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How I love St. Patrick's Day. Everyone always seems to have a little extra Irish spring in their step, an Irish lilt in their voice and some Bailey's Irish Cream in their marnin' coffee. That was me sad attempt at an Irish accent, but I feel like I'm coming off more like Popeye.
Your favorite blogging lassie is all decked out in a mismatched ensemble of green gear. I've got jeans on because it's chilly, a green minidress and a white track jacket with green piping that looked kind of Irish, so I grabbed it on the way out with a mini cereal box of Frosted Lucky Charms.
I really should put a little more thought into dressing the part on St. Patrick's Day. Green really is a universally flattering color (I'm thinking Kelly green, not the Split Pea green regularly associated with poopy diapers).
Regardless if your greens are stylish enough for a runway or haphazardly thrown together, whether you're wearing green or not, I hope Irish eyes are smiling down on you all day long.
A little man leading you to a pot of gold wouldn't be hurtin' so bad either now.
I was only present for three of the eight fun-filled fashion days and nights and am still clinging to the brief and magical moments while I was there... I'm also still pouting over all the shows that I missed.
There is one show in particular that I would have teleported myself to if I could have, Naomi Campbell's Fashion For Relief™ - Haiti.
Hosted by the other Fergie, (Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson) this runway show-slash-auction featured internationally recognized designers, celebrities and VIPs in order to raise crucial funds towards rebuilding Haiti’s healthcare system for mothers and children. The Bryant Park tent held 950 guests at prices ranging from $100 to $150 a ticket, which adds up to a nice amount of charitable fash cash.
Fashion For Relief™ began five years ago during MB Fashion Week in New York City, raising $1 million dollars for Hurricane Katrina relief. Proceeds raised this year will go directly to saving the lives of women, children and newborns across the recently earthquake stricken Haiti.
Supermodel Naomi Campbell brought together all of her famous friends in the fashion houses to put on a star-studded show with over 50 looks coming down the runway worn by celebrity models including Kelly Osborne, Estelle, Malin Ackerman and Alan Cummings, and designers such as Diane Von Furstenberg and Donna Karan who switched roles, walking the catwalk for the cause.
The looks were fun, bright and bold for the most part. I won't fail to mention that Supermodel Agyness Deyn wiped out twice on the runway until she finally took off her heels, walking barefoot like a pro. As I've said before, we all fall down.
The fashions were provided by a slew of esteemed designers including Carolina Herrera, Ralph Lauren, Dolce & Gabbana and Christian Dior, and will be auctioned online at Net-a-Porter starting today, March 15.
Whether you splurge on a runway look or if you'd like to make your own fashionable donation, visit Care.org to help.
]]>Next week is St. Paddy's Day and then Easter is just a bunny hop, skip and a jump away, so I'm starting my dress shopping early. Where am I finding the cutest Spring dresses ever? All in the pages of the Tilly's catalog.
Whether your Spring fling dress style leans towards halter necks or strapless, floral, striped, solid colored, ruffled or tiered, Tilly's has your back with dresses that will show off your back...both of 'em. Here are a handful of my favorites from Roxy:
Get up and go anywhere in this Roxy Get Up Dress that will quickly become your go-to staple for Spring. Tilly's has it in Magenta, featuring a black bodice and colorful geometric patterns on the skirt, with halter straps that tie behind the neck. For $38.99, I say get up and buy it.
I'm a sucker for a flowery print. Explore your girlie side this season in the Roxy Newland Dress that has two very feminine ruffle tiers at top and an easy fit elastic waist. Adjustable and removable spaghetti straps give it even more flower power and versatility for $37.99.
For beach or bistro, this Roxy Sand Knit Dress is a sandy steal at $31.99. It's a casual no-fuss frock that can be dressed up or dressed down with a few key accessories. You can't get any comfier with the elastic empire waist and a sexy plunge v-neck. And the strappy knotty back...very naughty indeed.
You likey? Get 20% off your favorite dress or any single item at Tilly's and wait, there's more. Score Free Shipping on orders of $99 or more. Just use the promo code CATALOGS20 at checkout.
Somebody get me the self-tanner.
]]>There were a few surprises that ruined my chances of winning some Oscar ballot booty, but they were good surprises with The Hurt Locker's Kathryn Bigelow beating out her ex, Avatar's James Cameron, in the Best Director category (making history as the 1st woman to take home the statue for directing). Kathryn also won the biggest award of the night for Best Picture. Ahh, sweet revenge. You might have been the King of the World over a decade ago Jimbo, but your ex-wife is now the Queen. Bow down before her and enjoy your Visual Effects win.
Fashionably speaking, the fanciest frocks of the night ran the gamut from Posh to Ginger and Baby Spice with black beaded encrusted and metallic gowns, to scarlet fever hued haute couture creations and pink and purple prom ready confections.
No one looked Scary Spice though, which is a good thing.
My award for Best Dressed goes to the angel who wore Prada. Best Actress nominee Carey Mulligan for An Education channeled both Audrey Hepburn and Mia Farrow last night, with her Rosemary's Babyish blond cropped do and her black Prada gown that was age appropriate, graceful, daring and a bit on the rebellious rock star side without being over the top...the stuff that every memorable Oscar gown is made of.
My second favorite dress was worn by the ever so romantic, always simple, always elegant Rachel McAdams who flowed down the red carpet and the stage as a presenter in a soft, ethereal print Elie Saab gown that was truly a work of art.
There was a definite Old Hollywood vibe in the air with the glamour gal duo from The Holiday - Cameron Diaz who glowed in a beaded Oscar de la Renta gown with Veronica Lake side swept hair and the regal Kate Winslet, ending her reign as Best Actress in a structured metallic YSL creation that had a hint of the days of old, but will not be forgotten.
Best dressed boys? Tie between Twilight's Taylor Lautner and the Prince of Persia Jake Gyllenhaal. Yum.
Most improved: You were at the bottom of my lists last year and look at you now. Meryl Streep - In an exquisitely flattering crisp white gown designed by surprise surprise, Project Runway's usually campy contestant, Chris March.
With the good comes the bad. Here were my worst dressed:
Sarah Jessica Parker in Chanel. I adore you Carrie Bradshaw, but this mellow yellow shade cast a similar yellow glow to your teeth and you looked older than your years with your Maude'ish dress and Big Mac of a bun... and hello, flyaways.
Best Supporting Actress Nominee Anna Kendrick - Your pale Elie Saab gown was lovely, but the muted color washed you out, so you came off looking more like a vampire like than any of your Twilight saga Cullen co-stars.
Zoe Saldana - You've been doing so well this award season, taking risks and standing out, but although your lilac Givency gown was decent on top, it appeared as if a gang of Muppets were fighting under your skirts, not to mention the fact that the slit down the center almost brought a Basic Instinct element to the evening.
Charlize Theron - In my opinion you are one of the most gorgeous creatures that has ever graced the red carpet. Why are you covering up your spectacular boobs with a pair of strategically placed Cinnabons?
It's a light and airy Spring/Summer top that is just aching to be taken out on a picnic, plus it'll look great twirling a sparkler on the 4th of July.
Wear me.
After trotting to the mailbox in my sad gray tank top, jeans and brown Old Navy flipflops (2 for $5), I perked up to find a mailbox filled with possibilities. One flip through the new Chico's Catalog injected me with hope, page 9 blooming with a palette of pretty pastels just in time for Spring. Just a few key pieces could save me from my utter muted color demise, and could save my blanched basics from slitting their wrists in my closet.
The first thing added to my shopping cart was this pretty Pintuck V 3/4 Tee in Chico's color-of-the-moment, Delicacy. Great both by itself with its sweet detailing at the neckline or layered, adding a soft and lovely touch of color underneath a neutral cardigan or jacket. As for bottoms, you gotta love these Almost Famous Denim Crop Jeans, part of Chico's perfect-fitting Platinum Denim collection. Available in an assortment of colors and washes for $65 each, these cropped cuties slim, flatter and lengthen without having to do 3 reps of squats. My favorite hues for Spring? Reed Yellow, White Wash and you guessed it, Delicacy Pink.
Not crazy about pink? You can still add a little pop that will do wonders, like this Rebecca Pin, on sale for only $21. Just pin it onto your listless gray sweater or denim jacket and you'll feel like a Spring flower, just about to bloom. Beware of bees please. Another winning accessory is this Addyson Necklace, a true statement piece that can work for work, a date or a Spring wedding with its stunning combination of dyed jade, shell, glass, acrylic beads and metal chains that will draw the eyes up to your gorgeous face for $120.75.
Once my order was placed I felt better, with a warm blush finally returning to my cheeks. Then I made the mistake of opening up my underwear drawer. Jeez. How many nude thongs can a girl have? Good thing my Soma Intimates catalog arrived alongside Chico's. I can wear this Soma Lace Convertible Bra four different ways - as a strapless bra, crisscrossed, halter or traditional bra, and the Pink Punch color and stretch lace overlay.... perfect date night material.
I snapped this photo during my last day at the tents. Two days before the iconic white tents would be taken down, never to stand in Bryant Park again.
I miss being there and am still experiencing phantom-like pain sensations, as if one stiletto'ed foot is no longer physically part of my body. Yes, I feel like one of my stylish limbs is missing and won't grow back until September when the Spring 2011 Collections are ready to show... but it will be different.
Sadly, this was both my first and last season documenting NY Fashion Week in Bryant Park as an officially credited member of the press. From February 11-18th, 2010, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week celebrated its last hurrah before packing it all up and heading to their new home at Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park in September. I feel so very fortunate to have had the chance to finally experience the magic of Bryant Park during this very special, final season.
This year Fashion Week served as a walk down memory lane, with the tents adorned with quotes from our favorite fashion industry insiders who shared their fondest memories of how Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week has impacted the world of fashion and changed the lives of both designers and industry professionals alike.
Over 3 million total visitors have come through the tents since 1993, and I am proud to have been one of them. I might not have been there from the beginning but I was there at the end, to leave my tiny footprints and soak it all in before it disappeared. And in September, when all the fashionable folks inside the Lincoln Center tents reminisce about the good old days at Bryant Park, I will nod, smile, understand and have a few stories of my own.
17 years.
31 seasons.
2,500 shows.
So long Bryant Park, and thank you for the memories.
One of my employers is in love with Elie Tahari. I know she's been dying to read my coverage on her favorite designer showing at Fashion Week, but I've been making her wait for it...wait for it...and wait for it some more. This one is for you boss.
Bad news - It's very early in the morning, snowing outside and it seems that everyone is being let in before those of us with tickets.
Good news - No seating assignments, everyone is standing!
Bad news - No goody bags.
Good news - I'm in the front row because I'm short!
Bad news - These models are easily twice my size. I feel like Smurfette.
Good news - I spot Joan Rivers, Fern Mallis and Joe Zee - Creative Director of ELLE magazine!
Bad news - Joan Rivers' face frightens me.
Once I arrived in the Salon, the show began with the models walking proud, fast and furious. The women's collection wowed with sophisticated pieces that showed off Tahari's unfaltering attention to detail. I ooh'ed and ahh'ed over ready-to-wear separates in posh palettes of blacks and grays that gravitated into oranges, bronzes and other cool Autumnal pops of color. Tahari's glorious handbags accessorized the looks beautifully as did the uptown hats and oversized sunglasses that added a touch of timeless style.
The menswear collection quickly followed suit with luxurious Don Draper lookalikes cruising down the catwalk in impeccable suits and perfectly parted slicked back hair. Once the men walked their walk, there was a brief pause and...wait for it...wait for it...
The show started all over again. Wait, didn't I see that? I'm having serious déjà vu. No, I'm not mistaken, I did see that before. After a few familiar looks, I finally put size 2 and 2 together to realize that the women were indeed coming out in the same outfits, beginning their entire collection rotation once again. Then the boys, girls, boys, girls, boy, girl, walk, fierce, pose, repeat.
It was the Groundhog Day of Fashion Week.
Sam Cam
Where else could you score free Starbucks beverages in the morning, free alcoholic beverages in the evening, complimentary make-up and hair products, cutie cute tote bags, mini umbrellas to protect perfectly styled hairdos from getting ruined by the snow and more stylish S.W.A.G. (Stuff We All Get) than could possibly fit in a girl's suitcase back to Miami?
I realized after an hour of showing up at 41st and 6th, that there are so many other priceless treasures to be found in the deep confines of the Bryant Park tents. Some tangible, others not. I felt like Gossip Girl Fashion Edition here...your one and only source into the scandalous lives of Manhattan's elite. I overheard private conversations concerning who ate it on the runway during the previous afternoon's shows, who got plastered at the previous evening's afterparties and multiple TMI tidbits about various bodily functions, crash diets, upper lip waxings and extramarital affairs.
Better than the juiciest verbal morsels, I found things. Things that people dropped. This script for instance, previously held by former Supermodel Veronica Webb, pictured below during last year's Fashion Week with Victoria's Secret Angel Doutzen Kroes. There I was, chilling on the cushy black benches a few feet away from the hot Mercedes-Benz parked in the lobby when I found this folded up script underneath my bum.
Thought you might enjoy seeing the rundown for Veronica's Modelinia Fashion Week TV coverage, found by your undercover fashion reporter on the scene. Back to you Bianca!
xoxo,
Sammy
2. a terminal period, esp. after full development, success, etc.: the twilight of his life.
3. a blockbuster film/phenomenon (based on the novel of the same name by Stephenie Meyer) starring hottie vampire, Edward Cullen.
Monday, February 15th. Perry Ellis. The Promenade. 2nd Row. 7pm, the twilight hour.
Pre-show I was treated to a couple of complimentary berry martinis and ran into Jennifer and Laura from the shorty cycle of America's Next Top Model. They both looked gorgeous, were very friendly, and I loved the fact that they are still close friends even more than the fact that they didn't tower over me the way most of the models here did. I snapped a pic with my phone, but Jen looked weird and Laura had her eyes closed, and I could never post an unflattering photo of my new besties.
As I took my seat and browsed through my program I got the chills, excited to finally see some menswear pieces that were to die for. I took in the hot pink backdrop with the black chandelier for a moment and as soon as the lights went dark, the coven of male models were ready to prowl.
Creative director John Crocco presented a collection of dark hues and luxurious fabrics that enveloped a mix of sophisticated sportswear and handsome evening wear to prep today's Perry Ellis man for any night out on the town. Elegant trenches, velvet evening jackets, tuxedo pants, waistcoats, exquisite three piece suits, color blocked wonders, sumptuous leather, cozy wool blends... hold the phones, is that a cravat I see? Where's Chuck Bass when you need him?
Nearly every piece in the program was attached to the words Midnight and/or Eclipse and the pale male models wore them well, looking chiseled, wan and in desperate need of a blood transfusion, although when the light hit one of them just right, I'd swear his skin was sparkling.
Sam Cam
In conclusion, John Crocco for Perry Ellis is far from the twilight of his career, delivering a dressed to kill collection that had major bite.
]]>I am home now. Back on Floridian soil after a four hour layover at LaGuardia due to unfortunate weather conditions. I got home and in bed a little after 4am. I woke up, immediately reaching for the day's show schedule on the bedside table, then realized after a few hazy moments that it was all over. The only fashion shows in my immediate future will be those broadcast on Project Runway. I won't be in the seats. It won't be live. It won't be the same.
My body is still on New York time and my mind is still completely immersed in fashion week, reliving show after show with a slideshow of snapshots of favorite pieces rotating fondly in my memory. Most of these pieces were Reese's pieces. Tracy Reese's divine Fall pieces.
I've come to the conclusion that there are 3 general reactions people have after seeing a show in the Bryant Park tents.
a. Wow, that was either avante garde/daring/bold or weird. I loved and/or hated it.
b. Wow, that was safe and lovely, but I wasn't moved. I loved it but it didn't change my life.
c. Wow, I could wear and want to wear every single item that came down the runway.
Tracy's ready to wear overall grade - a C+.
There was definitely a fine frenzy in the air with the tent packed to full capacity and starting even later than usual. Tracy's normally sweet feminine aesthetic was pumped up with plenty of versatile sportswear separates that were tastefully layered on top of her signature staple of perfectly pretty dresses for the Autumn season.
Skinny studded pants, cozy sweaters, faux fur, impeccably tailored coats and romantic, always ladylike dresses of both dark and pastel hues were paired with sleek arm warmers, side-parted poofed up ponytails, aviator sunglasses and high volume scarves to create an edgy contrast with simple yet striking wardrobe updating pieces.
What I love about Tracy's collection is that everything looks so incredible all put together while still being conscious of today's economy. If a girl wants to invest in a piece for the new season, she doesn't necessarily have to buy the entire outfit, but can still afford a big change with an eye-catching coat, cardigan, dress, scarf or other smart separates that can be mixed and matched to add a breath of fresh air to old basics, pieces from last year and everything else in the modern gal's closet. Again, I wanted it all, as did the celebrities in the audience, at least according to the expressions on their happy faces.
Celebrity Spottings: Kristen Bell and Julia Stiles chatting front row, Robert Verdi, Destiny's Child's Michelle Williams and Raven Symone was slated to attend, but I failed to see her.
Perhaps she ditched the show...that's so Raven.
