MERCEDES-BENZ FASHION WEEK: SPRING 2013 COLLECTIONS - SCHEDULE & LIVE VIDEO STREAM

 

 

Stills from Jason Wu's Spring 2013 show

New York's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is upon us! The Spring 2013 collections were kicked off on Wednesday, September 5th, capped off by the fourth anniversary of Fashion's Night Out the following day and will continue through September 13th. Click on this link to view a live stream of the shows and check back often for highlights. What shows are you excited to see? What trends are you anticipating? I'm particularly interested in seeing how designers will interpret black and leather--trends that are having a strong moment right now (check out Jason Wu's take here). Click "read more" below to see the full Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Schedule.

FASHION WEEK: PUCCI FALL 2012

Pucci's Fall 2012 collection is all encompassing with a diverse array of textures, colors and trends. The line features rich leathers, decadent furs, sumptuous silks, intricate beadwork, elaborate embroidery, trousers and tuxedo jackets, sheers and strategically placed slits--in a palette of pastels, deep purples, brilliant white and luminous black.

The utterly modern collection evokes both the relaxed sexuality and glamour of the disco era and the body consciousness of the '80s. It straddles the gender divide, juxtaposing manly coats with slinky dresses and rendering a tuxedo in gold.

Models alternated between conservative working girls to punk rock princesses; with some ensembles exhibiting a bit of bohemian luxe for good measure.

While the collection is a bold step towards uncharted territory, it remains rooted in the familiar Pucci aesthetic. Peter Dundas paid homage to the house's history by referencing Pucci's signature palazzo pyjamas and swirling patterns throughout the collection.

Click "read more" below to see additional pictures of Pucci's Fall 2012 collection. Click on the labels below for vintage Fashion Week and Fashion Shows Posts!

FASHION WEEK: SACHIN + BABI FALL 2012

Although just barely two years old and making its debut in Mercedes Benz Fashion week only yesterday, Sachin +Babi, the eponymous label of husband and wife duo Sachin and Babi Ahluwalia has already made quite the impression on the fashion elite.

According to Women's Wear Daily, yesterday Sachin +Babi "made a name for themselves by bringing a global aesthetic to the contemporary market".

While Sachin + Babi ready-to-wear is in its infancy, albeit a precocious one, Sachin and Babi Ahluwalia have been in the fashion industry for more than a decade.

The Bombay and New Delhi natives who are the children of artisans, drapers and designers met in New York City while attending FIT and are the creators of the Ankasa home brand. In addition, they're "responsible for much of the couture hand embroideries and unique textiles utilized by some of the industry's most esteemed fashion houses." (Read: Oscar de la Renta and Valentino)

I came to know the Sachin + Babi brand because one of my favorite pieces of clothing is from the label's early collections. My gray peplum jacket is to die for. And, while I'd like to take some credit and think that I have some intuition for these things, I have to acknowledge that Sachin + Babi are about to blow whether I realize that or not.

Their style is best described as classic-meets-contemporary, but they describe it as eclectic and elan. I love it because it's both super feminine and rock and roll.

Click here to see picture of Sachin + Babi's Lincoln Center debut and click on the label below for vintage Fashion Week posts!

MILAN FASHION WEEK: VERSACE SPRING SUMMER 2011

Versace showed its Spring Summer 2011 line at Milan Fashion Week this past Friday. The show was also live-streamed via Facebook to over 200,000 fans. The collection featured bold colors and interesting cut outs; and emphasized the idea of opposites while playing with proportions. All this while retaining the sexy silhouette that has come to be recognized as a Versace signature.

The collection's pieces included fringework of varying lengths, macramé juxtaposed with rubber and shiny pvc on matte fabric. High waisted skirts contrasted with short jackets offers conservative coverage while displaying a line of flesh. According to Versace, the shoulder is the new erogenous zone and is featured prominently throughout the collection; unlike seasons past, the shoulders are softened! Prints feature the Versace Greek fret design, but it is used as a decorative device and not as a logo.

Click on the labels below for vintage Fashion Shows and Fashion Week posts!

MERCEDES-BENZ NEW YORK FASHION WEEK - SPRING 2011

It's coming! Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week for Spring 2011 fashions is fast approaching. Unfortunately I will not be attending any shows this year, but that won't stop me from covering. I did, however, get an invite to view Bally's Women Spring/Summer 2011 presentation in Milan for Milan Fashion Week, but, oy vey, me jetting off to Milan on such short notice is unlikely to happen. Thankfully, a few invites to Fashion's Night Out events have been trickling in! I hope to make it up to NYC to attend Assouline's event at The Plaza and the Bulgari event featuring Patti Smith. A good friend has also invited me to join her at the Ports 1961 event. Now all I have to do is get it together and hop on Amtrak. We shall see. If I don't make it to NYC, I will be sure to support Philadelphia's efforts. I attended last year's Fashion's Night Out event at the mall in King of Prussia, and while it ain't nobody's NYC, folks put forth a magnificent evening (read: lots of champagne and swag)! Click here to see events scheduled to take place at this year's Fashion Night's Out event in KOP.

Click "read more" below to see the full schedule of Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week - Spring 2011 to be held September 9 - 16 at New York Fashion Week's new home at Lincoln Center. Click on the labels below to see past coverage of New York Fashion week, both inside and outside the tents at Bryant Park!

GIVENCHY: FALL 2010 COUTORE COLLECTION

I wont launch into the reasons why I've been absent, this time. Instead, I'd like to focus on my return. In short, I was inspired. I visited www.thestylerookie.com, the blog run by teen phenom Tavi Gevinson (she started it when she was 11), and was motivated by her talent and fresh perspective. I was moved to write, however, when I saw these photos of Givenchy's Fall 2010 Couture collection on her page.

Riccardo Tisci outdid himself. Creating a collection inspired in part by Frida Kahlo, and drawing upon the Mexican culture's fascination with muerte, Tisci used his signatures: dégradé ostrich feathers, fringe-work and lace to romanticize the human skeleton and to mask and amplify the vulnerability of the human form. Read Tim Blanks' write-up of the presentation for style.com here.

PARIS FASHION WEEK: SONIA RYKIEL AUTUMN WINTER 2010

I wanted to compose an Haiku, but quickly gave up on that idea. . .

chunky knits, bold colors and

khaki interspersed throughout

geek chic, feathers and fur

Check out the Sonia Rykiel Autumn Winter 2010 collection and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage. The show took place on March 7th in Paris. It's very French, you know.

Thanks to Natalia from Barracuda Film & TV--all the way in Stockholm--for pointing out her company's work. Click on the link below for vintage Fashion Week and Fashion Show posts!

NEW YORK FASHION WEEK: PAMELLA ROLAND FALL 2010

Further to my post regarding friend and fashion stylist extraordinaire--Keisha--styling the collections of Oscar de la Renta and Pamella Roland, see below for behind-the-scenes prep photos for Pamella's Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week show, and see how the pieces translated on the runway.

Pamella's Fall 2010 collection is inspired by the Venice Carnivale and featured headpieces, rich jewel toned fabric and highly stylized and embellished pieces. The designer knows her audience--which included Brooke Shields, Afre Woodard and Mina Suvari--and hit pitch perfect notes with her red carpet ready gowns.

Click "Read more" below to see more behind-the-scenes photos from Pamella Roland's Fall 2010 show. Thanks to Keisha for the photos!

MILAN FASHION WEEK: BALLY FALL/WINTER 2010

Bally showed their Fall/Winter 2010 looks this past weekend in Milan. Designer Brian Atwood delivered--this being his last show at the helm of the brand.

A look from Bally's Fall/Winter 2010 Ready-to-Wear collection.

WWD reports that Atwood "had a vision--Marlene Dietrich and Greta Garbo waiting on a train station platform on a foggy winter eve. He imagined them wearing outerwear. . . " While Dietrich and Garbo cloaked their unapologetic sensuality in mystery, Bally would have us cloak ours in blanket cutouts and aviators made of the finest cashmere, mink or jersey bonded lamb nappa; palazzo trousers in double-sided stretch gabardine; and silk dresses with delicate pleating and draping.

Mae Python Bag

Bally's bags are, in keeping with tradition, a compelling fusion of form and function. One would think that the clean lines would be lost in the shadow of tactile leathers such as grommet covered nappa, antiqued deer, sprayed python and leopard print pony, but the richly textured hides only highlight the construction. Note the brands iconic red/white trainspotting stripes (a nice homage to the company's Swiss roots) is still prominently featured, but subtly incorporated.

Anny Shoe

And then there are the shoes. This season's shoes are a nod to the archive pieces of the 1900s through the 1930s, with thoroughly modern proportions. As is typical of this luxury brand, construction is completed using only the finest glove nappa or lizard.

Click "Read more" below to see more of Bally's Fall/Winter RTW collection. Thanks to Brittany at Bally for the photos!

STYLESTAR: KEISHA @ OSCAR DE LA RENTA & PAMELLA ROLAND - NYC'S FALL 2010 MERCEDES BENZ FASHION WEEK

Remember Keisha? My bff, confidant, personal stylist and StyleChile contributor? In the years since you've last seen her on this space she has had the opportunity to fuse her love of fashion and Parsons education while embarking on a career as a stylist!

Not just any stylist, but a stylist helping one of the industry's most seasoned and respected designers, the incomparable Oscar de la Renta, and celebrity designer Pamella DeVos, the woman behind the Pamella Roland Brand. Keisha worked with both as they prepared to send their collections down the runway at New York City's Mercedes Benz Fashion Week!

I caught up with Keisha and she's shared her experience for StyleChile readers. Continue reading my interview with Keisha by clicking "Read more" below. . .

BALENCIAGA: CRUISE COLLECTION 2010

Cristóbal Balenciaga, whose sculptural designs were once regarded as masterworks of haute couture, lives on through the artful direction of Nicolas Ghesquière. Ghesquière's Cruise 2010 creations evinces Cristóbal's inventiveness and affirms a commitment to the House's innovations: high waisted dresses, broadening of shoulders, removal of the waist and, of course, play on proportions and volume. Balenciaga Cruise 2010 is a joy to see and must be fun to wear! For pictures of the entire collection click here.

CHANEL: CRUISE COLLECTION 2010

What's black, white and red all over? Chanel's 2010 Cruise Collection! Recalling the elegance and opulence of the roaring 20's, Karl Lagerfeld's romantic collection is chock full of nautical stripes, pearls, chiffon and what's Chanel without boucle and lace? Featuring models such as Jourdan Dunn (shown at left), Lara Stone and Tatjana Patiz, the flapper-chic presentation was complemented by silent-movie makeup and wavy wigs. Held on the Lido in Venice, at twilight, guests reclined on deck chairs as the catwalkers strutted on the boardwalk. Lagerfeld sought to "reinvent the mystique" of the city in which Mme. Chanel frequently went on holiday, by using fabrics of rich Venetian red and dresses in the style of Fortuny. The collection exhibited Lagerfeld's modern-day mastery of the decorative arts and, much like Venetian artistic brethren of centuries past, commanding use of color. Bellissimo!

View the complete collection here.

FALL '09: VICTORIA BECKHAM

"A range that encapsulates a new timeless style of dressing. Each garment is testament to a love of fashion and the female form." - victoriabeckhamcollection.com

Earlier, I reported on Victoria Beckham's, aka Vix's, new jean and sunglasses line followed by her collection of dresses. There's clearly love for her around these parts. The photo above depicts 4 of 23 pieces that Vix debuted at the Waldorf Towers during Fashion Week. Only her second collection, Victoria shows that she has an understanding of a woman's body. The dresses are versatile--appropriate for just about any occasion. Free of the restrictive corsets which were part and parcel of the last collection, the dresses are all quite modest, but still super sexy. She is still heavily influenced by Roland Mouret, but if it aint broke . . .

Visit Victoria Beckham's website at www.victoriabeckhamcollection.com for a treat! View photos of the collection here.

FALL '09: RACHEL ROY RTW

Despite unprecedented cancellations, New York's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week did not disappoint. I was unable to attend the most recent Fashion Week, but took cold comfort in viewing pictures and videos of the various collections online.

I was impressed with many, but was truly bowled over by Rachel Roy's collection. Although Ms. Roy faces some criticism for using hair and beauty that is highly reminiscent of Stefano Pilati's Fall 2008 Yves Saint Laurent show, her designs were illustrative of innovation that is all her own: architectural, with peaks and valleys, elaborate cut-outs and artful draping . . . powerful, sexy and feminine, a touch vintage, but thoroughly modern . . . Rachel Roy did not show under the tents, instead she held a presentation in Chelsea. View the entire Rachel Roy Ready To Wear collection on Coutorture and check out NY 1's video here.

Click on the label below for vintage Fashion Week and Fashion Shows posts!

MERCEDES-BENZ FASHION WEEK: FALL 2009 COLLECTIONS . . .

Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week is here! Are you psyched to see the collections?

Of course, I'm bummed that I wont be able to actually sit under the tents (or for that matter, just be in and around NYC during Fashion Week) this time around, but I'll still keep an eye out for you. Some good friends are going to view the Vivienne Tam collection in my place, so I'll be sure to share their thoughts and pictures with you.

I plan to be at Bryant Park for the Spring 2010 collections, especially because, after 15 years, that will be the last time the park will play host to New York Fashion Week. Starting in 2010, Fashion Week's new home will be at Lincoln Center.

Designers are miffed about the move, given that it's so far from fashion row and the garment district, but Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the Council of Fashion Designers of America and IMG (who runs the show) agree that the designers will have much more space at Lincoln Center.

Click here for Fall 2009 New York Fashion Week Schedule.

IN ABSENTIA, FASHION WEEK CANDIDS

You guys. I so dropped the ball...no excuses. I've got a whole lot of blogging to do to make up for yet another prolonged absence. In the meantime, enjoy my candids of some New York Fashion Week models. Yeah, yeah... New York Fashion Week was, like, so last month!

I know a Leger when I see one.

Update: According to LJ, a fashion loving stylist from Australia, the "first model is Lou Dillon, her mother is Jane Birkin (Hermes Birkin Bag Muse). Don't know the other three but great photos." Thanks LJ!

This sista' was straight diva! She posed for many pics.

The Chanel bag took this outfit up a notch.

I'm not a fan of grunge, but her outfit would make me reconsider. For a second.

Just a smattering of some of the pretty people at the shows. I don't know who any of these models are, do you? They were leaving either DKNY or Herve Leger. All very fashionable--and nice!

GEN ART'S CRHEE!

Given that Gen Art provides a platform for emerging artists and considering that designers such as Zac Posen, Rebecca Taylor, Chaiken, Rodarte, Louis Verdad, Milly, Philip Lim, Twinkle by Wenlan, Duckie Brown, Geren Ford, Sari Gueron & Shoshanna were all debuted by Gen Art--well before they were known by the masses--I was geeked to get a chance to preview the collection of one of Gen Art's emerging stars!

Pieces from Crhee's Spring '09 line on the Gen Art: Fresh Faces runway

Inspired by the movie Gattaca, Christine Rhree's line is part futuristic and supernatural. Her line is classic and timeless yet unconventional; at once minimalist and soft, yet highly structured and strong! Case in point, the black dress to the far left, it' appears as a classich sheath from the front, but includes an unexpected cut-out back; the "bones" within are outlined in white, reminiscient of a skeleton. Check out my pics of Christine and her Spring '09 line below.

Christine Rhee! Her fab shoes are by Pierre Hardy!

Of the designer, Women's Wear Daily stated: "Meanwhile, if 007 were a woman, she would go for the former architect Christine Rhee’s body-conscious suiting in her fierce-yet-feminine line CRHEE."

Showcasing her wit and love for, among others, the artist formerly known as Prince, CRHEE's Spring '09 line includes a few pieces that were made with the artist in mind. One ensemble includes a top named Mayte and a skirt called Apollonia.

Mark my words, this former Princeton educated architecture student (and apprentice for architect Lynn Breslin) turned fashion designer is the next big thing. You can thank me later! CRHEE's pieces retail for $300 - $600; get your own at StandardDeviationNy.com and crhee.com.

PAMELLA ROLAND: FRONT ROW

Hey, y'all. I took a few pics of some of the celebrities who were in attendance at the Pamella Roland show (check out my review of the show in the post below). I was so impressed with just how easy going they all were. Each chatted me up for a bit and wanted to know all about the blog.

Natalie Cole looked fabulous. Her Pamella Roland dress and jewelry and makeup were fierce.. her skin is positvely radiant...haircut is so on point.

Mel B. told me that she was looking forward to form fitting outfits for this fall; she knows what works for her and embraces it! She was eager to see what Pamella had to offer. Her husband, Stephen Belafonte, was very gracious...he wanted the focus to be on his wife, but he posed for a few pics as well.

America's Next Top Model judge and noted fashion photographer, Nigel Barker, and his beautiful wife--she's also wearing Pamella Roland!

I've finally gotten a pic of Nigel! I've struggled to get good pics of him in the past, but came really close at the M&M's premium event. When I told him about my various attempts, his wife chimed in with: "Honey, all you had to do was ask!". Yay!

Angela and Vanessa Simmons were darling! How cute are they?! I cannot get enough of Vanessa's Arden Wohl esque headband! Check out their sneaker line, Pastry!

Eric Benet and his companion were so charming!

Danity Kane's D. Woods came in right before the show started, but graciously posed for pics.

Speaking of America's Next Top Model, cycle 9 winner, Saliesha killed it in Pamella's show! Tyra and all the Jay's would be proud!

I sat right behind Essence Magazine's Mikki Taylor...ok, talk about starstruck! I was careful to keep it under wraps, but I adore her!

D. Woods and Angela and Vanessa got together for a group shot.

Have a good weekend! Click on the label below for vintage Candids and Fashion Week posts!

SPRING '09: PAMELLA ROLAND

One of my many favorites, this piece is rivaled only by the pink gingham concoction that came out right before. Swoon.

You guys! I have been sleeping on Pamella Roland, I cannot believe that I've never really paid attention to her before. I saw her show yesterday at Bryant Park (thanks Michelle!), and I am in love...seriously.

To borrow a phrase from a friend, her entire line--all of it--gave me everything! Every single outfit was top notch. From the color, to the detailing (y'all know I love ruffles), to the clean lines. It was simple and elegant, but also very in your face. She achieved the perfect balance of understated, yet not... Please keep a look out for Pamella. She's one to watch! Check out my personal pics of the show in the slide below, and please give me photo credit if you use the slide or photo;)

As you can see, the quality could be better, so check out some better pics of Pamella's show here.

Pamella's Spring '09 line was inspired by American artist, Ellsworth Kelly. The extensive 58 piece collection "embodies the bold color, geometric form, and sensuous lines of Kelly's work."

Look out for next post featuring celebs from Pamella Roland's front row in the tents! Click on the label below for vintage Fashion Week and Style Events posts!

SPRING 2009: BCBG MAX AZRIA

Dominican Beauty Arlenis Sosa Peña

Fashion Week 2008 opened with a stunner with BCBG Max Azria--who showed pieces that are in sharp contrast to this fall's fitted, structured and highly stylized fashions. The Spring 2009 line is soft, sexy, flowy and rock and roll. The collection reminded me the outfits made popular by it girls in the Studio 54 era. I can so see Bianca Jagger in the flowy-yet-clingy pants.

Not for the wall flower, I would expect that only the most confident of fashionistas would wear something from this collection. Not-so-subtle draping lent a Grecian air, the long maxi dresses evoked the 70's and sharp black added some edge. Overall, the collection looked very resort with bursts of color--in intense shades of orange and fuschia and blue--interrupting what would otherwise be a monochromatic palette.

Photo Credit: Style.com