New York Fashion WeekDiane von Furstenberg S/S 2011Geometric prints, colors and draping were the main themes of Diane von Furstenberg’s collection. Layers of patterns and colors were piled on top of each other creating a pleasant contrast. Almost dizzying at times, the collection was full of life and creativity. Read moreAlexander Berardi S/S 2011The designer has taken his collection to the next level for Spring 2011. In a matter of a season, Berardi has gone from pretty and charming to elegant and demure with chic silk outfits, delicate chiffon dresses, and a curious feminine flared trench coat with the a zipper wrapped around the waist. Read moreVictoria Beckham S/S11The collection, presented in an Upper East Side townhouse, is never groundbreaking, but Beckham's hands are all over it. Her past collections were often criticized for being reinterpretations of newly resurfaced designer Roland Mouret, but this season, a more relaxed silhouette took the spotlight in a number of unique and charming fabrics. Read moreSiki Im S/S 2011For his Spring/Summer 2011, Siki Im looks to feelings of isolation and detachment juxtaposed against an urban terrain where integration into mainstream culture causes friction and the possibility of new realities and identities. Many of the deconstructed pieces in this collection are reassembled as innovative, fashion-forward reflections on the young male’s quest for individuality while maintaining his group identity. Read moreMichael Angel S/S 2011What did work in this collection was Angel’s experimentation with texture. Latex layered over printed sarong skirts and men's midriff-baring collared tops nicely highlighted how a variety of textures and shapes can give a dramatic effect on the runway. However, the redundancy of Angel’s masculine shirts flattened what could have been an effective marriage of the masculine and the feminine. Read moreRebecca Minkoff S/S 2011This season, Minkoff’s apparel was inspired by “the ultimate vagabond – a girl yearning for juxtaposed glamor, transfixed by reconstructed vintage and 70's-inspired frocks that include traces of seductress Bianca Jagger, and the late soulful Janis Joplin.” Read moreAlexander Wang S/S 2011Wang has worked very hard to get to where he is. As with all young designers, however, Wang has to keep proving himself to the fickle fashion industry to seal his spot as one of the next generation's A-listers. Read moreZ Spoke by Zac Posen S/S 2011Posen had three muses for his collection: a sportswear-clad brunette, a blonde who adores ruffles and probably cats, and a glamour-puss redhead. The various inspirations translated into a collection that mixed frilly party frocks, cartoonish tees, and colorful printed looks with staple black trousers, fitted cropped jackets, and flattering denim skirts. Read moreMandy Coon S/S 2011Buyers, editors, and the like, crowded into a small presentation space for a trip under the sea. Never without hints of the street, Coon examined the magnificence of invertebrates with unorthodox employments of leather, jersey, and silk. Read moreLela Rose S/S 2011The Spring 2011 collection consisted of colorful prints in easy blouses and loose shorts perfect for lounging in the city of Lima, which is what inspired the design of the collection. Her simple, tailored and colorful dresses looked chic, while holding interest with the prints and bright hues. Read moreAltuzarra S/S 2011This season, stripes of python and leather were worked into a palette of white and navy geometric cut duchesse satin. Joseph Altuzarra's neo-goth aesthetic did not completely disappear, but it was injected with retro futurism (and more satin than we have seen on the runways in a long time). Read moreBand of Outsiders S/S11With the already popular Man and Boy collections, Band of Outsiders debuted Girl to a captive audience. Boy's menswear-inspired separated have enthralled downtown girls for seasons, but Girl's dainty, feminine womenswear is a welcome addition. Read morePrabal Gurung S/S 2011Prabal Gurung is a new favorite among both celebrities and high-fashion critics, and this collection proves that he has a right to be. Gorgeous patterns that were designed and cut to perfection showed off his design skills developed at Bill Blass. Read moreNicole Miller S/S 2011Miller’s offerings have changed quite a bit these past two seasons. Long known for straight edged dresses, she has been successfully expanding her designs, and her appeal has widened to include both a conservative and a more urban demographic. Read moreCushnie et Ochs S/S 2011It could be presumed that Carly Cushnie and Michelle Ochs are fans of Bret Michaels by looking at the latest Cushnie et Ochs offering shown Thursday in New York. Yeah, you read it right – Bret Michaels. As in "Every Rose Has Its Thorn," Poison lead singer Bret Michaels. Read morePorts 1961 S/S 2011Textural gowns and cocktail looks were finished with intricate crystal embellishments so striking they reminded me of why one could easily spend hours at the brand’s boutique or showroom - the pieces are so subtly intricate, you’re likely to find something new to appreciate every time you look at them. Read morePeter Som S/S 2011In recent seasons, Som has struggled with financial woes and instability but if this season's wares are any indicator, he has turned the corner and is back with a vengeance. Read moreNYFW: Fashion’s Night Out RecapWhile Fashion’s Night Out may have been conceived as a fun event to boost the fashion industry, this year seemed to be even more of circus than last year. Dressed in cocktail dresses and high-high heels, most of the women could barely walk in their over-done ensembles - let alone shop. Read moreBCBG S/S 2011The show started with a near dozen fluid, fluttering white or ash gray dresses paired with cutout white shoes that fashioned slender straps around the ankle. The shoe style was reintroduced in coordinating colors throughout the collection. Read moreRag & Bone S/S 2011This season, the design duo amped up the sex appeal with popping saturated reds, garter-like details peeking through shorts, straps galore, midriff-baring tops, and plenty of underwear as outerwear. Read more |