Emmanuelle Chriqui toasted the Svedka Vodka party in NYC last night looking modernly chic in a fresh LBD. Notice how the mesh detailing on her frock shows just the right amount of skin. For accessories, the Entourage star shimmered in gold chandelier earrings, matching bangle, and strappy sandals. Subtle, sexy, and sizzling hot.
Check out CelebStyle for lots more celebrity street style!
>> Peter Som has had a tough past six months, between the fallout at Bill Blass and the pull out of his eponymous lines' investor. Two weeks ago, he wasn't even sure if he was going to be able to pull anything together for Fashion Week, but he's succeeded in producing something for Fall 2009 — a capsule collection of 16 looks, which he will be showing at private appointments.
Peter's not alone in his misfortune this season — for various other labels, big and small, Fall 2009 isn't panning out so well either. Some, like Peter, have had to cancel their runway show in favor of showroom appointments (Sari Gueron) or lookbooks (Francis by Christian Francis Roth, who just tried to stage a comeback last season). Some are just plain nixing their shows (Benjamin Cho, Hanii Y, Sue Stemp, Rubin Singer).
Poor newcomer Mikhael Kale had to cancel his show because his samples were damaged during shipping; he's remaking the collection for press and buyer appointments in two weeks' time. Italian knitwear label Malo, designed by Alessandro Dell'Acqua, is totally missing in action, even though it always draws Carine Roitfeld and Franca Sozzani front row. And Patrick Robinson has postponed Gap's presentation until April. Here's to hoping the news only gets better from here.
*image: source
>> Designers may be pulling their belt tighter this Fashion Week, but hardly any are pulling out of the rat race altogether — the attention is too valuable. "You kill a thousand birds with one stone, because you get that many people there in an hour and you're getting one message across to them," says Scott Sternberg of Boy and Band of Outsiders. "They're writers and photographers and culturally indulgent people with loud mouths."
Instead, designers are saving by hosting presentations instead of runway shows (Monique Lhuillier, Temperley London, and Carmen Marc Valvo), inviting fewer guests (Marc Jacobs and DKNY, who's slicing her usual 1,000 down to 400), sending email invites instead of by mail (nearly everyone), or showing fewer looks to save on fabric and sample-making costs.
>> INSIDER WIRE —It's not unusual for a designer or two to drop off the Fashion Week schedule — think Rogan last season — but in light of Fall 2009 being a "make or break season," it's a shame to see another designer follow Peter Som. Sari Gueron was originally planning her usual runway show, but has decided to forego it all and will be taking showroom appointments instead; the decision is said to be recession-related. [Style File]
*image: source
>> Where there are opening ceremonies for the US Open, there is sure to be an Anna Wintour appearance. Last night was no disappointment — she joined Oscar and Annette de la Renta at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens (wearing one of her favorite Oscar dresses, natch) and even stood to clap when Roger Federer was announced.
Oscar wasn't the only designer taking a breather from Spring 2009 preparations: David Neville and Marcus Wainwright of Rag & Bone, Lisa Mayock and Sophie Buhai of Vena Cava, and Sari Gueron were all also in attendance.
*image: source
>> THE MODELIZER —Sari Gueron says that she's had Lisa Cant open and close every one of her runway shows because: "We’re friends. We’ve shared a house at the beach together. I love that little tradition we have that she opens my show. It’s almost good luck." [The Cut]
Phew. It's been a long two weeks of fashion shows, but I'm definitely invigorated by so many of the hair and makeup looks. I'm also excited to share some behind-the-scenes secrets with you—the kind of stuff you don't usually hear about.
Fashion Week Fact #1: Runway hair isn't always expensive.
The Sari Gueron show (pictured) was running an hour late, so I had plenty of time to watch the hair and makeup teams prepare. Herbal Essences sponsored the hair for this show, and I was curious to see if the stylists actually used the drugstore brand's products, or whether they sneaked some high-end stuff in there. To my delight, the stylists used only Herbal Essences, proving that it's skill, not price, that lets you create a gorgeous look.
Fashion Week Fact #2: Model complexions vary.
You'll be glad to know that models, like the rest of us, have the occasional blemish, blackhead, and other skin problem. You just don't see it easily because their makeup is so professionally done. Then again, about 30% of the models had flawless complexions. Seriously, I couldn't even find a pore on this girl. Moral of the story: Models break out, too, except for a lucky few.
For two more secrets, including the $7.49 mascara that I spied at more than a few shows, read more
A new partnership has just been formed that will allow sample sale fans to get their fix from the comfort of their own home! The Council of Fashion Designers of America has joined with Gilt.com to give CFDA members — think Marc Jacobs, Nanette Lepore — the option of doing their sample sales online.
Already, Marchesa, Rachel Roy, and Bulgari have teamed with Gilt Groupe's Gilt.com for the site's one-day designer-specific online sales, and Behnaz Sarafpour and Sari Gueron have upcoming sales in the works. Gilt Groupe offers 3-4 online sales per week — for sale access, you must be a referred member, but once accepted, there are no fees involved. Everyone loves a sample sale, right?!
Source
