course a good sport and got right back up with her game face on and well walked it off. Do you think she'll be hired next fashion week by Herve Leger? It's the floors damn it!! The floors!!!!

And You Thought Mary Kate Perfected Bag Lady Chic...

If you paid any attention to New York fashion week, you would definitely notice that the Recessionista look is in--black dresses, black accessories, black, black, black. It's almost as if every designer was invited to create a look for Wall Street's funeral.

However, Isaac Mizrahi, god bless him, decided to skip the wake and go straight for the what-happens-when-you-lose-your-trust-fund look. Baggy pants, wacky coats, weird granny-size dresses on granddaughter-size bodies.

And bag hats? So much for subtlety. One model was even carrying a handbag that was part purse, part box it came in. At least she can return if she's in a jam and needs cash for cab...

Maybe Mr. Mizrahi was inspired by spending one too many Saturdays in T. J. Maxx ("Is the economy really this bad or was there a fight before I got here?"). One thing is for sure though, bag lady chic has officially arrived. Well, at least it wasn't all black.

NYFW = Boooorrrring

Maybe some of you have been wondering why we haven't said a single word about New York Fashion week. Well, lets just say there umm isn't much to say. Yup. For the lack of a better word the shows were just, boring. I mean aren't people supposed to be pouring out with creativity during a recessions? Thank God for Rebecca Taylor, her collection with the little blue socks saved me from nearly being bored to tears as I clicked through the collections on style dot com. Even though the socks added a little bit of a interesting element to an over all yawn of a fashion week... I probably could put that look together in my grandma's closet. I mean rose detailed silk top, skirt and a Grandpa cardigan. Well at least we won't be tempted to go out and shop with the money we don't have. There isn't anything I saw during fashion week that will get me running to 5th Ave, but maybe to Grandmas. 

Goodbye Bryant Park, Hello Lincoln Center!

For the last 15 years Bryant Park has housed the tents for some of the most well known fashion people during fashion week, however...  the event has new plans for 2010. Fashion Week says Goodbye to Bryant Park and hello to their new home for 2010, the Lincoln Center. That is the A, B, C, D, and 1 trains uptown if you're downtown and downtown if you're up town and if you're on the upper east side, I can't even help you. We all know the ones who live there never leave there and the ones who don't never go there. Haha juusssst kidding or am I? :)