Now that the New York Fashion Week dust has settled, we've had time to fully digest a week's worth of parties, shows, favorite designer encounters, and every heart-stopping highlight. Some of our favorite moments are outrageous, others truly iconic — but each could only happen on the streets of NYC during one of the biggest, craziest, and best times of the year. In short, these are a few of our favorite Fashion Week things. Watch on for the top 10 reasons our editors love NYFW.
The ICB by Prabal Gurung Fall '13 show didn't give into the rain outside Lincoln Center, sending a parade of sleek looks down the runway. While his namesake collection focused on militant glamour, Gurung's foray into the contemporary market showcased a more downtown girl aesthetic via chunky wool knits, crisp separates, and a splash of fresh geo and graphic prints. Striking the perfect balance between hard and soft, the designer paired sharp blazers with slouchy silk trousers, cozy oversize sweaters with flounced leather skirts, and a range of flirtier dresses with bold, zipper embellished belts. Adding a rich textural element to the mix, Gurung supplied a few multicolored jacquard pieces — we especially loved the crop trousers — and an exciting array of outerwear. The latter, highlighted a range of structured, oversize coats featuring luxurious fur detailing, and refined trompe l'oeil wool jackets. Check out the top 11 highlights from the ICB by Prabal Gurung collection now.
Prabal Gurung's runway story for Fall 2013 centered around a strong, empowered military woman — and the complete beauty look reflected that aesthetic. The makeup included a ruddy cheek (as if the models had been running laps), and was created with a duo of cream blushes by MAC lead artist Charlotte Tilbury. And gone are the days of sleek, slick, perfect-looking hair; Osis head stylist Paul Hanlon described it as texturized and messy. Stylists used a bottle of mattifying hair powder on each model to create a rough texture before pulling hair back into a knot at the back. See Prabal's vision for his army of women in today's Beauty Beat. On Maria: Shirt by Zara.
Target cannot be stopped, and it seems, neither can Prabal Gurung. The mass retailer announced its latest designer collaboration with Gurung back in October, and today, the gorgeously vibrant lineup is finally available in Target stores and online. The limited-edition collection includes women's ready-to-wear pieces (ranging from $20 to $200) and accessories (bags, shoes, and jewelry will go for $13 to $40). Think of this collection as a bright arsenal of Spring-ready pieces, inspired by a tender love story, and as such, its styling versatility touches on everything from the initial crush, to the first kiss, to everlasting love. "This collection was inspired by love, and if Target's guests can feel even a little bit of the love that I felt while designing this collection, then I will consider it a job well done," said Gurung. Take a look at the designer's Target collaboration in full here, or better yet, shop it now. Which pieces are you loving?
Prabal Gurung's Fall '13 collection was one of the most anticipated shows of the season. What with the designer's Target collaboration launching tomorrow, and Jennifer Lawrence's stunning red-carpet appearance at the Critics' Choice Awards, it makes sense that all eyes were on the designer's next move. Luckily, his Fall collection did not disappoint. But take note, these pieces are for a strong-minded woman, ready — at a moment's notice — to put a polished edge on everything from military-inspired peplum dresses to fierce hardware-laden boots. This is it: see Prabal Gurung's Fall 2013 lineup right here, right now.
Prabal Gurung sent out a stellar lineup for Fall 2013 that was steeped in military references and filled with feminine power. The designer said he was inspired by the Pentagon's recent decision to allow women in combat as well as the development of body armor specifically designed for the female form, and thus were plenty of utilitarian details on display. Leather harnesses, buckled straps, epaulets, and cargo pockets all made appearances, but it was Gurung's sharp tailoring and the addition of his signature embroideries that really gave the collection its real strength. Second-skin jackets in olive wool packed a punch thanks to peplums that flared dramatically from narrow waists, while swirling embellishments in crimson and gold added spice to off-the-shoulder dresses of buttery charmeuse.
Prabal Gurung's Fall 2013 collection could easily be interpreted as a master class in how to make a more subversive, edgy military aesthetic entirely wearable — and impeccably polished. That's no easy feat when you consider how Gurung began crafting the Fall line — WWD reports that he took a very literal inspiration point from an article he read in Time about the U.S. military testing body armor specifically designed for women, after learning that the men's gear was hugely oversized for female troops. But after you've watched Prabal's own army of gorgeous crafted gowns (again, the designer's wheelhouse), sculptural peplum-trimmed jackets, ornate brocades, and sexy revelations of skin, it's hard to imagine that this was all born from the idea of military uniforms. There are the references, of course, to power and structure — and certainly the olive and navy palette draws from those uniforms — but Prabal's line is impossibly beautiful and sexy. There's attention to femininity and a woman's body in every detail — cinched waists, slit skirts, back and side cutouts, and sumptuous satins that flaunt and move with curves. Now we're waiting to see whether it will be Jennifer Lawrence or Anne Hathaway who snags one of the gowns to arm herself for the Oscars red carpet — and which style-setter will nab those buckled, knee-high gladiator heels first.
Prabal Gurung celebrated the launch of his Target collection with a star-studded carnival inspired by love, romance, and all things feminine and flirty. We caught up with the always-adorable Elizabeth Olsen, who talked about her love of patterns (and disdain for carnival rides), and Rashida Jones, who let us in on her early dating experiences and told us that her first kiss was "awful." Check it out in this Fashion Flash!
