New York Fashion Week Favorites, Part II.

New York Fashion Week continues and so do my unsolicited opinions...

Theyskens’ Theory

Photo via style.com

Photo via style.com

I adore Olivier Theyskens. Just when I expect to see a consistent collection of perfect slouchy basics and well-tailored separates, he unleashes luxe winter wear replete with beading, silks, and lush wools. If it couldn’t get any better, he sent so many formal shorts down the runway, I couldn’t contain my excitement. I LOVE a formal short. And I really love them in leather.

Derek Lam

Photo via style.com

Photo via style.com

Lam’s Fall 2012 collection proves that he is an over-acheiver. This season’s collection is clearly the work of a perfectionist, balancing the fashion industry’s renewed love of prints and the codes of a classic New York wardrobe. The paired-down, minimalist formal wear may not prove to be a hit on the red carpet circuit, but it’s bound to be on every fashion girl’s shopping list come fall. 

Thom Browne 

Photo via style.com

Photo via style.com

In case you forgot that New York has some insane fashion, no worries, Thom Browne will remind you of our avant garde sensibilities. Shapes exaggerated the human form, bringing the almost two dimensional models into 3D. There's a simultaneous sentiment of both melancholy and humor in this collection (and perhaps a small nod to the late and great Alexander McQueen?). This is a collection for the thinking fashion enthusiast and it just works. 

Marc Jacobs

Photo via style.com

Photo via style.com

Full disclosure, I worked for Marc Jacobs not too long ago, so I may be biased, but OMG. Fashion hasn't been this much fun since Wall Street killed the economy and took creativity in consumer goods along with it. Thank you Marc for reminding us all that it's just fashion and that's frickin' fabulous. 

New York Fashion Week Favorites, Part I.

Living in Paris has its advantages (namely croissants, wine, and cheese), but I always miss being in New York for Fashion Week. While London tends to foster its young talent more effectively and Paris has the very obvious benefit of couture influences, New York’s penchant for truly innovative ready to wear has a place in my heart. So in honor of this beautiful Monday morning, let’s sum up some of the best collections from NYFW so far...

Alexander Wang

Image via style.com

Image via style.com

God knows I love a good jacket, and Alexander Wang made a whole lot of them. Sleek, high shine fabrics in unexpected shapes were an exciting alternative from usually bland fall winter outerwear options. And to make me even happier, he added a sick, soon-to be-ubiquitous, knee high boot. I prefer this thoughtful reinterpretation of classic pieces to last season’s athletic leaning collection.

Prabal Gurung

Image via style.com

Image via style.com

Prabal made the ultimate cool girl pant this season. Prabal’s skinny flares are going to be everywhere next winter. Topshop should start working on the knockoff now (and a denim version too), because this shit’s about to become the drainpipe alternative.

Altuzarra

Image via style.com

Image via style.com

Altuzarra’s printed pants are a winter-fied version of spring’s most unavoidable trend. (Have you seen the pre-spring collection at Zara? Flowers. EVERYWHERE.) But they have a well-traveled sensibility about them. Paired with some serious over-the-knee boots (reminiscent of Gucci Fall/Winter 2008, no?) they make an unexpected impact. 

Timo Weiland

Image via style.com

Image via style.com

If there’s one trend I’m always hoping will make its return, its Grunge. I fell in love with it in the 90s when Marc Jacobs did it at Perry Ellis and I’m ecstatic every time the fashion cycle brings it back around. Timo Weiland made grunge for the moody fashion girls, and I fucking love it. 

Things I Learned While Doing Graduate Research Concerning Twitter

Obviously that MA in communications is really paying off...

1. People in fly over states seem remarkably unaffected by the whole body image debate.

The media and a host of parental “councils” complain day after day about too-thin models and photoshop, yet lots of overweight women in fly over states and less fashion-obssessed countries believe that they can be the model for a host of fashion brands. While I would like this to be a reality for them, its a delusion. 

2. Apparently, its a common conception that finding a job is best facilitated through Twitter.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this is probably not a great strategy. Additionally, do you think your misspelled tweets will make an employer take you seriously? Get a resume, send an e-mail. Easy Peasy. 

3. Want to be a trending topic on Twitter? Pretend you have cancer. 

Actually, don’t do that. But really, its nice to see the Twitterverse has a heart. 

4. Justin Beiber is REALLY REALLY Popular. 

Obviously, I don’t live in America and I watch television online. Now someone needs to explain to me why he’s popular. 

5. Twitter is helping to perpetuate the myth that leggings are pants. 

I can not tell you how many #todayimwearing posts, contain wearing leggings, yet nothing over them. Here’s a way to think of it: THEY ARE THICK TIGHTS. Put a skirt over that shit. 

6. People have moved the shady knock-off purse business of Canal Street to Twitter. 

@Sam_Shaw, Want a Chanel purse? Just drop $150 in my paypal account. 

Yeah, ok buddy, I get it, it fell off a truck right? No actually, it was made by the trainees of a syrian terrorist cell, looks nothing like the real thing, and the dye will most probably give you cancer. 

7. Most of America is functionally illiterate. 

$ is not a substitute for the letter “s.” 

Karl's Magic Workshop.

CHANEL Holiday Windows at Printemps

Photo by Olivier Zahm Via Purple Diary

I love the holidays in Paris. Who doesn't want their holidays to be filled with CHANEL?

Sometimes freckles are the best accessory...

Image Via Stockholm-Streetstyle.com

The City and the Self

Rue de Thorigny

Rue Debelleyme

Rue Charlot

Current Obsession

Gunmetal Glitter Sneakers by Miu Miu

These are a recent purchase that I grow more and more obsessed with by the day. I had gotten away from sneakers a while ago, but I just couldn't resist these.