Monique Lhuillier and Perry Ellis. A Delighful Combination

Updated to add: Intern Craig comments on two Mercedes Benz Fashion Week shows in Lincoln Center.

I made the mistake of getting terribly backlogged in my Fashion Week wrap-ups! This would never happen at Vogue.

Anyway, I had the pleasure of seeing Monique Lhuillier's new collection and I was in utter awe. While Monique's attempts at separates were admirable, she truly shines when it comes to evening wear. My favorite piece from the whole show is this amazing blue gown. The texture bodice with the detailing on the bottom took my breath away. This is the kind of dress that changes with every angle and offers so much for the wearer and the viewer.

Later that night, we headed to Perry Ellis. I honestly had no expectations walking in because the brand's concept has not altered in forever. However, I was pleasantly surprised as soon as the lights went down. This new Perry Ellis man isn't the dowdy father buying khakis for his boring office job. He is a chic, man-on-the-go who is vacationing somewhere tropical. Perhaps Aruba? Neutral chinos, mixed with bold pops of coral and tangerine, gave a new edge to the brand which I had never seen before. These striped pants caught my eye as soon as the model hit the runway. They also came in a short and I desperately need these. The print was seen again but in green but I didn't care for it as much. It's nice to see Perry Ellis modernize itself. All in all, this classic American brand delivered a great show.

Meet My Rosa Cha Fantasy Life

If I had to live in bathing suits, they would all be Rosa Cha circa Spring 2011. And yes, my body is perfect in this bathing-suit-fantasy-life so I'm totally OK with letting it all hang out.

Here's a couple of my usual tiny digital camera photos, but look at the shoes! And I adore the print, inspired by the Brazilian snake plant.






















Alexandre Herchcovitch makes a bathing suit so much more than just something to swim in: this is something to lounge in, stroll around the pool in, and prance around the home in. This is for parties, for special occasions, for intimate occasions, and for throwing a skirt on top of and going dancing. Yeah, sure, that's my life. I'm really not just home weekends doing laundry, cleaning floors, and trying to keep Baby Herald from pulling off the cats ears.

I grabbed these gorgeous runway photos from Style Pantry.























All of these fabulous lifestyle suits are designed with a lot of tasteful sexy and a little fetish twist. Which means perfection, right? Speaking of perfection, this collection was also inspired by Perfecto jackets from the 80's. Naturally, I used to live in a Perfecto jacket way back then, so that explains a lot.










Rosa Cha Spring 2011 show photos courtesy of Style Pantry.

Stacy Lomman Debuts at New York Fashion Week

The Stacy Lomman Spring 2011 show was a parade of sexy confections, and I'm so not using an improper metaphor. Look at these delicate and detailed dresses:

Check out Lookonline.com for better photos, or WireImage.























This little dusty pink number is PERFECT. But me, I'm a shoulder, silver fringe gal.




















I love this picture on the left because the designer is walking right next to her model for her second bow (the attendees insisted). See her fabulous gold skirt? Stacy made it that morning to go with a gorgeous top. Check out her whole look here.






















But here my confection metaphor runs dry, because Stacy Lomman dresses aren't like empty calories (if anything, they'll inspire you to keep in shape). These are timeless pieces, the kind of dresses you have in your closet for the nights you need to look good, and not in the usual, LBD way.

Front, back....





















Sexy sideways!












All this talk of confection is making me think of fondant which is making me think wedding, and now I'm wondering what a Lomman wedding dress would be like?! Hmm, perhaps one of you brides-to-be should commission a dress?




















Weddings aside, I'm greatly anticipating Stacy Lomman's next collection. Maybe she'll Kickstart a Fall '11 collection?! Now I'm going out for cupcakes, which I'll work off as soon as I have a Lomman in my closet.

Day Four: Thuy Spring '11 Show

Favorite thing about the Thuy show at the Audi Forum on Park Avenue? Well, it wasn't the standing room section.

Try here for excellent, informal shots of the Thuy show. I take these mostly for reference on my really crap camera.



















I'm a blogger who doesn't care about getting a standing room assignment. Often I prefer it as I have a better view of the collection and can see the shoes. But if you conspicuously plunk all of us SR people on the top of a riser in front of a room full of show attendees, then point spotlights at us which sadly don't just make us sweat, but also help to illuminate all the empty seats in a huge section right below us, well, that's just humiliating. And it makes your show look bad.

Also, when the organizers finally, seconds before the show, let us sit down into the empty stadium seats, everyone clomped over the rows in a big, noisy mess. So awkward.

Obviously the venue was a challenge. I was kind of shocked when I noticed the Audi video was still playing on a big screen to the right of the runway during the show. And before showtime, assistants kept moving these horribly ugly grey curtains around, drawing attention to: the really ugly grey curtains.

Note how all of this has detracted from the overall show experience. Note that I have not yet mentioned an item of clothing. Perhaps it's time:





















I adore that shiny orange coat. And the final look (above right) was all 60's cuteness with a dash of a vintage, blogger-esque aesthetic.







































All of the coats were my favorite part of Thuy's collection. Many were cropped and featured suspender straps in the back, an interesting twist. I would buy those coats. And I remember thinking after the show "I still like Thuy." But upon reviewing my photos, which I take really just for reference, I was underwhelmed. Some interesting dresses, and some great, loose drop-crotch pants, but all-in-all a little disappointing. She is obviously very talented, still has her downtown-cool-girl-meets-some-great-tailoring thing going, and I'm looking forward to her future work. I'd like to be looking forward to it in that shiny orange jacket and some jeans come spring, and absolutely not in the following:





But you might have great abs, so please, show them off in a sexy Thuy number.

Day Three: How Fashion GPS Is Out To Get Me

Images from the Adam S/S '11 show, courtesy of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.com.

Day Three of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week with Intern Craig...


Today [Saturday] was my busiest day inside the tents. I started early with the Binetti presentation and with the exception of the sequined harem pants, this collection was pretty much a bust. The dresses were underwhelming and felt overdesigned. The only interesting aspect of the show happened to be the models' nail art. At first, I was convinced these poor girls were wearing cocktail rings on the tips of their fingers but luckily, Sarah from StyleIT was on hand to set me straight.

I then headed across Lincoln Center for Jill Stuart, one of my favorite designers, and was greeted by the craziest check-in situation ever. People were getting downright uncivilized and I was ready to take some fools out. I wasn't letting anyone get in the way of my Jill Stuart moment. Once I checked in and ascended into the Promenade, I was greeted by a gaggle of reality stars. While most of the girls around me were focusing on the Kardashians (even while the show was happening UGH), I was locked to Kristin Cavallari from Laguna Beach. Laguna was HUGE in my high school. I mean, how could you forget such gems as "My car is dunzo" or "stePHEEEEEENNNN?" I feel the urge to watch my Laguna DVDs now.

Anyway...

Jill Stuart was gorgeous as always. The detailing on her pieces was impeccable. I was particularly in awe of this dress. A lot of the detail is lost within this picture

but, in person, it's fantastic. Stuart's color palate was extremely basic but then again, I don't expect a neon pink dress to walk the runway. I expect classic cuts and simple color and Jill Stuart gave me that today.

Next, Tricia and I headed to the Adam show which inspired the title of today's post. As I was ready to check myself in, ALL OF FASHION GPS WENT DOWN. I have had such awful luck with Fashion GPS this last week. I can never scan the code from my phone correctly and I end up looking like a crazy lunatic waving my phone in front of the machine. Luckily, someone eventually helps me and I go on my merry way.

As for Adam [see opening images], I usually hate a palazzo pant but Adam demanded that I fall in love with them. By adding simply tweaks to a classic formula like a lace-up back or pocket placement, Adam created a nice alternative to the classic palazzo. I was also taken aback but a red leather dress. The mere thought of a red leather dress reminds me of hooker past her prime, however I really liked it here. I think Adam has a great vision and I'm definitely interested in following his work now.

I ended the day at Mik Cire by Eric Kim and I'm still reeling. I would wear every single piece of this collection. The Mik Cire man isn't dark enough for Rick Owens but he desires a little more edge than the average menswear designer. There are definite nods to his Monarchy past but I think Kim, now in his second season of Mik Cire, is starting to find his footing. This collection had less of a grunge edge and more of a quiet sophistication than his previous collection. I'm completely in love. The second look had this amazing olive green cotton/wool patchwork cardigan which I am definitely going to need. I loved the asymmetrical jackets that kept walking down the runway and I was dying for the stone gray lambskin motorcycle jacket and the denim jacket with the lambskin sleeves. Later in the collection, Kim sent down multiple versions of a short/legging combo which sounds stupid in print but looked so damn cool in person. The second to last look of the show had an amazing waist-cut black linen trench that I need right now. I could talk about this collection for hours.

Enjoy the finale video I took for you!

I'm off from the tents tomorrow but I'll be back in action on Monday! See you then!

Day Two: Craig at Nautica, Buckler, ____, and Tadashi Shoji

Craig wraps up Day Two of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. Text by Craig, photo captions by Tricia.

At Nautica men's presentation: true dedication is rolling around on the floor to get the shot.

Intern Craig at I Heart Ronson JCPenney event on Fashion's Night Out at Manhattan Mall.


















I'm still reeling from my day and I don't even know where to begin.

Oh, wait. I suddenly remembered...Guli.

[This review of Guli has been deleted, *ahem*, but thanks, Craig! Your Editor highly values your hard work. And you as a living, non-boiled human being.]

Luckily, I was able to wash these visions away with the Tadashi Shoji presentation. I don't even have words for this. I walked into the space and was immediately transported to a beautiful beige dream. Tadashi's use of neutral colors just blew me away. I usually hate when people use the word ethereal to describe clothes but there is simply no other word for this collection. However, it wasn't all solids. There were two dresses with this gorgeous gray/pink/white combo. I couldn't even deal.

Nautica presentation

Later, we stopped by the Nautica presentation (above) held in the library at Lincoln Center. It was definitely a great place to unwind and eat. I've realized that a diet of free Pop Chips and Frappuccinos can only sustain you for so long. I've never really looked at Nautica as a "fashion" brand but more as a lifestyle brand. I think my mind was changed by this awesome blue/gray dress shirt (on seated model). I'll be fighting you for it in Macy's Herald Square next spring. I also fell in love with most of the models' boat shoes because I aspire to live within a J. Crew ad.

Buckler presentation

We ended the day at the Buckler show and I immediately died. Preppy with a dark twist? It's everything I could want in a line and more. I wasn't very familiar with Buckler until this afternoon and I'm angry it's taken me this long to find him. Tricia and I died for the drop-crotch long johns (top right). I was enamored with both cardigans in the presentation. All in all, it was a good show to end the day with.

Craig thinking about asking Sam Ronson for a photo, and Sam Ronson avoiding eye contact.

If you follow our Twitter, you saw that we went to the JCPenney party for I Heart Ronson. Sam Ronson DJ'd while Charlotte Ronson and Michelle Trachtenberg made appearances. The music was fantastic and we got free Fashion's Night Out shirts! What did you guys do for FNO?

Final Countdown!

There's not much time left to click and buy some Wendy Brandes on Kickstarter:

So you could get the NYC knuckle-busting rings, pictured above on Wendy, for $315, or this Twinkle by Wenlan dress at Macy's Herald Square for $315. Guess which one I got?

This dress is so cleverly designed, I loved it, and I don't normally go for this short length.
























Here's a hint: I'm the born and bred shallow Midwest girl who had a ridiculously joyous moment when she got her daughter's birth certificate and, under city born, it said "Manhattan." When you grow up in Iowa, Manhattan kids are pretty much the epitome of cool.


Macy's Herald Square, 151 W. 34th Street between Broadway & 7th Avenue