Fern Mallis, VP IMG Fashion, Fashion Week Spring 2010

I really hate break-ups, but I do believe that we’ve reached the end of the road.  The stylish and fashionable have left the building, um, the tents at Bryant Park.  The tents been removed, and we will never again assemble there for New York Fashion Week.  The next time this set gets together, it will be at Lincoln Center, the new home of fashion week.  Fern Mallis is the organizer of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, and she scouted locations for years until they decided on the new venue.  While we had a great time at Bryant Park, I predict that we’ll make new and better memories at Lincoln Center.

Fashion's Night Out, Macy's

Fashion’s Night Out makes our Rollcall list this week because it included the average consumer in on a mostly industry event.  The shows were great; we were treated to a bevy of beautiful collections, but Fashion’s Night Out was undoubtly the most exciting part of New York Fashion Week Spring 2010.  It was so successful that CFDA President, Diane Von Furstenberg has plans to make it a regular part of Fashion Week.  The evening generated great buzz and excitement for the entire week.  It would not be surprising if that evening has created enough goodwill with the consumer that it could be recouped throughout the Holiday Season.  The consumer has a longer memory than they are often given credit for, and they are more loyal as well.  The fashion industry gave back to the community last Thursday evening, and it will be rewarded.

Related Posts: Fashion’s Night Out in the City; Rachel Roy Showcases Her ‘Rachel Rachel Roy’ Line.

3.1 Phillip Lim delivered a spring 2010 collection that was effortless, as well as glamorous and unfussy.  On the glamorous spectrum you have beautiful sequin dresses and dresses with the most intricate details.  Sure we’ve seen sequins throughout this fashion week, but the delicate origami type foldings on some of the dresses were unique to this show.   As a side note, where the sequins are concerned, I’m on-board for wearing them for day or night, and I won’t wait for the spring either.  The more relaxed pieces were no less stunning with perfect proportions and incredible fit.  Next season we will all want to be the Phillip Lim girl, cool and chic without really trying.  The pieces were deceptively simple at first glance, but stunning.  He offered a great variety; we were treated to wonderful separates and those great dresses with beautiful detailing.  It is easy to see all the love and care that was put into this collection.  A girl could have a field day mixing and matching the shorts, tops and trenches.  The 3.1 Phillip Lim runway show was definitely a highlight of this New York Fashion Week Spring 2010.

Sophie Theallet’s show was the show to see today.  It received great reviews from the fashion community, and it was well deserved.  The collection was African Inspired with beautiful prints and fabrics.  The pieces are beautiful and simply, it’s easy to slip into and feel chic.  The collection is effortless.  What mad this runway show stand out were the prints and sherbert solids in tangerine and grape.  Those colors are perfect for spring, they also sound very delicious.  There was an array of choices, the collection understood that sometimes a woman may feel like wearing something in print, bold or just simple an elegant.  We are offered a choice.  Thank goodness for variety.

Rachel Roy- Fashion's Night Out

Beautiful, gracious and kind, these are the words I would use to describe fashion designer Rachel Roy.  She came out last night to lend her support to Fashion’s Night Out at Macy’s in Herald Square.  Ms. Roy’s new lower priced line, Rachel Rachel Roy was on display.  There were several models on a stage showcasing the new affordable line.  The designer was surrounded by customers and fans wanting to get a glimpse, or to take her photograph.  She was wearing a belted one shoulder print top and black leggings from her high-end Rachel Roy collection.  Rachel was very friendly and relaxed considering that the Rachel Roy collection is scheduled to show on Sunday; I’m looking forward to seeing it.

Rachel Rachel Roy- Fashion's Night Out

Rachel Rachel Roy- Fashion's Night Out

Michelle Ava Gardner- New York Fashion Week Spring 2010

Today marks the start of New York Fashion Week Spring 2010, and it was a major success.  The success is mainly because of Fashion’s Night Out; the star power was enormous.  I saw designers Michael Kors and Rachel Roy at Macy’s.  Debra Messing was also at Macy’s in Herald Square.  Many other celebrities came out this evening in support of the fashion industry.  Anna Wintour personally visited several stores including DVF, Dior, Sean Jean among several others.  Ms. Wintour was the force behind Fashion’s Night Out, and she proves once again that she is ‘Anna the Great’.  Other celebrities who made it out tonight were Hugh Jackman, Rihanna, Blake Lively, Ashley and Mary Kate Olsen, and many more.  The stores and streets were very busy, and the customers were really enjoying the festive atmosphere.  Congratulations to all involved; this will prove to be an unforgettable New York Fashion Week.

Here is a backstage look at the work that goes into putting a show together at New York Fashion Week Fall 2009.  You’ll see how the designers, hair stylists and make up artists collaborate to create a cohesive theme.  The real action takes place backstage, that’s where you get to see the true personality of the individual.  In my experience, the designers are usually thoughtful and gracious, even if a little anxious about the show.  New York Fashion Week Spring 2010 is from September 10th to 17th, less than a month away.  I’m excited to see what’s new on the horizon next spring in terms of color, silhouette and texture.  Let’s not forget that September 10th is Fashion’s Night Out where stores will remain open until 11:00pm hosting events in all five boroughs.  Anna Wintour will be in Queens, in celebration of Fashion’s Night Out, signing T-shirts.  There’s plenty in store for us this season, just take a look back at last season’s moments.

New York Fashion Week is just around the corner, September 10 - 17, 2009.  The online registration for press started today.  There is no place like New York in the fall, and fashion week only adds to this incredible city.  It should be an extra special event this season because it’s the last time fashion week will be held at the Bryant Park tent.  The tent will be missed because it is centrally located in midtown.   I was never exactly clear on why some shows were held at other downtown venues; was it a lack of space or cost issue?  Hopefully Lincoln Center can accommodate all who wish to show in fashion week’s new home.  Last season we named Donna Karan the winner of our Showdown because of all the fabulous accessories, the belts and necklaces really added sophistication to the collection.  Take another look at some of the fall 2009 shows, and hopefully they will leave you wanting more in September.

New York ranked No. 3 among the major fashion cities in the world, and hearts are breaking all over the city tonight.  If you’re wondering who took the top spots, that would be Paris, followed by Milan.  That came from a survey of 10,000 people worldwide.  We won’t take this personally.  Paris is the birth place of haute couture, and is home to many bold named designers.  It’s also on my list of places to visit soon.  I never made it over to Milan while in Rome, but if Rome was any indication, Milan is well deserving of its place on the list.  Incidentally London and Rome rounded out the top five in that order.  The good news is the cities with major fashion weeks took the top spots.  Hopefully New York will do better next year, the chant of we’re number three doesn’t have the same ring to it as ‘we’re number one’. 

 World’s Most Stylish Cities [Forbes}