alice + olivia for Spring 2012

Repost! I first published this today over at the Bryant Park blog. There's a fabulous alice + olivia boutique on the south side of the park on 40th Street. It's a must visit for the perfect pants and/or dress.

Really, what's more spring than this?

There is nothing more spring than a shoe tree. That pretty much says it all about the alice + olivia presentation for Spring 2012, as the clothes, too, were spring perfection with fabulous and feminine touches. At designer Stacey Bendet's presentation during New York Fashion Week, the Veuve was flowing, the towers of mini Sprinkles cupcakes beckoned, and a cavernous room full of alice + olivia charmed everyone. Naturally, we all lingered as long as possible and took in all of this:

A favorite model tableau from the alice + olivia spring collection. Shoe tree in background.

Look for these black and white concoctions in the Bryant Park boutique next spring, and click to view more gorgeous styles after the jump. [click here to view more photos at the Bryant Park blog!]


Shop alice + olivia at their Bryant Park boutique, 80 W. 40th Street just east of Sixth Avenue

Stacy Lomman's Biohazard for Spring 2012

Photos courtesy of Stacy Lomman

I'm so impressed with Stacy Lomman and the evolution of her personal collection that launched a year ago. At the end of this past New York Fashion Week, I again had the honor of viewing her spring collection. Dubbed "Biohazard," (click to view video) the program notes introduced the clothing to come with a provocative quote: "It's a dangerous world...dress accordingly." This all felt right up my alley and Ms. Lomman did not disappoint.

While looking through my photos, I remembered another thing I loved about Stacy's show besides the theme, the fabric, and the sleek modern design: the rear view. So I put together some shots with front and rear views, because Stacy is one of those designers whose clothes look good from every angle.

My favorite shots. Left, a classic "glancing at the floor" runway pose, and right, why this is probably my favorite dress. See the neon color and the netting overlay?! Dying.

Whoops, no rear shot on this one! But I so adored all the pops of neon color in this collection I had to share. Love this dress; it maybe a tie with the black above.

Red vinyl jumpsuit, oh yeah.

High, low, and asymmetrical. It's got it all.

You haven't lived till you've seen the Biohazard wedding dress up close and personal.

Finale shots! These only have one view. Be sure to follow Stacy's blog, Taffeta Darlings, for news about future collections and how/where to buy.

In the LC Plaza

Didn't get enough of editors, bloggers, and poseurs, etc. this past New York Fashion Week? Good, then enjoy the below shot by my fashion week assistant, Sarah.

Who said no one should be seen in denim shorts at #NYFW?

I wonder if she was just passing by, and wondering WTF? Adorable.

Well done, Sarah!  I hope these two hang out together all the time, at least for the sake of their bags.

Shoe and bag perfection. It also doesn't hurt to have a boy accessory in blue.

Vlov-Qingqing Wu for Spring 2012

Luckily I had some help this past Fashion Week from my co-workers, Sarah and Lindsey. Many grateful thanks to them! Below is Sarah's first New York Fashion Week show review; she is also very handy with a camera, so I'll be showing her "street shots" from Lincoln Center soon.

At VLOV, despite the clichéd opening that provoked laughter from stiff lipped fashion editors (Dun dun dun… an ominous Don LaFountainesque voice spelt out the name of the line), Richard Wu’s designs saves the day. 

Although he was named as one of the top ten Chinese designers at Chinese Fashion Week this year, it was designer Qing-Qing Wu's (Richard) debut show at NYFW. When we were told he was inspired by the letter V, I was afraid of seeing low V neck tees on male models (is Snookie here?).  Instead, sleek sport suits in muted colors paraded down the runway in gray, black, cobalt blue and white, in lightweight fabrics like nylon and distressed linen. I saw minimalistic suit jackets as outerwear with asymmetrical seams and zippers that would fit right in on the streets of Manhattan.  Some designs were decidedly inspired by womenswear, including a fabulous short sleeved jacket with ruched shoulders.

Finale in blue.

The real stars of the show however, were the moccasins with a cut out heel in black and gray. They were given some twitter love by both Ford Models and Milk Studios ( “Exclamation points in our eyes!”). 

Ed. note: Get a good view of the moccasins in the official Mercedes Benz video below. I will not deny that I saw exclamation points in my eyes upon viewing.

Ruffian's Fabulous Thoroughbred

I'm going to sound a little stupid when I say this, but Ruffian's Spring 2012 collection was one of the best literal translations of an inspiration without being too literal that I've ever seen. As in, the show was inspired by horse racing but we didn't have actual horses or jockeys on the runway. No, seriously, the racing theme was evident (Ruffian was named for the famous filly racehorse) but it was a joyous and chic translation, and one I'd happily stock in my closet.

My photos, while not great, capture the gorgeous pops of color that can be found on jockey silks. Click to check out the shoes, Ruffian's take on a popular Vince Camuto style in amazing colors that can be reserved here.

And the official photos from the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week site:

Men at New York Fashion Week

The boys of Buckler roam the streets of Meatpacking.

Looking onto Nautica Spring 2012 at The Empire Hotel, and the classic Nautica blues segment.

The day after Fashion's Night Out, I had the pleasure of attending several men's fashion shows. First up, Nautica, the classic Americana brand, whose Spring 2012 show was held on the pool deck of the Empire Hotel. The classic blue and white Nautica looks are perfect as always, but what I really loved were the ultra bright colors, great for 2012.

I was disappointed there was no actual pool to stroll around, but there wouldn't have been room for any attendees if the pool was operational. It was a total crush, with a line around the corner of the hotel waiting to get in. I snapped a few shots from the deck overlooking the models, and then ran down to 40th and Broadway, picked up my Fashion Center tour de fashion DVF bike, and rode down to Buckler, showing again this season on the cobbled streets of the Meatpacking District. You could not do this for a women's show, unless you want the models lying on the street (which could be interesting...). Runway heels + cobblestones are hardly a good mix.

This was the first time I rode a bike in the streets of Manhattan and it's fun, it's addictive, and you really need that bell. I was ringing all the way down to Meatpacking.

I loved the Buckler show. Designer Andrew Buckler manages to translate a classic American look with a perfect hipster twist. And MePa is an apt setting for such a show as it's Beautiful People Land down there, even compared to the crowd in Lincoln Center. MePa denizens look the lifestyle like it's second nature. One of the beautiful people even threw a fit at the end of the "runway" because she couldn't walk through the street to her home. Ah, lives of the chic and trendy.

Walking the cobblestones at Buckler.

Hoodie and cropped pants.

Perfect jacket and rolled cuffs. Note the pointy shoes.

The Finale.