Metro’s style reporters Kenya Hunt and Tina Chadha took in the
scene this week at New York Fashion Week. Which looks did they love?
Find out below:
1. Alice + Olivia
Astroturf, fancy wrought iron benches, champagne and cupcakes created a
garden party setting for Stacey Bendet’s spring collection. This season
the designer looked to the “colors of Palm Beach in the 1960s” and the
sophistication of the 1940s. Whatever her starting point, Bendet’s line,
as usual, embodies her carefree, fun spirit (as you can see in our
behind-the-scenes video below!) She even did a version of the funky,
vertical-striped pants that put her on the map. There were flirty
dresses in lively corals, sky blues and floral prints; silhouettes
ranged from A-line minis to strapless and fitted to flouncy. Most looks
came cinched at the waist, above the knee and embellished with sequins.
These are numbers for girls with an active social calendar to frolic in —
perfect for all the PYTs like Kourtney Kardashian, Eva Amurri and Lydia
Hearst in attendance. – Tina Chadha
2. Rodarte
With Taylor Swift, Beyonce and Solange Knowles, Dakota and Elle Fanning, Kim Gordon and David Byrne all sitting front row (yes, all of them) it could have been easy for the guests to steal the spotlight from the clothes. But there was no looking away from Kate and Laura Mulleavy’s innovative, yet wearable clothes. The dresses were textured, crinkled, gathered and draped, each one more ornately constructed than the next. But more than anything, the Mulleavy sisters deserve a hug for giving us a break from the sea of Easter egg colors we’ve seen this week. A girl can only take but so much pink and yellow. Instead, they worked in a rich color palette that included marigold, aqua, almond, silver and gold. – Kenya Hunt
3. Herve Leger
It must be hard to keep putting a new spin on the bandage dress, but to their credit, designers Max and Lubov Azria find ways. This season they worked with weaving and braiding in metallics and tribal prints. The show opened with warriorlike gold foil dresses featuring intricate cutouts and braided strap detailing that felt more “Mad Max,” less red carpet. This was the problem with some of the looks with fringe and weaving — they seemed too fantastical for real life. But there were black and white options, however, that read fresh and sexy for those women searching for a good party dress. – TIna Chadha
4. J.Crew
Remember years ago when you passed by J. Crew stores and thought “middle-of-the-road chinos and button downs for the flyover states?” It was hard to believe the same company was behind the very urban, cool and expensive-looking clothes on show yesterday. All of the brand’s staples were there — the cardigans, the tailored trousers, the blazers — but updated with the season’s new palette, color blocking, print mixing and sequins. (One multicolored, striped sequin skirt had Michelle Obama’s name written all over it.) And if you needed any more proof of the new power of J.Crew: Beyonce stopped by for a rare Fashion Week appearance. – Kenya Hunt
5. Rachel Zoe
It’s as though Rachel Zoe looked to her closet — specifically the amazing racks of ’70s vintage we’re sure the stylist-turned-designer has collected — as the inspiration for her spring line. (She cites Brigitte Bardot.) There were mostly loose-fit maxi dresses, some featuring floral prints, one-shoulder or high slits up the thigh; gauzy floor-length skirts; chic blazers and glam sequin party dresses. The designer herself was in look No. 7, the flowy high-waisted palazzo pants, as she walked ladies such as Anna Dello Russo and Molly Sims through the show. We can see this wearable collection — especially the “bananas” sky-high heels — becoming as popular as Zoe’s unavoidable catch phrases. – Tina Chadha
6. Tory Burch
Now that’s how you put on your first runway show! Tory Burch dazzled editors and buyers with her pretty, feminine and wearable spring collection. First separates came in cheery corals, yellows and seafoam greens and several mixed and matched prints for interesting, quirky layered looks — like a striped sweater with polka dots peeking out from the sleeves, worn over a floral print skirt. Other stunners: anything with sequins, the navy and cream series and the closing chiffon gowns. We can’t wait for the next one. – Tina Chadha
7. Marc by Marc Jacobs
It’s well known that Jacobs has had a lot on his plate lately, with his rumored negotiations with Christian Dior and all. Maybe that explains the simpler than usual approach to his spring collection, which featured preppy sportswear classics in navy and Kelly green with lots of neon mixed in. It was all kind of “club kid leaves the raves to go to college.” The brights were the stars of the show. It wasn’t his most earth-shatteringly creative collection for his secondary line, but will probably be a retail hit nonetheless. (Who doesn’t want a piece of Marc?) – Kenya Hunt
