Posts for September 10th 2010

New York Fashion Week

Jason Wu Debuts Shoes, Bags, and an Owl Logo Alongside Collection for Spring 2011

>> After only sleeping "two or three hours" over the course of the past "literally three days," Jason Wu debuted an "old Hollywood glamour"-inspired footwear and handbag collection — firsts for the brand — alongside his collection today.

>> After only sleeping "two or three hours" over the course of the past "literally three days," Jason Wu debuted an "old Hollywood glamour"-inspired footwear and handbag collection — firsts for the brand — alongside his collection today. The designer also introduced a new logo in his show notes, a small owl named Miss Wu, which will be attached to all of his designs — see her here. Wu explained the choice of an owl as thus: "It's a very fashion thing to do to stay up all night, just like Miss Wu," referring to his recent late nights.

Diane Kruger rushed over from the FIT Couture Council luncheon honoring Karl Lagerfeld to sit front row (where Desiree Rogers, too, occupied a seat) as Joan Smalls led the regalia down the runway, followed by Catherine McNeil. "I was thinking about how to evolve and make luxurious versions of what we have already seen," Wu said of the collection, crediting Brazilian artist Beatriz Milhazes as his source of color inspiration. "I always start with color. I don't even know what my story is without it." In Wu tradition, there were frothy printed dresses, gowns embellished with hand-painted fabric flowers, and Karlie Kloss closed out the show — this time wearing a pink fuchsia gown.

New York Fashion Week

Alexa Chung Mourns Luella, Is Filming a Secret Project

>> While Karlie Kloss and Tavi Gevinson joined forces to sing "You're So Vain" on karaoke at Barneys uptown this evening during New York's Fashion's Night Out, downtown Madewell was flooded for the debut of Alexa Chung's collection.  The television presenter, model, and Chanel beauty ambassador had an unlikely reason for starting the collection, she revealed.  "Once Luella closed down, I'm telling you, I was gutted.  There was absolutely nothing to wear.  So I just had to start making my own clothes," she said, while perched in a Madewell dressing room.

>> While Karlie Kloss and Tavi Gevinson joined forces to sing "You're So Vain" on karaoke at Barneys uptown this evening during New York's Fashion's Night Out, downtown Madewell was flooded for the debut of Alexa Chung's collection.  The television presenter, model, and Chanel beauty ambassador had an unlikely reason for starting the collection, she revealed.  "Once Luella closed down, I'm telling you, I was gutted.  There was absolutely nothing to wear.  So I just had to start making my own clothes," she said, while perched in a Madewell dressing room.

Chung also mentioned that she's going back to London for Fashion Week, but not for good.  "I have to stay in New York for a bit because I'm filming something.  But I can't really talk about it yet."

Peter Som

Gap-Toothed Ashley Smith Makes First Runway Appearance in Peter Som's Spring 2011 Sea of Color

>> Peter Som loves his color — his approach is, he admits: “I usually say yes to everything.

>> Peter Som loves his color — his approach is, he admits: “I usually say yes to everything. Then I edit down.” This season, he had a vision of what he refers to as Peggy Guggenheim meets Miami, and an affinity for colors that looked sun-bleached, “or like Popsicles.”

The product paid tribute to the ‘60s, with shift dresses playing a starring role in the highly textural collection, which came in an array of structured, loose, and fitted cuts covered in a mix of florals — ranging from soft brocade to brighter silk prints. And Charlotte Dellal, who was front row, collaborated with Som on printed sky-high Charlotte Olympia wedges for the occasion.

Closing out the show, in her first major runway appearance, was Ashley Smith, who between her gap-tooth grin and ample bustline has garnered lots of pre-season buzz. Post-show, Som didn't have much of a breather: he headed straight over to Tommy Hilfiger, where he's a consultant, for fittings.


New York Fashion Week

>> Hilary Rhoda Returns to Runway After Three Years at Ports 1961 —Hilary Rhoda, who hadn't walked a runway since taking a turn for Rag & Bone in the Fall 2008 season, walked not once, but twice this afternoon at the Ports 1961 show.

>> Hilary Rhoda Returns to Runway After Three Years at Ports 1961 —Hilary Rhoda, who hadn't walked a runway since taking a turn for Rag & Bone in the Fall 2008 season, walked not once, but twice this afternoon at the Ports 1961 show. She recently confirmed that she'll being doing a couple of shows in New York and Paris this season: “I’m doing Fashion Week for the first time in three years.” Did she expect to be nervous before walking? “I think I will be," she confirmed. [@jezebeljenna, Vanity Fair]

New York Fashion Week

Richard Chai Pared It Down on His Love Runway, But Still Has Prints in the Showroom for Spring 2011

>> Richard Chai is a master at layering, and making clothing that appears layered: for Spring 2011, he mashed his primarily neutral collection up with bandeau bras, sheer "body stocking" slouchy leggings, knit "cummerbunds" at the waist, and even did dresses over pants — which Joe Zee Tweeted he was into.

>> Richard Chai is a master at layering, and making clothing that appears layered: for Spring 2011, he mashed his primarily neutral collection up with bandeau bras, sheer "body stocking" slouchy leggings, knit "cummerbunds" at the waist, and even did dresses over pants — which Joe Zee Tweeted he was into.

Although Chai's signature prints and embroideries were nowhere to be seen, he didn't drop them altogether. They were just hiding out in the showroom: "All the prints, the embellishment, the embroidery, all of those things are still in the collection. But what I'm showing on the runway is not that." He added: "It’s just a cleaned-up, stripped-down aesthetic."

Chai loves to pair flats with his Love collection — last season it was Timberland boots, and this season, every model was in metallic or black brogues made in collaboration with New York-based label Heutchy. And there was the requisite Phillip Lim sighting — the designer was, as usual, front row: "I'm only making it out to Richard's shows in terms of catching other shows. I always just do Richard’s. He is my dear friend, so I move mountains to try and get here!"

 

Doutzen Kroes

>> Doutzen Kroes Is Having a Boy!

>> Doutzen Kroes Is Having a Boy! —Doutzen Kroes, who is pregnant with her first child by boyfriend DJ Sunnery James — who she's been seeing since August 2009 — and is due in January, is having a boy, she announced on Twitter: "Hello Twitterworld! We are expecting a baby BOY! We are so excited and proud! Wooohoooooo:)" [@MissDK]