NYFW FALL 2014 - Part Two

Prabal Gurung. That's where Part Two begins. The moment when I thought "Ok, how much money is in my bank account right now and how much do I really need." Prabal's show was so rich in it's colors and details and yet, so seemingly effortless. A strong, confident woman walks through life in Prabal's clothes.

My awe and amazement (and my credit card balance-checking) continued on to Tracy Reese who, typically, isn't my favorite. I'm not a print-girl and Tracy loves herself some prints. I like solids, done well and dramatically, but there are moments when I covet a print, when I dream of the perfect Pucci. Tracy loves herself some prints and in this season, I loved them too.

I am not even kidding where can I get this coat right now.

I also really liked Jill Stuart's show. Her clothes are tailored perfectly and the colors so flattering and intriguing- feminine but not so girly I feel like a child when I wear them. There's nothing avant-garde about her designs, but hers are the clothes I would wear most often and to me that's the sign of a successful designer. And I wouldn't be joking when I say my level of coveting this first blue dress/coat piece is at it's highest point, maybe ever.

Donna Karan had a coat that makes me want to be an international badass female spy/assassin... in Russia.

And this lovely piece which I think inadvertently screams Kiera Knightly...

Badgley Mischka impressed this season with a collection of dresses that weren't so immediately 'ah! my eyes, my eyes!' as the taste level has increased and someone has definitely reigned in the Bedazzler.  They have really lovely clothes that should be explored more for red carpet outings.

My love for all things Jenny Packham continued... even though this season was a bit boring.

And finally we arrive at Hugo Boss ** collective sigh of happiness** Alas we are not alone. Gwyneth Paltrow, Reese Witherspoon, Diane Kruger- they all attended too because our mutual love of Jason Wu designing Hugo Boss is strong. 

The collection was quintessential Boss minimalism, almost German 1920s in design. Silk and cashmere dominate the fabrics- a true Fall/Winter collection.

and Boom. Stella Tennant closes the show. Like a real Supermodel should.

Onward to Ralph Lauren who used pale pink, light grey, and white as his Fall/Winter color palette, a muted beauty. I hate pale pink, I don't understand why it's a color. But the grey and white pieces (we all know much I love a white moment) were gorgeous. I've thrown in some pinks so you can make your own, informed, decision. But... blech.

I have a strong suspicion we will see this dress at the Oscars.

And we end New York Fashion Week with J. Mendel, easily one of my top 5 shows of the NY season. Love the colors, love the styling, love the mix of prints and solids. A beautiful Fall/Winter show.

So long for now NY. Very excited to dress myself next year. On to London!

NYFW Fall 2014 - Part One

It's that time again, the time when people of all shapes, sizes (though mostly size 0), and races come together to celebrate creativity at it's finest: Fashion Week.

We begin in New York. Snowy, snowy, freezing cold New York. So cold it makes you want to rip one of those delicious fur coats off a model as she walks down the runway. But you don't. Because you have class.

As we know from our previous blogs, I wasn't terribly impressed with Spring 2013 in NY. It was a week with very few magical fashion moments. But, Fall 2014 was the complete antithesis of that. I loved nearly every show and swooned at the abundance of white, my favorite fashion color. Who doesn't want a red carpet moment of white perfection?! 

Our week began with some smaller designers, though no less creative or talented. I truly loved the Lisa Perry show. She showcased the season's trend toward volume, menswear, wool and black with perfection.

This dress was responsible for a Veruca Salt-esque meltdown courtesy of myself.

Hellessy impressed us with their knitwear/menswear combinations (though not the models, they are very unhappy).

As did Marissa Webb and later Peter Som, who combined knits with black, or turned them into beautiful coats for a sexy, confident woman. Because people it is possible to wear clothes that aren't midriff-baring, super tight, or barely-there sheer-paneled and still look sexy. Promise.

Marissa Webb

Marissa Webb

Peter Som

Peter Som

Then we had a time-out. A menswear/knit/volume momentary pause for the beauty and elegance of Tadashi Shoji. 

I don't frequent the opera, or the ballet, but Shoji's clothes make me wish I did. Laser-cut suede, lace, hand beading- all dominated his Fall 2014 show. If the world wore only Tadashi Shoji, it would be quite a beautiful place to live.

"And by the moon the reaper weary, piling sheaves in uplands airy, listening, whispers,
"'Tis the fairy, Lady of Shalott."

Moment of silence.

Ok, Back to knitwear. 

Trina Turk, which is a line that is not usually my aesthetic, had some standout pieces I would happily add to my growing closet. 

Capes Ladies! Capes for days!

Nonoo and Suno all had impressive moments:

Nonoo

Nonoo

Suno

Suno

But the best shows were easily still to come. We will leave NYFW Part One with one of my favorite shows from the first half of NYFW: Victoria Beckham. The collection was skilled in its tailoring and minimalism, reinventing the most basic pieces into new must-haves. Black, white and a few pops of color dominated the runway that brought menswear to a relaxed happy place. Again ladies, please refer to the above comment about the ability to be sexy with your clothes on.