Fashion Week isn’t slowing down anytime soon and neither are we! Helmut Lang flexed their DNA for the fall collection which included some amazing jackets. Pamela Love presented a jewelry collection that was equal parts industry and earthy. Fur accents at Yigal Azrouël’s runway gave the models plenty of volume. Don’t miss out on any Read more →
Yigal Azrouël‘s fall collection is going to make you look long and lean, guaranteed. (Though that probably isn’t a big concern of Camila Alves, who was sitting front row sans Matthew McConaughy; she’s sort of built that way naturally.)
The runway, which was set up at the Highline Stages, was a bit of a minefield for the models. A cobblestone walk, plus lots of protruding sewers, plus high shoes means that there are going to be a few stumbles. And there were, but luckily no models went down.
When I wasn’t holding my breath for the models and actually paid attention to what they were wearing, this is what I saw:
Paging all Ziggy Stardust wannabes: It seems like the it-trend to come out of NYFW will be the bright, printed suit. Spotted everywhere from Altuzarra to Yigal Azrouel, the printed suit is the kooky step-child of last spring’s color-blocking trend: pop-hued and positive feeling, but with a pattern that would make William Morris blush. (Look Read more →
What we actually want to wear on our nails and what we just like to look at on other people’s nails are two very different things sometimes. The nail artistry at this week’s New York fashion week actually veered both ways for us this season.
While nudes are still a thing, and orangey poppy reds (see Jason Wu) had a strong showing, there were a few surprises, too. Manicurist Jin Soon Choi told us backstage at Alexander Wang to watch for super dark colors (not very spring-like) mixed with brights–for example a mixed mani/pedi. She also said that bright colors with a 70s feeling like purple and turquoise would be big come spring.
The established designers went fairly minimal with makeup and nails this season, but we love that indie designers (and Betsey Johnson, of course!) are still taking nail risks.
Name: Suzy Bird
Age: 21
Occupation: Model
How would you describe your style? Minimal, colorful, I like to mix classic things.
What is currently on your iPod? Connan Mockasin and Forever Dolphin Love.
What it the most comfortable pair of shoes you own? Vintage boots, because they’re already worn in!
This week our favorites all went a little vampy. Kate Bosworth did Richard Nicoll‘s icy pink dress justice, Amber Heard sexed it up in Yigal Azrouel and Anna Paquin looked plain hot in Versus for the premier of True Blood’s fourth season. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley continued her press junket reign in Gucci, and Diane Kruger made us jealous in YSL.
Since the launch of his eponymous women’s label in 1998, Yigal Azrouël has opened a flagship boutique, launched a men’s line, introduced accessories and developed the contemporary label Cut25. Yet between all of these projects, the dashing designer always manages to stay calm, cool, and collected. Last week was no different as Azrouël welcomed party goers into his meatpacking district boutique for a special shopping event, co-hosted by Rent the Runway.
We got a chance to chat with the man behind the brand–clad in his uniform of a leather motorcycle jacket with jeans and a t-shirt–about his particular road to success.
In a strategic move last month, Yigal Azrouël showed his men’s collection in Paris instead of New York. But it was yesterday’s women’s show that really told how much menswear has been on his mind:
For fall, Yigal’s girl is running with the boys, in tailored pants, tuxedo jackets, heeled loafers, and even bow ties. But that girl is doing so with a fistful of RIT dye, coloring the separates in cobalt, tangerine, emerald, and bubblegum. The result falls somewhere in a Venn diagram overlap of “girly menswear”, a sweet spot for smartly styled Hollywood ensembles and many a Teen Vogue editorial.
Whit
Deal: 40% to 50% off hipster-casual dresses and tops from the former Steven Alan designer (who also happens to be Kate Spade’s niece)
When/Where: Tuesday, November 16 through Thursday, November 18. Tues 11am—7pm, Weds 11am—6pm, Thurs 11am—7pm. Clothingline, 261 W. 36th St between Seventh and Eighth Aves, second floor (917-412-8800)
Colette Malouf
Deal: Up to 80% off jewelry and hair accessories, including black tie and bridal pieces
When/Where: Wednesday, November 17 through Thursday. November 18th. Wed 10am—8pm, Thurs 10am—6pm. 594 Broadway between Prince and Houston Sts, suite 1216 (212-941-9588)
Erin Fetherston
Deal: Clothing starting at $50 and shoes starting at $10
When/Where: Wednesday, November 17 and Thursday, November 18. Daily noon—7pm. 252 W. 37th St between Seventh and Eighth Aves, 18th floor (212-643-7537)
If the spelling and grammatical errors in Yigal Azrouël’s press materials were an indicator of a collection that has not been completely thought out, there were enough innovations, and engaging pieces, to let this failing slide.
The Israeli-born Azrouël, whose toying with vintage in the late nineties led him to a women’s line in 2003, followed by his first men’s collection in 2007, is known for his well-worn, salvaged, and distressed looking garments. And while he hasn’t moved too far from his base with Spring/Summer 2011, he’s playing with a cleaner look.
None of the sleeveless jackets I had seen this year made much of an impression on me (same goes for the tunics, ugh), but Azrouël’s green sleeveless trench had the right balance of military and modernity, and gave me pause. His take on the short-sleeved chambray, using separate materials for the sleeves as the body, was a miss, as were his oddly zippered sheepskin vest and his dropstitch crewneck sweater. But his woven, white, roomy tees were appealing, as were his gingham apron pocket shorts (ending mid-thigh), their jersey knit counterparts, and my personal favorite, a boy’s romper, which he called a “jumpsuit” but was short sleeved and cut off at the knees (more on that later).
