Posts filed under 'Runway Reviews'
Photo Credit: NY Metro
Key Takeaways: True to their roots, Badgley Mischka stuck to glamorous eveningwear. Though there was some shine, the usual Badgley Mischka glitz was kept to a minimum. In its place were floral prints, pleats, feminine lace, velvet, and fringe.
Color Palette: Royal blue, brown, purple, black, off-white, navy blue, teal, bright yellow, maroon, and red. Basically, we saw almost all the colors of the rainbow!
Silhouettes: The collection was almost evenly split between long, lean gowns and short, voluminous dresses and skirts. The occasional lean pant and knee-length short was also thrown into the mix for those who like to dress up, but not in a dress.
Accessories Report: Some small and square sunglasses made their debut on the runway, along with cross chokers and other dangly necklaces. Evening clutches were also seen on some hands but almost dimmed near the intricate dresses. We also saw the long (mid arm) leather glove at Badgley Mischka—this is certainly one of the big accessories trends for the season.
What’s Wearable: Almost all of the dresses, trousers, and coats are wearable. Keep in mind that each piece has immense presence, so sporting these looks in bright daylight will likely not fly (unless you have the personality to match!).
What’s Not Wearable: Two dresses are better left on the runway. A red one can pass as a fancy garbage bag, while the royal blue piece looks like a costume from a regal production.
February 6th, 2006
Key Takeaways: The key stories for women were (1) shorts over leggings, (2) tie-neck styles, and (3) blousy sleeves. For men, the key stories were (1) vests, (2) boatneck-style sweaters, and (3) extremely slim cut pants.
Color Palette: Neutrals with touches of light blue, pink, olive, mustard, violet, and brown.
Silhouettes: Slim cut bottoms for both men and women, including leggings. For women, tie-neck jackets and blouses were big, as were shorts, cropped motorcycle jackets, blousy sleeves, capelet-style jackets, below-the-knee skirts, blazer-like sweaters, and baggy culottes. For men, we saw boatneck-style sweaters, vests, patterned pants and shirts, cardigans, and 3/4 length coats.
Accessories Report: Oversized bags, knit caps, and sneakers for men. For women, skinny ties were the big story.
What’s Wearable: We liked the tie-neck styles, the capelet-style jackets (though they were rather Old news), and the blazer-like sweaters for women. Skinny ties were also interesting, but not particularly fresh-looking. For men, we liked the tailored look of the cardigan sweaters and the 3/4 length coats, along with the slim cut pants.
What’s Not Wearable: Be careful with the shorts-over-leggings look. It can be done, but keep the look playful. For men, the button-down shirts with contrast patterned fabric can look hokey if not done carefully. The extreme boatneck is also a style to be worn with care.
February 6th, 2006
Photo Credit: NY Metro
Key Takeaways: Each piece in Roi’s collection is unique and follows no particular guideline. Upon first glance, it seems that she is aiming for demure and ladylike, but one look at the model’s lips (painted pitch black) and that image is moot. Dresses and shirts torn in random areas reinforce this idea. Some heavy layering adds a rather masculine air from time to time. The bottom line? Anything goes.
Color Palette: With the exception of two bright pink items, black, off-white, light and navy blue, grey, and khaki hues make the models look like they have frostbite.
Silhouettes: Tight is nowhere in sight, but saggy isn’t the name of Roi’s fashion game either. Almost every item, except for one parachute-like skirt set, sits comfortably on the model’s frame. Also of note: Roi showed more skirts and dresses than trousers.
Accessories Report: Square purses resemble small lunchboxes, but with more class. One model also looked like a schoolgirl with an over-the-shoulder grey bag with black leather trimming. Steering away from the schoolgirl look, some models sported bandit-like leather gloves torn at the fingers, while others had black thorn-like earrings that look more like torture devices than jewelry pieces. Maroon leather hunting hats and what looked like tennis-shoes-on-platforms also showed up on the catwalk.
What’s Wearable: Almost every piece in Roi’s collection can be worn, but not necessarily how the designer presented it. Case in point: a navy blue Hamlet-esque long coat that would look stylish with a pair of dark blue jeans, but not with Roi’s choice of blue shorts, black stretch pants, a white button-down shirt, and a grey cardigan. If you’re feeling rather eclectic, go for the off-white knee-length dress with cutouts.
What’s Not Wearable: Unless you’re robbing a bank, the leather gloves might not come in handy, and unless you’re hunting for ducks, leave the square-head hat behind. Oh, and those black thorn earrings might have a reverse effect if you’re trying to attract a crush.
February 6th, 2006
Key Takeaways: What struck us most about this collection was the leggings, over which dresses and skirts were layered. We also saw a host of cape-like jackets, oversized coats, and voluminous sleeves. Other trends included bows (left over from Spring 06), vests (a big story for this season), and handmade-looking chunky knits.
Color Palette: Neutrals and generally muted colors, including rose, lilac, turquoise, olive, and mustard.
Silhouettes: Layering was once again the big story here. Leggings were in nearly every look, and they were seen under both skirts and dresses. Controlled volume was huge, and we saw skirts with gathered fabric at the bottom, tulip skirts, blousy sleeves, and cape-like coats.
Accessories Report: Handmade-looking knitted scarves, chain necklaces with oversized charms, leggings galore! As for shoes, Twinkle showed boots and somewhat pointy-toed flats.
What’s Wearable: Oversized coats, blousy sleeves, sweaterdresses, trenchcoats, 3/4 length coats, chunky sweaters, vests, cape-like jackets, vests, and dropped-waist dresses.
What’s Not Wearable: Some of the pattered dresses looked a little matronly. Also be careful with the leggings–they can work, but check yourself in the mirror before you leave the house, lest you look like a throwback to the 1980s.
February 6th, 2006
Key Takeaways: The key stories here were (1) Ruffles, (2) voluminous sleeves, (3) High waisted styles, (4) Lush fabrics and textures, and (5) Beautiful Draping (Doo Ri chung’s signature).
Color Palette: Neutrals–black, greys, beiges. Yawn…but it keeps the collection wearable.
Silhouettes: Puff and voluminous sleeves, 1/2 sleeves, wide legged pants, exaggerated collars, cape-like jackets with leg of mutton sleeves, handkerchief hems, bubble-like fabric gathers, cropped styles, asymmetric hemlines, cap-sleeved styles, dropped-waist dresses vs. high waisted skirts and pants, skirt lengths that end at mid-calf, oversized dresses.
Accessories Report: Giant fabric brooches, long fingerless gloves, knee-high boots, fabric scarves, embellished belts.
What’s Wearable: Most everything. We especially liked the Gorgeous black silk charmeuse evening ensemble with an inset contrast inverted triangle on the front top.
What’s Not Wearable: It’s hard to wear skirts that end at mid-calf, unless you’re Extremely Tall. And while the exaggerated ruffled collars are interesting on the runway, they might not work so well on the streets.
February 6th, 2006
Photo Credit: NY Metro
Key Takeaways: Feminine, medieval, ballerina-esque, and tough-chic all describe the Sass and Bide girl. A quick change from a light yellow, flower-patterned long dress with a high front slit to a black button-up jacket with a turtle neck and a tight black skirt instantly transforms a summer gal to a femme fatale. No matter the style of clothing, each model has a little bit of a dancer in them, and the tights on their arms prove it.
Color Palette: Light yellow, brown, off-white, khaki, dark grey, light blue, and of course, black.
Silhouettes: Long and flowy, short and puffy. Everything is rather loose except for the tights.
Accessories Report: White tights, round-toe heels with ballerina-like tie-up laces, and mega thick leather belts shined.
What’s Wearable: Take away most of the excess accessories and stick a camisole underneath the sheer, and several items are worthy of purchasing. The long floral dresses, black skinny pants, a black and gold tiered dress will work well on the streets and the dance floor.
What’s Not Wearable: The medieval ensembles are better left to the cast of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.†Tights covering the arms might also be too out there for us non-models out there. Finally, to avoid looking like a belly dancer, stay away from the yellow spaghetti string dress with far too many tattered pieces.
February 6th, 2006
Photo Credit: NY Metro
Key Takeaways: Nicole Miller’s collection, brimming with patterns and colors, is a fine departure from all the blacks and neutrals seen everywhere else. And just when you thought every pattern combination has already been discovered, Miller exposes yet another funky set. And she’s not scared to pair contrasting kinds.
Color Palette: Are you ready for this? Here we go: army green, maroon, brown, white, teal, purple, red, gold, black, rustic orange, blue, copper, fuchsia, and khaki.
Silhouettes: Button-down loose-fitting dresses, high-necked coats, skin-tight trousers, wide-sleeved cropped jackets, floor-length skirts, and form-fitting evening gowns.
Accessories Report: Fur shrugs (one worn as a neck shawl), chunky black necklaces, both short and long leather gloves, skinny leather belts, square and tiny sunglasses, and strappy and simple sandals.
What’s Wearable: The fancy gowns will work for a gala, while knee-length skirts and simple long-sleeved shirts will translate better on the streets. Most of the coats and shrugs are wearable, though not with most of the clashing patterns.
What’s Not Wearable: Many patterned items may be too loud for some, but if paired with a simple coat and minimal accessories, it can work for daring fashionistas.
February 6th, 2006
Key Takeaways: Voluminous sleeves, ruffles, and asymmetry ruled the runway at ThreeAsFour.
Color Palette: Black, browns, shades of dusky rose, muted oranges, and bright pinks.
Silhouettes: Voluminous sleeves, ruffled capes, drapey tops, and stovepipe-skinny pants bunched up at the bottom, jackets with bunched up sleeves, hooded trenchcoats, asymmetrical blousy tops and short skirts, cropped jackets, and flowy dresses.
Accessories Report: Can we say peep-toe heels? Ruffled scarves a la Fall 2004 BCBG and tights also held court.
What’s Wearable: We LOVE the hooded trenchcoat with the rounded corners. Another standoutwas the asymmetrical blousy top with the triangular-shaped back.
What’s Not Wearable: Careful with those leather pants.
February 5th, 2006
Key Takeaways: Esteban Cortazar showed a small collection of eveningwear for his Fall 2006 collection. We saw mainly structured styles–tailoring was key here.
Color Palette: Neutrals, mainly beiges, along with oranges and light blues.
Silhouettes: Body hugging silhouettes and tailored dresses with multiple panels. Backless styles and fishtail hems.
What’s Wearable: Everything! Cortazar showed a very pretty, very wearable collection of eveningwear.
February 5th, 2006
Key Takeaways: Menswear-inspired and unstructured suits for women. United Bamboo moved away from the cropped jackets, going towards a longer, waist to 5/8 length look. Vests and toggle coats featured prominently for men.
Color Palette: Neutrals: Black, Grey, Cream, and Brown, with touches of royal blue, gold, and orange.
Silhouettes: Garments that end at mid-thigh, A-line dresses, 3/4 sleeves, high waisted pants, waist length and 5/8 length jackets, double breasted coats, voluminous tops over slim bottoms, and slim tops over voluminous bottoms. As in the Spring 2006 collections, controlled volume played a big role here, especially with the bubble skirts with gathered fabric at the bottom.
Accessories Report: (Lace up) Boots, skinny belts, nerd glasses, tie waist belts on men.
What’s Wearable: Layering dresses over long sleeved tops. Hoodies as dresses were especially cute. For men, toggle coats, vests, cardigans (left over from Spring 06), motocross-inspired peacoats, and the everpresent trenchcoat were key.
What’s Not Wearable: The tie waist belts on men, and on women, the giant hair–a cross between bedhead and a beehive.
February 5th, 2006
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