FASHION WEEK ROUNDUP: PART II

A look from Marchesa

Here's a few more collections from some of my favorite New York designers.  Carolina Herrera debuted her line full of fun cheery bird prints in green, yellow and red.  Her gowns were adorned with graphic patterns, geometric shapes and even origami folds.  My favorite looks were a slinky red floor skimming column with black and white bars gracing the front and a silky, belted emerald green banger with matching cuffs.

NEW RESTAURANT: VENTANAS

It seems every other day there is another restaurant opening up in New York and last night was no exception.  I attended the soft opening for Spanish tapas restaurant Ventanas located in the Meatpacking District near the High Line.  The name is a little misleading, Ventanas is Spanish for windows, however the space had a Moroccan decor.  The banquette was decorated in colorful pillows and multicolored lamps hung from the ceiling.  Candlelight added to the ambiance as well.

LOOK WE LOVE: CHRISTINE CENTENERA

Christine Centenera

Today I came across this photo on Style.com of Christine Centenera making her way through London Fashion Week and I was immediately intrigued.  Who was this woman in the Givenchy tunic and fly suede booties?  Turns out she is a fashion editor for Australian Harper's Bazaar, a stylist, and apparently a fashion consultant for Kanye West's new fashion line set to debut soon.  With quite an impressive sartorial resume, it's no wonder why the fashion week regular has such an amazing style.  Here's some more looks from her glamorous wardrobe.

FASHION WEEK ROUNDUP: PART I

New York Fashion Week has just wrapped up leaving in its wake a bunch of new collections for Spring.  Here are some of my favorites starting with Michael Kors.  On the heels of a strong Fall collection, Kors keeps the momentum going into Spring with a showing I will call Safari chic.  Who else can transform a tie-dyed garment from juvenile to swank or make a caftan sexy with a neckline that plunges down to the navel?  There were unconventional animal prints like giraffe and zebra stripes on flowing silhouettes, feathers and earth tones to balance out the collection.  All of this is a testament to why this designer has been around for the past 30 years and is not going away anytime soon.

A CELEBRATION OF FASHION NEXT

Fashion Week rolls on with an after hours bash at Lincoln Center to celebrate the Spring/Summer 2012 Fashion Next Designers.  These six designers- Bibhu Mohapatra, Michael Angel, Juan Carlos Obando, Electric Feathers, Nomia, and Rochambeau were personally selected my W Hotels fashion director Jenne Lombardo to be a part of the program that "fosters and supports emerging designers."

FASHION'S NIGHT OUT 2011

It's hard to believe that Fashion Night Out started just 3 years ago and has now grown to include over one thousand stores and boutiques in New York and many more across the world.  There was pure madness in the streets of Manhattan as fans swarmed stores like Dolce and Gabbana and Dash in Soho hoping to get a glimpse of celeb participants Justin Beiber and Kim Kardashian.

CATHERINE MALANDRINO READY TO BUY FALL/WINTER 2011

While designers were getting ready to display their new looks for next year's Spring season for Fashion Week, Catherine Malandrino decided to take a step back and show looks for Fall.  This was a smart move considering most designers show their collections months before they appear in stores.  Why not display what's available now so customers can get a jumpstart their Fall wardrobes?  

ASTONISH MAGAZINE LAUNCH PARTY AND FASHION SHOW BY PHUONG MY

To kick of New York Fashion Week I attended a launch party for ASTONISH magazine featuring a fashion show by Phuong My.  Staged on the top floor of the Gansevoort Hotel on Park Ave with views of the Manhattan skyline as a backdrop, models swarmed the runway in Spring looks from the Vietnamese designer.  Oversized bows, ruching at the shoulders, and flower embellishments were all a part of this collection.  Phuong's finale dresses were unique with their accentuated waists channelling Marie Antoinette and the days of panniers and petticoats.

CELEBS IN STYLE: LEATHER PANTS

Ciara

Labor Day marks the end of summer and although I am sad to see it go, I am excited for Fall Fashion.  One of the big trends that I am starting to see for the upcoming season is leather pants.  Ciara accessorizes her tobacco colored Rag & Bone trousers with metallic heels and a button down white shirt while Fergie pairs her pants with a pretty printed top.  Rosie Huntington-Whiteley went with a shortened version and Jennifer Lopez wore her Balmain bottoms adorned with zippers.