New York Fashion Week: DVF Fall 2011

Fashion dame extraordinaire Lady Diane von Furstenberg has never really faltered in my eyes; her pieces are forever flawlessly feminine. This fall collection, naturally, did not fail to deliver plunging necklines, sultry sequins, and gorgeous gowns, maintaining the tradition of utter flirtatious fun and femininity, while still being exciting and fresh. In particular, I enjoy the synergy of the wild patterns of certain looks with the various monochromatic looks, blue, green, purple, and turquoise being highlighted here. Honestly, I attempted to edit a bit to include what could potentially be considered favorites, but other than the moments where a cowboy-inspired, rodeo black hat was introduced, I adored this entire collection start to finish.




The boat neckline just accentuates the simply dramatic elegance of this dress; stripes continue to be everywhere, but it is refreshing to see some along a diagonal, and in a wider pattern, which is often more flattering look for more curvacious body types.

These bangles, such perfect details, complete the look for me.

This look is brilliant, as it stays within a single palette but offers some variety and playfulness with the shades.

Again, amazing bangles, and the perfect pencil skirt. This look was an interesting straddle between the monochrome outfits and some of the wilder prints, and serves to create cohesion among the looks as a whole collection.

This dress alludes to a kimono, necessitating demure steps and soft voices.

All three of these cobalt blue looks left me speechless; the slit on that sequin gown is so daring, without being obscene. I love when skirts drape and kiss the floor, but there is still a tribute to the long, lean leg. I am fairly positive if I had that collared jacket, I would wear it daily; obviously I am drooling over it matched with slight variations to the shade in this look, but would love to pair it with all black or camel as a perfect accent outerwear piece. Lady Furstenberg frequently draws heavily from 1970s party looks and silhouettes; I tend to agree with her.

Black and gold is one of my favorite color combinations, which I frequently resort to; here, I really enjoy the use of white as a background and the geometry of the pattern. Almost a love-child between Escher tessellations and those stereotypes of Aztec architecture.

(images taken from Fashionologie)

Winter White, Revisited

As New York Fashion Week draws to a close, and I review the trend reports of the various shows and spectacles, again I reflect on the clean all white look for winter. This pant suit, by Salvatore Ferragamo, was one of my favorites in a slide show of images summarizing the trend's tour de force on the runways. I adore the simplicity of the lines, the tailoring, the fit, even down to the styling, with the model's slicked chignon as clean and stark as the white she dons. I feel as though I could see this woman at a beach bar, slowly sipping a strawberry daiquiri or a tall and cool Tom Collins, or be seated before her in a board room, while she gives a presentation summarizing business strategies for the coming year given the still dipping economic climate. The white suit is so crisp and cold, and yet has potential for such warmth; it is truly as dynamic and myriad a color as black or camel.

While attending a film screening on Friday evening with the filmmaker, I decided to wear a flowing, a-line, apron-inspired white belted skirt, from J. Crew a few seasons back. With the skirt having such a loose fit, and thus more of a casual, lackadaisical appearance, I paired it with a black lace, fitted onesie top and very tall heel boots. I really wanted to take the plunge and dress in monochromatic white, but did not have something tailored or fitted enough in white to balance the informal structure of the skirt. Next time.

(image taken from New York Times, Fashion & Style Section)

New York Fashion Week: Marc Jacobs Fall 2011

As is to be expected, the Marc Jacobs ready-to-wear Fall 2011 collection has been the cream and scream of New York Fashion Week. He delivers his usual amazingly wearable and decadent art; I never cease to be amazed at the simultaneous beauty and functionality of his pieces, even with some looks being a tad hyperbolized for the spectacle of the runway. Below are some of my favorite looks, which revolve predominantly around a streamlined, pencil skirt silhouette and accentuated waists. Again, as is to be expected from Mr. Jacobs, there is incredible interplay between colors and textures, particularly a contrast between bold leather and suede with softer opulescent fabrics, and an effortless structuring to each look.

(images taken from New York Times, Fashion & Style section)