New York Fashion Week is in full swing, and at the BCBG Max Azria collection, it was interesting to hear that powerful women in the likes of Hilary Clinton were among inspirations for their Spring 2009 Ready to Wear Collection. Designer Lubov Azria and her husband Max characterize this collection as ‘things that every girl wants to have’which is interesting considering these are not the first words that come to mind when you hear the word ‘pantsuit’. However, when you see the gorgeous fabrics, and *oh!* the ingenious draping happening in this collection, you will see precisely what she is talking about.
The collection embodies a work in progress almost, as viewing the glorious silky fabrics and clever drapes these pieces embody an in-studio work as a designer drapes fabric over their model and delicately but intelligently pins it here there and everywhere. And this is the outcome with the BCBG collection.
Following an beautifully chic line of predecessors such as Proenza Schouler to name but one, Monica Botkier is in good company with the launch of her new handbag collection with Go Target. Target is very well known for working with high end designers in the industry to create a product that is available at a price point the average consumer can afford.
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Monica Botkier is the latest edition to the Go Target collection, and she is world famous for creating a handbag that has been seen dangling from the likes of Lindsay Lohan and Heidi Klum. And now her products are available to you.
Generally, a Botkier bag will run you as high as $700, but now, at Target, you can snag one for anywhere from $19.99 to $49.99. Her clutches and wristlets are on for a mere $19.99.
Every girl should have a little Botkier glitz in her closet….what are you waiting for? Check them out at Target today!
Ah yes, another gentle marriage of fashion and art once again. We spoke quite a bit last year about how big the ballet flat thing was, and how many designers were working towards more functional, yet pretty, shoes that looked and felt like dance shoes. Bloch London has picked up on this to show us that the dance shoe craze is not leaving us any time soon. And even better, they are getting prettier and prettier. If you are worried about functionality, worry no more, these are the real deal. In fact, Bloch International has been creating professional dance shoes for both prima and principal ballerinas for almost an entire century. Bloch saw a need for pretty dance shoes that were street friendly and this is Bloch’s first true line of mainstream dancewear. Classic Bloch style is jazz, pointe, ballroom, ballet, and even tap. Creative director here is Jozette Hazzouri who using her feminine and fantasy inspirations in this beautiful selection of shoes that are so delicate, yet so easy to wear every day. Whether you have two left feet or not, you too can wear these pretty things. Your biggest problem will be in deciding which ones to buy!
It’s make it or break it time on Project Runway. Jillian Lewis, Rami Kashou, and Christian Siriano are going head to head to head to battle it out to see who gets crowned winner of this season’s Project Runway. Before you dial in to the big finale, here is a sneak peek at the collections they showed just a few short weeks ago at New York’s Fashion Week in Bryant Park. Who do you think should take home the title.
Our first runner up is the ego-maniac Christian Siriano with his impressive imagination *cough* ego, construction that goes beyond impeccable, and his excessive use of the word “fierce”. Oh, have I mentioned the ego? Equally impressive. He stands a good shot here, which only means, he’s in the Top Three and it’s anyone’s game. (It doesn’t mean he’s actually won yet *cough ego*) He’s already been referred to as a ‘fashion prodigy’ (vis a vis Tim Gunn) and his collections are a little outside the box, outlandish, but have this creative romance meets warrior vibe. What do you think? If the contest was being based on ego, which sadly for him it is not, he’d have it in the bag. I’m surprised they managed to squeeze his whole head into Bryant Park to be honest. Ok, I’m supposed to be impartial and I’ve officially said too much. IF he wins, I just hope they give him a big fat piece of Humble Pie in his prize package. But who knows, have a look at his collection and make your own judgement.
Then we have the only lady in this season’s Top Three, lovely Jillian Lewis. Screw impartial, this is where my money is, as her pieces are things I could actually see myself wearing. And in Ready-To-Wear, this is what the designers need to be doing. I love love love the gown with the teensy belt. So innovative! She is the consummate perfectionist on this season, and has exhibited a flawless attention to detail which you can see in her collection here. Her dress she made out of Twizzlers is yet another example of how her creative genius works. She’s got a good shot as well. She was flattered by Michael Kors in terms of ‘wearability’ and ‘flattery to a woman’s figure’. Huh. Not too shabby to get compliments from Mr. Kors. I’ll take it.
Next up is Rami Kashou. Not sure exactly why he is in the Top Three, I have my own thoughts on who else SHOULD be there, but I don’t produce the show, so my opinion doesn’t matter. But you know every reality show has a finalist at the end that everyone questions. That’s our Rami. He did surprise at Bryant Park tho. You all know him from his pieces that are allllllll about the draping. His goddess style gowns have been winning the judges over all season long, but as the season dragged on, familiarity became a big complaint here as one goddess gown began to look like another. My favorite from this collection is the drapey black and gray strapless gown. So cute. He is probably the least likely to win in my opinion, though any one of them can take it at this point. Nina Garcia complemented him last week for stepping outside his draping comfort zone and focusing more on heavy construction.
Who do you think is going to take it? It’s anyone’s game here, really. Either way, no matter what happens, these are some pretty solid designers that will be around for a while. Project Runway and a Bryant Park showing alone are all they need to get the career mojo going.
There is something about the equestrian thing on women that just makes men go nuts. Here you have a look that is sexy, sleek, with just a little bit of masculine edge at the same time. Ralph Lauren has captured this look in his Spring Collection of the Blue Label line. The collection has a lot of standard Ralph in it. Fitted polos, crest blazened blazers, and striped oxfords that are Ralph wardrobe staples. But he’s added some colors and pop to this line that make the equestrian even sexier than it has been in the past. And even though the label is blue, there are some smart fresh colors alive in this collection, and red seems to be a fave for Ralph this Spring. You are going to see slim jodphurs, fitted *everything* and a Spring wardrobe that is going to have men falling at your feet. Love it!
I love how this Diary Etched Print Polo looks so simple, but is made to look so sexy. This vibrant, intricately designed harness print creates a singular equestrian look in Ralph’s limited-edition Diary polo, styled for a slim shrunken fit in breathable cotton mesh.
Pair it with Ralph’s Middlebury Chelsea jean. A harness-and-horsebit motif painted down the legs of our Blue Label jean creates chic equestrian character in deep indigo denim, designed for a slim silhouette with skinny straight leg.
Or, pair it with these sexy Hudson Jodphursthat will leave your man, and any other in your presence, drooling. Ralph’s slim, sexy Blue Label jodhpur in sleek stretch cotton twill expertly captures the preppy, sporty sophistication of equestrian style. The snap-tab at the hem makes it perfect to wear dressed up with heels or tucked into riding boots for a chic look. These are available in a cute orange as well.
But it’s not all about sexy masculinity. Ralph brings to this line a soft feminine twist that will bring out the girl in you. This Ambrose Madras Dress is just one example of such. Preppy cotton madras becomes sophisticated and chic in a muted palette, styled in a paneled silhouette with a drop waist that’s at once flirty and feminine. So cute! And anything with spaghetti straps has me definitely signing up, and FAST.
One of our sister blogs over at Coutorture has snagged an interview with Francisco Costa of Calvin Klein and is sharing the love. I have to say, after his Spring Collection, I was kind of bored with the Calvin Klein line and as a result, I chose not to profile him this go around for Fashion Week. However, we did get our hands on this interview with Francisco Costa. Here he talks about a theme we saw a lot this week. Retro vs. Contemporary and how to blend the two. How do you think he did?
