Fall 2008 Fashion Week: New York

Zac Posen

Leave it to Zac to give us a show. The predominant theme was the distinction between masculine and feminine dressing, and what happens when those lines are blurred. Silhoettes were romantic, details were intricate, pom poms were Disney-riffic.

BCBG Max Azria

Azria is the master of gorgeous, wearable clothes. There is never anything "off" about his collections--just classic shapes that embrace the trends. The thread that continued in most of the looks was the simple and effortlessly chic leather belt tied at the waist, which made for a beautiful contrast with the creamy palette of the dresses. There was also the voluminous mini, an oxymoron in itself, and edgy asseymetry to round out the collection.

Anna Sui

Oh Anna, your pieces make me want to be magically transformed into a beatnik-hippie-princess. There were patterns everywhere, colors straight out of a fairytale, all mixed together in a perfect collage of textures. The art noveau-inspired prints struck a cord with me, calling to mind 19th century posters and the artist Mucha.

Marc Jacobs

When it comes to Marc Jacobs, one often needs to sit and ponder his work in order to appreciate it. This season seems to be a call to modesty in reaction to a society of exhibitionism. Heavy stuff, yes, but the hemlines are low and the fit is generally loose. A collection for the intellectual fan of fashion.

3.1 Philip Lim

Lim, the current"It" guy of the fashion world, created a collection filled with a variety of colors and textures. The predominant influence seems to be Russian in the rich colors and brocades. His coats were all gorgeous on their own but would also complement a wide wardrobe, making them future covetable items.

Alexander Wang

Wang is the bad-boy rocker rebel of my small review. His body-consciouncess collection stood out against the more austere collections of other shows. The leather, gritty metallics, stark black, and clingy jersey all have an in-your-face attitude that should make him popular with pop tarts and rockers alike. I love the black and beige dress especially, which could perhaps herald a trend of black with neutral hues for the fall palette.

Pictures courtesy of http://www.style.com/

I'm Blue Da Ba Dee

Proenza Schouler Fall 2008

Feeling inspired by the fabulous eye makeup at Proenza Schouler, I got a little creative. Its what I do when I've got nowhere to go and nothing to do! This looks intense but can be adapted to everyday life as long as it's sharp and controlled. By pairing this with an otherwise neutral face, the look is eighties-meets rocker-meets mermaid!



Here are some of my for an intense look suggestions:

Makeup Forever Flash Color in Turquoise, Bright Blue, or Pale Blue

L'Oreal HIP High Intensity Pigments Concentrated Shadow Duo in Spirit 218

For a more subtle take:

MAC Technakohl Liner in Smooth Blue

Cover Girl Eyeslicks in Blue Ice

Happy Martin Luther King Day!

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

-Martin Luther King Jr.

Alek Wek

Du Juan

Chanel Iman

Gemma Ward

photos courtesy of http://www.style.com/

Fit Fashion

January is a time of holiday hangover, the return of monotonous routine, and when herds of guilt-ridden people flock to the gym to fulfill their New Years resolution. I am no different, but I always look on the bright side of this vicious cycle-new clothes! This Spring 2008 season, Stella McCartney has designed another gorgeous and practical collection for tennis, running, golf, and swim, as well as warm-up clothing and accessories. If this seems a little frivolous to you, I have a few arguments. These clothes have the best technology to improve your game, and can also be mixed and matched with other pieces of your wardrobe seamlessly. My view is when you look good, you will probably work out harder too.

One if not possibly the most chic sports is tennis. While being very classic, this outfit is also very fresh. The sweetly feminine detailing on the neckline is a retro take on the polo. The skort is also a tennis staple, and this one has just the right
amount of minimalism to balance out the preciousness of the blouse.

This outfit is my favorite, since I am a runner. This material is breathable and wicks away perspiration, while looking shiny and fabulous as well. I love the utilitarian vibe, the bright colors, and the satiny texture.

A very unique interpretation of the golf uniform. No polo shirts to be seen here! I could easily see the short jacket paired with jeans for a casual spring outfit.

A very glamorous maillot. Just a tad bit more modest than a bikini. This is for active people who love their two piece but don't want their bathing suit to be, um, as active as well.

Inspired: Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

Over the winter break, I decided to catch up on some un-required reading (finally)! I also got my wisdom teeth pulled, which meant no social time for Miss "The Godfather"-cheeked girl. I picked up Twilight by Stephenie Meyers, and could not put it down! It is one of the most beautiful stories I have ever read. It's the unlikely love story of Bella, a typical teen girl, and Edward, a beautiful and complex vampire. I have passed this book on to a few people now of all different ages, it is just a universally appealing, genre-defying masterpiece (the movie is in the works...and check out the rest of the series!)

How does this apply to my blog? Well, I came across one of my favorite must-haves in one of its new incarnations, Moon Venom from DuWop. This tingly lip plumper has opalescent shimmer in it, perfect for if you are feeling a little mysterious. The venom theme is such a unique concept and reminds me of the venom in the bite of a vampire. The shimmery "moon" flecks remind me of the title of Meyer's second book, New Moon (Note: the tingly sensation is from the cinnamon extract).

I recommend reading this series, you won't regret it.

Covetable: Leather Hoodie

Don't get the wrong idea. I'm about as badass as a cupcake. But for some reason I am so drawn to this gorgeous leather hoodie by Mike and Chris.

This twist on a classic borrows from the biker boys yet adds a decidedly chic twist. The gorgeous neutral color has a European flair, perfect for zipping off on a Vespa or picking up groceries at the chilly produce section of the supermarket. The antique and distressed texture gives it just enough of a roughed-up finish to keep it from looking undesirably new. The fact that it's a hoodie combines casual with luxe, making it wearable for many occasions. And the pièce de résistance: the hug-you-in-all-the-right-places fit.

I can picture this as a hugely versatile piece. Worn with jeans and a sweater, this would be a wonderful layering piece on those days when a down puffer just doesn't give you the sleek look you want. This would also go beautifully with softer fabrics to juxtapose textures, creating a truly unique look. In essence, this is the piece for all you girls who don't want to sacrifice your femininity in order to look strong and confident.

Consider it your urban armour.

Image courtesy of http://www.standardstyle.com/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=52108&BrandId=1577&CategoryId=990

Huh? White Lashes at Erin Featherson

Is it just me, or does it look like this model at the Erin Featherson Spring 2008 runway show forgot to put on mascara over her primer? Artistically I think this look is very intriguing, almost like icicles around the eyes. Practically, I think this look would have people wondering whether or not you bleached your eyelashes. This is very runway rebellious, and perhaps an inspiration for a Halloween costume as the White Witch from Narnia?



pictures courtesy of style.com and http://www.ourfixerupper.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/narnia.jpg