My Feelings about Fashion Reviews

I review collections with my eyes. I pour over the looks as they walk down the runway (or more than likely when I view pictures of those looks as they walked down the runway) and make judgements about what details I love, which ones I could leave and then the styling choices that the designer made. I almost always give a designer credit, whilst reviewing in my head, for things I haven't seen before or looks I want to recreate... and after all that, I may read a review of the collection if only to catch details that I might have missed... but if I read a review, I take the risk of that reviewer making me feel like my admiration is wrong.

Photos: Marcus Tondo / GoRunway.com

Balmain Fall/Winter 2012, Paris Fashion Week

On March 1st, the new Balmain collection premiered at Paris Fashion Week, and with that premiere came inspiration to me.  The beading and embellishments and velvet, oh my! Creamy neutrals and soft pinks to rich green and blue velvets, ugh, I am pretty smitten. And with the embellishments? This collection has me extremely excited for my beading class coming up in the very near future (DIY, what?). Take a look at what I mean.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe

Did Betsey Johnson Bring Clueless Back?

Betsey Johnson's Fall/Winter RTW 2012 show debuted last week. It was classic Betsey; fun, fanciful, flirty and a little wild. I have read reviews of her newest collection and everyone is getting pretty much the same vibe: pumped up 60's mod with a futuristic edge. I totally agree with those reviews but you know what I also see? Clueless, early 90's Clueless. Fashion from the movie Clueless (starring a one Miss Alicia Silverstone and the hunkalicious Paul Rudd) has hopped in a time machine and asked Miss Betsey Johnson for another chance.

Jewelry from the Runway: Ben-Amun

This fashion season, I was all about reporting on not necessarily the most covered shows (although I did choose a few of those as well) and was actually surprised that a few reps from jewelry designers contacted me about the shows that they were included in. I did coverage on Corey Lynn Calter, and soon learned that Ben-Amun provided all the jewelry for those looks that I loved so much. I feel bad that I hadn't even tried to do the research, because this jewelry is pretty fantastic.

Thick Gold Bangle, Gold Hinge Cuff, Portofino Gold Ivory Bead Earrings, Molten Gold and Black Earrings, Hammered Gold Necklace

My Top 15 Looks from New York Fashion Week

New York Fashion Week is over, le sigh, but that does mean that I get to do a roundup of my favorite looks of the whole lot. There were some outlandish fashion choices as well as some simply drool worthy ready to wear stuff. I have to say that I was not disappointed with the copious amount of eye candy, from my favorite designers as well as from designers I was not expecting (or had even heard of).

The following 15 looks are not in any specific order and I love them all for different reasons, so how could I rank them anyway? You won't hear fancy words in my descriptions, just plain how I feel about ma clothes.

Milly Mike Coppola/Getty Images North America, Rodarte Neilson Barnard/Getty Images North America, Badgley Mischka Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.com

While some might argue that this dress by Milly is not the newest kid on the block, I am in love with the yellow piping that separates the white and black blocks in this dress. Plus, ready to wear in real life? For sure. The Rodarte piece on the the other hand (pun intended) is not so RTW but I just thought this had to be one of the most imaginative looks of the season, hands down. Of all the fur-tastic looks from this season's runways, I have to say that I loved the tailored Badgley and Mischka jacket the most. Plus, I loved the styling.

Prabal Gurung, Ugh Extravagance!

One of my most anticipated shows of the season had to be Prabal Gurungs Fall 2012 line, mostly because he has had me obsessing over Rooney Mara's red carpet looks (see many previous posts on Rooney Mara and how much I heart her) and also Zoë Saldana has been sporting him recently (she sat front row at this show). His clothes have been daring, his prints imaginative and more importantly, the clothes are just plain pleasing to the eye...


Style.com described this collection as "Hell and heaven. Prabal Gurung's Fall collection made that journey, starting off all black, traveling through a blue period, and culminating in a finale of gold and ivory worthy of the pearly gates". I couldn't have put it any better. 

Photos: Marcus Tondo / GoRunway.com

Sleek, sexy silhouettes, sheer cutouts and masterful beading were some of my favorite aspects of the line but there were also elements that I was not a huge fan of. Take for instance, his high fashion sweatshirt. Now don't get me wrong, I love me some sweats, but on the runway, this look just threw me off. I know it may not be actual cotton but it looked like a run of the mill Hanes with an applique. Paired with gloves and the shine of the royal blue skirt, I thought this was a miss.

Jason Wu has a Big Week

Jason Wu had a big week this week. His Jason Wu for Target launch was successful (as expected), driving people to Targets nationwide and Target online handled themselves much better this time around. Add Jason Wu's Fall 2012 collection to the mix (which was all up in my Twitter feed today) and you have a banner week for the main man.

Photos: Monica Feudi / Feudiguaineri.com

People were raving about the militaristic jackets, the smoking silhouettes and the fabrics, oh the fabrics. From Wintery greys and blacks to red Chinese inspired prints, the collection was cohesive and had a voice. Even in colder months, this collection would keep a girl warm and looking fantastic. Ugh (in a good way).

Tadashi Shoji Fall 2012

Tadashi Shoji's Fall collection was different from the looks that I have dug so far.(see Nicholas K and Corey Lyn Calter prev.). The vision was dramatic for sure but in a different way. 

I am smacked in the fashion face with lace overlays, tasseled fringe, lush velvet and upholstery like prints (in a good way). The vision, and what I assume was the inspiration, was the Roaring 20's era, flappers and maybe a dash of The Great Gatsby? Any way you slice it, I am moved... to want to buy it for the imaginary black tie event that I have on the schedule.

Photos by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images North America

 Let's just say that I have never been so inspired by velvet. I am serious. 

Nicholas K Fall 2012 Cowboys Up

Nicholas K's collection came out with guns a blazin' today for the Fall 2012 runway show. Bad ass hats, ponchos, holsters in dusty grays and browns, all made their way down the runway at The Studio at Lincoln Center today.


The styling was rough and tumble, the make up rusty and dark. My boyfriend would be proud of me for having the following thought: The collection summoned the world of The Dark Tower series by Stephen King. Cowboy mixed with a sort of post- apocalyptic thing. Yes, I know how strange that sounded and yes, I know only nerds will get my reference.

Photos by Mike Coppola/Getty Images North America

However literal some of the elements in this collection were, there were also details that I thought were clever and imaginative. Take for instance the turtle shell necklace that some of the models donned. The pieces were not part of the Nicholas K line but rather were designed by Jewelry by Matt out of NYC and he is sure to get some much deserved attention for these gooooorgeous pieces! Not something that I would personally wear but in this collection, it really made an impression because the shells themselves were an interesting enough piece to draw the eye and compliment the designer's vision.

Corey Lynn Calter Fall 2012

Today was the first day of Merceded Benz  Fashion Week Fall 2012 and down at Pier 59, the collection that stood out most to this blogger, was under way. I am talking about the goods from designer Corey Lynn Calter. Her presentation was like "BOOM, here I am!" not just in vibrant colors but in the interesting prints and, subsequently, the pairing of the two. What I really, really loved most? Was that if worn with confidence, any regular gal could pull off these looks. These really are ready to wear.

Joe Kohen/Getty Images North America 

Anna Sui Spring 2012 RTW

Anna Sui's Spring 2012 RTW line was something out of a vintage lover's dreams. The details are what makes this collection so ultimately dazzling to this here vintage lover. Let's start with the amazing turban head pieces (Think Joan Crawford or Hedy Lamarr). In her ever gorgeous prints, the turbans would be statements in and of themselves. Staying on the head, Anna tied in some gorge floppy hats which made some of the softer looks, oh so romantic.

The vibrant flowy prints and details on the sock and tights, Anna Sui captured a vintage feel and infused it with a shot of youth and added a more modern touch. The whole collection leaves me wanting more and I will surely be searching out the black dress with green and teal details. Mama must have that for her Spring wardrobe, no matter what the cost.


What do you think? Are you a vintage junky like me? If so, what do you think of Anna Sui's Spring 2012 RTW line... channeling enough for you? 

I am in love.

Photos via Style.com

Elie Saab Spring 2012... am in love

OK, please look at the pictures of the most recent Elie Saab Spring 2012 collection and then I will dare you not to be totally enamored with the color palette. The show started with pearly whites and mustard yellow, working through peaches and then ending in vivid emerald green and royal blue. Some words I would use to describe the designs? Flow-y, Sequin-y, somewhat seventies inspired but all in all beautiful. I am especially in love with the royal blue sequin gown that barely skims the shoulders. GORGE!

photos via Style.com

Vionnet Spring 2012, Newly Obsessed

Vionnet has never really been on my radar, well I guess because I have been trying to take in as much fashion as possible but have yet to hit Paris... until now. Seeing a couple of photos from the Spring/Summer 2012 Resort collection has left me in a state of drool...ing over these looks combining royal blue (my fave) and yellow. These were the colors of my friend Missy's wedding, years ago, blue dresses and yellow sunflowers... I have loved the color combination ever since. This collection had me reminiscing and crushing hard core. What do you think?

via Fashionista.com

Nanette Lepore Pictures Spring 2012 Show

Since I was there, and I had my camera and my will to capture these exciting moments (well exciting for me) I thought I would share some pictures I snapped from the Nanette Lepore Spring 2012 show. I was actually pretty pleased with some pictures but eh, not so much with others.

Front Row at the show, Stanley Tucci, Kelly Rutherford, Carol Kane and Ariana Huffington

Sam Bisbee performed an 11 minute set for the show... which rocked

Nanette looked radiant upon the completion of the show

IMPROVD, A Serious Collection

I was pretty stoked to get into the IMPROVD, Valentino Vettori show at the Box for obvious reasons. This being my first ever Fashion Week, I couldn't help but be excited at the chance to experience new fashion first hand.The presentation was at the Box, which meant that it was not a sit down show but rather you viewed the models on platforms in waves. You could view the designs from different angles and certainly very up close, which I appreciated immensely. 

As soon as the show started, I realized very quickly that I was literally a foot from about 3 separate models, so getting in the game, I started snapping pictures and bobbing and weaving to get to the other side to catch the other models. It was at this point that I was thankful that I wore my hot pink Keds.

I couldn't help but be really impressed (first show or not) by the incredible textures that were sprinkled into otherwise flowy fabrics. There were some killer harnesses, belts and harness belts. Woven leather, textured leather... it was all really interesting and edgy.

Something else that I loved in the styling was the henna type hand stencils and the fierce pop of color in the model's hair. The messy look with ombre blues into turquoise was really cool.

What were my favorite pieces of the whole collection? The woven leather harness for one, the beautiful texture on a forest green flowing dress and this absolutely to die for leather textured zipper type skirt... absolutely killer!

What do you think? Was this collection up to your fashion par?

Nanette Lepore Spring 2012

If we want to talk about one of the best experiences of all all time (well in my life up until this date) we can talk about my being granted access to the Nanette Lepore show at New York Fashion Week which happened to be directly following the Michael Kors show so I was able to people watch that one, which made this a doubly awesome experience.


Nanette's show was girly, flirtatious, colorful and a rocking' good time. I was personally inspired to inject more fluorescent pink and orange into my wardrobe for Spring... thankfully, I have a little time to save for perhaps an authentic Nanette piece, ooh la la.

Some of my favorite pieces were totally ready to wear, so much so that I was ready to wear them home... but unfortunately, I must wait. Wanna see what I loved? And I am sure Austin Scarlett loved as well? (yes, he was there and I tracked him down).

photos via Style