Arden Wohl Does Vegan Footwear: Moral, Chic, and Yom Kippur-Friendly

Taking a cue from Cinderella who was ahead of her time with her cruelty-free, vegan glass slippers, I danced into a delightful pair of sparkling peep toe booties with a Cinderella-style lucite heel for the Arden Wohl x Cri de Coeur Fall 2014 Preview Party. Derek Blasberg hosted an informal supper with delicious vegan fare and margaritas at Hecho en Dumbo to celebrate the collection.

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Clockwise from top left: my vegan-friendly ensemble for the night (faux fur, of course!); Christopher Bollen, Derek Blasberg and Nicky Hilton; me with my dear friend, Lauren Hart Bochner;  yummy vegan appetizers

There were beautiful performances from Eleanor Friedberger and both Ariel Pink and Jorge Elbecht, but the fabulous vegan shoes stole the show! Atop each table sat glass domes filled with adorable printed pompom flats, chic jewel-tone booties, and vintage-inspired t-strap heels. The patterns, colors, and styles are all fresh and fun and add a stylish pizazz to a fall/winter wardrobe! If you can't wait to invest in some cruelty-free fabulousness from Arden Wohl, her spring/summer collection (including my sparkle booties) is available online now!

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Additionally, I have to give a HUGE "thank you" to Arden for making a fashionable, Yom Kippur-friendly shoe!! It's time to bid farewell to those crocs and chucks. This year, I'll finally be atoning in chic heels!! Amen to that!

A photo-op with the woman of the hour, Arden Wohl

Fashion Week Diary: Part 2

Monday and Tuesday of fashion week were super busy, super long, and super amazing! My adorable, but also micromanaging husband closely monitors the 200 mg of caffeine I'm allotted each day with pregnancy, and let me tell you, I have never missed my 2PM triple non-fat latte so much in my life as I did during fashion week.  So tired.  So worth it.  Also, did I mention how much worse your feet hurt after 10 hours in 5-inch-heels when you can't have a few cocktails? Okay, enough complaining. #preggofashiongirlproblems 

Day 5, Monday February 10th

What I saw: Noon by Noor, Alon Livne, and Alice and Olivia

What I loved: 

• Noon by Noor: As a former pageant girl, I've never really met a sparkle or spangle I didn't just looooove, so I was quite taken with the elegant evening embellishments on the runway at Noon by Noor. Heavily adorned looks with sexy sheer components were shockingly still ladylike! And can I say that coat-slinging over an evening dress is simply DIVINE?! 

• Alon Livne: Inspired by early imperialism in Morocco, Alon Livne's fall collection evokes Middle Eastern glamour with over-the-top, fabulous crystal headpieces and beautifully beaded, embroidered satin gowns.

Livne's presentation was one of my fashion week highlights, especially this headpiece...Excessories Expert Approved for sure!

• Alice and Olivia: How do I even begin to review the Alice and Olivia presentation? I  was blown away by everything about it from the setting (the eerie McKittrick Hotel), to the dramatic hair and make up, to the enchanted theme, to every single look. Phenomenal.  It is obvious how much talent and effort was put into each intricate detail that came together to create a magical fairytale. The Victorian-meets-1970's vibe of the collection is true genius. Bravo. When can I buy EVERYTHING?

What I wore: I started the day in my own version of what I think Princess Kate would wear to a fashion show (only her coat would be real mink, duh). This outfit was a bit less cray cray than my usual ensembles, but once the all-ivory look came together in my mind, I had to go for it.  The coat is from storets and is one of my favorite purchases of the season...highly recommend! 

Photo Credit: Diego Zuko of Harpers Bazaar

Coat: Storets, Sweater: ASOS, Skirt: Zara, Necklace: Aerin Erickson Beamon, Bag: Chanel, Shoes: Steve Madden

For the Alice and Olivia Presentation I changed into a funkier, more excessive outfit featuring my favorite bathmat vest that my husband has unsuccessfully and repeatedly tried to veto from my wardrobe.  I paired it with jeans, a fedora, and some fabulous, unexpected pearls (thank you Carolee!!) 

Hat: Laird & Co, Vest: Johnny Was, Blouse: ASOS, Jeans: ASOS Maternity, Pearls: Carolee, Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell, Bag: Chanel

Day 6, Tuesday February 11th

What I saw: Badgley Mischka, Saunder, and Pamella Roland

What I loved: 

• Badgley Mischka: The feeling I got from the breathtaking Badgley Mischka runway was rich and retro with a dash of prim and proper. A beautifully chic mix of tweed, brocade, and cashmere ensembles were topped off with luxurious fur accessories.  Note to self: this is what to wear to brunch in Paris.

The fur add-ons made another appearance with gorgeous glitzy evening gowns. TREND ALERT.

• Saunder: I loved this collection for its film noir era elegance meets 80's geometric patterns.  And as you know, anything with sparkles and fur has me at hello. 

Possibly my favorite aspect of Emily Saunder's fall collection was the pop-art-esque cigarette beading that kept "popping" up along with the Megan Isaacs for Saunder cigarette jewelry...both interesting and badass! Disclaimer: these sparkling smokes are cancer-free.

• Pamella Roland: There was no shortage of sparkle at Pamella Roland's show which even included *gasp* a sequined parka!! Unsurprisingly, the runway featured several show-stopping glitzy gowns, but my favorite looks were the sophisticated, monochromatic navy and bordeaux pencil-skirt moments.  I only wish I had those 2 looks in my closet right now...preggo-chic!!  

What I wore: I call this look the frozen boho preggo. 

Dress: Issa London, Vest: Aqua, Necklace: Erickson Beamon, Bag: Emily Cho

Fashion Week Diary: Part 1

Many words can be used to describe fashion week, but the first that comes to mind for me is "hectic." Hectic in a fantastic way of course, but nonetheless, hectic! I am still digesting all of the incredible fashion, events, and conversations from the past week.  My fashion week started off at an easier pace (minus the horrific allergic reaction I had to the eyelash extensions I just HAD to get) and then got a little crazy after the weekend.  I work for a fashion PR company, so finding the balance between working, blogging, and fun (oh yeah, and motherhood) throughout the week was a new challenge, but I truly had the best time doing it all! Thank Gd for Grammy who came from Texas to help with my daughter and make sure I ate 3 square meals a day along with way too many homemade desserts.  

I decided to break the week down into a 3 part diary to review what I saw, what I loved, and of course, what I wore. I am thrilled to report that I saw tons and tons of Excessories Expert approved designs on the fall/winter 2014 runway! Can we just skip spring/summer and go straight to fall 2014?! Just kidding... 

Day 1, Thursday February 6th: 

What I saw: Erin Fetherston's "Charmed, I'm sure." presentation at the W Hotel Union Square.

What I loved: The models looked like quirky Stepford Wives in feminine florals, A-line silhouettes, and cat-eye glasses.  I couldn't help but fall in love with the dramatic oversized floral print of this dress.  It feels so Betty Draper! 

As for the accessories, I was blown away by a coordinating floral retro lunchbox, and GET THIS: a floral FLASK. Yup. Stepford Wives gone wild? I love!

What I wore: I forgot to get a proper photo of my outfit...silly me, so unfortunately below is the best I have! My newest accessory, my baby bump is starting to make an appearance!

Faux Fur Vest: Aqua, Gold Dress: BCBG, Necklace: Erickson Beamon for Anna Sui, Bag: Chanel

Day 2, Friday February 7th:

What I saw: Carmen Marc Valvo

What I loved: A longtime fan of Carmen Marc Valvo, I never know what to expect from his designs.  The fall collection channels the woman warrior...think modern day Joan of Arc in badass skinny leather pants, strong shoulders, and lots of heavy metal accents. Fierce. 

What I wore: I had to figure out a way to work my reclaimed fuchsia fox coat (my high school graduation gift from my dad, in case you missed that) into at least one of my fashion week looks.  Usually I dress it down with jeans and moto boots, but I've been seeing bright, floral prints everywhere so I was dying to wear this neoprene Zara dress for the 85th time. I just couldn't resist the vibrant combo. At the risk of pushing it way over the edge (excessive is the name of my game) I threw on MORE color and some sparkle with my clutch and necklace. 

Photo credit: Timur Emek, Getty Images

Coat: Kippy's (circa 2004), Dress: Zara, Necklace: Erickson Beamon, Shoes: Gianvito Rossi, Clutch: Etsy

Day 4, Sunday February 9th 

After a restful Shabbat on Day 3 (missing some fave designers, but enjoying family and sleep), I spent Sunday afternoon downtown catching up with fashion week friends and taking in some amazing street style...I swear sometimes the true show happens off the runway! I was supposed to see a couple more shows that night, but pregnancy fatigue won.  Weak, I know. 

What I Saw: Tracy Reese 

What I Loved: Tracy Reese is known for embracing femininity, but what I loved about this collection was the laid-back, cool vibe filled with unexpected pairings from sequins and loafers to utility-coat-topped girly dresses and metallic fringed boots.  The looks were dripping with personality and the fierce footwear had me on the edge of my seat! 

Oh, and when these gold boots stepped onto the runway, I nearly passed out from excitement.

What I wore: I chose to freeze my tushy off just so I could wear my DVF studded leather jacket.  Let's be real, a coat pretty much hides your outfit (fashion week "no, no"), unless it's part of the outfit, in which case you're smarter than I was on this particular 25 degree day.  Once again, I wore floral and pink, which I now think I've officially OD'd on...until March. 

Photo Credit: Keith Morrison of Styelist 

Jacket: Diane von Furstenberg, Dress: ASOS, Necklace: Erickson Beamon, Bag: Emily Cho, Bootie: River Island

Stay tuned for the second and third installments of my fashion week diary! xoxo

Charlotte Ronson + Vogue Eyewear Design Series Party

Last Wednesday evening I attended a party to celebrate the 4th annual Design Series from Charlotte Ronson and Vogue Eyewear.  The party was set at the beautiful Gramercy Terrace atop the Gramercy Park Hotel where guests escaped 7-degree temperatures and snowy NYC streets by sipping delicious cocktails, munching yummy treats, and trying on endless pairs of glasses and sunglasses from the Design Series. Charlotte and guests posed for Polaroids in front of the Sunglass Hut graffiti wall, which is really the best way to see how you look in a pair of sunglasses.  You may recall the genius words of Cher Horowitz, "I don't rely on mirrors so I always take Polaroids." 

I love Charlotte's use of color in the frames! Say goodbye to black and tortoiseshell for now. We have been seeing playful, colorful sunnies for the past several months and they are going to be HUGE for spring/summer.  My favorite pair is the icy blue...perfect for a sunny beach day and a definite Excessories Expert must-have. 

Charlotte's twin sister, Samantha Ronson, DJ'd the event and kept everyone dancing all night.  She was even joined by Gabriel Saporta from Cobra Starship for a most entertaining impromptu sing-along turned all-out dance party! So fun! How cute do Charlotte and Samantha look in the sunnies!? 

Nicky Hilton was among the many fabulous friends of Charlotte that came to check out the fashionable frames! We had a quick chat and of course I had to capture the moment for Instagram! 

The Design Series will be available in stores THIS WEEK! Grab your sunnies at Sunglass Hut and your regular glasses at LensCrafters! I can't wait to pick up my icy blue pair! 

Vogue Eyewear Design Series Dinner

I had the pleasure of attending a beautiful dinner last night honoring Charlotte Ronson's participation in the 2014 Vogue Eyewear Design Series. The dinner was presented by the Council of Fashion Designers of America and Luxottica and the setting was the sensational terrace atop the Gramercy Park Hotel.  How gorgeous is the table with all of those peonies!?

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Guests were greeted with delicious cocktails and a silver platter filled with pairs and pairs of sunnies and eyeglasses from the Vogue Eyewear design series to try on.  There were so many to choose from and I loved each and every one of them!

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Did I mention the presence of the drop-dead-gorgeous Eva Mendes?  As the brand's global ambassador, Eva was the inspiration for the regular eyeglass styles.  Now we can be chic in the library too. She was even more beautiful in person if you can believe it! 

The collection was excellent and I am excited for its debut at Sunglass Hut and LensCrafters in January. I can't decide which pair to buy! It was an honor to be in attendance at such a fun and fantastic event!