High-Fashion High

Anna Molinari’s Fall 2006 Ready-to-Wear Collection was anything but earthy. Metallics dominated the runway: gold, silver, white, cream, purple, black, and a jolt of red couldn’t help but be eye-catching.
Sleek lines on shirts, blouses, pants and jackets balanced the feathery, airy skirts and puffy warm coats.
A red velour longed-sleeved mini-dress with a faux fur shoulder sash and a hint of silvery sparkle paired with red Mary Janes must have been the outfit Little Red Riding Hood wished she owned.

Black satin and silk pantsuits for evening are poised to stir up the notion that pants are faux pas for elegant functions. A divine accent to the suit is a diamond-encrusted animal pin worn at the hip. The suit is a tuxedo for women (with a few key swatches of fabric cut out), along the lines of Yves Saint Laurent’s early editions.

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“Nude – this season that’s all you need to know,” says John Galliano. It’s a contemporary vision creating a new allure.”

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Gucci’s runway Spring/Summer 2006 collection shocked and surprised with its heavy dose of black mixed with forest green, dark pink, and brown. Not your typical summer colors, but wearing white after Labor Day has long been a discarded rule, anyway.

But Gucci has certainly struck gold with the collection. Bold solid colors complemented horizontal stripes and flirty floral prints (you can’t completely forget about May flowers for spring). Pants were sleek and form-fitting, and dresses, whether short or long, were dainty and demure. The fabrics were a range from sleek and silky to loose chiffon. Whatever kind of fabric, the bold colors pop and catch any eye. A lady lucky enough to walk down the street in Gucci will be a traffic-stopper this spring and summer!

Necklines for blouses were either dangerously open keyholes or boatneck style. Skirts and culottes remained between the knee and mid-thigh in length, but covering skin can never erase the sex appeal of Gucci. Flowing silk dress shirts, skirts, and dresses are going to be snatched off the racks for spring and summer office wear, and floral-print halter swimsuits and sundresses will be the delight of that backyard barbecue.

Gucci has held its dominance in the fashion market despite several management disputes because its designers know what women want to wear; they intuit what looks sexy and what clothes give women that boost of confidence. Tom Ford, recently retired from Gucci in late 2003, gave the company a boost in the mid-1990s with forward-thinking style; rumors surround when he will begin his own Tom Ford label.

With the Spring/Summer 2006 collection (Frida Giannini is now Creative Director of the entire brand), buzz is just as hot as after Ford’s pinnacle ready-to-wear 1995 collection. It’s really not hard to see why: these clothes sure have this fashionista lusting after warm spring days and sultry summer nights.

NEW YORK, September 10, 2005 – Their fifth year in business has been a banner one for Project Alabama’s Natalie Chanin and Enrico Marone-Cinzano. They were nominated for the 2005 Fashion Design Award from New York’s Cooper-Hewitt museum and were named finalists for the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award. With all of this attention comes increased scrutiny. And now that UPS has sponsored the label’s first-ever runway show a bevy of editorial and retail heavy hitters turned up to find out what the buzz is about.

The Project Alabama team surely hit it big with such nods and a debut show in the coveted Bryant Park Tents.

Their fashions are as fine and delectable as sweet-cream butter! I’m in awe, I’m awe struck! I’m not yet drooling (that would be ugly) but I’m in full swoon mode, over here!

Party Dress

With bead embroidered patterns, this is the perfect little navy dress.

Professional

Why shouldn’t the 21st-century fabulista don 50s glam to work?

Weekend Play

With a casual, white cardi-blazer, this unique-argyle blue-and-creme flared skirt has little pants underneath! What a pulled together, cute and funky way to romp around town.
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Aside from this collection being so very me, and Rory Gilmore, there are noticeable common threads. Prevalent colors are yellow and navy with black. Most looks have one item with an under tiering; contrasting slips under skirts, ruffles under a top, even capris under a skirt–so nervy!

I’d say Project Alabama deserves all the recognition it gets.

Technorati Watch: Fashion Week + New York Fashion Week

It is such time of year when a girl’s thoughts fancy run-a-way boots and hug-me-tight coats. Oh, Outerwear! Outerwear can be of the finest pieces of luxury. A woman’s coat is seen every day hiding her fabulous outfits. It should be a thing of refined beauty. We can afford to splurge a little on such an investment piece, no?

But $2,335 Moschino Cheap & Chic? Oh, my!
No, we cannot.

This coat is surely a masterpiece of lavishness in tartan plaid. Its long-and-lean silhouette, double breast and wide lapels make for a flattering and sophisticated look.

Search on, begging fashionistas! You must yet be choosy.

My favorite designer apparel items are suits and blazers (then in line is feminine dresses). Dior knows how to cut a jacket. This Stellae is called the Hourglass Jacket. Isn’t that perfect for every woman?

Christian Dior’s new take on the New Look from the forties celebrates the feminine form with a shapely silhouette and elegant details.

The woman who wears this is so … ladies who lunch. It’s so Charlotte.

Here Dior’s Stellae goes denim to match the line’s fabulous flower embroidered bag. Loves it.

I’m feeling anxious for a fashion-fix, and need to post some happy shoes. These Christian Lacroix pumps look like a real canvas painting of fresh Spring flowers. Its fuschia heels should make you smile, if nothing else.

As for the shape, I’m not sure how I like it without seeing it on a foot. I can tell, though, that there would be some decent toe cleavage exposure with that elongated point.

They’re at an amazing sale price, but in only 1 size left, and no more to be ordered. Q’uel bummer. But if we’re here to merely look, that shouldn’t get us down.

All for all, it’s a very interesting shoe, but it doesn’t get me high.

Bergdorf Goodman dropped a little gift of a note in my inbox. Previews of Oscar de la Renta and more designers are now up on the online store. I’m a sucker for a great designer suit and this one, by said designer, nearly speaks for itself, the website helps, too.

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The signature look of Oscar de la Renta: rich fabrics in sophisticated, feminine cuts.

- Jacquard Jacket: Beige with silver floral jacquard. Wide collar; open front. Patch pockets. Three-quarter sleeves, approximately 19 3/4″L. Slit cuffs. Silk, wool.
- Embellished Top: Ivory. Soft metallic gold trim with beading on V neckline. Sleeveless. 70% cashmere, 30% silk.
- Tweed Skirt: Brown. Contrast plaid georgette trim on hem. Inverted pleats. 87% wool, 13% polyamide.
- Jeweled Belt: Dark brown with golden jewels and studs.

It’s fun to take a stroll down the runway, each season. There are enough shows to keep us browsing long after the events are finished. Each designer has his or her hits and misses, but Swiss Akris had a few major hits that blew me away.

Beautiful for Business

A super sleek business look. This blazer is open, forcing the lady to wear quite a fabulous top. On this model, is a staple of the Akris Spring 2005 show, the corset top. Her trousers are so-hot-right-now white pinstripe and are super slim. While these pants are for the incredibly tall and thin, I’ve tested out white pinstriped pants, myself, and they flatter any sort of figure.

Feminine Casual

Do casual right these Spring weekends. Layering is a must. Pair blazers with soft, flowing skirts and bold, dangling belts. This ensemble is particularly daring, with the top and jacket both consisting of buttons.

The colors are neutral. Remember, spring doesn’t have to mean brights and pastels. These hues say “Spring 2005,” just as much as any other colors you’ll see this season. In fact, they do one better, saying “fashion for the future,” these colors will last.

Stand-Out Night Out

THIS billowy skirt (in tulle?) particularly blew me away. Imagine wearing it, the fashionista would be utterly happy, bouncing and flouncing with strappy sandals, in the grass at a picnic. *Sigh* Perfection in a look.

The top is a bit plain, and perhaps should be covered by something soft or sheer and petite; definitely something understated.

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At the end of our journey, I’ve found that these feminine styles and neutral tones to be quite soothing. I hope you’ve found some “designer therapy” (not retail!), yourselves.