Our NYFW guest blogger, Susie G (pictured in the Nory, Small Giraffe from Fall 2010) is featured on NYMAG.com’s “The Twenty Most Stylish People from Day Eight of Fashion Week.”
Don’t forget to check out Susie’s blog, CLICK/CLASH!
The “cray cray” that was New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2011 came to a close yesterday, with many show-goers such as myself sporting dark circles, over-sized sunglasses, and other signs of exhaustion over the last few days. Though I may have not gone to some of the most well-known designer shows (think Anna Sui, Perry Ellis, Calvin Klein, and Donna Karan), I tell myself that it is actually OK because anyone could end up seeing these collections at major department stores, such as Bloomingdale’s or Macy’s, anywhere in the country. Most of the designers that I saw were either local NYC designers, or brands that very few people have heard about, which actually makes it more worth it to go see these presentations in person and get a first-hand look at some collections that might be very hard to find at your local mall or even on that popular shin dig called the Internet. Every show and presentation I went to, I made sure to bring my camera along so I can snap up photos just for all you 80%20 blog followers! Below are some photos of my favorite outfits, pieces, and looks that I ran into on my “Tour de Fashion” this past week.
Julian Louie was inspired by his love of collage for his collection as he included unmatched hemlines and abstract cuts into about all of his pieces. My favorite piece was this silk satin dress with tassel embroidery in ivory and black. I love dresses that are in black and white, and with the addition of the copious amount of tassels, it helps push the dress closer to the world of couture yet still remaining a ready-to-wear piece.
LEILA SHAMS
NYC boutique International Playground was the host to Leila Sham’s presentation which also happens to stock the designer’s glam and edgy clothes as well. Her Spring/Summer collection was a small, but awesome one that will appeal to all sorts of shoppers and body types. I really liked all the pieces, especially the feathered mini skirt and the long-sleeved black mini-dress with multi-colored knit embroidery on the front.
This probably had to be my favorite collection as a whole this season. As I briefly mentioned before, I am a big fan of black and white colored garments (and red too!) Staerk had a whole lot of black and white going on in this collection in addition to throwing on some black lipstick on the models which I was a big fan of.
If Staerk was a young woman who was into modern art and the downtown NYC scene, and who also had a slightly older sister with a 9-to-5 desk job, and lived in fancy Uptown Manhattan – then this would be the collection for her.
REBECCA MOSES
My first impression of this collection was “Uptown Girlie” which does not quite appeal to my own personal style. I did appreciate the sets that were constructed for the presentation as it gave the show an Alice In Wonderland-esque feel to it. My favorite outfit was the black and ivory floating polka dots jersey asymmetric bubble chemise. The model’s hair who reminded me something out of a Dr. Seuss live action movie was pretty baller too. Next to that model was another model whose hair and make-up was really spot-on with the messy pin curls, red lips, and simply-defined eyes.
PETER JENSEN
I first heard about Peter Jensen when I was reading an article about his Fall/Winter 2009 collection in the November 2009 issue of Elle UK. Ever since then I have been admiring a few of his pieces. For his Spring/Summer collection, Jensen uses lots of primary colors and invokes a boho chic, Señorita theme via the late 1960s/early 1970s. The yellow rain jacket was a highlight for me, as well as the long black sheer boho dress.
PABLO RAMÍREZ
Pablo Ramírez is an Argentinian designer who showcased seven outfits during the Argentina Group show at Lincoln Center. He was the last designer to present in the showcase and I could understand why – his collection really put on a show and ended the presentation with a bang! If you have ever seen old videos of fashion collections from the late 60s from designers like Pierre Cardin where their designs were far-out and surreal, that is what Pablo Ramírez‘s designs reminded me of. I really did adore those Cat In The Hat meets Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s black hats. Those hats are an example of what is missing from most runway shows today – some sort of shock factor or something over-the-top to keep the audience entertained and wanting more. I guess I should just wait till the couture collections come down the catwalks in Paris to get my avant-garde fashion fix!
Overall, I was surprised by many designers incorporating black and white in a majority of their collections for the Spring/Summer season. One would expect to see light colors, pastels, bold, rich hues; just more color in general for the warmer seasons. But then again, I am glad that black and white will be a popular color combo for the Spring and Summer as they always have done me justice! If you want proof just look at my Nory, Small Giraffe 80%20 shoes in the photo of me at the top of this post!! There is no way I could have survived Fashion Week without the comfort and chicness of those babies.
As the house lights when on at The Stage in Lincoln Center for the Gottex SS11 show, a thumping melody instantly set a tone for the fierce collection that was about to hit the catwalk. At the same moment, those first few notes I heard had sparked my memory – I knew I had heard this song somewhere before but just couldn’t remember who it was or where I had heard it. Finally after coming back to my house due to extensive NYFW party and presentation hopping, I ran to my laptop to open my iTunes to search for that song! Browsing through my iTunes library I see the excellent compilation CD that came out this past spring from French lifestyle boutique Kitsuné and the ultra-hip London dance night Ponystep. I play every song on the album and then finally hear that same thumping intro I had heard back at Fashion Week. The song was none other than “Momma’s Place” by the fashionable and talented Róisín Murphy. This song has attitude and a tempo that will indeed put that bass in your walk (thank you Ru Paul). Enjoy!
Fashion’s Night Out (aka FNO) took place this past Friday, September 10, 2010. FNO was a world-wide event that was spearheaded from NYC, with retailers in other major cities hosting parties and special events to mainly encourage consumer spending by giving them a chance to interact face-to-face with the biggest names in Fashion, as well as getting them pretty hammered on free booze. Here in New York, it’s been seen as a tie-in event with New York Fashion Week. From the Upper West Side to Soho, shoppers ran amok; and sipping cocktails while bouncing from store to store. And of course, you’re gal Susie G, was there to get in on some of the FNO action!
My first stop on the Tour de FNO, was to the StyleThirteen.com presentation and cocktail reception in the Soho/Nolita area. I think I was one of the first people there which was great because I got to talk to the event organizers and learn more about the featured designers. StyleThirteen.com is a website that helps promote and showcase unknown women’s designers from here in the US, and even fashion artists from abroad who have never done business in the US before. The main collection was from Icelandic duo Bjorg Ingadottir + Vaua Torfadottir that featured pieces that had an overall fitted, flowy shape with floor-length skirts, fitted mesh long-sleeed tops, and layered belts. The event also featured some amazing rings by British jewelry designer Hendrikka Waage. The designs of the rings were inspired by Russian domes (think Red Square) and Tibetan prayer scribes. Even though they were Eastern-inspired pieces, they definitely have Western appeal!
Next stop was the Ace Hotel in Chelsea to check out Opening Ceremony’s Parisian Flea Market. Ten seconds after I walk out of the subway, I am greeted by a massive queue of shoppers waiting to get into the Hotel. Of course, I was not a happy camper, but I decided to line up anyway. I give my friends a call who I was expecting to run into, and no one seemed to be there! After waiting for almost 20 minutes, I peace out of the line and head to INVEN.TORY back in Soho. I just hope there wasn’t any amazing Alexander Wang pieces on sale…..sigh.
I arrive at INVEN.TORY where I meet up with the rest of my FNO pack. Outside of the store, you could tell there was a pretty cool party going up in there. There was some great jewelry pieces there by an Australian artist who was talking to potential buyers about her own collection, and girl, what a sweetheart she was! The walls in the front of the store had some amazing photographs on display by Brantley Gutierez. The photos were all pictures of well-known musical acts performing at various concerts. I spotted Iggy Pop, Daft Punk (A-may! It’s my new word for “amazing”), Fiona Apple, Bjork, Radiohead, and Damian Marley in these gnarly photos. Free beverages were also provided by Pabst Blue Ribbon and Bushmills. I also got to meet a talented artist by the name of Jordan Walczak who was signing and doodling on the covers of CREEM magazine. There was also a pile of Cheap Mondays on sale for $39 that just made my day! I think I touched and caressed about every pair of jeans on that table – I’m not weird, I just love Cheap Monday jeans!
After walking a few blocks north into Noho, some other fellow FNO-ers and myself headed to the Bond Street Carnival. We got ahead of the crowd packed in front of OAK with the help of my friend, the stylish Alex Chapman, who was thankfully working the door. The boutique was offering shoppers a chance to customize freshly purchased items to create some truly unique looks for the downtown elite that filled up the shop that evening. One table was covered with patches and pins that you could choose to schlackle on a jacket or vest, while at another table you could get your tanks, tees, and leggings shredded with the help of LNA designers & founders Lauren Alexander and April Leight. Liquid yumminess was also provided by some tasty drinks from 42 Below Vodka. And a celebrity spotting of Adrian Grenier looking very casual to top it all off!
Note to self for next year’s FNO – Must wear stylish yet comfortable shoes (like the 80%20 Adair boots in Grey/Black) to have your feet withstand the hustle from shop to shop and still be able to out-fierce all those other crazed style vixens!
WHO ARE YOU?: Natalia K.
WHERE ARE YOU FROM?: NYC via Poland + Australia
WHAT DO YOU DO?: Design and make jewelry – www.bynatalia.com
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR 80%20 SHOES?: That they are elegant enough to go with my feminine dress but tough enough that I biked here in them.
WHAT ELSE DID YOU DO FOR FNO?: Tried to get in at the Ace Hotel, ran around Soho to Odin, INVEN.TORY and ended up at Oak and the Bond Street carnival. Made some new friends and coveted some clothes!
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS NYFW?: I can’t wait to see what Calvin Klein does – his minimalist chic is right up my alley. As for parties, I’m letting the “Wolfpack” (a talented group of photographers, designers and bloggers) schedule them for me luckily!
We have a new feature on the 80%20 blog…Guest bloggers! We’ll be featuring bloggers that are doing interesting and cool things that we think you should know about (we also dig their effortless style!).
This week, we’re very excited to introduce Susie G!
Susie G is a blogger, DJ, and nightlife denizen. She works and lives between NYC and Philadelphia. Her blog “CLICK/CLASH” features candid photos of eye-appealing people on the street, at private events, at dance parties, at bars, and various locations. She has previously worked for NYLON Magazine, American Apparel, Cartoon Network Nordic, and Adult Swim UK.
All week we’ll be posting Susie G’s coverage of New York Fashion Week…stay tuned!
Fashion’s Night Out in New York had the frenzied quality of New Year’s Eve – girls dressed up, so many events to hit, but with tons of free alcohol instead of overpriced midnight toasts. We found ourselves too busy socializing to shop that night, but on Sunday we crept back to the stores with our credit cards. After all FNO started in New York last year during the recession, as a way to get customers into stores. Did customers buy this year? We’re looking forward to hearing how retailers and designers fared from the big night.
First stop of the night was Calvin Klein on Madison Ave. to check out the photography exhibit by Bryan Adams followed by a live music set.
The next stop on the party train was the Ace Hotel. Opening Ceremony celebrated FNO with a Parisian-inspired flea market (famous Les Puces de Saint-Ouen market in Paris) staged in the lobby of the Ace Hotel. Brands carried at OC had their own flea market booths with exclusive items made for the night’s event.
Down in Soho, designers and friends including Rogan, Oak, Archetype Showroom, and Hester Street Fair joined forces to present the first annual Black Carnival, a block party sponsored by 42Below vodka.
Final stop was at Project No.8 for the in-store event hosted by ‘Sup Magazine + BLESS.
After hopping from event to event, we ended the night with a lovely dinner with friends. We’re looking forward to the next FNO. Stay tuned for more FNO and NYFW week coverage by our guest blogger, Susie G. (CLICKCLASH)!
