New York Fashion Week: Ports 1961 Fall 2010

Ports 1961 was my first foray into the tents this year, and, from start to finish, the experience was a decent season-opener.



Before The Show: While in line, I happened to be waiting next to none other than Esther Nash - one of those Fashion Week staples who's seen everywhere, although no one really knows what she does. She chatted my ear off about how much time it takes to plan her outfit in the morning, then proceeded to complain that there "really needs to be a coat check, so we don't all get overheated." This said while the woman wore a white fur hat, vest, handbag, and pink fur boots. Inside.

Once we entered the tents and the show started, I sensed an industrial vibe. The backdrop showcased machinery, and a huge puff of white smoke encased the first few rows (which included Whitney Port and Olivia Palermo) right before the models came out.




The Collection: As for the clothes, they too had a hard, structured edge to them. The palette was mostly in the brown, grey, black, and deep purple arena with some accents of silver and dirty metallics. Leather was everywhere - from aviator style cloches, to long leather gloves, to high leather boots - each paired rather brilliantly with different materials. Very few flowy pieces walked - we saw mostly structural, non-fussy separates. There was definitely a feel of industry, and possibly invention, as the majority of the models resembled Amelia Earhart if she were to ditch the flying goggles for a fierce necklace and high leather boots.



Trend Spotting: Trendwise, I spotted lots o' leather, hats and head adornments (there was a turban or two), matte metallics, fishnets, and random, huge, arty necklaces - one being very bulbous and pastel, and others made from plates of copper and gold.

Overall Impression: I dug the show - the vibe was heavy, but not offensive, and the clothes were in a muted palette that could be dressed up or down. Unlike previous seasons celebrating the tribal aesthetic, I'd wear Ports' fall collection right off the runway.

Behind the Scenes: Interview with Fashion Week and Red Carpet Photographer Frazier Harrison

I've shown a lot of images from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and most of them came from one fabulous, very talented (and quite funny) photographer, the fabulous Frazer Harrison. I cornered Frazier when he had a moment to breathe from standing on the media risers at the end of the runway and asked him all manner of questions, from what makes a good picture to what it's like to work on the red carpet and at the end of the runway at Fashion Week. He's quite charming and it's a fun interview. Please do enjoy!

The What I Wore Diaries, Day Four - Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

Day Four was my light day so I went for relaxed chic that day. This is what I wore on Day Four of Fashion Week.

The schedule
Robert Verdi's Luxe Lab, Custo Barcelona and dinner with friends to discuss some items. Like I said, a "light" day.

The Outfit
Sometimes visual is so much better, isn't it? So I look some video to show you what I was wearing this day. Please do enjoy!

Review of the Outfit: This outfit was incredibly comfortable and with the fabulous blowout and makeup, it brought what could have been a very casual outfit up a little.

Recommend Outfit For You? Yes, but it depends on where you're wearing it. If you took it up with heels and a cool evening clutch, it would be fabulous for date night but otherwise I found it to be a bit casual. Although, off-the-shoulder makes anything a little more fabulous, know what I mean?

Survival of the Chicest: Robert Verdi's Luxe Lab - Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

Photos: Kristin Booker/Fashion.Style.Beauty

There are many invitations one desires when waiting to see what you'll be attending during Fashion Week but there's one little invite that makes all of us secretly happier than almost any other: an exclusive invite to attend Robert Verdi's Luxe Lab Retreat during Fashion Week. The brainchild of the celebrity stylist/media personality/cultural maven, this gorgeous oasis in Chelsea plays host to many tastemaker celebrations throughout the year, but during Fashion Week it opens its doors to a select number of individuals where you can sit, relax, eat and attend some exclusive sneak preview parties and events. The invite is sort of your golden ticket to a little fashion-savvy candy factory, luxuriously decorated and managed to the nth detail by Robert and his very capable, friendly staff. When I got mine, I have to admit: I did a little happy dance.

This year the program was entitled "Survival of the Chicest" and it lived up to its moniker because the location of Luxe Lab sat squarely between the Bryant Park tents of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and the Meatpacking District-located Milk Studios where MAC & Milk was held. For five solid days, we were treated to nutritious meals by Blueprint Cleanse, cocktails by multiple sponsors (you'll see Bethenny Frankel's Skinnygirl Margaritas featured on the new season of The Real Housewives of New York City -they shot an episode at the Lab while we were there), karma readings, a preview of the Tarina Tarantino spring collection and luxurious hair and makeup in the CVS Reinventing Beauty suite located in his to-die-for bath and vanity area. Robert is the consummate host and as proof-positive of the well-curated guest list, celebrities of all kinds popped in and out without anyone batting an eyelash. Yes, it's New York but when you get to eat lunch with most of the cast of America's Next Top Model, you have to just smile to yourself: only Robert Verdi could pull this off.



There are many sad things about Fashion Week coming to a close, but one of the most bittersweet is that our time at the Luxe Lab had to end. Bedraggled and harried when we entered, every one of us left Luxe Lab well-fed, more calm, gorgeous and ready to hit the shows again. That's the magic of Robert Verdi and his lovely Luxe Lab: making the world a little more fabulous, one fashionista at a time. We love you, Robert, and thank you. See you next season!

NYFW: Custo Barcelona Spring 2010 - Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

All photos: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz

Custo Barcelona moved into the Tent, the largest display space at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, to show their collection for Spring/Summer 2010 and judging from the packed house their optimism was well-justified. The runway turned dark and a loud, pulsating soundtrack immediately transformed the crowded venue into the hottest nightspot in town. Known for its unapologetic use of vibrant color and glittering details, Custo Barcelona did what they do best, sending statement piece after statement piece stomping down the runway to music that shook the chairs.



The brand, previously known for brightly-patterned shirts, has moved into a full-on rocker glam label that caters to musicians and the jet set around the world. A well-developed collection for both men and women were sent down the runway in bohemian looks punctuated with aggressively bright pops of color.



Body conscious, optimistic and wildly beautiful, Custo Barcelona wants you to be a free spirit who stands out in a crowd for spring. These clothes need not only be for those who star on stage and screen, merely those who have the confidence and attitude to live life out loud in their beautifully constructed clothing.

NYFW: Brian Reyes 2010 Collection - Mercedes Benz Fashion Week

All photos: Kristian Dowling/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz

After watching front row stunner Rachel Bilson take her seat next to Ugly Betty's Becki Newton for the Brian Reyes show, it was clear that Hollywood's favorite fashionistas were out in force to support one of their favorites.


Reyes is known for his designs tailor-made for those who have to make it work in front of the paparazzi and his see-and-be-seen design aesthetic didn't disappoint for this spring collection. Known for impeccably-cut, glamorous clothes that are edgy enough for young Hollywood but chic enough for more established buyers, Reyes' collection was full of fun prints (a Rorschach-inspired print was of particular interest), flirty ruffled dresses and evening wear destined for red carpet affairs. All in all, Reyes' offerings for spring were a success for their intended audiences: the ladies who keep the paparazzi in business and those of us who want to look like them.

NYFW: Gottex Spring 2010 Collection - Mercedes Benz Fashion Week

Photos: Getty Images

Gottex showed their spring 2010 collection to a packed house at the tents during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and fans of the glamorous swimwear line were not disappointed. Architectural cuts and interesting shapes abounded with chic and unexpected adornment, like chili pepper-inspired necklaces, embellished necklines and belts. Ggorgeous cover-ups with splashes of metallics completed some of the looks that will take you from poolside to cocktails in no time flat.



The headwrap added a luxe heiress feel to the collection and for those who rely on the label for their jet-set swimwear staples, they will not be disappointed. Elegant in its simplicity yet not lacking in detail, Gottex delivered glamorous swimwear you're sure to see at all the hottest spots for spring.

Essie and Mercedes-Benz Team Up For a Unique Collaboration

Ever had someone look at a nail color on your fingers and say, "That looks like the color of a car I used to have." Well, sometimes they might be right, as some polishes are inspired by automobiles and their beloved hues. Recently, legendary nail polish guru Essie Weingarten teamed up with Mercedes Benz to launch a chic color especially for Fashion Week. The new color, called Capri Blue, was a shimmering midnight blue in honor of the 2010 E-Class from the luxury car company.


Although the color was only available at the tents, if you're dying to get your hands on it, Essie told us exclusively at an event at the swank backstage W Star Lounge that Midnight Cami in her fall collection is more than comparable.

You heard it here, people! Go get that polish and rock a little Fashion Week fabulousness of your own. Just be sure to move things out of your way when you've got a sudden urge to do a runway walk in random places. You could break a nail. :)

NYFW: The What I Wore Diaries, Day Three - Mercedes Benz Fashion Week

Day three of Fashion Week and I was still going strong but with a slew of events that had to take me from day to night, I needed something sleek and versatile to make it work. So, I pulled out a one-piece wonder from RACHEL Rachel Roy and paired with exception jewelry and fabulous shoes, the outfit was a huge success!

The schedule
Backstage at Jeremy Laing at MAC & Milk Studios, ADAM, Christian Siriano, quick break, Glam Network cocktail function at Butter, Vivienne Tam, Beauty Blogger mixer at WET at the W Tuscany, then ended the night at the Vivienne Tam after party down in Soho.


The Outfit
Jumpsuit: Rachel Rachel Roy Jumpsuit ($119)
Jewelry: Necklace, earrings and ring all by Objets d'Envy. All items not available via web but email kirsten@objetsdenvy.com for pre-sale.
Handbag: Balenciaga
Shoes: Kenneth Cole 925 Collection Silver Belle pumps ($160)
Watch:Timex Women's Crystal Collection ($90)

Review of the Outfit:This jumpsuit is tres slimming, people. You need this. I mean it. Everything in the Rachel Rachel Roy collection is to die for, but this jumpsuit is extremely flattering and very easy to wear (pop a black cami under it for day, then take it off for a more daring evening look). Kirsten Goode's jewelry made for a very elegant statement with the jumpsuit and those Kenneth Cole shoes are simply magic. The watch and handbag just polished off the look.

Recommend Outfit For You? Hands down the answer is YES. The jumpsuit is as easy as a dress when it comes to getting ready quickly and looking polished and my accessories were fabulous for day or evening. If you're got to get glam on the fly, this entire outfit is made for you!

Road Tested: The Kenneth Cole 925 Silver "Belle" Pump

Remember I wrote about the launch of the Kenneth Cole 925 Silver Collection, the new line of shoes that the designer spent four years creating that are supposed to revolutionize comfort? Well, just for you, FSB readers, I decided to put a pair of the shoes through the ultimate road test: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. I figured if these shoes can handle running across stone and concrete, up and down flights of stairs, and last into the evening for cocktails with 7" heel-mad fashion fanatics, they would get my vote. So I got a pair and wore them.

The first thing you notice when picking the shoe up is that it's more dense than other shoes. There's a lot of construction that goes into this it and it's evident from the minute you pick it up. Slide your fingers into it and you'll notice an incredibly soft interior and layers that not only protect the bottom of the foot but the entire area around the foot as well, including the top of the toes. This shoe is built to prevent chaffing and blisters and once you slide your foot inside, you'll feel the difference. I was pleasantly surprised.

After 14 hours and three days in this shoe, the verdict is in: it does exactly what it says it does, which is protect your foot from blisters and hard wear-and-tear damage. Per my experience, you have to break the shoe in like any other but the difference with the Kenneth Cole 925 technology is that not only does it break in faster (a matter of a couple of hours rather than days or weeks), but it molds to conform to your foot. My 925 Silver "Belle" pumps are now customized for my foot and I love them. Which means you can't borrow them...ever.

After multiple wears, I can report that they're amazingly comfortable! I guess you could run a marathon in them to really prove it but why test hitting a pothole? Really, take my word for it: get yourself a pair of these shoes. I want the ankle boot and I need a tall boot when it comes out! I'm hooked!

NYFW: Tadashi Spring 2010 Collection - Mercedes Benz Fashion Week

Photos by Kristian Dowling/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz


Tadashi Shoji did what he does best, sending gorgeous, beautifully constructed clothes for the ladies who lunch down the runway, as evidenced by uber-socialite Tinsley Mortimer sitting front row.


Photo by Kristin Booker/Fashion.Style.Beauty

Starting with shorter dresses for day, the collection ended with full-on red carpet glamour in three dresses that could work equally for strolling at an awards show or down the aisle (I personally want any of the last three looks for my own wedding someday - absolutely stunning). I could talk about this gorgeous collection but let's show you. Here are the final looks from the runway which you're sure to see on the runway and black tie functions everywhere:



With impeccable construction, gorgeous hues for multiple skin tones and drop-dead evening looks, Tadashi has once again shown his mastery over the feminine silhouette.

NYFW: Nanette Lepore Spring 2010 - Mercedes Benz Fashion Week

Nanette Lepore started out softly but quickly gained drama in a great way with her Spring/Summer 2010 collection. Showing beautiful clothes that seemed inspired by an African safari, the raindrop-colored dress that led the show was quickly followed by vibrant pops of color in prints, beautiful beaded tops and gorgeous ruffled blouses and dresses paired with a fresh new interpretation of khaki shorts and pants.



These versatile pieces were fun, feminine and flirty and mixed bright prints, stripes and florals beautifully. Versions of a knit tank dress with a bright pink underslip were great crowd pleasers and any of these vibrant pieces would look at home in your closet.



Flirtatious, impeccably tailored and vivacious, Nanette Lepore's collection will surely find favor with many an editor and fashionista come spring.

NYFW: Christian Siriano Spring 2010 Collection - Mercedes Benz Fashion Week

All photos by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz

Our fresh-faced reality star is all grown up! Christian Siriano showed his third collection since winning Project Runway and his take on a Mediterranean cruise was lush, sophisticated and complete with all the high drama for which the designer is becoming known. Three ball gowns sent down the runway garnered applause from a packed audience which included Mena Suvari and Tori Spelling, possibly a prediction of their red carpet appearance moving into awards season.



Siriano is a consummate showman, so his best pieces were the most elaborate. His work still needs a bit of maturity in more simple pieces but when he lets his creativity soar with draping and more complex work, his true talent shines through, as with pieces made from a "flipped, modified, repeated and saturated with Volcanic and Oceanic colors" printed fabric hailing from an aerial photograph of the Italian coast as described in the show's notes.



Hues of red, orange and blue saturated the runway and announced the bold spirit of the designer who created them. The packed audience will attest that Hollywood and the runway have spoken: Christian Siriano is here to stay.

NYFW: Backstage Beauty for Jeremy Laing Spring 2010 Collection - MAC at Milk Studios

Photo courtesy of Style.com

A light and airy clothing collection deserves hair and makeup that displays the designer's work beautifully so when Jeremy Laing needed a sleek, beautiful look for his Spring/Summer 2010 collection, he called in the experts and I was backstage to record how the look was achieved. Here, Davine's Marco Santini of the eco-chic SoHo salon ION tells us how he created the sleek, architectural look of the hair, which he described as a sort of "bike helmet":




After hair comes makeup, so here is MAC lead makeup artist Hung Vanngo discussing how the iconic makeup label created a soft and natural look to compliment such a high-contrast hairstyle. This is an excellent example of how to use MAC's beautifully pigmented shades to build a look. Don't be afraid of color, people!



The resulting look was a beautiful, light look that offset the collection with impeccable style.

NYFW: Vivienne Tam Spring 2010 - Mercedes Benz Fashion Week

Photos by Kristin Booker/Fashion.Style.Beauty

Vivienne Tam partnered with HP again this year for a multimedia presentation of her collection, so you can imagine we were all pretty excited about it. As we walked into the show, the end of the runway displayed a monster LED screen with messages and images that announced the show was streaming live and, indeed, StyleCaster was hosting a live feed from the runway with the fabulous Yuli Ziv hosting and if you were watching you saw me! I was interviewed live from the runway. So much fun! Afterward, I raced back to my seat so I could enjoy the show.


Photos by Kristian Dowling/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz

Butterflies were all aflutter in the audience as Vivienne Tam's runway collection came down the runway. Inspired by the beautiful winged creatures, the boho chic collection showed all manner of influence from the insects, from vibrant prints inspired by the wings to dresses and vests embroidered with them.


Kristian Dowling/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz

The result was a fun, whimsical collection with some stunning appeal and wearable separates that will add a flight of fancy to your own wardrobe. Mixed and matched with existing pieces in your closet, Vivienne Tam's collection for spring will bring a refreshing air to the way you dress for spring.


Kristian Dowling/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz