New York Fashion Week, Fall 2008: Nanette Lepore & Fab Exclusive Interview!

by POPSUGAR Fashion 17

Nanette Lepore's designs have always been popular with party-ready ladies and now I know why: Nanette herself is a fun-loving girlie girl. Check out my exclusive interview with her after a few words about her Fall collection . . .

What I loved most were the black and ivory pieces, actually. Lepore really knows how to use Chantilly lace and tailor a pant. There were some coats with serious character — a common theme throughout the New York shows — and some highly desirable knits. A fuchsia knit dress caught my eye backstage and on the runway. Her suiting always has a way of being sexy and '30s inspired dresses were classic, but modern. The Warhol-esque flower print was bright enough to stand out in a crowd but mellow enough to wear every day.

To read my exclusive interview with Nanette and to see backstage and runway pictures, read more

Have you done anything different with your Fall collection?

What’s new and different is we edited the runway show down to 28 looks. It’s all about growing up and being mature about throwing out what’s not fabulous.

That’s totally what I’m trying to do with my closet!

I know, it’s so hard and I feel like I’ve done so many shows and I’ve finally achieved this point where I’m 20 looks fewer than I used to do. Because it’s so hard in life to know what’s good and what’s not good. So it’s really working through and jumping on ideas early enough that we only have the star ones.

But the real idea behind the show is just going out and partying and being a fabulous, confident, sexy woman. Going to a cocktail party in a tiara and feeling good about yourself. But what I love about this collection is that there are lots of classics.

There’s black and white tweed mixed with all shades of pink — from powder pink to fuchsia. Then big bold flower prints, which are anchored with Chantilly lace and velvet to bring them into a Fall feel. And pearls! Little bits of pearl beading and brooches. When I thought about the collection I thought these are staples for every woman’s wardrobe. The great high waisted pencil skirt, pretty Chantilly lace tops and bustiers, and pearls. And pink!

What are your favorite pieces from the collection?

The bohemian blouse with pearl beading, a fitted chiffon stripe dress that flairs really full at the hips with sequin edging, I love the little black dress – it’s a very pretty corseted silhouette, with a draped sleeve.

Any new collaborations we can get excited for?

We have a lingerie licensing we expect to sign very shortly. And we have new shops opening on Melrose in LA and in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

Who are your fashion icons?

I love going through and looking at anyone from the ‘30s — Schiaparelli, Coco Chanel. Currently John Galliano, his recent couture collection was unbelievable. I always love Gaultier because he has such a fun aesthetic to the way he mixes things up. And Prada too; she’s always doing something really interesting.

What are three key pieces every woman should have in her closet?

A high waisted pencil skirt, a beautiful evening coat and a sexy pair of feminine pumps.

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