A WL insider look into NYFW , including fabulous furs and flowy frocks to spice up your wardrobe and upgrade your everyday work attire.
By Melissa Henderson
Mara Hoffman Fall 2011 Photo courtesy of Peoples Revolution
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week showcased a lot of winning Fall/Winter 2011 collections. After taking in 20-plus shows, it is safe to say that tribal-inspired silk silhouettes, the color fuscia with anything, fur with leather and velvet, and modern suits with splashes of femininity are back. This season, it was all about edgy sophistication. Designers brought us everything from lace to enhanced sex appeal, leather waist belts, fur in bright hues for accessories, and body-conscious sequined dresses reminiscent a ’60s retro flapper. And gentleman, the classic suit was redefined by adding a simple cotton silk tee shirt and, for those feeling macho, a shearling fur coat. But, without further adieu, here were my top picks from MBFW Fall/Winter 2011.
Vivienne Tam: The collection was influenced by six-century Chinese Opera. Tam reinvented outerwear, adding more structured wool jackets to the usual repertoire. Notable: Tam gave out “Double Happiness” Square mobile card readers, which enables people to be merchants.
Vivienne Tam Fall 2011 structured wool flap coat Photo courtesy of Style.com
Vivienne Tam Fall 20111 Chinese inspired wool coat with black mink collar. Photo courtesy of Style.com
Tadashi Shoji: From his program: “the art of birds dancing in rhythmic harmony, branches and moss intertwining, light and shadows reflecting in water – all these works of nature together emoting a spiritual transcendence, balance and tranquility.” I found myself basking in a room of inspired frocks. Models strutted down the runway wearing yards upon yards of chiffon. Bright hues, fuchsia and yellow made an appearance, exuding more confident and comfortable silhouettes.
Tadashi Shoji Fall 2011 fuchsia chiffon dress Photo by Dan Lecca
Duckie Brown: Designers, Steven Cox and Daniel Silver interpreted the modern man by redefining the suit and making a bold statement by incorporating grey shearling fur.
Duckie Brown Fall 2011 Signature grey shearling fur coat Photo by Dan Lucca
Duckie Brown Fall 2011 Signature grey wool suit paired with cotton tee shirt Photo by Dan Lucca
Rebecca Minkoff: The designer’s looks definitely graduated from her sweet spot showing at her studio shop in SOHO . With celebrities like Stephanie Pratt and Lo Bosworth from MTV’s The Hills and super model Agyness Deyn gracing the front row, Ms. Minkoff gave a theatrical viewing of her latest collection. Notable: the indie band The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger jammed out on the side of the stage as models walked the runway.
Rebecca Minkoff Photo Courtesy of Style.com
Reality TV stars Lo Bosworth and Stephanie Pratt at Rebecca Minkoff Fall 2011 showing, wearing Rebecca Minkoff. Photo by: Melissa Henderson
Herve Leger: Designer Lubov Azria transformed the meaning of a sexy dress with matrix-inspired bandaged dresses. Notable: Models strutted the runway with knee-length dresses and long-trench coats.
Herve Leger Fall 2011Photo by Curran Swint
For more about our New York Fashion Week coverage, read in our Fashion Blooms March Issue: Read Here
