Fashion Week: Oscar de la Renta
The Oscar de la Renta show is always beautiful. No matter what season, what year. It’s always one of my favorites. Here’s what the Associated Press fashion writer has to say about the designer’s fall 09 runway show in New York.
NEW YORK (AP) — The beauty of an Oscar de la Renta design is its luxuriousness. In the new fall styles he offered Wednesday at New York Fashion Week, de la Renta stayed true to his principles and didn’t offer a “recession collection,” or anything that could be called a “de la Renta lite.”
Fur (and lots of it) set the tone, and during the 15-minute show de la Renta did what he could to reassure fashion-followers that everything would be all right as long as they looked good.
The best of the bunch were a contemporary gray broadtail vest and a regal hooded feathered sable coat. Surely, though, the skunk scarf and mittens worn by the first model on the runway — in an otherwise sleek and chic black wool dress — raised a few eyebrows.
His signature beading and embroideries were sparser than usual, but, with his socialite customers dutifully filling the former church on Park Avenue he uses to stage runway shows, that seemed a commentary on emerging trends, not trying times.
The ballgown that would be his contribution to the fierce, aggressive look that has dominated the scores of this week’s previews was black, strapless and splattered with edgy shine, but the elaborate — and pouffy — gown would only be appropriate for the fanciest occasion. The same goes with another black Grande-dame gown that was covered with a tulle and velvet embroidered coat.
Other gowns had a slimmer silhouette, so narrow, in fact, that the models had to slow down their strut because they had to take smaller steps, but that just allowed a little more time to appreciate a leopard-print one-shoulder gown in silk chiffon.
Animal prints were used for daywear, too, looking refreshed on a quilted jacket and vest.
Paula Abdul’s new accessories collection on HSN
If Paula Abdul’s gig on “American Idol” ever plays out, she can always fall back on her newest role as jewelry designer. Abdul will make her second appearance on HSN with her Forever Your Girl fashion accessory line. She sold out of 12 items during the first airing. She hits HSN again on Feb. 22.
The Forever Your Girl collection includes jewelry, handbags and fashion accessories. It was inspired by some of some of her most popular songs, including “Cold Hearted Snake,” “Opposites Attract” and “Straight Up.”
The collection also includes the Inspirational Cuff Bracelet, designed specially for this season’s “American Idol” contestants.
Prices start at about $13. Paula will be on HSN at 3 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Lucky Link pave crystal earrings $39.95
Reach for the Stars ring, $12.95
Fashion Week: Michael Kors, Max Azria and Nanette Lepore
Here’s more from Fashion Week in New York, which continues through Friday. Check out the Associated Press story here.
Michael Kors fall 09 show.
Michael Kors fall runway show 09.
Max Azria fall runway 09.
Max Azria fall runway 09.
Nanette Lepore fall runway 09.
Nanette Lepore fall runway 09 during NYC Fashion Week.
Fashion Week: Jill Stuart and Tracy Reese
During Fashion Week, I always looked forward to Jill Stuart and Tracy Reese shows. Here are capsule reports from Fashion Week Daily.
Jill Stuart
Set against the hallowed backdrop of the New York Public Library, Jill Stuart’s fall collection was more studied this time around–albeit just as girlish and ruffled as seasons past. She opened her show with layered black dresses dripping with lace and shredded yarns, which tempered the sweetness of the purple chiffons and satin trousers of subsequent looks. But don’t think that the Jill Stuart girl has gone completely tough: in a move to perhaps avoid a wardrobe malfunction, Jill made sure her models were wearing undergarmets-even if that meant they were entirely visible under her ethereal, sheer pieces.
Tracy Reese
While much of Fashion Week has tightened the reigns and piled on the somber, Tracy Reese’s collection showed no sign of such gloomy tidings. Despite less than happy circumstances (the designer’s mother passed away earlier this week), her collection showcased an optimistic and ebullient outlook. Bright patterns, luxurious stoles and a show-stopping gold lame’ suit danced down the runway. Proof positive that good taste transcends age? The front row was filled with a mixture of bright young things like Kelly Pickler, Solange Knowles, the Hilton sisters, and older and equally chic women like Aisha Cole.
Fashion Week: Sears and K-Mart welcomes fashion press
Maybe it’s a sign of the times. Maybe it’s just good business. Sears and K-Mart beckoned the fashion press during Fashion Week. Here’s a story from Newsday.
By Anne Bratskeir/Newsday
NEW YORK — We spend a whole lot of Fashion Week wallowing in the sorrows of never being able to afford the luxurious duds of top designers, and for next season, with the dimmest of economic forecasts, well, bargains have never looked so good.
Which is exactly why the Sears/K-Mart suites set up in the Bryant Park Hotel were so refreshing, timely, and, surprise, surprise, featured some more than decent merchandise.
Contemporary lines for Sears included an adorable ruffled jacket — so on trend — cute trenches, floaty tops, most under $40 (yeah, we said $40).
Don’t miss the shoes, studded flats, saucy pumps all by private label apostrophe, and well-styled pocketbooks that could have fooled us (as in we thought they were pricey) for less than $30.
For back-to-school, there are well-priced jeans in every imaginable style including brands such as Lee, Levi’s and new-to-Sears, Jordache (remember?).
Moving on to K-Mart, cheaper still, a tweedy suit by Jacqueline Smith is a distant but not bad Chanel pretender, and the former Charlie’s Angel translates her animal instincts with a cheetah printed cardigan.
Cool young women may like the faux leather bomber — well-styled and lined with leopard by Piper & Blue, or the funkified pea coat by Route 66. Moms, go here for every imaginable graphic tee shirt from butterflies to zebra prints.
And let’s not forget the Protege sneakers by Al Harrington, the New York Knick. He actually wears ‘em on the court and they sell for $34.99. What a score.
Fashion Week: Marc Jacobs channels the 1980s
Fashion darlin’ Marc Jacobs showed his collection Monday evening in New York during Fashion Week. Here’s a review from Fashion Wire Daily.
Fashion Week: Welcome to the 1980s and the 18th century
More from Fashion Week in New York, where the trends are coming fast and furious. Click here to read another round-up story from the Associated Press.
Carolina Herrera fall ’09 fashion show.
Miss Sixty fall ’09 fashion on the runway.
Erin Fetherston for fall ’09.
Calvin Klein Collections menswear for fall ’09.
Fashion Week: One twitter at a time
If you want the exciting and sometimes not so exciting details of Fashion Week, my friend Bonnie Bing is twittering from the tents and the shows. Bonnie is the fashion writer for the Wichita Eagle in Wichita, Kan. Twitter is quick, frequent thoughts or responses. Read along here.
Fashion Week: Are you ready for some jewel tones?
It’s day four of Fashion Week. Are you ready for some jewel colors, like the top pictured above from DKNY? Check out a round-up piece from the Associated Press here.
On the Diane von Furstenberg runway for fall ’09.
Reem Acra for fall ’09.
Lacoste fall ’09.
Fashion Week: Jason Wu
Check out the details of Jason Wu’s runway show for fall ’09. Wu designed Michelle Obama’s one-shoulder inaugural gown.
