All Fashion Week long, we debated the merits of models. Are they talents or mannequins? Celebrities or coat-hangers? Do you rejoice at seeing your favorite on the runway, or do your eyes glaze over the face and go straight to the clothes? Well, we’ve found some video clips to convince you of one way or the other. And NYC is the backdrop for them all, to ease our longing to get back to the city. Enjoy and TGIF!
First off, this video highlights Karlie Kloss, a model quickly becoming one of those young girls skyrocketed to stardom (whether you think she deserves it or not). Her signature "death stare" walk has been getting her on scads of runways for the past two seasons, even though it has been mocked by Ms. Tyra Banks herself. Yeah, ’cause Tyra has had so much luck getting her models on any runway other than Project Runway.
Next up, new British it-girl Alice Dellal, who has been surrounded by scandal lately, has become Alexander Wang‘s new Erin Wasson… i.e. his model muse. In this short film by Dan Martensen, she wears his collection around the East Village. With her Brazilian heritage (her mom was a model, too) and that new wave hairdo, she’s perfect for Wang’s grunge aesthetic. Is mugging for a video camera in clothes that look like they belong on you a talent? Probably not. But something about this video is entrancing and definitely worth watching. Is it Alice Dellal, or simply the black and white shots of the city and the soundtrack? We’ll leave it to you to view and decide.
And finally, a short clip filmed by Jeremy Kost for New York Magazine, that you can find here. Coco Rocha rapidly delivers a million modeling looks. Okay, maybe not a million, but a lot of distinct photo-shoot faces. We don’t know if it’s a talent, but we definitely know we couldn’t work the camera like that.
Well, our jury’s still out. We loved sitting in Bryant Park watching skinny, lanky girls stalk into the back entrance of the Promenade and prance out post-show in full makeup and hair, an hour or two later. We liked to take note of who opened and closed shows, who held the designer’s hand, and who was chosen to pull off the most dramatic looks. But for each of those wow moments of seeing, meeting, or snapping a photo of our favorite, there were a million girls whose faces we didn’t see because we loved their dress so much. So, where do you stand on the strutters?
Summary: Michael Kors is stepping into his role as one of America’s design elite this year as he never has before. With his red, white and blue palette and classic shapes, he consciously nodded to his own origins and future. Sports and sensuality replaced out-and-out sex in his dresses despite their mature features– skin bearing cut outs, hardware and hip-high slits. Bold lines, bright colors and big prints told the story, and it was unmistakable, if also unexpected from Kors– beautiful, simple Americana sportswear.
Color Palette: white, red, electric blue, yellow, black, silver
Have you had your fill of New York Fashion Week Spring ’09? We have…but before we move onto London…we’re not finished yet!
Last season, SCS’s celeb portion of Fashion Week focused on which celebs attended the most shows. This year, though, because SO many celebs attended so many shows and the front were so star studded, we decided not to worry about that. (It would probably take us hours to figure out…that’s how many stars we spotted!)
Rather, we wanted to call to the forefront the most star-packed shows with the most celebutantes and A-lister fashion savvy wannabes in the front row. (Yes, there were quite a few.)
Take a look and recall the colorful chaos that was this season’s glamorous NY Fashion Week.
Diane von Furstenberg
People magazine called the show "the most star-studded front row that we’ve seen so far" and it was only day two of the weekly lineup. If anything, it was certainly the most colorful. Eva Longoria, Leighton Meester, and Zoe Saldana showed up in amazingly bright multi-colored frocks though Uma Thurman and Jennifer Lopez chose to be more basic.
Celebs We Spotted: Eva Longoria, Leighton Meester, Jessica Szohr, Zoe Saldana, Jennifer Lopez, Uma Thurman, Rosario Dawson, Sanaa Lathan
Marc Jacobs
If DVF was the most star studded show of the shows so far, then Marc Jacobs may have just won the grand prize of the week. The front row was littered with A-listers from Nicole Richie to Padma Lakshmi and MJ himself practically posed with each and every one of them. A few celebs took the time out to showcase some MJ pieces and the former Posh Spice herself decided it was time to flaunt her new gamine do. Oh yeah…and the collection was great, too!
Celebs We Spotted: Nicole Richie, Winona Ryder, Padma Lakshmi, Sofia Coppola,Rachel Zoe, Helena Christensen, Kelly Osbourne, Elijah Wood, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Martha Stewart, Sujin Pak, Kelly Bensimon, and of course, Victoria Beckham and Jennifer Lopez!
Miss Sixty
The funky designer’s collection brought out a bevvy of beauties including MissBlakeLivelyin a green silk jumpsuit! Also on the scene, Becki Newton in a tube dress, Rosario Dawson, Bijou Phillips with her hair down, and Rosario Dawson without the tomboy look!
Celebs We Spotted: Blake Lively, Bijou Phillips, Rosario Dawson, Monet Mazur, Becki Newton, Esther Nash
20th Anniversary of the DKNY Collection The show may not have brought out the most celebs, but it did bring mega celeb star power. We’re talking Winona Ryder, Nicole Richie, and Christina Ricci all in the front looking glam!
Celebs We Spotted: Christina Ricci, Nicole Richie, Winona Ryder
Herve Leger
Bandage dresses galore provided for quite a form fitting show…and the celeb flaunted their petite figures with finesse. It was a sea of black that night with one Kate Mara standing out in a hot green number.
Celebs We Spotted: Joy Bryant, Zoe Saldana, Michelle Trachtenberg, Maria Sharapova, Kate Mara
Narciso Rodriguez Very cool: Jessica Alba making her first and only front row appearance in a carnation-pink silk dress from Narciso himself. Also very cool, Claire Danes and Julianna Marguiles firing it up in bright red. Not so cool: A few other celebs, who shall remain nameless, popping their gum during the show. Tacky, tacky, tacky.
Celebs We Spotted: Debbie Mazar, Jessica Seinfeld, Jessica Alba, Julianna Marguiles, Clarie Danes
Matthew Williamson
We weren’t going to include this show on our list…and then we realized tons of celebs made appearances at this show. Julia Stiles was colorful in her first Fashion Week appearance, alongside a banged-out Petra Nemcova. Also on the scene, everyone from Kelly Osbourne to Joy Bryant.
Tommy Hilfiger Tommy brought out an interesting celeb crowd which included the likes of model Bar Refaeli and a first time front row appearance by a cropped out Hilary Swank, who looked divine. Diane Kruger made a statement in black leather thigh-high boots that wowed the crowd…and us!
Zac Posen
Rivaling Marc Jacobs and one of the last shows of the week, solidifying his star power, Zac Posen flaunted his fashionwares with a front row so packed, some of the A-listers were complaining their seats were in the…GASP!…second tier. It was the most talked about show this season and last and accordingly, Zac did not disappoint.
Celebs We Spotted: Venus Williams, Claire Danes, Bernadette Peters, Juliette Lewis, Lauren Hutton, Veronica Webb, Bette Midler, Kelly Bensimon, Kerry Hilson, Marisa Tome, Rachel Zoe, Leighton Meester
Summary: As anyone who was at the tents knows, security bowed down to the mob for one show only… and it was Zac Posen. Did he deliver? I think so. Even though there was not much flashy gimmickry, and the color palette was a soothing pastel array, the designer didn’t let down. Posen provided distinctly American creations, complete with kerchief hems and classic tailoring, but certainly didn’t free himself from flair, which came in the form of ruffles, rouching, and embellishments. It was traditional and comfortable but also modern and romantic. To be so well rounded is a quite a feat!
Summary: Vera Wang‘s Spring collection was full of ephemeral, floaty looks, almost entirely done in silk organza. A dark palette, especially for the season, consisted of black, navy, grey and taupe tones. Future season staples of long jackets and vests appeared in the line, accented by rope-y statement necklaces. Horizontal lines and translucent overlays provided distinction for Wang’s looks, and multiple simple black dresses gave a foundation of wearable, sellable pieces to the collection. A consistent RTW effort by the powerhouse designer.
Color Palette: charcoal, stone, coral, vermillion, electric blue, black, gold, forest, lavender, white, navy, orange, yellow, blush, rose opal, gray, heather gray, pink, olive, celadon, nude, green, aqua, silver, teal
Summary: My expectations were high. Who doesn’t love wonder design child Phillip Lim these days? He has become the fashion for the masses designer of demand for the contemporary market. Well, you know that feeling you get when you are stretched so thin that your are all over the place? Unfocused. You get your work done, but it’s not as great as you had hoped? That is what I thought when I saw Phillip Lim’s collection. A little bit of Spanish influence for spring went a long way. Mostly in the form of ruffles. They showed up on dresses, tops, skirts and trenches. The heavy Louboutin shoes were also a bit severe matched with this collection. I just hope he finds his focus again for fall.
Color Palette: white, ivory, beige, blush, peach, marigold, lilac, gold, silver, dove, grey, black
Perhaps the motto of this year’s New York Fashion Week Spring ’09 could be possibly be…if you didn’t see the Zac Posen show, you didn’t see ANYTHING!
In the celeb department, that is.
Sure, Zac himself is quickly being called the next Marc Jacobs, but his runways surely attract a fashionable and highly celebutante crowd, and the front row was packed with A-listers to prove it.
Leighton Meester
Kate Mara
Jada Pinkett-Smith
Claire Danes
Joy Bryant and Rachel Zoe
Lauren Hutton, Marisa Tomei, Bernadette Peters, Bette Midler, Juliette Lewis
Summary: Chris Han presented a collection that was eminently wearable. The line was for all kinds of women, for all kinds of situations, and honestly, could be for all different seasons. Structured and perfectly tailored trousers and jackets were balanced with gauzy, lightweight blouses and skirts. The color palette was reservedly neutral, but popped with the popular chartreuse and rose tones of many of the season’s collections. While conceptually, Han’s designs might not knock your socks off, you’ll still want to get your credit card out and invest in these pieces.
Color Palette: black, white, dove grey, blush, taupe, smoked sepia, antique brown, slate grey, sand, sea foam green, shell, goldenrod, moss green, dark dove grey, French rose
Fabrics & Textures: satin georgette, cotton, ruffles, taffeta, silk chiffon, organza, linen, twill, ray of light print, hand rusching, pale fluid print, pleating, net, crepe de chine, knit, mesh, sequins, beading
Key Looks: black washed satin georgette jumpsuit, moss green ‘ray of light’ layered chiffon dress with flared back, goldenrod flower dyed chiffon draped dress, dark dove grey silk chiffon gown embellished with antique beading
Now that New York Fashion Week is over and we are almost finished with our coverage (it seems like it will never end) I have had some time to recover and reflect, mind you…not fully. So, I got to thinking about the questions I am usually asked by friends and people I meet.
1. What was your favorite show?
That I actually saw in person and didn’t send someone else to cover? Narciso Rodriguez. Hands down. It was amazing. Read my review of Narciso Rodriguez here.
2. Which collection surprised you the most, in a good way?
Vivienne Tam. I am usually not a huge fan, but I loved her spring collection. Read the review of Vivienne Tam here.
3. Which collection was the worst?
I am so not answering that!
4. Which collection were you most excited to see, but were let down.
There is always one every season. Last February it was Temperley. This season I would have to say Phillip Lim. I think we all had such high expectations and while his collection wasn’t horrible, it was just, eh.
5. What was the best swag you got?
Let me make one thing clear…I am so not about the swag and frankly, it becomes annoying to tote garbage around that you don’t know what to do with once you get home. I mean even our friends don’t want a ball of yarn (although I just found out a friend knit a beautiful scarf with his yarn from Ports 1961 so what do I know?) or Pepto colored lip gloss. So I was relieved there were no press bags this year or many shows giving away crap. I just like to see a program (run-of-show) on my seat. Period. Programs fit nicely in my bag and are useful when reviewing the shows later. The best gift of all in my opinion, is no gift. Unless it’s a gift card…which you typically don’t get at shows. Wouldn’t a $25 Sephora gift card be nice?
That being said, I was totally surprised at a gift bag I got from Glam containing a super cute black ruffle tank from Express! The $50 gift card didn’t hurt either. I have not worn or bought anything from Express in who knows how many years, but I have already worn the top twice and may use the card to buy it in other colors! It’s that cute (the ruffles lay flat)! See for yourself! Maybe it’s time to revisit Express, especially now that they finally sell online!
Oh an I also got a pocket Etch-a-Sketch at the W Lounge which has sadly provided me hours of entertainment. I have gotten really good at spelling my name. And here I thought I would give it to a child! Um, not so much.
6. What are the trends for Spring ’09?
Read about Spring ’09 trends here and I will expound on them in a future post.
7. What was the worst thing that happened to you all week?
Besides not having seats at shows we RSVP’d too? Which by the way was a trend. The worse thing had to be my Coach shoe totally falling apart on my way to the Adam Lippes show. Am I a Coach person? Not really. But when I got a gift card earlier this summer I found a surprisingly hot pair of gladiator leather heeled sandals that were so "unCoach" like so I had to have them. It was possibly my fifth time wearing them and I thought they looked pretty good with my Jil Sander dress. So I’m in the cab to Chelsea talking to
Carol on my cell and I feel something weird going on with my left foot. It’s just sorta flopping. I look down and the upper part of the sandal had totally separated from the bottom! Oh no! Thankfully I heeded the weather forecast for rain and stuck an umbrella and flip-flops (yes, but they were Tory Burch at least) in my bag. So I had to walk into the show wearing flip-flops! I was mortified. Thanks Coach!
8. What was the best thing or most fun you had all week?
I have to say…it was last Thursday. Hayley and I met for the Reem Acra show and ended up hanging out in the W Lounge with my friends, Joseph, Flavio and Ronnie from "Make Me a Supermodel" until the Chris Han show. That was definitely my favorite day/time.
So Friday (the last day) of New York Fashion Week Spring ’09 brought a total zoo to the tents in the form of Project Runway‘s finale collections. As this and past season’s contestants like Stella, Blayne, Santoro, Laura Bennett, Jay McCarrol, Kevin Christiana, Malan Breton, Jillian, Rami, Jack Mackenroth, Carmen and Daniel Vosovic filed in to observe along with 900 other guests, we pondered who might be showing to Heidi, Michael, Nina, and serving as judge for the first time ever, Tim Gunn. Including the decoys, six designers presented ten looks each. With Blayne and Terri saying auf wiedersehen after last week’s avant-garde astrological challenge, Jerrell, Suede, Joe, Kenley, Korto and Leanne all presented (and in that order). We feel pretty secure saying that the first three were the ringers and the last three were the real deal. The difference in quality was obvious. See some looks for yourself and opine in the comments section below!
Jerrell
If we had to name this aesthetic, we’d call it Sparkly Pirate Hooker Grunge Chic. Jerrell’s looks had some potential and a ton of creativity, but their colors and shapes didn’t relate. His signature military-inspired vintage style was represented in long cuffed jackets, but ultimately, the proportions got out of whack, with too-long lace overlays and Heidi’s pet peeve of misplaced boobs. The downfalls of the collection were cohesion and fit.
Suede
We deign Suede’s collection the Cotton-Candy Pretty Pretty Princess line. As you can see, one of his models literally wore a tiara. In cringe-inducing shades of pink and blue, Suede ruffled, fringed, and sequined his way into taste oblivion. We’re sure Nina would have ripped him a new one if he were really in the top three, but we’re definitely doubting he makes it that far.
Joe
Joe’s ‘Americana’ collection got a little too literal with its use of leather, patchwork denim, and cascading stars. With multiple tight and short bustiers, it read a little more Coyote Ugly than cowgirl. The final look, which came out of nowhere, appeared to be Stella’s wedding gown. We might call this collection, Clothes Jessica Simpson Might Wear During Her Country Singing Career. Kenley
Kenley designed her own dream wardrobe, chock full of Asian inspired, high necked, 40s-styled and 80s-colored power cocktail dresses. She mixed colors and prints with panache and stayed on the right side of the taste line. Good but not groundbreaking– top three but not a winner, we predict.
Korto
Korto is going to make the finale a fight! Perfect fits and excellent execution defined her collection– Asian Minimalist Chic. Even with only one printed garment, the collection didn’t get boring, and each piece was more awe-inspiring. We thought Korto might take it, but then we saw Leanne’s looks… Leanne
Sculpted, architectural, and unmistakably Leanne. Even though, like Korto, she used no print and a limited range of color in sand and seafoam, the spectacled designer created interest with pleats, ruffles, and gauzy wraps. We think issues might arise with the uniform hemlines and proportions of so many of the dresses, but Leanne’s work had the one attribute the others lacked… Though Kenley and Korto had great fit, creativity, taste and interest, Leanne had the key to all previous PR winners: innovation. And that’s why we’re predicting her victory!
Who do you see taking home the gold? Do they compare to previous PR winners? Could Korto take on Christian or Chloe, or could Leanne go toe-to-toe with Jeffrey and Jay? When is the all-star season of PR, ’cause THAT would be worth watching! Until the next challenge, comment away on the final designs!
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