Take a Fashion Week Seat to Naeem Khan

Naeem Khan is one of my favorite designers so it is no surprise that the highlight to my Fashion Week for Autumn/Winter 2011 was a surprise seat at his fashion show! I was giddy with anticipation as I waited for the lights to dim, the crowd to simmer, and the show to start. My first New York Fashion Week had been a chaotic culmination of my wildest dreams and this was the cherry on top. I sat and waited in awed silence as I mentally recapped my amazing week and all the fashionable excitement whirling around me. Dream realized.

The show for Naeem Khan was like walking down the memory lane of Classic Hollywood. I felt at any point I was going to see Ginger Rogers skip down the catwalk, followed by the sashayed elegance of Grace Kelly. Every dress was sheer luxury.

A note from Naeem Khan:

This collection is an exploration of artistry, technique, and heritage coming together to redifine the glamour of the cosmopolitan woman

 The details in this line were exquisite. Immaculate beading, ostrich feathers...embellished all over the place!

Any day, any time, I am a sucker for backless dresses, Naeem Khan is no exception. Many of the his dresses at this Fashion Week we fitted and conservative...until the model turned then BAM! sex appeal!

 Many dresses had that fitted, flared Red Carpet appeal, but I really liked when Naeem Khan began to play with the shape. Short fluffy ostrich feather mini dresses next to loose chiffon draped gowns...perfect blend.

My favorite dress...one that literally made me gasp was this paisley chiffon, feathered dream in muted purple. The flowy fabric is ethereal and paired with the whispering feather shrug... I was ready for an excuse to wear this dress immediately!

I tip my cocktail hat to Naeem Khan, he takes home the Gold for most inspiring designer I saw through New York Fashion Week. He certainly delivered a show stopping finale for those with a seat to one of the last fashion shows of the week. 

How did you enjoy Naeem Khan mes cheries?

Alexander McQueen | Continuing on the Legend

Alexander McQueen was a rare fashion innovator of our generation. A true legend whose far to early departure left a permanent hole in the fashion industry. As much as I love fashion, it has become an overpopulated industry of copycats. Everyone thinks they can be a fashion designer...and maybe many can, but not everyone can be a fashion visionary...and that is what it takes to run your own label and transform it into a fashion house.

Alexander McQueen was a rare exception. In an age of dying fashion legends, one seemed to have reincarnated in the youthful fearlessness of a spunky Brit. Every season without fail His became the show to anticipate. With never tiring creativity, McQueen's clothes were not the only art on his catwalks by far. He was a rare designer who understood the art of entertaining and married that to his show concepts.

Sarah Burton has taken on the ever impossible task of steering the helm after McQueen's death. And contrary to popular belief (even Women's Wear Daily loves her) I have to say...I'm not impressed. Allow me to explain.

{merci StyleFrizz}

Sarah Burton has created some beautiful pieces, not a lot of color even though the McQueen line was fabulous with that, nonetheless, here are some jewels from Paris Fashion Week Fall 2011:

Photos compliments of WWD.com

But note the following creations...haven't we seen them before?

Oh, riiiight...they are almost identical to Alexander McQueen's former Fall and Spring lines leading up to his untimely bow out.

Sarah Burton - Fall 2011

This photo is thanks to Style.com

McQueen - Spring 2010

This futuristic vision for the line lent to a lot of fitted "body armor" type suits.

Sarah Burton - Fall 2011

McQueen - Fall 2010

This almost nod to Chinese motif was prevalent on many pieces in this collection.

Sarah Burton - Fall 2011

McQueen Fall 2010

And the dropped waist with the exaggerated gather was also a key icon for this collection.

There is a not so fine line between honoring a vision and mimicking past styles, and unfortunately I can't say much for what I believe Sarah Burton is doing. The thing Alexander McQueen was revered for besides his dynamic vision was his constant gear in a new direction. Look how different the looks are from Spring 2010 to Fall 2010 alone! 

On a hopeful note, I can see Sarah Burton has talent, but personally I challenge her to push this to realms of limitless creativity. I can't wait to see the result. 

What do you think mes cheries?

Toni Francesc: Fashion Show and After Party

As I have escaped my Fashion Show daze and am doing my best to space out the shows for you, I don't want you to feel overwhelmed with the amazingness that was NYFW! After attending the Lincoln Center fashion show of Toni Francesc and then the fabulous After Party, I must say I had a ball!

Beautifully made clothing draped the runway for the fashion show, 

and then a lack there of...graced the after party!

This model's hair is breathtaking, she reminds me of a siren.

There were lots of beautiful Garnet silks used in Toni's line. 

This was my favorite jacket in the collection! 

I love pumpkin in Fall...wearing it, eating it, decorting it...doesn't matter. And this backless shirt/pants combo was to die for. Backless is my favorite surprise to pull...i.e. I need a shirt like this!

After a wonderful bow by the designer, Mr. Toni Francesc, my friend and I returned home to change for the after party downtown. 

Sometimes, you just know you're in New York City...but hey at least its a live saxophone!

I was sure to say hello Toni Francesc at the after party! I paid respects to his beautiful line, and told him I very much enjoyed it. Overall pretty epic night on the road to my fashion dream!

Fashion Show Invitation: Check!

After Party Invitation: Check!

Planning my own Fashion Party: One day...

Fashion Week Review: Vivienne Tam & Starbucks Video Feature!

 The buzzing excitement in the crisp white tents of Fashion Week does not leave much of time to come down from your fashion high after each show. I hopped into the Vivienne Tam tent shortly after my very first runway show with ADAM. Still hazy with sheer bliss, I sat and prepared myself to review my next show. I also just learned that I make a cameo in the Starbucks Video Feature from my interview during fashion week!!  It was just posted and I couldn't wait to show you all!

The small bad news I have is since the show was so dark, it was very hard for me to shoot without a tripod for my camera. So the few side shots are from my seat and the rest are from my saving grace Women's Wear Daily!

 A note from Vivienne Tam:

My starting point is the elaborate costumes of the Kun Opera. I turn this fantasy into everyday wear. The sculptural shapes of the opera are translated, turned into everyday wear in tweed, wool, for both day or night. Fabrics include tweed, wool, silks, and lace in a mix of weights. Silhouettes include the graceful water sleeve, an opera-cape shoulder, reminiscent of a pagoda. Motifs include the dragon, stylized wind, fire and clouds. Traditional patterns are printed in trope l'oeil; appliques, lace embroideries and crochet echo ancient handicraft, but are produced with modern materials and methods. Tassels, fringe, Mongolian lamb, and crystal embellish and highlight, adding texture. The bright colors of the opera costumes are adapted to the sophisticated palette of today's urban woman, with subtle opulence. 

Beautifully detailed clothing in the dreamiest motifs and mixes of textures Vivienne Tam did a superb job blending the Modern Woman with the grace of the Ancient Orient! You all know how much I can't resist being inspired by travel...since it's basically how I live my life!

And speaking of textures... I was asked to talk about my favorite Fall texture by E! Network's Amanda Garrigus for the Starbucks Frappuccio Question of the Day!

So what is your favorite Fall texture my dears?

New York Fashion Week Fall Review: ADAM Runway Show

I have dreamed of New York Fashion Week since I was very young... attending a glitzy runway show all decked out for Fall or Spring in the rarest of form was what I was daydreaming of in Algebra! So I must say, finally attending Mercedes Benz Fashion Week was most definitely a dream come true, and all I thought it would be... frenzied and fabulous!

So please enjoy the review of the ADAM fashion show,

you may even hear my heart skipping a beat through my camera!

 Everyone mingling before the lights dim for the runway show to start.

A Note From ADAM:

The starting point in designing every collection is the woman who wears my clothes. She appreciates the discovery in the everyday and reflects it in her personal style.  

Recently, I saw a small but breathtaking exhibit at the National Museum of the American Indian in lower Manhattan. The show highlights art and objects from Native peoples ranging from Alaska to Argentina. I have long felt the American Indian culture to be one of the most beautiful and I walked away from the visit inspired. this led to the colors, textures, and details that are the foundation of this collection.

Nude is THE hot color, so start peeling your eyes for some fab finds while shopping!

The show was lovely and I left inspired for Fall and ready to embrace my inner American Indian...ok so I don't actually have any Native decent in me...but I can still rock the look right?!

What do you lovelies think?