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How to Make It in Fashion: June 21, Dream Hotel Downtown, New York

Thursday February 16th, 2012

Anna Sui Fall 2012: Sticking to the Formula
Reviews

Anna Sui Fall 2012: Sticking to the Formula

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You always know what you’re going to get at an Anna Sui show: A star-dotted front row, loads of colorful prints, some funky hats, and smiling models.

Sui’s Fall 2012 show certainly didn’t stray too far from the formula–But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Actually, we have to say that in such a fickle fashion era, it’s kind of refreshing to see a designer stick to what she likes. And in this case, it’s also what she does best.

To wit: The paisley and geometric printed dresses, which ranged in color from turquoise to cranberry, were classic Sui and you need only to glance at pictures of rock groupie goddess Anita Pallenberg to know that they’ll stand the test of time.

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Published at 4:44 PM
Reed Krakoff: A-List Favorite
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Reed Krakoff: A-List Favorite

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Reed Krakoff may only be in his fourth season, but the designer already has a steady stable of A-list fans from Anna Wintour to Emmanuelle Alt to Julianne Moore–all of whom, of course, were in attendance for his Fall 2012 show.

“Oh I love him,” Moore told us. “We’ve been friends for a really long time, since like ’98. I love his aesthetic. I love what he did at Coach, and I love what he’s doing at his own brand.”

“He has a real style–always beautiful fabric, great lines,” she added. “His stuff is always very chic.”

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Published at 4:15 PM
Milly Fall 2012: Present Perfect
Reviews

Milly Fall 2012: Present Perfect

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I took my seat at Milly praying I wouldn’t be subjected to another fall collection with a dark, moody color palette. I scanned my show notes, looking for words like “flame” or “fuchsia,” but was soon distracted by a charming older gentleman sitting beside me, who happened to be Fahsionista contributor Fawnia’s dad. We looked on as photographers snapped shots of front rowers Kristin Chenoweth, Tinsley Mortimer, and Gail Simmons. Fawnia’s dad was understandably confused. “Are these people supposed to be celebrities?” he asked. “Who are they?” I think we all have those moments during Fashion Week.

But back to the show. Designer Michelle Smith rethinks winter dressing in this aptly titled “Future Perfect” collection. And no dark muted color palette here: Smith used vibrant colors we usually see during the spring shows, giving us a wardrobe sure to uplift spirits during the colder months.

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Published at 3:27 PM
Lyn Devon Fall 2012: New Yorkers In Love
Reviews

Lyn Devon Fall 2012: New Yorkers In Love

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For Fall 2012, Lyn Devon created a wardrobe for a New Yorker in love, inspired by the classic tear-jerker, Love Story.

The collection provided a ladylike take on menswear inspired items, resulting in subtle darts on a herringbone blazer and a boxy coat in the sweetest shade of pale pink. For the real girly girls there was a graphic “Love Bird” print (lilac and navy birds on white) and angora sweaters in a range of colors.

As I went through the racks of clothes, it left me wondering why Lyn Devon isn’t a bigger hit on the street style circuit.

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Published at 2:47 PM
Marchesa Fall 2012: Coming to a Red Carpet (and Taylor Momsen Video) Near You
Reviews

Marchesa Fall 2012: Coming to a Red Carpet (and Taylor Momsen Video) Near You

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It doesn’t really get any more glamorous than Marchesa‘s Fall 2012 show.

Set at the Plaza Hotel, guests first had to make their way through the clump of paparazzi waiting on the red carpet for a peek at Taylor Momsen, Stacy Keibler and Olivia Palermo. It felt more like an A-list awards show than a fashion show–which makes sense since we’re betting more than a few of Marchesa’s gorgeous and dramatic gowns will make their way onto the red carpet soon.

Once everyone was seated in the gold dinner chairs in one of the Plaza’s most luxurious event spaces, the show began. Models entered through a gold-and-mirrored doorway, helped down the small set of steps by a pair of dapper gentlemen, like debutantes from an era passed.

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Published at 2:30 PM
J. Mendel Fall 2012: Dressed Down But Moving Up
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J. Mendel Fall 2012: Dressed Down But Moving Up

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Last season marked Gilles Mendel’s notable move towards a more dressed-down design aesthetic for J.Mendel. Yes there was still plenty of fur and glitz, but his penchant for a Swan Lake princess had taken a 180 in favor of a more modern lady who enjoys a night out on the town. Well, that plan seems to have worked, judging from the designer’s upgrade in show venues. While last season Mendel sent Karlie Kloss down the runway of Lincoln Center’s smallest tent, this season he plucked Arizona Muse and Lindsey Wixson to sashay through its largest—fashion’s mega-arena only used for blockbuster shows. (And the Olsen twins sat front and center, in their first documented New York fashion week front row appearance.)

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Published at 2:23 PM
Occupy Wall Street Plans to Shut Down Today’s Calvin Klein Show, But Will It Work?
Fashion Week

Occupy Wall Street Plans to Shut Down Today’s Calvin Klein Show, But Will It Work?

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Move over, PETA. There’s another group targeting the fashion industry.

I guess we should have seen this coming. Occupy Wall Street is looking to cause a stir at the parade of all things one percent that is fashion week. They’re organizing as we speak to march from Liberty Plaza to Lincoln Center, where they will, according to their website, “raise awareness of the 1% Structures behind the Fashion Industry through a direct action of art, cosmetics & an #OccupyWallStreet fashion show.” They’ll also march to Calvin Klein’s show at 39th street to do something even weirder. They’re calling the event #OccupyFashion. And while we can understand their cause, we’re not so sure it’s going to work. Read on.

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Published at 11:44 AM
ICB by Prabal Gurung Debuts On First Ever Online Runway
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ICB by Prabal Gurung Debuts On First Ever Online Runway

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Yesterday Prabal Gurung presented the first online runway show hosted by KCD Worldwide’s new Digital Fashion Shows platform, showcasing his collection for Japanese brand ICB. ICB, which stands for International Concept Brand, is owned by established Japanese manufacturing company Onward Kashiyama, which also owns Jil Sander, J Press and others. They also have distribution and licensing agreements with Donna Karan, Calvin Klein and other big names. Anyway, Onward’s new president Akinori Baba brought on Prabal Gurung and opened a New York design office in 2011 to revive the brand.

While the online show was not quite as exciting or climactic as a live runway show, it certainly was convenient. I didn’t have to wait for half an hour and I could see everything clearly. Plus, I was able to download images immediately and an interview was already transcribed.

Gurung’s inspiration was the girl.

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Published at 11:00 AM
Michael Kors Fall 2012: Rugged Glamor, Ready for the Red Carpet
Reviews

Michael Kors Fall 2012: Rugged Glamor, Ready for the Red Carpet

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Only Michael Kors could pull a front row packed with of-the-moment starlets (Amber Heard, Paula Patton, Jessica Alba), of-the-moment stylists (Brad Goreski sitting a few seats down from Rachel Zoe), established A-listers (Smash stars Debra Messing and Angelica Houston), and newswomen (Kate Couric). With a crowd like that, it’s a given looks from Kors fall Read more →

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Published at 8:39 AM

Wednesday February 15th, 2012

Ports 1961 Fall 2012: Understated Elegance
Reviews

Ports 1961 Fall 2012: Understated Elegance

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Ports‘ forest green invite was certainly a promise of what was to come. Upon entering the show, set in the New York Public Library, the vibe, like the invites, was understated and elegant: Fashion industry insiders quietly made their way to the rows of benches lining a square runway, underneath a gorgeous skylight.

The clothes matched the quiet stylishness of the space to every degree: The first looks–a set of boxy, metallic leather shirts and dresses–were gorgeous. A set of grey patchwork, fur coats that followed also worked: Beautiful, and expensive-looking without being ostentatious in the least.

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Published at 8:28 PM