NY Fashion Week: Part 2

Every designer has an arsenal of fabulous dresses in their collection.  It seems that, especially for Spring and Summer lines, dresses are the glue that holds these lines together. Sure, there are plenty of shirt/shorts/pants combos, but the dresses are what make these designer's shows, well, spectacular.

Here are a few samples of dresses that I found rather splendiferous.

Badgley Mischka, Spring 2011 Ready-to-Wear

Elie Tahari, Spring 2011 Ready-to-Wear

 

Jason Wu, Spring 2011 Ready-to-Wear

Oscar de la Renta, Spring 2011 Ready-to-Wear

NY Fashion Week

It's been awhile since my last entry, but I've felt a little fashion-challenged lately. Flipping through my fashion magazines, I came to a realization that the new trends for '08 are kind of redundant and boring. It's kind of the same old, same old, and I'm already sick of seeing the same regurgitated looks from past seasons.

Designers keep producing these sack frocks and billowy tops that look too simplistic and unflattering on most women. And, some of the most over-saturated trends that many designers are lapping up are accessories like belts, pockets, hats and colored tights. In some instances, they do add depth & character to the outfits, but often than not, it seems they are an afterthought and a coalescence of artistic expression.

Despite my rant, I still believe there is talent and vision out there, and in honor of that, here are my pics of the best designer looks from NY Fashion Week. Enjoy!

BCBG Max Azaria

I enjoy the fluidity of the fabric and how it has been draped. Note the belt -- it could work either way: on or off.

Benjamin Cho

The cut-outs and tailoring of this top/tunic/dress is amazing. I'm not familiar with this designer, and his other pieces were slightly avant-garde for my taste, but this piece really pleased my senses.

Bill Blass

The plum color of the jacket really stood out against the neutral black & gray pieces underneath it. And, the gray skirt has interesting details on it. Note again the thick belt & pockets!

Carolina Herrara

The fabrics and colors of these two outfits epitomize Fall to me. The dress is reminiscent of golden leaves on an Autumn birch tree, and the pop of red pouring out of the tweed coat is like turning a corner on a Vermont highway and catching an eye-full of red oaks. Magnificent!

Derek Lam

Simple, double-breasted coat, but with a flair of the unexpected. (Not too sure about that beehive, though.)

DKNY

I couldn't quite put my nose on why this outfit intrigued me, but I think it is the juxtaposition of the floral baby-doll dress, the gray knit scarf, tights and the pop of purple shoes. All of it somehow works!

Donna Karan

I am not a huge fan of Donna Karan, and most of her Fall collection seemed a bit too... languid. But of all her pieces, this one incorporated her love of draping loose fabrics with a bit of unstuffy structuring. Plus, the color is beautiful and the fabric combinations are to die for!

J. Mendel

If I could go to an event where I had to wear a gown, I would give my right arm to wear one of these! (Okay, so I wouldn't look as fabulous with only one arm, but the beauty of the dress would avert all attention away from that missing limb!)

Michael Kors

The dress' lines and construction were done masterfully, and I think any woman wearing it would look damn sexy!

Oscar de la Renta

The colors, my friends, the colors!

P.S.: In the coming weeks, I am planning on returning to my bargain chic ways, and present to you, to the best of my ability, some bargain looks that mimic the aforementioned outfits. Until then, be fashion and don't let fashion be you!

P.P.S.: Photo creds go to www.style.com

Grey Matters

One trend for Fall is wearing grey -- all shades and textures. Below, you'll see three twists on grey through a rockin' hot sweater dress, a sophisticated wide-leg trouser and fabulous jacket, and, finally, a platform pump. All three looks showcase grey in varying ways and hint at what I think will become the mantra for Fall Fashion 2007: Grey Is The New Black! (Haven't we heard this before...wink...wink!)

Designer Looks

Cashmere Turtleneck Dress, $1395, Michael Kors


Embroidered Jacket & Wide Leg Pants, $3880, Oscar de la Renta


Sunset High Heel Platform Sandal, $550, Gucci


Bargain Looks

Tie Front Sweater Dress, $34.99, apt. 9


Ruffle-Collar Blazer, $59; Wide-Leg Pants, $49. Both Spiegel


Daryn Square Peep-Toe Pumps, $24.99, Mossimo


Totals
Designer Look: $5825
Bargain Look: $167.98

Party Dress for Less

I'm turning 30 in a week, so what better way to celebrate my foray into a new decade than with a party dress. Fall styles seems to be emphasizing classic and colorful pieces, and these two dress are saturated in both. The first is a beautiful Oscar de la Renta fuchsia dress that costs about two months salary for most young women. However, the second dress is an extremely affordable Isaac Mizrahi for Target dress that plays on a brilliant fall color and the classic style of the designer dress. Here's to my 30s, and the hope that maybe at some point in my new decade I can afford a designer party dress to ring in my 40s!

Designer Look

Faille Dress, $3,950, Oscar de la Renta


Very Prive Patent Pump, $770, Christian Louboutin


Bargain Look

Trapunto Dress, $49.99, Isaac Mizrahi for Target


Opaque Tights, $8.90, DKNY


Signature Fixation, $28.50, Naturalizer

Totals
Designer Look: $4720
Bargain Look: $77.39