Treacherous Conditions

As Day 6 of Fashion Week rears its head, I’m sick of talking about the weather. On Friday, as fears of Nemo were building, schools closed, flights got cancelled, and all the divas attending the shows were subsequently worried about their lack of shoe choices. A shoe hoarder/lover myself, I also understood their dilemmas, but still insisted on ignoring the elements.

“Its going to be really slick out there and conditions will be dangerous,” said everybody, even my mother who is basking in the sun in Florida. Well, the rough wasn’t so bad. On Saturday at Lincoln Center after attending the Mara Hoffman and Hervé Leger shows, and after my daily tread to Milk Studios, among the UGG boots, parkas and knee boots surrounding me, were a surprising number of stilettos. But not for me. Knowing full well that stilettos are not ice picks, I chose a pair of sturdy white boots to strut my stuff. No, they are not snow shoes, but just in case of treacherous white-out conditions, they would hold up just fine. I almost chose my black Stella McCartney rubber-platform faux-leather boots, but instead dared to blend into the winter white out with these See by Chloe boots, now on Sale!

Besides shoe follies, I have been playing the head games with myself this week, seeing how many days I can go with a different hat on my head. Day 1, slouchy beanie. Day 2, newsboy cap. Day 3, fedora. Day 4, neon pom-pom. Day, 5, a rainy Monday wool newsboy cap. Hats are great for shielding the elements, and take note, beanies et al. make quite the fashion statement . They have appeared in 90% of the collections thus far. On a scale from 1-10, here’s the thing. Snow – a disappointing 0. In the southern regions, practicality gets a -1. But my happiness, a glowing +6. And that, is everything.

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Photography: Lydia Hudgens

What I’m wearing: Alexander Wang beanie, Linda Farrow for The Row sunnies, Rag & Bone sweater, Nili Lotan plaid shirt, Dannijo Vala necklace, Zara pants,  Reed Krakoff bag, See by Chloe booties, Topshop boyfriend coat.

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96 days ago • Fashion, Style • Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Day Two NYFW, From the Trenches

Maybe it was the killer blizzard that tried to put a damper on Fashion week when the designers worried about retrieving samples, fashionistas panicked about their lack of shoe choices, but it was the main subject line at Lincoln Center and Milk. What would the impending snow mean for the heavily scrutinized outfits in the front row? Would the UGGS appear? Not in a million years. Bring out the Choos. Nemo be damned.

Snowstorms aside, let’s talk catwalks. At BCBC Max Azria, the mood was gypsy jet-set meets contemporary art with a fantastic mix of tunic dresses layered over leather pants and finished off with a knit or printed fur vests. There is one thing I learned for sure, heavy layers balanced with over-the-knee boots are so tough and urban, perfect for the modern city woman. The fierce combination of slouchy beanies and over-the-knee leather boots rule.

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Photo: Style.com

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Next up at Richard Chai and Richard Chai Love, the military references were a marching, and in fact the signature silhouette for Chai this season was his short, fitted, squared-off jacket.  Another important theme was check—more angles, there—and some of Chai’s best looks for both men and women came in a shiny, windowpane polyester. Also note an emerging trend: longer skirt lengths, seen at Chai, and just below, Creatures of the Wind.

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Next I headed into a luxurious gothic winter wonderland at Heather Lawton over at Studio 450. Somber faces stood out among the fur collars in cobalt blue and black, and the stand-outs were the oversized hoods and capes. Look at those glamorous edgy dresses and tweeds.

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From gothic to classic, the Parisian mood over at NOVIS was more cocktail dress slash formal attire inspired by Richard Avedon’s photography from the 50′s and 60′s. Clean lines, and so Jane Birkin, the bright reds, the striped gloves, and the bows, all timeless pieces, are wardrobe mainstays and perfect for that girl. Highlights include the full-dresses, pleated skirts, more velvet overalls, and ruby-colored cigarette pants. All the bright colors were so refreshing after a full day of somber blacks on the runways. The biggest complement an emerging designer can get, is a desire to have it all in my closet. Kudos to Jordana Warmflash’s first collection!

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Over at  Sachin and Babi, show notes included inspirations from the Aurora Borealis, and the winter midnight skies. Neoprene and vibrant tones prevailed, and the prints were fantastic. A perfect way to go from day into evening.

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All photos: New York Fashion Hunter, Style.com

So far the highlights include the plethora of leather and intarsia-print furs, (see: BCBG Max Azria), brocade prints from Timo Weiland, classic tailoring, and the inscrutable layering and evident inspiration menswear happening across the board.

That’s all I have for now. Come back for more coverage later after the shows and check me out on Instagram throughout the day for live updates.

 

 

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97 days ago • Event, Fashion • Tags: , , , , , , , ,

NYFW Days 0 and 1

Days 0 and 1 of Fashion Week’s catwalk kicked off with kick-ass presentations and shows in new venues (see: Eyebeam, Highline Stages), that have me rest assured that my eye for deducing trends quickly (see: wild combinations of fur, leather over-the-knee boots, and beanies everywhere) have been on target. This season, instead of my usual winding prose, I am going to be writing less and saying more through visuals, showcasing the seasoned designers as well as adding new up and coming talents. As you know from my previous posts, there is just no time with the mad rush of shows to cover all 283 of them by myself. Granted, we are on the shallow end of Fashion Week, but try getting from Lincoln Center to Milk in the snow and slush, and back a few times per day. There is no rest for the fashion weary!

Starting out at Vaute, the first all vegan fashion label to show at NYFW, the velvet blazers and overalls and the bow made from organic material, produced at home in NYC, were quite impressive to say the least. Get thou on my body.

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Over at WHIT, the collection was inspired by the romantic Marianne Faithfull. Leopard, paisley, and plaids combined with the dark moody hues of ruby, forest green and deep blues, put me right back to the dreamy 1970′s.

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Next up, I went to Dannijo’s “Vanities” presentation for Fall. Say goodbye for now to the usual rock’n'roll tribal aesthetics and hello to red-carpet-ready dazzlers. The mood was more focused on Art Deco, and if you look closely below, there are mirrors which play upon the golden age of social media and our over obsession with sharing (See newest trend: Vine app). Look at those rings! Those lariats! Hashtag ridiculously divine.

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I then headed over to The Red Dress fashion show at Hammerstein which I blogged about yesterday right here and then finally, to the 1920′s themed Wildfox presentation at Capitale. The clothes were classic Wildfox flare showcasing pastel pink, graphic tees and sweatshirts, silk shorts and sequined dresses. Cropped wigs, colored tights with open toed shoes, and turban headwraps reigned supreme while Sinatra played “New York, New York” into the wee hours of the night. And the winner of the slogan tee shirt goes to “I left my wallet in East Hampton.” In true Wildfox form, girls just do want to have fun.

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Check back for more tomorrow!

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98 days ago • Event, Fashion • Tags: , , , ,

From the Heart

Who said Fashion Week is all about the clothes? Me, durrr. A true fashionista, I can appreciate well-made tailored clothing like anybody’s business, namely the menswear inspiration heralding from Richard Chai‘s collection. But I can also vibe right along to the women and celebrities who participated in The Heart Truth Red Dress Fashion Show 2013 at the Hammerstein Ballroom the other night. A night of 1,000 philanthropic stars all decked out in red was the name of the game. The show was truly enjoyable, I made some new friends, and it sure was a break from all the ass-kissing that goes along with the protocol of Fashion Week. Here are the top reasons why I loved the show.

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Photo courtesy of Diet Coke®

What I’m wearing: Dannijo Melody necklace, Zadig and Voltaire jacket, Zara tiger top

The celebs. Seventeen stars including Kelly Osbourne, Gabby Douglas, Minka Kelly, Jillian Michaels and the Jenner stars, all channeled their inner models, walked the walk, and wore sexy vibrant red dresses for the cause. Watching Minka Kelly, natch, was proof enough for me. Strutting the runway in a heartbeat for heart healthy choices.

The cause. From the mouth of Minka Kelly, “it made sense to get involved and to inspire other women to take care of their hearts. This was a very lucky opportunity for me.” And she works out with a personal trainer upwards of four times per week. No wonder she looks so amazing.

The crowd. P”Trique, chic to the next lev, sitting front row next to US Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, right across the aisle from Miss J of America’s Next Top Model. That is unreal. Love. It.

The catwalk. The sexy designs from the likes of Carlos Miele, Marc Bouwer, Tadashi Shoji, worn by all those celebs sparkled and danced on the runway with major sass. Some salsa danced, while others sang down the runway. Flashing more than just the clothes, the designers and celebs contributed their time and talent to help raise awareness, each with a personal story attached to their strut.

The continuation. Throughout the month of February, not just for Valentine’s Day and NYFW, post a heart photo on Twitter or Instagram using #ShowYourHeart anytime, and Diet Coke has pledged to donate $1 for every picture to heart health programs. The beverage company wants to  reach its goal of raising $100,000, so why not contribute to this fantastic cause? I did. And while you’re at it, put on your own red dress and share photos of yourself (C’mon everyone looks good in red!)  Even if its a tube of lipstick

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Although this post is sponsored by Diet Coke, the thoughts, comments and views are my own.

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99 days ago • Event, Fashion • Tags: , , , ,

Let’s Do This

Are you READYYYY?????

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Photography by Lydia Hudgens

What I’m wearing: Linda Farrow sunnies, Cacharel leather dress, Joie coat, get a similar one from Blumarine, Wolford tights, See by Chloé booties, a cup of Joe.

From an outsider looking in, Fashion Week, through rose-colored lenses, looks like a month-long party, filled with famous people, never-ending parties, and incredibly glamorous events. But ask anyone in the business, and especially those behind the scenes their opinion, and it ain’t no freakin’ party. It’s long days and sleepless nights running across the city in sky-high stilettos. Standing in Siberia for the runway shows. Inhaling Power Bars for breakfast, lunch, and sometimes dinner. And drinking more than the usual quota of caffeinated beverages. It’s Fashion’s Olympics. Remember my self-made video from last season? Maybe I am crazy, but to me, this is the best time of year. Six months later, the story repeats itself, adding new chapters, more illustrated details, and bright new dreams. Done and done.

Every season, in the days leading up to Fashion Week, without fail, I go into prep mode. Foot wrap? Got it. Color-coded calendar? Check. Mophie battery? You bet. A slew of business cards? Yes Maam. And for the record,  I am contemplating doing something drastic to my hair, ie: getting bangs, or possibly cutting my locks a few inches.

For this post I decided to road test some color. More yellow than blue, (see: coat below), and red like you’ve ever seen me wear before. From the red in my tail, and the heart pumping in my chest, I wish you the best, fun-filled, illuminating Fashion Week EVER.

Fashionistas, start your engines. Remember, always have fun! See you at the finish line. xo

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Reed Krakoff bag, Julius Michael hair, nOir ring, Siren ring

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Pay attention to this Holst + Lee rope necklace. It’s everything my neck wants right now.

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102 days ago • Fashion, Style • Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Go West

A creature of habit, my shopping habits are very simple – if I think I can get the most bang for the buck, calculating at the register cost-per-wear, I buy it. Ninety nine times out of a hundred, this theory works out in my favor. A pair of killer shoes on sale that I will wear over and over again? Yes. The pair of ripped jeans that I can’t take off my body? Remember, denim is the fabric of our generation. The Kanye West sweatshirt that sells for a mere $19.00 that I sleep in, and wear to Fashion Week?  I sing the Blame Game. “Who taught you how to put some mother freakin’ Jimmy Choos on?”  Yeezy taught me. Yup, Yeezy taught me well. It all comes down to buying the things you love while radiating your individual style.

Down below see a fashion week post that is pertinent for this coming week. A cabbie hat swiped from the photographer, a trusty denim shirt, a statement necklace, skinny leather pants, and sneakers will one hundred percent transcend beyond the boundaries of fashion month.

And why not insert some K for Kool in your look? Case in point: there’s an art to dressing “like the cool mom” as my own kids would tell it. And you don’t have to shut it down in a leather mini-dress like Beyoncé did at the Superbowl. You can strut quietly. No smiling allowed. And it goes like this.

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Photography: Mark Colbran

I’m wearing an Attitude Cabbie Hat, otherwise go for the Topman beanie, Warby Parker sunnies, J. Crew denim shirt, Kanye Sweatshirt, Elizabeth and James leather leggings, and Isabel Marant sneakers which I may never take off my feet. Accessories by Dannijo, Philip Plein skull bag, and a Kal Reiman herringbone vest, get a similar one here.

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104 days ago • Fashion, Style • Tags: , , , , , ,

Wearing Red

Today is National Red Day! When I checked Wikipedia, ‘NDR’ is a day in February that people wear red to show their support for the awareness of heart disease. Admittedly, I am not a red girl, according to my color chart, I fall on the blue spectrum. But today is different. As Ambassador to Diet Coke® and The Heart Truth campaign, I can’t think of a better way to show my spirit, than to wear my heart on my sleeve. Red is an eye-catching color, and a breath of fresh air among the blacks and grey hues of New York City in February. I did pull out red last year for fashion week, remember this? Happy early Valentine’s Day.

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Photography: Michael Crook

Now, for the first time ever, Diet Coke will feature and adorn their cans with the hashtag #ShowYourHeart, which presumptuously implies that you know what a hashtag is. If you don’t tweet, now you will. Even better, throughout the month of February, you can still upload a heart-inpired photo to Twitter or Instagram using hashtag #ShowYourHeart, and Diet Coke will make a $1 donation to the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health. And I can get behind anybody that is passionate about health.

As fashion week rapidly approaches Lincoln Center, all the buzz surrounding the theater that is New York Fashion Week is about to commence. If you don’t remember what it is like, watch this. My calendar is filling up with events all around the city, and thanks to Fashion GPS, I can navigate where my body needs to be just by checking my iPhone.

I am looking forward to viewing the Fall/ Winter collections, and especially meeting Minka Kelly, the Friday Night Lights star, who will be walking the runway. (If you haven’t seen it, you must). Kelly is breathtakingly beautiful and will be wearing an Oscar de la Renta number at the Red Dress Collection Fashion Show. I will be posting photos of stunning Minka and the show, so don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and Twitter, cuz that’s where I’ll be living the next 336 hours, to be exact.

Finally, don’t forget to wear red. I decided to embrace my dedication to color and hope not to disappoint my uniform-wearing self advocating for this change. At least for this month.

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Although this post is sponsored by Diet Coke, the thoughts, comments and views are my own.

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107 days ago • Event • Tags: , , , , ,

Ride On

While watching Girls Episode 3 the other night, Hannah’s new editor at a potential freelance position, pushes her to think outside of her Brooklyn-based box for her first story assignment. For Hannah, it was a coke adventure gone awry, as she rode the white line for a winning story. Although there may be repercussions in circumstances like Hannah’s, this led me to thinking about the liberating effects when living outside of my “Comfort Zone”. For style bloggers, the rainmakers, and for you, the writing on the wall is clear. “The Magic Happens” outside of your comfort zone.

For me, there’s no cocaine, but there are wide brim floppy hats. Hats are my crack. And let’s have a conversation about posing in front of a camera. Sartorially speaking, there might be some correlation between baring-my-unshaven-bare-legs-while-waiting-for-the-delayed-Sunday-train in the single digits. And my relationship with bright color? I need to have more blue moments. And a bright marigold coat? Yes, please. All-black everything, or standard boring jeans are the choices du jour, but to be brave and fearless, even if it’s a bad decision, is better than none at all. I’ve been a brave Wednesday Warrior before.

See outfit below, optimized links et al.

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Floppy brim hat, A/X Armani Exchange, at $58.00, is the reason d’être for this post. I guess I’m channeling Stephen Jones designed Saint Laurent’s Spring collection if you want to go there. Not quite the same investment, so I’m testing the waters. The Club Monaco white wool coat was a whimsical purchase a few years back, and has now become the go-to piece in my wardrobe. Find a similar one at Michael Kors.

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The underpinnings start with a Jes Wade gold lame´tank top. Hiding all things that don’t deserve to see sunlight, this Thakoon high-waisted skirt has followed me everywhere. Club Monaco leopard skinny belt, See by Chloe fold-over suede boots, Warby Parker shades and 3.1 Phillip Lim Vendetta messenger bag. And finally, RUN don’t walk to get this Antipodium Vyner fur sleeve bomber jacket. Mine is L’Agence, but it is sold out. At press time, there was one jacket left in an XS and at $359.00, its bound to sell out in minutes.

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109 days ago • Fashion, Style • Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Monochrome

On the tail-end of January, few things are more comforting than contemplating the new season’s styles. In lieu of what’s to come down the runways next month for Fall 2013 (see: Céline reincarnations of the furry Birkenstock, rainbow shades of emerald), fans of monochromatic dressing, rejoice. I am looking forward to pulling out versatile black and white timeless staples that are my perennial favorites. Leather jacket? Check. White blazer? Check. Pencil skirts? Yes, please. Fierce bold statement shoes, drrr.

I will always stand by a fantastic oxblood, marigold, or cerulean. But, a mainstay on the spring runways, whether 60′s mod at Prada and Louis Vuitton, stripes at Marc Jacobs, classic takes from Saint Laurent, black and white for spring is wearable now. Eschewing florals and bright colors, I for one love dressing monochromatically. Done up with the perfect orange or red lip, crystal accessories, and a bright bag, these staples will never go out of style.

Dedicated fashionistas whose homepage isn’t bookmarked to Style.com, take note. Optimized links below, FTW.

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Collage by Carina Gupta

Top row, the jackets: Rebecca Taylor leather-trimmed jacket,  J. Crew white tuxedo jacket, Jil Sander Nostradamous peplum-back leather jacket. BTW, any of the jackets above can be worn with skirts paired below, or even better, worn with ripped jeans.

Middle row, the skirts. Donna Karan white leather pencil skirt, Topshop  embroidered full skirt, DVF Mahalia Lace skirt.

Bottom row, the killer shoes. Alice and Olivia laser-cut pumps, Jean-Michel Cazabat sculpted shoes, Elizabeth and James Saucy ankle pumps.

And where the path of success leads to the palace of wisdom, you have Chanel.

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So the million dollar question is, was Kanye onto something? Judging from Kim’s black and white wardrobe, Yeezy might have had some high fashion foresight.

What do you think? Did Yeezy teach us well? Tell me your thoughts.

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111 days ago • Accessories • Tags: , , , , , , ,

Winter Blues

New Yorkers like to complain. I know because I am one of them. Either it’s too cold, too hot, or never enough cabbies to go around. Yesterday was so frigid, I asked on Twitter why frostbite was not trending. And there it was. Hashtag #fingerswithfrostbite. Those texting gloves really don’t work, do they? It’s winter and it sucks. And unless you’re skiing down the slopes, ”winter wonderland” ain’t all it’s cracked up to be. Why? As if you have to ask. Walking five blocks is difficult without escaping to a hot cocoa joint to warm up your frigid bones. Losing one glove sucks. And standing outside is worse. Nightlife? What’s that. Socializing with friends has become null and void. The lack of sunlight doesn’t help, my skin is suffering, and today is nine degrees. The good news is I am abiding by my New Year’s Resolutions, and although shoe options this time of year are bleak, I am sticking to self-taught layering tactics that lead to a simple fashion uniform.

Bundled up in blue, yet not feeling blue, is the way to go. I have been obsessing over blue lately and its infinite palette options. How about mixing blues and greens together? That pop of green is just the right addition for the doldrums of mid-winter. And the best thing about this outfit? Full disclosure, it’s all on sale.

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Jeans are jeans, but style is what you do with them. My particular favorite pair are these stained boyfriend jeans from NSF. Ripped up and slouchy in just the right places, they successfully conceal the body parts that have been in hibernation for way too long. The top is fromTibi and although I am over peplums, this floral one was the canvas for this outfit. The ribbed knit from J W Anderson is the happy piece to the puzzle. Click the pictures below for details on what I am wearing. And, as always, they are available for purchase. Optimized links, et al.

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Here’s a particular favorite: the cobalt blue wool fitted coat. Ultimately warm when belted, the Sophie Hulme contrast coat is one-of-a-kind, and boom! on sale for $586.00. I got it at Owen NYC, one of my go-to shops in the city. Alexander Wang beanie on sale for woop! $79.00. Warby Parker sunnies,  Portolano cashmere-lined gloves FTW (warmth), Alexander Wang clutch now going for $215.00.

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114 days ago • Fashion, Style • Tags: , , , , , ,

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