NEW YORK FASHION WEEK: SPRING 2010 PART I

nyfw started a while ago (sept 10th), but i've been so busy that i haven't had enough time to post everything and make collages and whatnot! anyway, here we go: the first post of a series of posts devoted to the four fashion weeks (ny, london, paris, milan). it's weird looking at summery/springy clothes now that we are heading into colder months where i live but i'm still thoroughly enjoying the collections and can't wait to see more. i hope you enjoy this too.
? me

jenni kayne- i really like jenni kayne's aesthetic and i usually always enjoy her shows. i loved the bright yellow and black used in this collection. i didn't like some of the house slipper shoes though, but i'm going to overlook that. all of the looks i chose from the show are amazing, from the clothes to the shoes. these are all work appropriate and party appropriate as well, depending on your taste.

vena cava- sophie buhai and lisa mayock said they were tired of everything ripped and distressed. at the same time they didn't totally get away from the edgy look in their show, adorning their models with big, 80s looking black glasses and unflattering purple lipstick. however they did produce some really awesome clothes to frolick around in while basking in the summer sun! the clunky shoes in the show are growing on me the more i scowl at them.

prabal gurung- *exhales a satisfied sigh* ya'll KNOW how much i love me some prabal gurung! this is only his second major collection and oh my god, this boy is one of my favorite designers already! i experienced pure enjoyment clicking through these looks and i would be more than happy to wear them. this suits my style so well. it's so chic, classy and a bit whimsical--yet every piece has such a great freshness to it. i don't feel like i've seen this somewhere before. you go prabal! we will DEFINITELY be seeing these looks on the red carpet.

monique lhuillier- someone else who never dissapoints me: monique lhuillier. the people at style.com say these piece wasn't cohesive, but this collection made perfect sense to me. i loved the clunky shoes, the variety of texture, color, print, and embellishment (all while still keeping the collection classy). this collection reminded me of a younger and more accessible version of oscar de la renta. these pieces are great for the red carpet, or special occasions like spring/summer weddings, cotillions, really special dates and whatnot.

elie tahari- i loved the bucket hats and soft colors. every look was styled perfectly!

preen- the people at preen are always ahead of the curve and have so many other designers copying them for their original and yet not sickeningly trendy designs. the pink ruffly dress is just crying out for a red carpet appearance. i would also love to see every other ensemble featured here on the red carpet and i think that the black and nude dress would look great in editorial work.

nicole miller- nicole miller JUST qualified to get a collage, i was kind of on the fence with this show but i realized that her designs from spring 2010 were young and fun and you didn't have to think too much to enjoy the show.

luca luca- everything was so wearable and pretty! i felt that the show was a bit watered down though and that more attention could have been put into it, but i'd love to wear everything in the show.

jason wu- he never dissapoints! i loved the explosion of color and the youthful, frothy, fun feel of the collection. i'd love it if my wardrobe only contained jason wu items. isn't that curry yellow dress so divine? all of these pieces are so nice.

cynthia rowley- i loved the cool color palette of black, white, purples and blues and the feminine feel of all the clothes. tres chic!

costello tagliapetra- ok, i don't understand why ali stephens is blonde and why every model and their cat is dying their hair blonde but what i do know is that i liked this show. i really liked the varied color palette, the lace up heeled booties, the soft silky fabrics, different necklines and scrunchy waistbands on some of the dresses that made them look really fun and cute.

extra fashion week commentary:

wayne- this collection featured a lot of laidback pieces. fuzzy vests, jersey minis, an oversized metallic leather jacket and bags, and opentoed flat sandals as well as slicked back wet hair. the pieces were nice, and perfect for the cool and young but it was nothing groundbreaking and reminded me of what we've been seeing at alexander wang and a very dumbdowned version of preen.

rachel comey- very nice show that catered to the young and carefree. lot's of jumpsuits, prints, loose shapes and cute tea dresses.

helmut lang- i know every fashion blogger and their dog is going to love this, but seriously...fashion designers and their makeup people are beating the bleached eyebrow thing to death, and this collection didn't show my anything new. short, tight, slashed mini dresses/skinny jeans/clunky shoes/pale skin...whatever.

L.A.M.B- gwen stefani is still so coooooool! she and her casting panel picked the most beautiful models! they all looked so original and pretty and different without being cardboard cutouts of eachother. the collection didn't blow my mind but it was nice to see! and gwen looked great walking the runway at the end!

bcbg max azria- i did enjoy viewing this show...but i was expecting more. unfortunately...this is not collage worthy. :/ but kudos to the azria anyway, because i'm sure lots of youngins will be wearing your very sheer and very tight pieces!

yigal azrouel- this show reminded me a lot of preen. it wasn't very inspiring...

william rast- denim, denim and more denim.

ruffian- the makeup was so, so pretty and the shoes were amazing: strappy and high with red platforms! there were definitely some really cute looks and the models all looked so beautiful...but again, nothing groundbreaking. the fall show really blew me away though if you guys can remember.

rag&bone- only models could look good with wet, tangled, disheveled hair--greasy faces, baggy sweatpants, blazers and untucked shirts.

juan carlos obando- this show was REALLY interested and featured models with heavily contoured faces, their faces and legs had sandy dirt on it, their clothes were dyed in deep browns and purples and seemed to have bleach stains. then, of course, were the beautiful "twisty, pleated dresses" which style.com says is obando's signature.

gary graham- i really loved the presentation. the models looked so awesome in their smoky backstage dressing room setting, standing in superhigh heels with carelress layers that included old school trousers, jackets and poofy dresses.

erin wasson x RVCA- this show was definitely an improvement from her past ones. i liked the more hippie than rock chick vibe (that's getting a bit played out...even though i still appreciate the look when done right). still not collage worthy though :/

cynthia steffe- shaun kearney at cynthia steffe managed to produce a cute, young, very girly collection full of pastels, uber short hemlines, ruffles and frills. it was very cohesive and very wearable, so i would imagine this would sell well...but i want to be excited a bit more! no doubt about it though, this was a great collection.

cushnie et ochs- this collections was very body conscious...think: showing as much leg as possible without showing your private areas, or think showing as much boob as possible without showing the nipple. yes, that body conscious.

charlotte ronson- the collection had a tough french girl vibe. some individual pieces were nice but i didn't like the styling.

alabama chanin- this is the first i've seen from alabama chanin, and the head of the line:natalie "alabama" chanin is a vogue fashion fund finalist. the clothes were simple, clean and they are made from recycled quilts and sewn in the U.S.A

part II coming soon!

NEW YORK FASHION WEEK: SPRING 2010 PART I

nyfw started a while ago (sept 10th), but i've been so busy that i haven't had enough time to post everything and make collages and whatnot! anyway, here we go: the first post of a series of posts devoted to the four fashion weeks (ny, london, paris, milan). it's weird looking at summery/springy clothes now that we are heading into colder months where i live but i'm still thoroughly enjoying the collections and can't wait to see more. i hope you enjoy this too.
? me

jenni kayne- i really like jenni kayne's aesthetic and i usually always enjoy her shows. i loved the bright yellow and black used in this collection. i didn't like some of the house slipper shoes though, but i'm going to overlook that. all of the looks i chose from the show are amazing, from the clothes to the shoes. these are all work appropriate and party appropriate as well, depending on your taste.

vena cava- sophie buhai and lisa mayock said they were tired of everything ripped and distressed. at the same time they didn't totally get away from the edgy look in their show, adorning their models with big, 80s looking black glasses and unflattering purple lipstick. however they did produce some really awesome clothes to frolick around in while basking in the summer sun! the clunky shoes in the show are growing on me the more i scowl at them.

prabal gurung- *exhales a satisfied sigh* ya'll KNOW how much i love me some prabal gurung! this is only his second major collection and oh my god, this boy is one of my favorite designers already! i experienced pure enjoyment clicking through these looks and i would be more than happy to wear them. this suits my style so well. it's so chic, classy and a bit whimsical--yet every piece has such a great freshness to it. i don't feel like i've seen this somewhere before. you go prabal! we will DEFINITELY be seeing these looks on the red carpet.

monique lhuillier- someone else who never dissapoints me: monique lhuillier. the people at style.com say these piece wasn't cohesive, but this collection made perfect sense to me. i loved the clunky shoes, the variety of texture, color, print, and embellishment (all while still keeping the collection classy). this collection reminded me of a younger and more accessible version of oscar de la renta. these pieces are great for the red carpet, or special occasions like spring/summer weddings, cotillions, really special dates and whatnot.

elie tahari- i loved the bucket hats and soft colors. every look was styled perfectly!

preen- the people at preen are always ahead of the curve and have so many other designers copying them for their original and yet not sickeningly trendy designs. the pink ruffly dress is just crying out for a red carpet appearance. i would also love to see every other ensemble featured here on the red carpet and i think that the black and nude dress would look great in editorial work.

nicole miller- nicole miller JUST qualified to get a collage, i was kind of on the fence with this show but i realized that her designs from spring 2010 were young and fun and you didn't have to think too much to enjoy the show.

luca luca- everything was so wearable and pretty! i felt that the show was a bit watered down though and that more attention could have been put into it, but i'd love to wear everything in the show.

jason wu- he never dissapoints! i loved the explosion of color and the youthful, frothy, fun feel of the collection. i'd love it if my wardrobe only contained jason wu items. isn't that curry yellow dress so divine? all of these pieces are so nice.

cynthia rowley- i loved the cool color palette of black, white, purples and blues and the feminine feel of all the clothes. tres chic!

costello tagliapetra- ok, i don't understand why ali stephens is blonde and why every model and their cat is dying their hair blonde but what i do know is that i liked this show. i really liked the varied color palette, the lace up heeled booties, the soft silky fabrics, different necklines and scrunchy waistbands on some of the dresses that made them look really fun and cute.

extra fashion week commentary:

wayne- this collection featured a lot of laidback pieces. fuzzy vests, jersey minis, an oversized metallic leather jacket and bags, and opentoed flat sandals as well as slicked back wet hair. the pieces were nice, and perfect for the cool and young but it was nothing groundbreaking and reminded me of what we've been seeing at alexander wang and a very dumbdowned version of preen.

rachel comey- very nice show that catered to the young and carefree. lot's of jumpsuits, prints, loose shapes and cute tea dresses.

helmut lang- i know every fashion blogger and their dog is going to love this, but seriously...fashion designers and their makeup people are beating the bleached eyebrow thing to death, and this collection didn't show my anything new. short, tight, slashed mini dresses/skinny jeans/clunky shoes/pale skin...whatever.

L.A.M.B- gwen stefani is still so coooooool! she and her casting panel picked the most beautiful models! they all looked so original and pretty and different without being cardboard cutouts of eachother. the collection didn't blow my mind but it was nice to see! and gwen looked great walking the runway at the end!

bcbg max azria- i did enjoy viewing this show...but i was expecting more. unfortunately...this is not collage worthy. :/ but kudos to the azria anyway, because i'm sure lots of youngins will be wearing your very sheer and very tight pieces!

yigal azrouel- this show reminded me a lot of preen. it wasn't very inspiring...

william rast- denim, denim and more denim.

ruffian- the makeup was so, so pretty and the shoes were amazing: strappy and high with red platforms! there were definitely some really cute looks and the models all looked so beautiful...but again, nothing groundbreaking. the fall show really blew me away though if you guys can remember.

rag&bone- only models could look good with wet, tangled, disheveled hair--greasy faces, baggy sweatpants, blazers and untucked shirts.

juan carlos obando- this show was REALLY interested and featured models with heavily contoured faces, their faces and legs had sandy dirt on it, their clothes were dyed in deep browns and purples and seemed to have bleach stains. then, of course, were the beautiful "twisty, pleated dresses" which style.com says is obando's signature.

gary graham- i really loved the presentation. the models looked so awesome in their smoky backstage dressing room setting, standing in superhigh heels with carelress layers that included old school trousers, jackets and poofy dresses.

erin wasson x RVCA- this show was definitely an improvement from her past ones. i liked the more hippie than rock chick vibe (that's getting a bit played out...even though i still appreciate the look when done right). still not collage worthy though :/

cynthia steffe- shaun kearney at cynthia steffe managed to produce a cute, young, very girly collection full of pastels, uber short hemlines, ruffles and frills. it was very cohesive and very wearable, so i would imagine this would sell well...but i want to be excited a bit more! no doubt about it though, this was a great collection.

cushnie et ochs- this collections was very body conscious...think: showing as much leg as possible without showing your private areas, or think showing as much boob as possible without showing the nipple. yes, that body conscious.

charlotte ronson- the collection had a tough french girl vibe. some individual pieces were nice but i didn't like the styling.

alabama chanin- this is the first i've seen from alabama chanin, and the head of the line:natalie "alabama" chanin is a vogue fashion fund finalist. the clothes were simple, clean and they are made from recycled quilts and sewn in the U.S.A

part II coming soon!

NEW YORK FASHION WEEK: FALL 2009 PART II

i hope you enjoy this entry as much as you enjoyed the last entry, thank you SO much for the comments. it really means a lot to me. it really motivates me to keep updating. just like all of you i am amazingly busy and just imagine how crappy i'd feel if i got zero comments after spending a lot of time and effort on an entry. blogging isn't all about the comments for me, i really enjoy blogging and being part of the fashion blogger world--but comments are like some extra fuel for when you're not sure you can make it through a certain blogging project. thanks for your support! :)
? me

Carlos Miele- every season it's pretty much a given that i'll fall in love with miele's collections, and it was no different this time around. mr. miele said the collection was based heavily on the idea of architecture, and this is evident in the graphic look of the clothes. this collection was so amazing. miele made the perfect choice of colors, cuts, and models. i love newcomer gracie carvalho (second model from left)--she is so cute! i can't really pick a favorite piece but i am very enamored with the print cutaway gown arlenis sosa is wearing in the middle of the collage.

Altuzarra- altuzarra featured well made, tight fitting clothes. i really want to own the dresses--i don't know how i'd bode in those super skinny suits though.

Herve Leger- recently herve leger by max azria has become an amazingly popular line. with it's signature bandage mini dresses that cling to every curve and show off lots of leg, it's a given that pretty young things are attracted to it. for fall 2009 the herve leger collection had a more serious and earthy vibe. bandage dresses featured stretchy thick knits with a few overlapping bandage straps and warm brown, green and gold toned colors. also featured were huge shoulders and embellishment, that reminded me a bit of balmain.

DKNY- blair waldorf would love most of the looks in the fall 2009 edition of DKNY. i really enjoyed everything too. everything was wearable and desirable, cute and classic. i also really liked the fashion show set. it was red, white and black and had half tone and opaque black artistry. i absolutely love the pairing of prints that was showcased at DKNY. would would think that zebra and leopard print mixed together and paired with tweedy plaid would look great? well it does! and i love the young pairing of a well structured sleeveless dress with a cute kelly green and grey striped turtleneck. and the headbands/hats featured were so ladylike.

diane von furstenburg- i love both the brand and the woman. this fall 2009 collection was so amazingly exuberant and edged with that signature DVF wash of class, grace, intelligence and devil may care attitude. the bags and hats were outrageously fun, covered with pompons and strings of yarn. i love arleni's gorgeous smile, and she is rocking that outfit! she is the second model from the left.

Carolina Herrera- i have six words for you: carolina herrera is a freaking genius. go view the whole show online at style.com. the swooshing skirts, the nipped in dresses, the dark but warm woody/mossy color palette (with some bright cerulean blue and fuchsia thrown in), everything comes together to create one of the best collections a girl could ever wish to have in her closet. just put on one look and immediately you become elegant, stylish: an icon--if but for a moment, or only a day. this collection was lush, exquisite, and fit for royalty. herrera time and time again proves that she knows how to dress women!

Erin Fetherston- from the first look, i knew this was going to be interesting. the heels are absolutely killer, i wouldn't even try to walk in them, but they are awesome. the show started out with dark gothic lolita looks, with models teetering on hooker shoes and legs wrapped in striped black and white leggings, or black stripe leggings, or black netted/dotted leggings. then the show took a decidely different turn and headed back to the erin fetherston look we are all more familiar with. pastels galore, heavenly blues pinks and creams, and the ultra short hems on the frocks made the model's pins look even longer. this collection was fit for a doll!

Donna Karan- DK sure knows how to work jersey and silk! this collection included really good items for a woman's closet. it communicated a non fussy and straight forward classy feel.

chris benz- chris loves color and he definitely knows how to use it! i also really love his model's expressions and poses. :)

Charlotte Ronson- for the tough sexy girl these looks would be perfect. i really want the knee high boots from this collection. they lace all the way up AND have studs! sweet! this wasn't my fave collection but it was good enough. i'm loving all the one shouldered dresses i'm seeing on these fall 2009 runways.

Jill Stuart- this collection was inspired by iconic women of music. it had a heavy rock chick aesthetic (as most collections seem to have lately) and i loved it. one of my pieces has to be the sheer lace dress (second from left, worn by cutie pie gracie carvalho) and the piece to the far right, that is sheer with a sequined pattern worn by super pretty model meghan collison.

Marc Jacobs- Mr. Jacobs did the '80s some good. only marc...only marc...only HE could do this collection with the full blown crazy 80s hair and makeup (blue eyeshadow, crazy gelled hair and all) and make me love it.

Miss Sixty- another '80s inspired collection. i'm really loving this look, and so is the rest of the fashion blogging world. it's fun, it's young, and it's confident! one thing i didn't like though...is that miss sixty had way too many scarily skinny models on the runway. there is such a thing as a healthy skinny. i don't want to look on the runway and see so many bones and spines and vertebrae and gaunt faces. it's gross.

Preen- i'm really loving preen. it's a quiet line and you don't hear too much fuss about it, but every collection seems to be so well done and collected and it has a crystal clear aesthetic. how awesome is that rainbow dress at the end? they had about four dresses that had a color theme similar to that. i really love the fourth look from the left. it's soft, simple, and kept interesting with the metallic detailing on the waist.<3

Prabal Gurung- Gurung described his debut collection as "clothes for a thinking man's sex symbol" and he described it perfectly. i'd most like to see the first look on the left on the red carpet. this is a great debut effort, keep your eyes open for him!



FASHION WEEK NOTES

Jeremy Laing- the clothes weren't really my style, but i think laing executed the collection well, and i got a pretty good vibe from the show. i don't remember having seen his work before but from what i'm seeing he does have some talent.

Betsey Johnson- Ms. Johnson put on a very bright and very betsey showing of 17 fall 2009 looks. however the show didn't really wow me or show me anything profound. however i would like to own some shoes and some leopard print sheer tights from this line. and the sequined leggings.

Jonathan Saunders- some looks were cute, most were atrocious. as regular readers may know...i liked the jonathan saunders spring 2009 collection much better.

Lela Rose- the collection was decent, but most of these looks could easily be reproduced for sale at any store.

Luca Luca- the show was inspired by the vintage screen sirens of glamorous eras past, and it was nice...but it's all been done before (and better too).

Reem Acra- i was dissapointed because i've seen so much better from this line, but the last four dresses were absolutely superb and i hope to see at least one on a red carpet.

Temperley London- temperley london fall 2009 was like a bad version of the recent bohemian gucci collections. there were some good pieces in there but they were far and few between. i think the styling was a bit off too. but, you know...when the pieces are worn in isolation on red carpets or to social events or wherever they'll probably look better.

Tuleh- there were a few great gowns at the end of the show but the rest of it was pretty boring.

derek lam- showed a range of nudes, a little wine red, mustards, black and metallics. it was a good collection but it had a really slow and uncertain start. i wish the whole collection had more of the drapey and beaded frocks that emerged at the end. i'm sure we'll see this collection being worn a lot. we're in a recession, so we go back to basic colors like blacks and nudes.

halston- this season's collection was much better than last season's (spring 2009) collection. it had more creativity and thought to it and there was a nice range of looks. the house still needs to improve though.

marc by marc jacobs- i loved the cute furry flat boots. i'd love to own them. also featured were cute wool empire waist coats and lots of plaid flannel made into cute ruffly blouses.also featured were incredibly bright print tights (bright purple with orange squares on the knees, multicolored stripey ones, etc.). the show was cute and young, but very similar to what he's shown before.

matthew williamson- lots of bright colored fur in orange, red or blue and crazy psychadelic/geometric prints. some things looked a bit pucci to me.

max azria- new at max azria was a very dark palette and a usage of lace. the collection was good, but not good enough to make me want to make a collage for it! i would wear some pieces from the line though. i loved the white dress with black lace detail and a fluttery hem, as well as a mini with strips of leather and lace sleeves. and there was good use of embellishment as well.

narciso rodriguez- i really wanted to like this show, since i liked his spring 2009 presentation but i really didn't like this collection. only a select few pieces. he saved some of his best looks for last, and paired them with stark white tights/leggings which was a horrendous choice. he also featured weird abstract cow spot print and hats that covered the eyes and had eye slits cut out. thinking about those looks make me physically sick.

anna sui- i liked it and din't like it at the same time. it was a mix of bohemian, folksy, medieval and all kinds of stuff. showcased were beautiful printed or sparkly tights, printed everything and amazing shoes. jourdann dunn looked great in her looks but there was something i didn't like about the collection. i think the pieces would look better when worn individually and not as a whole look from the collection.

j. mendel- you can always rely on gilles mendel for classic shapes like cocktail dresses or cute skirt suits or pant suits with shrunken blazers, and of course red carpet gowns. however most of the collection was boring. more classic shapes and more fur--this is what i've been seeing from mendel every season. but, he knows how to make nice clothes and he does it well. it's just that i crave excitement in life and this collection didn't excite me except for the last dress du juan wore. it was sooooooooooo beautiful. one of the most creative dresses i've ever seen in my life. i'll be posting a picture of it.

Nanette Lepore- everything was uber cute and uber tasteful...but after seeing marchesa and michael kors directly before this...there was no way i was going to put this down as a collage! it was good...but not fabtastically great.

Richard Chai- it wasn't horrifyingly bad...but...it didn't appeal to me at all (save for one look), i think it's the dull color palette that did it. althought he used multicolored prints they are all dim versions of the hues. if he had brightened it up a bit it would have been more a hit with me. the tailoring was nice though. he knows how to make good slouchy trousers.

Tory Burch- i LOVED the accessories and most of the collection but it seemed that the collection was an oxymoron. it was preppy and clean while trying to be grungy and hip at the same time. sometimes this worked, sometimes it didn't.

Vivienne Tam- beautiful craftmanship as usual but the collection felt cold for some reason? i did view it when slightly sleepy...maybe that played a factor? but these clothes are well made, they just don't have that special twinkle that really grabs my attention.

NEW YORK FASHION WEEK: FALL 2009 PART II

i hope you enjoy this entry as much as you enjoyed the last entry, thank you SO much for the comments. it really means a lot to me. it really motivates me to keep updating. just like all of you i am amazingly busy and just imagine how crappy i'd feel if i got zero comments after spending a lot of time and effort on an entry. blogging isn't all about the comments for me, i really enjoy blogging and being part of the fashion blogger world--but comments are like some extra fuel for when you're not sure you can make it through a certain blogging project. thanks for your support! :)
? me

Carlos Miele- every season it's pretty much a given that i'll fall in love with miele's collections, and it was no different this time around. mr. miele said the collection was based heavily on the idea of architecture, and this is evident in the graphic look of the clothes. this collection was so amazing. miele made the perfect choice of colors, cuts, and models. i love newcomer gracie carvalho (second model from left)--she is so cute! i can't really pick a favorite piece but i am very enamored with the print cutaway gown arlenis sosa is wearing in the middle of the collage.

Altuzarra- altuzarra featured well made, tight fitting clothes. i really want to own the dresses--i don't know how i'd bode in those super skinny suits though.

Herve Leger- recently herve leger by max azria has become an amazingly popular line. with it's signature bandage mini dresses that cling to every curve and show off lots of leg, it's a given that pretty young things are attracted to it. for fall 2009 the herve leger collection had a more serious and earthy vibe. bandage dresses featured stretchy thick knits with a few overlapping bandage straps and warm brown, green and gold toned colors. also featured were huge shoulders and embellishment, that reminded me a bit of balmain.

DKNY- blair waldorf would love most of the looks in the fall 2009 edition of DKNY. i really enjoyed everything too. everything was wearable and desirable, cute and classic. i also really liked the fashion show set. it was red, white and black and had half tone and opaque black artistry. i absolutely love the pairing of prints that was showcased at DKNY. would would think that zebra and leopard print mixed together and paired with tweedy plaid would look great? well it does! and i love the young pairing of a well structured sleeveless dress with a cute kelly green and grey striped turtleneck. and the headbands/hats featured were so ladylike.

diane von furstenburg- i love both the brand and the woman. this fall 2009 collection was so amazingly exuberant and edged with that signature DVF wash of class, grace, intelligence and devil may care attitude. the bags and hats were outrageously fun, covered with pompons and strings of yarn. i love arleni's gorgeous smile, and she is rocking that outfit! she is the second model from the left.

Carolina Herrera- i have six words for you: carolina herrera is a freaking genius. go view the whole show online at style.com. the swooshing skirts, the nipped in dresses, the dark but warm woody/mossy color palette (with some bright cerulean blue and fuchsia thrown in), everything comes together to create one of the best collections a girl could ever wish to have in her closet. just put on one look and immediately you become elegant, stylish: an icon--if but for a moment, or only a day. this collection was lush, exquisite, and fit for royalty. herrera time and time again proves that she knows how to dress women!

Erin Fetherston- from the first look, i knew this was going to be interesting. the heels are absolutely killer, i wouldn't even try to walk in them, but they are awesome. the show started out with dark gothic lolita looks, with models teetering on hooker shoes and legs wrapped in striped black and white leggings, or black stripe leggings, or black netted/dotted leggings. then the show took a decidely different turn and headed back to the erin fetherston look we are all more familiar with. pastels galore, heavenly blues pinks and creams, and the ultra short hems on the frocks made the model's pins look even longer. this collection was fit for a doll!

Donna Karan- DK sure knows how to work jersey and silk! this collection included really good items for a woman's closet. it communicated a non fussy and straight forward classy feel.

chris benz- chris loves color and he definitely knows how to use it! i also really love his model's expressions and poses. :)

Charlotte Ronson- for the tough sexy girl these looks would be perfect. i really want the knee high boots from this collection. they lace all the way up AND have studs! sweet! this wasn't my fave collection but it was good enough. i'm loving all the one shouldered dresses i'm seeing on these fall 2009 runways.

Jill Stuart- this collection was inspired by iconic women of music. it had a heavy rock chick aesthetic (as most collections seem to have lately) and i loved it. one of my pieces has to be the sheer lace dress (second from left, worn by cutie pie gracie carvalho) and the piece to the far right, that is sheer with a sequined pattern worn by super pretty model meghan collison.

Marc Jacobs- Mr. Jacobs did the '80s some good. only marc...only marc...only HE could do this collection with the full blown crazy 80s hair and makeup (blue eyeshadow, crazy gelled hair and all) and make me love it.

Miss Sixty- another '80s inspired collection. i'm really loving this look, and so is the rest of the fashion blogging world. it's fun, it's young, and it's confident! one thing i didn't like though...is that miss sixty had way too many scarily skinny models on the runway. there is such a thing as a healthy skinny. i don't want to look on the runway and see so many bones and spines and vertebrae and gaunt faces. it's gross.

Preen- i'm really loving preen. it's a quiet line and you don't hear too much fuss about it, but every collection seems to be so well done and collected and it has a crystal clear aesthetic. how awesome is that rainbow dress at the end? they had about four dresses that had a color theme similar to that. i really love the fourth look from the left. it's soft, simple, and kept interesting with the metallic detailing on the waist.<3

Prabal Gurung- Gurung described his debut collection as "clothes for a thinking man's sex symbol" and he described it perfectly. i'd most like to see the first look on the left on the red carpet. this is a great debut effort, keep your eyes open for him!



FASHION WEEK NOTES

Jeremy Laing- the clothes weren't really my style, but i think laing executed the collection well, and i got a pretty good vibe from the show. i don't remember having seen his work before but from what i'm seeing he does have some talent.

Betsey Johnson- Ms. Johnson put on a very bright and very betsey showing of 17 fall 2009 looks. however the show didn't really wow me or show me anything profound. however i would like to own some shoes and some leopard print sheer tights from this line. and the sequined leggings.

Jonathan Saunders- some looks were cute, most were atrocious. as regular readers may know...i liked the jonathan saunders spring 2009 collection much better.

Lela Rose- the collection was decent, but most of these looks could easily be reproduced for sale at any store.

Luca Luca- the show was inspired by the vintage screen sirens of glamorous eras past, and it was nice...but it's all been done before (and better too).

Reem Acra- i was dissapointed because i've seen so much better from this line, but the last four dresses were absolutely superb and i hope to see at least one on a red carpet.

Temperley London- temperley london fall 2009 was like a bad version of the recent bohemian gucci collections. there were some good pieces in there but they were far and few between. i think the styling was a bit off too. but, you know...when the pieces are worn in isolation on red carpets or to social events or wherever they'll probably look better.

Tuleh- there were a few great gowns at the end of the show but the rest of it was pretty boring.

derek lam- showed a range of nudes, a little wine red, mustards, black and metallics. it was a good collection but it had a really slow and uncertain start. i wish the whole collection had more of the drapey and beaded frocks that emerged at the end. i'm sure we'll see this collection being worn a lot. we're in a recession, so we go back to basic colors like blacks and nudes.

halston- this season's collection was much better than last season's (spring 2009) collection. it had more creativity and thought to it and there was a nice range of looks. the house still needs to improve though.

marc by marc jacobs- i loved the cute furry flat boots. i'd love to own them. also featured were cute wool empire waist coats and lots of plaid flannel made into cute ruffly blouses.also featured were incredibly bright print tights (bright purple with orange squares on the knees, multicolored stripey ones, etc.). the show was cute and young, but very similar to what he's shown before.

matthew williamson- lots of bright colored fur in orange, red or blue and crazy psychadelic/geometric prints. some things looked a bit pucci to me.

max azria- new at max azria was a very dark palette and a usage of lace. the collection was good, but not good enough to make me want to make a collage for it! i would wear some pieces from the line though. i loved the white dress with black lace detail and a fluttery hem, as well as a mini with strips of leather and lace sleeves. and there was good use of embellishment as well.

narciso rodriguez- i really wanted to like this show, since i liked his spring 2009 presentation but i really didn't like this collection. only a select few pieces. he saved some of his best looks for last, and paired them with stark white tights/leggings which was a horrendous choice. he also featured weird abstract cow spot print and hats that covered the eyes and had eye slits cut out. thinking about those looks make me physically sick.

anna sui- i liked it and din't like it at the same time. it was a mix of bohemian, folksy, medieval and all kinds of stuff. showcased were beautiful printed or sparkly tights, printed everything and amazing shoes. jourdann dunn looked great in her looks but there was something i didn't like about the collection. i think the pieces would look better when worn individually and not as a whole look from the collection.

j. mendel- you can always rely on gilles mendel for classic shapes like cocktail dresses or cute skirt suits or pant suits with shrunken blazers, and of course red carpet gowns. however most of the collection was boring. more classic shapes and more fur--this is what i've been seeing from mendel every season. but, he knows how to make nice clothes and he does it well. it's just that i crave excitement in life and this collection didn't excite me except for the last dress du juan wore. it was sooooooooooo beautiful. one of the most creative dresses i've ever seen in my life. i'll be posting a picture of it.

Nanette Lepore- everything was uber cute and uber tasteful...but after seeing marchesa and michael kors directly before this...there was no way i was going to put this down as a collage! it was good...but not fabtastically great.

Richard Chai- it wasn't horrifyingly bad...but...it didn't appeal to me at all (save for one look), i think it's the dull color palette that did it. althought he used multicolored prints they are all dim versions of the hues. if he had brightened it up a bit it would have been more a hit with me. the tailoring was nice though. he knows how to make good slouchy trousers.

Tory Burch- i LOVED the accessories and most of the collection but it seemed that the collection was an oxymoron. it was preppy and clean while trying to be grungy and hip at the same time. sometimes this worked, sometimes it didn't.

Vivienne Tam- beautiful craftmanship as usual but the collection felt cold for some reason? i did view it when slightly sleepy...maybe that played a factor? but these clothes are well made, they just don't have that special twinkle that really grabs my attention.