Style Icons: Female,Style Icons: Male »Best of New York Fashion Week

I thought I was disappointed in NY Fashion Week, maybe just because so much threw me for a loop, but I ended up with tons of favorite looks to sort through, so I guess it was pretty rad after all.

One of the raddest collections was 10 Crosby Derek Lam. This mix of bold Hawaiian print (a trend I am usually weary of) paired with the black and white pencil skirt is odd which everyone was all about – but unlike man – it looks sleek, stylish and wearable. How can we pull this off I wonder? I doubt a tight skirt pulled over a longer dress is the easiest combo, but I plan on trying it.

In the topsy turvydom of the week, it was J Crew that turned up some of the freshest and most wearable outfits. I had lots of great looks to pick from but am totally in love with the denim shirt paired with a shimmery midi skirt. Addition of bright red summer pumps a plus – their stylist deserves an awesome vacation.

I love the proportions and pattern mix of this Edun look a ton. The origami folds in the billowy top look great with a cropped jacket and that little peek of plaid. Have the cropped jacket, but no blouse as awesome as this.. wonder where I can find something similar for an easy Spring weekend getup.

Suno delivered with excellent silhouettes like this Amish-chic set that looks as unique as it does classic. Proof that their more than their bold prints (which I still kind of missed in this collection).

First, apologies for the misspelling – we’re working on almost no sleep here and I am too lazy to go back in and fix it, (so let’s forgive any other misspellings I haven’t caught while we’re at it). Anyways, another great look from Derek Lam and one that we can all pull of ourselves probably with item already in the closet. I am not a pants kind of girl but this combo makes me what to break out the couple pairs I own and get layering.

Nerd chic was everywhere. Awkward was the vibe of the hour but almost no one got it right like Jil Sander Navy. The over all collection left a great impression but I picked this subdued ensemble for it’s tonal layering and the great edge the leather skirt gives to the look. Leather skirts usually look so Gucci, but here it’s total Miranda July. Plus I need those shoes.

Never thought I’d love a Tory Birch collection so much. The whole essence of the collection transported me to some fictional 1920’s rich person holiday yet it never felt like costume.

Also with a vacationing flapper vibe, but far more bizarre was Thom Browne, which managed to push the envelope while remaining interesting and stylish. Should he be tapped for Dior?

Some of the best prints came from unexpected places like this kitty design at Victoria by Victoria Beckham (also misspelled, oops). Love the laid back cut of this dress too. Yes, I would love to wear this please!

If I had to pick one swimsuit for next summer this Peter Som zebra head two piece would definitely be it.

Doro Oluwu is always great with the patterns and this collection didn’t disappoint. this fitted cardigan look is perfect. Must seek out lots of easy floral dresses this spring, I think.

Anna Sui is always doing her same song and dance but that doesn’t mean their aren’t fantastic looks to be had. This sketchy stripe is super fun with the 1940’s inspiration and even better in a turban. If I could make this my early spring hat, I would be glowing with happiness.

As a young vintage obsessive, I remember being really excited when Imitation of Christ first started, then it kind of fizzled and went away, right? Well this collection was a major comeback and I loved many of the pieces. In particular, the over-sized corsage lace number on the right? I would have happily gotten married in that.

Lace was used in interesting ways this season. I love Preen’s pairing with neon and bit map prints, turning very “girlie” elements into something slightly and strangely futuristic.

Never been a huge Ports 1961 fan that I can recall, but really liked this collection. I could probably never pull off something so tight, but that doesn’t stop me from absolutely loving this wrapped up mini.

Pastels were huge but pastels are tough. Philip Lim got it right with this easy, slouchy look which somehow makes lilac trousers look like they should be a wardrobe staple.

Spring was not all about pretty pale colors though, some stuff stayed gothy, like this XO print cape from Libertine that just floored me with its awesomeness.

Also found myself very drawn to Threeasfour’s culty, witchy, fishnetty prints and punk layering dresses. This is a look impossible to replicate but I feel like I could find something that plays on the same Alistair Crowley meets 1992 vibe.

While I am no minimalist at heart, I have always loved me some Helmut Lang.. but what about the label without the man himself? Turns out I like that too. This complicated bodice dress is as wearable as it is a work of art.

Really digging the Francesc by Frank Tell vibe too – lots of leather and lace – a little something for Stevie and Don Henley.

For the first time in years, found the Marc line a little boring, but can’t resist this flapper dress/office girl look from the main line. Shimmering, pretty, but very unique. A huge love.

Not the biggest fan on jumpers, but this silvery, lace sleeved number from Rebecca Taylor is quite pretty and could even be flattering.

Prabal Gurung’s bold strokes of vibrant purple were memorable and lovely next to the clean crisp whites.

The season was all about the white dress. There were so many lovely ones, but my favorite was this draped light as air dress from Doo. Ri

See more great looks after the jump!

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Posted on September 24, 2011

Style Icons: Male »Peter Lindbergh

Master Photographer

No photographer working, it could be argued, touches Peter Lindbergh when it come to black and white.

He turns gorgeous women into icons. Most of his images are now legendary, recognizable even to those not with little interest in fashion magazines.

I love him best though when he goes wildly cinematic and dramatic. Mixing alien crashes with supermodels, refashioning The Birds with a more sinister eye, and ingeniously recasting Lolita with an early 1990’s Milla Jovovich and Harry Dean Stanton – these are the kinds of editorial spreads that leave a mark on ones brain.

 

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Posted on September 13, 2011

Style Icons: Male »The Cars

New Wave Icons

Not only are The Cars dynamic performers who blew my young mind with their wild videos and catchy songs, but, man! these guys could dress.

No outlandish men’s jacket ever found a better home than resting on their tall rock star shoulders. (Seriously, have you seen so many good but weird jackets in one place?) Fearless, they donned pleather, satin, leopard print, and suspenders.

On a side note, I amazes me that these guys were younger than I am now when their hot first album was released. Everywhere I look, there are signs that I am getting older…

 

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Posted on August 24, 2011

Style Icons: Male »Tom Palumbo

Photographer

As today’s weepy weather reminds us – everything is fleeting – including the fun days of summer.

Sure we have about a month more of it, but if you haven’t taken time to go to the beach, don a bathing suit or lounge in the sun, these gorgeous Tom Palumbo images will inspire you to snap to it and do so asap.

While his work was versatile, as a staff photographer at Vogue then Bazaar, Palumbo created indelible images of ideal summertime bliss.

Often photographing the great Jean Patchett and Anne Saint Marie, he caught moments of seaside frolicking that feel both exquisitely fashionable and quietly personal.

He taught for a time at my alma mater, RISD and was also an accomplished stage director.

His website features great galleries to peruse and some of my favorites from him are below and after the jump.

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Posted on August 14, 2011

Style Icons: Male »Lucian Freud

Painter

You always remember the first time seeing a Lucian Freud, it’s just so… shocking and it’s rare that anything has that power anymore.

So tactile, unabashed and grotesque, his portraits are as strangely beautiful as they are frightening but simply depict a realistic,unflattering, and intense glimpse at the human form.

Grandson to Sigmund Freud, Lucian was considered Britain’s finest artists and he passed away this week at the age of 88.

An interesting history of his work and life can be read here.

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Posted on July 22, 2011

Style Icons: Female,Style Icons: Male »Best of Couture

Oh Givenchy, you make me so very happy. Poodle ladies by the river… it doesn’t sound glamorous, but the photo speaks for itself.

Chanel hasn’t been my favorite lately, but this collection had so many awesome looks I had a hard time picking. I went with this all black number that made me think of Isabelle Adjani in the mid 1980’s.

Because I’ve never forgiven the Halle Berry monstrosity that everyone was shitting themselves over, Elie Saab has never been a favorite. But there’s no denying there were some exquisite gowns this collection such as this one seems to float on the model even as it’s elaborately embellished.

Frankly, I liked Giambattista Valli’s resort collection more, this over the top finale is pretty grand.

Not totally sure how I feel about Dior, it calls to mind Lacroix of the late 80’s but with different silhouettes and less shiny stuff. This look is pretty great though.

Now, usually when I see an Armani show, I prepare myself for 800 looks all in slate grey, mostly pant suits, but I was surprised with the Japanese inspired collection and found a lot of the quirky looks very nice.

Azzedine Alaïa gave us some great shapes with his collection like this narrow waist feathered jacket.

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Posted on July 20, 2011

Style Icons: Female,Style Icons: Male »Best of Resort Part IV

So resort seems  to be an amorphous season, with new shows arriving all the time. So if you thought it was over, like I did, think again! Here are my favorites from the later comers.

Starting with Marni who does great things with proportion and pattern with this modern belted dress which is so, so adorable I can barely stand it.

Balmain was also exciting with print and was pretty much stunning over all. This tribal, futuristic mini is mind blowing.

Carven is officially one of the shows I will wait for with baited breath. This vintage inspired lemon suit is darling and one of many outstanding looks I had to select from.

DSquared, not usually my thing, but I really adore these Pepto-Bismol wide legs. Paring with a denim shirt is clean and cute. Of course, in real life, on me, these would look a bit different (ie awful) but it’s genius on her.

Not my favorite Viktor and Rolf show, though I love the illusion created by the giant wainscoting that the models were mere inches tall, but this bra top maxi combo is amazing. What I would want to wear to a beach soiree with millionaires.

There was lots of good stuff at Cynthia Rowley (but not the consistent dum-dum scowl on all the models) like this pretty dress in a unique royal and mud color combo. Love that bright orange heels are paired with it.

Antonio Marras definitely has a sense of humor and this all pattern ensemble expresses it while still being weirdly wearable. Makes me want to go extreme matchy matchy this summer.

Well, I hate to say it, because I agreed with Dior’s decision to can Galliano, but didn’t some of this resort collection feel, well… moderate? Not so when it comes to this embellished gown though, which is stunning and elegant which retaining a loose casual edginess with it’s unstructured silhouette.

Francesco Scognamiglio is a new name to me but one I’ll be watching. Some looks felt awkward, but the over all vision of his neon, 1980’s by way of the future collection was stellar. And, good gods, those shoes!!

Mugler is a pale shadow of the former glory, but I do dig this creepy hands mini dress. Someone tell Alek to smile because she looks rad.

Marios Schwab offered a most beautiful and strange under sea print. Grounded in black, it makes you feel like you’re floating in the deepest ocean and it looks best in this draped mini skirt.

Everyone has their quirks. For me, I’m almost universally unkind to shiny fabrics, it just looks cheap to me but, there are always exceptions and this Giles black number is one of them. I love the strong origami shape.

 

What’s there to say? While some of the latest from Christopher Kane looked a little bit like he was having a laugh, this hombre rainbow sweater is great.

I love when classics get turned upside down and Antonio Berardi does well goofing around with the old lady Chanel jacket.

While it saddens me that the true inventive genius of Alexander McQueen is forever gone, the house has carried on his legacy beautifully. This lace skirt and edgy overcoat was one of my favorites.

Temperley was just lovely. There were more casual frocks I pine for, but as most shows end on a wedding dress, so will I. This one strikes a perfect balance of classic prettiness and modern, offbeat style. One of their best collections to date.

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Posted on July 12, 2011

Style Icons: Female,Style Icons: Male »Best of Resort, The Rest

Style Icons: Female,Style Icons: Male »Best of Resort, Part III

BCBG gave us flowing dresses that one could wear all summer. In fact, if there were one collection I could (realistically) solely wear this season, these 70’s inspired frocks would do the job. BCBG may never got over it’s cheapie reputation but I loved this collection.

And speaking of cheapie reps – I think it’s tacky Azria had to put his name on Leger (kind of reminds me of Dean Koontz’ Frankenstein, ha ha) but this body con graffiti number is downright awesome.

Bibhu Mohaptra does great things in this dress – a fab print, a flattering yet unique silhouette, and unexpected colors that feel fresh. There’s a lot to love here.

Another stand out print from Gucci with this fun dress that screams Jacqueline Susann heroine (and we all know that’s a wonderful thing).

Evening wear was everywhere but I was drawn to the played down options, like this color blocked Vionnet dress. Seems they’re revitalizing the line with a particular eye for unusual color combinations and I like it!

Lela Rose, usually a little too saccharine for me hit the right note this season. This dress is flirty, pretty, and so easy with those oxford flats.

Lanvin continues to wow and this bungle of red hearts, feathers, embellishment, and who knows what is the wowiest…

Until you learn that Lanvin for kids exists.

Sometimes just the most basic thing done right is a sight to behold, so behold this cape from DKNY. It’s simple, it’s clean, I want.

Doo.Ri gives us the trench coat to aspire to while making lace leggings look neither slutty nor cheap.

I love that Proenza Schouler’s collection reminded me of yarn art (though not sure why it all took place on the set of 48 Hours Mystery with Maureen Maher) but if I had to chose one look, this white dress with the most fantastic of huge necklaces is the one. I don’t even know what the necklace is made of what it really looks like but I can just feel that it is amazing.

Also amazing in the accessories department? The huge belt loop and nude leather gloves at Celine. Having these would change me life. (Be sure to see the collection for other notable looks, like one sweet print that will be in the fashion mags soon).

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Posted on June 28, 2011

Style Icons: Male »Peter Falk

Columbo

I was sad to hear that Peter Falk had passed away and even sadder to hear that he spent his last years battling dementia and Alzheimer’s.

He was world famous for his role as Columbo, but his career consisted of much more than that iconic role.

He’s breathtaking in Cassavetes, he’s charming and touching as a former angel in Wings of Desire and who can forget his narration in The Princess Bride?

He left an indelible legacy with wit, charisma, and talent.

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Posted on June 24, 2011