Coquette

NYFW: HP Styles Anya

(Photo: Anya Ayoung-Chee)

By Leigh Ferreira

Project Runway season 9 winner Anya Ayoung-Chee presented her Spring/Summer 2013 collection Carnival of Colour at a lunch at Morimoto hosted by HP.

I loved Anya's colorful island style on Project Runway, so I was excited to see her collection. It was full of vibrant colors, flowy dresses, beach wear and beautiful prints, as you would expect.

You can see the full collection and pics of the event here.

My favorite pieces were this romper and blazer.


(Photo: Anya Ayoung-Chee)

I got the chance to meet Anya and talk to her about her design process and use of technology. She started as a graphic designer so feels at ease designing on the computer and said she really loves the flexibility of designing and modifying digitally. She also enjoys using Facebook and Twitter to promote her work and connect with her fans too.

As part of the event, we also did two DIY projects:

The first was create a Polyvore set with Anya's collection. This was really fun! What do you think of the Coquette set? Anya is going to choose a winner from the submissions.

The second project we were able to use the HP TouchSmart and design software to create our own patterns like they did on Project Runway. I luved this marriage of design and technology. Plus, it was so easy to use. We then printed our designs out to make customized mugs. You can see all the designs here along with pics of us designing.

Take a look at the one I designed for Coquette and if you like it, please cast a vote for us by liking it on facebook. The design with the most facebook likes wins!

~Leigh

NYFW: DL1961 Spring 2013

By Leigh Ferreira

DL1961 presented their first runway show at New York Fashion Week in a big way!

Set on a pier along the Hudson River, the show kicked off with performance dance IN THEIR JEANS, followed by models in acid washed, distressed, prints, textured, hand embroidered and leather accented jeans, and ended with and after party featuring Mia Moretti spinning along with electric violinist Caitlin Moe. DL1961 vodka lemonades were served with grilled cheese and tater tots from Gorilla Cheese truck. Yum! It truly was an amazing show and after party. You can catch the full video of the fashion show above.

DL1961 jeans really are the perfect fitting jean. I can't say enough about the fit and comfort. I live in mine. I'm happy that the colored jean trend is continuing in to next Spring, but really excited for the new prints, metallics and the hand embroidered jeans.

Here are a few of my favorites from the Spring/Summer 2013 collection:

(Photos: DL1961)

It was amazing to see the audience filled with smartphones or iPads taking pictures and videos. I was surprised to see everyone around me instagramming once they had the perfect shot. EVERYONE! I'm guessing that fashion folks must be Instagram's largest group of users. Luv the fashion + tech!

~Leigh

NYFW: Fashion's Night Out 2012

(Photo: Inside the DVF boutique, Kevin Tachman/Vogue.com)

By Leigh Ferreira

My favorite night of the year is Fashion's Night Out (FNO)!

FNO is the official kick-off to New York Fashion Week. But unlike Fashion Week, FNO is for everyone and encourages consumers to hit the stores, meet designers and have a fun night out. The event was originally started by Anna Wintour of Vogue during the recession of 2009 to encourage people to get out and shop in New York City. Now on its fourth year, FNO is happening all over the world.

There were 800+ events that happened in NYC and it is logistically challenging to go uptown, downtown and from the eastside to the westside, but in typical New York fashion we tried to do it all.

Here are the spots I hit:

• Opening Ceremony market @ Ace Hotel

Soho:

• Marc Jacobs
• C Wonder/Daily Candy party
• Stella McCartney
• Soho Grand Yard Sale w/ 22 Designers [this was the best event!]
• What Goes Around Comes Around
• Woolite Designer Pop-up
• Prada, Chairlift was performing
• I tried to go to Rag & Bone where St. Vincent was performing, but the line was 200 people deep

Meatpacking District (MPD):

• The Shops @ Target, a great preview of the upcoming capsule collections (Kirna Zabete, The Curiosity Shop, Odin New York and Patch NYC)
• Washington St Block Party (Scoop and Intermix)
• Urbanspace Meatpacking
• Ford Designer Pop-up in Gansevoort Plaza
• Denim Habit party, thanks Thorin & Billy!

As you can see from the photo above at DVF, the MPD was CRAZY crowded!

Vogue.com put together a great highlights video:

 

The Fashion's Night Out team did a fantastic job listing out the events and details on their site and app, tweeted highlights of events leading up to FNO and encouraged people to take photos and tag them on Instagram to show FNO happening live the world over. It was fun to see the sightings, giveaways and event details filling up my twitter timeline throughout the night too.

FNO 2013 can't come soon enough!

~Leigh

Nicole Richie's Impulse Collection at Macy's

This morning I was invited to a press breakfast to preview and shop the new limited edition Nicole Richie Impulse collection at Macy's in SF. My favorites by far are her amazing dresses. True to her bohemian self, the dresses feature tribal prints, peacock feathers, and geometric patterns. The silouettes are modern for sure with lace panels, interesting cuts, and high/low hem lengths.

I picked up a few pieces including this Embroidered Peplum Blouse ($59) and this Feather Print Lace Dress ($69) which fits me perfectly and looks so edgy with the sheer lace insets at the hip.

I always go into shopping thinking about what I need to build my wardrobe. You never can have too many sweaters in SF so this Colorblocked Cropped Sweater ($49) is perfect for everyday. For an easy top for going out, I chose this Faux-leather Textured Top ($59). It's a great piece to wear dressed up with a skirt or dressed casual with jeans. I love how versatile it is to instantly dress up a simple outfit.

Everything in the collection is very affordable and I found pieces to be different enough that I knew they had to be in my wardrobe. Head down to your nearest Macy's or shop for the Nicole Richie Impulse collection online.

Here are more photos of the Nicole Richie Impulse collection from the press preview:

Topshop Arrives at Nordstrom

For those of us missing our Topshop fix from the UK, we can now get it at our very own Nordstrom! Shop online or at select Nordstrom stores for skinny cigarette pants, stylish blazers, dresses and more. There's even a Topman line for the guy in your life.

I'm super excited to shop Topshop at Nordstrom in San Francisco! All of the Nordstrom stores listed here will be celebrating with a Topshop launch party on Saturday, September 15th. Take home a special gift with your purchase of $100 or more from the collection (in store only; one gift per customer, while supplies last).

Les Twin-Sets de Chanel - Limited Edition for Fashion's Night Out

Now on Chanel.com, you can pre-order from three of the limited edition Les Twin Sets de Chanel. I love the new deep Bordeaux color called Provocation. Choose also from Infidele (a bold pink) and Delicatesse (a peachy beige neutral). Nail colors are $26 and lipsticks are $32.50.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Studded Mouse Ballet Flats

Marc by Marc Jacob's iconic flats get an edgy twist with these Marc by Marc Jacobs Studded Mouse Ballet Flats ($250 at Shopbop). Love it in this color for fall, wine.