Posts tagged NYFW
Spotted: Top 3 Accessory Trends Off The Runway at NYFW
Feb 20th
While Fashion Week is known for its runways, fashion show attendees can be just as inspiring to look at. With the tastemakers of the fashion world flocking to Lincoln Center to see and be seen, it’s no surprise that street style photos are just as influential as the designers’ new collections. After much obsessing over candid shots of editors and bloggers galore, here are three of the hottest accessory trends from the streets of New York.
1. Statement Necklaces
Statement necklaces have been around for a few seasons now, but they were still ever-present on the most fashionable NYFW attendees. As we segue into spring, many of the statement necklaces that we spotted were bright and colorful in pastel and neon hues. While a gorgeous statement necklace can make even the simplest outfit look chic, fashion risk takers preferred to layer their necklaces over a contrasting pattern or design for an even trendier look. For a twist on menswear, layer a statement necklace (or multiple) underneath an oxford collar.
(middle photo credit: refinery29.com)
2. Colorblocked Bags
Colorblocking is far from a new trend; every season sees numerous colorblocked outfits sent down the runway. However, colorblocked bags really seemed to make an appearance on the streets of New York this February. A perfect way to add a colorful (but not overwhelming) pop to any ensemble, a colorblocked clutch is effortlessly chic. The best thing about this trend is the versatility, grab a slouchy option for a more casual jeans-and-tee ensemble, or go with a structured, mini version for your fashion-forward office or a night out.
(photo credit: refinery29.com)
3. Mirrored Sunglasses
Step aside, Wayfarers! There’s a new sunglasses trend in town, and it’s a lot more fun than the classic Ray Bans style we’ve come to know and love. Though New York may have been a tad chilly (ahem, Nemo), the sun was still out, and many fashionistas completed their outfits with a pair of super reflective sunglasses. This awesome 80s-inspired trend was spotted everywhere this season, and is the perfect way to add a quirky twist to an outfit.
(left photo credit: refinery29.com)
This season, set aside classic accessories and try something a little more colorful and fun. I can’t wait to add extra spice to my closet with these new accessory trends!
What was your favorite street style trend from fashion week? Tell us on Facebook or Twitter!
~Alyssa, fashioniSTA
Red Carpet Rundown: Sparkle and Edge at KAUFMANFRANCO
Feb 17th
Front Row Included: Ashley Greene, Maggie Grace, June Ambrose, Joanna Coles, Jane Krakowski (not surprising since she wore the designer to the recent SAG Awards)
Number of Looks: 38
Stand-Outs: Fringed silver sequin dresses, streamlined gowns, dark neutral leather and fur pairings
This was another show with its finger on the pulse of awards season. Always seen on the red carpet, this runway didn’t disappoint with a healthy mix of sparkle and edge. The full-length gowns were accented with cut-outs, sheer panels, feathers, and – my favorite – sequined silver fringe. Fingers crossed that the front row ladies were scoping out their next awards ensemble!
While the gowns were certainly the finale stars of the show, the luxe leather and fur accents gave this show wearable substance. Playing off a palette of neutrals, the designer used luxurious textures and a touch of sparkle to supplement the rich use of earth tones. A few notable looks included brown fur jackets mixed with either a miniskirt or skin-tight leather leggings (of which Joanna Coles, Editor-In-Chief of Cosmopolitan and former EIC of Marie Claire, was spotted snapping multiple photos).
Moral of this story? Stock up on dark neutrals in exotic textures as a sure-fire way to shine this fall.
~Ashley, FashioniSTA
Runway Rundown: Red Carpet Moments at Reem Acra
Feb 12th
Front Row Attendees: Katherine Heigl, Tinsley Mortimer, Robert Verdi
Number of Looks: 35, ranging from outerwear to gowns
Stand-Outs: Use of fishnet in formal gowns, colored fur, draped sequins, Asian-influenced detailing
If you’re as awards show-crazy as we are, then you can understand our obsession with Reem Acra’s show yesterday. Tons of glitter has always been our MO, so we were thrilled to see a healthy dose of sparkle on the runway. The highlights of the show included the more traditional, perfectly-tailored, sequin gowns; the tulle peplum, red-carpet-worthy dresses; and the black-tie utilization of fishnet mesh.
The head-to-toe sparkle look also popped up at other shows – see KAUFMANFRANCO and Dennis Basso – just in time for the Oscars. But aside from your basic full-sequin numbers, we went crazy over the sheer details that used mesh overlays instead of your basic sheer fabric. In addition, Asian-inspired ornate details popped up on a number of the looks in this collection, from mandarin collars to the tulle and embroidered gowns that ended the show. The finale dress – a black mesh and tulle gown with ornate, red details extending over the bodice – was museum-worthy and red-carpet ready.
We’ll be looking for the silver draped beading gowns and the tulle and fishnet-paneled dresses on the red carpet – especially if the CBS Grammys dress code becomes a trend – perfect for fashion risk-takers with a slightly traditional palette. For the more casual crowd, kimono-inspired dresses and capes galore strutted down the runway, complete with fur details (a Fall 2013 staple). The lesson from this show? Grab your cape and your luxe-detailed pieces, with your choices ranging from fur to leather to embroidery to formal tulle.
Check out the entire collection here!
~Ashley, FashioniSTA
Our Favorite Trends at New York Fashion Week
Sep 18th
Just when we started to embrace fall’s temperatures and wardrobes (Layers! Cashmere!) – New York Fashion Week had to come along and tantalize us with some of the sleekest and chicest spring/summer 2013 offerings we can think of. The next six months can’t fly by quick enough so we can get our hands our favorite NYFW pieces.
Who says sequins are for evening only? Us fashioniSTAs love everything that shimmers, like this Rachel Zoe. With its silver sheen and a hint of gold, we can’t wait to incorporate this top into our everyday wardrobes. Adding a bit of bling at the supermarket, on the subway, or at a dinner date never felt so easy. (We love it paired with Zoe’s crisp seafoam green shorts and oversized cat-eye sunnies too!)
Amping up our arsenal of summertime day dresses is one of the best things about spring (along with fresh flowers and paper-thin cardigans). Victoria Beckham’s new line, Victoria Victoria Beckham, makes our selection that much better for 2013. With a blended watercolor-inspired print, and a bold pop of cobalt blue, this dress will be one suitable the first al fresco brunch of the year. Perfect for brunch with your girlfriends, throw on some sandals and an aforementioned paper-thin cardigan and you’re good to go.
A common fashioniSTA dilemma? How to dress for warm weather to the office. Thanks to Z Spoke by Zac Posen (left) and Juicy Couture (right), short suits are on-trend in a big way. With their bold prints and vibrant colors, we’re able to bring tailored professionalism to the 9-5 work day. Pair them with flats and neutral accessories to make them instantly office-appropriate, whether your daytime style is quirky or sleek.
Want to see what else we loved from NYFW – and what we’re currently lusting after from London Fashion Week? We have you covered over at our Pinterest boards.
~Meredith, fashioniSTA
Eila’s NYFW Pick of the Day: Pop of Sunshine
Sep 17th
Today’s Pick: Pop of Sunshine
Summer’s barely over, and the NYFW runways already have us lusting for sunshine. Yellow was a favorite from Tory Burch and Alice & Olivia. Elia eyed this Chado Ralph Rucci gown that takes pops of yellow into nighttime elegance. With a delicate tulle skirt, and intricate sheer bodice, this daytime hue goes right into the creme de la creme of eveningwear.
Want more from Eila? Check out her Amazon author page, blog Not Without My Gucci, and FashionWatch.com for the chicest fashion tidbits!
Eila’s NYFW Pick of the Day: Socks for Some
Sep 14th
Today’s Pick of the Day: An Observant Shoe Report
Channeling our younger years has never been easier (or cuter). Ensembles - complete with ladylike socks - appeared on runways including J. Lindeberg, where Eila was quick to snap a shot of schoolgirl trend in action. While our male counterparts stepped out at many shows sockless, we think platform loafers have never looked so good.
Want more from Eila? Check out her Amazon author page, blog Not Without My Gucci, and FashionWatch.com for the chicest fashion tidbits!
Eila’s NYFW Pick of the Day: Embellished Black-on-Black
Sep 13th
Today’s pick: Embellished Black-on-Black
Summer silhouttes are taking a darker turn for Spring/Summer 2013. Embellished and textured black pieces jumped out at Zac Posen and Carolina Herrera alike. This Viktor Luna embellished gown took Eila’s breath away while it transcends the basic black gown to the next level. The details tell the story with its delicate sheer panel, touch of tulle, bold texture, and jeweled waist. With Luna’s natural gravitation towards the edgy and punk rock worlds, this trend is a natual hit.
Want more from Eila? Check out her blog Not Without My Gucci and FashionWatch.com for up-to-date NYFW details!
Eila’s NYFW Pick of the Day: White Hot
Sep 12th
Want an inside look at New York Fashion Week? For the next few days we’ll be featuring “Eila’s NYFW Pick of the Day” from Eila Mell - fashion writer and blogger for FashionWatch.com and Not Without My Gucci. She is also the author of New York Fashion Week: The Designers, the Models, the Fashions of the Bryant Park Era and the newly released book Project Runway: The Show That Changed Fashion, so it’s safe to say she knows a thing or two about runway shows.
Today’s pick: White Hot Trend
White is popping up everywhere on the runway for Spring/Summer 2013, from Alice + Olivia and Cushnie et Ochs. But amid the sea of sheer white dresses and white leather details, this white cap-sleeve dress caught Eila’s eye at the Marissa Webb show. The oversized cap sleeves and streamlined drop waist details turn this classic into a refreshed style hit. This reinvention comes from the former VP of Women’s Design at J. Crew, so it’s no surprise that now that Marissa has branched out on her own she’s bringing us new takes on timeless silhouettes.
Stay tuned for “Eila’s Pick of the Day” tomorrow!
Getting an Inside Look at Project Runway with Eila Mell
Aug 28th
Last time Eila Mell and I spoke was back in February, in the thick of New York Fashion Week. We were discussing her previous book – New York Fashion Week – and she alluded to a new project in the works focused on Project Runway. Well now it’s six months later, and Eila’s book - Project Runway: The Show That Changed Fashion - has hit shelves to the glee of both critics and Project Runway fans. Eila spoke with us about what it took to put this book together, and the style she encountered along the way.
STA: I’m so glad I’m getting to talk to you again, I’m so excited about your book!
Eila Mell: Thank you! It was so much fun doing it, but, you know, it’s nice when it’s done.
STA: What made you gravitate towards making PR the focus of your book?
EM: In my last book, I touched on PR. For a show that not a lot of people had faith in at the very beginning to be approaching it’s 10th anniversary is an incredible milestone. I felt that now was a perfect time to celebrate the show in a book.
STA: Who was your favorite contestant that you interviewed?
EM: I feel a little uncomfortable using the word favorite just because I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, but I have to say I have a very soft spot for a few of them. But my absolute best would have to be Emilio Sosa – he’s fantastic, so talented.
STA: Love him! He just debuted his own line at NYFW in February.
EM: It was a beautiful show, my favorite that I went to, and I can’t wait to see what he does in September. He was also nominated for a Tony Award designing the costumes for Porgy and Bess, so he’s had an amazing year. What people might not know is that he’s really funny, he has the best personality. I don’t know how much people got to see that on the show because in the show he was focused on the work.
STA: This year is Project Runway’s 10th season, what do you think has made this show sustainable for so long?
EM: Absolutely because of the show’s integrity. It’s not manipulated, and what you’re seeing is creative people do what they do best. The cast is the best in the business, and that’s why people respect the show so much. You don’t just have whoever as judges, they have Michael Kors, they have Nina, it’s just an amazing show. There is no other place that showcases designers and gives them a voice other than PR.
STA: Any favorite Season 10 designers? 
EM: I am loving Ven Budhu – his [candy design] was amazing (shown at right), you couldn’t even tell it was candy! Right now I’m rooting for him, he’s super talented.
STA: Any fun tidbits from working on the book?
EM: Here’s a funny thing, when I met Heidi for the first time, I actually ended up insulting her without meaning to. I was talking to her and said, “How does it feel to have the contestants think of you as the mean judge?” And she said, “I’m the mean judge?!” She didn’t know! She was very good-natured about it, and not insulted, but I was sitting there thinking, “Oh my gosh, what did I say?!” Because people talk about it on the show! She was laughing and didn’t care. But then I was so relieved, because this woman who worked with her Googled it and said, “No no Heidi, they do, they refer to you as ‘Klum of Doom’!”
STA: Well she’s got that tough German accent and she tells it like it is!
EM: I think that’s what makes her so good, and I hope that people give her the credit she deserves. In comparison to some of the other hosts on reality TV, you can really see what a great job she is doing.
STA: And that seems to be one of the reasons the show does so well.
EM: You have Heidi coming at it as a model, she’s worn the clothes and knows designers. Then you have Michael Kors who is a designer, and he understands the creative process. And then Nina comes at it from an editorial point of view. That blend is really what makes the dynamic work because you’re getting three very valid points of view. Other shows just don’t have that.
STA: Do you have a favorite interviewee?
EM: Getting to interview Michael Kors was a career high for me. I was floating for days after. He’s someone who I think is so talented and brilliant business-wise. I love that he started from a modest background and built an empire. I think that’s fascinating.
STA: And Nina Garcia seems like an enigma to me, I wouldn’t know what to expect if I met her.
EM: She’s very cool and very together, just like she is on the show. She’s so chic, oh my gosh…her closet is the one I would want.
STA: Since NYFW is almost upon us, what are you looking forward to?
EM: Absolutely looking forward to what the PR designers are doing! Emilio [Sosa] is showing, Victor [Luna, from Season 9] is showing – I have a soft spot for those two, my buddies. And then Michael Kors always, he’s incredible. It’s fun to see what Marc Jacobs does, and [I love] Alexander Wang and Altuzarra. I cover the shows for FashionWatch.com, and I have a ball doing that. I also have my own blog called Not Without My Gucci [notwithoutmygucci.blogspot.com], I don’t know if people still get the Sally Field reference, but I still think it’s funny!
We’ll definitely have to keep on the lookout for your coverage while reading your new book!
~Ashley, FashioniSTA
An Inside Look at NYFW with Eila Mell
Feb 15th
Want to know what happens behind-the-scenes at New York Fashion Week runway shows? Just look online. But you want to know what went on behind the camera during the Bryant Park years (1994-2010)? There’s only one place to get it: Eila Mell’s book New York Fashion Week: The Designers, the Models, the Fashions of the Bryant Park Era. From fun facts to fashion rundowns to photos worth more than a thousand words, this book gives us all an inside look into a world of style that became a legacy. We sat down with the author to get her perspective on this year’s shows and all the industry itself.
What are you doing now for NYFW?
This week is an especially crazy week. I’m covering all the shows for FashionWatch.com, and in the meantime I’m working on a new book which will be out in September that is also related to the fashion industry.
Why did you become a fashion journalist? What was your path to getting where you are now?
I’ve had a really crazy career, I started out as an actor and I was unhappy doing that. I decided that I had a passion for writing but wasn’t exactly sure of what my focus was. My first book Casting Might Have Beens was about the film industry. After eight years of research and persistence it was finally published. It’s a real lesson about working hard and it paying off. I’ve always loved fashion and was able to merge my two interests in 2010 when I began working on my third book, New York Fashion Week.
As a fashion journalist, how did you see your role change in covering the shows?
I think that it has evolved. First it was just writing about the shows themselves, and I was writing [New York Fashion Week] at the same time, so I was more of a historian. Now I’m covering the shows with a focus on the current fashions, and what’s going on this season. It’s about the designers, and not so much the history.
What is your favorite part of NYFW?
I love seeing the shows, but I think even a little, tiny bit more than that is seeing people you don’t get to see the rest of the year.
Do you have a favorite designer that you like to see at the shows?
My favorite is Narciso Rodriguez, and Michael Kors, of course.
How do you feel about the newer lines that make it onto the runways?
I love discovering a new designer. I just saw an amazing show by a new designer named Misha Nonoo and she’s incredible. She had a beautiful collection, what I really loved and respected was that her price point was affordable. And there’s no sacrifice of quality. I also think Theodora & Callum is fantastic.
You seem to be very interested in anecdotes, where did you learn about the fashion trivia sprinkled throughout your book?
I interviewed a lot of people in the industry, and that was definitely the main source of information. To round that out, I also combed the archives of Women’s Wear Daily.
These photos are awesome, where did you get them?
My photos were actually going to be [a huge expense]. Then I was interviewing Kelly Cutrone, and she asked who was doing my photos. [When I explained what I was doing], she said, “No you can’t do that.” She called up Roxanne Lowit and Randy Brooke, and told them about the project and asked them if they wanted to work on it. It was such an honor to work with two top photographers.
Bryant Park was always synonymous with NYFW, and it gave a certain air to the shows. To me, Lincoln Center exudes a different vibe as a location, do you agree, and what do you think this means for NYFW?
I think of Bryant Park as one thing. It was in the heart of the fashion industry, right in the center of the city, and it brought in the crowds and a lot of excitement. Once it moved to Lincoln Center, it had a different air. It’s more about the arts. It’s not [necessarily] better, it’s just different.
Besides the obvious creative differences, what do you see has been the biggest (or most shocking) change to NYFW since the beginning?
Absolutely the biggest change has been social media. It’s changed how the industry works, [now] everything is immediate. Before we had to wait for photos, now as soon as the [show happens we get to see it]. Designers have to keep up with it; some of them are even putting [runway] looks immediately into production.
A look from Christian Siriano's NYFW Fall 2012 show
What do you think about live-streaming the shows, is it making them less exclusive?
I think that it’s making fashion more accessible, which is ultimately a good thing. I mean who do you want to reach? The customer. If I’m in Chicago, I can go [online and see the show]. I think it’s fantastic, why not?!
What do you think about Project Runway’s presence in the shows?
I think it’s really had a huge impact on the industry as well as across the country. The show has opened up a dialogue, making people aware of fashion, who probably didn’t know much about the industry before. Christian Siriano has totally broken out, and people don’t even associate him with Project Runway anymore. Daniel Vosovic has broken out as well, the show has given him a great opportunity, and he’s taken seriously by the industry. Emilio Sosa, he’s fantastic, [he debuted] his collection for ESosa [last Friday]. And he just did the costumes for Porgy and Bess on Broadway.
Where do you see fashion week going in the future, whether it’s the look of the clothes, the feel of the show, the way it’s reported (more commercialized, more editorial, etc)?
I think that eventually it might all be through social media. I don’t know, if in 10 years we’re going to have to go to the shows.
Your book includes a lot of discussion on supermodels. We don’t seem to see the same supermodel mentality that we once did in the ‘90s, is that just because we are glorifying the past?
I don’t think so. I think each era has its own personality. There are top models working now, but they are not household names [like in the ‘90s]. The supermodels of the 90s were reflections of their time, which was a time of excess. I am a huge fan of fashion magazines, and I used to always love to see which model got the cover. Now they all use celebrities [to sell magazines].
What do you think of the celebrity culture at the shows? You can almost judge a show before it even starts based on its audience.
That’s right! It’s true, you have to be careful as a designer which celebs you put in your front row. [Celebrity relations have] existed for a long time, it’s not going away. It’s a way for a designer to get his or her name out there, so I understand it.