Check out all of my Twitpics for the full fashion week rundown!

Robert Verdi Lounge

Always a fashion week favorite! I got my hair done by Gianillo Salon, makup by the amazing Melissa Silver of Maybelline, plus met with reps from Band-Aid, Sebago, Hanes, Robyn’s Jeans, Plastics Made Possible, and more!

ModCloth/Swap.com

Such a fun idea! Partying with my lovelies, the ModCloth team, plus a clothing swap! Bring two items, take two, PLUS a ModCloth item – woo-hoo!

[With my design in Lucky Jeans, in DKNY]

Fashion’s Night Out

To say New York City was one big block party would be a drastic understatement, as everywhere I went, from midtown east all the way down to SoHo was packed packed packed with people! I began the journey with my friend Sarah Sudar of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s blog Clutch (you can also see her account of the evening via the link) at DKNY, Talbots (I bought suede booties!), Juicy Couture, Missoni Pop-up Store JCPenney (we swapped a “Miss” for a “must” via a JCP gift card!), Lucky Jeans, ( I entered an item made of denim, a bag, for a contest judged by Tim Gunn!).

The Daily Suite

Pic is actually post-Daily Suite, where I had my hair done by a stylist from the John Frieda Salon in the Meatpacking District. Yay for sexy waves! The special nail on my pinky was popped on courtesy of Jan Arnold of CND, backstage at the Jen Kao show.

InStyle Lounge

Wearing some of my fave Sorrelli rings, I took this pic at the fabulous tranquil reprieve in Alice Tully hall; sponsored by InStyle Magazine. Food, huge MAC computers to use, and a gorgeous balcony with a view of Lincoln Center– what’s not to love?

[HP on display, with Sarah from Clutch]

Project Runway Party

Sponsored by HP, it was a reunion party for all seasons and cast members, with the most popular phrase being “You were on Season __, right?”  HP comps were on display as well as the new touch screens (so cool!), and then went downtown to Bo Concept for the Cocktails & Couture party.

Victoria’s Secret Lounge

On the roof of The Empire Hotel, Victoria’s Secret displayed some of their latest items, including a fabulous fireworks bra (no, not like Katy Perry’s, but still cool), items from Pink, and delectably-scented fragrances. Plus, there were complimentary manis, massages, and food-heaven!

Someone actually brought a CAT on a LEASH to New York Fashion Week-what?!?

Fashion Pulse Kitty was busy doing all the behind the scenes work while I was out covering the shows;the  Windows 7  Hot Pink Eee PC™ 1008P is a perfect size computer to tote around when I have to be gone all day, yet work throughout. I have a Virgin Mobile Broadband2Go card that I charge up for fashion week so I can always be sure to have wireless!

See the progression of my exhaustion as we move through New York Fashion Week! This season, there was a photo booth, courtesy of Rowenta in the tents, and I fully took advantage!

-Julia DiNardo

Inspired by a feminine and glamorous Sophia Loren, the designer for Callula Lillibelle, William Calvert, took the Spring 2012 collection into a modern day era. Delicate pieces are mixed with strong, distinct prints and fabulous statement pieces. Black and gold jacquard shorts are topped with a daring tulle blouse, while another model wore  yellow metallic jacquard shorts with a leopard print jacket in black and white. Bright colors rules the presentation in fuchsia, aqua, neon pink, ivory, and a red polka dot chemise dress. Callula Lillibelle’s accessories were bold in color and shapes, as yellow pumps and large belts met tapered trousers and long silhouette dresses. This collection has inspired me to bring some color into my typical (and very New York City) black and gray closet!

- Ambika Makin

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New York Fashion Week took a West Coast sun vibe on The Empire Hotel Rooftop as Nautica debuted its Men’s Spring 2012 Collection. Inspired by a California Road Trip, Nautica did just that by featuring cargo and board shorts for the beach, as well as light layers in nylon for the evening breeze. Wool blazers and cotton trench coats paired with v-neck sweaters were a great addition to the collection, as the warm neutrals complemented the bright summer colors, such as watermelon and shades of blue in a completely perfect way! American prep truly takes on a cool and casual Cali look with Nautica come the spring weather of 2012.

- Ambika Makin

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The Renwick Ruins, an abandoned smallpox hospital, on Roosevelt Island in NYC was the inspiration and feel of Sally LaPointe’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection.  The culmination of geo shapes, soft fabrics with a mixture of structure, dark colors with lighter beige, yellow, and a cantaloupe green, and powerful makeup balances the intensity of the collection with slightly androgynous, yet still feminine details. Once again, Sally LaPointe has Lady Gaga-fied the runway, as the performer herself is a huge fan of the designer and often sports pieces from the most recent collections!

- Ambika Makin

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Carlos Miele’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection makes anyone want to take a tropical vacay (or in any case, a staycation) to Brazil or a tropical, paradise island. Starting the show off with three models, hair slicked back, strutting down the runway in whimsical and flowing dresses in bold colors over ivory swimsuits, the audience knew that Miele’s collection was only going to get more exciting.

Beautiful Grecian-inspired draping gave the collection a delicate feel, which was enhanced by the vivid gold, oranges, and blue-greens, which mimicked a crystal clear sea. Prints represented a beach theme, replicating the shape of seashells and waves, as the collection includes daywear, eveningwear, and everything in-between. Be sure to pack your sunglasses!

- Ambika Makin

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Designing couple Sachin and Babi Ahluwalia went retro for their Sachin + Babi 2012 Spring collection. Tailored separates and lightweight maxi dresses were presented in bright colors of ivory, blueberry, tangerine, cantaloupe, and melon (is there a theme here?). The duo paid close attention to beautiful details, such as leather trim and exposed zippers to add a little chic rock n’ roll. If you are looking for a feminine, two-tone spaghetti strap pleated maxi or a soft leather circle skirt, this is certainly the collection for you!

- Ambika Makin

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[Images by Julia DiNardo]

Mara Hoffman

The engineered prints, shoes, and hair at the presentation transported all viewers to an amazingly stylish, far off civilization. Hoffman once again dolled out a strong, print-heavy collection that keeps her in the top ranking of our must-sees every season.

Chris Benz

Somehow, Benz managed to make acid yellow sequins look downtown cool, paired with hi-top sneakers (footwear by Alejandro Ingelmo)  and “I just woke up” hair.  Not afraid to use color, Benz is more and more moving into the ranks as a solid American designer, and fashion week favorite.

[All proceeding images courtesy of ELLE.com]
Tracy Reese

It’s easy to see why Tracy Reese has been such a popular choice of go-to femininity, celebrating the brand’s 10 year anniversary, down to the very day, this fashion week. She showed a well done, beautiful collection of softer pastels and prints, complete with a turn of the century rustic, ladylike vibe, due to the hair style and parasol accents.

Milly by Michelle Smith
Inspired by Sonia Delaunay and focusing on a Milly girl who is “more interested in her books than boys this season”, Michelle Smith used graphic zig-zag, geometric, and color patterns that reminded us how poppy and strong primary colors can be.

BCBG MAX AZRIA

Azria tells us that a story of mixed prints and color blocking will continue into spring 2012, adding in a mix of off the shoulder details and interesting slits and cut-aways.

-Julia DiNardo

[Image via MercedesBenzFashionWeek.com]

Zang Toi’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection opened with a big bang; beautiful taupe, black, and white silk garments kept the audience’s eyes locked on the runway as the glamorous looks brushed by.  The flowing length of the pieces swayed behind the models in flawless ruffles, uttering a toned down simple and chic aesthetic.  Just when you thought you had a decent understanding of the collection, Toi incorporated that striking royal blue (the one you see all over the streets these days) into many of his dresses, in particular the one seen on Kirstie Alley, who made a rare, runway appearance.  Brighter colors, shorter lengths, and bedazzling jewel décor all built up to the elegance of the finale, which gave off a sense of royalty that one never would have anticipated from the more casual start of the show.

-Christine Poyner

[All images courtesy of Anna Sheffield]

Anna Sheffield is known for her chic, contemporary jewelry line, but this fashion week marked the launch of her Bridal & Commitment Jewelry that had everyone in the room swooning.

In the “Honeymoon Suite” of The Standard Hotel, the designer explained, “I’ve always loved making engagement rings and bands for my clients and friends. It is amazing to create jewelry that is not only a symbol of a union, but also expresses something, so timeless and distinctive as the wearers’ love and devotion for one another,” says Anna.

Anna Sheffield’s line is innovative in that it is an opportunity for clients to “make their own” jewelry; ranging from traditional to alternative in design, the 40 styles of rings and earrings are special, one of a kind rarities. At the presentation, Anna Sheffield demonstrated the epitome of downtown glamour with her black skirt, hot pink tank and a messy bun. Partnering with EFD diamond manufacturing has provided Sheffield with the highest quality diamonds and stones, both precious and semi-precious. Gorgeous mixed metals met stackable rings for both women and men alike to fuse an on-trend line of bridal jewelry most often associated with with the opposite- tradition.

The inverted cut, a signature of Sheffield’s, is designed for the chic customer, while both the princess cut and radiant cut are found in the collection, along with 14K white, yellow, and rose gold wedding bands, champagne, antique, white and black diamond engagement rings from .05 ct-3 ct. and Just when I thought there could be nothing cooler than a black diamond or a pink sapphire.
-Alana Quagliariello

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Katya Leonovich’s Spring 2012 collection followed her signature theme of “Beautiful Garbage,” and with this collection she continued to reach new levels of freshness and originality. Inspired by America and in particular American football, Leonovich used a combination of denim, leather, chiffos, feathers and fringe to create an unusual energy of well-planned chaos. Both her denim and chiffon pieces demonstrated a technique of deconstruction and reconstruction, the denim through patching and piecing together, and the chiffon through abundant drapes and folds.

Taking such risks can result in disarray and a confusing silhouette, but each one of her pieces managed to come together seamlessly and compliment the male or female form. Leonovich used a color palette of mostly mustard yellows, cornflower blues, and violets, in addition to dark and acid wash denims. The addition of brushstrokes, slits, slashes and holes in the fabrics added to the chaotic but somehow appealing effect, as did the models’ feathered, mohawked, and gelled hairstyles. The men wore sneakers and the women wore either buckled or studded sandals, emphasizing the influence of American sports in the collection’s inspiration. Katya Leonovich’s Spring 2012 collection is the perfect fusion of clothing, art, energy and originality.

-Samantha Kufuld