Would You Rather…? The Lady Neon Edition

Would you rather glow in Christopher Kane’s light bright ensemble, or stand out in Proenza’s striped version?

10 Questions For The Rachel Zoe Project

1. Is “everything” the new “major/on another level/bananas?” Both the Chanel look at the Love shoot and the bag Rachel chose to wear with her Met Ball dress were “everything.”

2. Why did Brad and Jordan have such (br)attitudes at the Love shoot? When they couldn’t fit the rolling rack into that weird shed, they could have just taken the clothes off, broken the rack down and put it back together inside. I’ve had to do much more annoying things at similar jobs.

3. Was anyone else thinking, ‘too much clavicle’ when Rachel put on that Marc dress? Otherwise, it was definitely a much better choice than the first one she tried on. Definitely cumbersome.

4. Is Brad all of a sudden admitting that he’s not cut out for his job? After being Team Zoe’s most eager beaver for the past few seasons, he laments, “I am so in love with my boyfriend and my dogs I feel like I want a lot more of that time.”

Other quotes that might indicate Brad’s dissatisfaction:

-“Hearing Rachel list off our schedule first thing in the morning, like, before I’ve even gotten the crusties out of my eyes is kind of like living in a nightmare.”

-“I don’t feel like I’ve had a break in about a year.”

-“There’s really never any time to breathe and I’m starting to feel suffocated.”

-“I wonder if I can just call a taxi company and go home. Am I turning into Taylor?”

-“I have so much stuff to do.” [buries face in hands]

5. Seriously, is Roger five? He literally stamped himself in a doctor’s office and said to a gynecologist, “I really wanted to see the stamp happen.”

6. Did anyone notice the nice little collection of Just the Right Shoe figurines on the gynecologist’s desk?

7. Why did Rachel feel so strongly about not taking a blood test? If she’s really so busy, wouldn’t she want to kill two birds with one stone? Why was it such an imposition at that moment?

8. Which one of Rachel’s clients’ Met Ball dresses was your favorite? We loved Annie’s.

9. Once and for all, will Rachel actually have a baby? What do you think? In this episode, it seems like she’s finally starting to get it; but if it’s taken her this long to start listening to the people around her and realize she should, how long is it going to take her to actually do it? She certainly hasn’t gotten preggers since the show finished taping. Adoption, perhaps?

10. Is Roger’s hair starting to look more normal or are we just getting more used to it?

Racked Dealfeed: Fenton-Fallon, Hermes and More

Fenton-Fallon

Deal: Jewelry for $35 to $200 (originally $180—$2000)
When/Where: Thursday, September 23rd through Friday, September 24th,. Thurs 1pm—8pm, Fri 1pm—7pm. Freeman’s Alley off Rivington St between Bowery and Chrystie St (212-477-1315)

Housing Works
Deal: The thrift shop’s annual fall preview sale includes artwork, clothing and furniture
When/Where: Through September 30. Consult website for locations and sale hours.

Urban Outfitters
Deal: Enter code HAPPYFALL at checkout to save 10% off your purchase
Ends: September 30, 2010

Hermes
Deal: Up to 70% off handbags, accessories, shoes, apparel and home goods from Hermes
When/Where: Wednesday, September 22nd to Sunday, September 26th. Wed 9am—6pm, Thurs 9am—8pm, Fri—Sat 9am—6pm, Sun 1pm—5pm. Soiffer Haskin, 317 W. 33rd St. between 8th & 9th Ave. (718-747-1756)

Paris and Milan stay safe, Gucci repositioning, Indian luxury lags, L Capital invests, Counterintuitive Krakoff

Ferragamo Autumn/Winter 2010 | Source: Ferragamo

Fashion Opts for Safety in Paris, Milan (Bloomberg)

“Even amid signs that demand for luxury clothing and accessories is returning, makers of the goods will ‘play it safe’ for spring-summer 2011, according to Sue Evans, senior editor of catwalks at fashion forecaster WGSN.”

Gucci Unpacks ‘La Dolce Vita‘ (WSJ)

“During the consumer-spending slump, aspirational purchases slowed sharply, and Gucci was hit harder than competitors … So when Mr. di Marco joined the company… he wanted to elevate the brand away from the recent cheapening of its image.”

Is India ready for luxury shopping? (News Center)

“The critical mass needed to sustain profitability of luxury stores is currently not available… There’s no getting away from the fact that at the core, Indian retail will continue to be defined by value-consciousness.”

Rising fashion labels get backing from LVMH chief (Just Style)

“Private equity funds L Capital, which is owned by LVMH chief Bernard Arnault and his family and Florac, have taken a 51% stake in SMCP, the holding company of rising French fashion labels Sandro, Maje and Claudie Pierlot.”

Bulletproof Clothing: Take Your Best Shot (NY Times)

“Fashion reviewers have struggled to be kind about Mr. Krakoff’s sartorial talent… Blog commenters, grumbling and eye-rolling, have declared that it is not possible to do it this way: that you can’t buy yourself into the role of an important, relevant fashion designer.”

VIVmag’s Fashion Week Roundup

Sarah Jessica Parker greeted fans at Bergdorf Goodman on Fashion's Night Out.

After a whirlwind eight days packed with parties and runway shows, we’re back to report the scoop on New York Fashion Week. Fashion’s Night Out dominated the beginning of the week (which actually started on a Thursday), with fashionistas strutting their stuff from store to store all over Manhattan. Bergdorf Goodman drew shoppers and celebs such as Sarah Jessica Parker and Victoria Beckham by hosting multiple events, including the popular Best in Show dog competition featuring pooches and their designer owners and a karaoke party, which inspired an impromptu danceathon on the third floor!

Karaoke was also a hit at downtown beauty emporium Kiehl’s, which had quite the reputation to uphold after its inaugural FNO event. The carnival-like atmosphere was such a hit last year that Kiehl’s duplicated it to a T. Meanwhile, the Meatpacking District was abuzz with shoppers flocking to various events (we especially enjoyed the scenes at Theory, Tory Burch and Vince). Our last stop was at 25 Park, a vintage-inspired boutique where celebrity stylist Robert Verdi and designer Robin Brouillette styled customers in chic fall looks.

After all that running around, we were happy to settle into our seats at Lincoln Center, Fashion Week’s new home. Following are three of our favorites from the Spring 2011 shows. Check back tomorrow for more!

BCBGMAXAZRIA

Classic, fluid and feminine are the words that best describe this collection. Staple colors such as white, gray and charcoal were enlivened with bursts of yellow and orange. Airy silks made these pieces all about easy elegance. The putty jumpsuit and black lace overlay gown were knockouts! Sleek ponytails completed the looks.



Cynthia Rowley

Rowley’s backdrop recalled Swan Lake and Romeo + Juliet, both previously staged at Lincoln Center. Her sophisticated yet playful collection featured a dramatic cabochon top with fog tiered skirt and a milk-glass cabochon dress. Hair was pulled back and sleek while lips popped in scarlet.

Derek Lam

This ’70s-inspired collection was all about ease from the linen and silk fabrics to Lam’s selection of colors such as indigo, white and khaki mixed with black and tan. The trench coats, high-waisted trousers shown with a matching blazer, a flowing white dress with plunge neckline paired with a black cropped jacket, and a modern belted caftan were all hits. Straight hair parted down the middle coupled with a natural makeup palette accented by red lining the eyelids made a strong statement.

Are you a fan of retro looks? Tell us what you think!

Photo credit: Jamie McCarthy

Sneak Peek: Spring 2011 Highlights

Fluid shapes ruled the runway at Max Azria's spring show.

With all the retro looks hitting the New York runways last week, we were inspired to slip on a fluttery vintage skirt that had been languishing in the back of our closet. We paired it with a modern-looking, short-sleeve Vera Wang jacket and black Givenchy booties — and were pleasantly surprised when a throng of photographers asked to snap our picture in front of Lincoln Center’s fashion tents. Talk about flattering!

Our 15 seconds of fame aside, eye-catching looks were everywhere last week. Following is part two of our favorite looks from New York Fashion Week for Spring 2011.

Max Azria

Azria focused on clean silhouettes in soft neutral hues. We fell for the angelic white gown with keyhole detailing. Geometric accessories such as statement necklaces and cut-out shoes added an edge to a fluid tank and drape trouser. Overall, the stunning collection gave new meaning to the word “simple”!

TSE

The TSE and Jason Wu for TSE collections were both minimalist and chic. Inspired by the Assouline book Picasso: The Objects (2003), the TSE line’s standout pieces included the oversized brown leather/beige knit combo blazer and long khaki linen skirt. Meanwhile, Jason Wu for TSE focused on creating illusions, such as screen-printing the texture of leather on cotton sateen fabric. Chunky knit sweaters made of lightweight chiffon rounded out the creative collection.

Tory Burch

Burch featured an array of colors and styles, including vibrant orange silky tunics, mustard yellow trousers, candy-striped suits and a tiered dress. The collection was both feminine and fresh, and we absolutely adored the blush silk blouse with coral beaded neckline tucked into a matching pleated skirt.

Naeem Khan

True to Khan’s signature style, the stunning spring collection was heavily embellished. The multicolored, floral one-shoulder gown caught our eye immediately while the floor-grazing skirts kept our attention. Jewelry featuring intricate handiwork by wife Ranjana Khan was equally gorgeous.

Photo credit: JP Yim

The Children's Hour

Fashion week is over and the weather's turning—for a certain category of New Yorkers, the evening curriculum is about to change. "When I got dressed tonight, I looked at the tuxedo hanging there and I thought, 'Get ready,' " Dennis Basso said at last night's New Yorkers for Children fall gala. Yes, that surprisingly durable institution—black-tie season—has begun.

The NYFC benefit, as always, was about celebrating and supporting youth in foster care. Prompted by moving testimonials from some of the charity's young beneficiaries, the assembled guests at Cipriani (including Jason Wu, Hilary Rhoda, and Rachel Roy) raised a total of $1.6 million, with help from a $10,000 live-auction donation from CIRCA founder Chris Del Gatto, one of the evening's sponsors, and a $5,000 contribution from Courtney Love.

Selita Ebanks, who spent time in foster care after her mother emigrated to the U.S. from the Cayman Islands, served as an inspiring master of ceremonies—"Look at me now!"—and the Victoria's Secret Angel even got away (barely) with a joke about having wings. She also fielded a question about her rumored suitor Kanye West—"a really great friend," she insisted.

When the hip-hopper took his seat next to her at the main table, it certainly looked like that, and maybe more. The guy also got a shout-out from Estelle, who closed the formal program with a live rendition of 'American Boy.' By that time, the crowd was up and swaying and perhaps even thinking, as designer Michelle Ochs put it, 'It's really nice to get out of the studio and out of your sweats, and get dressed up.'

—Darrell Hartman

Wendy Nichol Gets Inspired By Beachside Treasures For Spring 2011

Most of us have memories of clamoring to collect seashells during childhood beach excursions. Actual designer Wendy Nichol—who went wildwood warrior with her fall 2010 accessories line—is similarly inspired by the seaside. Her spring collection features items that look like they've been lovingly salvaged from the shore. Although gilded, the pieces retain the raw, natural element inherent in Nichol's artistry.

Fleet Jewelry

There is nothing more that I love then upcoming , new, fresh designers with amazing product. The girls from Fleet Jewelry consist of the creative brain, Kate and the hustlers, Lauren and Tabea. Together, this trio came to make Fleet Jewelry. I met them a couple weeks back, and let me tell you, these girls are so inspirational. They are so motivated, not only to make a jewelry line that will be rocked, but a line of jewelry that will inspire others. Kate’s inspiration for most of her designs, is influenced by music. Some of the pieces are almost meant to be worn at a music concert ( I wore my piece at the SSMF).

From boot chains, to hair clips, Fleet Jewelry is a line everyone needs to look out for. You can shop their collections here.