AMEXMBFW – Sometimes Yaya

AMEXNYFW SS11: Andy & Debb

On the last day of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, my body was starting to act a little funny about this whole walking and waking deal. Try as I did to utilize alarms and whatnot, by the end of the week, four hours of sleep per night did not sit well with my body. It revolted like never before making me miss nearly every morning show (if they started at 9am) and nearly every backstage preparation sequence (if the shows started at 10/11am). Terrible of me, I know.

As I jumped up in a panic on the last day, I made a mad dash for the subway and thankfully it brought me to the tents in the speediest fashion. Sometimes public transit chooses to work against you instead of with you, and nothing can spoil a day faster! My perfectly tardy day must’ve been aware of the Andy & Debb presentation. How lucky was I that it was a presentation?

The clothes were a bit prim and proper with a twist. Very no nonsense lines for the jackets, tops, and dresses, but with plenty an interesting panel or cutout to play with the eyes.

The backless garment sucker that I am, this was my favorite. I just can’t ever get enough of backless pieces and feel like they exude the most effortless sensuality than any short hemline or low cut top.

The designers were answering questions about working with each other for so long. They mentioned that after all this time, it’s easier to be on the same wavelength and to understand what one means, and is thinking.

The beauty look was a sleek ponytail on top and a bit unruly at the tail end. Teased to a bit of a bedhead, this is the easiest style to reconstruct when attempting to copy a runway look. Shoot, I do it on all my lazy days.

Check out the shoes. I was digging them. All the models had the same style, and it really unified the collection. The mod feel of the shoes connected to a lot of the shift style dresses in the collection, as well as the funky prints.

The makeup was a coral flushed cheek and a stronger pop of a similar shade on the lip. The skin looked fresh and flushed. Like the girl spent so much time looking good she had to run up the stairs for happy hour. (Just sayin’).

The nail color was customized by celebrity nail technician Pattie Yankee along with the help of Dashing Diva dream team. The designers had requested a color similar to that of the customized shoes, and as you can tell by my close ups, they didn’t disappoint!

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AMEXNYFW SS11: Adrienne Vittadini

The downturn to my fashion week was noticeably starting when I repeatedly inquired for information about hair and makeup prep for the Adrienne Vittadini show. It’s only mannequins, I was told (probably about three times) before my caffeine high and sleep low subsided for me to understand. Oh! It was only mannequins. Duh!

Smart move for a designer to use such tactics during a presentation. You save money on models, hair, makeup, and nails, while still preserving the look of your clothing. Plus – during a presentation, model handlers end up toting water with straws and hard candy so that they don’t get restless (or maybe I wasn’t meant to see that?).

The spring and summer collection from Vittadini followed the same aesthetic of the brand from the previous collections. Very strong lines and feminine draping. The spring collection seems to be concentrated more on casual chic, as it contains more daytime looks in comparison to the fall and winter collection, which boasted a bit more nighttime ensembles.

Spring comes through in this collection with vibrant colors, tribal prints, and shorter hemlines. The cardigan and tank sets seem a perfect transition from the hot days to the introduction of chill, as well as a day to night couple.

The handbags were all made of what looked like buttery soft broken in leather with small (but interesting) metal embellishments.

My standout pieces were the accessories and the bottoms. The accessories were varied in between matte and glossy large link chains to wooden, tribal pieces. As I exclaimed on Twitter, the matte pieces were my favorite, but I was equally impressed with the wooden dog tags. I felt like it was such an interesting take on the piece.

The bottoms became my favorite once I saw the balloon detailing. I love me some balloon pants. Fitted at the waist, and loose around the hip, these were constructed much better than I can describe, and were perfectly styled with looser knits.

Have any favorites?

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AMEXNYFW SS11: Chrishabana

When I went over my schedule of shows to attend during fashion week, I happened upon the Chrishabana presentation. Racking my brain for all previous shows and presentations, I was wondering what it would be like. Would there be models? Will they sit still for hours? Will there be photographs? The longer I thought about it, the more ludicrous my ideas became.

Until I walked into the room. Under glass, there were designs laid out on lace. In between twigs and surgical gloves, this tactile presentation was meant to pique one’s interest in various ways.

After oohing and ahhing over partnerships with various metals and designs (roses, crosses, and thorns), shooting the designer some questions was inevitable. What was the inspiration behind this collection? Designer, Chris Habana’s answer?

Being single. Chris said that by the conclusion of creating this collection, it was dedicated to three individuals. When asked if it was the loves or losses, he said both.

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AMEXNYFW SS11: Lorick

During fashion week, the schedules become so hectic for shows going on inside the tents and off site (outside Lincoln Center), that almost everything and everyone is late – to everything. This makes life all the harder when you are trying to stick to a rigorous schedule (and forget about eating).

This and many other reasons are exactly why I love to have presentations thrown into the mix. Presentations go for anywhere from a half hour to two hours, and the models are either presenting a show over intervals of time, or they are standing around, posing to your every whim.

When the invitation for the Lorick presentation landed in my life, I was overjoyed that it was a presentation. I soon found out that it was held at Tela Design Studio by Philip Pelusi (and after a bit of research found out about Tela skin and haircare products – but more on that and the other beauty details from the show later). The backstage hair and makeup prep was almost as interesting as going to a show.

The designs featured pastels appropriate for the showing season (Spring Summer 2011), with plenty pantyhose and sheer fabrics. As you will see if you keep scrolling, pantyhose was used in a most interesting way to edit the way footwear appeared to the onlooker. The designer is usually creating garments reminiscent of Gossip Girl, but this time, the collection just screamed Grey Gardens to me. What do you think?

I wasn’t a fan of the headwear – a lot of it seemed to dull out the designs and the models a bit.

This model was my favorite – she had the best poses and pouts!

The entrance to the Tela studio had a breeze going through the presentation like a tardy guest, offering just enough air to let the garments flow!

I was totally digging this styling of the shoes at the show. Sure, pantyhose over footwear may not seem practical for the everyday, but it sure is something different and interesting to look at. It may even save your sole from a bit of damage while walking through streets, as well as offer a new shade and shape to your footwear. Care to try it?

I was a little disappointed with this model – she was as conservative and prim as her outfit, but I really wanted her to break out her smiling with the eyes! 🙂

How do you like it?

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AMEXNYFW SS11: Carlos Campos Menswear

Today is my catch up day for the crazy schedule of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. I have already suffered a minor crash, so I think I’m going to need a stunt double or an assistant for the next season. Fashion is not for the restful!

As I try to catch up with the past three days, and keep it on schedule as of today, stay up to date with my Twitter and Tumblr accounts in between posts. There are also some sites that I’m writing for, and can’t wait to tell you all about it when I get home tonight!

The Carlos Campos brand was one I wasn’t too familiar with before the Spring Summer 2011 shows began. After arriving to the venue, I walked around each model to see what it is in the future of menswear. I have to say – after covering several men’s shows, you find that the shows aren’t too heavily focused on their beauty, but rather the substance of the clothes.

The collection featured diluted shades of gray and blue, with a focus on camel and khaki. The guys had straight leg pants, which were notably rolled up at the ankle. It’s funny that a move I’m trying to incorporate in my clothes is something the dudes are going to be doing next season.

The overall look this model was exuding was awesome. My favorite part is the pair of glasses.
When I got to the room with this model I was overjoyed to have him pose for another photographer and my camera caught this shot. Sometimes you find gems without looking for them – just be fast, they last a second!

The main component of the show were these canvas oxfords. I’m kind of diggin’ ’em in these soft spring shades.

How do you like Carlos Campos?

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