bebe's New Direction for Spring 2013

Yes, it's snowing in New York City. And what better day to feature a favorite spring collection than the first day of snow? Particularly when one of my favorite presentations came from a 34th Street store: bebe. The 2013 bebe presentation at Bortolami Gallery was a surprisingly lovely and monochromatic eye-opener that revealed a very different but stunning new direction for the retailer. Sophisticated, modern, sensual, go ahead and mark my words: bebe will be your new retail destination this coming spring.

bebe
One West 34th Street at Fifth Avenue

Nautica for Spring '13

Always striking at the Nautica show? The male models, the perfectly styled preppy looks, and all of the above on the roof of The Empire Hotel.

 There's something very nautical about these clothes against the backdrop of blue, blue skies. Throw in a skyline and you're preppy and perfect for the city.

Look for them all at Macy's Herald Square next spring. The clothes, silly, not the men.

Imitation Spring '13: This is Not a Fashion Show

Below Jessica writes about the Imitation presentation held at Bortolami Yes, there were naked women. Of course this was Jessica's first ever fashion week show. I sent her to Zang Toi at Lincoln Center the next day for the fully-rounded fashion week experience.

Walking in the door at Bortolami, I was instantly greeted by a chorus of Christmas carolers. As I entered the main room, girls and women stationed around the perimeter peered into ornately decorated mirrors. Each model dressed, undressed, and redressed in front of the mirror, seemingly unaware of any observers and giving the impression that viewers had caught them as they were getting ready in the morning.

As viewers walked around the room, the age of the women progressed. As they aged, they wore more and more diamonds but also appeared less and less content with their appearance. While the youngest were carefree and dancing, the oldest were unhappy, brooding, and worrying over their insecurities.

The back room was host to a photo montage and nude models wearing masks with plastic surgery markings. As an act, the presentation was fascinating, challenging the standards of beauty that change with age and questioning why we as women subject ourselves to these supposed rituals.

And the clothes? Tara Subkoff’s spring collection featured light, flowy dresses incorporating lace, silk, and light weaves with a muted palette of floral patterns. Standouts were the pale blue floral dress with a flowing collar and the soft denim and lace combination. 

Emilio Cavallini Fall 2012

Nancy, our new social media assistant, reports on the Emilio Cavallini Fall '12 presentation.

In this rather peculiar and provocative presentation, with half naked models getting dressed on the end of the staged area, Emilio Cavallini demonstrated how to wear his stockings.

As the show commenced, each pair proved to be more gorgeous than the last .

In addition to the live presentation, a video played of a indecisive model trying on and taking off at least 50 pairs of stockings. Who knew stockings had such infinite possibilities?

Sexy or sophisticated, romantic vines or lace, these stockings really help define your outfit.

Bonus perk: I received my own pair of Emilio Cavallini stockings upon leaving. I'm excited to transform an old outfit with a completely new look for my legs!