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}

I was thinking? Oh, oh!  My friends tend to brace themselves whenever I start a sentence that way.  Don’t worry, this time it’s harmless.  If I had $100,000 to go shopping in any of the four major fashion capitals in the world, which would I choose?  Do you have a preference?  Would it be the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris, Via Monte Napoleone in Milan, Bond Street in London or Madison Avenue in New York?  Each of these streets is lined with the most high-end stores in the world.  As a New Yorker, it will always be my first stop, and why not.  Madison Avenue offers Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino, Calvin Klein and Prada all within blocks of each other.  That doesn’t mean I couldn’t be persuaded with the slightest of suggestion to hop a plane and throw caution to the wind in Paris.  Who wouldn’t want to frolic in Paris?  Though I’m pretty sure there isn’t much frolicking allowed in Christian Dior, Lanvin, Hermes, Dolce & Gabbana, or Gucci.  Sure I don’t speak French, even though it’s been on my ‘to do’ list for the longest time.  Do I really need to know the language while shopping?  The language of shopping is universal.  No? (That’s no in a French accent.)

The global economic downturn that has plagued the country and luxury department stores has caught the attention of major fashion designers.  A few of these designers have decided to embark on a new pricing strategy, they have lowered their prices.  Designers like Oscar de la Renta, J. Mendel and Zac Posen have taken this new approach. 

The drop in prices is good news for consumers.  Only time will tell if this new pricing strategy will be as advantageous to the designers as well. 

While we ponder the effectiveness of lower prices to the designers’ bottom-line, let us take a look at Zac Posen’s fall 2009 collection from Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week.  Lower prices have never looked this good. [TheCut, Fashionista]

Related Post: The Price Point

Whew!  It’s spring, nice to see you again.  After all the fall looks for 2009 it is great to look back at the light and cheerful looks for spring 2009.  How great is it to see legs, arms and shoulders again?  Take a look at Charlotte Ronson’s fashion show spring 2009.   

The fashion community was treated to several weeks of the most innovative designers in the world.  New York, London, Milan and Paris showcased collections that rivaled their own prior success.  Each city gave us magnificent trends to follow for fall 2009.

In New York, our Showdown winner Donna Karan brought us a wealth of accessories.  She reminded us of the importance of the belt in updating and pulling a look together.  Donna Karan also previewed the role of the bold necklace on the runway for fall.

Milan’s Showdown winner was Gucci.  Gucci dazzled us with the glitz and glamour of its dresses. Milan sparkled, and the rest of the world smiled.  The festive mood in Milan is mercifully contagious.

Christian Dior was the Showdown winner in Paris.  Dior wowed us with a collection of beautiful coats and suits; all in rich luxurious fabrics and textures.  The dresses were made of the sheerest fabrics; fabrics that were as bright and colorful as a bag full of jelly beans, and possibly just as delicious.

So ladies, your fall 2009 wardrobe will consist of:

• A. Fabulous accessories, textured belts and bold necklaces;
• B. Sequin party dresses and tops; and
• C. Stunning coats and suits in fantastic prints and textures.

It is always lovely in the fall, and these collections will make it just a little lovelier.  All of the listed collections may be viewed at New York Magazine.

New York City has been hit with nearly 9 inches of snow and 22 degree weather in the month of March.  It’s time for a getaway.  Let us think warm thoughts.

Imagine yourself on a beach with white sand and blue-green water.  The sand caresses your toes with each step.  The heat from the sun is so intense.  Do you need help applying your sunscreen?  Hold on.  I’m back, had to get my sunglasses.  The glare from the sun is blinding as well. 

Your only care is whether you’ll have dinner at the resort or venture into town to have dinner with the locals.  Remember to stop by the boutique to pick up your bikini.  That’s the uniform of choice here in paradise.

Meet you for lunch in ten minutes.  Is that your phone ringing?  If reality calls, I’m not in.

Three fashion designers were selected for Rollcall yesterday, and two moved on to Showdown.  Please see the collections at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week .  The three selected were:

• A. Calvin Klein
• B. Vivienne Tam
• C. Yeohlee

Calvin Klein’s spring 2009 collection was simultaneously reserved and explosive.  The neutral color palette and the architectural and origami forms made this an unforgettable collection.

Vivienne Tam produced a soft and feminine spring collection.  The details and embellishments were center stage.  The ruching, trimming, appliqués and delicate pleating made this collection stand out.

Yeohlee’s spring collection was youthful, light and fresh.  It was cohesive in shapes and its neutral color palette.   Her Collection was pleasing to the eye.

The two to move on to Showdown are Calvin Klein and Vivienne Tam.  Each took two distinct routes this season, one strong and structural, the other soft and romantic.  Both collections will be sought after this season.

Calvin Klein, however, won this Showdown.  It was Francisco Costa at his best.  The workmanship was impeccable; the clean modern lines were done with great precision.  Congratulations!

Spring is almost here, and there should be a song in all of our hearts.  The winter months have been unkind, and should be treated as an uninvited guest who has out-stayed his welcome.

It is cold outside and the darkness of the winter months has done little to improve one’s mood.  The dark colors of the season have only contributed to the feel of the economic crisis. 

Spring is here to rescue us from the dreary dark colors of winter.  The spring 2009 collections are light, optimistic and unconstrained.  The colors are salmon pink, fuchsia, blue and lavender, paired with neutrals, tan, grey, cream or white. 

Rollcall has selected the designers who will lead us out of the deep freeze.   Each is different, but upholds the values of spring 2009.  Please check Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week to view the finalists’ collections.  They are:

• A. Calvin Klein
• B. Vivienne Tam
• C. Yeohlee

Yesterday I named the three fashion designers who made the Rollcall list.  To recap, the designers are:

• A. Donna Karan
• B. Michael Kors
• C. Jason Wu

Each has their own unique style.   Donna Karan reigns supreme with her incredible draping.  Michael Kors is a Master of the classic All-American look.  Jason Wu, a Prince who makes beautiful gowns fit for a ball.  All three are deserving of the first spot, but only one can win.

The analysis to choose the winner was ‘objectively subjective’, fashion will never be totally objective.  It’s about personal style and preference.

Often times your reaction to a collection comes from an emotional place.  You see it and for a moment your analytical skills are suspended.   Sometimes the most simplistic thoughts come to mind, like ‘pretty’.  It’s like getting a brain freeze upon seeing something beautiful.  Rationality usually returns within moments, but it’s often touch-and-go for a while.  The first few looks set the tone.

The Showdown contenders turned out to be the veterans, Donna Karan and Michael Kors.   It may not be so easy to remove the well-established designers from the throne.  Please view the fall 2009 collections at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

The winner is:

Donna Karan.  The intricacies of her cut, draping and sculpted shapes were that of an artist, that gave her the edge and the win.  Congratulations!