The Fashion Reporter - Fall 2007 Fashion Week Wrap-Up

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Fall 2007 Fashion Week Wrap-Up

Spring 2009 Runway Report

Words by Kemol Taylor and Priscilla Monteiro

Photos Courtesy of Joshua Lott

If I had to define this seasons fashion in one word the answer would be "vintage" Unfortunately each designers presentation expressed uniqueness via art inspired, three dimensional, two toned and floral fabrics. To sum things up, London based design house, Preen, debuted at NY Fashion Week presenting a very 1980's inspired collection consisting of boxy jackets, hi-waist shorts and khaki anoraks in hues if taupe, blush and ivory. Other 1980's inspired collections on the runway this spring included Burberry, Phillip Lim (although a majority of his collection was very 20's), Just Sweet (a mix of 1960's and 1980's), Chanel, Lagerfeld (one in the same and not to be confused) and Valentino to name a few. Other designers from Tracy Reese, Rodarte, Twinke by Wenlan, Temperly London, Catherine Malandrino, Rebecca Taylor, Luca Luca, Carlos Miele, Carolina Herrera, Jill Stuart, Lanvin as well as Missoni,the very sexy and sophisticated woman, expressed their romantic and flirtatious side with pastel colors, chiffons, lace, flamenco ruffles, stains, tulle, and thigh-grazing gowns sexy enough to make any man or woman stare.

ABAETE ALEXANDER WANG

ALEXANDER HERCOVITCHE ANNA SUI

ANNA SUI

BCBG

BEHNAZ SARAPFOUR BETSEY JOHNSON

BETSEY JOHNSON CALVIN KLEIN CARLOS MIELE

CARLOS MIELE CHADO RALPH RUCCI

Behnaz, known to showcase a very Park Avenue appropriate collection, took us back to the 1970's in the days of Mary Tyler Moore with palm leaf prints, bermuda shorts and even some 1950's inspired shirt dresses. Other travel inspired pieces as well as 1970's inspired designs on the runway came from Marc by Marc Jacobs (must we not forget about the oh-so adorable perfectly matching red pullman paired with a taupe and red pleated dress), Diane von Furstenburg, Michale Kors, Oscar de la Renta, Calvin Klein, Prada, Sonia Rykiel and Derek Lam.

Mcqueen kept to stiff shapes with a touch of softness with use of lace and chiffon adding a touch of color via hi-waist red leather belts. Anna Sui’s showgirl themed expose' featured acid-bright sequins, neon prints, silvery feathers along with models in short and sassy punk-colored wigs. Hilfiger and Ralph Laurens's show was all about a glamorous day at the races and country club inspired by the 60’s and 70’s. Zac Posen, Proenza Schouler, Tracy Reese, Donna Karen and Stella McCartney chose to explore the wildlife with safari and tribal inspired pieces accessorized with oversized hats.

Last but not least, let us not forget designers who chose to illustrate their creativity and artistic side with unexpecting accessory combos and pieces specific to the occasion. Steering away from the IN's and OUT's, designers Viktor and Rolf paid homage to the late French mime, Marcel Marceau featuring gorgeous gowns with guitar shaped appliqués, harlequin ruffles, and the mimes traditional black and white palletes.

BEST OF FALL FASHION WEEK 2008

Words by Priscilla Monteiro

All Photos Courtesy of Roland Hyde of Rol Model Media

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By the way things are looking as far as global warming is concerned, furs may not have too much more life on the catwalk, however designers including Sonia Rykiel, Dennis Basso (although the show stared 45 minutes late, not because of Peta, but because his publicist had a seizure), Emilio Pucci add Bill Blass, to name a few, illustrated their artistic expression atop of mink, fox and chinchilla while the weather still permits. Designers also took into consideration today's harsh economic times and played very safe while creating actual wearable collections for fall. Sheers and vivid printed fabric were paired with ankle boots, strappy sandals or riding boots.

The shoes from Alexander Hercovitche to Stella McCartney to Gucci were absolutely to die for on the runway so DO save up for your shoe fetish. If you have carefully selected your Spring 2008 wardrobe, then you can set aside your plums, grays, yellows, and browns so all you will need to do is search for hunter green, berry, orange/rust, red and periwinkle & electric blue vs royal blue that Jill Stuart nailed with a hammer.

This NY Fashion week was very lovely and most memorable for many reasons including the all new Grecian decor, the Lycra cafe serving espressos, lattes and desserts vs the past setup featuring pieces by our favorite designers, of course the MAC lounge serving espressos and notepads, Imperia Vodka's front and center Russian Tea Room- red velvet setup and of course the American Express lounge hosted by ex-supermodel, Roshumba.

For those of you who didn't have the pleasure or access to the VIP backstage lounges, you missed purple lace panties and custom cocktails courtesy of W- Hotel, Benz pens and leather notebooks courtesy of Mercedes Benz, not to mention very cordial staff, A-list celebrities from Vivica A. Fox, Tyson Beckord, Nikki Hilton, Christina Millian, Tyra Banks, Nikki Taylor, Heidi Klum, and just pure luxury at its best under an oversized tent. I'd like to see your next camping trip top that! Trends are made to follow then again, trendsetters set the trends. Therefore all of you true fashionistas should know that fashion has no rules, limits or boundaries. The beauty and art of fashion is defined by our own sense of style so be inspired by your favorite designer and get dressed already!

Click here for the blog edition.

Allesandro Del'Acqua Alexander Hercovitche

Alexander McQueen

Anna Sui Antonio Berardi

Badgley Mishcka Behnaz Sarafpour

Balenciaga

Science fiction, latex and plastic are an unusual mix; but, when discussing fashion week in Paris, it’s just another day in the world of designer Nicolas Ghesquiére. Ghesquiére said that he “wanted something austere but with a bit of Spanish drama,” and drama is just what he delivered at Balenciaga’s fall 2008 ready-to-wear show in Paris. A series of molded black dresses accessorized with thick, black armbands opened the show. The neck and wrists were equally adorned with timeless jewelry made up of crystal, pearls and faux gems. Perhaps, the most understated of the show stopping “latex” coats, unique draped velvet and taffeta tops, double-sided fabrics and oblong shaped jackets, were the shoes. The seamless blend of latex, “plastic” and ersatz metals go along with Ghesquiéres’ sci-fi theme while still leaving those who live in the “real world” able to translate them into great work pumps and “night-on-the-town” boots.

Bill Blass

Burberry Prorsum Calvin Klein Carolina Herrera

Catherine Malandrino Celine

Celine Chado Ralph Rucci

Chanel

Chloe DSquared

Carolina Herrera

Dolce and Gabbana

Dolce and Gabbana

Dennis Basso

Diane von Furstenberg

Doo Ri Douglass Hannant

Erin Fetherston Elie Saab

Emilio Pucci

Fendi

Givenchy

Shakespearean romanticism with traces of urban flare made Givenchy’s fall 2008 ready -to- wear line literally ready-to-wear. In past seasons, designer Riccardo Tisci has caught some flack from fashion editors around the globe for “not living up to his potential.” However, the tides have changed and Givenchy is back! Layers of gold chains garnished phenomenally tailored blazers, coats and ruffled blouses while skinny leather and wool trousers stopped atop slick black patent wedge boots with tab-and-Velcro fastenings. Minus a few gold chains, any woman is able to turn any piece of Givenchy’s new line into timeless mainstays.