Purple ReignSpring’s colors have rocked the palette, from neons to jewel-hued. But one that’s a bit more wearable is the purple quietly making its way down runways.
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Frédéric Fekkai Teaches Secrets of Painfully Tight PonytailsBeauty editor Aja Mangum managed to steal a few minutes of hair guru Frédéric Fekkai’s time at the Diane Von Furstenberg show. The mane maestro is all about effortless chic this spring, apparently, with a focus on shiny, healthy hair. Bobs, chignons, and painfully tight ponytails are all in your near future, ladies, so pay attention as Fekkai explains how to achieve his looks.
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Kirna Zabête’s Sarah Easley Likes Narciso, Tuleh, and Lam
Throughout the week, the buyers from Kirna Zabête, Henri Bendel, Intermix, and more will tell us which runway looks they plan on stocking. Today, Sarah Easley, co-owner of Kirna Zabête, shares her picks from the recent collections. She loves Narciso’s coral dress, Tuleh’s caftans, and Derek Lam’s leopard silks.
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Fugging Federer Steals the De la Renta ShowAnyone claiming to be unmoved by the Oscar de la Renta show is a liar. No matter what your take on his clothing is, the setting — at the Third Church of Christ Science on Park Avenue — was frankly kind of spectacular. Add to that an exuberant live performance from the Polyphonic Spree (who surely could never have predicted playing for a roomful of uniformly blonde Upper East Side matrons) and a spontaneous standing ovation for U.S. Open champ and the future Mr. Wintour, Roger Federer, and you’ve got yourself a hell of a morning.
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Bird’s Jennifer Mankins Likes Behnaz, Lim, and Bamboo
All week we’ve got buyers from Bird, Bendel, Intermix, and more to give us the scoop on what spring looks they’re snagging. In this installment, Bird owner Jennifer Mankins is falling for Behnaz Sarafpour’s earthy embroidery, pleated tunics from United Bamboo, and high-waisted styles from H Fredriksson.
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Rain Fails to Fug Up Alyson Hannigan’s BangsThe burst of lunchtime rain abated just in time for a few of hoi polloi to take in the Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti presentation without ruining their hair. Which was crucial in Alyson Hannigan’s case, because she merrily showed off crisp new bangs to her gushing pals in the crowd, and every girl knows you can’t debut a hairdo when it’s plastered to your forehead. Unless that’s the look you’re going for, in which case you have larger problems than a little drizzle.
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Intermix’s Sari Sloane Likes Proenza, Kors, and DVF
Throughout the week, buyers from Kirna Zabête, Henri Bendel, Intermix, and more will be filling us in on which runway looks they plan to snag for spring. Today, Sari Sloane, VP of fashion merchandising at Intermix, loved Proenza’s tailoring, Michael Kors’s colors, and the flowing dresses at DVF.
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Video Memo to Derek Lam: Give Cathy a Signature Silhouette!There was no shortage of commentary backstage at the Derek Lam show: Fabiola Beracasa and Lam discuss the art of balancing his eponymous line with his work for Tod’s, Amanda Ross declares Lam’s “classic” designs to be among her favorites, and Bergdorf buyers have bought Lam’s lines in full force. But as well designed and accessible as Lam’s work may be, ever-honest Times critic Cathy Horyn is still searching for something more.
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Idol Worship at DVFDiane Von Furstenberg’s role in life is “to make women feel confident,” and it’s this sort of philosophy that makes the popular designer Fabiola Beracasa’s idol. Backstage at the DVF show, Fab chats up the lady of the hour as well as Plum Sykes and Diane’s hubby, megamogul Barry Diller — who reveals that his wife steers clear of working on his wardrobe. Watch and see why.
reviews
Fashion Report Card: Loving Ralph, But Not Necessarily RodarteFashion Week hardly slowed down for the weekend, and the critics were indefatigable as usual. Ralph Lauren’s 40th-anniversary show received universal praise, but the critics got a little crankier at Y-3, and Rodarte inspired another round of the Great Wearability Debate.
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Head of Fashion Week Lays the Smack DownSo we were in the middle of talking to Fern Mallis, head of Fashion Week, about her favorite shows so far and trends for spring when a woman who has apparently been the scourge of Mallis’s week sat down in an empty front row seat nearby.
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Nicky Hilton’s Muse Is Her Jewelry BoxComparatively quiet socialite Nicky Hilton debuted her Nicholai line last night, and New York was there to catch the magic both on the runway and behind the scenes. Nicky’s big sis Paris wasn’t present (was getting mocked by Sarah Silverman at the VMAs really that preferable?), but her proud parents were right by her side — mom Kathy was quite literally “speechless” at her daughter’s accomplishment. As for the collection itself, Nicky drew her inspiration from bling. See for yourself how it all played out.
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Heath Ledger’s Wild Night: ‘This Is a Party?’According to spies at the Dazed & Confused dinner at the Bowery Hotel last night, Heath Ledger rolled into the room with five friends, looked around, and asked the first person he saw, “Is there food?”
three is a trend
Neon SignsAre runways taking cues from the nu-rave trend in music? Or Agyness Deyn’s June British Vogue cover?
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Carmen Kass Is Sunday’s Top ModelThe big shows — DVF, Kors, Derek — walked yesterday and with them, the big names. Liya Kebede strutted out at Derek; Pete Doherty’s sometime gal pal Irina Lazareanu opened Phillip Lim (and had to stand on a pedestal for the duration of the show). But the big winner was Carmen Kass, whose first show this season was Kors. Not only was it a coup to open and close the show, but she almost pulled of the visor look.
Video: Fabiola Beracasa Explores Michael Kors’s A.D.D. BackstageBehind the scenes at the Michael Kors show, Fabiola Beracasa encountered underwear, models, Robert Verdi, some adorable children, show producer Alexandre de Betak and, of course, Michael Kors himself.
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David Byrne, Agyness Deyn, and the Fug Girls Take Up Fashion CyclingYou’d think celebrities would be used to the ring of intense photographers who surround the front row at fashion shows by now. Apparently not: At Narciso Rodriguez, former Talking Heads lead singer David Byrne faced down those intimidating lenses by snapping his own pics with a small digital camera.
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Five Things We Liked on Sunday
1. At Michael Kors, we flipped for the pointillist Seurat-print caftan on Angela Lindvall.
2. The light-gray, leopard-esque dot print on blouses, dresses, and even a scarf at Derek Lam. We’ll take it. Also, the elegant satin robe over a sequined evening dress. Finally, a chance to call something “soigné.”
Jessica Simpson Could Play for the Jets
For our money, the hottest seat in the house at a Michael Kors show is right next to his fabulously bespectacled mother, Joan. So color us surprised when the blonde who glided in at the last second was not Kors’s Project Runway co-host Heidi Klum but instead the increasingly pointless Jessica Simpson.
Straw DollsThe soundtrack at the shows this week could easily have been Van Halen’s “Panama,” because straw hats were perched atop models’ heads everywhere.
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Fashion Week Eats Its YoungWe feel really bad for Taylor Momsen. The 14-year-old Gossip Girl star arrived at Peter Som too late for any photo ops and had to be ushered to a seat after the show had already started.
Irina Kulikova Is Saturday’s Top ModelAnd so we bestow the crown on newbie Irina Kulikova, who rounded out the Rodarte show. Fun fact: She was born in 1991. Ouch.
Five Things We Liked on Saturday
1. Ralph Lauren’s longevity. It’s his anniversary, and he showed in a setting — the Conservatory gardens — that salutes his swishy and elegant take on New York. As for a favorite dress, the white Spencer jacket over the white chiffon evening gown was stunning.
video look book
Joy James Keeps It Simple in J. MendelThe latest Video Look Book from the tents introduces us to Joy James, a businesswoman who loves original fashion because, as we know, it “tells a lot about you.” So what can we tell about Joy from her J. Mendel frock and custom-made hat? Watch and see.
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Samuel L. Jackson at a Motherfugging Y-3 ShowThematically, the Y-3 show was all about the downpour: Fake thunder rolled, minions turned a hose on the runway to create puddles, and simulated rain poured outside and down the walls of the artsy Chelsea space. Unfortunately, this cleansing drizzle didn’t reach the ratty head of actor Vincent Gallo, who sat front row in his personal grease puddle. At first Gallo just stared menacingly into middle distance, scratching his matted beard, seemingly in the midst of plotting the best way to rip off someone’s extremities with his teeth. But then Gallo turned cheerful, and we soon saw why: A wee Lord & Taylor bag — clearly swag from another show — dangled from his claws. Obviously, the sweet fumes of a department-store gift card were lifting his dour mood. We’re sure he was positively dizzy with the prospect of going necktie shopping.
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Demi Brings Her Ashton for Your PleasureAs far as celebrity sightings go, the Diesel show was shaping up to be pretty dim. Things were running 30 minutes late, and nearly everyone had taken his seat, but all the photographers and camera folk were arranged in a phalanx on the runway, each of them hopefully gazing into the distance. They were clearly waiting for an apparition, and they stood in this anticipatory formation for at least ten minutes. We began to wonder who could possibly be important enough to require such special treatment. Madonna? Vice-President Dick Cheney? Perhaps Jesus Himself? Or would it be someone totally anticlimactic, someone we’d already seen multiple times? Like, say, Demi Moore?
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Ann Watson of Henri Bendel Likes Vera, Chaiken, and Phi
Throughout the week, buyers from Kirna Zabête, Henri Bendel, Intermix, and more will be filling us in on which runway looks they plan to snag for spring. Today, Ann Watson, vice-president, fashion director for Henri Bendel has her eye on Vera’s pitch-perfect modernity, Chaiken’s tailored suits, and PHI’s mini skirts.
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J-Vanka Love Train Chugs Through the TentsHere at New York, we take great pleasure in chronicling the blossoming young love between Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, also known as J-Vanka. During this Fashion Week, we’re happy to report that their saga continues, albeit a bit glacially. The latest “development”: Kushner and Trump hit the tents together on Friday to see the Max Azria collection.
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Donatella Hates Flats, Tinsley Loves Donatella’s TouchIt wouldn’t be Fashion Week if the Europeans weren’t descending to promote something or pick up an award or simply swan about, then disappearing just as quickly as they’d come. Following in the wake of the Alber Elbaz’s New York flyby was Donatella Versace, who somehow managed to get Mischa Barton and Demi Moore to take time off from their busy showgoing schedules to pop into Versace flagship earlier this week, hitting the private sixth-floor space for Versace’s luncheon. The event was held in honor of Versace’s HIT bag, a hot leather number that was Donatella’s favorite from this year’s line, and the fashion house’s first ever Official “It” Bag. (Guess they’ve learned from Balenciaga that if you name something the most awesome bag of the season, the orders will simply come.)
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Janet Is a Part of the Fedora NationIt doesn’t make us proud, but we couldn’t help ourselves: So much has been made in the tabloids of Janet Jackson’s fluctuating weight that when we first saw her at
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Life After the Runway: Molly Sims, Hungry No More!One of the best parts of going to the tents in Bryant Park is chilling in the W Hotel lounge backstage, where celebs sip on mimosas before making their last-minute trips to the front row. Already, the Olsens and Gwen Stefani (and baby) have made appearances, along with Mya and Teri Hatcher. Demi Moore was supposed to come before Miss Sixty but accidentally got swept into the IMG lounge, where she was swarmed by the crowd from a party-in-progress. We caught up with model turned TV host Molly Sims and got the scoop on her shopping habits as well as the meta-experience of watching her former profession from the front row.
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J.Lo, Tinsley Play It Cool at Just Cavalli
We tried our very hardest to navigate the poorly ventilated clusterfuck that was the opening of Just Cavalli’s new flagship on 53rd and Fifth a human smorgasbord of A-listers, models, and hangers-on but the overstuffed room, sweaty attendees, and police-regulated crowd out front made that nearly impossible. Diane Kruger arrived with her equally attractive Dawson’s Creek alum–slash–boyfriend, Joshua Jackson. She was swarmed by photographers; he chatted with us. “Well, I’ve got nothing better to do, right?” he said. Josh swears he’s not into fashion: “I own all these things, but I didn’t put any of this together. That’s Diane’s job. I’ve basically regressed to a 5-year-old boy.”
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Kirna Zabête Likes Thakoon, Proenza, and Fetherston
Throughout the week, the buyers from Kirna Zabête, Henri Bendel, Intermix, and more will tell us which runway looks they plan on stocking. Today, Sarah Easley, co-owner of Kirna Zabête, shares her picks from the recent collections. She loves Thakoon’s paillette dresses, all of Proenza, and Erin Fetherston’s palette.
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If Kimora’s Your Boss, Spell Her Name RightSomeone misspelled Kimora Lee Simmons’s name as “Kimmora” beneath the logo for her KLS couture line last night at the Baby Phat after-party. No one noticed, so we pointed it out to Kimora when she arrived. “Where?!” she said, turning around. “I’ll be Kimmy-mora for tonight. It’s fine, it’s no big deal. It’s just an extra ‘m’ it stands for ‘million.’” she said, explaining: “My lovely ad agency did that, and I guess it was some internal problems in the office, and I said, ‘Well, did you misspell the name when I paid your check?’”
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Backstage at Proenza, Find a Natural Look
New York’s beauty and market editor Aja Mangum sneaked backstage at one of the biggest shows this week Proenza Schouler to talk to Lancôme’s Gucci Westman. Brown was the new black for faces, she says, with a natural look prevailing. Want to know what else the Jack and Lazaro thought up? Watch the video.
Backstage at Proenza Schouler [Video]
three is a trend
Skirting the Issue
Models’ hips may have a circumference smaller than our thighs, but their skirts don’t. This spring it’s all about full skirts the bigger, the better. Vera Wang’s purple-blue skirt is a fresh take on Dior’s new look. Behnaz Sarafpour’s belted dresses add just enough volume to be sexy not hippy. Thakoon’s bright-pink skirt ballooned down the runway, making this spring a rare gift to big bottoms.
model tracker
Raquel Zimmermann Is Friday’s Top Model
It’s day three of the model walk-off and things are getting heated. Missy Rayder gets an honorable mention for one helluva comeback, popping up in the amazing Proenza show. Let’s hear it for the Americans! But top honors go to Brazilian stunner Raquel Zimmerman, whose first opening show this season was also at Proenza. Jack and Lazaro know how to pick them. We can’t argue with that.
reviews
Fashion Report Card: Alexander Wang Divides, Preen Impresses in Debut
Could Alexander Wang live up to heightening hype? Some critics were cold and unimpressed. But Preen was welcomed in America with all but a parade down Fifth Avenue. Lela Rose’s Katherine and Audrey Hepburn theme proved puzzling, and rag & bone veered too far from what they do best. Who else got slammed?
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Jeremy Piven Falls Over Petra Nemcova at Prada
Of all the Fashion Week parties, the Prada-store event will always be good. They couldn’t possibly top their last big Fashion Week bash with the Raconteurs, but we figured they might come close. And they did, sort of. We’d been looking forward to hearing Damien Hirst’s formerly crack-addicted “maverick fucking geezer” friend Antony Green and his band the Hours play beneath a mockup of Hirst’s $100 million skull. But pretty much from the second they started, we started to doze off. There were soundboard issues, and the music did not rock. Instead, we counted the celebs who had been able to squeeze their tiny bodies onto the steps opposite the stage (which is right in front of that big curvy thing in the middle of the store). Quite a few, it turned out.
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Video: Backstage, Everyone’s Rooting for Thakoon
With our cameras in tow, fashion correspondent Fabiola Beracasa hit the Thakoon show and found several of the designer’s fans. Filmmaker Liz Goldwyn told of one Thakoon dress she has taken around the world. Mary Alice Stephenson, former fashion director of Harper’s Bazaar, gleefully recalled being Thakoon’s boss before the fashion assistant grew up to be a designer. Find out who else was there by watching the video.
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Proenza Schouler Show More Fun Than Your GYN AppointmentProenza Schouler moved uptown to the magnificent Park Avenue Armory this year, and their fans came with them. We spotted the usual cadre of interchangeable blonde fashion editors, a sprinkling of socialites (including Aerin Lauder and avowed Proenza lover Jessica Joffe, who was wearing the same outfit she had on at the 11 a.m. Sari Gueron show scandale!), and, of course, Anna Wintour, this time with daughter Bee Shaffer in tow.
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Five Things We Liked on Friday
1. Vera Wang’s beautiful, practically poetic knits: The backs were replaced with panels of sheer, flowing chiffon.
2. Sari Gueron! We loved the bright, Calder-inspired primary-colored tunics and mini-dresses, and jet beading on black seems like just the right amount of shine for evening.
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Video: Get Sexy Backstage at Max Azria
Fashion correspondent Fabiola Beracasa was backstage at BCBG Max Azria with a camera. See what the designer himself considers to be “relatively romantic” and find out what celebrity Arden Wohl saw at her first fashion show. And which pieces of the “sexy, sensual lingerie” will Molly Sims order?
three is a trend
Fruit LipsStylists ditched the traditional red and peachy pink makeup this season, instead opting for more vibrant colors. Lips went the way of tangerines, creating a shocking — yet wholly intriguing — look that was fresh and fun.