Spring 2008: Zac Posen

Zac Posen's Spring 2008 collection was based on the "Days of Heaven, the Shakers, and the wheat fields of the Great Plains" acourding to his pamphlet. One can see the reference to the prairie fields in the soft, flowy movement of the white dresses and sleek wide-brimmed hats. I loved the high waisted full skirts and dresses which stand out as feminine and sexy, yet a sharp element of masculinity is apparent in the crisp tailoring of the blouses. Posen is extremely popular in hollywood for his evening wear.. keep your eyes peeled for these brightly coloured gowns soon to be strolling down the red carpet. The navy one is my favourite.

Anna Sui: Spring 2008

Anna Sui's Spring 2008 collection took a walk on the wild side. Sui's collection of wide legged pant suits, long jackets, short dresses and high waisted shorts combined a multitude of decades. The pieces represented a chic, artistic take of punk and rock and roll from the 1960's to present day. 60's mini dresses, 70's high waisted shorts and pant suits were full of vibrant colours paired with neon accents made bold statements, while the 80's sheer blouse, leather skirts and today's metallic silver tones polished the Spring collection with a futuristic take on the past.

Diane von Furstenburg: Spring 2008

Furstenburg stated that her collection was about "the fantasy of escaping to exotic islands, and the wilder shores of love." Paradise ideals are exactly what her Spring 2008 collection embodies through her use of tropical brights (yellows, pinks, and orange) floral printed and mulit-dyed fabrics, volumous sundresses, flow tunics, and head-scarfs.

I can hear the waves now.

Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren celebrated his collection by honouring the 40 year anniversary of his iconic American label. His collection was presented in the Conservatory in Central Park and brought out many famous faces such as Dustin Hoffman and fellow American designers Vera Wang and Donna Karan. Lauren was inspired by "everything he ever loved" which is obvious upon seeing his equastrian syle suits complete with riding pants, top hats, blazers and boots. His passion for classic feminine beauty was felt through his long silk and satin evening gowns of floral patterns and bold colour. The evening wear was accessorized with wide brimmed hats and elegant gloves similar to Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady.

Betsey Johnson: Spring 2008

In Betsey's words "Life is just a prom. No matter what she's wearing, she can't get out of her prom state of mind!"

Her collection was initially inspired by her own 1958 prom photo and advances to incorporate styles like empire waist gowns, head wreaths, huge crinolines from the sixties, and 70's. Upbeat, fun, sassy, and full of candy colours Betsey's collection of flirty frocks speak for themselves.

I love the heart-shaped sunglasses and black bow platform shoes

Phillip Lim 3.1

Phillip Lim's designs offer a modern edge to key staple items like pencil skirts and trench coats using bright yellows , reds and metallic colours. There is an element of escapism in the flowy movements of his coats and dresses, a collection that focuses on the free spirited traveler.

Marc by Marc Jacobs

I am starting my reviews of fashion week with my favourite collection, MARC by Marc Jacobs. I loved the clean lines of his dresses, the circular graphic print, and his bold colour palette of sunshine yellow, navy, orange, and brown. This collection certainly embodies a sense of youthfulness,vitality and rebellion. Marc's fusion of the 1970's with todays modern society has given each piece the ability to leave a lasting impression on the observer.

J. Mendel fall 2007

This texture heavy collection focused on the female siloutte with attention brought to the waist and glamourized furs.. very 1945-1955. Gilles Mendel's pieces portrayed nothing but sophistication and sheer fall elegance.

A Designer who knows her audience

Tory Burch's designs are the perfect vision of what her customers are demanding. For the young, working professional who likes to go out and socialize needs to fill their closet with Tory Burch gold platforms (for fun) and patent leather platform loafers for the office. OR for a luncheon with the ladies a white shift dress paired with white ballet flats and a gold cartigan that ties with a bow.

It may not be inventive but it is THE FLAWLESS blend of easy-chic, modern-classic sportswear informed by the sixties and seventies.

- Attention to how to wear wide-legged jeans with flats! (photo above)

A pattern friendly Sui

Anna Sui has long been one of my favourite designers. Her love of texture and colour makes her designs incredibly unique yet always distinguishable with an "ANNA SUI" flair. Her spring/summer collection (which i will focus on when fall fashion weeks are over) teamed oriental inspiration with that of Heidi in the Alps and her fall collection she's stated is inspired by the patterns and textures of furniture and interior decoration. A common trend among a majority of the designers seen thus far has been electric blue/purple teamed with black.

- I am not a big fan of the skunk fur hat.. but I am obsessed with the detailing of the boots!!!! A fall MUST HAVE.

- I also love the centered wide, large, gold rectangular belt and the leopard fur front-tie jacket.

Hats off to Marc Jacobs

Marc Jacobs fall 2007 was nothing new or exciting. His colour palates and fabric texture were not new-age or unseen (white,plume, black, navy, grey, dark satins, and the occasional bright coloured accessories),however for what Jacobs lacked in new approaches he made up for in tailoring. His pant suits, dresses,jumpers and skirts were trimmed to frame the siloutte perfectly. The most obvious and colourful additions to the show were the hats. His 70's and 30s' styled hats were in all shapes, colours, and sizes.

Luca Luca Fall 2007

If you thought metallics were only a summer/spring trend don't be reorganizing your closet for fall any time soon. Luca Orlandi opened his collection with brilliant white slouchy boots, bomber jackets, and white pants. Glamour and glits was combined perfectly to reflect an every day look with grey blended wool hoodies, long white sweater dresses, paired with white slouchy boots, white wool tights, and a large fur coat.My favourite peices were a high waisted front zipper skirt, gold sequined cocktail dress with cream coloured booties, and flashy metallic ankle pants.

Luella Fall 2007

Luella's collection brought us back to the streets of London in the 1960's. Although her collection did posesses the ever-so-trendy mini shift dresses and black tights the pieces that stood out to me were her fall jackets. From checkered blazers, to a long Sgt. Pepper inspired military trench, and an ornate orange blazer paired with a velvet tie and pok-a-dot mini skirt, colour and texture mixture was evident. Attention to the darling black pointed flats with a bow, i love them!

Lacoste Fall 2007 NY Fashion Week

The alligator brand that is Lacoste has always been a staple of the American preppy. Designer Christophe Lemaire masters the art of keeping with the basics (knit sweaters, polos, and casual pants) and adding an eccentric youth flair through the unique blend of colours and patterns. With the leaf covered runway the ambience was none other than a beautiful fall day, ironically showcased inside a Manhatten showroom on a cold winter's day.