Ugg Australia Spring 2012–Beyond the Shearling Boot

When I was first invited to the luxe Gramercy Park Hotel terrace to preview the new Spring 2012 Ugg collection, I was skeptical.  The association that I had with the salt stained sock boots of the college set with sweatpants or jeans awkwardly tucked into them was hard to shake off.  Still I decided not to let what I thought I knew about the boot to shape my evening and I found myself pleasantly surprised.

When I entered the beautiful space I heard relaxing music playing as I approached a room with an impressive light bulb installation on the ceiling. Amidst the warm lighting and rustic wood fixtures I first saw the men's collection.  Beautiful rich tones of leather were crafted into an assortment of shoes.  Some classic mens shoes were displayed including boat shoes, bowling shoes and ones that even sort of look like Toms (unfortunately without the philanthropy).  My favorites were the olive green bowling shoes and the high top incarnation.  My boyfriend who came along for the ride said he would like a pair stat and pointed out a brilliant touch of shearling placed strategically in the back heel where most shoes tend to rub and become painful.

Runway Review: Alexis Mabille Couture Spring 2012

The award for this couture week's best head pieces and most dramatic make-up definitely goes to Alexis Mabille with the bold rainbow of color parading down the runway in head to toe monochromatic looks and faces/headpieces to match.  It was as if Spring itself had come to life on the runway and the ladies were in full bloom.

The quote from Marcel Proust, "It is only women who do not know how to dress that are afraid of colors", was only too appropriate for a show that was built on the energy of color.

Lace panels/insets, cascading flounces and flutter sleeves created a very wearable, feminine and lady-like collection that was bold but not ground breaking.  There is something about the dresses that makes them look like the clothing of royalty and not of the Hollywood set although more than a couple pieces would probably make a statement on the red carpet.

Runway Review: Versace Couture Spring 2012

Versace Couture for Spring 2012 embodies what Donatella does best - glamour, drama and a second skin fit like no other.  The dresses are almost painted on some of the bodies of the models while futuristic, structural elements including slashes of metallic beading and architectural arches extend from the shoulders, hips and bust to emphasize the woman's body.

Runway Review: Dior Couture Spring 2012

The house of Dior still lives with or without the scandal that is John Galliano and in his second couture collection for the house Bill Gaytten has done a marvelous job of capturing the spirit of Dior with so many references to the past without being stuck there. Classic Dior silhouettes that make a woman feel like a woman – like the New Look of 1947 are in abundance but they are made fresh again being whipped together in translucent fabrics.  It’s almost like you’re have X-ray vision into something that from a glance should be very lady-like and the effect is quite provocative.

One of my favorite pieces is actually this tucked sheath on the very right that almost looks like pattern drafting coming to life with it’s almost muslin color and bold pick stitches.  I guess seeing the art of patternmaking dissected is very appealing to me.  As for color palette the collection was predominantly black, white and nude with a few pops of red and violet. Although monochromatic and without pattern I thought it was the best possible showcase for what Gaytten was trying to achieve.  Bravo for a collection well done.

Alexandra Satine - Spring 2012

A few months ago I introduced you to, my friend and former co-worker, Alexandra Satine's handbag line.  With styles that are light weight, stylish and many with the ability to transform into multiple looks/sizes her handbags are a win-win investment.  Recently she showed off her upcoming Spring 2012 collection.  And while a few of her most popular styles are made up in new materials she also had some completely fresh designs to share.

Spring 2012: CHRISHABANA & Enemy by CHRISHABANA

A couple years ago, Chris Habana and his line caught my attention at Shop Gen Art event. I was drawn to his use of geometric and three dimensional shapes. Since then CHRISHABANA has been featured in quite a few editorial spreads.

This past New York Fashion Week, Erin and I stopped by Chris Habana's presentation.  The presentation featured two collections, CHRISHABANA "Now is Tomorrow" and My Enemy by CHRISHABANA "It's the End of the World as We Know It, And I Feel Fine." 

The CHRISHABANA collection featured signature pieces like the cage cross and cage crystal necklaces and new pieces like the necklaces above and below on the left.  It's really fun and exciting to see him use new materials and colors to create extra bold statement pieces.

My Enemy by CHRISHABANA featured less polished pieces, many made of mini bones.  This collection definitely had a goth rave feel.

The pieces that caught my attention were the ear cuffs.  I've been looking at vintage ear cuffs from the 1970s lately, and I'm excited to see them come back in new form.

NYFW: The Blonds Spring 2012

The Blonds was the final show of my NYFW itinerary.  Although, I took things at a bit of a more relaxed pace this season coming back from Sweden and hitting the ground running had me a little weary.  This was a show that would lift my spirits and  make me remember that fashion should be fun.  As I walked into the crowded room at Center 548, it was alive and buzzing with energy.  All of the downtown club kids have made it and each of them wearing a more outrageous outfit than the next.  Soon the woman in the front row with a spire of hair and a Beyoncé-esque gold dress actually became ordinary looking as a woman waltzed in an outfit that looked barely more concealing than lingerie with a man that had a gun in his hair with shrunken head attached or the fabulous fellow with crinoline and light up Paris head piece or gold toga and finger waved hair entered the room. Everyone present was dressed to impress, stun and electrify your senses.  Celebs like Patricia Field, Robert Verdi, Miss J Alexander and Johnny Weir were among the attendees.