StyleWhipped

New Product Review: ic! berlin Sunglasses

For the past two years, I have been a serious devotee of Marc Jacobs sunglasses. I have multiple pairs and became a fan because they work on small faces (which is really, really hard to find - trust me). But during this past Fashion Week I was filming a video at Expose NY (a showcase of fabulous clothing and accessories designers), and discovered ic! berlin, an amazing sunglass company. I immediately started chatting with the company's reps and was instantly drawn to their fantastic super-oversized frames. And when one of the lovely guys at their table insisted I try on the "mercredi" style, I officially fell in love...because not only were they gorgeous, but they actually worked on my small face (Marc, you definitely have competition...)!

Part of their "tres chic!" collection, I have now had the pleasure of wearing the "mercredi" frames for about two weeks...and our love affair continues. The frames are made from completely bendable steel with no screws...instead, the arms simply slide out of flat hinges on the side. The design is genius on so many levels...for women like me who often carry tiny little clutches, I know that I'm not going to crack the bendable frame (not so much with my big shields or Jackie O-style frames...), and they also weigh next to nothing (literally, I can't even feel them on my face) and will be amazing when summer rolls around and even having sunglasses on your face makes you too hot!

I have been wearing the gunmetal color, but the frames come in a bling-y but matte gold as well as a sleek (and also matte) chrome, and black. I have gotten a hundred compliments and the shades have worked with my puffy coat to walk my dog just as well as they have with a dress and fur jacket for a lunch meeting. And I especially love that this fashion-forward line from the well-known German eyeglass company was designed by women just for women (probably why the styles work on so many different face shapes and sizes!), and yes, even Madonna has mulitple pairs. There are four other styles, each named for a different day of the week ("mercredi" is "Wednesday" in French...), all of which have the same low-lying arms that add drama and create a retro-glam feel.

Hmmm, I think I definitely need a gold pair next...

~ Alison

Running With Heels: Alison's Fashion & Style Column

It's a wrap...Fashion Week is officially over...and I've written a full recap for RunningWithHeels.com! Check it out here: "Fashion Week Recap"!

~ Alison

Fashion Week Review: Leanne Marshall

The last show I attended for NY Fashion Week Fall/Winter '09 was also one of the best. Leanne Marshall, who won Season 5 of Project Runway (the last one to be filmed in NYC and perhaps the last one we'll see on television for awhile...), staged a presentation in a tiny space on way West 39th Street. Packed to the gills for the entire two hours of the presentation, there was an outpouring not only of NY's fashion elite who wanted to see what genius Leanne had drummed up post-Runway, but her former fellow contestants and even contestants from the previous season all came out to support her...Suede, Stella Zotis, Jerrell Scott, Korto Momolu, Jack Mackenroth, Kevin Christiana, Kit Pistol and more. Leanne even tapped into Project Runway further, hiring Nathan Johnson as her head make-up artist (Nathan has been a make-up artist on the show for numerous seasons).

But let's get to the (AMAZING!) fashion. Leanne gave us one look of perfection after another, which she somehow managed to design and create in just three weeks!  I had the pleasure of interviewing Leanne on-camera for a Fashion Week special for SheZoom.com, and she told me about how quickly she pulled together this collection. To everyone there, she could have told us she worked on it for a year and we would have believed her. Leanne also talked about her recent move to New York City as her main inspiration for the collection...the shape of the buildings, the image of the skyline, and the glamour and high-fashion associated with "NYC." 

With a simple yet perfectly balanced color palette of black, grey, bronze, purple and lilac, Leanne used satin, wool, organza and more to create the tightly edited, texturized collection. There were long and short dresses, jackets & coats, and each look was somehow directly connected to the next, creating a great sense of cohesion. You could see her skyline inspiration in so many of the pieces...architectural folds and pleating on bodices, interesting collars on jackets, a huge circle skirt on a beautiful grey coat that was beyond 3-dimensional. My personal favorites were a long dark purple satin gown with a bustier top and draped skirt that added depth but not bulk, a short lilac dress with a chiffon bodice and laser-cut organza skirt whose movement, even standing still on a pedestal, was breathtaking, and an outfit created from a pale grey wool top with folds along the neckline paired with a woven bronze skirt with the same draping as the purple gown.

With a brilliant first collection after Project Runway from a brilliant designer, Leanne Marshall is well on her way to making a serious mark on the New York fashion scene.

~ Alison

               

Fashion Week Review: Milly by Michelle Smith

As expected, the Milly by Michelle Smith Fall 2009 collection was chic, feminine, and retro. Every look was totally wearable and could easily walk from the runway into a favorite store near you. Drawing inspiration from "Manhattan's Gallery Girls", Michelle Smith designs for the modern woman who appreciates a cool, understated glamour. 

The look was decidedly layered from head to toe with models bundled up (drawing much envy from the chilled and rained-on audience!) in beautiful coats, scarves, and fur hats and earmuffs. The palette consisted mostly of dark colors- black, charcoal, deep green, and chestnut, with little (maybe a teeny bit too little for my liking) pops of orange and pink. The mixing and layering of metallics, cashmere, silk, satin, velvet, lace, and fur lent a richness to the collection that was simply luxurious. Silhouettes were balanced and easy with many pairings of boxy coats and jackets with sleek dresses and lovely little skirts. And what can I say? Milly just has a knack with the flirty yet sophisticated little dress. I loved the black velvet dress with the little ornamental tassels (trust me!), and the silk sheath with the all-over peacock feather pattern that made its way into several pieces in the collection. But my absolute favorite was the swingy black and gold number. Accessorized with a headband and fringed scarf, it was thoroughly...modern...milly! 

- Cindy

   

   

   

   

   

Fashion Week Review: Leifsdottir

Eccentric, privileged, and a bit removed from everyday life. The models of Leifsdottir's Fall '09 collection had a role to play, and they played it with panache. Strolling around the showroom, individually or in pairs, they took time to pose, flip through books, appreciate the artwork, or thoughtfully look out into the distance. The entire showroom was a stage, and I was charmed from the instant I stepped foot into it.

The collection claims inspiration from the ancient monastery Mont St Michelle, creating a dark, mysterious world that fairytales are made of. Antique tapestries and oil paintings influence a rich palette of gold, crimson, berry, black and copper. Structured jackets, trousers, and skirts created strong lines evocative of the architecture of the medieval fortress. Touches of ruffles and lace added a perfect air of romance. And no review of this collection would be complete without mentioning the fabulous and dramatic accessories. Fanciful hats, headpieces shocked with feathers and netting, ornate antique-looking jewelry, and right down to the leg-wear-- each outfit was masterfully styled.

This presentation would have completely lost its magic on a runway. By bringing their audience into their showroom, Leifsdottir invited us to step into this storybook world they created so that we could experience the collection using all of our senses. It's a beautiful way to experience a brand and an effective way to present a collection. This is a show I could really look forward to season after season!

- Cindy

   

   

   

 

More Fabulous Jack Mackenroth...

Jack, we love you...we love the fact that you have proclaimed that Nicole Richie is out as your BFF even more...

http://www.newnownext.com/2009/02/michael-kors-heidi-klum-swiss-army-men-jack-macks-fashion-week-tour-continues.html

~ Alison

Fashion Week Review: ChoCheng

In the best sense possible, ChoCheng's Fall/Winter '09 collection made me giggle. The designer obviously loves whimsy and playfulness, and has a deep-rooted appreciation for the old adage that "fashion should be fun!" With a sort of Alice in Wonderland meets the Upper East Side (with a brief stop at the senior prom) sensibility, ChoCheng's upbeat runway styling mimicked the bright colors, marshmallow-inspired skirts, over-the-top satin gowns, and a fabulous appearance by Maggie Rizer in a wedding dress to close the show. The show notes even had descriptions like "bubblegum" and "cotton candy" and I had such a good time watching the show.

ChoCheng sent colors like turquoise, cherry, canary yellow, red, ivory, black, leaf green, pale blue, rose pink, raspberry, white, gold and silver down the runway, in fabrics that included mohair, velveteen, satin, cashmere, tweed, silk faille, organza and all-over sequins. Key looks included a dramatic, swinging coat in bright turquoise mohair with red velveteen trim to open the show, a black satin faced organza (very!) mini "can-can"pleated bubble skirt, a rose pink silk faille mini sheath dress, a modern take on the architectural wedding gown, and a tiny miniskirt in ivory satin faced organza with a "roll of gazar petals" (or in my terms, a very little pleated marshmallow that instantly made me smile!).

Were all of these clothes wearable? Not really. Would you maybe look like a bit like an acid-trip if you had a wardrobe full of ChoCheng? Probably. But did we witness experimentation, excitement, entertainment and a good time with fashion? ABSOLUTELY.

~ Alison

                

Fashion Week Review: Cynthia Steffe

Every season, Cynthia Steffe shows around 9am in the tents. And every season, I get up super early to go to the show. And every season, I am BLOWN AWAY. Hands down, this is always one of my most favorites. The clothes are beautiful, wearable, modern, feminine, sexy...want more? The fabrics are rich and lux, the colors are perfectly saturated, and the fit is exquisite. And I think this season is one of my favorites to date.

Always beautifully styled in a way sure not to take any attention away from the design of the collection (this season, models had subtle, sexy tulle veils over their faces), Cynthia Steffe's Fall/Winter '09 show notes told of an inspiration of tough & sweet and rock & roll chic, and that is exactly what we got. Contrasting shapes, colors and fabrics played off each other exactly right, and while there was a feeling of opulence, a secondary presence of playfulness balanced it out and made it modern.

A color palette of hunter green, black, plum, bronze, ivory, mahongany, red, aubergine, and gold, all anchored by the most amazing peacock print worked insanely well with an abundance of fabrics like leather, twill, satin, silk, crepe, tweed, garbardine, crushed velvet, chiffon, mohair, raffia, boucle, and charmeuse. Some key stand-out look included gowns, dresses and tops in the jewel-tone-and-gold-on-black peacock print (the long gown was my favorite look of the whole collection), a metallic jacquard fringe minidress, an ivory feathered faux fur coat, an amazing gold paillette skirt that was a party all by itself (!), architectural leather jackets with inspired detailing, and a gold boucle sculpted coat that could have been an outfit on its own.

I left this show so happy that I had been there, and for me, the reaction I had to the collection is what Fashion Week is all about.

~ Alison

(click on any image to enlarge)

                                

Fashion Week Review: Lela Rose

Lela Rose displayed a Fall 2009 collection that had transitioned nicely from her Spring line full of colorful, feminine pieces. Her blues and yellows were still there, but with her current inspiration being a “magical forest” instead of aquas and daffodil yellows, there were luminous cobalt and midnight blues, and touches of saffron, yellow-green, and gold. Maroon and deep amethyst also provided pops of color against shades of grey, brown, and black and white geometric prints.

There were both texture and structured elements that were prominent this season.  Whereas dresses and skirts for Spring were left boxy and free, belts gave new form to many of her ensembles and oversized collars and asymmetrical dresses and coats strutted down the runway. Layers, tweeds, and shiny satin made you want to reach out and touch the clothes. Overall I was impressed with how she took the collection in this distinct direction with no loss of femininity and beauty. In fact, one of my favorite pieces was an eggplant purple strapless dress made up of layered satin, and another was a glimmering gold strapless floor length belted dress (that was a mouthful) that was absolutely drop dead gorgeous.

I will admit that one my other favorite things about Lela Rose’s collection was the shoes. They mark her ninth (!) collection for Payless, and if I hadn’t known that, I would never have suspected. Heeled pumps, shoe-booties, and peep-toes made up the majority of the footwear in colors like moss green, charcoal grey, and dark purple. She also included printed fabrics that mimicked some of the prints of her clothes. Believe me - when these arrive in stores, I will be one of the first in line!

-- Guest Writer Morgan Williams

                     

Fashion Week Review: Vivienne Tam

Getting a cab around 4:30 in NYC can be challenging. Getting one at 4:30 while it's raining makes it infinitely more difficult. So if I need to suffer through the experience of waiting in the cold and wet, fighting off aggressive competition, and dealing with crabby cab drivers, my destination had better be worth the effort. Vivienne Tam's Fall 2009 Collection was absolutely worth it.

Inspired by the Chinese character "wu", meaning "nothingness" or "without", Vivienne Tam explores the Asian philosophy of creating an empty space that gives way to the new and unexpected. An insightful and profound reflection of the current global economic climate causing a re-birth of individuals as they return to a simpler way of life. And while there was very little that was "simple" about what went into the designs in her collection, it was absolutely filled with delightful surprises and a renewed energy.

The palette was rich with luxurious jewel tones including crimson, eggplant, magenta and teal, and infused with black, white, and smokey greys. I was enthralled by the textures created by the combination of cutouts, weaving, quilting, appliques, with fabrics in silk satins, chiffons, charmeuses, wool, and her signature mesh. My personal favorite piece was a brilliant turquoise chiffon and duchess satin strapless dress. Other standouts include a one-shoulder red charmeuse dress with origami detail, an impeccable black wool coat with cutout detail, and a perfectly fitted deep green leather dress with cutout applique. Once again Vivienne Tam has delivered an amazing collection that is thoughtful, masterful, and just really really pretty.    

- Cindy