It may only be August, but Spring 2011 is in the air. New York Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week starts in 9 days and my fashion obsession is bursting at the seams with excitement. I get this feeling every six months when the worlds most talented designers, and those who love their work, flock to New York City for 8 days of all things fashion. This season marks major changes to fashions largest industry event including a technology upgrade to the 21st Century, a schedule packed with over 90 designers showing their Spring 2011 collections and the move from Midtown to Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center. This season everything will be digitized including invitations, access to the venue and seating assignments. With the promise of no longer having to wait in endless lines before each show, I’m really looking forward to a seamless show experience and I can’t wait to see my tweets on the American Express Tweet Wall. This season will also host the largest schedule of designers presenting their collections to buyers and the press. Many designers who have shown at New York Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in the past, are back for this season. The most obvious change is the move uptown. At first I wasn’t crazy about the move from Bryant Park, the coveted destination for up and coming designers, but now I look at it as a new chapter in fashion history. So while the tents will no longer transform 6th Avenue between 40th and 42nd Street, I am anxiously anticipating all the Lincoln Center has to offer.
One of the great things I love about Fashion Week in September is that it marks the change of seasons from Summer to Fall. It gives me a sense of new beginnings, new goals and inspiration for fresh ideas. The other great thing is Fashion’s Night Out which will on Friday, September 10th from 6:00 – 11:00 pm. The goal of Fashion’s Night Out is to support the fashion and retail industries. Click here to Learn more about the participating stores. I’ll be keeping you posted on the daily happenings at Damrosch Park right here on the House of Papier blog. I’ll also be Tweeting live about the shows and my escapades during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, so be sure to follow me at @house_of_papier.
In the words of Coco Channel: “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”
::PERRY ELLIS:: Fall 2010 Collection/February 15th 7:00 pm/Promenade at Bryant Park
The Perry Ellis Fall 2010 collection under the creative direction of John Crocco was absolutely amazing. Not to mention, it was a breath of fresh air to see male models don the runway during a week where the ladies dominate. The Perry Ellis collection was full of dark hues of black, shades of gray and a pop of red here or there in a jacket or sweater. The iconic label held true to its classic and emaculatly tailored look. The over-sized turtle neck sweaters were my favorite. Visit Perry Ellis online at http://www.perryellis.com/.
Perry Ellis Creative Director, John Crocco
Got to meet T.O. backstage who was front row for the show
::TWINKLE BY WENLAN:: Fall 2010 Collection / February 13th 6:00 pm / Promenade at Bryant Park
This was my first year attending the TWINKLE BY WENLAN show at New York Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and the collection is best described as fresh, young and vibrant. Models donned the runway in light flowing, mid-thigh dresses with opaque tights. Over sized knit sweaters – a TWINKLE signature, were also a part of this Fall 2010 collection.
::ARISE MAGAZINE AFRICAN COLLECTIVE:: Fall 2010 Collection / February 13th 8:00 pm / The Tent at Bryant Park
This was my second invite to the ARISE Magazine African Collective at Bryant Park. This show was one of the more elaboarte and highlighted the collections of African designers. The Fall 2010 Collective consisted of three labels: Black Coffee, by Jacques van der Watt and Danica Lepen, Anisa of Lioncloth and Ashes and Deola Sagoe. While all the designers showed well, Deola Sagoe was by far my favorite. Her designs were inspired by a fusion of African and Western military gear and included military style jackets with an emphasis on broad shoulders and funky shredded leggings. The ARISE after party took place at the Plaza where singer Ciara gave a surprise performance.
::VENEXIANA by Kati Stern:: Fall 2010 Collection / February 12th 9:00 pm / The Salon at Bryant Park
The VENEXIANA show is one of my favorite shows to attend during fashion week. For those of you who follow the House of Papier blog, you know that Kati Stern is my favorite designer. Once again, her Fall 2010 collection did not disappoint. Her designs were impeccable and tailored to a tee. The elegant dresses and fabulous fur coats are what every fashionista wants to to be adorned in. VENEXIANA is the go to design house for haute couture fashion. Stern incorporates diverse elements into her designs - This leather bow tied belt is one of my favorite:
This fur coat was to die for – So upset that I didn’t get a frontal shot to share with you.
I loved these dresses!
VENEXIANA Designer Kati Stern taking a walk down the catwalk after the show – I love how she does that. Most designers just come out from backstage and wave after the show. Not Kati, she struts down the entire runway! And she should, as her colletion was fabulous!
Once again the past six months have flown by and New York Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is upon us. Designers, models, make-up artists, celebrities, buyers and those totally addicted to fashion will attend MBFW in Bryant Park for the last time. This Fall 2010 season will mark the last hoopla of the grand white tents in Bryant Park that the world of fashion has come to love before the bi-annual event moves to its new location at Lincoln Center. Once again, House of Papier will be there to bring you all the latest from the catwalk. I personally love to attend fashion week because its where the most creative and artistic minds meet on the hottest and most fashionable runways in the world. Stars are made under these tents and its where I draw inspiration for my invitation designs. Mercedes- Benz Fashion Week starts on Thursday, February 11th and runs through February 18th. See you there!
Designer: Vassilios Kostetsos ~ Location: Salon, Bryant Park ~ 9:00 pm
September 13, 2009 ~ Spring 2010 Collection
The Greek designer Vassilios Kostetsos rocked Bryant Park with his new Phidias-Kalos Pantarkes Collection for the first time. His form fitting designs were inspired by the Greek sculpture Phidias.
Designer: Custo Dalmau ~ Location: The Tent, Bryant Park ~ 8:00 pm
September 13, 2009 ~ Spring 2010 Collection
Next up, the Custo Barcelona show. The first thing that comes to mind is color and patterns galore. This was my first Custo show and it was amazing. This show was filled with high intensity music and a whopping 77 designs that came strutting down the runway. The clothing was fresh, flowy and fun. Let just say that you’ll be making a statement if you decide to wear Custo Dalmau’s designs next Spring.
Designer: Christian Siriano ~ Location: Promenade, Bryant Park ~ 4:00 pm
September 12, 2009 ~ Spring 2010 Collection
Christian Siriano, the winner of the fourth season of Project Runway showcased his latest collection on the catwalk at New York fashion week. His RTW line was laced with accessories to die for: big floppy hats, chic clutches and curve-heeled shoes like these:
The line can be described as mediterranean inspired with neutral and watercolor palettes. The elements that made this collection standout were the ruffle details and the asymmetrical almost sculpture like patterns. The show was packed and the doors were shut in the face of a crowd of people still waiting to get in, so I’m elated to have seen the show first hand. The front row was laced with celebrities such as: Tim Gunn, Nina Garcia, Kelly Roland, Veronica Webb, Tory Spelling, Mena Suvari, Estelle, and Amerie to name a few.
Designer: Multiple Designers ~ Location: The Tent, Bryant Park ~ 3:00 PM
September 12, 2009 ~ Spring 2010 Collection
The Academy of Art fashion show is a conglomerate of student designers from Academy of Art University in San Fransisco, CA. This show drew a packed house and audience was just as eclectic as the designs. It was nice to see the young fresh fashion perspective of aspiring designers. Following are the student designers who presented on the catwalk:
- Marina Nikolaeva Popska
- Kara Sennett
- Amanda Cleary
- Richelle Valenzuela
- Brittney Major
- Jie Pan
- Sawanya Jomthepmala
