Fashion Matches: Best Matches From This Week's Arrivals

If you listen to Rachel Zoe there is nothing better than sequins, so I'm going to take this advice to heart. Here are three looks that have one thing in common, they're shiny and glitter in the sun.

If you don't want to go head to toe in sequins here's a good first step. Phillip Lim adds a bit of glamor to the little black dress with a gold sequined trim. It's a fun dress with a 60's vibe.

3.1 Phillip Lim Sequined Tank dress $925

If you want to look super sexy and be noticed from across the room then this is the dress for you. Careful not to pair with silver accessories, it'll make the look overwhelming.

Ashish Full Length Sequined gown $1630

Here's a sequined look that I have no seen anywhere else, the heart top from Topshop. I was just looking through Alice in Wonderland so this is particularly appropriate :)

Topshop Sequined Heart Vest $125

image sources: net-a-porter.com, bergdorfgoodman.com, topshop.com

New York Fashion Week: Spring 2010 Part III

Here's the final post for NY Fashion Week! Check out Parts I and II.

Herve Leger
You always know what to expect from Herve Leger. Lots of bandage dresses that give you no room to breath. The breathing part is still true, but *gasp* there's a full skirt in the mix!

Rebecca Taylor
In my mind Rebecca Taylor is synonymous with elegant looks, often with feminine details like ruffles and beading. This collection is a lot more relaxed, great example of that is the loose fitting gray tee with the red flower print skirt.

Marchesa
The elaborate designs of Marchesa gowns are stunning. I particularly love the pink dress which looks so light and airy it reminds me of cotton candy. Notice the tattoo like printed stockings.

Doo.Ri
Though the makeup was a little bit scary with the gray mortuary lips, I did love the clothes. Not as unique as the embroidered stockings from the Fall collection but equally pretty.

Derek Lam
Bodysuits made a comeback in Derek Lam's collection. I can totally see Lady Gaga walking on the streets in one.

Donna Karan
When I picture in my mind what I would like to dress like at work, this is what I see. Beautiful suits, separates and a great summer dress.

Narciso Rodriguez
Day and night are both so simple for Narciso Rodriguez. White, clean, these are go to looks when you don't want to be overpowered by your clothes.

image source: style.com

New York Fashion Week: Spring 2010 Part II

Some more collections that make me wish Spring was around the corner, just look at all the amazing colors and prints. For the somber side of Spring I'll have a Part III, and in case you missed it, Part I.

Marc Jacobs
I thought an Harlequin was going to jump out in the middle of Marc Jacobs' collection. Think Leighton Meester from the Met Gala but this time with wider pants and ruffles. It was imaginative, but I will be really curious to see how this will translate when this collection shows up in stores.

Rodarte
Love the tribal elements in Rodarte's collection. The tattoo like sleeves, the uneven edges, there's nothing like Rodarte's designs.

Diane von Furstenberg
Diane von Furstenberg is continuing the bohemian chic look with this collection.

Reem Acra
Reem Acra is known for red carpet looks and wedding dresses so I was so pleased to see this collection with more daytime looks. I couldn't help including the yellow gown, the flower print is gorgeous and I can picture this dress flow on a breezy summer day.

Zac Posen
Zac Posen chose intense tropical colors for his collection. I wasn't crazy about the designs, they did not feel fashion forward, though I'm sure there will be plenty of celebs wearing the slinky dresses towards the end of the runway show.

Marc by Marc Jacobs
I'm crazy over these cigarette pants. That aside, it was the usual blend of Marc's quirkiness with fun, flirtatious looks. I can't wait to purchase some of these outfits.

3.1 Phillip Lim
3.1 Phillip Lim's collection is a safer version of Rodarte with pleated fabrics that create beautiful patterns. Does anyone else see the resemblance? Rodarte's Spring 2009 collection.

Bibhu Mohaparta
I love the whole collection. The way the fabrics are being used, the textures, the layers, these are wearable clothes that make a statement.

image source: style.com

Project Runway Recap: Episode 6

With the show moving to LA it's no wonder many challenges are Cali inspired. This week the designers had to come up with a costume for a particular film genre. The choices: Film Noir, Western, Sci-fi, Period Piece, and Action/Adventure.

Again this was a challenge where the designers could really let their imagination take over and be as outrageous as they wanted to be. I was really happy to see some designers "take it to the next level" as Tim Gunn would say. Film Noir was represented by Irina, Althea and Louisa. Neither one shined though I liked Irina's cape a lot. Louisa thought hers would land her in the top three which is surprising because it was a boring wrap dress that did not feel representative of that era. Western was represented by Epperson and Shirin, and Epperson did an amazing job creating a look that was strong, denim halter with ruffle detail and full skirt, and details like a holster. Sci-fi was picked by Ramon and Nicolas. Ramon scrapped his design at the last moment because the model looked like Kermit, unfortunately that did not give him enough time to complete a well made dress. Nicolas went for the "Snow Queen" look, long white dress with what looked like snowflakes off the shoulders. Gordana and Christopher went for period piece, with Gordana making an ode to the flapper era and Christopher choosing Victorian. Though his dress was not true to Victorian fashion it was truly stunning, the gathered neckline, the black belt, the skirt, a modern interpretation that's worthy of praise. Finally Carol Hannah and Logan created similar black looks for action/adventure.

Winner: The top 3 looks were Epperson's, Christopher's and Nicolas'. I was rooting for Christopher and from the comments he was getting from the judges, and especially after a reference to Nicolas' choice of fabric as cheap I thought he was sure to win. Sadly Nicolas was chosen for the best design which means his bad talking is here for at least another 2 episodes.

Loser: Gordana, Ramon and Louisa were in the bottom. Gordana and Louisa were there because they didn't take enough for a risk, while Ramon was there because his dress was poorly made. I though Louisa would go home, instead the judges kicked off Ramon, sad since he only faltered this one time and his look was the most exciting of the three.

If you liked the color combo of Christopher's dress, here's a modern look you can try.

Delias Natalie Brocade dress $54.50

image source: delias.com

Fashion Matches: Best Finds from This Week's Arrivals

I'm loving all the party looks that have appeared this week so here's the cream of the crop. I wanted to include the Camilla and Marc dress last week but it got sold out, so I was really happy to see it again, and the Alexander Wang is quite original.

The best part of this Camilla and Marc dress is how versatile it is. It can be worn with a leather jacket and booties, or some delicate heels for a completely different look. The same dress also comes in black.

Camilla and Marc Strapless Tiered dress $550

I don't know what it is about this dress, but it reminds me a little bit of the Matrix. Maybe it was the mesh, or the exposed zipper. There's no denying this is a unique look, but at the end of the day it's a body conscious mini dress with a flattering neckline. It's always great to see a designer accomplish both successfully.

Alexander Wang dress $790

On the complete opposite end of the spectrum is the Jay Godfrey dress. It's bright pink, has a bit of a 60's feel to it with the big shoulders. The big black belt really accentuates the waist.

Jay Godfrey Pixie dress $478

images sources: thehipchick.com, shopbop.com, net-a-porter.com

Project Runway recap: Episode 5

One of my favorite TV fashion moments is Carrie strutting down the street in a Dior newspaper print dress (which is back by the way in the new SATC). That's why I was particularly excited about the challenge this week on Project Runway. The designers were asked to make clothes from, you guessed it, newspaper, the LA Times to be exact.

This was a real opportunity to make their creativity shine. I was really surprised that most designers chose printed pages rather than going for the more dramatic black and white. There were a few looks that broke through. Logan's blue contour was beautiful, Carol Hannah had a long crinkled red gown, nothing special but different. Christopher created the second long gown, his had a metallic bustier and christmas tree looking skirt. Shirin designed a dress whose skirt was very similar to Project Runway's last winner Leanne, Epperson created an ode to the Kimono. The most original was Irina's who was the only one to not do a dress. Instead she made a trench coat with "faux" fur.

Nicolas makes me angrier every week. Not only did he have some strange explanation for his inspiration for a basic dress, apparently it was a grunge look, sadly nobody noticed, but he was also knocking everyone else, calling out who should be leaving. One of his targets was Johnny, who's another character. When Tim Gunn came to make some suggestions he basically told Johnny his dress looked like a kid made it, so Johnny scrapped it. His story for the judges? Apparently steam fell on a gorgeous dress and he had to throw it out. Why lie on a taped show?

Winner: The top three included Christopher, Althea and Irina. I'm not sure why there was so much excitement about Althea's dress, it was strapless, fitted, there was a print, much like was the case with the other dresses. Eva Longoria Parker was the guest judge and she loved the bodice of Christopher's dress and Irina's coat. In the end Irina won, I was very happy.

Losers: It was between Gordana, Nicolas and Johnny. Gordana's dress didn't seem any worse than the other dresses that were safe. The consensus about Nicolas' pattern choice was that it looked like a bug was attacking. Naturally as Johnny was making his excuse, Nicolas had to do an eye roll. When Heidi asked what that was about he threw Johnny under the bus. I hate people like that, I'm really hoping Nicolas doesn't stick around long.

image source: fadedyouthblog.com

Red Carpet: Emmy Fashion 2009

There wasn't much excitement at the 2009 Emmy awards. Mad men won for Best Dramatic Series which I'm so thrilled about, but there were no Kanye outbursts, no actresses showing up in the same dress (VMA's had Shakira and Pink competing). There was lots of red and white, all that was missing was patriotic blue. Here is the best, the ok, and the worst of Emmy fashion.

Simply Stunning

You may not always like what Chloe Sevigny is wearing, but at the least it's always interesting. I love that Chloe dared to go with a print and the shape of the dress is wonderful on her.

Chloe Sevigny

I cannot believe Heidi Klum. Only she can look like she's seconds away from having a baby yet pull of a fitted silhouette putting all of us to shame.

Heidi Klum in Marchesa

Runners Up

I couldn't decide about this dress, it should be gorgeous, but looking at it I couldn't help but imagine the dying swan in Swan Lake.

Olivia Wilde in Marchesa

January Jones is so stunning it almost doesn't matter what she wears but I love the choice she made here because the dress feels modern even though it has a class mermaid shape.

January Jones in Versace

Jamie-Lynn Sigler looked amazing in her gold gown. It's not my favorite color but it worked wonderfully with her skin tone.

Jamie-Lynn Sigler in Donna Karan

Drew Barrymore has been looking so strange lately with the two tone hair I was quite surprised seeing her looking so normal at the Emmy's. She looks like a princess floating down the red carpet.

Drew Barrymore in Monique Lhuillier

Debra Messing looked great in her Michael Kors number. It was a simple shape that fit her well, I just like it better when she experiments and red on red is not my thing.

Debra Messing in Michael Kors

Leighton Meester was the picture of innocence in white Bottega Venetta. I love the design of this dress even if the shoulders are not the most flattering.

Leighton Meester in Bottega Venetta

Kim Kardashian looked very sleek and almost futuristic in a way in her Ina Soltani one shoulder gown.

Kim Kardashian in Ina Soltani

A Cut Below the Rest

Hayden Panettiere looked like a giant red mess in her J. Mendel gown.

Hayden Panettiere in J. Mendel

Blake Lively's dress was a bit over the top. It wasn't fashion forward and it almost felt like she was trying too hard to be sexy.

Blake Lively in Versace

Jennifer Love Hewitt looks like a bridesmaid in this pastel gown. There's nothing particularly wrong about it, but you'd only wear this kind of dress when you want somebody else to be the star. The Rapunzel hair doesn't help matters.

Jennifer Love Hewitt in Max Azria

I love Christina Applegate but I have no love for this Basil Soda gown. It was a case of too many details, particularly the details around the midsection.

Christina Applegate in Basil Soda

I liked the top of Mila Kunis' dress, but it felt like it was meant for a model height and was never adjusted for her frame, plus the shoes don't go. Her make up however was fantastic.

Mila Kunis in Monique Lhuillier

image sources: justjared.com, celebutopia.com