newsobserver.com blogs -- fashion

GQ finds Raleigh 'sartorially-challenged'

jaydub — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 09:40:46 -0400

Bull Citizens who need a comback when denizens of our neighbor to the south disparage our town need to check out GQ magazine's rankings of the US' least-fashionable cities, particularly #34.

Here's a little of what GQ writer Andrew Richdale has to say about gentlemen of Raleigh:

"It's a great city to swoop in for the kill at happy hour. Girls in these bars have never seen a tailored anything, so it's easy to turn a head."

(With the bottom 36 posted at GQ's web site, Durham ((ahem!)) hasn't rated a mention.)

Have a look at http://gqm.ag/qEMo9P. Comments welcomed.

Solar bikini charges sun soakers' gadgets

matthewfortner — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 06:53:09 -0400

Some may dismiss the solar bikini as only slightly more useful than an inflatable dartboard, but it will cover your bare assets as far as charging portable devices.

The solar bikini is made to charge small gadgets like a mobile phone or MP3 player via a USB port.

This geek-couture creation has garnered Brookyn-based multimedia designer Andrew Schneider plenty of his own exposure. He has fielded interviews from the BBC, the Daily Mail and been featured in dozens of blogs.

Requiring an average of 80 hours, each bikini is handcrafted weaving thin, flexible strips of photovoltaic film, and is stitched with conductive thread. Schneider says the bikini can get wet, but you'll want to unplug your gadgets first.

Schneider wants his fashion to be about making a statement as much as comfort. From the feedback he has received, the designer thinks he has struck a successful balance.

Purported prices have ranged from under $200 to more than $500, but my guess is on the higher side. Inquiries can by made at Solar Coterie.

For the guys, Schneider is developing a pair of board shorts that power a beverage chiller taking advantage of the greater surface area. Ladies may have to request a one-peice to get that functionality.

Stylin' stop motion fashion video

matthewfortner — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 09:16:14 -0500

Check out this 50 second stop motion animation by our own talented Juli Leonard. Juli used over 500 images to create the prelude to spring fashion coverage coming March 17.

Grammar Guide quiz: Word choice, fashion and home decor edition

Pam_Nelson — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 10:50:10 -0400

I've written the 50th Grammar Guide quiz. This one is based on words we often see used incorrectly in fashion and home decor stories. They are common words that are easily mistyped and overlooked. As usual, I have written an explanation for each answer so you will get feedback as you check your answers. The explanations are the same whether you answered correctly or not.

Click here or on the question mark icon to begin. Have fun and post a comment below if you wish.

L.A.M.B.

Jen1978 — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 15:53:22 -0400

Of all the celebrity fashion lines (and good grief, we surely have enough of them!), Gwen Stefani's L.A.M.B. is probably the one with the most actual fashion cred. The woman has been a style icon since she had teen girls like me rocking bindis and bright red lipstick in 1995, as the front woman of No Doubt. In the years since, she's cemented her place as a style icon, wearing often quirky but almost always fashionable clothes both on stage and the red carpet. And unlike many of her other celebrity "designer" counterparts, Stefani actually has a hand in the design of her line, and it's evident as the clothes always reflect the singer's personal style.

This season's looks are more of the same, this time with a lot of African influences. Vibrant hues of red, blue, yellow and orange, used in African-style prints showed up on ruffled mini dresses, crop tops and punk rock-style pants. Stefani threw in a few tailored suiting pieces in more subdued blues and grays, for good measure. The overall effect was playful and fashion-forward, just like Stefani, herself.

Front Row Roll Call: Gavin Rossdale, with his and Stefani's son Kingston on his lap, Mel B., Debbie Harry, Christian Siriano, Russell Simmons and Omarion.

Tory Burch and Nanette Lepore

Jen1978 — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 11:41:09 -0400

Tory Burch was also feeling the pervasive 1970s theme during her spring/summer 2011 show. The designer's collection had a decidedly '70s aesthetic with flared-bottom pants, billowy blouses and platform wedges. Even the color scheme--navy, bold orange and gold and plenty of brown--exuded a '70s feel.

Standout pieces included a navy mid-calf length a-line skirt with an orange-and-ivory sunburst pattern, as well as a rich camel leather mid-calf skirt topped with a bright pumpkin blouse.

Front Row Roll Call: Kanye West, Anna Wintour.

Nanette Lepore's collection also had a vintage feel. High-waisted retro bikinis in colorful floral patterns shared the runway with a glittery gold mini-shirtdress that had a decidedly disco feel. A long, flowing light pink embellished dress looked so comfy and airy--perfect for afternoon cocktails on a hot summer day.

Front Row Roll Call: Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Kristin Chenoweth, Aida Turturro, Stanley Tucci, Natasha Bedingfield.

See all the looks in our New York Fashion Week gallery.

Badgley Mischka and Vera Wang

Jen1978 — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 10:03:45 -0400

Two of the biggest wedding/red carpet gown designers, Badgley Mischka and Vera Wang, presented their spring collections on Tuesday.

At Badgley Mischka, the gowns were dreamy and feminine. An ivory strapless dress had a pink embellished bodice, tied with a flowing ribbon at the waist, and a delicate, flowing skirt--very goddess. A figure hugging look featured a strapless sweetheart neckline with an embellished white bodice and pale blue skirt. The designers also included a few shorter cocktail numbers, and some high-waisted jeans, which, compared to all the gorgeous gowns, fell a bit flat.

Front Row Roll Call: Gabrielle Union, Kristin Cavallari, Denise Richards, Joe Zee, Kelly Bensimon, Beth Ostrosky-Stern, La La Vasquez.

Wang went a little edgier with her collection, inspired by Japanese style and the Quentin Tarantino film, "Kill Bill."

Black cocktail dresses and separates featured large folds near the hip area--a look that translates well in fashion editorial, but might be a little tricky for a normal-sized woman to pull off. A tulle layered one-shoulder minidress in bright spring colors with a flowing train was quite lovely, though.

Front Row Roll Call: Serena Williams, Anna Wintour, Andre Leon Talley, Grace Coddington, Zac Posen, Joe Zee, Stephanie Pratt, Evan Lysacek.

See looks from the collections in our New York Fashion Week gallery.

Monique Lhuillier Wows

paigemaxwell — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 17:00:44 -0400

Monique Lhuillier dazzled the crowd at her spring/summer 2011 show. The wedding/red carpet gown designer sent models down the runway in gowns that induced audible gasps of delight and awe from show attendees. A glam strapless red gown with a subtle rose print and billowing layered skirt wowed, while a gold number with beading so delicate it looked as if the model were sprinkled with glitter stunned. Another memorable look was an ethereal, one shoulder goddess gown—its flowing shape and green-and-blue sheer fabric gave an almost mermaid effect. These are gowns you’ll definitely see soon on the red carpet.

Front Row Roll Call: Maggie Grace, Emma Roberts, Alexis Bleidel, Perrey Reeves, Giada di Laurentiis, Olivia Palermo, Jessica Lowndes

In today's paper: Tailgating, Epicurean

amweigl — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 08:40:58 -0400

In today's paper, in case you missed it:

N&O's Sunday Dinner columnist and "Fan Fare" author Debbie Moose offers her tips and recipes for pulling off a flawless tailgating party. Go HERE.

Greg Cox's Epicurean column offers up a list a new shops to get frozen treats.

Suzanne Havala Hobbs' healthy eating column called On the Table is all about nuts and seeds being a healthy addition to your diet.

Carolina Herrera, Tracy Reese and DKNY

Jen1978 — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 14:51:40 -0400

Like several other designers, Carolina Herrera was inspired by the orient when creating her spring/summer 2011 collection. Embroidered silk gowns in gorgeous fuschia, mint green and pumpkin hugged the figure while billowing ivory-and-black gowns followed the free-flowing trend that has emerged this season.

Day dresses in lively hummingbird and calligraphic prints were belted with silken cord and ribbon, and topped with wide-brim hats.

Front Row Roll Call: Anna Wintour, Nina Garcia, Andre Leon Talley, J. Alexander, Paula Zahn, Lauren Bush, Fran Lebovitz, Graydon Carter, Glenda Bailey.

Tracy Reese is consistently one of my favorites, and this collection did not disappoint. Pieces like a gorgeous indigo trench, a white shirt dress with mango and black flower pattern and an adorable black tweed mini with white piped pockets caught my eye. Like several other collections, so far, Reese's looks had a definite '70s feel (I smell a trend!), with large, round sunglasses and floppy hats accentuating several of the looks. Charlie's Angels chic.

Front Row Roll Call: Denise Richards, Kelly Osbourne, Aisha Tyler, Veronica Webb, Angela Williams, NBA player Chris Bosh, Dania Ramirez.

Donna Karan's DKNY collection included a lot of the elements seen in other designer collections this season--smart suiting pieces in neutrals, floral print dresses ideal for work or down time and jumpsuits in vivid colors. Many of Karan's pieces had frilly, feminine details, such as ruffles. Looks were completed with ankle strap molded shoes in a rainbow of bright colors. The overall effect was safe, yet pretty.

Front Row Roll Call: Singer Estelle, Leigh Lezark of the Misshapes and Jade Jagger.

Derek Lam, DVF and Tommy

Jen1978 — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 09:50:03 -0400

Several heavy-hitters showed their Spring/Summer 2011 collections on Sunday.

It all started in the morning with Derek Lam, whose effortless West Coast style came through in his lovely, restrained collection of dresses and separates. Neutral colors dominated with A-line skirts, trenches and a few washed denim pieces. A gorgeous long-sleeve dress with a splotchy pattern of blue, black, green and yellow was the perfect day-to-evening look.

Front Row Roll Call: Stylist Rachel Zoe, Leighton Meister ("Gossip Girl"), Rashida Jones ("Parks and Recreation"), singer Deborah Cox, Jay Manuel, Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, Harper's Bazaar editor-in-chief Glenda Bailey, Elle editor-in-chief Robbie Myers, Elle creative director and "The City" star Joe Zee and Allure editor-in-chief Linda Wells.

The queen of the wrap dress, Diane von Furstenberg, debuted her new collection, which was inspired by seeing a show in Paris about dancer Isadora Duncan. The show marks the first since von Furstenberg's collaboration with new creative director Yvan Mispelaere.

The collection featured several jumpsuits, one brown with a white graphic print, another in a gorgeous purple with a hood. Wrap dresses also featured the graphic print, and keeping with the goddess theme, von Furstenberg added a one strap, white flowing gown.

Front Row Roll Call: Sarah Jessica Parker, Rachel Bilson, Molly Sims, Anderson Cooper, Nicky Hilton and Andy Cohen of Bravo.

American fashion icon Tommy Hilfiger put on his 25th anniversary show before a star-studded crowd. The looks had a funky country club feel with oxford high heels, seersucker blazers, navy eyelet skirts and boyfriend cardigans paired with bikini bottoms. It was classic Tommy, with a slight edge.

Front Row Roll Call: Jennifer Lopez, Lenny Kravitz, Bradley Cooper, Christina Hendricks, Rumer Willis, Jason Lewis, Rebecca Romijn, Neil Patrick Harris, Kristen Bell, and Ed Westwick all sat front-row, while Catalina Sandino Moreno and Theodora and Alexandra Richards were in the second.

See looks from the shows in our New York Fashion Week gallery.

Loving Lela Rose

Jen1978 — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 19:54:31 -0400

As the models began walking down the runway at Lela Rose's Spring/Summer 2011 show, I got that jittery, excited feeling in my stomach. Yep, it was love. Maybe it's because she's a fellow Southerner (Rose hails from Texas), but Rose knows what I like.

The collection, inspired by the old-meets-new culture and architecture of Lima, Peru, features bold colors and rich fabrics--something the city is known for. A tan-and-white wrap day dress and a stone-colored fitted blouse with a yellow wrap skirt are perfect looks for the office. A variety of colorful cocktail dresses--a melon-colored tweed strapless dress with gold iridescence, a flourite pink taffeta v-neck dress and a navy square-neck sheath with crystal embroidery on the front--provide perfect options for a summer wedding or a night on the town

Rose also creates wedding attire, and that was evident during the gown portion of the show. Billowing full skirts and crystal embroidery gave the dresses a dramatic, dreamy look.

Rose capped off the looks with shoes from her Payless ShoeSource collection. T-strap dress heels and peep-toe wedges perfectly complemented the dresses, even though they cost significantly less.

And luckily for us, Vermillion in Raleigh's North Hills will have a trunk show of Rose's Spring/Summer 2011 collection in October. Check upcoming Stylin' columns for more details.

Front Row Roll Call: Alison Brie ("Mad Men," "Community"), Shantel Van Santen ("One Tree Hill"), Jessica Lowndes ("90210").

See looks from the show in our New York Fashion Week gallery.

Yoana Baraschi and Venexiana

Jen1978 — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 15:20:58 -0400

Yoana Baraschi held a presentation rather than an actual runway show, so I fought the crowd to check out her Spring/Summer 2011 collection. The looks ran the gamut from career-wear pieces—such as a mini trench with a rouched front, topping a white draped pencil skirt and printed crepe de chine blouse—to sundresses in colorful floral prints with a tropical, South Pacific look. Baraschi also presented pinup-style dresses and separates with navy and white polka dots and stripes, all with a flirty '40s feel.

Front Row Roll Call: There's no front row at a presentation, but singer JoJo was spotted milling around.

Venexiana by Kati Stern featured cocktail dresses and ball gowns that shimmered with gold iridescence. Short dresses with stiff, structured bodices looked a little uncomfortable to wear, while other leg-baring numbers, such as the orange dot chiffon strapless cocktail dress, with a layered skirt, were perfect for a night on the town.

With the longer looks, there were hits and misses. Stern definitely went for the dramatic with a red crinkled organza chiffon strapless gown, accented with a hint of black crinoline beneath. A red and black sequined gown dazzled.

But then there were pieces, such as a dress with powdered lace over beaded pink silk, that looked a bit pageant-y to me. And worse than pageant dresses were the gowns that looked like something one of my '80s Barbies wore--lots of poufy taffeta, and horror of horrors, a butt bow. A huge butt bow. I know '80s retro is in right now, but let's leave butt bows in the past, OK?

Front Row Roll Call: Alex McCord of "The Real Housewives of New York," Village Voice columnist/TV personality Michael Musto, model Beverly Johnson.

Check out all the looks in our New York Fashion Week gallery.

ADAM by Adam Lippes

Jen1978 — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 13:25:52 -0400

Inspired by Charlotte Gainsbourg's character in the recent film, "The City of Your Final Destination," Adam Lippes' ADAM Spring/Summer 2011 collection exuded '70s simplicity with tailored details. With a pallette of mostly neutrals--white, ivory, gray and black--the looks were elegant, yet casual, with blazers, skirts and dresses perfect for work attire. Day dresses, such as a billowing white eyelet maxi seemed ideal for a hot summer day, while a peach chiffon layered dress and the final look, an embroidered cut-out chiffon dress struch the perfect flowy, feminine chord for summer evening wear.

Front Row Roll Call: Model Veronica Webb, notorious PR girl Lizzie Grubman.

See looks in our New York Fashion Week gallery.

Seeing Stars at Z Spoke by Zac Posen

Jen1978 — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 11:59:20 -0400

After the disappointment of not getting into the Charlotte Ronson show, I dusted myself off and headed to the front of the line to get into the Z Spoke by Zac Posen show. I was feeling good, especially because I had a seat assignment just a few rows from the front--SCORE.

Z Spoke is Zac Posen's lower priced line, once exclusively carried by Saks, but now available at other retailers. The line is known for its fun, youthful feel.

As I made my way inside, I became almost overwhelmed by all the famous people. Model/actress/Benihana heiress Devon Aoki pushed past me, hand-in-hand with one of those Fackelmyer boys Whitney Port tangled with on "The City" (they look just alike, so it was hard to tell which one he was). I accidentally bumped elbows with a gorgeous brunette, only to realize she was actress Michelle Trachtenberg.

Down on the front row, attendees buzzed around Claire Danes, Carmen Electra, "90210" actress Shenae Grimes, model/actress Jamie King, "Laguna Beach"/"The Hills" star Kristin Cavallari, singers Ciara and Estelle, actress Paz De La Huerta, "ANTM"'s Jay Manuel and Jay Alexander and even Sean "Diddy" Combs' mother, Janice.

But the best was the trio of Rusell Simmons, Kimora Lee Simmons and director Brett Ratner. Allegedly, Russell snuck Brett into the show, which would certainly explain why he was so sweaty and fidgety as people took their seats. Word has it that this caused a bit of front row drama, but since Ratner's an A-List director, it was worked out. Of course.

On the runway, supermodels Hilary Rhoda (above) and Crystal Renn (who is technically "plus size," but didn't look it at all) strutted. Before the show, Posen told his models to "express themselves" on the runway, so it was fun to watch some of them have a good time with it, instead of just parading past like lifeless zombies, as some of the girls do. Even when one of the girls took a tumble toward the end of the runway, she hopped up and gave a sassy little snap, which resulted in a roar of applause from the audience.

Posen's collection had a lively, playful feel with plenty of bright colors and wild patterns. Bright floral prints and black-and-yellow were big. Some of the pieces were simply gorgeous, such as a black, corded voile dress. Others were a little out there--too short, or a little too loud. I even noticed Claire Danes, one of Posen's biggest supporters, furrowing her brow and shaking her head in disapproval over a couple looks.

Overall, the collection was lovely, though more appropriate for a younger crowd. And the show was probably one of the most fun of fashion week.

See looks from the show in our New York Fashion Week gallery.

Saturday Shows: Shut Down at Cynthia Rowley and Charlotte Ronson

Jen1978 — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 18:47:57 -0400

This year, Fashion Week debuted at a new location (the Lincoln Center), with a new system for checking into shows. In the past, attendees received paper invitations in the mail, then stood in long, disorganized lines while PR reps hand checked people in using giant notebook-bound lists.

With the new system, most designers send invitations electronically, and once you RSVP, they send a seating assignment with a little scannable bar code (like those you see in magazines and other places). Then once you get to the tents, you scan either the printed email, or the email on your smart phone, at little kiosks to get your pass (which looks like a credit card receipt). This has a traditional bar code, which is then scanned when you get to the line outside the door of the show. Still with me? Sometimes you get waived directly in—if you have a seating assignment—and others you wait. But if you are assigned to the standing section, you always wait. And wait. And wait.

This is what happened when I tried to go to the Cynthia Rowley and Charlotte Ronson shows. After waiting for an eternity, the doorman informed the crowd in line that they were at capacity, and we weren’t getting in. Obviously, we were all very disappointed and frustrated—these were sure to be good shows.

The good news for you, though, is that you can check them out in our Fashion Week photo gallery.

Thoughts from Inside the Tents

Jen1978 — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 18:10:27 -0400

Being at Fashion Week is pretty surreal. When you walk into the tents every day, you have to get through a swarm of tourists and other on-lookers who stand around outside the main entrance, waiting to catch a glimpse of a famous person emerging. What they don’t realize is the front door is for the nobodies—the back entrance is where the action (and heavy security) is. Random photographers snap photos of fashionistas posing in their best looks. Security guards dressed in all black and outfitted with earpieces man all the doors.

Once inside, it’s a little disorienting at first—all the people rushing to and fro, the myriad of booths and kiosks and the flashing lights of the Mercedes Benz displays (they’re the primary sponsor). Freebie water, diet Starbucks coffee drinks, supplement drinks, diet Pepsi and wine are plentiful. Food? Now that’s a different story. Considering how much the fashion industry values thinness, it’s not really surprising that there’s not a lot of food available in the tents. And what you do find tends to be diet/low cal food. For people like me, there to work, the lack of food is less of an issue than you would think, since you’re too busy standing in line and running around to take time for a snack, much less an actual meal. I always used to shake my head skeptically when people would claim to “forget to eat,” but after doing that very thing for several days, out of sheer business, I know it’s truly possible.

And speaking of not eating, we’ve all heard the raging debate about how thin models are these days. I’ve flipped through more than my fair share of fashion magazines, so I know the score, but to actually see these girls in the flesh is still quite shocking. They’re just so thin. The fact that most of them are quite tall, as well, just makes them look even reedier. And it’s not just the women—the male runway models are almost as bony as their female counterparts. It’s just very odd to see up-close.

Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Fashion Week’s characters. These are the people you see everyday, and always notice because they look absolutely insane. People like Cognac Wellerlane (below, right), a Long Island gossip writer/television host who likes her hair tall and her shirts short. It's sort of like the tents are a small town, with the wealthy priviledged, the working class schlubs (that's me!) and then a town crazy, or ten. A (more fashionable) microcosm of society, if you will.

Fashion's Night Out

Jen1978 — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 13:56:27 -0400

After the shows Friday, I (and about half the city, it seemed) hit the streets for Fashion's Night Out, an event put on by the CFDA, the City of New York and just about every department store and boutique in town. From 6-10 p.m., stores held special sales and events, many with celebrity guests, to celebrate fashion week.

My FNO odyssey began in SoHo, where I marveled at the sheer number of people willing to stand in line to get into stores. Just about every place, from Victoria's Secret to Ralph Lauren, had something going on. On the street, a double decker party bus with a woman who looked very much like Downtown Julie Brown, circled the block. And a truck fashioned to look like giant doll boxes contained several male models dressed to look like Ken dolls.

In Midtown, crowds gathered around the Herald Square Macy's to watch a sing-and-striptease number being performed in the store's windows, while at nearby Manhattan Mall, Samantha Ronson DJed a party for her sister Charlotte's JCPenny line, I ♥ Ronson.

Uptown, Barney's was packed with shoppers and gawkers looking to get tote bags designed and signed by teen fashion blogger, Tavi Gevinson. On another floor, Barney's creative director Simon Doonan signed books and then helped the Olsen Twins judge a karaoke contest.

On another floor, girls in sky-high heels and mini skirts tried not to fall as they scurried around playing musical chairs.

Down the street, Bergdorf Goodman was such a mob scene, we literally could not get inside. That's probably because celebrities such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Victoria Beckham and designer Tom Ford were inside, actually mingling with the masses. Outside we spotted socialite and star of "High Society," Tinsley Mortimer, fleeing the scene. I honestly couldn't blame her!

We made our way down the street, passing Tommy Hilfiger as he scooted into his store, and went into Henri Bendel. I could've spent all night browsing the clutches and makeup in Bendel's gorgeous multi-level store, but with the FNO crowds, it was just impossible to truly shop.

Chaotic as it was, FNO certainly had a fun, party atmosphere. And it was really cool to know that the party was happening all over Manhattan, as well as the outer boroughs--on that night, it seemed everyone had the same fashion fever that runs rampant inside the tents.

Friday Shows: Ports 1961 and Nicole Miller

Jen1978 — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 13:44:01 -0400

My final two shows on Friday were Ports 1961 and Nicole Miller.

The label was originally started by North African–born, Vancouver-bred designer Tia Cibani in 2006. This year, she stepped aside and her sister, Fiona took over designing duties for the label. Fiona Cibani’s spring/summer 2011 collection was inspired by the look and feel of desert landscapes. The result was pieces in neutral shades of ivory, beige and grey, with flowing wide leg trousers, draped dresses and casual chic separates. But the show wasn’t without color. The gown/cocktail dress portion featured rich jewel tones—sapphire blue, emerald green and a gorgeous amethyst purple. Many of Ports’ looks had a definite ‘70s feel, such as a sapphire blue draped silk gown, accentuated by the models’ big, wavy Charlie’s Angels hair. The final two looks—flowing gowns with sparkling embellishments at the neckline—were stunning.

Ports 1961 was definitely one of my favorite collections, so far. Beautiful with lots of gorgeous detail, the looks are chic yet really wearable for both day and evening.

Front Row Roll Call: Eric McCormack (Will of “Will & Grace), Olivia Palermo, socialite and cast member of “The City” (and “City” fans, hate to break it to you, but Palermo’s Elle gig is totally fake—I happened to be seated next to an Elle.com editor, and she confirmed Olivia is not part of the team) and actress Gao Yuan Yuan.

We ventured out of the tents, downtown to a huge space in SoHo for Nicole Miller’s show. The space had a minimalist feel that fit the look of Miller’s collection of dresses and separates. Full of clean lines and washed out shades of ivory, khaki, gray and black, the looks were simply, and honestly, a little boring. Miller did deliver a bit of sparkle at the end of the show with her putty colored with black under layer stretched silk dress, embellished with beading, as well as two more beaded stretch silk dresses.

Front Row Roll Call: Actress Alison Brie (“Mad Men” and “Community”), Perrey Reeves (“Entourage”), actor Michael Urie (Marc on “Ugly Betty”), singer Cassie, Keisha Whitaker, actress and wife of Forest Whitaker and actress Sarah Wynter.

Friday Shows: Tadashi Shoji, Michael Angel, Edition Georges Chakra

Jen1978 — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 16:35:29 -0400

Like Nautica, Tadashi Shoji also put on a presentation instead of an actual runway show. The cool thing about these is that the designer is actually present, mingling with the crowd (and by mingling, I mean standing in the middle of a cluster of reporters and onlookers vying to snap a photo with them).

I pushed past the throng (these things are crowded!) and made it to the models, who were posed around these weird sculptures made of what looked like scrap plywood. The rough, angular sculptures made a stark contrast against the soft, feminine gowns and cocktail dresses in the Shoji collection. Pieces such as an antique crinkled silk chiffon three-tiered dress and a silk crepe draped one-shoulder dress exuded a simple elegance. Shoji used a lot of silk in the pieces, giving them lots of soft movement and femininity.

At Michael Angel, bright colors and wacky, almost Rorschach Test-like prints filled the runway. Many of the looks were body-baring, with high slits on short skirts, cropped tops and sheer panels. Angel also incorporated quite a bit of latex in his collection, which for me, didn’t really work. The grey short sleeve latex t-shirt blouse, for example, looked like someone fashioned a shirt out of a shower curtain. I know Scarlett O’Hara made a dress out of curtains, but she used the ones from the living room, not the shower.

Next up, was Edition Georges Chakra. Before the show started, the kind older lady seated next to me, who was obviously a show vet, asked if I’d seen this label on the runway before. I admitted it was my first time at Fashion Week, and she smilingly assured me, “you’ll like this one.”

She was right.

Elegant gown after elegant gown paraded down the runway, with a few gorgeous cocktail dresses thrown in for good measure. Like many of the collections, this one had lots of fluid shapes—goddess gowns and such, as well as slinkier, figure hugging numbers. Vivid colors, such as a brilliant turquoise and deep purple, teamed with details such as a satin strap basket-weave texture and crystal beading to create a stunning effect. These are the kind of dresses you see making a splash on the Oscar red carpet.

Front Row Roll Call: At Edition Georges Chakra—Kelly Rowland (with a wardrobe change, natch), Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition regular, model Jessica White, actress Dania Ramirez and “America’s Next Top Model” Cycle 8 winner, model Jaslene Gonzalez (who is soo tiny!).

See looks from these shows in the New York Fashion Week gallery.