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Fashion Friday

NYFW wrapped this week.  This is the second season of fashion month amidst a pandemic and the majority of shows were digital or sans guests.

Some designers sat out entirely, begging the question of whether fashion week as we know it will ever return.

Personally, I don’t see myself returning to the shows until 2022.  And I do think they will look a lot different then.  The core system will always remain, but I think more and more designers will do their own thing on their own calendar.

Let’s jump into my favorites from NYFW Fall/Winter 2021.

3.1 Phillip Lim

3.1 Phillip Lim F/W21 3.1 Phillip Lim F/W21 3.1 Phillip Lim F/W21

This was my favorite RTW collection of NYFW.  Each look stands strong on its own, but when you look at the collection in its entirety, you immediately recognize how strong it is.

The colors, the silhouettes, the prints, the styling, the SHOES.  I loved it all.

Aknvas

Aknvas F/W 21 Aknvas F/W 21 Aknvas F/W 21Aknvas is a new line from Danish designer Christian Juul Nielsen (who also designs Herve Leger).

I always judge a collection by a “take my money” meter and after seeing this, it was off the charts.  The colors, the bralette detail, the layering.  I.  WANT.  IT.  ALL.

Veronica Beard

Veronica Beard F/W 21

The advanced contemporary designers were really strong this season.  I adored every piece of Veronica Beard’s collection.  It was practical and versatile while also giving me enough of an elevated feel to be excited about getting dressed post-quarantine.

The entire collection is available for pre-order here.

Staud

Staud F/W 21 Staud F/W 21 Staud F/W 21Staud was another favorite.  These leather pieces and colors!  And talk about a smoking LBD.

Victor Li

Victor Li F/W 21 Victor Li F/W 21

Victor Li is a menswear and womenswear designer and I loved his take on suiting and denim.  Several of his looks contained original sketches on fabric.  Finishing most looks with cowboy boots sealed the deal for me.

What were your favorite NYFW collections?

Images via IMAXTREE

NYFW F/W18 Day 5

NYFW FW18 Day 5 OOTD NYFW FW18 Day 5 OOTDNYFW FW18 Day 5 OOTDShop the Post

And thus, we’ve come to the bittersweet ending my friends.

Almost 5 years ago we booked a trip to NY two weeks before fashion week.  We had zero connections, no plan or strategy and probably 200 Instagram followers.

But I knew we had to be there.  That I’d find a community that shared the same profound love for something I take very seriously.

In the time since, we’ve made lifelong friends, met up-and-coming and established designers, had our work appear in Nylon, InStyle, Pop Sugar and reposted by Net-a-Porter plus countless designers, witnessed the final collections of legendary American masters like Betsey Johnson and Donna Karan, and seen NYFW go from an editors only elite club, to the heavily saturated influencer audience it includes today.

I’m eternally grateful for being able to say I’m a very small cog in this wheel of beautiful, chaotic creativity.  Especially since I get to do it with my forever partner in crime.

Not a bad dream come true for two scrappy kids from San Diego.

Each season NYFW gets better and better.  F/W18 ended on the highest note yet.

Bevza

Bevza FW18Bevza FW18 Bevza FW18Bevza FW18Our final day of NYFW had the most varied designer lineup.  I loved the diversity.

First up was Bevza, a Ukrainian line that excels in minimalism.  Razor clean silhouettes, soft color palettes and clothing that is both structured, yet appears to float on air give the brand an almost aristocratic feel.

Continuing with the theme of the week, Bevza showed a F/W collection that could have easily applied to spring as well.  From mint to ivory to deep navy, the collection featured puffer coats in animal prints giving the illusion of exotic skins without the ethical conundrum.

Dresses and separates were created in the highest quality silk.  Slinking down the runway with nipped waistlines and accented with belt bags, they looked incredibly comfortable and regal.

I adored the oversized blazers with strong shoulders and form fitting dresses with corseted bust lines and bodysuit etching.  Understated yet sexy.

Backstage with CND for LibertineCND Libertine FW18 CND Libertine FW18 CND Libertine FW18

From pristine minimalist to the height of maximalism we went.

Prior to the start of the Libertine show, we went backstage with CND to check out the nail art.

Fun fact: two years ago my husband sat next to CND Co-Founder Jan Nordstrom Arnold on a plane.  They struck up a conversation about the work that goes into making fashion and beauty all look effortless.  We’ve followed CND’s next-level fashion week creations ever since.

Libertine head designer Johnson Hartig dives deep into every aspect of the NYFW creative process.  He insists Jan wear the entire collection before it walks the runway to better create her artistic vision for the models’ nails.  Not just an accessory to the clothes, the nails take on part of the message.

For F/W18 it was about tender love and cozy rebellion.  4000 feet of silk fringe flown in from South Africa was hand dyed, comprising 400 hours of craftsmanship.

Fringe dripped out of pockets and dragged on the floor creating texture that was so visually alluring you wanted to reach out and touch it.  Matte textures were created with boomerang nail files and powder that looked like sugar coating.

It was all insanely amazing.

Libertine

Libertine FW18Libertine FW18Libertine FW18 Libertine FW18 Libertine FW18

Libertine’s F/W18 show can be described in one word.  P-A-R-T-Y.

If the closing walk is any indication, this show was FUN.

It’s not too often the husband and I have to split up during NYFW, but this was one instance where it happened and boy was I bummed.  If only I could have been in two places at once!

What I love about Libertine is the way it’s equally whimsical and edgy.  From bold colors and bejeweled watch appliqués to studded skulls over black wool, the collection made you take serious notice but with a smirk.

The fringe detail on jackets and dresses flowed seamlessly with the nail art.  I adored the lace and sequins pieces, especially the Cher jacket that said “Do You Believe” on the front.

When the models danced down the runway for the finale, everyone in the audience was dancing along in their seats.  Libertine F/W18 was an ornate display of fabulosity.

Veronica Beard

Veronica Beard FW18Veronica Beard FW18 Veronica Beard FW18Veronica Beard FW18While the husband danced along with Libertine, I headed over to Veronica Beard.

I first attended her show in September, and it was that collection that inspired my velvet headband from Day 1 of NYFW F/W18.  From the tropical S/S18 vibes of 1970s Aculpoco to 1980s Dallas we went.

Dubbed “Denim & Diamonds” Beard explored a time when style was dominated by socialites and cowboys.  Iridescent fabric was found on leisure suits and cocktail dresses for the socialite crowd, while lace-up flares, crisp denim separates and suede prairie dresses represented the cowboy set.

It was the little details that made the collection for me.  Plaid neckties, diamond encrusted belts, fur sleeves and leather trimmed lapels all added a level of design that was exciting and fun.

That’s a wrap.  Until September 2018 my friends!

ICYMI: here is my coverage of NYFW F/W18 Day 1, Day 2, Day 3 and Day 4.

Bevza and Libertine photos by Matthew Passiglia

NYFW S/S18 Video Diary

A couple weeks ago I shared my NYFW experience by recapping Days 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. While I love photos and text recaps, sometimes there’s nothing better than seeing the action with your own eyes. Check out my video diary of our time dashing through the streets of New York for the S/S18 shows!

NYFW S/S18 Day 5

Ah, the home stretch. The last day of NYFW is always bittersweet. I’m never ready to leave, but I know I cannot stay.

We’ve been in NY for the past three September 11th’s and it’s something I always take very seriously. The energy in the city is palpable. You can feel the unity and the sadness. For this to be our last full day gave it even more of a special meaning. Let us never forget those who lost and risked their lives for others 16 years ago.

Shop the Post

I couldn’t think of a more appropriate OOTD for Day 5 than pajamas.  As you know I’m a big fan of the trend, and slipping into something comfy after such an action packed week was very appealing.  If you haven’t heard of handbag line Mlouye, I highly recommend checking them out.  My lantern bag is just as cute as can be (and there’s tons of other good stuff on their site).

With only two shows that started in the evening, we had the day to do as we pleased. We took it slow, which is such a luxury during NYFW.

Coffee at La Colombe and pastries at Dean & Deluca (I will never tire of how aesthetically pleasing this grocery store is!) kicked us off. Each day we’d pass a tremendously long line in Soho and finally figured out what it was for – the Supreme store. The hubby waited while I went to Prada. If you’ve never been to Prada Soho, you must visit. Two stories comprised of all their limited edition pieces – it’s heaven. It even smells perfect. I tried on their “icons” collection featuring skirts and tops printed with screen sirens of old Hollywood. They were amazing, but I was prudent. The hubby decided not to be boring like me and scored several items from the Supreme store including their classic Hanes white t-shirts for both of us.

After an Italian meal (I lost count, but I think that was number six?) we got ready for our first show.

Veronica Beard
Guests were handed mini bottles of Don Julio pre-mixed with fresh lime juice and agave the moment the doors of Veronica Beard’s S/S18 presentation opened. We were clearly already off to a great start.

Brightly colored paper Mache pom poms were hung throughout the space. Inspired by 1970s Acapulco the designer had this to say about the collection: “Bold colors mix with rich textures to create a wardrobe built for warm breezes in pink jeeps at Las Brisas.” If that description doesn’t completely transport you to a reality you want to be living, I don’t know what does.

The collection was stunning and by far my #1 choice out of the shows I saw during fashion week. Her pajama set with oxblood piping, bold print and topknot headband will definitely be landing in my closet six months from now. I loved her fresh take on pastel plaids and pairing bold stripes with color blocked separates. On the way out we were given mesh shopping bags reminiscent of a day spent in an Acapulco farmers market. The entire collection was a major win.

Zero + Maria Cornejo
When the lights go down and the music begins before a runway show, my heart always skips a few beats. For Zero + Maria Cornejo my insides screamed “no!” – I knew I’d have to wait another six months for this jolt of electricity to hit again. I tried to let the show unfold in slow motion – I’m all about savoring every last minute.

This marked the 20th anniversary for Maria Cornejo. The show notes featured a photo of Stella Tennant wearing the first piece she ever created – a striped triangle top. From this trip into the archives, the S/S18 collection was born. Every garment celebrated contrasts – masculine and feminine, matte and shine, fluid draping and structural volume. Standouts were here sculptural scuba gilet and off-the-shoulder cocoon dresses is crisp white and poppy. It all felt effortless and happy. The exact feeling I could have hoped for for our last show of NYFW.

As we walked to our last dinner, the lights of the Empire State building were lit to honor the fallen. We stopped to pay our respects among a small group that had gathered. Sadness. Appreciation. Respect.

Goodbye New York. You know we’ll meet again.

Photos by Matthew Passiglia