Where in the World?

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week

Spring 2011

Hey, folks!  I'm going to be running around New York, eating great food and watching shows.  I'll probably be wearing myself out but I'll be trying to keep up with posting as I go.

Check back here for more and follow me on Twitter for on the go posts.

Luv,

Poochie

New York Fashion Week: Harper's Bazaar Accessories Bazaar

While I'm excited for nearly every aspect of Fashion Week, one new element I hope to have time for is the Harper's Bazaar Acessories Bazaar at Lincoln Center.

The accessories have become such a major feature of each show and the designers skill but they are often very hard to see when the models are striding down the runway. This display gives us the opportunity to immerse ourselves in all their details.

To quote:

Harper's Bazaar, along with the CFDA, we'll be showcasing next season's best accessories from eighteen of our favorite emerging designers — including Alexis Bittar, the winner of the CFDA Accessories Designer of the Year award, Philip Crangi, and Pamela Love.  

Check out the 18 designers here. The display will be open on the 15th and 16th.  I hope I have time to pop over before I have to fly out.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week: Arise Magazine African Collective - Part III

I was so excited to get a seat at the Arise Magazine African Collective Part III show this season. I was going to go last season but had to leave early and missed it. And this was a beautiful show.

Taking place in three parts with three designers spanning First Light, Noon and Midnight, the show space was conceptual and had great depth.

I have each segment on video with the final walk through showing all of the looks.

The first segment is Black Coffee from South Africa. This show featured the most amazing coats that were so oversized and lush. While they were wool, it was great to see a warm luxury look without the use of fur.

The Noon segment was Loin Cloth & Ashes from Tanzania. I loved the translation of the origami bird motif were pulled through to the folds and cuts of the clothes as well as in the accessories.

The third segment was Deola Sagoe from Nigeria. This collection was unique in its inspirations from Maasai warriors combined with 18th century European military uniforms. You would think those would be incongruous from one another but the intricacy of each complimented the other.

The close -

There are some additional still shots online. Check them out:

Here at Zimbio

At Posh Glam

At Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week site

At BellaNinja - Black Coffee, Loin Cloth & Ashes, Deola Sagoe

Fashion Week - Blogger Meet-up

One of the best parts of going to New York for Fashion Week is seeing so many of my favorite people from the online world. Some I've met before and some I had the opportunity to meet for the first time.

That's why when Miss DreamSequins arranged a quick meet-up near the Tents, I was excited to attend.



I totally swiped the above image from her blog post, so check it out to see her coverage.

We even had a bit of impromptu interviewing by Aneta of Bobbin Talk...

I know she did some other videos that are still pending, so I'm going to check back. She was covering shows at the Tents and the IFB event, so be sure to check out her videos.

And to everyone who stopped by, it was so to meet you in person!

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week: Katy Stern Venexiana Fall 2010

I was excited to see the Kati Stern Venexiana show while I was at Fashion Week. And I was not disappointed. While I was sad to see so much fur as a part of the show, which for some reason I wasn't expecting, the evening wear was gorgeous.

There was a beautiful range of fabrics which is what stood out the most to me. The range of black, cream and gold, as well as navy, sage and lavender was elegant but in a very refined way. The show featured several dresses in this striking gold.



But I loved the patterns...

This mix of colors was lovely in person.

Click to enlarge and see the beautiful flounce on the bodice.

This very sparkly dress was a bit of a stand-alone during the show but you had to admit it jumped out at you.

The burned out velvet was a great contrast to the lightness of the skirt.

I love this oversize and shimmery plaid.

I'm not typically a fan of the mermaid style but I loved the pleated inset in the back.

I need a place to wear a big princess-y skirt like this.

While most of the dresses were longer and more formal, I loved this sassy dress with the two-tier ruffles

But the showstopper of the night was this lavender and black dress. It's hard to tell in a still image but this dress moved! Those tiers were amazing and I was in awe. I need a good long entrance, a party to wear it to, and that dress. I mean, damn!

I don't have nearly enough opportunity to dress formal anymore but just knowing there are dresses like these out there makes me happy.

More images to be found on my NYFW Fall 2010 Flickr set.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week: Christian Siriano Fall 2010

There was quite a huge crowd for the Christian Siriano Fall 2010 show but luckily I was able to snag an aisle seat and grab some shots of the show. Overall I felt a very late 1930s - early 1940s evening wear feel about the pieces with soft drapey, flowy gowns, large ruffles and languid bows which were combined with strong and sometimes excessive shoes.



Per the information provided, Christian was "inspired by 1960s Parisian women who dressed up every day." The shoes were inspired by 18th and 19th century French antique furniture with filigree detailing and clawfoot lion's paw foot tubs.

The ruffles were a very strong theme from the dresses down to the Cabriole evening shoe shown in black and royal blue satin.

I found the severe Gladiator boot to be a challenging pairing with the flowy dresses but they could be an interesting work boot.

The shoe styles had very modern shapes, especially this Cloven boot, with wedge heels. Surprising with the My Man Godfrey style dresses.

I will be interested to see how these metallic embellishments are translated, if at all, to the real world Payless stores. The materials used in this collection - gold and silver filigree, patent croc in wine and charcoal and brown and black patent python - can be go really wrong when less expensive materials are used. And we have seen how the Spring runway designs were toned down for the stores from this:

to this:

There has been a statement that a limited edition "direct-from-the-runway" capsule collection will be available in select store in early March. I think it would be great if they do bring the full runway style to consumers.

See more images on my Flickr

Runway images on Style.com

Updates on Payless on the Runway

American Express Blogger Meet-up at Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week

On Friday I had the opportunity to spend time in person with some of my favorite bloggers in the American Express Tent Lobby Lounge and the Skybox.

Typically these venues are used to provide some amazing card member Fashion Week experiences, but in conjunction with the IFB Blogger Conference, a few of us were able to check the space out, have some refreshments and spend an hour with Fern Mallis, who is the Senior VP of IMG Fashion which is the company that puts on Fashion Week.



It was a great opportunity to ask her some questions about the future of fashion and Fashion Week, especially as it is moving to Lincoln Center next season, access to the shows and her thoughts on traditional versus new media.



We all were live tweeting using #amexMBFW to track the comments so you can check them out too.



There were some good questions asked, such as how can we bloggers help to educate designers on the value of blog coverage and why is the venue moving (more size, better access were the main reasons!)



And of course lots of photos were taken!

It was a great opportunity to see the space, talk with Fern and connect with other bloggers. It really showed how smart and savvy these writers are.

It gives me great hope, especially as Fern said she would be checking out the sites of the attendees, that the independent media's influence will continue to grow. I also think its important for these companies and brands to know how passionate these writers are and that they can provide just smart, comprehensive and influential coverage for the shows. Continue to provide us with access and we will give you smart coverage and a real passion for Fashion.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week: HauteLook Lounge

I just wanted to give another thank you and shout out to HauteLook. Last year they were very gracious and they have been equally wonderful this year.



It was great to see the team behind the deals in person again. Oh, and if you need an invite to HauteLook, just click here!



The lounge is perfectly set up and situated near the tents and they are kind enough to give us Internet access and even refreshments to keep us all going.



I even came and did a work call from here.



They also had some great partners there letting us all test out their products, including Luminess Air, Becca Cosmetics, GoSmile, and Sjal.

This year they added a few events and I made a point to stop by the decadestoo Trunk Show to check out the designer goods up for sale.

As always, HauteLook offered a wonderful port in the storm and I appreciate that they invited me!

Of course, I appreciate all their amazing deals too, but that goes without saying! ; )

Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week - Day 1

Hello from NYC and Fashion Week!



Well, sort of Fashion Week. I got in around 2pm and then unpacked and ran over to get my creds at the tents. I just missed the start of the Ports show (darn it!) but I did have time to come back and get cleaned up. It had been a late night and an early morning so it felt good to unpack and relax.

Oh, by the way I ended up sticking with the red hair, although a lighter shade.



I'm in a good location right near Grand Central just a few blocks from the tents.



It's a small room but pretty nice.



It doesn't look like it here but I packed probably way more than I could possibly need.

And these babies came with me. Where might they make an appearance???

Due to the snow, I came in a day late and was sad that I was going to miss Wendy B's sale but she had to move it because of the weather. So I was able to head to the Upper East Side to check out her showing.

I wore:

- Rosette cardigan from White House Black Market

- Tulle skirt dress from Target

- Aerosole black patent buckle pumps

I bought this cardigan specifically to wear with this dress and just love it. Especially the raw edge rosettes.

Because it's still pretty icy and slushy, the shoes I brought (besides the boots I'll be wearing most of the day time) are patent heels and these Aerosoles ones are about 8 years old and get worn constantly. I love them.

I paired the outfit up with this cute little clutch from Banana Republic. I don't really use a small clutch purse very often so I only have two. I like this to be simple, with unique materials or textures so that I can wear them dressy or with jeans. The creamy white and simple shape of this one adds to the versatility.

It was a nice turnout at the show. I didn't take a bunch of pictures - too busy chatting and admiring jewelry, but I think Wendy will have some up soon! I'll link to them asap.

Now off to bed because the weeks really gets cooking for me tomorrow.