New York: Day five
By Tammy Eckenswiller
The buzz among the beautiful people today included Carla Bruni and French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s marriage, and Fabien Baron returning to Interview magazine as co-editorial director with Glenn O’Brien. Some people think it’s strange to have co-directors, but hey, if Mert and Marcus [fashion photography team] can do it, so can they! New crush: Canadian-N.Y.C. transplant and uber-stylist, Alex Slavycz, so pretty and follows a hard-core no-fur vegan mandate!
Spotted: Robin Kay, Prez of FDCC, commenting on the sound system and seating in the Cynthia Steffe show. Ying Chu (former beauty director at Flare), now the beauty director at Marie Claire (you go Ying!), looking gorge in a Marni frock at the Ports 1961 aftershow party at the Gramercy Park Hotel. Fashion photog Jeff Barringer backstage at the Ports 1961 show with gorgeous frothy locks!
Trend among models: Red hair on both Kori Richardson and Julia Dunstall. Looks fantastic!
What people are wearing to the shows: Uncomfortable shoes (I’ll vouch for that), thin headbands , patent coats, wide-leg pants, fur (sorry Alex), horn-rim glasses and chunky knits, Christian Louboutin for Rodarte studded platform pumps, black nails (still), and lace tights.
Peter Som: Ouch, head hurts due to champers at Buddakan night before. Som’s collection was lux with tons of delicious textures in quirky combinations (think tweed, fur, lace, satin and organza). Must have the leopard coat! Celebs Ginnifer Goodwin and Piper Perabo were both spotted.
Carolina Herrera was fun for me because it’s so N.Y. (think socialites up the wazoo!) Angie Harmon (is it just me or is she Dorian Gray, she has been around forever and hasn’t aged a bit…) Alex White of W Magazine (I worship her! And her painted orange fur LV coat) oh yes and the clothes were pretty too.
Doo-Ri has found her mojo! The collection was divine, her usual jersey draping evolved into more sculptural shapes in the form of sexy (yes, Doo-Ri!) shift dresses, skirt suits, jackets and coats. The lovely layered grey, sheer, strapless cocktail dress has FASHION Editor-in-Chief Ceri Marsh’s name all over it.
Jill Stuart did her girlie thing with a soft medieval twist. Malandrino applied her incredible hand at textures to a wood nymph theme. Despite the fact it didn’t feel in step with the season’s emerging trends, it was simply gorgeous to look at.
Max Azria used lingerie as outerwear over sheer layers– a continuation from his spring collection. Major celeb sightings here including Jaime King, Rihanna and Fergie.
Oscar de la Renta‘s show had Regina Spektor at a grand piano crooning as the models sashayed in opulent, grown-up goodies that were decadent in the intimidating-yet-understandable-upper-east-side way that Oscar does so well. The red ruffle blouse with purple wide- leg trouser look was my absolute fave.
The Ports 1961 show was a bit disappointing. The theme was kind of Gallic wood nymph with unfortunate Enya-style music that lulled one to sleep. The clothes themselves looked like Marni from several seasons ago. The afterparty was lots of fun though. Ian Hylton, Ying Chu, Phillip Attar and Jeff Barrenger all made appearances.
Proenza Schouler felt like being in Paris for a dreamy split second. The Park Avenue Armory felt like the Petit Palais and the clothes were leading the trends NOT following them. Enormous folded and ruffled dresses in jewel-toned silk opened the show and slouchy trousers with bow blouses looked sexy and fun. Contrasting jewel-toned tights and platform pumps went with everything and the bright blue eyeshadow and voluminous wavy hair looked like Tom Ford’s first show for Gucci. Me likey!
Shown: Proenza Schouler Fall 2008. Photography by Peter Stigter.
