RUNWAY RECAP: The BEST OF Paris Fashion Week S/S 2011

Paris, a city always bursting with the best fashion and home to some of the world's most stylish citizens, has just finished up their Fashion Week.  Below is just a handful of highlights from the City of Lights.

Chanel

Chanel

Chloe

Chloe

Hermes

Hermes

Hermes

Hermes

Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton

Valentino

 Valentino

Valentino

Yves Saint Laurent

Yves Saint Laurent

Yves Saint Laurent

Yves Saint Laurent

xx Natty

RUNWAY RECAP: Look du Jour the FINALE

Well, the mayhem in NYC has settled and Spring/Summer 2011 Fashion Week has moved across the pond to London.  But not before some final fashion heavy hitters aired their latest collections on our city's runways.  Ralph Lauren went cowgirl chic pairing white crochet with brown suede, prairie florals and jumbo belt buckles.  Isaac Mizrahi's xerox themed show featured quirky floating collars and photocopied prints, and J.Mendel draped and pleated sheer fabrics in soft neutrals.  Calvin Klein did what Calvin Klein does best - minimalist styles in minimal colors, and Oscar de la Renta did the opposite: ruffles and embroidery and even some fur, accented the fantastically feminine collection.  Below - a few final favorites to wrap up a week of spectacular spring fashion.  

ISAAC MIZRAHI

RALPH LAUREN

OSCAR DE LA RENTA

OSCAR DE LA RENTA

J.MENDEL

J.MENDEL

-Natty

RUNWAY RECAP: Look du Jour VI-VII

Fashion week is winding down, but the fashion itself is not... In the past few days, we've had black, white and red all over in simple, body conscious shapes at Narcisso Rodriguez.  Michael Kors brought yards of sumptuous fabrics in the form of strategically draped dresses and wide legged pants paired with oversized straw totes, and Halston shared in the lux simplicity with more draping in nudes, metallics and a pop or two of bright orange. Rachel Roy brightened the spectrum with everything from a "bandaid capsule collection" of trench coat-dresses, to vibrant hues in sleek and feminine styles.  Marc Jacobs topped everyone in the color department - using rich, warm jewel tones to execute a dramatic collection of short and pant-suits, drop waists and thigh high slits all accented with bows and feathers.  On the other hand, 3.1 Philip Lim wowed fashionphiles with a seemingly simple collection of boxy, minimalist styles in solids and graphic prints - inspired by puzzle pieces.  Proenza Schouler successfully went from ladylike looks to peek-a-boo bras and fluorescents within their 10 minute show, and Rodarte pushed on with the 70's trend using peplums, cut outs, and a brown, green, blue palette.  Carolina Herrera looked to the East for inspiration, in a jaw dropping collection of waist cinching streamlined styles topped with glamorous wide brimmed hats.  Here are some of the most wearable and lust-worthy looks as of late: 

Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera

Michael Kors

Michael Kors

Narcisso Rodriguez

3.1 Philip Lim

Halston

Rachel Roy

-Natty

RUNWAY RECAP: Looks du Jour V

Day 5 of New York Fashion Week 2010 brought us more head to toe white -- this time with a sporty feel from Thakoon, and with handkerchief hems and minimalism from Max Azria.  But one can never have enough minimalism - and we got more from Behnaz Sarafpour with denim sportswear and a simple palette of neutrals.  DVF was anything but neutral - showing swirly prints in a 70's feeling combo of browns and minty greens.  Malandrino followed suit with fringe and plenty of rope detailing, floppy hats and wide leg pants.  Here are just a few of the recent looks that I particularly enjoyed:

ERIN FEATHERSTON

MALANDRINO

MAX AZRIA

THAKOON

-Natty

RUNWAY RECAP: Looks du Jour I-IV

NY Fashion Week is BACK in the city, bringing with it comes all kinds of gorgeosity to look forward to in the spring/summer season.  So far we've had icy white neutrals at Preen and Alexander Wang, a return to frills and femininity at Jill Stuart and even more for the girly-girl at Cynthia Rowley.  Victoria Beckham continued the lady-love with cinched waists and soft draping, while Ohne Titel went structured with color-blocked scuba gear, and Vivienne Tam brought us a uniquely eastern influenced vagabond.  Below are a few of my fashion favorites since Thursday:

CYNTHIA ROWLEY

DEREK LAM

PRABAL GARUNG

VICTORIA BECKHAM

-Natty

RUNWAY RECAP: Final Favorites

Well, New York's Fall Fashion Week has come and gone once more.  But just like the holidays, when the celebrations end - we're left with gifts and memories to last us ... at least until September.  But picking only one look per day does not do justice to the plethora of divine creations we saw this week - so here, a final look at many of the other highlights from this season's catwalk cornucopia.

-NATTY

RUNWAY RECAP: Look du Jour VII

DAY VII
February 17, 2010

"Although less in-tents than Bryant Par, Lincoln Center will be a wonderful home for the inspiring and clothes minded" 

- Kenneth Cole

Day 7 of Fashion Week brought us plenty of color, with a bold combination of orange and blue at Tory Burch.  Candy colored tights shouted from under school girl skirts, topped off with cheeky berets at Milly.  Marchesa delivered a dose of gorgeous glamour with elaborate draping and perfectly tailored gowns in shades of white, red, cerulean, red and everything in between.  Michael Kors made me want to buy the entire runway, which was filled with louche chunky knits in camels and grays: a welcome return to the lux classics he does best after a strange attempt at the avant-guard in his spring collection.
My pick for today's Look du Jour comes from another of my favorite collections of the day: 3.1 Philip Lim.  Lim rarely disappoints, and this season was no different.  Streamlined shapes met graphic prints and rich fabrics with just the right embellishments peppered throughout.  His jackets and outerwear were to die for, and sure to be on everyone's must have list come fall.  I chose the look below which showcases one of the most recent trends of the season - patterned pants.  These are a fresh and modern take on a classic silhouette and 70's vibe, done in giant checks muted colors.

-Natty

RUNWAY RECAP: Look du Jour IIX

DAY IIX
February 18, 2010

"Bryant Park was a fashion feast, and opportunity for the established and emerging talent to be seen by the world.  We were thrilled to have a seat at the table.  And we look forward to continuing the excitement at Lincoln Center."

          -Leslie Stevens & James LaForce, LaForce + Stevens

On the last day of this fashion-filled week, even the most exhausted editors, stylists and buyers could find reason to get excited in these final shows.  Ralph Lauren surprised us with a more downtown take on evening wear: worn with elbow-length, fingerless lace gloves in his romantic collection of gypsy boho florals and velvets.  Minimalistic simplicity met dramatic shapes and unique tailoring at Calvin Klein, while Reem Acra played with metallics, jewel tones and oversized prints like polka-dots and stripes.  L'Wren Scott's sexy yet ladylike collection dropped jaws with thigh-high laced up boots and J.Mendel was furry and fabulous.  For my final Look du Jour, I've chosen this look from Tommy Hilfiger's collection of American classic separates.  The reason?  Four words:  Thigh.  High.  Duck Boots.  Footwear that's fashionable AND practical for New York's snowy season?  Done and done...where can I pre-order?

-Natty

RUNWAY RECAP: Look du Jour VI

Day VI
February 16, 2010

"What happened in Bryant Park was magic"

          -Judy Licht, Lifestyle Correspondent

This week of wonder is winding down to a close, with just a couple more days to go.  On Day 6 of New York Fashion Week 2010, we got a double dose of subtle luxury with straightforward and minimalist designs from both Max Azria and The Row.  Elie Tahari premiered a wardrobe for the urban sophisticate, filled with black, white and neutral tones done in elegant-yet-fresh fashions.  Narciso Rodriguez played with color blocking and draping, while Rodarte just piled on the floral prints in a layered fleshy-toned palette.  Sophie Theallet's much anticipated collection since winning the CFDA award painted a boho picture of prairie prints and a gypsy vibe.
My pick for Look du Jour comes (surprisingly) from the Upper East Side's favorite furrier - Dennis Basso.  I just love the way this full length fox fur coat manages to look hip 30-something girl-about-town, rather than dusty and dated, 70-something rich-lady - thanks to the pairing of skinny black pants and bitchin' knee high boots (did I just say bitchin'?)  And even MORE of a shocker, is that I had to include a 2nd Look du Jour from Dennis Basso - this uber chic dress.  I figured if it was from the same collection, I didn't count...

-Natty

RUNWAY RECAP: Look du Jour V

DAY V
February 15, 2010

Halston's ever evolving and much anticipated makeover of recent seasons was presented in a mirrored room, as models lay down the fashion law (literally) in solid color frocks with plenty of structure.  Zac Posen mixed tailored cuts with soft materials...right down to the furry shoes!  Marc Jacobs gave us something to talk about with his clever runway presentation, featuring a fleet of models boxed up in paper...though in my opinion, the collection itself was drab and shapeless in shades of grey with calf length skirts and loose tops.  My pick for today's Look du Jour comes instead from the mind of New York's own Donna Karan.  Her collection of black, black and more black felt strong and city chic as usual - and while it may not be breaking new ground,. this look is a dramatic take on a classic pairing of white blouse and black pants.

-Natty