Donna Karan Catwalk Fashion Show New York SS2011

You can leave it to Donna Karan to make a theme like ‘Raw Romance’ into a beautiful, strong collection in just one color (sand) and a contrasting mix of crumpled jackets and sensual dresses and skirts.

This time, Karan left masculine influences behind and just focused at femininity. Even de crinkles looked sensual, and they sometimes reminded of old Issey Miyake-collections. The silhouette was long and lean. Filmy dresses and skirts cut on the bias added a delicate sensuality, fabrics were airy and seductive without being to obvious.

And in all its simplicity it was more personal and emotional than all the other minimalistic collections we saw in New York so far.

Marc Jacobs Catwalk Fashion Show New York SS2011

Marc Jacobs’ fashion shows have changed a lot in the last few years. They used to start 3 hours late and Monday night it appeared Marc and his crew was too early. Half an hour before the show his team Tweeted ‘Marc’s ready now. Were waiting for editors.’ Eventually the show started exactly one time, which led to Courtney Love watching only the tail end of the show.

With Vivaldi’s ‘Summer’ coming from the speakers Marc’s first models entered the catwalk. After only one look we could tell what Marc’s inspiration was. His seventies-theme was visible in every little detail.

There were easy breezy dresses, blouses and jumpsuits all, of course, in the right seventies shades (burgundy, amber, coral pink, Byzantine, bright maroon). The busy prints from that era were present too, as well as the flared pants, which we saw on a jumpsuit and a metallic pair of pants. The shorts were tiny and the slits were high. Lots of fabrics were sheer ones and the pants were high waisted.

The make-up was perfect for the show. The models had bleached eyebrows, shiny eyelids (from lots of Vaseline) and matte, stained lips. Their hair was all frizzy and often decorated by an enormous flower.

Those flowers (which were actually lily’s) popped up everywhere in the show. Around the models’ necks and waists and on the collars of their clothes. Large hats, round sunglasses en small bags and clutches completed the looks.

Marc Jacobs brought back the seventies! And he did so in a very cool and modern way. So just like the curvy collection he designed for Louis Vuitton last season this one is bound the set the trend for a whole new fashion season. (And we’re so excited!)

Ps. It was rumoured that the show area is also the backdrop of the spring/summer campaign. Marc Jacobs might have show the campaign in tandem with the show.

Diane von Fürstenberg Catwalk Fashion Show New York SS2011

Frenchman Yvan Mispelaere is the new right hand of Diane von Fürstenberg. He brings along the experience he’s got working at Gucci, Chloe (when Phoebe Philo was in charge) and Louis Feraud. For his first DvF-collection he got inspiration from an Isadora Duncan retrospective  in Paris and he dubbed it Goddess.

But the collection was not about Grecian draping, the theme referred to empowered, intellectual beauty. The dominant look was clean, crispy sportswear in major graphic prints and bold, subtle colors (mint, melon, sky-blue, peach, purple)): light weight silk separates – fluidly tailored shorts, shirts and jackets – and the houses signature dresses. Hooded jumpsuits and flowing caftans added a hint of summer. And yes, there was some draping and even a golden Goddess-dress, but van Mispelaere knew were to stop.

Derek Lam Catwalk Fashion Show New York SS2011

Derek Lam’s collection was roughly based on a review about an exhibition focused on Sixties Californian Minimalism. It was casual and light in a Californian way, had seventies-influences (the high, wide trousers, the trench, the denim, the calf-long skirts) and looked very minimal. No frills, no ornaments, a clean silhouette, just blue denim, black and white.

Last season Lam looked to the American West for his collection of urban sportswear. For spring he went to California. In a way his collection looked still sporty, but more soft, refined and pure. Highlights were the A-line suede skirts, poplin blouses, canvas trenchcoats,, high waisted denim pants and thin cashmere sweaters.

Tommy Hilfiger Catwalk Fashion Show New York SS2011

On Sunday evening Tommy Hilfiger celebrated the 25^th anniversay of his fashion house. First there was the fashion show and afterwards there was a big party at the Metropolitan Opera.

The fashion show was attended by a very famous crowd. Lenny Kravitz, Jennifer Lopez, Sarah Jessica Parker among others were there to celebrate 25 years of Tommy Hilfiger.

The new spring/summer collection was very American and very Tommy Hilfiger. The models all worked the preppy TH-look in bright-colored blue, red, white and yellow.

Boys and girls walked the runway in neat, safe outfits, which stayed very true to the Hilfiger brand.

The ladies wore shirt dresses, Bermuda shorts, checked pants, tennis sweaters, short jackets and cable knit waistcoats. All completed by TH hats, bags, waist-belts shoes and sunglasses.

The fellows promoted double breasted jackets, eye-catching ties, colorful socks and loafers. They wore checked pants too, which were actually the most outspoken pieces of the show.

The show was ended by several sophisticated looks; a navy gown with cut-outs around the waists and a white tuxedo with black details. The perfect looks for heading straight to Hilfiger’s afterparty at which 25 years of an all American brand were celebrated till midnight.

DKNY Catwalk Fashion Show New York SS2011

The DKNY collection had the perfect summer feeling to it. The fresh-faced models walking the show looked happy, playful and very girly, all aspects you’re looking for in summer.

Donna Karan obviously went for a commercial collection this time. All of her design, in shades of turquoise, beige and pink, seemed wearable and will be easy to mix and match into any woman’s wardrobe.

The short ruffled skirts, the boyfriend jackets with the tucked up sleeves, the easy going pants, the bathing suits and the floral printed dresses were items almost any young woman would love to wear.

Then again the items were not very renewing or distinctive. They could just as well be hanging in a ZARA store.

Yet Donna Karan gave the items her own twist by adding bright red heels, black bows (around the models’ waists) and small scarves (around their necks). In combination with the red lips and tidy buns all models looked incredibly sexy. So distinctive or not, these clothes will surely sell fast next year.

Pictures of this show will follow soon.

Alexander Wang Catwalk Fashion Show New York SS2011

The fashion show of 26-year old designer Alexander Wang was one of the first big shows of New York Fashion Week. Celebs like Lenny Kravitz, M.I.A en model Erin Wasson attended the show, which seemed to be inspired by painters.

Models walked the runway like they’d just left their painting jobs, they had white paint (which was actually clay) in their hair and were wearing white overalls. All clothes were very loose-fitting and therefore appeared rather street-chic.

The girls all looked very fresh in their light-colored outfits. Their bleached eyebrows and clean faces added to that. Knowing Alexander Wang normally uses lots of black this lightness came as quite a surprise.

Like more designers this season Wang chose to work with parachute silk. He showed some printed versions (on which unfinished crossword puzzles could be seen) and combined it with sheer fabrics. Apart from the white he introduced some funky mint green and a couple of terracotta-shaded designs.

The collection was cool and fresh and is sure to become a hit. The designs are not quite the catch for women looking for lady-like clothes, but the ‘models off-duty’, Wang usually designs for, are bound to fall in love with them.

Catwalktrend FW2010: winter florals

The last couple of months floral prints were a big hit on the streets. The flower power trend we expected was picked up big time and was perfect for summer. Now fall is on it’s way designers have introduced a new floral print. This time it is less bright and even more classic.

You could call them winter florals; they look nothing like the frost flowers from the winter knitwear, but certainly belong to the upcoming season.

Deep, dark hues decorated coats, pants and dresses. They added the right amount of print and color to a fashion season that is so sober and minimalistic.

Our absolute favorite winter florals were those of Kenzo. They had a great seventies feeling to them and looked romantic and trendy at the same time.

Catwalktrend FW2010: a taste of toffee

A little bit of mocha, a hint of cacao, a slice of hazelnut, just a drop of caramel and some toffee. Those are the ingredients for a whole new trend, that we’re gonna see a lot this fall: light brown shades.

The different hues of brown looked splendid in their multiple variations, from beige (almost nude-colored) to chocolate brown, used on any kind of material.

Overall this trend was seen on the more sophisticated and minimalistic clothing in which the models looked very elegant.

If there’s one best way to wear the toffee trend it’s by combining the different shades into one outfit. Gianfranco Ferre, Salvatore Ferragamo and Chloe sure proved that. Even their accessories, small belts, hats and bags, came in a light brown shade.

So, if you’ve already picked up the camel coat we discussed earlier, you can easily upgrade it to this brown shaded look. Just ad some brown leather gloves, a belt & a hat and you’re good to go!

Goodiebag!? Claes Iversen Catwalk Fashion Show SS2011

At the Claes Iversen fashion show we saw a lot of butterflies. They were there on the clothes, the models hair and they even ended up in our goodiebag. Other products in that bag were from L’oréal, the sponsor of the show and Martini, who served some nice cocktails during the night.

Useful

Key ring – Martini
Shampoo – 250 ml – L’oréal
Hairspray – 300 ml – L’oréal
Mascara – Maybelline
Lipstick – Maybelline

Spam

Folder – Vondel Hotels

Estimated value: 20,-

Rating: 7,5

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