Altuzarra RTW Fall 2011
It's been almost a week since Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York ended. Now London is slowly drawing to a close and up next is Milan and then Paris. And like every season, now is about the time one begins to wonder, how the heck am I ever gonna remember anything from all these shows?!! Luckily, WWD has your back and has compiled what we consider to be a very articulate and yet quirky compilation of the ten best things to remember from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York. As they put it, "So much happens in New York, but then the ship moves — London, Milan, Paris, boom, boom, boom — so that at the other end, with a few exceptions, New York can seem like a big, distant blur." And with the finishing touches being added to our MBFW Trends for Fall' list, we thought it no better time than the present to look back at some of the key moments that should not be forgotten.
On Designers: WWD lauded designers this season for getting back to their roots and taking a more organic approach to their collections. Norma Kamali, for example, personally created all her patterns for her Fall '11 collection, presented in the innovative way of featuring eight-foot foam board cutouts of models Lais Ribeiro and Darla Baker in her store. Other notables included Oscar de la Renta and Marc Jacobs who, as the article refers to them as "Partners in Opulence", decided to do what they did best—create luxurious, unapologetic collections chock full of couture-like shapes and unbridled embellishment.
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Norma Kamali RTW Fall 2011
On Clothes: It helped as were all lacing up our boots and throwing on our furs each day to see similar trends reflected back at us on the runways. WWD noted it's appreciation for collections that responded to the fact that, well, fall (and winter) is cold! Runways burst with luxe lines of outerwear—jackets, trenches, parkas oh my!—made from shearling, mohair, leather and wool. A few, like Joseph Altuzarra and Nanette Lepore, paired their outerwear staples with floaty dresses to remind us that what we wear underneath still counts.
On Parties: We attended Rebecca Minkoff's after party and a slew of others and heard stories of Rodarte's, Alex Wang's and Proenza Schouler's; but none was discussed more than The Great Michael Kors, who celebrated his 30th anniversary this year. Kors chose a pared down fete to mark the occasion, though once it was revealed that Judy Collins had done a rendition "Over the Rainbow", the party made as many front page headlines as the Royal Wedding.
Michael Kors and Carmen Kass at the Michael Kors 30th anniversary party
On Celebrities: We noticed this too and thought maybe it was just us but the amount of paparazzi frenzies brought on by celebrities in front rows this season was noticeably less. WWD realized it too (with a sigh of relief) that designers had eased up on the mania of trying to cram as many celebs as they could into their front rows. The ones that did attend, the article notes, were gracious and seemed to genuinely be there to enjoy the clothes and support the designers, rather than plug their latest project. And while the biggest frenzy I saw surrounded Amar’e Stoudemire at the Tommy Hilfiger show (paparazzi were literally stepping over Anna Wintour to get a shot of him), the article notes another few celebs that stood out, but for a different reason. Victoria Beckham's eponymous line of dresses (and now coats) and Mary Kate and Ahley Olsen's darkly hip The Row continue to wow editors and buyers alike, causing WWD to respond to their initial critics by saying, "Sometimes it's wonderful to be proven wrong."
Amar'e Stoudemire at Tommy Hilfiger
On General Behavior in the Tents: Let's face it—we're all a little more comfortable in Lincoln Center than we were in Bryant Park, tradition and all that malarkey notwithstanding. We're fed and watered more easily (thanks again Fiji Water and Diet Pepsi!) and the give of the flooring is much easier on the heels. But the one aspect we still can't do much about is, that's right, the dreaded restrooms. The most uncivilized and un-stylish thing in this most stylish and civilized of events (minus the throwing of elbows right before a show), WWD offers a word to the wise on bathroom attendee etiquette. "And speaking of out of the way, how about the women who think it’s fine to block a sink in the portable facilities at Lincoln Center to touch up their makeup? I cannot imagine breaking out the mascara wand in an unpleasantly fragranced Porta-Potty, but that may be my quirk. More importantly, I can’t go take my seat (show seat, not toilet seat) until I wash my hands, and you’re blocking the way. Move!" Let's face it, we've all been there. See you next season!
-Alia Rajput
Article and Photo Source: WWD
