Fashion Week Diary: Smizing With Nigel Barker, Richard Chai's Prints, and FNO
Photos: Imaxtree
Looks from the Richard Chai Spring 2012 runway
Fashion Week Diary, Day One (officially).
I don't even know how to describe the start of my day, reader, other than to say, I had to smize. Yes, noted fashion photographer Nigel Barker charmingly ordered me to use Tyra's trademark look as he snapped photos for Nine West's Runway to Relief breast cancer campaign. I had the rather painful task of being shot between two stunningly gorgeous models at nine in the morning. At least I had Nigel to look at...
Following my brief stint as a model, I ran over to Lincoln Center to see Richard Chai's Love collection. Remember that moment in the late '90s (and even the early 2000s) when we'd wear skirts over pants? It's back. And it's cute. Well, it's cute when Richard does it. Short skirts paired over full pajama pants seemed to just work. Loved the prints and color pairings (yes, me, miss all-black-all-the-time). A favorite included a navy and yellow pant suit with diagonal stripes. Loved. Cut-outs popped up—shoulders, sides—as did sheer panels. My favorite look was actually a menswear one that can definitely be worn by us gals: mint pants with a black and white striped jacket. In fact, most of the mint pieces were great. What's happening to me? All this color is clearly getting to me! The big takeaway from his collection, however, is the prints. Everyone went gaga for them, and for good reason.
Later in the day I swung by Wes Gordon, who the team at FashionEtc has a big big crush on. The young designer makes clothes for the social set—but that's not to say they're not totally wearable by downtown denizens. I'm a big fan of cocktail dresses paired with motorcycle boots, but that's just me. Snakeskin print and, yes, orange both made appearances. I love when trends stick around for longer than a season!
Next up, Pink by Douglas Hannant. The line debuted last month, and is the designer’s younger label. Die-hard Hannant fans were in for a surprise: The presentation was a full on rock show featuring the band The Vandelles. The clothes are still very much DH, but consider these the main line’s younger sister. Pretty (yet short) cocktail dresses, heavy on the paillettes and prints, all topped off with white hair bows--all very cute and Gossip Girl.
The day ended as many of yours did, with Fashion’s Night Out. I headed over to Saks where I stalked every floor until I was literally limping. I saw Glee’s Lea Michele and Ryan Murphy (and many teenage girls having freakouts over them), some really cool DIY arts and crafts courtesy of PS I Made This, and Rebecca Minkoff’s crew and the Man Repeller teamed up for hair braiding. My favorite part of the night was the shoe walk off—the winner received a pair of Alexandre Birman heels. And those ladies brought it. But while I was resting my heels, I spied a very handsome guy at the blogger lounge hosted by Lenovo. (As a single fashion girl, I’m always thrilled when I see cute men.) Lo and behold, it was Shane McRae from The Help. Note to self: Hot men during fashion week are always models or celebs. Alas.
Want more? Read all about what happened the day before!
