Fashion Matches: Best Finds from This Week's Arrivals

Last week I skipped out on new arrivals for the sake of Diane von Furstenberg, but they're back this week! The first thing that I noticed was the Tibi coat. Add in some Anthropologie jewelry and a couple of dresses and you've got this week's fashion matches.

Ruffles have made it into all clothing this year. We've seen it in tops, dresses, skirts and now a coat. This Tibi coat is feminine and sophisticated. I must admit I would have liked for the ruffles to be more exaggerated but overall I like that this coat mixed a trendy element with a classic shape.

Tibi Wool Ruffle-neck coat $600

Cutouts were such a huge trend this fall and Alexander Wang's collection was built on them. This is one of the dresses that came from that, so if ou want to look on trend this is definitely the dress for you.

Alexander Wang Cutout dress $650

Summer is wedding season and there's always that struggle to buy a dress that is demure, not too flashy, yet still fun. This is what this Cynthia Rowley dress is to me. It's delicate, and it has a fun skirt, it's got a flattering shape, all in all perfect.

Cynthia Rowley Tulle dress $375

I love this necklace from Anthropologie. Like tears on a string it is the picture of elegance.

Alexander Baccarat necklace $38

image sources: anthropologie.com, net-a-porter.com, shobop.com

The Fashion Show Update

Congratulations Anna for winning The Fashion Show!!!!

It's no surprise that Anna, with her beautiful, wearable clothes was the one to win the competition. Each one of her dresses had interesting details, whether it be pleats, cups, or bows. I particularly liked the knits in the collection.

Designer We Love: Diane von Furstenberg

Today I had the amazing pleasure of hearing Diane von Furstenberg tell the story of her success to a captivated audience, and I was lucky to be in the room. While I couldn't record anything I'll do my best to recreate this experience. Going into it, I thought, what more could I possibly learn about Diane from essentially a script? She's such a public figure. I was of course completely wrong. She is so personable, has a great sense of humor and one of the most confident women I've ever seen. She came in, youthful, sophisticated, in a zebra print dress, turquoise earrings, her signature hair and charmed the room.

the dress Diane wore: Nevine dress $365

As it turns out Diane likes to tell her story with pictures. Stunning, in her 20's, she started out at a factory that manufactured clothes. How did she learn the ropes?...with the help of the owner who had a crush on her! As with all success stories there's a lot of hard work and a little bit of luck. When it was time to move to New York she had a few samples to show, and with some help from Vogue's editor-in-chief to spread the word DVF the brand was born.

You'd think those samples included a wrap dress, but in fact that came later. Only after a couple of years of moderate success did the thought of making a jersey wrap dress come about. It was fascinating to hear Diane's perspective on the dress that made her famous. While wrap dresses existed before, what Diane brought was her unique, modern perspective. This was not a typical dress from the 70's that could "stand on it's own" as Diane put it, but instead made from a jersey fabric that clung to the body. There's a back story to the prints too. Animals have prints, zebra, leopard, patterns that move with their bodies as they go about their lives. The prints were a way for Diane to bring that animalistic feel to her clothes. They move with the women's bodies for a sexy and free vibe. And here I thought it was color and variety :)

Diane's dresses became hugely popular, and she got on the licensing bandwagon. One of her most satisfying moments? A man who clearly didn't know of her was checking her out while she was sitting with a Wall Street Journal. Looking for a conversation starter he went with: "What's a pretty girl like you reading the Wall Street Journal?", and instead of screaming out "I'm on the front page idiot", she didn't tell him off. Her line included clothing, accessories, but this was also the beginning of decline as her brand oversaturated the market. She next turned to makeup when the same story repeated itself. It was at this point that Diane von Furstenberg took a break. Well, not a full stop, but slowed down. She moved to Paris, fulfilled her lifelong dream of having a literary salon. It's amazing that somebody who from the age of 22 had been propelling her career forward took this breather. Yes it was partially circumstance but it takes courage to step back.

Of course Diane did not stay away for long. After moving to New York she started searching for a way back and found it in QVC. It was hilarious hearing her first reaction to collaborating with the home shopping channel. She called it "tacky" :) But it was a great opportunity and she took it. This was truly the beginning of her climb back into the spotlight.

DVF Rona wrap dress and Giselle silk dress

We all know what came next, she restarted her brand DVF. Diane went back to what made her popular, making beautiful clothes for women who want to feel sexy, independent, feminine. She got a showroom in the West Village and has since moved to the Meatpacking district as we've all seen on the City. A cool tidbit, Diane is part of the preservation society for the neighborhood, influencing the build of the High Line that I'm such a huge fan of :) There was one small reference to our celeb culture, and that is, Diane feels honored that unlike those designers that are chosen for red carpet events, celebs usually chose her clothes when they want to show their true selves.

So what should we take away from her story? Never give up! Yes, Diane got very lucky in the beginning, she met the right people who were able to give her that initial bump, but she put in the long hours and hard work and built up her empire. The other big message - spread the love. Whether it be a charity she supports or collaborating with some talented but less fortunate women, Diane stays true to her mission: empowering women to reach their full potential.

image sources: shopbop.com, saks.com, bloomingdales.com, gcpvd.org, instyle.com

The Fashion Show Recap: Episode 11

Thursday was the last Fashion Show episode before the winner is announced! The four designers were in New York City showing their ten piece collections. While some things were expected, one thing I admit I was surprised with and that was JP's collection. He did a really great job.

Now lets backtrack. Reco, Danielle, Anna and JP were all ready to show their visions. Unlike Project Runway with last minute curve balls all the designers had to do was the fittings. This doesn't mean there were no surprises. Isaac announced that not all four designers would make it to the final. The judges would narrow the contenders down to three and then it'd be up to us the viewers.

I was stunned to see that Reco, who napped while everyone worked during the season, was not done. He managed to make a dress that was so small that none of the tiny models could fit in it! In the end he had to let it out, which I'm sure was plenty stressful on the last day. The other fittings went smoothly and everyone was ready for the runway show.

Without further ado, here's what the designers came up with. And if you can't wait for these designs to be sold in stores, some quick ways to copy a few of the looks.

Daniella's collection was inspired by medieval Japanese armor. She called it second skin. The looks that went down the runway accentuated the shoulders, and had both feminine and masculine elements. The color palette was nudes, black, and a few pops of green. There was a lot of leather which is probably why Daniella described the collection as second skin, but the pants were all ill fitting and a bit loose so there was nothing second skin about it. The judges also pointed out that Daniella's models were the skinniest, calling her a sizist.

Topshop Disco Dot Tunic $50

Reco's collection was inspired by the Aztecs, and as he admitted his friendship with Merlin. Bright colors, tight fitting dresses, and even feathers made it into the collection. While he definitely showed his skill, the collection was way too flashy for my tastes. The gold, the sequins, the super tight skirts that models could not walk in, it was over the top. I must say the teal coat that was the first look down the runway was fantastic.

Tocca Valentina coat $256.49

According to Anna her collection was inspired by Bosch's painting "Garden of Earthly Delights". Other than having lots of color I'm not sure how that was weaved in, but every piece was fantastic. Actually taking a closer look at the collection a lot of it was recycled from what Anna did throughout the season: the pleats, the cups shape, the bow with Swarovski crystals. I loved the knit dresses, everything fit perfectly. The only legitimate complaint was that it wasn't a real collection. Even though there were lots of pretty dresses there was no unifying vision.

Malene Birger Knitted Summer Boucle dress $350

Last but not least was JP. It was not clothing that I would wear, lots of baggy silhouettes, dark colors, skirts that transformed into hoods, many different textures. The collection was meant to portray indigenous people wearing western clothing and in a way I could see how he tried to tie in tribal elements with modern style.

Vince Stella Hooded cardigan $325

It was time for the judges to decide on the weakest link. Every collection had great elements, and a few question marks. In the end it was Reco's designs that they weren't buying. I agree that his was the weakest collection but from a construction point of view it was one of the best and I was sad that he didn't even get the chance of having people vote for him.

Next week we'll see the winner!

image sources: bluefly.com, topshop.com, intermixonline.com, net-a-porter.com, projectrungay.blogspot.com

Fashion Matches: Best Finds from This Week's Arrivals

New arrivals! It's some old favorites this week both from Elizabeth and James. Alexander Wang is on a role with his collection of slinky dresses, and week after week I fall in love with Anthropologie jewelry.

A few months back I bought an Elizabeth and James tie-die plaid shirt that I now wear everywhere no matter what the occasion. I love these kinds of smart purchases that are my version of an investment :) That's why I was excited to see my shirt again, though this time in a different color.

Elizabeth and James Dip Dye Cohen shirt $225

Alexander Wang makes lots of sexy, body hugging, draped dresses. This is another addition to the mix, and as a bonus it has cutouts on the neckline, a major trends on the runways.

Alexander Wang Satin dress $525

This is another Elizabeth and James classic the Elizabeth IV Blazer. I've tried it on the last time it was out in stores and it fits perfectly. It's a sophisticated shape that can be worn to work for a more modern look or with jeans.

Elizabeth and James Elizabeth IV blazer $395

Growing up I loved climbing trees. My favorite was a willow tree. It was easy to climb to it's branches, and could just hang out during the summer, soaking in the rays. It is probably for this reason that my favorite types of fireworks are the ones that look like weeping willows, and why I love these earrings as well.

Anthropologie Willow Chandeliers $42

image sources: anthropologie.com, shopbop.com, tobi.com

Haute Couture Fall 2009 Review

I love reviewing the couture collections for the spectacle. They are usually more outrageous and more glamorous than their ready to wear counterparts. By that standard the collections were decidedly reserved but there were some trends emerging as each designer tried to satisfy their clientele. Lingerie influences were seen in the Alex Mabille and Dior collections, and several others had an 80's vibe with the power suits and sheer tights. All in all there was much to ogle but see for yourself :)

Dior was again my favorite because year after year John Galliano manages to mix classic Dior shapes, amazing craftsmanship and detail with his own quirky personality to put on what is truly a show and not just a walk down the runway. The colors are striking and though none of us would walk out of the house missing a skirt it reminds me of looking in my closet, finding that perfect top and then searching for a perfect bottom the next half hour :)

Another fashion house that played on the lingerie elements was Alex Mabille. He took a completely different approach, letting the fluid, silky shapes speak for themselves. My favorite however is the black dress, with the cross cross detail. It's a perfect cocktail dress.

Elie Saab decided to simplify his color palette for more impact. Instead of the lush colors were used to seeing the collection was entirely white, making us all focus on the details. Only one suit was a clean look, the rest of the collection was as elaborate as they come.

As much as I loved Armani's collection last year, this year was a disappointment. Instead of the gorgeous dresses and Asian influences, it was very 80's early 90's with many ill fitting suits like the one below. I can totally see Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman picking up one of these.

Each year Karl Lagerfeld is charged with creating a Chanel suit that is both classic and unique, a hard task if you ask me. This year suits were paired with black lace tights, and to be quite honest I think it detracted from the designs. The draped gowns on the other hand were spectacular and this is what I'd like to remember from this collection.

Tasteful elegance has been Valentino's strong suit for years and the that tradition continues. There were lots of pretty dresses and the lace shoulder detail permeated most of the collection.

Beading, leather, pinstripes, sailors. This is what I will take away from Jean Paul Gaultier's collection. It reminded me of his designs for Madonna. These are clothes for a strong personality, that can carry them with confidence, otherwise the effect is lost.

Christian Lacroix seems to have continued where he left off with his previous couture collection. This was solidified all the more by the last gown that made it down the runway.

I love the gowns from Givenchy, especially the two below. And they couldn't be more different. The sheer headscarf and gold detail speak of a woman that has a beauty that comes through quietly, it's almost reserved. The white ombré gown is attention seeking and notice the wrist detail...

image sources: style.com

The Fashion Show Recap: Episode 10

It's another The Fashion Show recap and there's only five designers left. Johnny, JP, Daniella, Anna and Reco are competing to become one of the four designers who make it to the final and get to show a whole collection to millions of viewers, or at least Michelle said so.

For the mini challenge the designers got to display their draping skills. Each got silk and 12 pins, obviously more than enough to make a masterpiece. Twenty minutes later there were six forms to judge, Reco had the beginning of an 80's dress, and it was between Anna and Daniella for the win. It was very close with Daniella having more detail around the bodice, as a result of which she won.

We haven't seen any gowns yet and here's the reason why, they were saving it for this episode. The designers were charged with creating an evening gown and to make it more interesting they had to incorporate swarovski crystals into it. To help or complicate matters depending on which way you look at it, each designer was paired with someone who had already been kicked off.

The five looks that were created could not have been more different.

Reco made a purple dress with a thin piece of pink fabric on the side. He said his inspiration was Victoria Beckham, and I can see that, but it seemed like Posh from ten years ago.

JP made a velvet black dress that looked a bit heavy, and one judge said reminded her of the curtain dress from Gone with the Wind :)

Anna picked a beautiful floral print for her gown. She created a structured gown with a bow that I absolutely adored.

Johnny right away said his "inspiration" was Maggie Gyllenhaal in Lanvin, so he picked a very similar leopard print fabric and the dress was basically a shorter version of the Lanvin.

Daniella's inspiration was a storm cloud and she created a gorgeous grey gown with swarovski crystals around the neckline. It looked sophisticated and elegant.

Winner: No surprises here, Anna and Daniella were at the top. I was rooting for Anna because she took a greater risk with the print but Daniella was chosen as the winner.

Loser: After announcing Daniella as the winner, Reco got the good news that he was sticking around as well, so it was between JP and Johnny for the last spot in the top four. The judges were disappointed with JP for making an ugly dress but Johnny got killed for making what was essentially a knock-off. Everyone remembered Maggie Gyllenhaal's dress and what's worse Johnny just kept on lying saying he had no idea, that he saw Lanvin's collection but not Gyllenhaal, and even went so far as to say that Angel, who was helping him, sabotaged him. I couldn't believe what I was hearing and really hoped he would be the one kicked off. As it turned out Johnny had boasted before about making knock-offs, I just couldn't believe he tried to do that for this competition. To make a long story short, Johnny was kicked off so the final four are JP, Anna, Daniella and Reco!

Now here are a couple of ways to bring the winning designs to your closet :)

I loved Anna's dress with the big bow, but since we're not all going to red carpet events here's a floral top instead.

Parker One Shoulder Bow tank $98.70 (down from $141)

Daniella's dress was sophisticated and graceful like this Vera Wang Lavender collection gown. I've tried on dresses from this collection before and they fit beautifully.

Vera Wang Lavendar Label Crystal Halter gown $539 (down from $770!)

image sources: chickdowntown.com, basicboutique.com