NYC: Proenza Schouler

Proenza Schouler is not just one of my favourite American labels, it's one of my favourite labels period. There's always something in their collections I lust after (most recently the PS1 bag) as Jack and Lazaro have that Marc Jacobs-like ability to tap into anything and everything cool.
The A/W collection was cool (and had a front row to rival Rodarte, with Nicole Richie, Selma Blair and Mary-Kate Olsen) but also presented me with my ideal winter dress.
See, I don't particularly like to wear jeans or trousers of any sort. Dresses are my thing, but in the winter it's hard to find styles that are warm (think sleeves retailers!) and still pretty. Winter dresses tend to fall into two categories: long sleeved but black/grey/navy or pretty print but more appropriate for LA than London. Proenza have bridged that gap - now I just need the budget to buy this entire collection.





And as New York Fashion Week slowly wraps up look what's popped up again and again. It's only the humble turtleneck. Will you be wearing one come Fall?


images from style.com

NYC: The Row

It was inevitable that I would like The Row's A/W 2010 collection. I am a die-hard Olsen fan. So much so that my friends are forever making fun of me. But as far as I'm concerned there are stylish celebrities and then there are the Olsen's. They are in a league of their own.
It's the first time that Mary-Kate and Ashley have shown their collection at New York Fashion Week, and I liked the collection. It played to that luxe 90's vibe that Ashley is so into, and reminds me of Calvin Klein, Jil Sander and Helmut Lang.
There weren't any pieces that were out-of-this-world exciting, but The Row is about timeless, well-made wardrobe basics. And they do it well.






Above Ashley and Mary-Kate take their walk, and - this has nothing to do with anything, but it's so terribly cute - Ashley poses at a NYC party with her BF Justin Bartha. She looks good in animal ears.
And on the subject of Justins, Justin Timberlake shows his William Rast collection in New York tonight (is it me or is every other show in NYC this season created by a celebrity?)
He's like the opposite of Victoria Beckham - quitting music for fashion was the best move she ever made, but JT should really make another album instead of designing pants.

Anyway, what do you think of The Row?

images from style.it and justjared.buzznet.com

NYC: Rodarte Front Row

Marc Jacobs didn't have celebrities on the front row this season, which took him out of the running for the most impressive front row lineup. Rodarte is in with a good chance of winning though; they invited Kirsten, Natalie and Chloe. I think everyone has a girl-crush on at least one of these lovely ladies, no?




From top left: Kirsten Dunst and Jason Schwartzman; Natalie Portman; Chloë Sevigny and Humberto Leon; Julia Restoin-Roitfeld; Anna Dello Russo; Derek Blasberg and Jen Brill.

As for the clothes, I liked. I'm a big fan of Rodarte, but this was in no way my favourite collection Laura and Kate have produced. The Rodarte look is well established now (and other designers sneakily take 'inspiration' from them too) so there was nothing too surprise this season.


But then I'm not that great at change anyway. And I loved the dreamy colour palette and angelic white dresses. It was a beautiful collection, and I'm sure Natalie and Kirsten will wear a few pieces between them on the red carpets this year.

images from style.com

NYC: Marc Jacobs

It is a well known fact that I am a Marc Jacobs groupie. It's a bit lame, but I'm just obsessed. I liked his S/S 2010 collection, but it took me a while to really 'get' it. Normally it's love at first sight but I really had to work at it for S/S.
This season everything is back to normal again; I knew I loved the A/W 2010 collection after the very first glimpse. There are so many pieces I would love to get my hands on, especially the monochrome dress second left and the mannish grey suit - so sexy, but I'd probably never have the guts to wear a full on suit.







This is easily my favourite collection of the season so far. And it will definitely be up in my top ten when fashion week is over. Do you love it too?

images from catwalking via thefashionspot.com

NYC: Victoria Beckham

I’ve been a Victoria Beckham fan since the first time I saw her, dancing (and pouting) away on Top of the Pops. But I was sceptical when she announced she would start designing, and would show her collections seasonally at New York Fashion Week. But four collections in and I think it was her best move ever - apart from marrying David, of course.
Yes, I am sure she has help putting the collections together. I’m sure it is a lot of help. But it is very clear that Victoria knows her fashion, and her collections are all about her vision. You can picture her in every single dress she creates.



For A/W 2010 her vision remains same: the collection is made up of dresses only (26), which range from well-tailored Mouret-esque styles to floor-sweeping bias-cut numbers. My personal favourite was the LBD with the nipped in waist and A-line skirt. It’s a classic Posh Spice look, and worn with the aqua pumps (I want, I need) it looks timelessly chic.



So far this is my favourite Victoria Beckham collection, and I’m actually excited to see what she produces in the years to come. I won’t call her a designer yet, but she’s getting closer.
How do you feel about her designs? Has she won you over yet?

images from style.com

NYC: Preen & Jason Wu

I have never liked turtlenecks. It’s the tightness I hate, I always feel like I’m being strangled, and will therefore spend the entire time pulling the neckline away from myself if I wear one. Not really a good look.
But I better start practising because The Preen A/W 10 collection was bursting with turtlenecks that just looked beyond chic.


Justin Thornton and Thea Bregazzi always produce beautiful collections that I obsess over, and this season they moved away from their trademark body-con dress (I’m OK with it, after all, it had got a little Lindsay Lohan) and moved into more grown-up territory. Turtlenecks are very grown-up.
My favorite pieces were the cut-out dresses, which exposed just a little flesh under the bust and at the back and the mannish jacket worn belted around the waist by Anja Rubik.


While Preen lacked any major dress-porn Jason Wu was luckily showing on the same day. Romantic dresses are what he does best, and I'm still in love with his S/S 2010 collection. He had evening dresses for almost everyone, whether it was the full-skirted Carrie Bradshaw-esque number, the adorable white lace trapeze dress or the flirty pink-feathered mini.



The “A/W” aspect of the collection came in the form of checked wool coats (I love the green one) and scarves worn over silk dresses, which was a little odd. As far as I’m concerned, Jason Wu’s strength is pretty dresses, and if I was a celebrity about to go on a promotional tour I would definitely look to his collection.


Which collections have you liked so far?

images from style.com

Plaited Hair

Even though I liked the clothes in the Alexander Wang collection, it was the hair (for once) that I was more interested in. The long braid worn to one side looked so cool. I'm already growing my hair long again so that I can wear this style by Spring. The plait had another big moment this month at the Emmy Awards. Blake Lively wore a long Rapunzel-like plait with her red Versace dress.

I prefer the style at Alexander Wang, what do you think? Either way it looks like plaited hair, and not just the fringe version à la Lauren Conrad, could be the next big hair trend.

Also I can't decide if I like Blake in the red Versace or if I think it looks unbelievably tacky. Any opinions?

images from justjared.buzznet and style.com

Blues and Greens

I've become completely obsessed with the colours in the Proenza Schouler S/S 10 collection. It could possibly be because most of the week we have been deprived of colour (there have been so many muted colours, which although nice have blended into one) that I'm just excited to see something bright.
Lazaro Hernandez told style.com "we wanted something young, something that felt fresh, so we looked to surfing and skating, the things we grew up on."
The look [below, right] with the skirt and tie-dye top is my favourite look of the whole collection, and I think it best sums up Lazaro's skating and surfing reference. I love the grunge vibe of the top mixed with the classic A-line skirt, it works so well.
And the dress worn by Natasha Poly [second row, right] is gorgeous. I bet they'll be a list of celebrities wanting to wear it on the red carpet. I'd like to see it on Kirsten Dunst or Chloe Sevigny.



Do you like the collection?

images from style.com

Dream Weaver









The Rodarte S/S 2010 show has me lost for words. Kate and Laura Mulleavy are beyond talented. The best show from New York?

images from coutorture.com

On Your Marc, Get Set... Wait!

Marc Jacobs is showing at New York Fashion Week tonight. I'm really looking forward to the Rodarte and Proenza shows but there is a different kind of excitement around Marc Jacobs. You know whatever he does it will be big and everyone will be talking about it.
In honour of Marc here is the fabulous "On Your Marc, Get Set.. Wait!" editorial from Harper's Bazaar. Starring Helena Christensen it's photographed by Peter Lindbergh - I don't think anyone can do narrative editorials as well as he can.

Publication: US Harper's Bazaar March 2008
Photographer: Peter Lindbergh
Fashion Editor: Jenny Capitain
Model: Helena Christensen

The Fashion Week Game

New York Fashion Week officially kicked off yesterday - although the good shows don't start until tomorrow, sooo excited for Preen. If you're currently running between collections and waiting around for the shows to start why not play a little game of What Can I See?
I've compiled a checklist for each city of the key moments to look out for. Give yourself a point each time you spot a pair of Isabel Marant boots in Paris or Christopher Kane Croc tee in London and tally up your scores at the end of the week.




Click the checklists to make them larger

Also, don't forget tonight is Fashion's Night Out... What are you all going to be doing?