Earlier this week I had the privilege and the pleasure of meeting one of New York's up and coming designers. While showing me her very au courrant Autumn/Winter collection of flirty silk dresses, an edgy LBD with an exposed zipper down the front, and a provocative green blouse with black leather trim, designer Dana-Maxx exudes a close personal tie and attention to detail in her garments through her use of rich jewel tones and her clever way of mixing materials within garments. A woman with a goal of becoming a designer from the start, Dana-Maxx studied at FIT, and consequently worked under big name designers Betsy Johnson and Marc Jacobs before starting her own line. And her Autumn/Winter line, her 5th ever, has a look all its own. To me the pieces have a versatile feel, with which one could mix & match to dress up or dress down, depending on one's own personal style. One of my favorite pieces, an emerald and black plaid dress, I imagine wearing myself, paired with leather leggings and platform sky-high ankle booties for fall. While currently sold at boutiques throughout the country, pieces from the Autumn/Winter 09 collection will be available at Dana-Maxx online in several weeks.
So what are Dana-Maxx's thoughts on style? "Style is a way of life. It can not be bought, but it can be taught. Everybody is fabulous in their own way and they key is learning how to dress according to your body type and lifestyle. Lastly, always remember that all you have in life is your first impression, so make it a good one!"
And if this is your first impression of Dana-Maxx, be sure not to make it your last.
Due to the recent stormy weather here in New York, I've become almost overly prepared in the summer for that afternoon drizzle, thunder storm, or total downpour (ewww). Although the rain is awful for those of us who love our white sundresses and closetfuls of sandals, we cannot let a little rain stop us from looking fabulous, can we? So I've put together a dull-proof rain look with croc-embossed Hunter boots by Jimmy Choo (I sooo want these!), a playful floral romper from Free People, and a a YSL bag in rain-resistant patent leather, because fashion people do NOT go gently into the rainy night! And I love Rag & Bone's Poche vest, which has a convertible hood to throw on if you're caught sans parapluie. Throw in a few girlie accessories to keep the look from getting too utilitarian, and voila! You're ready to face the elements.
If you happen to be in NYC tomorrow, July 30th, show up in Times Square at 5:30 and you just might star in a public service announcement for Fashion's Night Out, which will air on TV, online, and even on NYC taxis. According to Style.com's blog Style File, the first 200 people to show up will also receive a free tee shirt.
For the one New Yorker who has been living in a cave for the last few months, allow me to explain. Fashion's Night Out (check out the site for more detail here) is "A Global Celebration of Fashion", which will take place on September 10th, 2009, and will involve thousands of retailers in New York who are opening their doors to the public for a shopping soireé of sorts, handing out champagne & hors d'oeuvres (perhaps), and hosting musical performances all for the sake of stimulating the economy via retail. If you are affiliated in any way with a New York retailer, there are tons of opportunities to get involved or volunteer for this glamorous way to boost the industry! And as fashion people do everything they do, they do it in style.
And if you plan on showing up tomorrow, don't forget to RSVP: e-mail rsvp@cfda.com
As much as I would love to enjoy the remaining summer months in my Lilly Pulitzer sundress and J-Ro's, I can't help but become absolutely obsessed with all of the grungy fabulous things coming out for fall. Not only I am coveting one of Alexander Wang's loose pocket tees, or some J Brand distressed and bleached denim, but I am absolutely smitten with fall's distressed boots. Case in point: short cowboy booties. I was first faced with the indisputable chicness of the Frye short version in grey (also comes in brown and black), which is a perfectly worn-in grey color. Then I came upon the even more authentically distressed Golden Goose version, which is sublime if you want to look like you've owned them for the last ten years, and didn't just jump on the trend bandwagon when they got cool.
So if you see a girl with her skinny jeans, Wang tee and other distressed fall necessaries in the middle of August, you might just know that it's me you've spotted. Sorry summer wardrobe, but I'm so over you.
In addition to the plethora of velvet and lace, model after model waltzed down the Fall 2009 Couture runways baring not only the couture, but hints of what lies beneath in sheer ivory, beige, and black fabrics. While designers played it safe with color during a recession year (with poor Christian LaCroix hanging on by literally just a thread), they went racy with sexy references from lingerie (Christian Dior) to the not-so-innocent litle girl dress tied in a prim black bow (Alexis Mabille), to the all-out dominatrix variety (Jean Paul Gaultier).
Call it sheer bliss, or call it sheer genius. Whatever you call it, take the trend as a cue and layer that sexy sheer chiffon blouse under your boyfriend blazer this fall. And as John Galliano might add, don't forget your underpinnings.
While I love and appreciate high fashion, I must face budgetary constraints. Privy to the needs of myself and my readers out there with the same predicament, I am kicking off a new feature "Not Haute, but Still Hot," which lists my fashion finds for less, compared to the designer version out there. This week I found some very fun denim leggings at Aldo for just $20, compared to The Row version sold at Bergdorf's for $375. Check out the box below for other brands of denim leggings online.
So what are your thoughts on fashion steals? Haute or not, let's hear about them.
It's almost August, and for the fashion world August means one thing - the September issues, i.e., the biggest and most important issues of fashion magazines, for which September kicks off the fall season. But this year there's the September issue, and there's THE September Issue. The latter, a documentary directed by R.J. Cutler, takes a look inside the inner workings of Vogue, and more importantly the likes of Anna Wintour herself in all of her bob and Wayfarer glory. And...according to NY Mag's blog The Cut, rumor has it that the editrix is throwing an ultra fabulous (would she have it any other way?) party for the opening of The September Issue on August 19th. Even in these recessionary times, no one can take the glam out of Vogue...but wait, can they? Ironically, just a few hours after the party rumors, The Cut published another post remarking on how skinny the September issue of Vogue is going to be for 09, quoting "Vogue only has 429 ad pages, a 36 percent dip from last year, when the magazine carried a healthy (too healthy?) 798 total pages, 607 of them ads."
Apparently, the recession can trim the exorbitance out of Vogue, but no one can take it away from Anna Wintour. And that is what makes The September Issue worth watching this August...if you can get yourself a ticket.
If I was to win a shopping spree at Barneys, one could bet I would spend all of my winnings buying bags and bags of Lanvin. While Lanvin maintains its chic, sophisticated style, the legendary French fashion house (with design genius Alber Elbaz at the helm), each season its collections manage to be cutting edge in a subtle, absolutely brilliant way. Many other retailers will try to copy (i.e., J.Crew's shamelessly similar necklaces), and they may do it well, but there is nothing like a Lanvin.
So when I saw a photo of Katherine Heigl in a beige Lanvin dress at "The Ugly Truth" premiere (pictured above), I had to share my love for the designer. Perhaps the beige dress and necklace are a little matchy-matchy, but altogether I think the color palette goes great with her newly brunette coif. Lanvin has a been a favorite of the fashion crowd for ages, but when worn by celebrities like Charlize Theron and Maggie Gyllenhaal (also pictured above), the brand is bound to become a household name to the average Joe. What are your thoughts on Lanvin style?
The fashion world is already wearing them for summer, and the rest of us have surely seen them on the racks of Barneys and H&M alike. Harem pants are going to be big this fall, so will you be caught wearing them? Cast your vote below.
Christian Dior
Christian Dior
Jean Paul Gaultier
Valentino
Me in Aldo denim legging, $20 at Aldo boutiques
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