Milly OC: A/W 2011

Milly by Michelle Smith debuted the labels Autumn/Winter 2011 collection towards the end of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. Guests walked into the Stage venue and were greeted by a soft backdrop which looked like a cozy tree lined avenue fresh from a new snow. Keeping in theme, the first model stepped onto the runway as if she were strutting across the Upper East Side in a wool hat, knee high boots, leather gloves, and a sophisticated cape coat and pleated skirt; the cape coat featured slits at the arm which showed off the shape of the body as well as bright yellow flash of color to compliment the outfit as the model moved her arms.

This season the Milly sophisticate is all about sherbet orange matched with reds, fuchsias, and other jewel tones including emerald green. One ensemble paired together sherbet orange, salmon, fuchsia, and red with black accents in a bright, sunny cohesive look against the grey and muted snow covered backdrop. The collection also featured black, camel, and mixes of charcoal and grey. Fluted skirts and pieces that move were at the core of the collection as many items featured subtle ruffles, long pleats, sheers, and even some lace which danced down the runway. Adding to the lux color palate, Michelle Smith added in Mongolian lamb, tweed, corduroy, and plaid patterns to offset the delicate nature of the collection.

In terms of cohesion, Mily’s Autumn/Winter collection was aspirational; it told the story of the ladies of the Upper East Side mixed in with retro undertones which kept it contemporary. Milly’s collection is not necessarily geared towards the Brahmin of New York; though it touches on the lifestyle of the most affluent neighborhood of the city, it is more reminiscent of Blair Walforf’s Olivia Palermo. From young adult to contemporary middle aged woman, the collection offered a lifestyle along with fresh, cheerful fashion for this upcoming winter.

I love you, Tins, but your head is in all of my shots!

Herve Leger and Bibhu Mohapatra

The Herve Lerger show by Maz Azria show was interesting, the colors were more spring than some of the other collections showed (sand, ivory, nude, burnt orange, and black) but featured hash compliments by utilizing lots of metal accents and leather panels. There were more separates this year in the non-bandage fabrics (wool looking pants, a fur looking jacket, etc.)

After Herve, I stepped out for a quick glass of wine in the lobby and then went into Bibhu Mohapatra only to find out they were serving wine in the presentation room as well! You win some, you lose some ;)

Bibhu Mohapatra put together an amazing collection- the items, the accessories, the positioning, all amazing. There was even a fog maker in the room which added to the mystery but did make flash photography a little difficult. Lucky for me the room was well lit! After making the rounds I made an immediate showroom appointment and left impressed.

From there I sent the rest of he afternoon shopping and found a fabulous pair of leggings which I am wearing now. I missed J Mendel unfortunately (why all the cabs are off duty during rush hour is beyond me...) and am enjoying a cocktail before running to Chelsea for off sight shows this evening. First: Boy Meets Girl where I will have to get the sitch from Sammie Sweatheart and then off to Jill Zarin's collection all before the Boy Meets Girl after party.

Catch you later, xoxo

Hair or nails? Decisions, decisions...

I'm here at Lincoln Center, chilling out by the TRESemme lounge pondering if I should get my hair done or if a new manicure is in order from Essie. Thankfully I had a fresh coat put on at the Derek Fabulous lounge earlier in the week and it hasn't turned offensive yet.

I have made the fashionable decision to hold off on Bibhu Mohapatra which is in the presentation box until after Herve Lerger. Herve starts at 2pm, so by 2:45pm I should be out and ready to run into Bibhu which goes on until 3:30. Fashion Week strategies must be established...ps painted suit guy just walked right by me, aimlessly of course...today's choice? A once-white suit painted in colors which would be accentuated under a black-light.

Fashion vs. Style

Fashion Week in New York is always a great time to be reminded the difference between fashion and style. When Fashion Week comes to Lincoln Center (same as it did to Bryant Park) everyone seems to come out of the wood work wearing all sorts of outfits. Walking into events, one sees a swarm of bloggers and fashion writers, snapping up image after image of outfits which are half of the time not understood. As many of my friends do, the mantra seems to be snap now and ask questions later as no one wants to miss a chance at a shot.

With the swarm of photographers, many visitors and New Yorkers wake up every morning and put together the most outrageous outfit imaginable for the sake of the camera flash. Don't get me wrong, there is a solid difference between the outrageous with a purpose versus the outrageous to get attention. None the less, the cameras flash and the bloggers and photographers are heard saying "I love your fashion sense"- be it true or not.

But do they ever compliment them on their style? Fashion is right now, of the moment, and likely, just like many of the victims, gone tomorrow. Style is a sense of being, a day after day conscious decision which is not easily imitable. Many of my stylist friends share similar views and the occasional eye roll while we walk to our shows and pass the older gentleman in the painted suit day after day, season after season, wandering and standing around hoping for a photo.

There is a difference between being noticed and being remembered.

New York Fashion Week continues....

We are on to day four, where has the time gone? I took in a few shows with one of our assistant stylists yesterday and we had such a good time! She was able to come with me to three of the shows I had that day and thus got a chance to see a good sampling of different fall themes, colors, MBFW venues, and the whole experience. We finished the day with a fashion party on the Empire Rooftop which was more like a scary dance party, but entertaining none the less.

Today has been one of the better days though it didn't start out that way. I was too ill this am to attend Derek Lam and slept through the morning shows. By the time I got with it, Ryan decided to take me on a stroll to the one place that cures most, Bergdorf Goodman. Lunch at BG, shopping on 5f, and plenty of Nice/Monaco inspiration to keep me busy for the rest of the cold winter months.

After shop therapy, I bounced back and got back to the grind of fashion week: some of the days highlights included Tory Burch, Yoana Barasdhi, and Max Azria back to back. I had the pleasure of sitting next to Ben Jorgensen and behind his lovely girlfriend, Katrina Bowden. Also in front of me: Jennifer Love Hewitt, Rose McGowan, and Sophia Bush. Sophia was super sweet as she picked up on some of my side comments about making funny faces in the background of the photos (she laughed and thought it was a good plan) and Jennifer Love Hewitt had the best response to an interviewer I had heard all day: "what are the top three things you can't do" "not eat!" fabulous response in the wake of all the tabloid photos from that bathing suit picture. She looked slim and smoking hot in a bright red dress.

Sophia Bush, Katrina Bowden, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Lynn Collins, Tika Sumpter

The show was tailored and again came the vision of feathers. One look featured a leather vest with feather lined interior. Us ladies loved it and I whispered to Ryan wondering if it were reversible as well. SOLD!

After a brief appearance at DVF (bolting by former Zoe associate Brad Goreski and Andy Cohen who looked SUPER slim!) I stopped by the Mercedes Benz Star Lounge and home for a Ginger Ale and some afternoon blogging: here we are!

Okay bitches, got to run; a brief nap is needed along with a wardrobe change before the evenings shows and dinner hot spot date. Catch you later!

Xoxo

Mercedes Benz fashion week is here!

It's that time again and the weather couldn't be colder! Come on, mother nature- must you make us suffer for fashion?? My adorable (winter) shorts outfit had to be promptly replaced with a fabulous Daniela Corte frock underneath a feather vest. If the birds aren't cold, maybe I won't be either!

So here's the scoop: models tripped all over their clubbed feet this morning during Nichoas K and BCBG was oddly quiet. I rushed in with the Elle and Vanity Fair crowd, lucky for me they held the doors for the editors. Pictures of BCBG coming soon but I will say, I felt more at home than I did with their Spring 2011 collection.

Chilled to the bone, I grabbed a diet Coke (makes perfect sense) and bolted back to the confines of the Empire. Sorry Richard Chai, the professional photos will just have to do.

I may not emerge again until Duckie Brown which I am super excited about. Some peole think it's strange for a predominantly female oriented stylist to be so excited for Duckie but those have never seen a Duckie show. If anyone could make me wish I were a man, it would not be an experiment with Scarlett J...it would be some london street tailored menswear...a true stylist through and through!

Spring's minimalism equals my wallets maximum

I must say I have found it a challenge to shop Spring's trends. Large billowy styles just aren't a flattering fit for someone with large boobies and a booty to match. Many of the not-waist-defining silhouettes appear to add lbs to an otherwise slim physique.

Flash back to September when I was in New York for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week: sitting amongst the various stylists, editors, and bloggers at shows such as BCBG, Ports 1961, Cynthia Rowley, Charlotte Ronson, Betsey Johnson, among many more. The highlight of my week were some of the eveningwear designers: Edition by Georges Chakra and Jenny Packham. The main difference? The gowns were in spring colors, some even in florals, but all showcased the female's best assets as opposed to many of the other designer's sportswear which seemed to trend loose and sheer.

As a stylist, I feel almost awkward searching the major stores (Neimans, Saks, Bloomies, Bergdorfs, and Nordys) ready to spend the dough but not locating anything flattering. With New York Fashion Week rapidly approaching, what is a girl to do??

Instead of wearing a shape which will make me feel less than confident I have instead opted for the fall sale racks, scooping up vintage inspired tops, pleated trousers, and velvet shorts. I do love draping, and loose fitting open cardigans fit in nicely with my shape defining under tops, ways in which I can add in Spring's new trends. My theme for February Fashion Week will be winter shorts over trend tights, pleated front trousers, a sequin pants jumper, and Haute Hippie's finest sequin tops all ordered with next day arrival. For shoes, I added in a leopard print lace up bootie along with a pair of oxfords, a bold move for my normal 5-inch-heel-only rule. Let's see how a pair of flats will fly...Of course all my old favorites of Gryphon, Louboutin, Choo, Atwood, and DVF will join in the trip to the Big Apple.

Coming from a stylist, the trends for spring seem fresh and uplifting in "the hills are alive with the sound of music" kind of way. Consumers will enjoy painted florals and plenty of shapes to move around in. Hell, most will hide any of that winter weight gained. For others who find their shapes are hidden by the trend, opt for belts, belts, belts, along with more bottoms than tops for which you can pair with your favorite cami or tee underneath an open top or cardi. Lest us also not forget the maxi trend favorite is back and even expanded into skirts. I am OC with this maxi from Haute Hippie in silk, keeping the shape sophisticated and classy. The slight mermaid shape also keeps this maxi from going prairie...