Fashion Week fall 2012: Rachel Zoe, Prabal Gurung, Jill Stuart
A model wears a cape from Prabal Gurung's fall 2012 show during New York Fashion Week. AP PHOTO
By Samantha Critchell/Associated Press
NEW YORK — Fashion’s top brass seems to like the military look for next fall. Three days into the seasonal previews at New York Fashion Week Saturday, styles for the urban battlefield have emerged as a trend.
Prabal Gurung, one of Michelle Obama’s favorite designers, opened his show with a sharp black cape — with a black patent-leather tank peeking out — and black neoprene molded trousers. The outfit oozed strength but it wasn’t overly tough, either.
It was a similar story at the Rag & Bone and Jason Wu shows a day earlier, which both took traditional military touches, including strong shoulders, epaulets, grommets and big buttons, and put them through a feminine filter. Meanwhile, Tommy Hilfiger described his new men’s collection as “an academy look that is sophisticated, modern, a touch rebellious but buttoned up.” In the notes from Friday’s show he called the line “a personalized take on military precision.”
“Maybe there’s some subconscious thing with the troops coming out of Iraq,” said Joanna Coles, editor-in-chief of Marie Claire. “There is a more positive spin on military, much more so than when we saw military after 9/11.”
The look is a good one for consumers, she said. “Military is easy to wear. It smartens your outfit, chic-ifies outerwear and it’s a good color range of neutrals that are flattering.”
Coles added, “The military is a well-oiled machine and military clothes reflect that. There’s organization and no room for doubt.”
Jason Wu fall 2012 during New York Fashion Week. AP PHOTO
But there’s a broad range of styles that tap into the trend, from crisp dress clothes inspired by officers to the more hipster interpretation of the urban warrior.
Gurung said his strong runway designs were more to make a statement and tell a story than some of his other looks for fall, which he described as “more wearable and sportswear-driven.” He said he didn’t have the first lady in mind when he conceived of the collection, adding, “I do hope she’s going to like something. But it’s more her effect has tremendous positive impact on my business.”
Saturday afternoon and evening shows were to include celebrity stylist-turned-designer Rachel Zoe and Christian Siriano, who’s zoomed to success since his 2008 win on the “Project Runway” TV show at age 22.
PRABAL GURUNG
Prabal Gurung offered sharp, edgy black outfits with strong silhouettes, slashed sleeves and high-gloss patent leather and ended with Oscars-worthy white gown gowns with feathers and gold lame. Somewhere in between, he fit in blouses and dresses in a recurring print of a steer’s skull that sounds scary but was subtle and truly lovely.
Gurung created hourglass shapes with sheer panels on models who sometimes looked like beanpoles. Some garments were molded to define silhouettes without making them clingy.
Trousers were narrow but with boot-leg bottoms. Chic coats were also long and lean.
He experimented with mixed textures, offering a patent leather coat embroidered with sheared mink loops, fox fur and tiers of goat hair, and on the other end of the spectrum, a white cocktail dress with a panel of gold tinsel and another of lame.
A red carpet-ready black gown featured sheer tulle covered in beads and crystals.
Jill Stuart for fall 2012. AP PHOTO
JILL STUART
The second outfit to come down Jill Stuart’s runway, a gold leaf-embroidered T-shirt paired with black sailor pants, is headed straight to the designer’s closet.
She had it earmarked for her wardrobe even before she debuted her fall collection.
Some dresses had flippy, flouncy hemlines and others had a schoolgirl jumper silhouette, adding moments of levity to the catwalk, but the emphasis seemed to be on the sharply defined shoulders, high necklines and the occasion panel of suggestive sheer fabric.
Many of the prints and embroideries featured a floral motif, but there was nothing flowery about black roses on stark winter white backgrounds or prints that seemed to paint a picture of a garden in the dark. This collection showed a more serious side to Stuart.
RACHEL ZOE
Rachel Zoe has that old-school, rock-star girlfriend thing down. Zoe, best known as a celebrity stylist, flaunted the signature look that made her famous with a parade of faux fur coats, skinny-style tuxedos, maxi dresses and thigh-high boots that you imagine the young jet-set wearing as they shuttle from London to Los Angeles — perhaps with a stop in New York. They’re for the type of woman who can pull off gaucho pants, which were indeed part of the lineup.
She said in her notes she drew inspiration “from the rock and roll glamour of London in the late ’60s and such fashion icons as Marianne Faithfull and Mick Jagger.”
One of the outfits on the runway during Rachel Zoe's fall 2012 show in New York. AP PHOTO
Jason Wu clothing in Target stores on Feb. 5
Jason Wu for Target -- bow blouse, $35, pleated skirt, $30 and bag, $40.
Jason Wu’s limited-edition collection for Target lands in stores Sunday, so it’s time to take a look at all the pieces and plan your shopping strategy.
Who knows if Wu will woo shoppers like Missoni did, but it’s best to be prepared. Keep reading for a list of Oklahoma stores that will sell the collection.
Wu’s limited-edition collection includes women’s apparel, handbags and scarves. He said the collection embodies his signature aesthetic of feminine sophistication, with a mischevious nod to the 1960s. See the entire collection on nymag.com.
Clothing will range in prices from $19.99 to $59.99; most handbags and scarves, $19.99 to $49.99.
Anthropologie opens today in The Triangle at Classen Curve
Anthropologie opens today in The Triangle at Classen Curve in Oklahoma City.
Owned by Philadelphia-based Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie is known for its store design and eclectic assortment of women’s clothing, accessories, gifts and home decor. Anthropologie also has a store in Utica Square in Tulsa.
Miss America pageant showcase for Oklahoma and Oklahomans
Miss Oklahoma Betty Thompson wears a gown designed by Johnathan Kayne Gillaspie and earrings by Sarah Lewis, both Oklahoma City designers. AP PHOTO
Saturday’s Miss America pageant was a good showcase for Oklahoma and Oklahomans.
Oklahoma City designer Johnathan Kayne Gillaspie created both the gown and talent costume that Miss Oklahoma Betty Thompson wore during the Miss America pageant Saturday evening.
Thompson, named first runner-up, wore a white silk jersey gown that had corset construction. It was accented with silver metallic lace that was encrusted with Swarovski crystals. A sweetheart neckline with ruching elongated Thompson’s petite frame, Gillaspie said.
It was a classic, elegant style made that made her look a little taller. In dressing her for the past few years, Gillaspie said that’s the kind of styling he has been wanting to do.
He also designed her talent costume, which is the same one she wore during the Miss Oklahoma competition last June. It was just tweaked a bit with more sparkles for the national stage.
“We were just super excited and elated for her,” he said.
Gillaspie designs prom, pageant and evening wear for his Johnathan Kayne line.
And those eye-catching earrings Thompson wore with her white gown were by local jewelry designer Sarah Lewis.
Thompson had said that about 200 friends and family were in Las Vegas to support her, along with several Oklahoma state title holders who will compete in the Miss Oklahoma pageant in June.
Sarah White, Miss Greater Oklahoma and a sophomore at Oklahoma City University, said Oklahoma really does support its state title holders and “we were excited about that as well.”
She said she was eager to see the swimwear by Komplique, the pageant’s new swimwear sponsor.
“The swimsuits were stunning,” she said. “So flattering, fun colors, fun styles. I loved them and I think the girls felt a lot more confident in them as well.”
And who couldn’t use a bit more confidence when wearing a swimsuit? During a live presentation. Seen by almost 8 million people across the country.
Click here to read more about Miss Oklahoma’s popularity and how she was a fan favorite even before the pageant started.
Must-see: Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit in Dallas
French designer Jean Paul Gaultier
There’s still time to see a fashion exhibit devoted to world-renowned French designer Jean Paul Gaultier.
“The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk” highlights the designer’s career from his early runway years in the 1970s through the next three decades. The exhibit continues through Feb. 12 at the Dallas Museum of Art.
Once dubbed fashion’s “enfant terrible,” Gaultier became known for his eclectic sources of inspiration, many of which can be seen in the more than 140 haute couture dresses and ready-to-wear pieces.
What sets this exhibit apart from others is the multimedia presentation, organized in six different thematic sections tracing influences that have marked the designer’s creative development — “The Odyssey of Jean Paul Gaultier,” “The Boudoir,” “Skin Deep,” “Punk Cancan,” “Urban Jungle” and “Metropolis. Most of these pieces have never been exhibited.
A Barbarella body corset from Jean Paul Gaultier's Les Actrices (Movie Stars) collection.
Sketches, stage costumes and excerpts from films, runway shows, concerts, dance performances and televised interviews provide a look at the couturier’s world and explore how his avant-garde fashions challenged fashion’s norm.
The museum is at 1717 N Harwood in Dallas. For information, call 214-922-1200 or go online to www.dallasmuseumofart.org.
An Immaculata dress from Jean Paul Gaultier's Les Vierges (Virgins) collection.
Rachel Zoe spring shoes at Balliets
I’m over boots. At least until it’s really, really cold outside or snowing.
On this beautiful day I’m thinking about shoes. Pretty shoes. Balliets at Classen Curve just received a few spring styles by Rachel Zoe that are define pretty — pretty awesome.
Take a look.
Happy New Year
Oscar de la Renta to launch children’s line
Oscar de la Renta is setting his sights on the smaller things in life – specificially children’s clothes.
He recently announced a children’s line that will include styles for girls and boys for ages from about 18 months to 14. A capsule collection will be available this spring at Oscar de la Renta, Harrods and Bergdorf Goodman stores.
It will be interesting to see how de la Renta, known for beautiful gowns, feminine dresses and exquiste detailing, translates his design aesthetic into children’s clothes.
To help, the brand has brought on Catherine Monteiro de Barros, designer of a former luxury children’s line, as vice president of design for the new collection.
She told Women’s Wear Daily the new collection will target mothers who are interested in quality and style but who also want their children to look like children.
Styling tips from Who What Wear
Who could use some new fashion styling tips? Me, too. Maybe just a few ideas on how to wear that metallic top, sequin jacket or button-down shirt? Who What Wear offers some great looks, straight from the celebs. Check ‘em out here.
Treat your lips to Fresh Lip Sugar Treatment
It’s no secret that my favorite lip balm is Fresh Lip Sugar Treatment SPF 15. It moisturizes like nothing else, has heaps of vitamins A, C and E and provides protection from damaging UV rays.
It costs $22.50, considerably more than most drugstore brands, but this stuff is worth every penny. And it lasts and lasts.
Even better, it’s available in several tints. I’m most excited to try Passion, a sheer crimson that is said to look beautiful on all complexions.
Other tints include Rose, Plum and Honey. And, of course, there’s my must-have clear.
If you want to sample three of the tints, Sephora offers a Mini Sugar Kissing Trio at Sephora. A $34 value for $28. You get Passion, Honey and Plum tints.
Fresh Lip Sugar is also available at The MakeUp Bar in Oklahoma City.
