[Images via Style.com]

Chanel

Chanel S/S 2010 was, hands down, my favorite collection of the season. It managed to be fun yet sophisticated and was showcased amidst farm scenery, though the clothes were not overshadowed by the uniqueness of the down on the farm set. The show had a very “Marie Antoinette” feel to it:  a charming and romanticized take on rustic country life full of sweet and delicate dresses paired with a pale color palette of black, red, and blue accents. Though the collection was nothing truly groundbreaking, it stayed true to Chanel’s aesthetic and played up its own trends instead of giving us yet another take on trends we have seen over and over again this season.

[Images via Style.com]

Hermès

Tennis was the theme at Jean Paul Gaultier’s Spring 2010 Hermès collection. I wasn’t too keen on the idea upon hearing the pitch for the line, but as soon as I saw the clothes — and, of course, the impeccable bags — I quickly changed my mind. Gaultier delivered a sophisticated, timeless collection for Hermès that is on-trend without veering too far overboard nor disposable once the next season rolls around. Each piece was beautiful, wearable, and effortless, from the tennis skirts to the silver chain-linked belts.

[Images via Style.com]

Alexander McQueen

Appropriately titled “Plato’s Atlantis,” Alexander McQueen’s Spring 2010 RTW collection was out of this world and was truly one of my favorite shows of the season. Inspired by mankind’s evolution from the sea and the idea that we may someday return, the dramatic collection featured 10-inch heels, belle-skirt silhouettes, braided asymmetrical hairstyles, aquatic colors, and intricate, digitally printed dresses. Evolution is still stuck in McQueens head, and ours, from the Darwinian-inspired collection that featured large to small taxidermied animals framing the runway.  With this collection, McQueen proved he still knows how to put on a show — the hair, makeup, clothing volume (not to mention the shoes!), and overall primitive/futuristic aesthetic were combined in a slightly unsettling, almost scary, way — and the outcome was a brilliantly creative work of art.

-Sarah Nason

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If I’m going to indulge a bit in the fringe trend for spring 2009, spotted on the runways at Hermes, Costume National, Vivienne Westwood, and Jil Sander, I’ve decided that I don’t want it to be too country, but it should be a little sexy, and a tad bit humorous — all wrapped into one item. If price was not a factor, I wouldn’t think twice about adding this 3.1 Phillip Lim Tassel Trim Blouse, $177.50 (was $355) at NET-A-PORTER.com to my shopping cart.  I love the way that Mr. Lim literally did tassels around the neckline (hence fulfilling the “humor” requirement of my on-the-fringe search). My other choice, would be the Fringe Top, $16.99 at Charlotte Russe — I adore the chocolate brown color and the thin strands of flowingfringe; angularly cut to be slightly reminiscent of a hipster hair-do (humorous aspect)! Don’t ask me how to launder this though — due to the price, I think its just one of those tops that you’ll have to wear and Febreze, wear and Febreze, wear and throw away. Besides, we KNOW this trend isn’t here to stay, so why go to the trouble for 2+ drycleanings that will exceed the price of the purchase?

– Julia DiNardo

Congratulate yourself for waiting in those long lines to get your vote out with a little celebratory shopping! After all, tomorrow is a new day, and you’ll need a new wardrobe to match! We’ve found some great sample sales and gotten some sale scoop from our friends at J.Crew-aholics that will give your style the change you need.

• Stuck watching the overbooked Tibi show on the televisions in the lobby of the fashion week tents like we were a few months ago? Don’t miss your second chance to get up close and personal with this contemporary brand at the Tibi sample sale, starting November 5th!

336 West 37th Street (Btwn 8th & 9th); 11/5 1pm-7pm, 11/6 9:30am-7pm 11/7 9:30am-5:30pm

• Save up to 75% off at the Shoshanna & Anlo Fall Sample Sale. If you’re feeling brave enough to try on bikinis this time of year, you can score a $165 bathing suit for only $65!

231 West 39th Street Suite 422; 11/5 10am-6:30pm, 11/6 10am-5:30pm

• In the mood for a little luxury? At A Second Chance Designer Resale, you’ll find all of the essential brands– Chanel, Hermès, and Louis Vuitton, at a great discount.

1109 Lexington Ave. (btwn. 77 & 78th St.) 2nd Fl.; 11/3-11/10; Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 9am-5pm

• If you love designers who are famous for bold colors and crazy prints, check out the Boutique on 57 for up to 80% off Roberto Cavalli, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, and much more!

540 Park Ave. – Regency Hotel (@ 61st St.) Penthouse Suite ; 11/6- 11/7 10am-7pm

• Vivienne Tam is offering up 75% off her unique and pretty fall/winter pieces beginning November 5th.

260 W. 39th St.(btwn. 7th & 8th Ave.)11th Floor; 11/5 9am-8pm, 11/6 10am-7pm, 11/7 10am-6pm

• Get the nature inspired designs of Hayden-Harnett for up to 70% off. The sale includes the fall 2008 collection and accessories, too!

Edge Noho, 65 Bleecker St., b/t Broadway & Lafayette Sts.; 11/ 5-11/8;Wed.-Sun., noon-7 p.m.

• Lanvin S/S 2009 Collection

Alber Elbaz elevated the theme of the classic college toga party to the realm of high fashion in his Spring collection for Lanvin, by taking the look of a messy twisted and tied sheet and reinventing it as perfectly draped, one shoulder dresses in colorful stain and chiffon fabric. Nothing in this collection was simple, yet nothing was over the top either. The draping of these pieces, along with ruching, ballooned sleeves and hourglass waists (similar to Calvin Klein’s abstract collection), as well as the contrasting colors decorated and updated ordinary styles like the little black dress.

• Hermès S/S 2009 Collection
  

Originally, us trendy New York fashionistas thought cowboy hats and fringe belonged solely as a Halloween costume, or on our mid-west cousin Sally. However, the minute we saw veterans Stephanie Seymour and Naomi Campbell walk down the cactus strewn runway in Jean-Paul Gaultier’s Wild West creations, we couldn’t help but fall in love. As only Hermès could achieve with this theme, there was nothing tacky or cliché about the collection. Models donning black cowboy hats and riding gloves, and dark aviators looked like chic bandits ready to rob a bank or win a shootout. Even in a delicate and revealing red gown, Naomi Campbell looked fierce enough to intimidate any tough wrangler. We were drooling over the fringed Birkin and signature Hermès suitcases in snakeskin and zebra prints that helped add a dose of Parisian chic to this wild rodeo show.