Saturday, October 30, 2010

Ann Taylor — Spring 2011 Preview

As written for iheartheels.com
"Pleasantly surprised" describes how I felt when I popped into the Gramercy Park Hotel to preview Ann Taylor's Spring 2011 collection earlier this month. I envisioned simple shift dresses, solid blocks of color and career separates, well suited for the hopeful Park Avenue fashionista. But what I got was a slew of classic pieces, each with a unique, eye-catching update. Bold prints on classic-cut shirts and dresses — think floral and leopard — along with rich textures like lace, metallic and fringe, prevail for spring. Styles like a polished seersucker blazer paired with dark denim shorts and a nautical-inspired sweater/shorts combo accessorized with boxy bracelets and a jeweled belt both caught my eye, and they perfectly defined Ann's motto for spring, "...the new casual as a polished way of dressing down." A beautiful burnished medallion necklace gifted to preview attendees was honestly the icing on the Spring 2011 cake. Well done, Ann!
Photos courtesy of nitrolicious.com

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

NY Fashion Week 2010: L.A.M.B.


As written for iheartheels.com
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week ended on a high note with Gwen Stefani's debut of the Spring 2011 collection for L.A.M.B. As an upbeat remix of Santogold and M.I.A. began to blare through the speakers, the Theater at Lincoln Center felt more like a high-energy party than your average runway show. Gwen's lively designs merely appended the festivities, with a colorful mix of plaid, geometric and African-inspired prints. In her signature style, midriff-baring tops were abundant, along with baggy pants, tailored jackets, draping and cinched waists. Like her ready-to-wear, her accessories were delightfully over the top, with layers of bangles, cross-body bags, platform wedges and the occasional fedora.

Gwen's husband, Gavin Rossdale, bobbed his head from the front row, often taking iPhone photos, with a giddy Kingston on his lap. Other front-row attendees included Mel B., Omarion, Russell Simmons, Debbie Harry and Christian Siriano. The show concluded on a sweet note when Gwen appeared during the finale and none other than little Kingston, blond curls bouncing, rushed to join her down the runway, leaving the rest of us smiling, no doubt.

 Photos courtesy of nymag.com and Getty Images

Friday, October 1, 2010

NY Fashion Week 2010: Naeem Khan


As written for iheartheels.com

Naeem Khan's runway show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week elicited a slew of much-deserved OOHs and AHHs from the crowd with his bohemian-inspired pieces, many of which had me wishing that Spring 2011 weren't all of six months away. Big-haired models clad in multicolored maxi dresses, chiffon gowns and floral-print skirts glided down the runway to Latin tunes by La Lupe and Eddie Palmieri. Thanks to the intricate beading, by-hand embroidery and aptly placed sequins on Khan's lust-worthy silhouettes, it's no wonder that the designer boasts such A-list fans like Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Alicia Keys and Carrie Underwood... and received a standing ovation.
Photos courtesy of Getty Images
 
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