March 16, 2010
Fashion Pulse Daily Picks Our Favorite Fall/Winter 2010 Trends
After four fashion weeks and lots of scrutiny, we’ve polled together our favorite six trends for fall/winter 2010. Some more adventurous than others, there’s definitely room for experimentation and the insertion of your own style with each of these trends.
Julia’s Picks:
Unique Hosiery
Vivenne Westwood Byblos
[Images via NYMag.com]
I was really taken by the continuation of hosiery as a big trend for fall 2010; it’s so practical and wearable and I’m glad that many designers created their own lines for the season. Lurex/metallic infused styles were my favorites, but I also had my eye on the bright bold colors, prints, and interesting texture found on the runways of Byblos, Chanel, Prada, Vivienne Westwood, and Anna Sui.
The New LBD
Marios Schwab Cushnie et Ochs
[Images via NyMag.com]
This season I was very much in love with all of the black on the runaway, however the concept of the LBD was turned on it’s head – cylindrically draped fabric, assymetrical gathering, ruffles, mesh, lace, metallic, crossing straps, ultra luxe fabrics, and even corset, Victorian, and punk-inspired details were interwoven with little black dresses to make them absolutely stunning this season. Your buck will be sure to go a long way with these selections; my favorites being from Altuzarra, Peter Som, Marios Schwab, Max Azria, Proenza Schouler, and Cushnie et Ochs.
Justina’s Picks:
Superflous Drapery
Stephen Burrows Tibi
[All images via Style.com]
Whatever the fabric, whatever the clothing, whatever the print, this season, designers all found their ways to work drapery into their collections. Those folded fabrics can ruffle up an elegant silk dress to give it a funky edge, or infuse boyish trousers with a girly, romantic edge. You may not be able to escape drapery this fall, but even so, the choices are plenty.
High-Collar Dresses
Calvin Klein Narciso Rodriguez
[All images via Style.com]
Almost as a nod of acknowledgement to the blizzard that opened New York Fashion Week this year, designers showed their solutions to looking cool while staying warm on the runway. These godsent dresses that took over the runway this fall are reminiscent of the traditional Chinese dress qipao: turtleneck, body-hugging and knee-length. Who says fashion isn’t practical?’
Maria’s Picks:
Lots of Leg
The Blonds Jill Stuart
[Images via NYMag.com]
This season, designers were drawn to exposure – functionless zippers adorned clothing, while bare mid-drifts, cut outs and low necklines paraded the runway. Our fave? The focus on legs in winter fashion. Jill Stuart’s models pranced on the marble NY library floors in thigh-grazing minis, while The Blonds lured the audience with bare legs rocking wasp-shape enhancing corsets. At VPL, looks skipped bottom-half garments all-together, letting models show off their toned limbs in avant-garde underwear and Frank Tell doused legs in powder-toned tights. We’re all yearning for summer, itching to frolic fields of flowers in cute summer dresses. With emphasis on legs lasting through to fall, the seemingly fleeting summer fling can last us through the holidays.
Monochromatic Looks
Risto Frank Tell
[Image viaBlog.RistoBimbiloski.com &NYmag.com]
Who says single-toned looks have to boring? The likes of Risto and Frank Tell prove gray is not intrinsically dull, playing with textures instead of mis-matched colors that, at times, can be overwrought. The dynamic juxtaposition of white leather and angular cuts makes for an interesting look, gray-on-gray prints complement the same shade of knit and cashmere. Embrace the monochromatic look this season, learn from the runway & we promise you won’t blend in with the snow.
March 15, 2010
How I Survived the 2010 New York Fashion Week
Well, it wasn’t easy surviving my 13th fashion week, and by now, I know who to rely on, when I need a little reprieve, and what is considered a ‘normal’ food and caffeine intake during fashion week! For starters, my trusty notebook this time around was actually my Ports 1961 show invite — what a great idea! By the week’s end, it was definitely looking as worn and ragged as I felt, but it definitely got the job done! (see below).
My trusty Ports 1961 show invite/notebook
The importance of caffeine and protein bars: I had stocked up on a slew of Luna bars to keep in my bag, but there were a lot of Zone Perfect bars being given out, which led to further emergency sustenance. As seen above, I love the WWD‘s and The Daily handed out at the tents, and definitely was thrilled that Starbucks was the coffee sponsor this year. I chugged many a Columbia and Italian Roast Ready Brew VIA, as well as the new Light Frappuccino in Vanilla, which tasted exactly like the full-calorie version (yippee for me, since I skipped the gym all week, my other ‘healthy’ fashion week ritaul!’). Somewhat satiated and caffeinated, I was fueled enough to get through the grueling schedule of back to back shows, interviews, running all over the place, writing and tweeting like crazy, and trying to look as fabulous as humanly possible.
Maisie & I at the IFB Conference (and Minx nails!)
John from Phyto & I at the Robert Verdi Lounge
Speaking of looking great, my buddy, Jen Paelmo, makeup artist extraordinaire was kind enough to do my hair and makeup for the Independent Fashion Bloggers Conference, while Maisie Dunbar of Spa Lounge in Maryland and the fab BluffaJo Cosmetics (pictured, left) gave me a fabulous manicure with a pink leopard print Minx nail! Rebecca Taylor lent me a few looks for the week, which I was thrilled to wear at the Social Media Awards as well as to the show and my interview with Rebecca. Luckily, I was also able to spend some time at the Robert Verdi Future of Fashion lounge, which was one of the most relaxing things I did all week!
John Gerard Griffith from Phyto (and Loft 26) gave me an amazing blow out and I also tested out some of the brand’s products, Ginger + Liz supplied me with their new nail lacquer collection’s mint ‘Boy Toy’ polish, Maidenform hooked up my decolletage with a new bra, and Rock & Republic adorned my bottom half with a new pair of tres chic studded jeans! Speaking of tres — Tresemme came out with a dry shampoo and were giving away both purse-sized and full-sized bottles – when I didn’t have time to shampoo (and you really shouldn’t everyday anyways) Tresemme Fresh Start Dry Shampoo seriously saved me (and you can get it for $4.29!).
Also on the ‘seriously it saved me’ list includes the Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes for quick and easy makeup removal, my Sorel Hoonah Boots for when the weather was just downright nasty (aka half of fall/winter 2010 fashion week) and the HauteLook lounge at the Bryant Park Hotel, a quite getaway with healthy snacks and laptops to use! Fashion week gets a bit crazy, but I am so glad to have met so many wonderful people and experienced great products that kept me afloat this season!
The last day at the tents-forever!
March 15, 2010
Jodi Arnold for The Limited
Is there a store in your life you can avoid neither walking past nor stopping to stare every time you walk past? For me, Jodi Arnold is one of them. A block away from where I live, it is a store I walk past every day, only to find myself distracted by interesting silhouettes and elegant embellishments. Fortunately for spring 2010, the New York designer has collaborated with The Limited to create a collection that combines The Limited‘s practical styles with her signature aesthetics as well. Beads? Check. Prints? Check. Ruffles? Check. Sparkle? Can’t miss that. Undoubtedly Jodi Arnold’s collection of dresses, tops, bottoms, and rompers are appropriate for both Wall Street and Madison Avenue. Feel like glamming it up a bit on a weekday? Done!
– Justina Lee
