Coquette

Project Runway Show

I am rooting for Chloe Dao to be the final Project Runway winner. I checked out her full collection and hers seemed to be the most cohesive in theme and the most different. She always designed really fun party dresses and her collection echoed that same spirit. Like Kara Saun of last season, she knows what fits well and looks sexy on a woman. I say its high time a woman gets some representation in the fashion biz.

You can check out the rest of the Project Runway photos here at New York Magazine. Also, Christine Liu of MIT got to go to the show as Diana Eng's guest. Check out her behind the scenes and in depth review on her blog.

Here are the rest of my pics from the other three designers.

Daniel V's collection was a lot more casual and I liked the attitude of this outfit. The vest is just super cute. I would wear that with anything.

Santino's collection was great too and I was glad to see more shapely finished pieces than the ones he did on the show. I love the layers of this piece contrasted with the tiny pleats and the mix of soft muted hues of brown and green.

Kara was all over the place with a mix of casual layered pieces that didn't work. I thought this was her best attempt at a evening gown. I like the vibrancy of the blue sash that complimented the purple really nicely.

Tiny Bubbles

I don't know why the bubble dress is coming back, but there were quite a few trolling down the runway. This one is not quite as poofy as the ones in the 80's, but more subtle and elegant like the Calvin Klien dress above. But if you ask me a bubble is a bubble no matter how you shape it.

Vera Wang just teases at a bubble style poof with this tulip shaped bottom black dress.

Monique Lhuillier tries her hand at bringing the bubble dress back into the elegant party circuit.

Baby Phat makes an edgy/hip micro mini bubble skirt.

Betsy Johnson adds a bubble with love.

Purple is the New Black

A big theme I keep seeing in all the collections during fashion week is the new vibrancy of the color purple. It's no longer for that hot little man Prince, nor just for the name of Oprah's new Broadway show. Purple this Fall is now playful, softer, edgier and a lot more fun. This Nanette Lepore dress above is my top favorite. (You can also check out Nanette's Blog on Glam!)

Feminine elegance in purple lavender with lace from Monique Lhuillier.

I love Vivenne Tam and how her collection always infuses Asian design. This chengsam is perfect for a night on the town.

Betsy Johnson had more demure and sophisticated but always fun looking pieces in her collection including this purple tie front coat. I love the pairing with these cute red shoes.

Derek Lam pairs in a romantic puffed sleeved purple top with strong gold trimmed black pants.

Of course Anna Sui is just being herself and using her brand color. Her collection was amazingly vibrant in bold colors and prints. I like the casual look of this dress.

Oscar de la Renta's cute Audrey style dress.

Finally, Carolina Herrera glams up silky purple with fur trimmed sleeves.

Marc Jacobs Runway Report: A Note to MJ

Marc, Marc, Marc... "Whaaa Haapun?"

I feel a little betrayed here as I am wearing your delicate black leather mary jane flats right now and I'm thinking about the cute dress I got of yours before the holidays... you know these things...

I know I should thank you for the fact that my friend Leigh got to go to your fashion show AND she was standing next to supermodel Helena Christensen at your after party, but please tell me how you think I could ever walk in these new shoes you are presenting?

And lets not even go there with the socks...

I like this grey dress minus the pants/leggings and the socks. Oh and minus the green long sleeve shirt and extra silky green shirt (?) under too.

This dress is cute too minus the pants.

Overall I think there may be some key pieces but with all the overlaying and bagginess in this collection its hard to tell. Maybe I need to wear my glasses hon. I'm still with you Marc. I still love you. I'm just gonna forget all this and wait for your Spring show this fall. XOXOXO

Seamless Fashion Technology

As promised, I'm updating everyone on the recent Seamless Fashion Show in Boston (Photo credit: James Patten). Christine Liu from MIT, one of the producers saw my post on "The State of the Fashion Union" and emailed me. Thanks to her, she and a fellow producer, Nick, gave me a recap of the show and some insight into the future of fashion and technology. You can check it out on via the Make Blog.

A streaming video of the complete fashion show and photos can be found in the Seamless Gallery.

One Step Closer to Marc Jacobs

My friend Leigh in New York called me tonight to tell me she went to the Marc Jacobs show AND also to the after party!!!! She said it was amazing and if I lived in NY too she would have taken me with her. (OMG!!) I'm getting the full scoop Tuesday and will report back. Here's what the invite looked like.

Hustle and Flowy at Baby Phat

The live streaming videos of the fashion shows at IMG Fashion World is fantastic. I decided to test it out for the Baby Phat fashion show. At first the reception was choppy, flipping in and out as celebs like Fran Dresher (why was she there?) were showing off to the cameras. Once the fashion show started, watch out. It was on full power and everything went smoothly. And now, from my front row seat, here's my report.

My overall impression of the show was that it was edgy and sexy (assumed), but it was mixed with the soft and feminine (quite a surprise!). Cropped fur jackets were paired with skinny jeans or tiny shorts with hip hop attitude as they strutted to "My Hump". (I can't get that song out of my head. My hump, my hump, my hump, my hump! ....ahhhh)

Modish pea coat jackets cooly sauntered down in warm colors. Not what I would typically think of for Baby Phat.

But to my surprise, Baby Phat showed a multitude of dresses that may be part of a new trend following from spring called "let it flow". (I made that up btw.) The colors were rich and light at the same time, variations of purple with a softness of mauve.

Mixing the feminine and always edgy, the clothes that later followed was a flowy chiffon belted mini dresses or shirts paired with black leather pants. Black and white was definitely a theme that really resonated with me.

I am not so sure about these two. A bubble mini dress - very 80s. And the new look of cropped leggings. I'm not 13 anymore and can't do the leggings thing.

The final closing of the show! Kimora Lee with her two girls. I had a lot of fun watching and I can't wait to catch another one!

Welcome to Fashion Week! Day 1

Thank you to Fashion Tribes and Almost Girl, our fellow Glam Blog Network peeps who are covering for us all the latest at the NY fashion shows. It's definitely the most updated content throughout the day. I love the true commentary of Almost Girl, aka hip gal about town, Julie Fredrickson. She tells it like it is. Also don't miss the Fashion Tribes podcasts. It's fun stuff to listen to as you work. Also found out from Just My Cup of Tea, that there that IMG Fashion World is streaming the shows live online!

So far checking out the photos from Fashion Tribes, there were a few winning dresses at the Kenneth Cole show. I like this purple halter dress. (Photo Credit: Fashion Tribes) Again, the looser silouette looks really comfy and stylish at the same time. But I'm not sure about those sandals she's wearing. I"d go for some nice gold high-heeled strappy sandals and gold accessories.

Key Fashion Week Bookmarks: (These update more often!)
Almost Girl
Fashion Tribes
Daily Glam
Fashion Week by Pajamas Media
IMG Fashion World - Streaming Videos Live

The State of the Fashion Union

As a countdown to New York Fashion Week, I was invited by Almost Girl and FashionTribes to participate in the fashion blogging carnival, The State of the Fashion Union.

As Fashion Week prepares for its debut Friday in New York, something else of a fashion revolution is happening tonight at MIT. Yes, you heard me right, MIT, aka Brain Power Central. Seamless is a fashion and technology show at MIT showcasing some of the most innovative work from talented designers who are infusing fashion with science and technology, helping to reinterpret what the meaning of fashion can be.

Diana Eng, currently of Project Runway fame, is presenting some of her work there tonight. One of which is the "Blogger Hoodie" pictured above. If you remember its one of the pieces she took to the Project Runway auditions. The hoodie monitors your heart rate and if your heart rate goes up (you are excited), the camera on the hood will start to take a picture, hence capture the object of your excitement.

Fashion technology is really forging new ground that merges function, science, technology, and most importantly style. And let me tell you its not the iPod Levis. I hope that the mainstream designers will start to get out of their safe zone and start to redefine fashion in a new and useful way by seamlessly merging fashion and technology. If technology is only the gimmick (again, the iPod Levis), its nothing but a PR ploy.

You can see more work by the talented designers in the gallery. I am also sure videos or photos from the show will emerge soon after show.