Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week NY Spring ’11. Davidelfin’s Geometric Cutouts

Summary:  In Davidelfin's 'Tautology', the viewer can see how one idea can be stretched to create several different ensembles for men and women. Though the same though can be repeated, the main concept stays the same. 

Using tailoring as an obvious means, the fitted suits and dresses provide a sophisticated fit while the bright cobalt blue the collection keeps it fresh. The hints of orange and green also add a bit of youth to it, as well. 

Color Palette: cobalt, white, black, neon green, orange, yellow

Fabrics & Textures: nylon, cotton, lycra, wool

Key Looks: Cobalt fitted nylon tuxedo jacket with matching fitted skinny pants; One shoulder white cotton button down with black capri pant; Cobalt floor length gown with yellow bungee strap

- Taneisha Jordan

Photos: WWD 

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week NY Spring ’11. Isaac Mizrahi is Making Copies

Summary: When I sat down for Isaac Mizrahi's Spring '11 show there was a confusing IM Xerox program on my seat. There was no explanation of the looks we were about to see. I'm not complaining, but my seat wasn't very good. So I initially thought the clothes were just an array of blurry prints on ladylike clothes. Sweet, but nothing special. It wasn't until I examined the pictures after the show closely that I noticed the prints themselves were poor quality copy machine images. Pretty genius! Even the collars, floral corsages, collars, pockets and buttons were not real, but copy images. Even Mizrahi's floral pattern was a grid-collaged photo print. Some were in full-on color and others in black and white like he just pressed the button on the machine in his office. Was it gimmicky? Sure. Will it sell? Who knows. I just hope I have a better seat next season so I do't miss the point again.

Color Palette: white, ivory, yellow, peach, pink, light blue, blue, green, grey, black

Fabrics & Textures: silk, chiffon, tulle, lame, metallic beading, florals, grids, rhinestones, paillettes, copy-machine image prints in florals and dot-matrix

Key Looks: black and white silk trench; black cap-sleeved sequined shift with a hem of paillettes; blocked floral Xerox print silk and chiffon belted gown.

- Lauren Dimet Waters

Photos: NY Mag

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week NY Spring ’11. Ralph Lauren’s Wild Wild West

Summary: This was our first time covering Ralph Lauren in person and what an honor and wild ride it was! A ride out West that is. We were transported to cowgirl chic out west ramped up about 10 amps right here in Manhattan. This is the kind of cowgirl look any big city woman would be thrilled to wear. OK, there was tons of ivory (what else is new this season?), but there was also lots of wearable suede fringe, metallic embroidered natural colored jeans and a metallic fringe skirt with silver beads paired with a plaid blouse that I would be proud to strut down Madison Avenue wearing. Most looks were finished with amazing over-the-top covetable belts, even the evening gowns. There was something very reminiscent of his 80's cowgirl aesthetic ( I swear I owned some) yet with a completely modern twist. Only a genius like Ralph Lauren could pull this off and not look campy. It was treat indeed.

Color Palette: white, off-white, parchment, cream, champagne, sand, honey, palomino, saddle, cafe, antiqued brown, dark brown, antiqued silver, platinum, bronze, blush, faded green, faded blue, french blue

Fabrics & Textures: linen, tulle, washed crepe de chine, cotton pique, cotton broadcloth, cotton jacquard, silk georgette, silk charmeuse, crinkle chiffon, washed linen, chintzed linen, plastered linen, canvas, workwear jean, leather, distressed leather, deerskin, suede, velvet, lame, tablecloth plaid, green plaid, fringe, crochet, lace, ruffles, beading, embroidery, Navajo print bags, belts,

Key Looks: parchment deerskin fringed pants; saddle suede fringed vest; belted suede fringed coat; saddle suede cavalry shirtdress; white chintzed linen jacket with a white pique jacquard cotton vest and white cotton shirt with vintage men's collar and white linen pat pant; natural distressed canvas metallic embroidered jean; champagne silk georgette long dress; brown gauze linen serape striped shawl with a platinum tulle beaded fringed dress; platinum lame beaded skirt; saddle suede embroidered fringed pant; platinum tulle beaded long gown and a strapless and belted platinum lame gown; Navajo cross-body bags, raw edge sandals with woven, chain heels

- Lauren Dimet Waters

Photos: NY Mag and Second City Style

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week NY Spring ’11. Tory Burch’s Jet-Setter du Jour

Summary: Sporty and sexy in a 70's inspired way, was the name at the game at Tory Burch. Though Burch's spring '11 collection included many stylistic thoughts, the jet-setting woman on-the-go remained a consistent thread. But who she was, when she lived and where she was going were all answered in a melange of different ways. Early on in the collection, vintage elements like knee-length skirts, bell sleeves and bohemian patterns suggested a retro sense of relaxed sophistication. But soon tailored suits (one made from a pair of Burch's father's pants), crisp blazers and slim-fitting silhouettes provided the timeless aesthetic of easy, versatile pieces that could work from day to evening.

Tory Burch once again showed her ability to adeptly mix fabrics and patterns together, pairing the rougher texture of a poncho with the liquidy feel of a lame skirt, or a Chanel-looking, waist length blazer with paisley-printed shorts. The fun part of the collection was that it came off as one cohesive wardrobe, despite the multifarious approach. Breaking down each look into its pieces made you wonder how many other infinite possibilities you could come up with by pairing any one of the pieces with any of the others—the sign of a collection that's worth its weight in gold.

Color Palette: tangerine, poppy, gold, bronze, ivory, black, yoke, pewter, slate, cream, olive, camel, khaki, crimson, paisley, striped,

Fabrics and Textures: leather, draped, lame, knit, cotton, silk, crochet

 Key Looks: Red and navy striped suit, lame skirt, two-tone parka wit leather trim, poppy and ivory web sweater, black leather slit skirt

-Alia Rajput

Photo Source: WWD

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week NY Spring ’11. Douglas Hannant Sweetens the Deal

Summary: Candy-colored confections reigned at the Douglas Hannant spring/summer 2011 runway show, held at Hannant's regular venue and site of his boutique—The Plaza Hotel. In an exclusive interview I got to have with Hannant himself before the show, he told me that he wanted the philosophy of his spring collection to be fun and not cerebral, hence his choosing of the carefree and vivacious Doris Day as his muse. The theme of the collection was simply called "Candy", which was clearly apparent in every delicious treat that came down the runway. The color palette blossomed with meringue and cotton candy, sweet strapless frocks resembled multi-tiered treats and voluminous bows on the fronts and sides of pieces were quite literally the icing on the cake. Hannat articulated he wanted his clothing to be beautiful and uplifting, like clothes should be. He noted, "Clothing should make you feel better than you are," adding his sweetly designed line was intended to make one feel optimistic when looking toward the future.

Color Palette: yellow, blush, rose, lavender, black, white, cream, silver, ice blue, green, nude, metallic

Fabrics and Textures: crinkled, pleated, bows, chiffon, silk, organza, shantung, sateen, jersey, cotton, eyelet, plaid, leather

Key Looks: Yellow Leather Trenchcoat, metallic sheath dress, white bow front blouse, blush strapless dress, sateen gown with ruched top

-Alia Rajput

Photo Source: WWD

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week NY Spring ’11. Milly’s “Gonna Make It After All”

Summary: It was style icon Peggy Guggenheim that was noted as designer Michelle Smith's muse for the Milly Spring-Summer 2011 collection. Smith used Guggenheim's image as poetic license to create a bold mix of pieces that were both playful and sophisticated. The collection was aesthetically pleasing in its eclectic mix of color, pattern and texture. The collection truly had something for everyone as geometric prints held court with perky florals and tribal-inspired designs. And though Guggenheim's presence was clearly channeled throughout the looks, I couldn't help but visualize a little Mary Tyler Moore for this millennium as well. The acutely styled ensembles resonated with a confidence and individuality that suggested a woman who pushes the envelope in her everyday life, yet still adheres to the unspoken rules of femininity. I kept waiting for the models to do the signature Mary Tyler Moore twirl at the end of the runway. Yet whichever strong and modern woman paved the way for this Milly collection, it was someone that we are all going to want to be. 

Color Palette: tomato, navy, bicolor, rose garden print, olive, gold, cubist print, kelly green, Eden Roc print, black, Ladybug print, geranium, sunflower, Valencia Floral print, Violets print, ecru, Mallorca print, Freesia Flowers print, sand, ink, slate, white, coconut, oyster, Filigree Crok print Ikat print, striped, Tribal Zig Zag print

Fabrics and Textures: cotton jacquard, cotton voile, pleated, leather, sateen, grasscloth, resin, woven, crystal, cord, bead, chain, silk blend, patent, rope, resin wood, hand knit, raffia, cotton, wool, cotton sateen, jersey, tortoise, cotton slub, silk twill, silk jacquard, porcelain disc, chiffon, shantung, tweed, rhinestone, linen, hand crochet, eyelet

Key Looks: Cotton satten rose garden print dress, silk'linen Cubist Print coat, Pima cotton Ric Rac jacquard cardigan, Kelly Green tropical wool coat, Cotton sateen Violet Print knee shorts, Ink silk duppioni Tribal Zig Zag Print maxi dress

-Alia Rajput

Photo Source: WWD

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week NY Spring ’11. Gottex – Foiled Again!

Summary: Many wouldn't expect rhinestones and metals to be added to swimsuits for glamour but that is exactly what Gottex did for it's Spring 2011 collection. Creating a fusion of technlogy and luxury, the collection accentunated the female form, using fabrics develeoped especially for showing off the figure without too much reveal. 

One can also see that color played a huge role in the line. From the ombre royal blue and yellow pattern to creating dimensions with royal blue encrusted chest-plates, each piece highlights the curves and shape while disguising the flaws.

Color Palette: black, cobalt, yellow, sea foam, white, baby blue, sand, silver, bronze, midnight blue

Fabrics & Textures: lycra, lucite, titanium metals, resin, tulle, lurex, silk, rubber, crepe, lace, sequin, metallic, lame, embroidery

Key Looks: Black double sided sequins dress with encrusted bust and shoulder, bronze foil swimsuit with metallic crochet poncho; Soft cobalt explorer lace print mini dress

-Taneisha Jordan

Photos: WWD

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week NY Spring ’11. Adrienne Vittadini – When Nature Calls

Summary: If you're looking for casual but with a hint of bright, look in the direction of Adrienne Vittadini's Spring/Summer 2011 collection. This collection effortlessly captures the ephemeral beauty and essence of nature. With ocean blues, sandy browns and fiery oranges being the main colors of the collection, it easily adds excitement to the wearer's statement pieces without overcoming the outfit as a whole.

Color Palette: tan, black, taupe, orange, silver, indigo, vanilla ice, blue

Fabrics & Textures: silk, knit, lurex, nylon, denim

Key Looks: Tan graphic jacquard cowl neck dress with elongated pointelle stitch cardigan; Black fine-gauge cardigan with wood bead-trimmed tank over taupe slim pant; Vibrant orange sheer v-neck over orange and silver jacquard skirt

- Taneisha Jordan

Photos: WWD

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring ’11. Nanette Lepore’s Rose-Colored Glasses

Summary: Nanette Lepore reminded us, with her spring/summer 2011 collection, that life should be celebrated. Lepore dedicated the collection to her late mother, including a beautiful still shot of her from the 1906s in the beginning of the run of show booklet. Yet instead of a grim or mournful tone, Lepore chose to evoke her mother through an upbeat and splashy collection that put a smile on the audience's face. The show kicked off with a toe-tapping tune by musician John Forte and his colleague—a gentle, live performance that was a welcome reprieve from the blaring house music chosen by other houses. Forte played throughout the duration of the show as look after perky look came down the runway.

Lepore introduced swimwear in flattering, retro-inspired shapes and a vibrant palette, pairing rose pink, marigold and tangerine with crisp whites. For daytime, Lepore chose playful pieces like swingy eyelet tops, apron skirts and coffee-colored utility shorts. Eveningwear brought out the sizzle with elaborately beaded skirts that shimmied and shook, metallic shirtdresses and floor-length dresses that looked light as a cloud. All in all, the line was a fresh, optimistic outlook on life and the seasons to come—a notion that her mother would surely have been proud of.

Color Palette: coral, rose, rose print, plum, white, floral,  tangerine, striped, cafe, shadow dot, sand, silver, metallic, woodcut, platinum, shell

Fabrics and Textures: beaded, linen, eyelet, denim, utility, knit, pleated, net, sequin

Key Pieces: rose beaded dress, eyelet dress, shadow dot blouse and shorts, platinum sequin shirtdress, white apron skirt, plum long bow dress

-Alia Rajput

Photo Source: WWD

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring ’11. The Narciso Rodriguez Silent Roar

Summary: My friend Annette and I have bonded over our shared love of Narciso Rodriguez. So by the time the fourth look came down the runway she whispered in my ear "I have goosebumps" and so did I. It's no secret that Narciso is one of my favorite designers. Someone recently said to me they thought he was predictable. I said "no, he has a consistent point of view." Give a woman what she wants…clean lines, architectural beauty and a knock-out fit will win every time. For his Spring 2011 collection it was apparent Narciso was retrospective. The collection was reminiscent of the nineties, back when he became a household name after famously designing Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's wedding gown. In fact the last gown looked eerily familiar, yet updated. No wonder we had goosebumps.

Narciso was true to his aesthetic. The looks were clean, simple, minimalist and unlike his peers, he actually showed very little in tones of ivory for spring. I didn't realize how much I missed seeing some black on the runway this season until last night. The layering of fabrics, bias cut flowing silk dresses and gowns and the collarless jackets and coats with fluid lapels were simply breathtaking. What this collection proved is that his clothes are very wearable, easy, fresh and timeless. If you were an early fan of Narciso back in the nineties, you could easily pull your saved purchases of the closet again for spring. Or if you missed the boat the frist time, you have another shot to add the stark beautiful styles he is known for to your wardrobe now.

Again, I was so sad when the show was over, but this time I had company with which to commiserate. When she walked out Annette looked at me and said, "I can die happy now." Amen.

Color Palette: white, nude, blush, coral, rose gold, pale green, ash, coal, platinum, black

Fabrics & Textures: linen canvas, silk, silk crepe, silk cloque, silk fil, chiffon cloque, chiffon jacquard, waxed linen, compact wool, embroidery

Key Looks: blush silk and ash bias linen canvas dress; white waxed linen pant suit with a white bias chiffon jaquard shirt; coal waxed linen jacket and black compact wool pant with a black silk fil coupe & silk cloque tank; pale pink bias petal silk dress; black/silver bias fil coupe dress; pale green bias silk/black chiffon cloque and washed kimon silk dress; blush bias silk gown a la Carolyn Bessette Kennedy.

- Lauren Dimet Waters

Photos: NY Mag