Spring Fling: Spring 2011 Couture Looks from Christian Dior and Bouchra Jarrar

Just a quick note: If you get a chance, check out the images from Christian Dior's Spring 2011 Couture show in Paris yesterday. It's pretty breathtaking. I love this look:

On the completely opposite end of the spectrum was a beautifully tailored, impossibly chic collection from Bouchra Jarrar, a Balenciaga-trained designer I hadn't heard of before but will definitely be watching from here on out. My favorite looks paired belted jackets with wide leg trousers, like so.

Photos: 
1) www.style.com
2-3) www.vogue.com

Lorick's Fall 2010 Collection Takes it to the Speakeasy

I'm not sure how I managed to miss Lorick's Fall 2010 Presentation, but better late than never, no? Here are some of my favorite looks from the Prohibition-era themed collection, in which tweeds cavorted with jewel tones (emerald, sapphire, and gold), hair frizzed in wild excess, necklaces dripped over silken dresses, and gams sparkled in party-ready tights. The hit accessories were definitely the brightly colored elbow-length gloves, which added just the right punch. You can view all 15 looks at Elle.com.

 

 

Photos: www.elle.com

New York Fall 2010 Fashion Week: 8 Coats to Covet

A roundup of some of my favorite coats and jackets from the Fall 2010 runways:

ADAM

Marc by Marc Jacobs

Marc by Marc Jacobs

Jenni Kayne

Derek Lam

Charlotte Ronson

Nanette Lepore

Marc Jacobs

 Photos: www.style.com

New York Fall 2010 Fashion Week: Furry All Over

It appears that business will be booming for furriers come fall, as evidenced by the abundance of ermine, sable, chinchilla, and every other possible type of animal pelt appearing on the Fall 2010 runways. Oh, how I wish these furry finds were faux!

A cropped fur jacket atop ballooning, pleated high-waisted trousers seems to be de rigueur for Fall. I'm not even halfway through the shows and I've already seen several versions of the look. An example from Bensoni:

Peter Som's version:

This Karen Walker show-stealer might very well be faux. Does anyone know?

Photos: www.style.com

New York Fall 2010 Fashion Week: Comfy, Cozy Textures

A lack of internet service caused me to miss the bulk of the Fashion Week coverage (thanks, Time Warner), so I've been furiously clicking my way through the images of the past week in a desperate attempt to play catch up. I've found that my eyes have been lingering on cozy textures: nubby boucles, chunky knits, and sumptuous cashmeres are beckoning me.

I can totally picture a winter afternoon spent fireside, luxuriating in the warmth and comfort of these cozies:

I want to steal this divine cocoon cardi right off of the back of one very lucky Karlie Kloss.  Donna Karan.

A gorgeous knee-grazer from Jeremy Laing.

How Marc Jacobs manages to make this not look frumpy is a great mystery. The sweater is perfect for a snowy afternoon spent cozied up with hot chocolate.

Layering at Rag and Bone.

This shearling-lined suede wrap jacket from CFDA darling Sophie Theallet awakens 70's nostalgia in me (nevermind that I wasn't actually there to witness the decade).

Photos: www.style.com

New York Fall 2010 Fashion Week: Organic by John Patrick

It was all sideswept bangs, beehives, and attitude at the Organic by John Patrick presentation. With every passing show season, the sustainable clothing movement gets nearer and nearer to turning out collections I might actually want to wear, and at long last, it looks like John Patrick has achieved eco-conscious design that's also certifiably chic.

 

 

  

  

 

Photos: www.coutorture.com

Fantasy Friday: Cynthia Steffe Fall 2010

In which we shop with imaginary money and indulge our fanciest fancies.

I'm devoting this edition of Fantasy Friday to Cynthia Steffe's entire Fall 2010 collection -- I want every last stitch of it. The looks sent down the runway brought to mind a modern-day version of Jenny, Carey Mulligan's character in An Education -- a precocious teen who falls in with a crowd that's too fashionable for her own good. The clever combination of knee socks and thigh-high schoolgirl-esque stockings paired with sophisticated swing coats hint at the ultrachic (albeit possibly tragic) future that awaits our adolescent heroine. And from the look of this collection, who could blame her for running straight into the arms of danger?

 

  

 

 

  

  

 

Photos: www.coutorture.com

New York Fashion Week Fall 2010: Vena Cava

The Vena Cava ladies make me swoon season after season, and their Fall 2010 collection is no exception. I think I want every single coat that paraded down their runway today, and there were several knockout ensembles I wouldn't mind taking home. Inspired by a fall weekend spent in Woodstock, Sophie Buhai and Lisa Mayock's pieces very much called to mind a mysterious, fashion-forward city girl who shows up as a stranger in a sleepy town and wakes it right up.

Some favorites:

 

 

  

  

 

Photos: style.com

Spring 2010 Fashion Week: Grunge Grows Up at Gary Graham

Gary Graham's collection for Spring 2010 featured a bevy of grunge-romantic looks in sheer, whisper-soft layers and a subdued palette.

Damsel, distressed. The bodice of a pretty, feminine frock gets ripped to shreds.

 

It almost looks as if a pair of shears were taken to the curtains of a country kitchen, and an outfit whipped up on the spot. Such lovely tucks and gathers.

 

Ditto for the bedsheets. Love the way this tent dress drapes.

Masculin/Feminin. A sheer, mannish blazer over a short dress is genius. 

 

Photo credit: style.com

Spring 2010 Fashion Week: Lusting After the Shipley & Halmos Lifestyle

My crush on Shipley & Halmos intensified this season. The presentation looked clean and crisp, and the casting was spot on -- they could not have picked a better model than Roy, who looked every inch the poster boy for their relaxed, preppy cool aesthetic, and I loved Lena (legs for days).  I could picture them all piling into a tiny convertible together after the shoot for a wild, dizzying joyride. There was a lot to love in this collection, but my favorite pieces were the bright blue men's parka and the oversized blazer/overcoat for the ladies. Some standouts:

 

 

 

 

 

Photo credit: Style.com