May 27, 2011
Thinking past the summer and into fall 2011, Nicole by Nicole Miller at JCPenney has some great offerings that will make you look forward to the layering and winter accessories once again. Above and below are my top picks from the collection, including interesting touches on old classics as well as covetable new prints.
March 2, 2011
[Images courtesy of Pamella Roland]
Pamella Roland
Pamella Roland’s dream-like gowns incited a perpetual amount of “oohs” and “aahs” as each model confidently strutted up and down the catwalk at Lincoln Center, their egos boosted by the delightful gowns perfectly sanctioned to their long and lean bodies. Each look, from romantic deep red silks to cascading sequins and feathery embellishments demanded attention and respect as the luxurious materials used whooshed along the pristine white of the runway. Having drawn inspiration from Asian culture, Roland wished to combine the old with the new, the east with the west to create an ambiance of the best of both worlds in a timeless and elegant manner. Roland’s talent for gracious and charming evening wear has extended beyond the catwalk to dress such stars as Angelina Jolie, Hillary Swank, and Halle Berry for the red carpet.
[Images via Elle.com]
Risto
Hosted at the Metropolitan Pavilion, Risto’s Fall 2011 Collection featured alluring patterns, sleek lines, and a taste for black and off-white edginess. The bold yet understated under-liner featured on each model’s eyes added a degree of wispy innovation, with a contrast of a grunge-like elegance to each look. Noted for the collection’s strong showcase of sweaters, the entirety of the line held a sense of polished streetwear with burly, loose-fitting sweaters and pants, along with sleek, abstractly cut-out black dresses and pencil skirts paired with off-white sweaters layered over patterned collared long-sleeved shirts. Small embellishments to each look such as sheer black knee-high socks and an occasional large gold ear-clasp added a sense of novel originality and defined style.
[Images via Rose Lou]
Rachel Antonoff
One of Fashion Week’s hottest and most fun-loving events, Rachel Antonoff’s Fall 2011 Collection was featured at the nearby Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School’s gymnasium. With the main theme as “The Dance” Antonoff (like Stefani did in her L.AM.B. Fall 2011 Runway Show) grouped her girls into six different themes — the “Wallflowers on Bleachers,” “Mean Girls on Bleachers,” “Dance Floor Girls,” “Table Girls,” “Band,” and “The Punch Spikers” – each schoolgirl dressed to the hilt, decked out in plaid mini skirts and dresses, high-waisted silk dresses and skirts, and some even wearing matching adorable white tights with whimsical knee embellishments in the cut-out of a black cat or arrow-pierced heart.
– Rose Lou
March 1, 2011
Nanette Lepore’s Fall 2011 Collection was primarily composed of light, sheer, luxurious materials elegantly draped around the female body. The show started off with an ivory ankle-length dress tastefully embellished with a shimmery gold pattern, paired with an off-white porous cardigan. The show progressed to present multiple gauzy long dresses, transcending into knitted everyday wear, and back to austere silk and gauzy dresses draped and tailored to properly show off the female form with touches of gold and filmy black top layers. A few black leather pieces with horizontal cut-outs and heavy wool winter coats also made an appearance in the primarily delicate gauzy and light knit collection. Overall, the outing was beautifully chic and representative of Lepore’s famous talent for timelessness.
-Rose Lou
February 18, 2011
This spring, Amy Smilovic gives us a taste of youthful chic with predominantly her red, white, and black color palette and metallic shimmery dresses. Her daywear is completed via effortlessly elegant coats and rompers accented by artfully tucked necklines. Her cocktail dresses boast unique floral patterns and prints paired with flouncy, full skirts. With the newest face of the spring/summer line, Olivia Palermo, seated in the front row, what is there not to love? We certainly are a HUGE fan of the line!
-Christine Waters
