>> Now that Fall 2011 NYFW has come to an end, let's zoom in on some of the fine details. First up on our list of must-haves are shoes: bohemian boots from Rodarte; shiny red oxford pumps from Alexander Wang; thigh-highs from Rag & Bone; a multi-colored woven confection from Proenza Schouler . . . and a couple more of our favorites in the slideshow!
>> Blogger mania is not subsiding — Chanel, which named five it-girls (Jen Brill, Poppy Delevigne, Vanessa Traina, Leigh Lezark, and Caroline Sieber)
as beauty ambassadors in June 2009, is said to be mulling launching another, similar program — but with blogger ambassadors. Fashion Toast's Rumi Neely and Sea of Shoes's Jane Aldridge (who Chanel dressed for the Crillon Ball) are both said to have been contacted, but word is that the program is down the line a ways, as the luxury brand — which doesn't yet have an official Twitter — is wary of social media.
And speaking of brands pairing with bloggers — Rag & Bone, which had Abbey Lee Kershaw, Edita Vilkeviciute, Sasha Pivovarova, and Lily Aldridge shoot themselves for the brand's Spring 2011 ad campaign, reportedly has a second round of Spring 2011 ads forthcoming, for which bloggers like Neely and Bunny Bisous's Julia Frakes photographed themselves.
>> For the second Fall season in a row, the Rag & Bone boys have created a lot of want in the ten some-odd minutes it takes for their run of show. The futuristic bent that was introduced in their Spring 2011 collection stayed, but this time worked its way into a number of the Rag & Bone staples — cropped fitted jackets, kilts, knee socks, and cape coats. This was mashed together with a newfound fascination with texture: cow hides, nubby knits, neoprenes, shearlings, wools, and fringes were all represented.
As Marcus Wainwright noted backstage, "It started with Inuit people — the indigenous people of the Arctic circle — and on the other side of it, there was a French skiier called Jean-Claude Killy — so '70s ski — and it just went from there." As for the brilliant blue that was used so liberally in the second half of the show — where did that come from? "In looking at all of these pictures of the Arctic and the snow and the sky bounced against it," Wainwright explained, "that unbelievable blue — Klein Blue — that kind of blue of the sky, was just amazing against the ivory and the grey of the beginning [of the show]. It's a fun color."
The cool Rag & Bone girl was well-accounted-for as usual, both front row (Erin Wasson, Jessica Stam, and Alexa Chung), and on the catwalk (Bette Franke, making a runway return after taking a season off, Arizona Muse, Joan Smalls, Fei Fei Sun, Saskia de Brauw, and Britt Maren). Boots tended to be thigh-high and low-heeled. As for the clutches, which were strapped to the models' hands by glove-like contraptions, leaving their fingers free — would those be put into production? "It may well do if people like them," Wainwright answered. "I don't know. We just did it just for the show, we always do those things ourselves, but yeah, probably." He and Neville had both cracked open Peroni beers immediately post-show, while their children ran around backstage. So what's the plan now that the show is finished? "I have had one beer," Wainwright replied. "I'm going to have a few more. I feel pretty good about it. I was excited about the music [done by Thom Yorke], and it's good."
The Rag & Bone show is massive, and it has to be considering its loyal following of editors, It girls and boys, supermodels like Erin Wasson and Jessica Stam — who watch from the front row instead of walking — and ultra cool celebs like Alexa Chung. The Thom Yorke soundtrack suggested a dark and serious show, but what ended up coming down the runway was a rather madcap hunting expedition in the Scottish Highlands. At least that's what I thought until I got the scoop from designer Marcus Wainwright after the show. There were plaid kilts, lots of leather trim, sculpted shift dresses, leg warmers, and even a varsity jacket to keep it sporty. It was a much more rugged collection than last Fall, but there were some luxurious pieces, like an ivory shearling hooded vest and a slew of fantastic leather platform boots.
The sexy tomboy prefers her man's oversize button-down to a strappy garter getup any day and feels right at home in a tiny pair of briefs. Think Calvin Klein underwear ads, Sigourney Weaver in Alien, and Freja Beha Erichsen's perfect bedhead. She may be low-key, but she's still high-fashion — and proves that you can totally be seductive while staying on the sporty side. Click through to see all of my picks for the hot-to-trot tomboy.
>> Instead of hiring a professional photographer to shoot their ad campaign, Marcus Wainwright and David Neville handed Abbey Lee Kershaw, Edita Vilkeviciute, Sasha Pivovarova, and Lily Aldridge a digital camera and asked them to take pictures of themselves in Rag & Bone clothes — with full creative freedom. “We have always been very inspired by the girls who do the show,” said Wainwright. “Rather than do what every other brand does and have a high-end photographer take very polished shots, we thought, ‘Let’s flip it on its head to get the girls to take over.’ We wanted it to be very real.”
Wainwright and Neville are hoping the guerrilla ad campaign, which included plastering more than 1,000 posters on walls and against deli boards below 14th St. in NYC, will lure fans to their new e-commerce site, which features social networking elements such as a blog and videos. The duo also enlisted Elettra Wiedemann, Details magazine’s Eugene Tong, Marie Claire’s Taylor Tomasi Hill, V’s Jay Massacret, Julia Frakes of Bunny Bisous, and Sean Sullivan of The Impossible Cool to submit their own images for the site, which will be showcased later in a gallery. “It’s about real people and real clothes, clothes that we want people to wear and feel good in,” said Neville.
>> With designers like Rag & Bone, Derek Lam, and Calvin Klein highlighting white ensembles on their runways, we're convinced that the colorless hue is going to be a big thing come Spring. Get a head start on the look now — and some white-hot inspiration — with our picks from Elizabeth and James, Opening Ceremony, and Jenni Kayne.
>> If you're searching for an inspiring Winter outfit, look no further. This street-snapped cutie looks simultaneously cozy and cool in a pleated maxi skirt, cable knit sweater, camel coat, and brown lace-up booties. Smitten? Emulate the look with pieces from Charlotte Ronson, Rag & Bone, Mango, and American Apparel.
Left to right: Mango Wool Mix Camel Coat ($241), Falke Soft Merino Tights ($65), Charlotte Ronson Pleated Maxi Skirt ($175, originally $250), Topshop Camel Felt Floppy Hat ($50), Rag & Bone Combat Boots ($248, originally $495), Gap Cable Knit Sweater ($30, originally $60), American Apparel Skinny Belt ($34)
Photo courtesy of the lookbook.nu
Emmy Rossum's styled travel ensemble makes for perfect Wintery casual wear. Pairing a cozy Ann Taylor sweater cardigan ($168) over classic separates like black leggings and a white button-down gives the classics a seasonal spin, while the Fab-favorite CC Skye bag and a pair of over-the-knee boots ($157, originally $315) finish the look with a dose of on-trend. Click the items above to shop a similar style.
Visit CelebStyle for lots more celebrity street style!
There's no better way to greet 2011 than with a sweet kiss and sassy outfit. Whether you're hitting the town solo or hanging with the beau, this gorgeous Rag & Bone frock will leave the guys and gals smitten. Finish off the look with Alexander Wang Cecilia booties, a satin clutch, and red lips for maximum impact.
Left to right: Rag & Bone Carmel Silk Trapeze Dress ($370), NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil ($24), Lulu Townsend Tutu Clutch ($30), Fallon Gold Stud Ring ($100), Charlotte Russe Black Bow Tie Choker Necklace ($9), Alexander Wang Cecilia Bootie ($575)
