Second City Style Fashion Blog - Style, Luxury, Beauty & Shopping

New York Fashion Week '09: Lela Rose Knows!

Summary: The Lela Rose Spring collection was a richly-hued kaleidoscope of femininity. The looks were perfectly finished and wearable, and the designer worked pailletes and spangles in with more skill than any other designer so far. The colors, truly fulfilling the kaleidoscopic effect in a jewel-toned array, ranged from yellow sapphire to lapis lazuli blue to fire opal orange on a range of drop-waisted dresses, racer-back tanks, and minis. The prints--ikat, spectrum, heat map and abstract plaid-- sent me spinning in the best way. Alternating red and blues came together on the heat map tank, a bright piece that will surely be snapped up come Spring '09. And the designer left the crowd wanting more with four evening gowns. The lurex burnout chiffon gown, an ivory and silver sequined work of art, will surely grace a red carpet. Overall, it was impossible not to get entranced by Rose's kaleidoscope-- and no one wanted to resist anyway.

Color Palette: Lazuli, Navy, Fire Opal, Yellow Sapphire, Jade, Ocean Blue, Flax, Moonstone, Ivory

Fabrics & Textures: Ikat, Ink Jet Plaid, Abstract Plaid, Lurex Burnout, Birds-eye Cotton, Silk Faille, Pailletes, Heat Map, Spectrum, Dip-dye, Organza, Chiffon, Linen, Silver Foil

Key Looks: flax silk tank dress with full skirt and necklace detail, fire opal check paillete tank dress, lurex burnout chiffon tucked scoop neck gown, jade silk one shoulder ruffle gown

- Hayley Wells

Photos: NYMag.com

NY Fashion Week Spring '08. The Top 20 Most-Viewed Shows. Second City Style Fashion Blog

OK, so the numbers come from Style.com, but here are the 20 most viewed shows from the site. Some of this surprised me, but don't think retailers are not taking notice.

20. Betsey Johnson
Page views: 760,908

Prom dressed sure made for some good entertainment. Johnson also showed a little retro-style swimwear and some modern-day jumpsuits.

19. CAROLINA HERRERA
Page views: 822,370
A colorful collection inspired by the interior watercolors of Jeremiah Goodman.

18. VERA WANG
Page views: 842,192
Her artsy chic collection was a miss for us.

17. BCBG MAX AZRIA
Page views: 863,508
Organza trenches and dresses layered over delicate knits in a mellow color palette of dusky pink, taupe and gray. The collection focused on pleats and drapes for extra structure in their pieces. It's sure to be a hit next spring.

16. DKNY
Page views: 890,018

This easy, wearable grouping of throw-on-and-go pieces was immense. The designer showed long, flared pants, crisp dress shirts and belted flowy dresses, throwing in coolly colored accents of melon, grays and whites.

15. DIANE VON FURSTENBERG
Page views: 903,783
Diane von Furstenberg's inspiration was Bali in the Eighties this season. Her island-ready wear collection, included beachy dresses, halter cuts, caftans, shirtdresses and sheaths — all done up in hothouse prints and graphic tribal motifs.

14. BADGLEY MISCHKA
Page views: 905,349
The duo offered glitzy swimsuits and some sportswear, but their evening attire was the star of the show. Hello red carpet!

13. NARCISO RODRIGUEZ
Page views: 977,681
Rodriguez, who sold his company to Liz Claiborne Inc. earlier this year, kept the mood light and breezy with linen jackets, fresh cotton dresses and loose trousers.

12. CALVIN KLEIN
Page views: 1,000,188
Delicate and minimal at Francisco Costa's house. Stark white dresses, skirts, jackets and pants as well as more colorfulsubtly patterned jackets, slender shifts and pantsuits.

11. PROENZA SCHOULER
Page views: 1,133,460
Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez's showed a military-meets-majorette theme. In their first collection since receiving an infusion of money through the partial sale of their company to Valentino Fashion Group, "the clinical elements that make for a great collection were there in full force," said WWD.

10. DONNA KARAN
Page views: 1,158,707

Donna Karan's Cuban isnspired show was a serene collection that reflected neutral colors. For evening, her jersey gowns were slim, goddess-like and lovely.

9. MICHAEL KORS
Page views: 1,235,609
Michael Kors' always delivers. This lighthearted, colorful spring lineup included wearable outfits for every outing. Keeping a Seventies-inspired theme throughout, he worked in fancy shifts, tunics and day dresses, along with ruffled bikinis and plunging one-pieces. There were also safari prints, florals and bold graphics.

8. L.A.M.B.
Page views: 1,382,886
Gwen Stefani's spring collection was a perfect reflection of her own tastes — so much, in fact, that many of the runway looks could have been pulled from her very closet...maybe they were.

7. OSCAR DE LA RENTA
Page views: 1,392,392
Oscar de la Renta has his power women covered for spring. Outfits were sharp and chic: He showed slim pants, creamy knits and a hit parade of dresses. De la Renta even had his own live entertainment: The Polyphonic Spree belted out numbers throughout the show.

6. 3.1 PHILLIP LIM
Page views: 1,422,162
Lim showed safari jackets paired with colorful dresses and sweater sets with layered chiffon skirts. His gigantic bags and patent Tatami shoes were hits as well.

5. ANNA SUI
Page views: 1,435,052
Glam rock meets Old Hollywood. Anna Sui featured everything from fishnets and platforms to flowing chiffon blouses and high-waisted plaid suits. Working in kaleidoscopic prints, which ranged from pretty florals to graphic stripes, the eras crossed over seamlessly.

4. ZAC POSEN
Page views: 1,580,976
Over-the-top Zac Posen tried to pull off a show inspired by Shakers and Puritans.

3. RALPH LAUREN
Page views: 1,995,891
The designer chose to pair a gala dinner celebrating his brand's 40th anniversary with the showing of his spring collection at Central Park's Conservatory Garden.

2. MARC BY MARC JACOBS
Page views: 2,391,857
Marc Jacobs' little sister line featured sporty, tailored young looks for spring. Both his shift dresses, which were adorned in bows and stripes, and his shirtdresses, which contained oversize buttons and piping, were adorable and playful.

Drum roll please...

1. MARC JACOBS
Page views: 3,311,183
All the drama paid off! Even though Marc Jacobs presented his entire spring collection two hours late and in reverse, it was worth the wait. He once again stole the top spot.

Source: WWD

Photos: WireImage & Style.com

It's in the Details. NY Fashion Week Spring ’08: Sexy is as Sexy Does. Second City Style Fashion Blog

Marc Jacobs, Custo Barcelona and Anna Sui redefine eye candy.

Joanne Molina, Senior Editor of Second City Style Magazine

It’s such an overused word and so undervalued. Functioning as both compliment and critique by men and women alike “sexy” somehow has become a synonym for showing skin, for femininity, and just about anything related to the actual amorous activity. But this season collections ask us to reconsider what makes us blush and what makes our temperatures rise — is a good laugh just as “sexy” as a slit up a leg that extends for miles? Can preppy teach us something about the power of charm and restraint? Forget about going Dolce to get some attention from your voyeur of choice, this spring sexy is about overdressing for the ball and then dancing to your very own magic flute.

Read more here...

NY Fashion Week Spring '08. Celeb Lines: Made For The Stars. Second City Style Fashion Blog

Why do celebs think they can dress us when they can’t even dress themselves?

Ok, so maybe we’re not talking about Sienna Miller or Kiera Knightley who have sworn by the holy heavens that they pick out their own clothes (and yes, we love Sienna’s wild vibe and the fact that Kiera shops at Kate Moss’s chic UK label Topshop) but for the most part, celebs have been notorious for hiring personal stylists to cater to their every style whim.

Why then, do they think they can hold a candle to designer experts like Donna Karan, Tommy Hilfiger, Anne Klein, Heatherette, Reem Acra, Zac Posen or Proenza Schouler?

This year, NY Fashion Week showcased spring designs from celebs like:

L.A.M.B. (Gwen Stefani)

Baby Phat by Kimora Lee Simmons

Nicholai by Nicky Hilton

Just Sweet (Jennifer Lopez)

Were the designs good? Well, it’s the stuff only superstars can wear.

What do I mean?

While its pretty normal to see style seekers sporting frocks from Diane von Furstenberg or sporty spring suits from Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren, we’re pretty sure only attention-seeking celebs can pull off the Gwen Stefani’s black and white houndstooth, Jennifer Lopez’s washed out pastels by Jennifer Lopez, Nicky Hilton’s Malibu Barbie chic short shorts, and Kimora Lee’s chaotic colorful Baby Phat beach wardrobe.

Did celeb designers fug up Fashion Week? Maybe not entirely. But we think they should stick to their day jobs — wearing the Haute Couture instead of making it.

—Simona Kogan

 

NY Fashion Fashion Week Spring '08. Review of Second City Style's Fashion Week Coverage

Below is a full list of New York Fashion Week Spring '08 Runway shows covered by Second City Style. Read reviews here

Abaete
Adam Lippes
Alexandre Herchcovitch
Anna Sui
Anne Klein
Badgley Mischka
BCBG
Behnaz Sarafpour
Betsey Johnson
Calvin Klein
Carlos Miele
Carmen Marc Valvo
Chaiken
Chris Han
Custo Barcelona
Cynthia Rowley
Cynthia Steffe
Diane von Furstenberg
Donna Karan
Elie Tahari
Erin Fetherston
GenArt Fresh Faces
Gottex
Grey Ant
Jason Wu
Jayson Brunsdon
Lela Rose
Luca Luca
Mara Hoffman
Marc Bouwer
Marc Jacobs
Marc by Marc Jacobs
Milly
Monique Lhuillier
Naeem Khan
Nicholai
Olga Kapustina
Oscar de la Renta
Ports 1961
Rachel Comey
Reem Acra
Rosa Cha
Sabyasachi
Temperely
Terexov
Thuy
Tibi
Toni Maticevski
Tuleh
Twinkle
Y and Kei
Zac Posen

By no means is this list complete, but we managed to cover 52 shows. Read them all here, New York Fashion Week, Spring '08.

A special thanks to Andra Naylor,Joanne Molina and Simona Kogan for all of their help during an exhausting Fashion Week.

- Lauren Dimet Waters & Carol Calacci

NY Fashion Week Spring '08. MaxAzria Spins Silk into Stylish Dip-Dyed Dresses. Second City Style Fashion Blog

We are going to link you to Fashiontribe's review. Why? Well, even though Second City Style had two tickets to the Max Azria show and were in line on time, we didn't get in. Why? We heard it had something to do with Nicole Richie or something.

Summary: Silk and satin fabrics dominated the collection, providing a luminous glow and dreamy silhouette, while dip-dyed and colorblock fabrics added a punch of color to an otherwise subdued color palette. The overall effect? Lightweight & effortless.

Read the rest at Fashiontribes

NY Fashion Week Spring '08. The Wrap-Up: Spring '08 Trends. Second City Style Fashion Blog

Fashion Week is over! Thank God. It makes for a long week. My feet are slowly beginning to heal (no thanks to Tory Burch) and I am finally starting to feel human again.

So, what are the trends you can expect to see for Spring '08? Glad you asked...


Jason Wu, Luca Luca, Monique Lhuillier

1. A muted color palette
In everything from chiffon to linen some designers went muted.
Jason Wu, Monique Lhuillier, Calvin Klein, Luca Luca, Erin Fetherston, BCBG, Chris Han, Doo.Ri, Costello Tagliapietra


Diane Von Furstenberg, Marc Jacobs, Reem Acra

2. Bright color palette
Conversely, some designers went bold using colors like merigold, kelly green and fuschsia like Reem Acra, Marc Jacobs, Tuleh, Diane von Furstenberg, Jayson Brunsdon, Marc Bouwer, Cynthia Steffe, Carlos Miele, Lela Rose, Abaete, Thakoon


Chaiken, Diane von Furstenberg, Donna Karan

3. Safari wear
Chaiken, Donna Karan, Ports 1961, Oscar de la Renta, Diane von Fursteberg, Michael Kors, Behnaz Sarafpour, Elie Tahari, Lela Rose, Adam Lippes


Oscar de la Renta, Tibi, Tracy Reese

4. Floral and abstract patterns
Anne Klein, Carolina Herrera, Abaete, Chris Han, Tibi, Michael Kors, Custo Barcelona, Naeem Khan, Anna Sui, Milly, Oscar de la Renta, Reem Acra, Tuleh, Dian von Furstenberg, Twinkle, Carlos Miele, Elie Tahari, Mara Hoffman, Marc Bouwer, Bill Blass, Tracy Reese, Thakoon


Badgley Mischka, Monique Lhuillier, Jason Wu

5. Light as air, sheer, flowing dresses and gowns
Calvin Klein, Monique Lhuillier, Jason Wu, Chris Han, Carmen Marc Valvo, Michael Kors, Luca Luca, Oscar de la Renta, Erin Fetherston, Tuleh, Temperley, Badgley Mischka, Carlos Miele, Lela Rose, Toni Maticevski, Mara Hoffman, BCBG, Marchesa


Carlos Miele,  Carmen Marc Valvo, Erin Fetherston

6. Petal and ruffled necklines
Monique Lhuillier, Carmen Marc Valvo, Erin Fetherston, Terrexov, Carlos Miele, Lela Rose, Toni Maticevski, Chris Han, Benjamin Cho, Derek Lam, Jill Stuart


Badgley Mischka, Carlos Miele, Calvin Klein

7. Strapless, asymmetrical and halter tops
It's all about the shoulders and in many cases, just one.
Donna Karan, Carmen Marc Valvo, Monique Lhuillier, Calvin Klein, Milly, Erin Fetherston, Tuleh, Behnaz Sarafpour, Jason Wu , Badgley Mischka, Carlos Miele, Lela Rose, Adam Lippes, BCBG, Chris Han, Bill Blass, Carolina Herrera, Doo.Ri, Marchesa, Jill Stuart, Vera Wang, Thakoon


BDBG, Joanna Mastrianni, Tibi

8. Underwear as outerwear
OK, we are not talking Madonna of the 90's here, but there were quite a few bralets, corsets and bra-like back closures.
Betsey Johnson, Grey Ant, Tibi, Joanna Mastroianni, BCBG, Marc Bouwer, Lela Rose, Abaete, Brian Reyes


Charles Nolan, Milly, Brian Reyes
 
9. Short shorts
Better do those squats all winter because the Bermuda has given way to the shortest shorts ever. If you are really toned (and brave) you may want to try the maillot short (think 40's style bikini bottom). Then again, maybe not.
Jayson Brunsdon,Temperley, Milly, Nicholai, Twinkle, Badgley Mischka, Abaete, Anna Sui, Charles Nolan, Doo.Ri, Derek Lam, Jill Stuart, United Bamboo, Brian Reyes


Abaete, Adam Lippes, Milly

10. Pencil skirts
Skirts are longer (past the knee) and tighter.
Abaete, Jason Wu, Milly, Chris Han, Adam Lippes, Elie Tahari, Tibi 


Rachel Comey, Temperley, Betsey Johnson

11. Jumpsuits
These were shown in pant versions, capri versions and sadly, short versions. Onesies for adults.
Betsey Johnson, Anna Sui, Rachel Comey, Lela Rose, Temperley


Temperley, Lela Rose

12. Paper bag pants & skirts
We pray this is a trend that does not catch on because, think about it, if it bubbles over, it's not flattering.
Temperley, Monique Lhuillier, Lela Rose, Marc Jacobs


Badgley Mischka, Tracy Reese, Abaete

13. High-waisted everything
This is great news for those of use who are long-waisted and/or just can't bare to ever see another wale-tail again. Waist lines were up in pants, skirts and shorts. If you step into it...it's high.
Temperely, Cynthia Rowley, Badgley Mischka, Elie Tahari, Abaete, Grey Ant, Jason Wu, Twinkle, Anna Sui, Doo.Ri, Peter Som, United Bamboo, Tracy Reese

NY Fashion Week Spring '08. Springtime in L.A. at Olga Kapustina. Second City Style Fashion Blog

Summary: The off site shows are usually where you find something fresh, and the Olga Kapustina Collection was like a breath of springtime. Her pieces were fun, flirty, and looked like they belong in L.A. The designer has some celebrity fans including Angelina Jolie, Cameron Diaz, and Rachel Bilson. The pieces were well made and had a great fit. While some of the printed fabrics were a bit Escada-esque for my taste, the soft muted natural colored knit dresses with shots of bright peacock blue, red orange and yellow dazzled. This is an easy going, modern and wearable collection, which is sure to please the mainstream. 

Color Palette: stone, dark grey, white, cream, peacock blue, red orange, melon. bright yellow, hot pink, black. 

Textures & Details: jersey, linen, silks, cotton, large tonal bright stripes, florals. 

Key Looks: Natural colored jersey dresses with interesting woven strap details, cream dark grey and white dresses with shots of bright colors, body conscious open midriffs, balloon hems, strapless tops, large and small bright stripes on light-weight silk tiered skirts with easy tank tops

Images courtesy of Michael Rogers Public Relations

Online Shopping. Shop Online 'Til You Drop. Second City Style Fashion Blog

According to WWD, web sales of apparel, accessories and footwear reached $18.3 billion last year and are expected to grow to $22.1 billion this year, according to Forrester Research. Here comes the sad part...where they shop. Trends among the top 10: outdoorsy brands L.L. Bean and Lands' End, along with women's apparel names, such as Victoria's Secret, Lane Bryant and Coldwater Creek. Macy's, Wal-Mart and Target ranked 13th, 17th and 22nd, respectively.

Here are the top ten:

1. EBAY
Total apparel and accessories purchases in July: 2.98 million
Average spent per buyer: $35.83

2. VICTORIA'S SECRET
Total purchases in July: 663,000
Average spent per buyer: $177.74

3. J.C. PENNEY & CO.
Total purchases in July: 568,000 
Average spent per buyer: $68.65

4. CHADWICK'S
Total purchases in July: 305,000
Average spending per buyer: $62.15

5. L.L. BEAN
Total purchases in July: 271,000
Average spending per buyer: $122.40

6. LANDS' END
Total purchases in July: 263,000
Average spending per buyer: $76.48

7. COLDWATER CREEK
Total purchases in July: 259,000
Average spending per buyer: $182.71

8. LANE BRYANT
Total purchases in July: 253,000
Average spending per buyer: $60.50

9. QVC
Total purchases in July: 204,000
Average spending per buyer: $98.89

10. KOHL'S
Total purchases in July: 200,000
Average spending per buyer: $84.26

Read the entire article at WWD

NY Fashion Week Spring '08. Tibi or Not Tibi...That is the Question. Second City Style Fashion Blog

Summary: Last February I wanted almost every item that came down the Tibi Fall '08 runway. This spring, I wanted less, but I'll still take some. Here is the deal with prints, you have to love the ones a designer choses for their line, because those same three or four will be all over the season's collection. Tibi's Spring '08 collection featured safari khaki and prints seen on many of the runways this season. Long dresses in bright yellow, brown, green, and a multi-colored tropical print were effortlessly chic. The collection shined when there were hues of green, navy and yellow and not as much when brown was featured. Designer Amy Smilovic has poured herself into her collection and season after season it shows. The line is very wearable and it appears Tibi belts and shoes have been added to the label. There is something in this collection for everyone, even if you aren't going on safari.

Color Palette: white, ivory, khaki, yellow, orange, green, violet, blue, denim, brown, grey, black

Textures & Details: linen, silk, slinky jersey, cotton, viscose, micro modal, giant check print, Zebra print, safari scarf silk print, capetown print, orpheus color block print, kalahari print, bluebird basketweave print, jacquard, ruffles, beading, bralets, high-waist shorts and skirts; short jumpsuit (a scary trend for spring '08 since only 1% of the population will look good in it and 20% will probably buy it)

Key Looks: republic gentleman caller gown; roman spring dress; rose tatoo cropped jacket with a black Estella culotte; camino linen topstitch dress; geometric jacquard menagerie dress; safari scarf halter wrap dress; Julia misbehaves beaded gown

Photos: WireImage