Apologies for falling off the radar for a few days! This fashion week has been crazy- I went from ardently following every NYC fashion blog/magazine/website which covers the shows to sitting in the 4th row at Zac Posen earlier tonight!
I have to be honest- the first weekend of fashion week was disappointing. I was looking forward to the Barbie 50th Anniversary Runway Show for weeks! With all of the big designers behind the designs, I thought it would be an incredible show. Instead, I was taken aback by atrocities like the following:
American Runway Barbie?
Martian Runway Barbie?
I know that there are a lot of different Barbies that could have influenced the designers, but I felt that some of the designers took their creative license too far out of the box. (And since when or why would Barbie wear sequins and feathers on her eyebrows?) There were still a handful of great pieces in the collection, but the following look was my favorite:
Barbie Runway Show 2009
Moving on, BCBGMAXAZRIA is one of my favorite designers. His collection on Friday Feb. 13th showcased a palette made up of greys, blacks, and deep blue colors. While there was a lot of interesting drapery and cuts, there is no other way to summarize the looks- plain jane. Although I must at least say I was intrigued by these gold metallic tights and this one shoulder dress:
BCBGMAXAZRIA FALL 2009 RUNWAY
BCBGMAXAZRIA FALL 2009 RUNWAY
On Tuesday evening, I attended the TIBI fashion show. I never used to follow TIBI, but after seeing her (Amy Smilovic– head designer) latest collection- I will be keeping a close eye on in the future. With beautiful silk dresses, plenty of black leggings, great makeup, and inspiration from a mix of decades- the show was contemporary and upbeat despite many other designers falling into the “I designed for the economic times” category. Amy used a great mix of textures ranging from silk to lace and fur, plus a wide range of colors- bright blues, purples, and extravagant prints with greens, golds and blacks. The following styles were some of the best on the runway that night:
TIBI Fall 2009 Runway
TIBI Maxi Dress
TIBI Finale Outfit
The silk dress stole the show. They flowed beautifully down the catwalk in both prints and solids. The prints seemed to have an Asian theme of dragons and florals, while the solid colors included mustard yellow and bright pink. The finale dress (seen below) was absolutely gorgeous from every direction- due to the low back and the single shoulder design. And finally, to address what you may be wondering regarding shoulder designs (like the structured ones above)… Yes- I do think structured shoulders will be in style again. No- I do not believe any one in their right mind will begin to wear “shoulder pads” again. But structure and design are very important for fall, just like every other season- so I am sure this fall you will see toned-down versions of the runway looks (including some shoulder structuring) in stores.
There was even a gold Michelle Obama-esque dress (and jacket) which seemed very similar to her Inauguration Day Outfit:
- TIBI Lace Dress
Tonight I was in standing room at the Zac Posen show and was offered a seat right before the show began- in the 4th row!! Needless to say- the show and the collection were memorable. The atmosphere was a buzz- this was one of the biggest shows of the week. Paparazzi flashed pictures of Nicole Richie, Joy Bryant and others before the event planners cleared the runway. The show began with 5 model-looking pianists dressed in Posen walking out along the runway to their respective pianos (which were lined up down the middle of the runway!) The lights dimmed briefly and as the pianists began to play spotlights shone down directly above them. After beginning a beautiful collaborative piece, the models began strutting down the runway in gorgeous gowns, suits and jackets. The fabrics were luxe- silk, satin, lace and sequins, as could only be expected from Posen. The details were so intricate- they echoed couture, and a mixed palette of burnt oranges, golds, silver, and even bright purples and red came through. The crowd was mesmerized by the musicians (The 5 Browns– siblings!) and the Manolo’s (all shoes worn were Manolo for Zac Posen). Here are a few shots I took tonight:
Zac Posen Fall 2009
Zac Posen Fall 2009
Zac Posen Fall 2009
Zac Posen Spring Runway Finale 2009
These are some of the best looks that Posen showcased. I loved the sequin-detailed tights, purple satin dress with an exposed patterned lining, and the modern, greco-inspired gold gown:
Zac Posen Fall 2009 Runway
Zac Posen Fall Runway 2009
Zac Posen Fall Runway 2009
Stay tuned for more Fashion Week Review this weekend- I will have a lot of trend alerts and places where you can already find deals for next fall!
Because I Said So 