Coming off of fashion month leaves an entire industry reflecting on the coming season and what will define it. What started early September in New York City and continued throughout Europe was a veritable traveling circus of creativity and eventually, the pieces to the puzzle that will be the world’s wardrobe come spring. And while we’re in the midst of fall, the editors, stylist, socialites, and celebrities who attended the runway shows and presentations across the globe are reflecting on newness and the direction that fashion will take us in the coming season. The talents that create the trends that we live in are many, but here are a few of the collections I found most notable from the New York runways, and the looks that I know are sure to be gracing the streets of sunny South Florida come March.
Custo Barcelona
The Custo Barcelona show always has a way of reflecting a proverbial candy land of colors. The buzz within the crowd usually consists of whispers about the magical quality that the multi-colored, über textured, and often-fantastical pieces evoke. And said crowd tends to be punctuated by similarly colorful personalities. This season I sat next to Tinsley Mortimor, Angela Simmons, and an appropriately dressed Kimora Lee Simmons who radiated in an oversized, faux-fur chubby. Dubbed “Fiction and Reality” the collection was a juxtaposition of dream-like pieces paired with more functional separates, resulting in a collection that was nothing short of a unique work of art.
Luca Luca
Luca Luca Creative Director, Raul Melgoza’s mind was still enveloped by the views he enjoyed on his recent cruise to Sydney by the looks of the S/S 2011 collection. Fluid movement ran rampant, and one look after another boasted triangle motifs that were reminiscent of buoyant, billowing sails. Overall playful, the collection included another new element for Melgoza; prints; that although generally geometric, seemed soft set on cut-on-the-bias fabrics in sunset pinks and sky blues. Effortless and elegant pretty much speak to the overall aesthetic. Onlookers included Petra Němcová, Solange Knowles, Deborah Cox and Kristin Cavallari.
Rebecca Minkoff
Spring marks an exciting addition to the Rebecca Minkoff brand with the injection of footwear to the already well-embraced collection of ready to wear and accessories. The shoes follow in the footsteps, if you will, of the house’s existing elements that speak to a woman yearning for glamour. Transfixed by reconstructed vintage and 70’s-inspired frocks that include traces of seductress Bianca Jagger and the late, soulful Janis Joplin, the collection contrasts exotic textures including silk, gauze and pearlized leather with edgy metal chain detailing, which added a little depth to the free spirited, Rebecca Minkoff girl.
Monique Lhuillier
Spring was in full bloom at Monique Lhuillier, where in true ML fashion, the gowns were breathtaking interpretations of life. This season her Garden of Eden inspiration was delivered by way of lush floral frocks—whether hand-painted or woven, organza or raffia, the pieces exuded femininity. And while the palette was mainly light and dainty as well, it was injected with pops of bright red that added a fair amount of tempting edge.
EDITION Georges Chakra
Georges Chakra rarely strays from the kind of modern elegances he’s known for. Once reserved for a special red carpet clientele, the designs created by the Lebanese import have been sharing the stage with the runway set for the past four seasons as part of his Ready To Wear line, EDITION by Georges Chakra. For his Spring/Summer 2011 collection, a sleek juxtaposition of metallic charmeuse, form-fitting duchess satin, and colored chiffon were in full swing resulting in dresses fit for modern-day royalty. Gaining recognition with every passing collection, the show was attended by such fashion scene fixtures as Kelly Rowland, Beverly Johnson, and America’s Next Top Model winner, Jaslene Gonzalez.
Max Azria
It seems Max Azria and his wife, Lubov, have taken a decided turn towards the simpler. Their collections of late have a certain minimalistic sensibility that’s at the same time sophisticated and ethereal. The sheer, breezy looks of dresses and pant suits alike were delivered in very functional, hushed tones: Shades of vanilla and cream with the intermittent addition of soft peach and dove grays all led up to a finale marked by a touch of black.
Fashion’s Night Out
Fashion’s Night Out was an exciting and successful night for all involved. I was thrilled to meet my fans and see so many excited customers shopping. It was truly a magical night. Aside from going out to support my dear friends Kim Kardashian at her QVC event and Victoria Beckham at Bergdorf Goodman, I personally hosted the Shop Addicts- Fashion Binge event at Touch Lounge in New York City. The event, similar to all Fashion’s Night Out fetes, was successful in injecting the fun back in to shopping. And with all the proceeds going to a non-profit organization that helps empower women in Mozambique, Africa, to pursue an education, the spend fest was clearly for a good cause.
