Fashion Blog

Here’s the latest from Fashion Week Fall 08:

Betsey Johnson was her classic self, with an over-the-top, but still pretty wearable collection. I loved everything about it, from the beatnik theme to the sampling of every decade since Kerouac and the beat ruled the underground. Check it out!

At Marc by Marc Jacobs, punky plaid, zipper details and voluminous collars were on display. Bows, sequins and….are those pantaloons I see?

Day 3 at the Smashbox Studios brought the best show yet: Grey Ant. The show was held in the Lightbox, a relatively small room where they packed us in hot and tight, but the claustrophobia and dire thirst were well worth it. The stage was set minimally with a white runway and a backdrop sans pizzaz, which worked well with the collections’ futuristic vibe. Well, I say futuristic, but the past was definitely present, too with the ever-presence of the line’s signature high-waisted jeans as well as a tie dyed garment or two.

Paneling was a key element of the show, and designer Grant Krajecki sent out lots of sexy strapless dresses with sharp lines, but a laid-back element also persevered. There were plenty of over-sized, slouchy caftan tops that added nice contrast to highly structured pieces. Other trends on the catwalk included bandeau tops, delicate layering pieces, high-waisted trousers that brought Katherine Hepburn to mind, hot pants, and wide leg/platform shoes combos. Oh, and a few pieces with John Waters’ films starlet, Divine, popped up too.

Shop Grey Ant styles here.

So, not only did Marc Jacobs show up 2 hours late to his show this week, but he also presented his audience with some pretty wacky stuff–wacky even for high fashion. It left some people, like Victoria Beckham for instance, pretty confused:

Oh, just look at her, poor Posh is beside herself. And that was just the first look, which was a black dress ornamented with silly string appliqué. Imagine how she felt when she got wind of these accessories:

This purse looks dangerous. I can see myself tripping over those multi-colored strings and causing serious damage.  Not that I would carry it in the first place.

Talk about killer heels.  These look more life-threatening than the handbag above.  The last thing women need is a heel that’s harder to walk in.  The backwards heel is just silly, and the other one looks like a recipe for disaster. If you trip in that thing, you will die a catapulting death.
Now, the best thing about this hairband (?) is the Goody metal barrette attached to it.  Wow.

It wasn’t all bad though, there were definitely some gems in the bunch, which you can see on Style.com.

Diane Von Furstenberg

The queen of the flattering dress has done it again.  This time around, there was hardly a signature wrap dress in sight, though, and the replacements were super delish.  The looks were ladylike and ultra-chic, of course, and the colors were fresh and unexpected, muted for the most part but hardly subtle.

What the Diane Said:The program said this collection is about “the fantasy of escaping to exotic islands, and the wilder shores of love.”

Celebs Who Showed: André Leon Talley and a bunch of socialites.

Runway Trends: White and flowy, below-the-knee hems, ruffled skirts, tropical prints, maxi dresses, puffy shirts, halters, graduated color, one shoulder, yellow (of course), wrap skirts, muted colors, sack dresses, and bold patterns.

Marc Jacobs

This show had a fun concept–it went backwards. That’s right, first Marc Jacobs came out and took a bow then his models did the “finale” walk, then it started from the last look to the first. That crazy Marc Jacobs. Is that what getting skinny does to a person?

What Marc Says: “It’s cartoon versions of all the women I know—conservative types, vamps, everybody….”

The Celebs Who Showed: Of course they all came out for this. Victoria Beckham, Mischa Barton, Courtney Love, Carmen Electra, Padma Lakshmi (Top Chef), Sheryl Crow, Vincent Gallo, Kim Gordon (yay!), Elisha Cuthbert, Michael Stipe, Russel Simmons, Michelle Rodriguez, Michelle Trachtenberg, Amy Poelher (double yay!) and Princess Deena Abdulaziz.

Runway Trends: Silly string detailing, black lace, layers, large collars, floral mixed with black, oversized jackets, shimmer, deconstruction (oh maybe that’s why they started with the end first), see-through stuff, asymmetry, flower applique, high-waisted shorts, sequins, lilac and muted colors.

Badgeley Mischka

What Badgeley and Mischka say: They were influenced by the women’s wear of the ’70s because they love “the way that decade’s clothes were put together and polished, yet didn’t grab the body.”

Celebs who showed: Terry Hatcher (duh!)

Runway Trends: high-waisted pants, glen plaid, floral print and accents, jumpsuits, long flowing gowns, one shoulder, floppy hats, pencil skirts, pink, purple, graduated color, andshiny grey:

Jason Wu

What Jason says: His influences for this season are “Rene Gruau illustrations, Geoffrey Beene and Lisa Fonssagrives.” Also, he told Women’s Wear Daily that the type of girl who catches his eye ” is a girl who wears something fitted, feminine, and past knee length.

Runway Trends: chiffon, 50’s dresses, full skirts, strapless, brilliant color, skinny belts, v-necks, color-blocking, and tiered ruffles:

Source and Source.

Yes! Finally, the one celebrity who actually should have a fashion line is doing one. Ever since her spread in Sassy magazine back in the 90s, I’ve been head over heels for Chloe’s amazing style and astounding ability to pull off anything she dons.  So, of course, I’m pleased as punch to learn that the actress/fashion icon will be showing a collection during Opening Ceremony (Sept. 4) at Fashion Week.

The tone of this announcement on both Women’s Wear Daily and New York Magazine were both unenthusiastic with eye-rolling subtexts, which I don’t really get.  Chloe’s been making clothes, influencing style and embodying the fashion forward concept since forever, which is way more than can be said for most celebs who inflict their “fashion” lines on the public.  I, for one, can’t wait to see what she comes up with for the collection.

So, there.