Fashion Week Diary: Part 3
The final two days of fashion week were anything but dull and I'm not just talking about the unforgettable runway looks. We awoke to yet another insane blizzard on Thursday morning (#polarvortex), which made for an interesting final day. When I arrived at Lincoln Center at 10 AM, I stepped out of the car, opened my umbrella, which immediately inverted and then broke into 25 pieces from the severity of the wind, and was greeted by this site:
Glamorous, I know. Surprisingly, there was a pretty big turn-out in spite of the snow. I guess fashion lovers will go to great lengths to see the newest collections! Priorities!!
Let's rewind to pre-blizzard-Wednesday so I can finish the 3rd and final installment of my fashion week diary...
Day 7, Wednesday February 12th
What I saw: Betsey Johnson, Anna Sui, and Cynthia Rowley
What I loved:
- Betsey Johnson: I have always heard that Betsey's runway shows are like the most fun party you've ever been to, and I was not let down! Between the lively music, vibrant colors, shirtless firemen, balloon parade, and Betsey's signature cartwheels, this show was filled with joyous energy that made me want to get up and dance in the aisle. I restrained myself. Betsey's neon-80s-prom-queen-esque show had no shortage of excessive accessories (maybe even a little too excessive at times...nooo never!), my favorites being the chunky gold jewels, the psychedelic fur, and the pom pom ear flap hats. Of course, I would encourage styling these excessories with a bit more subtlety (like just ONE at a time), but Betsey would probably think that I'm a total bore. She's got to be the youngest 71-year-old on earth!
Betsey with her adorable granddaughters
- Anna Sui: Erickson Beamon makes the jewelry for Anna Sui's shows, so I was more than a little excited to see this collection! Inspired by 1920's film actress Anna May Wong, Anna Sui's runway gave us 20's art deco meets more modern-day rock 'n roll, topped off with Chinese influences. The collection was highlighted by beautifully bold Erickson Beamon tassel necklaces, making a more literal 1920's statement to complete the looks. Time and time again I am blown away by the genius collaborations between Karen Erickson (of Erickson Beamon) and Anna Sui, but this showing was dare I say, on another level.
The beautiful Karlie Kloss
SO much talent in one photo: Anna Sui, Karen Erickson, and Monique Erickson backstage after the show
- Cynthia Rowley: Cynthia Rowley's fall 2014 presentation felt more like a Vaudeville party than a fashion show. Guests were greeted by a cheetah decked out in jewels before entering a ballroom with flowing cocktails, twirling aerialists, and a circus-style film featuring the models having knives thrown at them. The models, inside glass cases, looked chic and sporty in 70's silhouettes with big colorful bangles, over-the-knee-boots, and fab fur hats!
What I wore: I had been seeing fur hats all over the runway, so I of course felt inclined to bust out my own, which was the perfect accessory for the well-below freezing temperatures (nevermind my bare legs). I wanted to build an outfit around this amazing Erickson Beamon for Anna Sui necklace since I was attending Anna Sui's show. I decided to have a mod moment with this brocade Issa London dress which went perfectly with the green and the blue in the necklace. The swinging sixties cut of the dress was quite accommodating to the growing baby bump. I finished off the look with my super warm and heavy mustard Orla Kiely coat...pure sunshine (and warmer than any sunshine NYC has been seeing)!
Photo Credit: PhotoDama
Hat: Ted Baker London, Coat: Orla Kiely, Necklace: Erickson Beamon, Dress: Issa London, Bootie: Steve Madden Bag: Chanel
Photo Credit: PhotoDama
Day 8, Thursday February 13th
What I saw: Hernan Lander and J. Mendel
What I loved:
- Hernan Lander: This was a highly architectural collection featuring structured jackets, a plethora of leather, and gowns with geometric cut-outs. The looks were accessorized with sexy, dominatrix-style lace-up sandals. There was a lot of black and white and my favorite piece without question would have to be a houndstooth-trimmed biker jacket...fierce!
- J. Mendel: J. Mendel's fall collection was nothing short of breathtaking. The artistry was palpable in the signature bold furs and crystal-embroidered chiffon evening gowns that moved with a luxurious ease down the runway. Heavenly. If I ever win the lottery, J. Mendel will be my first stop. I will buy that color-blocked fur poncho.
What I wore: It feels pretty funny to discuss "what I wore" during an insane blizzard to fashion week! Kind of a nightmare! I had to forgo my planned outfit because any footwear other than snow boots would have been a complete safety hazard...not to mention any proper shoes would have ended up in the garbage immediately after. Try trekking in suede Louboutins in 10 inches of snow and see how good they look after...wouldn't recommend it. THANK G-D I made the wise decision to buy my high-heeled Hunter Boots 3 years ago at Bloomingdales (See Mom, I told you so!). Some small part of me must have known that this day, Thursday, February 13, 2014, the final day of fashion week, would come and that I would need a high-heeled snow boot, because lord knows I wouldn't be caught dead in FLATS! I tried to find a link to the boots to share, but it seems they're currently impossible to find. However, a mere TWO DAYS after I wore said boots, Hunter Original had their first ever runway show at London Fashion Week and the fall collection is filled with tons super chic, high-heeled options, so get ready! I'm excited to purchase a green pair!
Heeled Rain Boots on the Runway at the Hunter Original F/W 2014 Show in London