Why I love ‘up and coming’ fashion.
So. Showing at Bryant Park generally means you’ve ‘arrived’ in the fashion world, right? Wrong. There’s still some discrimination between the older, stand by, designers and the novices showing for the first and second time.
And the more I pay attention to fashion the more I realize I’m a champion of the neophytes.
Maybe it’s because I’m more familiar with, say, Marc Jacobs and the muted tones are starting to bore me. Or maybe it’s because I’m still pissed at the Rodarte sisters for blowing the target collection…but I think we all know it’s because I’m inclined to edgier fashion. The Rock and Roll Princess look as I like to call it, and these younger designers with no inhibitions have the look down to a T.
The Row. So Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen are no strangers to fashion, but their first formal fashion week presentation was more than a success. Models in flats? All black ensembles? If this is bag lady fashion then I’m more than okay with being homeless.
Alice+Olivia. This is Lady Gaga fashion done right. Yes, it’s a little out there. Yes, the hat is a little eccentric. But it’s toned down eccentric which still makes the outfit oh-so-chic. And who doesn’t want a bow-tie belt?
Naeem Khan. There wasn’t a reflective surface or a pair of eyes that were spared in that room. Everything, from the earrings to the shoes, sparkled and he managed to mix distressed leather and crystals in a way that didn’t make you think of Elton John’s piano. Plus he managed to make beaded fringe look sexy, and we all know how into fringe I am right now.
Christian Siriano. There’s a reason why this Project Runway winner is the only one who’s managed to actually make it in the industry as opposed to ending up on Celebrity Fit Club, and it’s not because he coined the term fierce. Chiffon that sparkles? Those platform shoes? I’m hoping he takes some of this to his next payless collection, otherwise I’ll have to lust from afar.
William Rast. Apparently Justin Timberlake can do no wrong (except choosing to date Jessica Biel. Seriously?) Maybe I only like this outfit because I’m pretty sure I have the right elements to re-create the look…but I’m actually hoping he makes combat boots more accessible because I’ve been looking for a cute pair for months. No lies.
Shipley&Halmos. Yes, I like color too. This entire collection is Urban Outfitters upgraded which is fantastic for most of us since we’ve been worried about how to look downtown cool after we’ve passed the appropriate age for Urban Outfitters shopping.
Yigal Azrouel. ONE SHOULDER STUDDED FANTASTIC DETAIL? NEED I SAY ANY MORE? No really. Yigal, you are amazing. I bow down to your greatness.
Happy Friday :)
