Some Like Messy Hair

Gone are the days of prim, polished, and proper hairdos. There really is no reason to run a brush through your wild mane of hair in the morning; that is, unless Derek Lam has anything to say about it. Lam’s 2012 New York City Fashion Week show had models looking like they had just risen from a rested sleep, or rather a tough night painting the town red. True, these gals' twisted hair reached alarmingly new heights, but they pulled it off somehow. Orlando Pita, Lam’s hairstylist, said of the hair inspiration: “She’s a little bit naughty; she likes to break the rule a bit.” Boy, do Lam’s party girls break all the right rules with their hair held in lose, messy ponies and lots of va-va-volume on top. Lam was able to take fashion to new heights, in more ways than one. Fluff and go, and call it fashion.

Text Katelyn Chef 
Source and Image Style.com

Hats Off to Marc Jacobs

It’s impossible to predict what Fashion Week staple Marc Jacobs will send down the runway, but one thing’s for sure — it will be a can’t-miss catwalk. His highly anticipated showing at New York Fashion Week on Monday was no exception. Expertly layering floral brocades, knobby knits, and splashes of not-so-subtle sparkle, the line’s eponymous designer topped off each look with oversized fur hats created by milliner Stephen Jones. Even though they were totally yet wonderfully over the top (so much so that New York Times fashion critic Derek Blasberg affectionately referred to them as “furry, fantastical pimp hats”), they still failed to distract from each outfit, especially his to-die-for jackets, oversized paisley prints, and fall 2012’s new must-have: wool stoles.

Set on a delicate winter wonderland backdrop that screamed Tim Burton (read: Mad Hatter) meets Charles Dickens, Marc Jacobs played up his Victorian inspiration with tacked-on bustles, updated tweeds, and oversized shoe buckles. What can we say? Our Great Expectations were met.

Text Kara Solarz
Image New York Magazine

Jason Wu Fall 2012: Asia Major

Fashion Week may be losing some of its front-row celebs to the Grammy’s tonight, though we’re confident A-list designers like Diane Von Furstenburg, Thakoon, and Zac Posen will still be able to draw a crowd. But, even with fashion darlings like Nicki Minaj and Lana Del Rey bound to turn heads on the red carpet, it will be hard for them to beat the delicious drama of rising star Jason Wu’s fall 2012 runway show.

Inspired by a trip to Taiwan, the designer’s birthplace, Wu drew from China’s military background, opulent history (think Qing Dynasty), and Hollywood’s thirties interpretation of the country to create his most daring collection to date. And if the shiny embroidered fabrics, playful keyhole necklines, and flashes of red weren’t an indicator of his Asian motivation, Wu tipped off his audience with his opener: A burst of red light on oversized doors and a model cued by a cymbal crash.

Wu really brought out each model’s inner geisha with slick, severe ponytails and bold blue cat eyes, but our personal favorite detail and new must-try trend was the collection's tasseled accents, pictured above as earrings and also added to his fabulous clutches. It’s definitely a departure from his delightfully demure collection for Target (which quickly sold out), but we’re not complaining.

Text Kara Solarz
Image Style.com

Fashion Week Fairy Tales

For many people, fashion feels like a fairy tale. Normally, when you think of fashion week, you imagine beautiful women in gorgeous gowns working the runway. It’s natural, because that’s what you’re led think about. But, just like in any other fairy tale, there are people in the background setting the stage for the beauties to take the stage.

Think about Cinderella: Would she have been the belle of the ball if it had not been for her fairy godmother? It took just a little bit of magic to transform her into the future princess of whatever realm she ruled over. In fashion, it’s no different, except in the real world there is no wave of a magic wand. There are people who design the inside of the compound so that the beautiful models have a place to show off the newest looks from the respective designers.

But we cannot forget that a ball would be nothing without princes. New York Fashion Week boasts many shows for connoisseurs of men’s fashion to attend. Designers from Loden Dager (scheduled to show on February 11) to Tommy Hilfiger (February 10) will be well represented throughout the upcoming fashion week. Keep an eye out, because you definitely don’t want to be left looking like a frog.


Text Jarrod Wadsworth
Image MBFashionWeek

Fashion and Activism: Model Alliance

 

Most of us prepare for Fashion Week with loads of caffeine, our most sartorial attire, and Instagram at the ready. But it turns out that the fashion industry isn't as glamorous as some might have us believe. Twnty-nine-year-old model Sara Ziff (pictured second from left) is gearing up for fashion week by launching her nonprofit Model Alliance, a group she founded to ensure that models and those in the fashion industry experience the same workplace standards as employees in any other career do.

"Most models start their adult careers as minors, and they labor in an unregulated business knowing that they are highly replaceable," Ziff told Reuters, noting that, often times, the industry gets away with ignoring child labor laws, financially exploiting models, and turning a blind eye to sexual abuse, which are issues she covered in her 2009 documentary, Picture Me.

The movement is being supported by influential names in the industry, such as the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and Diane Von Furstenberg, as well as high-profile models Doutzen Kroes, Coco Rocha, and Jenna Sauers.

"Change comes from action, and the Model Alliance can be a catalyst for change," CFDA Chief Executive Steven Kolb said.

The organization aims to secure backstage privacy in order to avoid unauthorized nude photography and to provide confidentiality in cases of sexual harassment. 

"The idea of models organizing may seem frivolous or, worse, downright funny — models are certainly not the people you picture when you think of child labor or bad working conditions," Sauers said. "There's nothing funny about a work force that is overwhelmingly young, female, and impoverished, working for some of fashion's wealthiest, most powerful brands."

Text Alice Chen

Source Reuters

Image NBC

New York Fashion Week: There’s an App for That

With more than 200 shows and presentations scheduled, Fashion Week can be quite the blur — and it doesn’t help that those models stomp down the runway in the blink of an eye. But now there’s good news for Fashion Week attendees who want to pay a little more attention to detail, or more likely, those nowhere near New York City who are eagerly waiting for fashion blogs (ahem) to update their sites for the latest news on each line’s look.

Made Fashion Week, a venue that will host more than 50 shows this season, including Alexander Wang, Christian Cota, and Proenza Schouler, has launched an impressive digital platform to showcase their designers. This includes a Made Fashion Week app which syncs each runway show and displays a photograph of each outfit as it comes down the catwalk, taken by a Made photographer, as well as the name, short biography, and contact info of the designer. Fashion show attendees, and even those streaming live Webcasts, can use this app, as it's available for the iPhone, iPad, and Android to share or “like” the look on various forms of social media, take notes, and save looks on the devices. Fashion bloggers, rejoice!

How does it work? This fashion app is designed to listen for sound waves which are inaudible to the human ear that will indicate which outfit is making its way down the runway. Even if attendees are moving between shows that are on at the same time, the app will pick up whatever event they’re at and pull up the appropriate slideshow. Kind of Zenon, kind of awesome.

Text Kara Solarz
Source New York Times, WWD
Image WWD

New York Fashion Week Schedule

New York Fashion week is almost here! With so many great designers and shows, it is hard to keep it all straight as to when each designer is showing. There are also some great and exciting new designers to be on the lookout for! This year's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week begins on February 9 and ends on February16.

The week starts off with a show by BCBG MaxAzria. On February 10, Nicole Miller and the Academy of Art University will be showing their collections. February 11 will have collections by L.A.M.B, Jill Stuart , and Lacoste. On February 15, Whitney Port will show her first collection at fashion week, Whitney Eve. The week will end with collections by fashion staples Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren.

This fashion week promises to be a good one, with plenty of new talent and so many new trends in the making!

Text Caitlin Beck
Image Cipulita

Island Brights: A Wise Wardrobe Investment

Arak, Rag & Bone, Vivenne Tam, Creatures Of The Wind

Now there is one more reason to fully embrace this fall’s bedrock of brights. As the onpour of New York Fashion Week (SS '12) shows slows to a drizzle, we are left with a finely tuned rainbow of fresh bright colors to plan our future palettes around. So if you’re worried that the tangerine leather skirt you’ve been eyeing is an impulse splurge that won’t last beyond the next season, fret no more. Second cousins to the colors of the coming season, several of this fall’s colors will be as hot as the weather 8 months from now.

Truth be told, the era of throw away fashion may have already had its moment, and the return to a curated, more workable wardrobe is upon us.

 Spring’s colors may seem bold, but they can actually be worked seamlessly into an already existing wardrobe. Uplift your basic neutrals by mixing in a few key colors or brighten up your look by pairing them together for a surprisingly wearable color-blocked effect. Either way, the longevity of the coming color burst proves incorporating a few brilliant new pieces to be a worthy investment. Great colors to choose from are sunshine yellows, sea greens, bright blues and all shades of pink and orange reds.

Text Tienlyn Jacobson

Source WWD

NYFW Street Style Snaps!

Every fashion week, there is more to look forward to than just the shows inside the tents. Fashion industry insiders put on an amazing show as they hit the streets as well, and this past week New York City did not disappoint. So if some of the catwalk trends have left you a little bewildered and confused with their crazy factor (you will love them in six months!), you can look just outside the tents to see fashion in real life action. Here are some of the best street style shots from around the web! More photos behind the jump, click link below.

Jason Wu

I don't know if you caught it, but yesterday Bloomingdales did a live feed of the Jason Wu show. I think I sat staring at my screen for a solid 30 minutes while I was just waiting for the feed to start....loading, loading, loading....finally, EUREKA! Sadly, as most fashion shows go, I spent another 30 minutes watching people mingling, slowly finding their way to their seats, and being photographed. Finally, at around 1:30, the show started (scheduled 1 o'clock, but who's counting), and let me just say....AMAAAAAAAAAAAAZING! The looks were tailored but with a great "throw on" appeal, and the whole collection just had an air of the perfect chic sophistication that you expect from Jason Wu. Look after look went down the runway, and the storyline just tied together so well that there was never a transition that made you stutter step at all. Definitely one of my favorite shows of the season so far.

I do have one bone to pick though, and not with Mr. Wu, but with Bloomingdales. For those of you that did get a chance to watch live, I'm sure you noticed the lack of music. I found myself humming a beat along with everything, because really the music is there for a reason. It adds a sense of frivolity, yes, but it also adds another layer to the flow of the show and really brings things back together. UNMUTE, BLOOMINGDALES!

But hey, if that was the only down fall, I'd have to say it was a pretty damn good show.

Text Corinna Fabre

Marc by Jacobs Spring 2011

FINALLY - the flirty, fun working girl can rejoice as Marc Jacob's second line Marc by Marc Jacobs Spring 2011 collection was shown on the sixth day of New York Fashion week. The American designer's show took place at the New York State Armory and easily pleased the crowd with his new masterpieces. The first model came out wearing a flowing white dress that reached knee length and had prominent horizontal stripes of yellow, blue, and peach. Bringing back the sweet innocent look, Marc kept his signature bold, bright, pieces (such as his purses, bangles, and sunglasses) and mixed it into the neutral blouses, skirts, and jumpsuits. Some models came out with bowler hats (as seen in picture) which covered their frizzy whimsical hair-do. All the models were shown with Orange lipstick which mingled well with the eccentric chic outfits. Orange seemed to be the color of choice - many purses and accessories were coated with the color. Not a lot of designers use the rusty color, but it seems to be the shade for the up-coming season. My favorite outfit went to the model who wore the striped jumpsuit (which looks similar to the opening dress) and put together with beige wedges - only Marc can perfectly match neutral and exotic colors perfectly. Bows accentuated waists in the skirts and pants - not to mention they were also tied at the ankle with some wedges. Marc's collection did not only gear towards ladies, gentlemen you may rejoice as well. My favorite pieces from the male's were the long grey raincoat, copper pants and belt bags (yes, it is what it sounds).

Text Jessica Moy

STAMpede

Though supermodel Jessica Stam has a face that could certainly launch a thousand ships, she will soon prove that her beauty is not the only weapon in her arsenal. The Canadian stunner who inspired the creation of The Marc Jacobs Stam bag and has walked countless runways, has collaborated with friend and designer Rachel Roy on a capsule collection that will debut during this September’s New York Fashion Week and will be available for purchase in October. The collection, which is part of Roy’s modestly priced line for Macy’s, will include a pair of jeans, a cardigan, and a handbag designed by Stam. Behind the scenes footage of the collaboration will be also be available on Twitter and Facebook, which promises to allow those of us not attending the show a sneak peek; and if Stam’s enviable personal style is any indication, her foray into design should not be missed.

Text Jessica Best

Its All About the Lips...

Attention to detail is one trait everyone should develop over the course of his/her adult life and attention to makeup is no exception. Every season, just like designers expose the new silhouette or body part on display, makeup artists also put focus on a certain category of makeup. This season, the lips took center stage as makeup artists used bold, bright colors to make an impactful statement. Whether black lips at Proenza Schouler, red lips at Donna Karan or glitterati lips at Doo Ri there is a shade for everyone. Choose your poison this fall and be careful your looks do not kill (in a good way of course). One of my faves? MAC Lipstick in Lady Danger. Don't forget to line with a lip pencil. Try Mac Lip Liner in Burgundy or Redd as a base so your look will last longer.

-Tamera Blair Darden

Grunge for the Modern Girl at Proenza Schouler

Last night Lazaro Hernandez and Jack Mc Coullough of Proenza Schouler presented their Fall 2010 collection.

After a wowed Spring 2010 presentation with influences from the deep blue sea and scuba gear, Lazaro and Jack offered a smart and sexy collection for the New York It Girls.

With Selma Blair, Mary-Kate Olsen and other darlings in the front row, what came down the runway were sexy flannel dresses with strategically placed cut-outs, skirts with mesh insets paired with thigh-high tights and towering wooden platforms.

The Fall 2010 collection definitely had hints of sexy school girl with a grunge attitude, from the messy hair, dark-hued lips and paint-splattered high-waist jeans to a blazer with fur trimmings and plaid mini-skirts.

This collection was definitely one of my favorites. Kudos!

-Tamera Blair Darden

Girl's Just Wanna Have Fun

Fashion Week is well under way in New York and the show that has everybody talking to Marc by Marc Jacobs.

It has definitely been the show to remember. The collection had a very 80's feel to it. The pieces were "bubblegum preppy," said Amy Diluna from NY Daily News. It had everything 80's from minidresses to jumpsuits and even the preppy schoolgirl sweaters.

Next spring is going to be full of excitement with Marc by Marc Jacobs. I can't wait to get my hands of a few items from this collection.

Hilary Alexander of The Telegrapgh commented on the show, "Bright florals, low-top sneakers, bow wraps in the hair and glitter-striped stretch belts cinching the waists of everything. The collection was a delightfully disarranged mix of High School Musical meets Clueless."

- Erin Jones

Canada Bites the Big Apple

I'm not sure how many of my readers know this but I am a Canadian girl. I am based out of Toronto. And fashion in Canada is on the rise, our fashion industry has slowly been making a name for itself. And now that one of Canada's own is showing at New York Fashion Week I'm sure Canada will soon be recognized as a major player in the fashion world.

Malene Grotrian, 29, is a Vancouver fashion designer and you can only imagine her surprise when she received a phone call a few months back inviting her to show her line in New York.

Showing at New York Fashion Week is an amazing opportunity. In order to be allowed to show you have to be invited. Fashion is a very prestigious world and the only way in is through invitation or association. Somebody has to endorse you and say you're good enough to be there and to draw an audience.

Malene received a standing ovation at Vancouver Fashion Week for her highly tailored evening and professional wear, lucky for her she was noticed by someone who knew the producer of the Metropolitian show in New York.

Malene will be showing her Spring 2010 line. It is a tailored collection with many silks and a neutral, dusty palette, but a softer touch than her earlier highly structured work.

-Erin Jones

New York, New York

There is one week left before New York's most anticiapted event of the season. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, which is held September 10th - 17th, is the week where New York's fashion elite get dressed to the nines and become the envy of every girl who only longs to be invited to those shows.

The shows are a playground for designers, it's the place where their 6 months of hard work finally pays off. It's the week where everyone who is anyone in fashion comes out to bare witness to the Spring 2010 trends. The shows are held at Bryant Park and are easily identified by those glorious white tents.

I would love to be a fly on the wall inside those tents. I can only imagine how crazy it is backstage but at the same time how utterly fabulous it must be.

This years shows will feature designs from, Lacoste, Diane Von Furstenberg, Michael Kors, Phillip Lim, Ralph Lauren and many more. But this years show is also a special on, as it marks the start to iconic designer Betsey Johnson.

-Erin Jones

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.