Katy Stays Naughty

Katy Rodriguez

“I was inspired by 1950s silhouettes, Jennifer Finch photographs, the city of Los Angeles and the 1980s,” said designer Katy Rodriguez at the showing of her fall collection last Wednesday. Her flirty, party girl dresses and bubble skirts were named after rock n’ roll songs by 1970s rock band The Cramps (featuring names like The Hanky Panky and The Zombie) while bondage prints were copied from vintage fetish magazines. “They have this devilish 1950s feel,” she said, going on to explain that they fit in perfectly with her aesthetic. “The Katy Rodriguez girl is fun, downtown, sexy. A little funky, a little naughty, a little pretty. I like those contradictions.” So she’s not a believer in the new androgynous, recession-friendly clothing we’ve seen everywhere this FW? “The more people told me to make cheap, simple clothes, the more it pushed me in the opposite direction. Then, I started putting the skirts in my store (Resurrection) and people went nuts for them. I ended up realising people want in all this is something really special and cool. I don’t think people want to wear a button-down shirt with ‘Katy Rodriguez’ on it. They want something they can have in their house just to own it.” Rodriguez definitely has ‘cool’ covered. She makes clothes for indie singer PJ Harvey, her boyfriend is skateboard legend Tony Alva (who showed up in full dreads and skater sneaks to support his gal Wednesday night), she owns the hippest vintage boutique in Manhattan and she chose to have her Fall 09 presentation at Mark Seliger’s 401 Projects gallery featuring a photography exhibition of mental ward patients by Eugene Richards. Her dresses were the stars of the evening however. When we asked Katy’s pal, model and scribe Jessica Joffe, what she thought of the navy blue taffeta puff dress that Katy lent her to wear for the night, she deadpanned “ballerina porn.” Indeed, very naughty and very nice.

Posted by Serena Merriman | 24 February 2009 10:18am

Mad for Mulberry

Mulberry, F/W 09

Mulberry Creative Director, Emma Hill, showed her sophomore collection for the English brand at the Soho House. The spunky label established itself with accessories—it's cultish Bayswater bag, a lo-fi take on the Birkin, which can be found in the clutches of many an it-girl and celeb. Since, then, Mulberry has expanded into a full-blown power brand, with shoes, luggage, jewelry and a full range of Men and Women's clothing. Fall 2009 included printed mini-dresses, leather (and patent leather) jackets, a purple alpaca skirt suit and a grape mongolian lamb jacket. As Rachel Zoe says, "I die!" Not to mention the colorful boots and bags—sueded croc-printed oversize clutch in teal, not bad. The men's was for an uber cool urban guy who probably rides a motorcycle and isn't afraid to wear a smoking jacket or a fuchsia anorak. Devil-may-care attitude—tres anglais (there's a theme here)—was thanks to Brit stylist, Edward Enninful.

Posted by Lauren Goodman | 22 February 2009 10:23am

Marchesa's Fantasy

Marchesa, F/W 09

"We looked to fairy tales... The Wizard of Oz, Oscar Wilde's Happy Prince," said Keren Craig, one half of design duo, Marchesa, "because we all need fantasy in these depressing times." The presentation of 25 awe-inspiring looks brought out Diane Kruger, Natalia Vodianova, Helena Christiensen and other modern day princesses. Silhouettes of every length were ruffled, beaded, sequined and embroidered. Our favorite was a red strapless jumpsuit topped with a bow (hip enough to hold court at the Beatrice), a lace gown bursting outward in star shapes, and a massive tulle dress tied like a present with ribbon that stood up on it's own, an animated Cindarella reference, designer Georgina Chapman shared. With the Oscar's this weekend, celebrity stylists like Mary Alice Stephenson scanned the line-up for a lucky client. "I need to pick a dress," she explained breathlessly. When asked who the duo hoped would don Marchesa at the awards ceremony, they shouted, "all of them!"

Posted by Lauren Goodman | 22 February 2009 10:14am

Kristian Chats with Kanye

Kanye West

As I watched Michael Bastian's Abercrombie & Fitch-for-the-grown-up-set clothes go by on the road that was the runway, I had eyes only for one man. He sat across from me: Kanye West. As soon as the show was over I ran. I sprinted actually. It was like a David Beckham sighting, only better. I shoved the Fashion Week Daily reporter aside as I made my debut as an intreprid reporter. Below, my Q&A with Mr. West:

Kristian: Kanye, do you mind if I take a photo of you? I'm kind of obsessed. Actually I am obsessed.

Kanye: No, no it's cool. I like your coat.

Kristian (secretly having an epileptic fit): Soooo, I hear your starting your own line.

Kanye: Yes, it's in the works. We are finalizing some stuff.

Kristian (desperately trying to keep his attention): So are you inspired by other designers?

Kanye: Yes.

Kristian: Like, umm, Michael Bastian?

Kanye: He is one of my best friends. Most definitely. I love his clothes.

Kristian: Really? (seriously, I am a retard).

Kanye: Didn't you see my album cover? I am wearing his suit.

Kristian: Yes (a lie). It was—

Kanye: Great meeting you…

Posted by Kristian Laliberte | 21 February 2009 1:18pm

Laurels for Lauren

Ralph Lauren, F/W 09

Ralph Lauren's show was a Winter Wonderland of nubby tweed, silk velvet, and tulle—the perfect antidote to the bitterly cold weather outside. The usual and not-so-usual fan club lined the front row: friend and long time collaborator Bruce Weber, the entire Lauren clan, Laura Dern, Blake Lively, Anna Wintour, seated next to CBS correspondent Morley Safer (whose camera crew has been following her around all week), and any editor worth their magazine's ad dollars. Their is never a recession in Ralph's world and the designer didn't disappoint. Highlights included an impossibly slinky bugle beaded long skirt, some to-die-for slouchy pleated pants with a lavish fur collared sweater and colorful fair isles worn with tweed blazers, satin pajama pants and blingy jewels. The return of the long sleeve evening gown (last seen in the 90s), shown in silk velvet, looked fresh. And the Winter white finale felt like a jaunt through Atonement, the man is an Anglophile, with the models awash in tulle, wearing high-necked gowns and again, tweed jackets.

Posted by Lauren Goodman | 21 February 2009 10:44pm

Tempted by Temperley

Alice Temperley, Lars von Bennigsen

"Right now is all about new things, isn't it?," asked Alice Temperley's husband, Lars von Bennigson, at his wife's presentation Wednesday. It was in response to why the couple and their baby son, Fox, stayed at New York's freshly-minted Thompson LES Hotel. But, could have just as easily been about the film, Empress of the Orient, that the designer did in lieu of a show this season. "I wanted to enjoy what we were doing—get off the cycle of the runway," said Temperley. The collection, which included a leopard print gilet, pom-pom intarsia knit dresses, leather jackets, beaded jersey gowns and modish hats, is foremost for Temperley, about "ease." Her jet-set bohemian fans are sure to love it. And the gorgeous embroidered pillows Temperley just launched at the Rug Company too—if those girls are ever home, that is. The film, by director Magnus Dennis, is live on temperleylondon.com.

Posted by Lauren Goodman | 21 February 2009 10:38pm

Posing for Zac

The 5 Browns, all in Zac Posen

It's always a family affair at Zac—but this time the Posens weren't the only family in the spotlight. Brother and sister piano troupe, The 5 Browns gave an extraordinary performance on Steinways down the middle of the runway. The siblings, and their music, were so enchanting, it was hard to pull one's attention from their elfin faces, nimble fingers and exquisite dress. But, the fashion could upstage anything. To-die-for jackets with swooping backs, fishtail skirts, draped and ruffled gowns—all in a mix of color, Liberty-print, lamé, and shown with spiked bejeweled accessories by Pamela Love—pleased the crowd. So much so, that when newly red-head Coco Rochas sauntered down the runway in a form fitted bouclé jacket, one photographer exclaimed, "Now, that's a woman!" It was a strong collection for the designer, showing off his preternatural skill for tailoring. The references were officially Victorian and the 1940s, but there was a lot of fairy tale in there, and at moments it was a touch cartoonish. With stars like Rachel Bilson, Claire Danes, Alicia Keys, Joy Bryant, Nicole Richie and Stella Schnabel sparkling from the front row, like so many crystals on those must-have Wolford tights, it seems, some of the Zac's dreams already have come true.

Posted by Lauren Goodman | 21 February 2009 10:29pm

Marble Madness

Zac Posen

Rodarte was more Rock than Roll this season, with marble printed leathers and silks in every look. Continuing in that vein were Brian Reyes and Zac Posen, taking the idea to evening dresses. Is the trend solid or leaving us stone cold?

Brian Reyes, Rodarte

Posted by Lauren Goodman | 21 February 2009 10:18pm

Michelle, NY Party Girls Serve as Thakoon Muses

Thakoon F/W 09

Thakoon Panichgul is a critical darling, and he shakes out alright in retail. An uncommon combo, especially for a young designer. Last season, he wowed the press with a breathtaking collection of peek-a-boo banded dresses and surrealist prints - a rose with legs sticking out, eyelashes and lips. Fantastic! But, Thakoon charmed another audience at around the same time... the future First Lady of the United States, who wore his dress to the Democratic National Convention. It is perhaps to Michelle Obama that Fall 2009 was dedicated. Exquisite cashmere flannel capes, jackets and skirts, fabulous printed day dresses, a shift in juicy orange, top coat in canary yellow, high-necked blouse in Kelly green (she loves color!) and furs in brights - all perfect for lunch at Georgia Brown's. And White House Social Secretary, Desiree Rodgers, was in attendance. But just as fashion lovers concluded that Monday's show was strictly a state affair, out stormed party looks of silver sequin threads swathed in black tulle. Thakoon strutted his avant-garde stuff, albeit briefly, and It-girls in the front row, like Amanda Cutter Brooks, Mary Alice Stephenson and Jessica Joffe, basked in the after-glow.

Posted by Lauren Goodman | 20 February 2009 1:51pm

Herchcovitch's Patchwork Kaleidoscope

Alexandre Herchcovitch F/W 09

A trifecta of pink, green and yellow lights lit up the stage when we walked into the Alexandre Herchcovitch show on Wednesday at Bryant Park as an eclectic mix of stars including Kanye West, Natasha Bedingfield and Leigh Lezark took their front row seats. When the music started and the first model walked out in a kaleidoscope of colors, textures and proportions, a huge grin spread across our faces. Colour! Light! Whimsy! The Brazilian-born designer used multi-colored sequins, asymmetrical cuts, detailed beading and unusual combinations of fabrics and folding that were at once charming and mystifying. It seemed impossible to figure out what we were looking at; a vest looked as if Herchcovitch had somehow managed to attach hundreds of live caterpillars to it. Grey clutches in an assortment of shapes and sizes could have been a large piece of rock pulled off a New England beach or a giant oyster shell. The models, some startlingly pretty, others grotesquely enchanting, looked like circus performers-cum-1920s flappers with their beaded headbands and gloves, black leather pointy-toed heels, sequined striped leggings and hanging ball ornaments. It was an utterly charming show that we didn't want to end. Stylist Frances Tulk-Hart agreed with us. "I loved all the heavy sequins! It looked like armour! Made me want to go fight a battle with Viggo Mortensen in Lord of the Rings!"

Posted by Serena Merriman | 20 February 2009 12:53pm

Maria's Reinassance

Tilda Swinton in Maria Cornejo

Beloved by true fashion insiders, Zero + Maria Cornejo has been brimming just under the cultural radar for the last decade. No longer. Maria Cornejo's show at the Robert Miller Gallery Thursday was packed with mainstream industry types, who were buzzing about Michelle Obama's penchant for buying Zero. As it turns out the First Lady, along with Tilda Swinton and Sofia Coppola, is the perfect Zero girl. "I like strong, brainy women, not arm candy," explained the designer. Although the collection is about happiness, it only once hinted at sentimentality with a silk dress that featured images of her recently adopted cat, Grey. Everything else felt more like a modernist exploration of memory and nostalgia that resulted in an intensely raw, perfectly honed collection. Many of the pieces, including a blue mohair hooded jacket and a straight shouldered black jumpsuit, played on punk and androgyny themes drawn from Cornejo's early life in the London punk scene. The 80s were a time "when anything felt possible" for Cornejo. Given her renaissance today, it's fitting that she draw on that sense of optimism.

Posted by Sabine Heller | 20 February 2009 12:42pm

Calvin Goes Black

Calvin Klein, F/W 09

Francisco Costa showed a focused and mostly black collection today, for the minimalist American house, Calvin Klein. Following up on the successful and mostly white origami collection from Spring, coat edges were cut in panels like three dimensional patterns laid flat. Lines were lean and sharp with slashed asymmetrical collars. Shoes were linear too—the heel, a trace of a heel. Costa moved through some boiled distressed wools—tying into the theme of heavy knotty yarns this season (also seen at Rodarte). The most beautiful pieces, by far, were crepe dresses with ropes of gathered raw cut silk, that wrapped around the body. They were followed by laser cut dresses, shaking like autumn leaves. Gold and silver looks are sure to garner red carpet and editorial attention—on celebrities like Eva Mendes (face of Calvin Klein underwear) and Kate Beckindale, perhaps, who were both in attendance. "Wasn't it beautiful?," Exclaimed Natalie Massenet of Net-a-Porter after the show. "I hope it's as light as it looks."

Posted by Lauren Goodman | 20 February 2009 10:18am

I [Heart] Andre Leon Talley

Andre Leon Talley, Clavin Klein's Francisco Costa

Andre Leon Talley's largesse came through today at Calvin Klein. Seated front row in a sparkling rhinestone tux-jacket, Vogue's formidable Editor-at-Large, switched places with a lucky girl in the second row. She was a small child, so the new arrangement provided both parties with great views of the catwalk. But, the gesture was a selfless one, and a heartwarming surprise in a week of chaos, crowds, and far too often, bad manners.

Posted by Lauren Goodman | 20 February 2009 9:38am

Word from the Wise

Marigay McKee

We caught up with Marigay McKee, the beautiful fur-clad fashion director at Harrods for a quick lunch at Fred's.

Which designers are catching your eye?

Oscar de La Renta, Michael Kors and Ralph Lauren. I also love J Mendel, especially the way he cuts fabric and uses texture. He cuts fur as if it were silk.

And the younger ones?

There are interesting concepts coming out of the US from designers like Alex Wang and Phillip Lim. I also like Michael Bastian (an edgier Bottega), Thom Brown, Rag and Bone, and Bespoken. I've ordered three shirts from them already.

What are customers looking for today?

There are two types of customers—those who are quality conscious, and those who are price conscious. Anything in between is hard to pull off. They don't want bling, glitz, logo. They want stylish pieces, investment pieces, and an exclusivity factor.

You have access to the world's best fashion, what do you own and wear?

I have 27 back dresses, six all fur coats (five too many, according to most people) and many vintage bags. In the evening I only wear Lanvin and Marchesa.

Posted by Sabine Heller | 19 February 2009 3:41pm

Nostalgia

Chris Benz F/W 09

"I was thinking about the last time New York was in economic flux, in the 70s and 80s. The whole thing of Uptown escaping to Downtown. Being underdressed for the weather and throwing on a fur. Going to the big clubs—I am ready for the big clubs," explained Chris Benz on Monday night. It's in the air. Because, immediately following the young designer's exuberant and colorful (finally!) presentation in Chelsea, Marc Jacobs, who worked in one of those big clubs (Arena), showed uncannily similar ideas across town.

Posted by Lauren Goodman | 19 February 2009 1:51pm

Benz's BFFs

Chris Benz F/W 09

Chris Benz's pantone-hued silks and furs, especially in his signature monochromatic and bright on bright palettes, metallic leathers, lurex, Halston-esque gowns and Ungaro like floral dresses were fresh, energizing and happy—a welcome jolt to a week of mostly drabs. Who is wearing these over-the-top clothes? No shy violets, for sure but BFFs with fabulous pedigrees Eva Amurri, Mickey Sumner and Elettra Rossellini Weidemann are all on speed dial.

Posted by Lauren Goodman | 19 February 2009 1:38pm

Early Is the New Black

Fashion is not known for being prompt as the term "fashionably late" suggests. But as hemlines are subject to trend, it seems so too, are start times during FW. Marc Jacobs, an influencer, as they say, was notorious for his delays—typically one hour (30 minutes is an industry standard), but once he went as far as two. A show-down with the IHT's Suzy Menkes, that spanned one month and across two continents, ensued, until finally, Jacobs resigned his tardy ways and began his shows on time (or within 20 minutes of the published hour). But, on Monday night, the designer took things to the extreme, as he is wont to do, and did the unthinkable: his show started two minutes early. Thus triggering a rash of quick starts this week. Derek Lam, Mulberry, Oscar—on time! Even at Michael Kors, a frenzied hive of papparazzi lenses, made an announcement for guests to take their seats, and things got under way at least a quarter of an hour earlier than usual.

Posted by Lauren Goodman | 19 February 2009 1:23pm

Kanye's Serenade for Narciso

Narciso Rodriguez, Kanye West

Paid-up members of the scene came out in force to toast the success of Narciso Rodriguez's Fall/Winter 2009 collection at the Gramercy Park Hotel's Rose Bar last night. Chace Crawford turned everyone's head when he politely tried to make his way between tables. Meanwhile, Josh Hartnett had found his spot in a booth near the entrance surrounded by a bevy of lovelies. Looking impeccably coiffed, Giorgio Armani sat across from Kanye West and his entourage in the centre of the room. All eyes, of course, were on West & co. When Swagga Like Us came on, Kanye jumped from his seat and did an impromptu jig. Then West's American Boy started playing and a Rodriguez staff member asked the mogul for a live rendition. Much to her surprise, he happily obliged.

Posted by Rebecca Doyle | 19 February 2009 12:19pm

The Hitchhiker

Kanye West, Michael Bastian

The hitchhiker inspired Michael Bastian's Fall 2009 show. Think On the Road meets My Own Private Idaho. Move over Keanu, these travelers are easy on the eyes. The grunge feel of Gus Van Sant's man-epic was there in distressed camo, plaids, lots of layering, safety orange hunting caps, and plenty of romantic longing—Walt Whitman's poetry opened the show and Kings of Leon's power ballad, Use Somebody, played on repeat. "Michael really captures the best of American Style," said Madeleine Weeks, Fashion Director of GQ. "He mixes up classic and preppy things, makes them new and sexy and slimmer. Loved those cut-off shorts." Other fans in attendance included Fonzworth Bentley and the omnipresent Kanye West with recent sidekick (or is it girlfriend?) Amber Rose. What does Kanye like about Michael? "Great essentials and pieces—they're American and real masculine. I wore his suit on my album cover." Moved by a thought, the singer gestured to his neck, "I gotta get me one of those black bow ties," he said, already disappearing backstage.

Posted by Lauren Goodman | 19 February 2009 8:44am

Boy and Band of Outsiders

Boy by Band of Outsiders F/W 09

"Dogville meets Our Town meets La Chinoise," said Scott Sternberg about his womens and mens collections on Sunday. The designer elaborated that "Frenchies studying Mao and their sadistic ways," from La Chinoise inspired the girls. And "70s Ivy League," the boys. The deconstructed stage set, inspired by director Lars Von Trier's for Dogville, included a few phone booths, lamp posts, park benches and a wrought iron bed. Female coeds in mohair striped knits, gold buttons, a fur peacoat and flannel shorts—all with bright sporty lace-up heels—lounged about with bored existentialist airs. The boys, in 70s glasses and hair, loafed in exaggerated and shrunken-to-perfection prep-school classics, like a toggle coat and checked suit. "This is a complete wardrobe for a wide cross-section of guys," said Andy Comer of GQ. And girls! Customers (and new couple) Michelle Williams and Spike Jonze are both loyal fans.

Posted by Lauren Goodman | 19 February 2009 8:30am

A Word on Marc Jacobs from a Man Who Knows

Marc jacobs F/W 09

We caught up with Ken Downing, the Fashion Director of Neiman Marcus this morning. Here is what he had to say about New York Fashion Week's biggest star, Marc Jacobs: "The bold bombastic color, punk and rockabilly overtones were the perfect shot in the arm New York needed in a sea of black and gray. Returning to his roots with all his favorite ideas, his love of the 80s, and exaggerated hair, over the top make-up that was a fantastic frolic, but didn't take away from the clothes. Stand out piece that the modern girl needs: the black asymmetrical dress with grommets."

Posted by Lauren Goodman | 19 February 2009 8:30am

Blinded by the Light

Chris Benz F/W 09

New York designers are celebrating all things 80s. That decade of fashion dont's has inspired a mini-trend—the flourescent fur. Blindingly bright examples were spotted at Michael Kors, Peter Som, Thakoon, Matthew Williamson and Chris Benz.

Matthew Williamson, Peter Som, Michael Kors

Posted by Lauren Goodman | 19 February 2009 8:26am

Muse News

Rodarte F/W 09

Dr. Lisa Airan is dressed to kill on any given night of the week—be it a splashy VIP affair, or just plain Bar Pitti. Swathed in J. Mendel furs, the brainy beauty favors radically expensive cutting edge designers… Balmain, Marc Jacobs and none more passionately than Rodarte, of course. She is somewhat of an unofficial patron/ muse. So, where was she during yeterday's show? "I was in Aspen on a plane, texting their assistant. It was snowing there, so the flight was delayed. I am so upset I missed that show.", here is a bet on what the dermatologist will be wearing next season.

Posted by Lauren Goodman | 19 February 2009 8:10am

FW Gets Its Groove Back with Narciso

Narciso Rodriguez, Claire Danes

Kanye West must have felt right at home when he strutted (20 minutes late) into Narciso Rodriguez's Fall/Winter 2009 Show. A hard copy invite-only event, fully armored with lines, tight security, thumping bass beats and warning lights, the catwalk felt more like a concert than a fashion show. The flashes of the shutterbugs were literally blinding when Rodriguez muse Claire Danes made her entrance. Along with Danes, A-listers Julianna Margulies, Gary Sinise and Jessica Seinfeld sat front and center while Anna Wintour sat discreetly near the exit with her daughter Bee Shaffer. When West (who donned the same denim jacket he wore to Band of Outsiders and Calvin Klein on Sunday) arrived, entourage in tow, there was much oohing and aahing and the fun could finally begin. A remix of Madonna and Justin Timberlake's 4 Minutes to Save the World blared from the speakers, and the chorus felt like more than just a soundtrack; it was Narciso Rodriguez's mission statement for this season. Indeed, the designer rocked the tents with sheer attitude in his Byrant Park debut. His looks unwaveringly walked the line between femininity and no-nonsense bold sophistication. His final look - a dress with a pink crepe skirt and black sequin torso - perfectly embodied Rodriguez's vision: "I may look pretty, but I mean business." When the lights went down and the models filed out, it felt like Fashion Week had finally got its gait and pace back. It was quite the recovery - and it only took about 4 minutes.

Posted by Rebecca Doyle | 18 February 2009 4:49pm

Vladimir Plays Curator

Mario Testino, Vladimir Resoin-Roitfeld

Way down on the Bowery last night, Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld presented the work of three photographers (and friends naturally): David Mushegain, Salim Langatta and P.C.Valmorbida. Mario Testino, Suzy Menkes and Mary-Kate Olsen were amongst those who turned up to view the works, which included portraits of models (some topless) at play and rest, landscapes featuring blurry animals and isolated places and blustery urban scenes, including one of an artful flower arrangement over a woman's genitals. When we were there, we didn't see Vladimir's mama, Carine anywhere in sight. Had she been to visit yet? "She's been my best visitor," he said. "She came twice yesterday and once today. She liked it." We also wondered if Vladimir, who attended the famed University of Southern California film school, had ever considered a career outside the fashion-media-art spheres. Did he, for example, want to be an astronaut, as a young one? "No, no, I always wanted to work in film," he said. "My grandfather on my mother's side had a film studio in Paris. I always wanted to be him. He was cool, a strange but very charming man."

Posted by Jessica Ramakrishnan | 18 February 2009 4:30pm

In Living Colour

Marc Jacobs F/W 09

Just over a year ago, fashion blogs were buzzing with a frightening statistic: of the 101 September 2007 fashion shows, more than a third featured no black models. Nearly three weeks after a historic US Inauguration, though, black models have found the doors to this once- segregated industry open, in what The New York Times has dubbed "The Obama Effect." Obviously it's too early for this to constitute a trend, but we're keeping our fingers crossed with an eye toward November's mantra of change.

Posted by Jared Mauskopf | 18 February 2009 10:42am

Fearless, Colourful Matthew

Matthew Williamson F/W 09

One designer who isn't shying away from fur this season is Matthew Williamson. His Autumn/Winter 2009 show boasted all things fur from collars and sleeves to a full, turquoise belted jacket. Williamson's boldness wasn't limited to scoffing in the face of PETA. He pulled just about everything out of his designer toolbox: sequins, beads, florals and ombre prints. Hollywood and fashion bicoastal-ites such as Rachel Zoe, Santogold, Joy Bryant, Monet Mazur, and Eva Longoria Parker (with stylist Robert Verdi at her side) watched as the designer unveiled one bright and bold look after another. Evoking of the inside of a crayon box, Williamson provided a much-needed burst of color after all the dark tones of other winter collections we've seen this season. And just as the show opened with a fierce flare, it ended with an equally big bang when a model's left breast fell completely out of the second to last look in the show. We wonder if PETA would take issue with that…

Posted by Rebecca Doyle | 18 February 2009 10:03am

Disco Fever Strikes Again

Thakoon F/W 09

Mirrored tiles are all the rage at New York Fashion Week. As designers channel other recession-challenged times, disco balls just keeps coming up on dresses, shoes and jewelry.

Hervé Léger, Thakoon F/W 09

Posted by Lauren Goodman | 17 February 2009 1:21pm

Wipe Out

Monika J.

Mirrored-tiled dresses may be all the rage this year, but slick-tiled runways aren't helping anyone out--not Hervé Léger models Monika J. and Karolin Walter, anyway, whose two slips have been the week's first and biggest, making the YouTube circuit faster than their bums hit the ground. Both recovered classily, though, helped up by an audience who played the good sport and clapped them on. And can we note Monika's smile? May be the cutest pose we've seen all week…

Posted by Jared Mauskopf | 17 February 2009 1:19am

Hervé Does Dune

Hervé Léger F/W 09

Hervé Léger is the perfect fashion brand for right now. From runways across the world, everyone is doing vintage Leger-banding, body-conscious I-can-barely-breathe" dresses, the 80s. For Fall 2009, Max Azria's Hervé Léger is doing "Dune" (David Lynch's 1984 Sci-Fi epic). From the rusty space-ship back drop, to Sci-Fi shoulders (an irresistible Balmain Spring 2009 reference), twisted copper on dresses, a desert distressed palette, and hi-tech slightly dangerous (two girls slipped on the smooth wood floors) shoes. Young starlets and fans of the brand, like Joy Bryant, January Jones and Michelle Trachtenberg, got lots of attention in the front row. The bright young things, who love wearing the dresses out and about, lit up when they saw the show's sparkly party dresses.

Posted by Lauren Goodman | 17 February 2009 1:09pm

Akiko's Brave New World

Akiko Ogawa

On Sunday afternoon, we experienced a new vision of the future at the Akiko Ogawa show. Dressing both male and female models in the same garments, Ogawa showed us a world where masculine and feminine run together with strength and peace. Even before the show started, the new reality was conjured up in the dreamscape of smoke and visions of cherry blossoms projected around the runway. Then we saw Akiko's manifesto in the clothes itself. Multi-hued materials with transparent textures transformed looks into costumes for a new universe, where sexuality was androgynous yet sensual and individuals were independent yet still part of a collective conscience. When we asked Akiko after the show how she felt about the economic recession and if it had affected her work, she was the embodiment of calm, collected wisdom. "That's what my collection is all about," she said. "Seeing light in the darkness and vice versa."

Posted by Serena Merriman | 16 February 2009 8:24pm

100% Organic Style

John Patrick

Fashion and farming aren't usually mentioned in the same breath. Not so for John Patrick, who's a keen farmer and the designer of the Organic label. At his presentation in the basement of a Garment District church on Monday morning, his models shared space with a bake sale-cum-farmers' market. The holy alliance was a result of Patrick's friendship with documentarian and agri-activist Severine von Tscharner Fleming. Patrick put clothes on models and von Tscharner Fleming brought out young farmers with their produce. So while munching on some superlative camembert from the Amazing Real Live Co. and contemplating the acquisition of tomato seeds from the Hudson Valley Seed Library, we checked out Patrick's sleek looks, which were decidedly unsuitable for farm work. The streamlined trench coats, low volume painter's apron dresses, mini kilt-cut skirts and floppy hats, did, however, have ample sexy, geeky chic utilitarian value for urban environs. "I worked really hard to edit and edit the collection," said Patrick when he did an impromptu mix-and-match styling session with model Diandra Forrest for a group of editors and buyers backstage after the presentation. "You should be able to throw all the clothes up in a pile, pick out a few pieces and they should work together in different ways."

Posted by Jessica Ramakrishnan | 16 February 2009 5:30pm

Fashion Installation

Yigal Azrouël (left)

Yigal Azrouël in-store menswear show was more performance than presentation. Models - clad in chunky knee-brushing knit sweaters, washed leather jackets and plaid scarves - participated in the construction of an installation created by product designer Dror Benshetrit and artist Dov Talpaz. After "walking" the runway at the back of Azrouël's Meatpacking District store, each model picked up a piece of the jigsaw puzzle-like black and white wall painting (by Talpaz) off the floor and slotted it into place on the wall. "I wanted to do something more interesting than the usual runway show or presentation," said Azrouël. "Also, the clothes are for the artistic, both in look and personality." We queried the designer about his take on underwear-as-outwear: knit long johns pants. "It's about being comfortable and not trying to hard."

Posted by Jessica Ramakrishnan | 16 February 2009 5:13pm

Purple Haze

Olivier Zahm

It's wonderfully decadent to imagine the scene that surrounds Purple Fashion - one in which Olivier Zahm is decidedly king - as a community of lovers, much like the regent's own newly-inked tattoo that reads La communauté des amants. However, beyond any risqué fantasies the Purple commune might inspire, Zahm has indeed created a real community that is bound together, according to him, by a shared belief in "the celebration of art as an anecdote to cultural consumption." That's probably why despite heavy hitters like Zac Posen, Mario Sorrenti, Terry Richardson, Bill Powers, Julia Restoin-Roitfeld, Waris Ahluwalia and Leelee Sobieski in attendance, last night's Purple Fashion magazine dinner felt like an intimate gathering and not a media conscious event. Terence Koh whole-heartedly agreed "we're friends here, we're open."

Posted by Sabine Heller | 16 February 2009 4:49pm

Sunday Night Lights

Adrianne Palicki

On Sunday night at the Matthew Williamson store opening in the Meatpacking District, we met our favorite TV actress, Adrianne Palicki from Friday Night Lights. Palicki, who plays Tyra on the NBC drama, wasn't hard to miss. At 5'11 and clad in blue jeans and a mid-riff baring turtleneck sweater, the blonde beauty stuck out like a rare bird in the throng of fashion heavyweights. Williamson dressed a slew of fashion It girls for his party, including a very perky Lindsay Lohan (sans galpal Sam Ronson), new reality TV star Rachel Zoe, actress Mischa Barton, American Idol alum Katherine McPhee, Ugly Betty's Becki Newton, actress Poppy Delenvigne and model Trish Goff. We heard Friday Night Lights' other leading lady, Minka Kelly, was sitting front row at the Miss Sixty show earlier on Sunday. So...does this mean the FNL girls are the new celebutantes in town? A few sequins, a spiked heel and a little love from Patrick McMullan and our money is on Palicki to take home the gold... clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose!

Posted by Serena Merriman | 16 February 2009 4:47pm

Vena Cava's Edgy Grace

Vena Cava F/W 09

Vena Cava's Lisa Mayock and Sophie Buhai put on a confident showing of their signature feminine looks but this time with a tough edge. Shiny hardware, exposed zippers, black, white and graphite gray came with touches of a peachy flesh silk and dark green. The CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund 2008 runners-up, know their girl. "They always come up with little details," said Ginny Hershey-Lambert the SVP and GMM of Bergdorf Goodman. "The Christmas tree fringe, I just wanted to reach out and touch it." Speaking of details, they had hologram sequins in the mix. It was a delightful stew of textures and dimensions - leather, suede, metal, tie-dye, cut-out dresses, columns, tiers and a circle mini-skirt—which in any other hands might have felt riotous. But the ladies pull it off with grace, subtlety, and all at affordable price points, right down to their Via Spiga shoes.

Posted by Lauren Goodman | 16 February 2009 4:36pm

Sushi Goes Øverland

Elise Øverland, Hope Atherton

Shimmer was the name of Elise Øverland's collection for Fall. It was inspired, in fact, by sushi - a perplexing detail that made sense when the sexy leather pants, for which the Norwegian designer is known, came down the runway in surprising teals and greens with a dull metallic sheen - like the glimmer of the sea in a piece of fresh sashimi or seaweed. These aquatic party queens in short strapless dresses, long vests, slinky tunics, tiny sequins, fitted jackets and zippers were bedecked in brass crowns and necklaces by the artist Alexander Calder, on loan from Overland's friend, Alexander Rower, who is the artist's grandson. As for royalty, it seemed the entire social court was in attendance. Hope Atherton, Poppy Delenvigne, Sophia Hesketh, Lauren Santo Domingo, Anneliese Peterson, Diego Garcia, Rory Guinness, Allison Sarofim were amongst those came out to support their appointed and most beloved tough chic designer.

Posted by Lauren Goodman | 16 February 2009 4:28pm

NY's Keen to Preen

Preen F/W 09

Justin Thornton and Thea Bregazzi, the couple behind Preen, delivered a jolt of excitement to FW this morning by opening with a white cut-out dress (a raging trend again this season) sliced to perfection. A monochromatic series of black, white and gray looks followed. The duo explored menswear themes in a way that was anything but standard. Oversize houndstooth was mixed with patches of Mongolian fur. Button-downs were ultra sexy with sheer black netting and aptly-placed pockets. This was all well and good, but the fun really started with some sparkly pink pants with a fuzzy peach coat thrown over it. Rainbow-bright patchwork dresses, which are sure to be big editorial hits, came next. Overall, it was an impressive show of contrasts - voluminous and body-conscious, modest and revealing. The dedicated fans in attendance were tickled. "I loved the leather dress with lots of holes," gushed jewelry designer Genevieve Jones. "I would wear it on a hot date." Still the adoration was nothing like what Preen gets on its home ground. "If this were London, it would be so crowded," observed fellow Brit designer Sue Stemp. "They would be kicking people out." Once word gets out, this will surely also be the case on this side of the Atlantic.

Posted by Lauren Goodman | 16 February 2009 4:23pm

What Were They So Mad About?

Mara Hoffman designers

Was it that Jennifer Love Hewitt was the biggest celebrity sitting in the front row? Or that their PR maven Kelly Cutrone had just been outed in WWD for embarrassing Yigal? Or were they simply mad at the recession and the current New York chill? We don't know what their beef was but the models in the Nicholas K and Sergio Davila shows today looked MAD. Stomping down the runway in leather biker boots to lyrics like "kill the motherf**ker" and "I don't give a f**k", we wondered what all the aggression was for, and more importantly, who was it against? When Mara Hoffman's first model debuted to upbeat tunes wearing a colorful patterned gown, the audience began clapping - as much, we suspected, in recognition of her beautiful craftsmanship as in relief that finally we were experiencing something that felt happy. Still, we didn't see anyone crack a smile until the last girl had left the runway and Jennifer Love Hewitt popped up from her chair and chirped "Oh my God! SO beautiful!"

Posted by Serena Merriman | 16 February 2009 4:12pm

Travelling with Diane

Diana Ross

The theme of Diane von Furstenberg's show this afternoon was travel and the modern nomad. Predictably, the front row scene at Bryant Park seemed busier than your average international airport. There were so many celebs, editors and shutterbugs working the runway that the house was forced to lower the lights several times (to signal the show's start) before everyone finally took their seats. In the social swirl was Fiat heir Lapo Elkann, who exchanged high fives with fellow Italian guests, model Natalia Vodianova, who had her two beach blonde tots on each knee, and Molly Simms and Rachel Zoe, who happily indulged reporters. Although the girls from the new reality show The City were noticeably absent (Working? Nahh!), the show went on, with eclectic globe-trotting patterns, cashmere layering, draped velvet leopard print dresses and giant wool pom-pom hats, which Coco Rocha wore especially well atop a new streak of cherry red hair. Following the models' finale, von Furstenberg made her trademark walk down the runway to Diana Ross' Upside Down, a tribute to the lady herself who was in attendance and received a bear hug from the designer as she passed, dancing to the beat.

Posted by Lauren Goodman | 15 February 2009 6:43pm

Wang's Afternoon Rock

Alexander Wang, Sarah Jessica Parker

You know it's rock and roll when you're at Roseland, in the dark, at five in the afternoon. Skinny girls in spiky heels are sipping chocolate jalapeno margaritas. Music blares as a mix of fashion and rock royalty fill the front row—Theodora Richards, Harley Viera-Newton, model-muse Erin Wasson (in massive bell-bottoms and stripey fur), Anna Wintour with children Bee and Charlie on one side, and a newly-brunette Sarah Jessica Parker on the other, CFDA president Diane von Furstenberg, artist Terence Koh with uptown/ dowtown girl Jen Brill, and jewelry designer Pamela Love. The 26-year-old CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund winner has earned this crowd - blue chip and wild in one. The lights go down, Guns and Roses' Welcome to the Jungle comes up... red velvet curtain, cue smoke and fierce, black, lean, and mean looks. Cut-out dresses and jackets, black leather, fur tails on sleeves, an oversize white shirt cut like a one-sleeve dress. A little Montana, a little Alaia and all very Alexander. "Modern takes on tailoring that every girl wants," raved Kate Lanphear, Elle's style director. But what did the buyers have to say? We caught up with Linda Fargo and Roopal Patel from Bergdorf Goodman, who were both aptly clad in black leather. "I like the homage to the 80s with that tough downtown girl chic," said Roopal. "There's a little rebel in all of us."

Posted by Lauren Goodman | 15 February 2009 4:22pm

Ruffian in Paris

Ruffian F/W 09

For the past two seasons Brian Wolk and Claude Morais of Ruffian have made their Ruffian girl the Rock and Roll prep-schooler and the bohemian chic hippie. But for Fall, they opted for a more sophisticated, glamorous inspiration: the idea of the American in Paris or the Parisian in America. "We developed the collection when we were in Paris staying at our friend Antonia Thompson's apartment" explained Morais. The collection mixed in new elements like a high-waisted cropped pant and a peacock feather skirt with signature Ruffian themes like ruffles. Highlights from the show included a print made from a sheet of Bach's music by artist Anne Koch, and stand out jewelry by Hervé Van der Straeten.

Posted by Sabine Heller | 15 February 2009 11:34am

Who's That Girl?

Christian Cota, Grace Gummer,
Serena Merriman

At the Christian Cota presentation on Friday, we caught up with Grace Gummer, fashion's newest It girl-in-training. Cota handpicked the 21-year-old beauty to be his date on his special night, dressing her in a silk wrap blouse and frayed organza skirt from his Fall '09 collection. She's Meryl Streep's middle daughter and younger sis to Mamie, currently starring in Classic Stage Company's off-Broadway production of Uncle Vanya. We asked Gummer if fashion was in her future or if she plans to tread in her mother's footsteps. "I don't know what I want to do. I studied Art History and Italian at college and did a play in New York after I graduated last May," she said. "I love fashion, and am open and excited about the possibility of pursuing it." And her take on her new pal Christian's designs? "He is really good at capturing a young but sophisticated look. It's glamorous without being pretentious," observed the budding fashionista. "The clothes are magnificent without being flashy. I would love to wear any of his pieces!" Look out Grace - the halls of Vogue may be just around the corner...

Posted by Serena Merriman | 15 February 2009 11:11am

Demure Dandies

Abaeté F/W 09

Abaeté's Fall/Winter 2009 collection was inspired by a group of French dandies formed in the 18th century called Les Incroyables. "The dandies wore extravagant clothing and brought back a sense of playfulness and joie de vivre to a city and a people ravaged by war," said the designer Laura Poretsky. Live music by a handsome cellist and a long-haired guitarist and models in silk cravats and french braids tied with velvet bows were clearly inspired by the French rebels but there was a distinctly more sombre tone to the clothes than the term joie de vivre would imply. Although we loved the ladylike velvet pumps and chain-mail adorned heels on the black boots that Poretsky designed for her Payless collection, the models seemed to have a bit of difficulty moving in them - their strides became turtle-like at times and more than once we saw one begin to hobble on the home stretch when her foot popped out of the heel. Yet, Abaeté is known for feminine and demure womenswear and Poretsky did not fail to deliver that in this season's looks.

Posted by Serena Merriman | 15 February 2009 10:42am

Mad for Costello

Costello Tagliapietra

At the Budweiser sponsored Costello Tagliapietra show last night, where well-heeled guests welcomed the free brewskies at cocktail hour, the look was Irving Penn in Ultrasuede. The designers took a cue from the lensman's classic studio fashion photography, and performed their signature drape in the manner of 1950s and 60's couture. "It's nice to see more structured pieces—it's a little Mad Men," observed Whitney Vargas, Senior Fashion News Editor at Elle. The influence of the inscrutably costumed actresses in the TV period drama is clearly still floating around. There were defined waists, cowls, and sometimes full skirts—this strictness of shape is an evolution for the designers.

Posted by Lauren Goodman | 14 February 2009 4:25pm

Coming together at Camilla and Victor's

Camilla Staerk

Show regulars who normally struggle to make an impossible number of appointments at far-flung venues were at ease in the convivial atmosphere at best friend duo Camilla Staerk and Victor Glemaud's shared Milk Studios' space last night. Staerk took her inspiration from Robert Mapplethorpe's portraits of Patti Smith. The rocker's androgynous style, and state of dress/ undress meant plenty of menswear, skinny pants, an oversize jacket worn as a dress, a trench, and a white biker jacket, all mixed with sheer pieces and panels. "Leather, mesh and lace. I wanted to play with the feminine and masculine. Hard and soft," explained Staerk. Even more striking was the palette, which the designer divined to be the same as Mapplethorpe's silver gelatin prints. Glemaud also eschewed color, well mostly. The knitwear designer went for grey and black, with splashes of bright orange and rich purple is his delicious waffle cashmeres. The show was a family affair that included the designers' kin bearing flowers, as well as friends, Patrick Robinson of the Gap, his wife, Vogue's Virginia Smith, their son, and designers Phillip Crangi, his sister Courtney and J.Crew creative director, Jenna Lyons.

Posted by Lauren Goodman | 14 February 2009 3:12pm

Prada Cuts Its Cloth

Zani Gugelmann

Prada is famed for its blow-out New York Fashion Week bashes. However, in current tough economic straits, it trimmed its usual massive production to a 6-9 pm soiree at its Soho store on Friday night. Despite the reduced circumstances, New York's finest and most social - Zac Posen, Andrew Saffir, Zani Gugelmann, Thakoon and others turned up to celebrate. W fashion director Alex White put her stamp on the interiors of the Rem Koolhaas-designed store. "I inquired with a senior level Prada staff member what Alex White had actually done to the store," said Brett Fahlgren, GQ style correspondent. "Her response was that White had 'touched everything.'" Still, the sparse space did feel refreshed. "Perhaps it was the lack of thumping house music and strobe lights but this Prada party felt more ethereal, which worked better with the collection," noted Fahlgren. "You had to seek out the creativity instead of having it forced upon you."

Posted by Jessica Ramakrishnan | 14 February 2009 2:58pm

Rocking Yigal

Yigal Azrouël

For the past decade, Israel-born Yigal Azrouël - the Mercedes-Benz featured designer - has been recognized not only for his good looks and laid-back surfer attitude, but for his expert draping and sexy, feminine sillouettes. For his Fall 2009 collection, he told us that he embraced a tougher aesthetic. "I was inspired by what is dark and romantic - more rock and roll." Naturally, this included a lot of leather - skinny pants, a pin-studded jacket, models with jet black eyes and severe hair, and jewelry by drummer chick Pamela Love

Posted by Sabine Heller | 14 February 2009 1:32pm

Beatrice's Doorman Angelo Takes Breather

Beatrice Inn's Angelo

We were watching the always-eclectic crowd at the Charlotte Ronson show when we noticed a familiar character from the New York nightlife landscape in row three: Angelo, the doorman from the Beatrice Inn. "It's my first ever fashion show," he said when we asked him about his excursion. "Charlotte's a friend so I came to see her." We were about to ask him for his thoughts on the collection when Peaches Geldof came by to tell him what a good time she'd had at B with her drunk friend last night. After chatting to her, he told us that he could not judge the fashion side of things since he's not an expert. "But it's nice, for a change, to see how other people make the impossible happen on time and according to plan."

Posted by Sabine Heller | 14 February 2009 1:11pm

The Ronson Show Rolls into Town

Lindsay Lohan

The runway and front row was surprisingly traffic-free before the Charlotte Ronson show at Bryant Park this afternoon. Usually, it's jammed with camera crews and reporters trying to get face time with celebs. Instead, the snappers focussed their lens and attention on the DJ booth, where Samantha Ronson was setting up for the show. Lindsay Lohan appeared and danced a little to the country-tinged soundtrack Samantha played pre-show. There's no lure for photogs like LiLo so this meant that the likes of Peaches Geldof, Fabiola Beracasa, Genevieve Jones and others could get to their front row seats minus any hassle. The flashbulbs kept exploding up by the booth until Lohan took her front row seat, which she promptly dashed out of as soon as the show ended and headed back to Sam.

Posted by Jessica Ramakrishnan | 14 February 2009 12:41pm

Kiera Chaplin Slopes Off

Kiera Chaplin

In the front row of the BCBG Max Azria show, Kiera Chaplin was the photographers' favorite. After the show, we managed to get a quick audience and asked if she were a FW junkie. "I do Fashion Week quite often but I am not religious about it," said Chaplin. "One year I missed all of it and I survived!" This time around her schedule is rather light. "I am checking out a few shows," said Chaplin, who also noted that she had her eye on a number of the flowing silk creations Max Azria sent down the runway. "And then I am headed to Gstaad to ski!"

Posted by Jessica Ramakrishnan | 14 February 2009 12:28pm

Bagging the Best Seats at Marc Jacobs

Marc Jacobs

How to snag that elusive front row seat at Marc Jacobs? Try getting a styling gig on his next campaign. Yep, we'll have to keep dreaming then. Stylist Frances Tulk-Hart, however, will be taking her spot in the MJ front row-only show next week since she has just wrapped up work on a MJ campaign shot by Juergen Teller. "The campaign was an amazing experience," said Tulk-Hart at the TAR magazine party at Milk Studios on Friday night. "Then I got to go in and meet Marc at the office today. He was fantastic!" The new MJ ad campaign will run in the Fall.

Posted by Jessica Ramakrishnan | 14 February 2009 12:06pm

Piper's furtive FW plans

Piper Perabo (left)

In her long, bright orange floral dress, actress Piper Perabo looked decidedly unseasonal (the mercury was at 26 F outside) and un-hipstery amongst the black-clad, shabby chic crowd at the TAR magazine party. "I have a night off so I decided to come out," said Perabo, who's a cast member on Neil LaBute's upcoming play Reasons to be Pretty. "I am going to busy rehearsing in the mornings so I'll miss the shows this week." However, she's hoping she won't miss everything. "I might just have to tell them at work that I am stepping out for a coffee and sneak off to see a show!"

Posted by Jessica Ramakrishnan | 14 February 2009 11:36am

Vampire Chic

Robert Geller

Last night at Robert Geller's Fall 2009 show, a slew of beautiful boys came down the runway with dramatic powdered-white manes, gauze cravats and deep purple corduroy's (think Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt in Interview with the Vampire). Yesterday at Abaete, we saw similar vampiric details: knotted plaits tied with velvet ribbon bows, silk cravats and tails on wool jackets. Are designers influenced by this year's fresh crop of bloodsucker movies (Twilight, Let The Right One In) or are these age-old trends recycled? Who knows but we love the Victorian collars and bloody palettes surfacing on these designer's catwalks. What's more romantic on V-Day than forbidden fruit?

Posted by Serena Merriman | 14 February 2009 10:14am

Wu-ing Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama

It's not even cocktail hour on the first day of New York fashion week and all the heavy hitters from the major fashion rags have arrived uncharateristically early to welcome America's newest fashion darling, Jason Wu. Although we hoped to get a glimpse of our new first lady—who wore the designer at the inaugural ball and also on Vogue's March cover—she was a no-show. There were, however, a bevy of under-the-radar beauties in the front row dressed in Wu's signature boucle pencil skirts and 50s cashmere tops including Olivia Chantecaille, Joy Bryant and Gretchen Mol. Then, the lights went down and a wonderfully diverse group of models (it's about time!) stormed the runway in tulle tiaras by milliner Albertus Swanepoel and a flurry of demure dresses in strong purple, limey yellow, and printed polka dots, most certainly a nod to Michelle Obama's love of color, and if not she'll be pleased just the same. Our pick for Ms O's next big Washington to-do? Wu's deep navy tulle finale gown with silver point d'esprit embroidery which reminds one of bright stars in the night sky.

Posted by Lauren Goodman | 13 February 2009 2:58pm

Cho Cancels but Parties on

Ben Cho

There's been a slew of show cancellations and scale backs. Garment District presentations are replacing Bryant Park extravaganzas. The reason, of course, is the economy. On Wednesday morning, Benjamin Cho announced that he would not be showing or presenting during Fashion Week. When we caught up with him at the DJ booth at the Paper magazine and Sony party for Katy Rodriguez, Elise Overland and ThreeasFour, we asked him what the deal was. Was his show a casualty of the recession? "No, no," said the designer. "I wanted to take my time with collection and explain it slowly and intimately." So instead of a show, he will be presenting to press sometime after Fashion Week. So since Cho has a relatively relaxed week ahead, we wondered what his schedule looked like. "I want to check out my friends' work and some parties." His must-go list includes the Proenza Schouler show and Sunday's Purple magazine party.

Posted by Serena Merriman | 13 February 2009 1:30pm

Mr. Mickey Atays by the Runway

Mickey Boardman

Downtown stalwart and Paper magazine editorial director Mickey Boardman will be taking his place in many a front row this coming week. Nothing new about that since Mickey, who's rarely seen without his trademark sequin jackets, is a FW fixture. We did, however, discover that the next time he will be close to parading beauties will be at the Miss India pageant. "Yes, I will be back in India in April for the contest," said Boardman at Wednesday night's Paper soiree. "They've asked me to be one of the judges." What next? A guest starring role in a Bollywood production? "You never know," quipped Mickey. We'll be keeping our ears peeled for developments on that front.

Posted by Serena Merriman | 13 February 2009 12:26pm

Le Baron Pops Up in La Pomme

Le Baron

We hear that the infamous French nightclub Le Baron will be holding a three night pop-up at the Bowery Hotel starting tonight! Everyone's favorite Paris nightspot will reportedly be behind velvet ropes on the 2nd floor. No word yet on who is dj-ing or running the door, but expect to see downtown fashion glitterati like Julia Restoin Roitfeld et posse rockin out to retro chic-beats that LB is famous for… think Depeche Mode and The Five O'Clock Heroes. See you there hipsters…

Posted by Serena Merriman | 13 February 2009 11:23am

Babes and Beamers

Chanel Iman, Helena Christensen, Joy Bryant

Last night we headed over to the Vogue BMW bash to banter with hot babes Helena Christensen, Joy Bryant, Mary Alice Stephenson and Kate Schelter, and check out a new Beamer. We caught up with our favorite newly minted supermodel Chanel Iman, who couldn't wait to reveal her bling fantasies about her silver Mercedes-Benz G Wagon. "What I really want to do is put diamonds all around the Mercedes-Benz part, like Swarovski crystals. It's all about making your car you. And I would put TV's behind the head rests. And I want suede, that would be dope." The 19-year-old is pacing herself though. "I'm looking to get a Lamborghini, that's like maybe in five years."

Posted by Serena Merriman | 13 February 2009 11:11am

Popps, Fizz and Quiz

Poppy de Villeneuve, Poppy Delevingne, Annie Churchill, Dalia Oberlander, Sabine Heller

"Which British flower was the face of Anya Hindmarch before she got her big break as an actress?" was question 11 on the pop quiz last night at the Anya Hindmarch Fall 09 collection celebration at the designer's showroom. Luckily for 'Poppy's Proffessor's', the team, headed by British model cum actress Poppy Delevingne, the answer was sitting right there at their table. Delevigne, who until this season was the face of the brand, was present to toast her pal Hindmarch. Co-hosts and fellow Brits Chessy Wilson and Jessica Joffe (ok, German-born but Brit-boarding-school-bred) cooked up the questions for the quiz with scribe Hud Morgan who beamed, "it's like a Turkish brothel in here!" Lydia Fenet, Dana Lorenz, Poppy de Villeneuve, Kate Schelter, Bonnie Morrison and Annie Churchill were divvied up into four teams, plied with champagne and dark and stormies and treated to baskets chocked full with British snacks like prawn cocktail crisps and smoked bacon chips. 'Chessy's Champions' took home the gold—drink vouchers for Tavern on Jane pub. Everyone was a winner in the end; guests chose their favorite colour in the five pocket bag to receive in the mail this Fall.

Posted by Serena Merriman | 13 February 2009 10:34am