Category Archives: fashion week

Trendspotting: Must Have Details at NYFW Fall 2012


In the last round up of the trends for Fall 2012 I have zoned in all of the little details that make a big statement.  I am especially excited about these trends because generally it is easier to find affordable applications of detail trends and they are often easier to wear.

On to the runway!

Bold Lace:This trend was manifested cooly in evening gowns and playful suits, fabulous tops and even pants.  Here dramatic black lace – always black, never white – is paired with bold colors like cobalt, neon green, and hot pink.

Bold Lace: NYFW Fall 2012

 

Caught in the Net:What happens when your favorite old fisherman partners up with the fashion world’s hottest designers?  This.  Designers sent models down the runway in sportswear looks and tops and sweaters with teeny and tight netting and voluminous wide nets.  The look features mixed materials of knits and leather and always with a fierce sensibility and in modern black and dark hues.  Either way, I’m caught, hook, line and sinker.

Caught in the Net: NYFW Fall 2012

 

Flight of Fancy:Several designers made an avian statement on the runway by featuring lighter than air skirts that were molting slim black feathers.  What I like about this trend is the very modern way it has been interpreted.  These are not your grandma’s frocks, or the feathers of Dynasty.  The playful colors, fabrics and accessories but this trend in a flock of its own.

Flight of Fancy: NYFW Fall 2012

 

From Nature:In the past two seasons we’ve seen a lot of prints that ethnic and tribally inspired.  I loved seeing this new trend of fabric prints that looked borrowed from National Geographic.  Prints were reminiscent of live and wild coral, spewing lava, violent and raging wildfires, but were never so literal that the fashion became anything but art.

From Nature: NYFW Fall 2012

 

Pop Tart:Some of fashion’s most youthfully relevant designers turned out big and playful prints that were a joy to look at and a seemingly a lot of fun to wear.  In bold black and white and in knits, both structured and relaxed, this trend is an easy to own and wear idea for fall.

Pop Tart: NYFW Fall 2012

 

Shining Shoulders:Long live the grandeur of the 80’s in these cocktail dresses and evening gowns.  Designers played with a lot of sequins, mesh and beading on the Fall 2012 runways, but no trend was more of a standout than the application on the shoulders.

Shining Shoulders: NYFW Fall 2012

 

 

Now that all of the best fall trends have been reviewed – the colors, the pieces and the details which trend are you most excited for?  Tell me in the comments!

Trendspotting: Must Have Pieces at NYFW Fall 2012


Hello friends, I am back and ready to continue trend tracking the fall runways from NYFW.  So far we’ve covered color (I’m sure by now you’re loving the orange, teal and berry) and now we move on to the must have pieces that showed up again and again (or at least 3 times) on the runways.

Bear Arms:This isn’t a subtle look, in fact it’s rather fierce and aggressive.  Several designers showed outerwear looks that at their base were streamlined and sophisticated but a look to the right or the left revealed sleeves in furs and pelts.

Bear Arms: NYFW Fall 2012

Over the Top Toppers:Another outerwear look, which might be easier to pull off, is the idea of resplendent and sometimes over the top coats.  In velvets and satin, featuring ornate beading, textures or embroidery these coats aren’t ideal for the next blizzard but they make a beautiful statement.

Over the Top Toppers: NYFW Fall 2012

On Top:Several designers showed models in hats.  Some were a part of the sartorial statement (Jason Wu), others were a outlandish statement all their own.  The use of hats on the runway is a nice way to see fashion imitating life, see Kate Middleton.

On Top: NYFW Fall 2012

Urban Prairie Girl:There is the city girl, you know her in leather and black.  And now there is the urban prairie girl; she’s wearing layers, leather, sheepskin, hats, scarves, neutral tones.  Frankly, she looks like an extra from The Road.

Urban Prairie Girl: NYFW Fall 2012

Military Precision:As a throwback to the 40’s there were quite a few looks that were expertly tailored and reminiscent of the 1940’s military aesthetic.  In slim silhouettes, natty tweeds, and even the bomber jacket were on the runway.

Military Precision: NYFW Fall 2012

She’s a Groovy Kind of Girl:I loved this look, and it was great to see the 1970’s style on the fall runways after it had been stocking spring shelves for years.  Kicky mini dresses and dramatic maxi dresses were the base for corduroys, suede, floral prints, and knit textures.

Groovy Kind of Girl: NYFW Fall 2012

What pieces are you excited for for Fall?  Are there styles that you’re falling for already?

Trendspotting: Color Trends at NYFW for Fall 2012


Over the last two weeks, just like last season, I went through all of the amazing Fall 2012 runway shows.  And not surprisingly several trends began to surface.  If you’ve been hanging out with me for a while you know my rule on trends: it takes 3, and so I’ve captured these trends that we’ll be shopping in just a few months and loving in a few more.

Three colors really stood out and were played with in casual and formal styles.  What was especially exciting is that these colors are a bit outside of the traditional fall shades of cranberry, navy and hunter green.

On with the trend show!

Orange Crush:This color, softer than rust and richer than citrus, floated down the runway.  Many times it was used with beautiful silks, flecks of metallics, and in luxurious silhouettes.

Orange Crush: NYFW Fall 2012

 

Teal My Heart:This color really was swoon-worthy.  It’s a layered color between blue and green that would make even the most glamorous peacock jealous.  It plays beautiful with other jewel tones and near monochromatic shades of blue and green.

Teal My Heart: NYFW Fall 2012

 

Berry Be Mine:Pink is ultra feminine, red is sexy and fierce, purple is regal and grand.  The shade of berry, or oxblood as it is being called, that was used on the runway is an amalgamation of all of these adjectives.  It is pure sophistication whether in street ready leather, or gala ready silk.

Berry Be Mine: NYFW Fall 2012

 

What do you think?  Would you wear these colors this fall?  I am especially loving the teal and berry!

Bridal Trends: Fall 2012


I have been married for nearly two years and for the past week I have reviewed more than 800 wedding dresses!  800!  (It is borderline insane.)  Anyway, the research came after Bridal Market, akin to New York Fashion Week for weddings.

I have identified many trends, and as a reminder, my rule for identifying a trend is that it has to appear at least three times, three times a charm (and a trend)!

Let’s walk down the fashion aisle together!

Color and Prints: The runway for Fall 2012 showed a lot of beautiful gowns that went far beyond the traditional bridal white.  I loved the unique patterned treatment in the Seeing Spots collection for a modern and sophisticated bride.  The dresses in Golden Moment stand apart for the bride who wants to make a statement.  The dresses in Black Magic  are for the bride who is fashion forward while abandoning tradition.

 

Shape and Design:  There were a lot of very specific construction trends I identified.  Starting at the top, several designers showed visible corset and boning construction, see The Core Set, in a way that was at once sexy and sophisticated.  The Mini to the Max collection is a favorite new trend, and is definitely for the bride that wants to stand out, it would make for a fabulous party dress.  The Tiering Down set  showed the very common trend of full skirts assembled from layers of cascading handkerchief hemmed chiffon and silk.  Thigh Do is a strongly contrasting look, cut close to the body – but not tight – the emphasis of this trend is all in the slit.  The Princess Bride set is significantly reminiscent of a famous bride from this year, it is full of volume, but still conservative and demure in the styling.

 

Details: Lots of trends were found in the little details.  A favorite new trend is in the Shoulder Moment, the design showcases the bride’s collar (always flattering) with a demure half sleeve in delicate lace.  Another very popular trend was the use of sheer fabric and netting to create illusion necklines and panels, as seen in the It’s an Illusion set.  Pockets are back, I don’t personally love this trend, because no bride is actually holding her keys in her dress, but I can appreciate a trend in Corner Pocket(3x is the rule).  Lastly, texture is key in the Light as a Feather trend; in seasons past runways were filled with oversized creped roses, I like the softer feather trend in this trend.

 

Do you want to say “I Do” to any of these trends?  Tell me in the comments!

Sequin Season


In the last show of Spring 2012 Paris Fashion Week, Elie Saab sent models down the runway in every color under the rainbow.  In the evening wear dresses and gowns they wore vibrant jewel tones.

Elie Saab, Spring 2012

The fall 2011 runways showed plenty of sequined evening looks, but if there is ever a time to play with the glittery stuff in color, it’s now, as seen on Martha Plimpton, Amy Poehler and Evan Rachel Wood at the Primetime Emmy Awards.

Here are the top picks to glitter into Fall.

Sequins for Fall 2011

Shop: Blue, Green, Bordeaux, Violet, Gold, Blue, Red

 

Are you ready to shine at this season’s parties and events?

Trendspotting: Must Have Pieces at NYFW Spring 2012


So far I have shared the trends I identified based on color (sorbet, yellows, greige and chambray), and by prints (cut outs, safari, bold florals) and now we’re in the home stretch, the last set of trends based on the items that will be must have for Spring 2012.

As a shopper these might be the easiest to aspire to owning and achieving.  If the market picks up on these trends you’ll be able to find all of these pieces at a variety of prices, which will make shopping a breeze.

With this set, like the previous two, all of the trends had to appear at least three times, and often they appeared more than that.

Let’s get started, I think you’ll love them (or at least one of them!)

Gym Class Hero: This might be the easiest trend of all to pull off, and I couldn’t be more pleased.  Several designers sent looks down the runway that were influenced if not down right inspired by gym class, if your P.E. teacher was Anna Wintour… If this is the trend for you keep it streamlined and focus on details: an unexpected hoodie, zipper details, jersey and nylon fabrics, and racerback tops.

Gym Class Hero, Spring 2012

 

Trail Blazer: For the last few years everyone from Kate Moss to Kate Middleton has sported some variation of the schoolboy (a slightly too small) blazer to the boyfriend (a slightly too large) blazer.  The trend from the Spring 2012 runway is look is a bit more mature, and I have termed it as dad’s blazer.  It is completely over sized, has masculine structuring and detailing, and reminds me of the look when a dad offers his suit jacket to his daughter to keep her warm.  I am completely into the look and how it translates from runway to real life with ease.

Trail Blazer, Spring 2012

 

Jumpsuit Fever: Several looks on the Spring 2012 runways were inspired by a very specific fashion moment in time, and the abundance of fit and flared jumpsuits is no different.  Highly reminiscent of the 1970’s, but with a twist from an earlier era of the 1920’s,  the standard jumpsuit looks more polished in flowing silks, deep deco necklines, slim waists and wide legs.

Jumpsuit Fever, Spring 2012

 

1920’s Nightgown: The Spring 2012 runways featured lots of looks that could have been borrowed from a very highly edited boudoir.  This look features perfect knife pleating, sheer panels, soft whispers of color, flowing chiffon, delicate beading.  The look is delicate, refined and secretly an alluring throw back to the 1920’s bedroom dressing.

1920's Nightgown, Spring 2012

 

Modern Marilyn: In fashion there are iconic women, and then there are iconic dresses, few dresses are more iconic than Marilyn Monroe’s knife pleated white halter dress from the Seven-Year Itch.  The Spring 2012 runways featured dresses that were clearly inspired by the icon.  The halter, the open back, bare arms, plunging neckline are made modern by new silhouettes and fresh detailing at the waist.  This may be the foreshadowing of the perfect spring time dress.

Modern Marilyn, Spring 2012

 

Lady Who Lunches: Some people say you’re either a Marilyn, or a Jackie.  If you’re the former, see above, if you’re the latter let’s continue.  The Spring 2012 look has taken the ladylike suit, all prim and proper and made it pop.  In these styles it doesn’t feel costume  and it is not primed for next season’s Mad Men, it feels fresh.  The slim silhouettes, the modern details, the bold colors, all fabulous.  And for the lady who lunches, this look is all business.

Lady Who Lunches, Spring 2012

 


Simply Bold:
I have always been a jeans and a t-shirt girl, and so something about the look of a top that is naturally a match with jeans being paired with an evening worthy bottom, just delights me.  This look was seen on a few runways for Spring 2012 and I love it.  It’s not going to be easy to wear, and rarely will you have an occasion for a large shimmering tent of a ballgown skirt, but it should make you consider the concept of a simple top paired with a dramatic bottom for spring, or all year long.

Simply Bold, Spring 2012

Colors, patterns, prints, and fabulous pieces round out the favorite trends from the Spring 2012 runways.

Which of these trends are your favorites?

Trendspotting: Print Trends at NYFW Spring 2012


Yesterday I showcased the trends I identified based on colors, and fabulous, and today we’re taking a look at the trends based on patterns and prints.  My rule for identifying a trend is that it has to appear at least three times, three times a charm (and a trend)!

Let’s not waste another minute.

Make the Cut: Not technically a “print” this trend appeared on a variety of runways and I am categorizing it in the trend category because of the way the specific fabric details catch your eye like a print would.  Showcased here are three examples of the cut out look, there is a playful, sophisticated and full on bombshell interpretation.  I like that in a few months we could all interpret this trend to fit our own style.

Make the Cut, Spring 2012

 

Garden Party: This trend for spring isn’t necessarily a surprise, flowers in spring – who knew?  But, I really loved the execution.  For certain there were runway looks with soft petals, and sweet posies, but these styles feature flowers that could not be confused with shrinking violets.  The color is bold, cheerful elevates the sweet flower beyond the Easter Egg roll.

Garden Party, Spring 2012

 

Tribe Leader: All through the summer and into the early fall I have shared my love for the tribal trend for home and fashion.  I was delighted to see it continue with a more fierce and wild interpretation.  The look for the safari chic, and tribal inspired runways was not fashionable tourist on safari, it was Queen of the Jungle, and Leader of the Pack – something we can all aspire to be for Spring 2012.

Tribe Leader, Spring 2012

Colors, patterns, prints, oh my!  Are any of these make you excited for Spring 2012?

Trendspotting: Color Trends at NYFW Spring 2012


I clicked through every single fashion show and presentation of New York Fashion Week for Spring 2012.  And, along the way I started noticing a few trends and themes, and as the weather turned colder in DC, again I began to long for longer days, tanner skin, and shorts.

I have divided up all the themes into three segments, trends based on color (love!), trends based on patterns and prints (love, love!), trends based on pieces (love x 3!).

Let’s not waste another minute.

Chambray Wishes: While this is technically a fabric, the color appeared multiple times throughout the runway shows.  The look is sun washed, casual and in these applications a bit worn in, for an easy, breezy spring.

Chambray Wishes, Spring 2012

Yellow + Gray: This color combination was EVERYWHERE on the runway, in casual looks and evening styles.  The yellow this season is a softened lemon or saturated gold, and richer than previous seasons neon.  The yellows are contrasted with washed out grays, charcoals and black.

Yellow + Gray, Spring 2012

Sorbet Ice: The spring runway was also print filled and so the assortment of sorbet colored pieces was a palette cleanser.  The freshness of color was light, clean and icy bright, without ever feeling cold or sterile.

Sorbet Ice, Spring 2012

Greige Goddess: This is more of a muted combination of colors, but the Greige Goddess look was in full effect on the Spring runways.  Featuring gathered and draped fabric, gentle sheen, and the muted tones of beige with hints of metallic woven through.

Greige Goddess, Spring 2012

More trends coming soon!  But first, do any of these make you excited for Spring 2012?

NYFW Spring 2012 Favorites


I have clicked through every single fashion show from New York Fashion Week for Spring 2012 via NY Magazine, and wow.  I loved so many.  It is of course fitting that on the first day that really feels like fall, boots and sweater weather, I have identified so many trends that have me beyond excited for Spring 2012.

But, such is life. I identified a few lust-worthy favorite collections as well.

I loved Elie Tahari’s take on what I deemed gilded abundance.  It was dripping with gold, and whether in black and white or velveteen blues and oranges it was elegant and modern.

Elie Tahari, Spring 2012

I am loving Christian Siriano’s Spring collection.  It is completely wearable, relatable, and lovely.  I love, love, love the pairing of sportswear silhouette on top with the a full skirt, and that trend was seen a lot on the runways.  Great use of color, fluidity and silhouette.

Christian Siriano, Spring 2012

I love the elegance and edginess out of Reem Acra’s Spring 2012 collection.  Dripping in sequins and beading, and studded with leather and fur, this collection is elegant but still refreshingly fresh, and feels almost a big ageless.  Any of these looks would work for 20’s – 30’s – 40’s – 50’s…

Reem Acra, Spring 2012

More Spring 2012 trends coming soon – you’ll love them!

Jewel Tones for Fall 2011


One of my favorite trends off of the Fall 2011 Runways was the boldness of color in every jewel tone.

Pamella Roland, Carolina Herrera, Alice + Olivia

The applications have been endless:  color blocking, monochromatic,  and color family pairings.

Eva Longoria in Victoria Beckham

Jennifer Lopez in Gucci

Sarah Jessica Parker in Prabal Gurung via InStyle

So, how do you get this bright and still very sophisticated look? Pick classic and simple shapes, pick bold (and skin tone flattering) colors, take some risks and be confident.

Jewel Tone for Fall 2011

Source: Blazer, Blouse, Blouse, Dress, Platform, Loafer, Pump, Handbag, Jean, Skirt, Skirt, Dress

So, now that I have reviewed my favorite Fall 2011 trends, which is your favorite?