See by Chloé

In a more youthful approach, Chloé’s sister line, See by Chloé took the runway during fashion week via Digitalfashionshows.com’s newest platform, which allows invite only guests to view thirty looks by the brand. See by Chloé seems to take on the persona of the beautiful little sister, as ensembles were stunningly clean and modern. The palette was minimal yet strong, with white, cream, nude, black, and rust. The colors combined with the silhouettes to create a sultry smoldering, yet fun collection for fall. Silk Georgette blouses and dresses gave a simple nod to its possibly Grecian inspiration through the draping and flow of the fabrics, while the trousers remained beautifully tailored.

[Image via Elle.com]

Rochas

Inspired by a Swedish ceramicist, Wilhelm Kage, Marco Zanini’s Fall 2012 ready to wear collection for Rochas‘ newest line felt like a strong clothing-based derivative of the main motif. Combining purple, ink blue, bronze, jade, golden yellow, and brown with rich materials, such as jacquard and knits, Zanini put a retro twist on graphic prints in oversized silhouettes. Rochas mixed geometric prints that had a day to night appeal, regardless if you’re going to work or evening cocktails.

- Ambika Makin

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Edith & Ella
Tweed and contradictions lifted the pure and sophisticated show through at Edith & Ella for fall 2012. The designers have an ability to bring a lightness and joy to their clothes., that included primary colors (red,green,blue) to give the collection a fresh look. With the old-school skirts and sparkling red shirts, the combination was new and interesting, yet extremely wearable.

Rützou
Rützou’s show was dominated by gauzy fabrics with a mix of pastels and earth colors. The long necklaces with fringed pendants hung carelessly around the neck of most of the models, along with other accessories such as oversized flowers inspired by Japanese art, alongside  significant zippers visible  in the linings of the clothes.

Stine Goya
Burnt earth tones, brown nude, physical dots and velvet. With these motifs, Stine Goya once again did an amazing job balancing the masculine/feminine mystique.  Feminine details were represented via  3/4 sleeve lengths with some pants more closely fitted through the thighs.

-Mai Lyngby and Emilie Mosbaek

Marni

For fall 2012, Marni successfully channeled retro-chic, understated dressing that may have a quirky detail or two, however, without detracting from the feminine aura. Monochromatic and asymetrical color blocking reigned the looks in a color palette that was simple, yet ultra-fresh.  Plus, the heavily-cut bangs and ultra shiny tresses popped nicely on the runway, especially in a very “anti-bang” season.

Jil Sander

Are we really looking at the Jil Sander collection for fall 2012? If you had to do a double take too, it’s with good reason! The romantic side of the brand has started to trickle out, via fluffy, light, champagne pinks, and delicate hand wrought fabrications, but don’t assume that Jil Sander has turned into mushy sentimentality. Some stronger pieces, both in their fabric choices and drama via dark, sharp tailored lines appeared in the collection, epitomizing the slick minimalist expertise that has made Sander a popular name in mainstream fashion.

Missoni

Honestly, how many times can that signature chevron knit be rehashed and reworked? The answer: an infinite amount! Angela Missoni’s juxtaposition of nature and the metropolis played out to its fullest degree, literally a little rough around the edges as fabrics were given a dyed, worn effect. Equipped with fur, leather, and plenty of layers, this collection can definitely be coveted by Missoni lovers who want to rethink the way they wear the house’s best hits.

-Julia DiNardo

Gucci

There’s definitely omething Dracula-esque about Gucci’s Fall 2012 line; Frida Giannini contrived an esoteric feel with deep, opaque velvets contrasted against skin-showing slits and sheer gauzy blouses. The slouchy pants are the true standout piece lavishing a strong menswear mood. Nonetheless, Giannini knows how to formulate strong feminine dresses and skirts in somber velvets, luscious plums, and vivid greens. She didn’t dispense of color heavily, but subtly invoked a nocturnal theme with capes, military jackets and riding boots. The final looks left us yearning for more of that divine leopard jacquard. Magnificenza segreto!

-Alana Quagliariello

Leave it to Miuccia Prada to look at the world through her own version of rose-colored glasses. What a stunning collection with a heavy stamp, literally and figuratively, of Prada signature style.  Prada is heavily on the brain, thanks to the upcoming museum exhibit at The Met featuring the designer, and no better way to segue into that than with an incredible fall runway romp. About her collection, Mrs. Prada says, “”Everyone has a theory about their collections these days, but I’m sick of theory. This collection is about the pleasure of fashion.” (via Style.com).  And isn’t it true? Isn’t that what draws us in, and makes us marvel at the beautiful detailing of clothing that could make us just bury ourselves in them and cry, Daisy Buchanan style?

And the footwear! It looked like the tips had been dipped in a very rich wax seal, while others were aggressively canvased in prints.

And, although we weren’t backstage (sadly) for this show, we did get the “runway report,” courtesy of Redken, whose Creative Consultant Guido created the hair look. See below for what he had to say about the inspiration, the products used, and how to recreate it yourself!

Redken Creative Consultant Guido turned the models into “Virtual Princesses” —

“All hair is away from the face – there’s no emotion and all of the personality is taken away.  I envisioned the way a ‘virtual girl’ is drawn in a cartoon.  Then I added these different colored extensions – white, red and black, which adds to the synthetic feeling of the hair.  I used colors which looked most dramatic against each of the models’ real hair.  The different colors give you that pop of fakeness so we’re not talking about reality.  Like a futuristic princess.”

–Guido, Redken Creative Consultant
Redken Products used:

-thickening lotion 06 all-over body builder
-hardwear 16 super-strength gel

-iron silk 07 ultra straightening spray

-forceful 23 super-strength finishing spray

Get the Prada Fall 2012 look:

1. Layer thickening lotion 06 and hardwear 16 on the top portion of the hair when wet and brush straight back.
2. Blow-dry hair straight, continuing to brush straight back.
3. Apply iron silk 07 from the mid-shaft to ends of the hair to protect hair from heat iron and then use a straightening iron to give it a crisp, extremely straight look.
4. Finish with forceful 23 to keep the style in place and looking extra sleek.

** The color was added using extensions- you can buy clip on extensions or speak with your colorist about getting some extensions or dyed layers!

-Julia DiNardo

Inspired by Slavic folklore, colorful drama took off down the runway during Alice Temperley’s Temperley London collection during London Fall 2012 RTW Fashion Week. Long and sleek silhouettes in red, cobalt blue, burgundy, black, and gold lamé were accessorized with over sized fur hats, stunning one-of-a-kind jewelry, and rich embellishments. Black cinched belts perfectly complimented A-line skirts and flowing blouses in astonishing color combinations. Lavish fur, beading, lace, and velvet gave the collection an over the top feminine feel for any girlie girl, while the black and gold lamé pieces had an edgy rock ‘n roll vibe!

- Ambika Makin

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[All images via ELLE.com]

Giles

Giles Deacon’s romantic collection of boy meets girl evening wear is an anthology of opulent fashion. According to Style.com, a country house accidentally afire inspired Deacon’s creativity: “I just had this idea of someone rushing out of a beautiful house,” he said. “It’s burning down and what are you going to take?”

It’s nearly impossible to say which we would choose first in a collection of maxi dresses layered with strong collared necklines, organza ruffled skirts mirroring nightfall and majestic tailored jackets. Water stained prints reigned high and mighty against a dainty neutral palette of creams and golds. Burnt black and yellow stormed down the catwalk turning heads when mixed with feather embellishments. However, nothing raged more than the impish headpieces, constructed by renowned milliner Stephen Jones.

Christopher Kane

The show emerged with tons of black and pinstripes that gradually shifted into a gradient of color with deep blues, purples and reds. Mainly a collection of coquettish cocktail dresses, Kane’s look for Fall 2012 is unique in its structured, piping details.

Cut out dresses revealed a lot of skin, while chunky turtlenecks and  and collared overcoats kept things a little less provocative. An eclectic purple leopard print and raging fiery red snakeskin pattern heated things up plenty toward the end when paired with harsh black leather. The Kane woman is 1/4 girly and 3/4 rock n’ roll.

-Alana Quagliariello

Burberry Prorsum: Merging Physical and Digital With a Global Audience

Burberry explored the process of digitalization as it celebrated British fashion with a global audience. Burberry, the inventors of the “Tweetwalk” show, partnered with Twitter to host an animated “Tweetwalk” live from the runway. Prior to models actually strutting the runway, followers were given the opportunity to view the collection from backstage. Smart move, being that Burberry is the most followed luxury brand on Twitter.

As for the Autumn/Winter 2012 womenswear lineup, we saw a plethora of what Burberry does best: coats. Paneled trench coats, cropped tailored bombers, draped blanket front coats, tiered peplum trench coats, cinched riding jackets neatly pulled in with a bow, and down-filled dress coats emerged in gorgeous shades of pebble, khaki, dark racing green, pewter, chartreuse, and burgundy.

The British countryside blossomed through rugby striped tees, draped blanket hem skirts and delicate shoulder bow dresses. Accessories popped with polished metal hardware (check out the gloves!) and tortoise shell detailing to create a look that was essentially refined, yet eclectic.

See the incredible full show on YouTube!

-Alana Quagliariello

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[From top: The Blonds, Cushnie et Ochs; via ELLE.com, Emilio Cavallini via MBFashionWeek.com]

There are shows that just get the blood flowing and adrenaline pumping with styled looks that you just love to admire. This season, we dubbed this category “electric ladies club” for the overtly feminine, sexy, and distinct styles. Our favorite looks came from three design duos (Cushnie et Ochs, Marchesa, The Blonds), alongside Jen Kao, and the stateside return of our favorite Italian legwear brand, Emilio Cavallini.

-Julia DiNardo

Porter Grey’s collection showcased elegance in simplicity and the beauty found in the details. Wool, knit tops mixed with rich, burgundy leather created an endless texture throughout all the looks. Diagonal lines showed an edge in both print and cut-outs. Each piece could stand alone as a work of quality craftsmanship, or function as a foundation for any desired look. The colors were warm, rich, and timeless, making each piece classic and truly ready-to-wear.

Porter Grey created freshness in their beautiful line and achieved a look of effortless sophistication for the modern woman.

-Dawndrea Montoya