You know when you see someone pass you by in the street? You see their outfit, and its actually pretty simple. A leather jacket and jeans; a sweater and leggings. But you notice that what makes their outfit is their hair. A bright cherry red, or a lion's mane head of curls. The ordinary becomes extraordinary. It is a creativity that is truly original because the one place that people seem least willing to take chances is their hair. Or their make up. An acid green eye shadow, black lipstick, colored false eye lashes. People are afraid of going near their face. And that makes sense, you are after all only given one face, however, perhaps that means that from time to time, its good to try out a new face.

Body Trends

Today I will be talking about body trends. They come and go as much as style trends and they are just as different from culture to culture, from town to town, from city to city. Back where I came from, in the small town of nowheresville, having an athletic, curvy body was "in". The role model would probably have been Giselle or possibly CIndy Crawford. In New York, the trend is anorexia. As a famou designer once told Natalia Vodianova, "the look is anroexic...you dont have to be anorexic, just look it." My question is, why in one town is health the ideal, whereas in another city, one must appear as if they are starving? What is the connection to the fashion trends. In Nowheresville, the look was simole, casual. Tight jeans and t shirts were in fashion and I suppose, in order to pull off such girl next foor fare, one must have a body to fill it out with. In the city, people are wearing off the runway couture, so they must look like the models who wore it originally. However, I have seen many anorexic women in New York. In one instance at the Monique L'Huillier show, I saw a small doll like little girl, very malnourished, speaking to a tall, fully grown woman, the kind of woman who commands the respect of an entire room. The doll like girl turned out to be a fully grown woman as well... or as fully grown as such a wasted away body could let her be. The malnourished woman repelled where the healthy one compelled. The malnourished brought sorrow and discomfort where the healthy one brought a respectful awe. Both were wearing Couture, your question my readers is... which would you rather be?

The three places in the world that consistently fall into the category of uncategorizable are New York, L.A. and Las Vegas. Well, everyone knows that Las Vegas is where you go if you want to walk around dressed as a flamingo without commanding so much as a second glance, however, New York and L.A. are the two fashion epicenters of America.
Two such dissimilar style sensibilites could not be found in any other state. Los Angeles: easy, breezy, youthful and funloving (unless you are a real housewife), and New York: Tough, serious, rough and sophisticatedly sexy. So the question remains, are you New York or L.A., and what can you do to emulate either style? Well first you have to know the style icons of each city.Then you have to know the designers. What are "the places to see and be seen?" The places to wile the night away? Allow me to fill you in

L.A.

Icons:Amber Valetta, Rachel Bilson, Kate Bosworth,Blake Lively
Designers: Rodarte, Missoni, Lacoste, Tommy Hilfigger
Restaurants: The Ivy, The Palm, Yamashiro, Cafe Savilla
Clubs: Avalon Hollywood, 740 Club, Club Mayan, Conga Room

NYC

Icons: Marykate and Ashley Olsen, Olivia Palermo, Peaches Geldoff, Edie Sedgewick
Designers: Marc Jacobs, Rag & Bone, Etro, Balmain
Restaurants: Per Se, Daniel, LeCirque, La Gouloue
Clubs: Kiss and Fly, Tenjune, Greenhouse, Bar Basque

Samples from NYA

Everyone knows that the West Village is the place to go to find stylish, original finds. The independent boutiques and cobblestone streets set the area apart from the rest of Manhattan’s bustling Starbucks scenesters. One such of the Village’s best kept secret boutiques is NY Artificial.
Started in the late 90’s by current owner, Aaron Bond, and designer Alex Guzman, the boutique is a miasma of handmade purses, clothing and makeup, all created in the back of the store, on the premises. “We do not carry any of that China made, sweat factory clothing that is so common these days”, says Bond of the store, “Everything is high quality, made by independent designers, or hand loomed in the back of the store by Alex [Guzman]”. One can see the intricacy of the pieces, and the painstaking attention to quality is the weaving of the dresses. NYA caters to a certain type of woman, the woman who demands respect upon first glance, who cares for her look and the perceptions that others have of her, but not so much as to lose her own hard won originality. “We used to carry a lot more unusual, fantastical pieces, but with the recession they just weren’t selling.” says Bond “People are buying more basic right now. Desperation leads to conservatism.”
Unfortunately, politics does tend to dictate the evolution (or devolution) of fashion. What used to be a several location store has waned down to a single location in the Village. However, NYA is hardly dying; its customer basis still includes A-listers such as Brooke Shields, Maggie Gyllenhall and Camilla Belle. However, NYA does not discriminate against its less famous clientele, “You walk into Catherine Mallandrino and if you’re not a size 0, they’ll turn their backs” says Bond. Not so at NYA. NYA caters to a variety of different sizes and style preferences, offering a unique array of entirely vegan, cruelty free garments in a wide variety of materials. Some of its best finds include a hand loomed, hunter green frock dress, with detailed hand stitched patterns and an abbreviated hemline; a floral printed silk, sheet dress, and several radiant colors of handmade angora sweaters. My personal favorite? A silver studded satchel that will officially be topping the list for my upcoming birthday… and probably yours now too!

Sarah Jessica Parker as Cinderella at the Golden Globes
Stella McCartney channels The Princess and the Pea

Alice in Wonderland inspired designer fare

With Halloween coming up, everybody seems to be thinking about costumes. What costumes should they wear on the big night? What costume should they wear to all of the parties leading up to All Hallow's Eve? I personally am more interested on what I can absorb from all of the outrageous get ups that I can use for further ensembles for the rest of the year.
No I am not considering walking the streets of New York dressed as catwoman in mid-March, however I might consider buying a pair of black leather pants and black leather boots in the tradition of the famous superhero sex symbol. Much inspiration can be derived from Fright Night if you keep your eyes peeled and your creativity high.
I personally find myself becoming most inspired by all of the three year old Disney Princesses I see stalking around on Halloween. That Alice in Wonderland smock dress? Chloe!Check! That Snow White collar? Marc Jacobs here I come! Cinderella's turquoise taffetta gown? Didnt I see Sarah Jessica strutting her stuff in a similar Lacroix number at teh Golden Globe awards?
Dressing up as a princess isnt just for three year old girls. Just make sure that you lose the tiara.... oh fuck it, keep the tiara, no one is going to look twice in this city!

Bright Black

The Real New York Look
Brightened up with a canary scarf
BCBG Brights

Derek Lam Brights

New York Streets black and grey

One thing that can always be said about New Yorkers? They never follow the runway. Oh sure, you can travel to the Upper East Side, feast your eyes on the tourists, proudly toting their Barneys bags, the nouveau riche daughters of the current internet billionaires, and yes, you will see a direct snapshot of this seasons runways trends hanging off their pilates toned backs. However, if you want to travel down to Soho, or the West Village to capture a glimpse of the real New York, the 2011 Fall runways show will not be represented there. That is not to say that you will not be witnessing some of the most stylish youth ever to walk the city streets. In fact, what you will witness, is true style. uncopied, uncensored my Vogue.

Proof that the rewal New York doesnt do "trendy"? The supposed return of brights. This seasons runways were covered in brights. Vogue, Elle and W magazine all boasted that Brights were the new Black. However, on the streets, New York seems to stay true to its signature black and grey. That isnt to say that a canary yellow scarf wont be thrown into the mix to add some eye candy to the ensemble. Other ways that young New York likes to liven up their basic black uniform? Funky patterns such as polka dots or houndstooth. Sure Derek Lam, BCBG and Louis Vuitton have been posting burnt oranges and violet blues in their shop windows, and by all means, do not discount them! After all, true city style is about following your own curb, which means, make it your own, keep it fresh, keep it young!

Ode to Daphne Guinness: An FIT Museum Event

The antechamber at the beginning of the Daphne Guinness exhibit is dark and cold. The only light resonates from the spotlight peeking out from the ceiling which illuminates a navy blue Alexander McQueen net cat suit and laser jet, printed cape. Surrounding this spectacular ensemble are an array of unusual, fantastical, artistic constructions which scarcely resemble what we mere mortals often refer to as shoes.
From simply stepping into the antechamber, the viewer can already see that this collection of clothing is not made for an ordinary woman. The shoes alone convey this. These are shoes that would make Ann Taylor scream in outrage at the shear impracticality. However, Daphne Guinness clearly did not collect clothes for the practical reasons of keeping oneself warm and decent. Guinness was an art collector. She dressed to convey to the public who was in the moment, she liked to play a part, to defy convention. Guinness was herself, a piece of art; someone whom one could look at, and see the inspiration, history and heritage of the culture, simply by catching a glimpse of her clothing.
Daphne Guinness was wealthy, a public figure and a staple at parties and events, which is where the ensembles shown in the exhibit were first debuted. The exhibit is split into six separate collections: Armor, Dandy, Chic, Evening Chic, Sparkle and Exoticism. The Armor collection features a variety of clothing that could only be worn by a modern woman. Modern, however, does not mean just any woman living in the modern era because the unfortunate fact is that many woman of today still live with the mindset of yesteryear; the mindset of the meek and submissive. This mindset clearly did not belong to Daphne, these clothes tell the story of a strong independent woman whom, even at her most fragile, was a fighter, someone who could, and would, if the situation called for it, rescue herself. From the brown leather and rhinestone Hogan McLaughlin jumpsuit to the Alexander McQueen bra and harness bustier top, this particular collection is a heart stopping beginning to what is sure to be a revolutionary show. All of the clothes are fantastic; however the one that stands out the most is also the simplest. It is an Alexander McQueen short jacket with a long undercoat and an ivory cotton blouse from the 2003 McQueen shipwreck collection. This is the best outfit because it shows a bit of Daphne’s vulnerability shipwrecked among a sea of strength.
The next collection is Dandy. A menswear inspired look at Daphne’s love of androgyny. The collection includes tuxedoes, suits and punk rock style leggings. The London Punk Shop black and white striped leggings are immediately eye catching, however it is once again McQueen who wins out. A black wool tail coat over a Balenciaga cream silk, chiffon blouse is just the right take on Victorian elegance to once again perfectly describe Daphne. Even in a collection mostly inspired by the past, she brings her own modern sexuality to the table.
The Evening Chic collection was a breath of fresh air after all the punk rock toughness of the last two collections. The understated elegance of Alaia coupled with the class and simplicity of Lagerfield instantly calms the soul, but once again one look manages to break the heart with its intricacy and beauty. It is a Chanel dress and coat made of silver sequins and black silk faille. The character that Daphne was playing that night is instantly clear and the looker is transported to a time and place where a woman in a beaded dress enters a room in Manhattan the early 2000’s but at the same time thrills the attendees at a speakeasy in Harlem.
The just plain Chic collection is an exercise in youth and calculated adult cool. A Chanel jacket made of black and white wool, fur and stones add a subtle sex appeal to a classic look. The Chic collection is inspired by Guinness’ mother and grandmother, but not one look in the collection is old fashioned. From the Rick Owens ivory silk pants to the Chiffon Valentino kerchief blouse, each classic adult look contains a hint of the child within Daphne Guinness.
The Sparkle Collection is an absolute masterpiece. Like the Armor collection, it is an exercise in the bizarre. The eye can’t seem to make a decision. Which to take in first? The feathered McQueen dress and jacket combo? The Christian Lacroix marabou trimmed sequined frock? No, the one look that keeps the eyes firmly glued is an extravagant Alexander McQueen jump suit made from gold and bronze bugle beads coupled with a magnificent black feathered cape. This was worn by a woman who commanded every single pair of eyes in a room. And enjoyed it.
The collection ends with Exoticism, and oh but the finale is grand indeed. A black lace and feathered Valentino, a white sheared and fur McQueen. However, I surprise myself by being drawn to possibly the most subtle in this particular collection. It is by a designer called Jun Takahashi and it is exquisite. It is called a Skull coat, made of black wool felt from the Japan 2009 collection. It is simple but with a hint of exoticism. Classy but with an original rock and roll edge. It trumpets what each collection has been whispering about Daphne Guinness all along. Nobody is like her, because with Daphne, nothing is ever how it seems.

The shows

During fashion week this year, I volunteered at 4 different shows. The first one was a little known designer called Castellana. I have never heard of her before but from here on out, I will forever be on the lookout for her stuff. The clothes were a safari inspired collection, comparable to an haute version of Anthropologie. The line was deceptively simple but with the sort of small detailing that can propel a line of clothing from dull to delectable. Jean shorts studded with gold, maxi dresses made from electric blue chiffon, all against a summer paradise back drop.

Now on to some of our favorite designers...

Monique L'Huillier

The attendees ranged from Mandy Moore to Nina Garcia and the clothes stayed absolutely true to the season's trend of bright neons against a black back drop. The renaissance prints agains the banana yellow trench coats and body con dresses lent a sense of class to the fiercely sexy clothing. The ending dresses set the bar for the shows to follow with a burst of hand painted fabric and mermaid sillhouettes. When Monique herself came out for her bow, it was to a reception of barely suppressed mania.


Derek Lam

Set against the stage of chic minimalism, the structural, color blocking of the vacation wear inspired Derek lam collection brough only the best and brightest shining stars to the Lincoln Center site. In attendance were the reigning Queen of Vogue, Anna Wintour and of course Teen Vogue's own Amy Astley. The models walking in the show included Daria Werbowy and the rising star Jourdan Dunn. The orange jumpsuits and leather shift dresses quickly topped this bloggers list of drule worthy looks for the season.

Tommy Hilfiger

Leave it to Tommy to set the bar for stage production at its absolute peak. Reporters from Bader TV came early to watch the set up for this live televised fashion show.The strict, straight wooden lines on the back drop, matched the neat wooden invitations on the seats. This year, Tommy brought a 1960's punk rock twist to his normally preppy ensembles, and who better to model these youth driven clothes than the lovely Karlie Kloss? In attendance was Vogue's editor at large, Andre Leon Tally as well as the always stylish Evan Rachel Wood. The looks featured pencil skirted suits in blood red leather and skinny legged suit pants with Tim Burton-esque chalk stripes, finishing with camo printed beach cover ups and bathing suits that heralded a resurrection for the designer the likes of which the citizens of nyc have never seen before!

Empire State of Mind

<< Model Brittany Matthews

models for Gramercy Park's Ossi Designs

< The writers behind the WanderLust Fashion Blog

The Fashion in New York City has no words to describe it. That is because this is one of the few places, aside from Tokyo perhaps, where one can dress in such a way that limits are not a factor. In fact Tokyo is probably the best city to compare with New York because both citys are defined by a strict divide in styles of dress. On the one end, the conservative, basic black, function seen in the new age of adult careerists. On the otheris the youth movement, those who break the mold and bring the fresh, insanity of possibility and carefree furvor to the world of fashion.

Those fresh, young hipsters celebrate the city for Fashion Week this week and there was no better way to kick off a week of beauty and creative passion than Fashion's Night Out. Fashion's Night Out, a celebration of music, clothing, and pop culture, was created by Anna Wintour in an effort to ressurect the excitement of the retail store, and bring today's computer generation back out to the streets. Such streets included 5th avenue where everyone from the stars of Glee to the spectacular Nikki Minaj could be seen everywhere from Saks to Versace; Soho where Rachel Zoe set the shoppers of the trendy boutique Intermix abuzz with the semi stressed out energy of obsession; and of course, the Meatpacking District, where several local indie bands made the walls of Theory, Vince and Tory Burch, pulsate with the sound of youth.

This last weekend, outside on the steps of lincoln center, the fashion week regulars put on a show of their own. Though, not famous, these fashionistas, both young and old, showed off their own personal styles, wearing everything from the most glamorous dresses, to the grungiest of jeans. It was a statement that no matter what showed up on that runway, the personal style of today's new group of young new yorkers, can never be pinned down.

Taking The City By Storm

Amanda