Awaiting New York Fashion Week Only To Have It Pass Me By

DVF at NYFW FW12

 
Last week, it was with great anticipation that I awaited to be a voyeur – since I am here in LA and had nary a ticket – into the runway shows of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City. However, an amazing opportunity to contribute a fashion article as a guest blogger for a new digital magazine, which will launch later this month, introduced a tight deadline and changed my plans.

Albeit a tad late, I am happy to (finally) post my fashionating feedback about the best of the New York Fashion Week Autumn Winter 2012 collections.

As fashion week progressed, it became profoundly apparent to me that – for women – next season is all about being feminine. So many of the collections at NYFW offered impressions of femininity and age-appropriateness, which is a super-hot topic for me personally right now. 

I had already made a vow to introduce more ladylike silhouettes into my wardrobe and, even though I do have grandiose visions of looking like Victoria Beckham out and about in her daily life, the reality is I am not.

Victoria Beckham at NYFW

So it was reassuring that designers such as Diane Von Furstenberg, Narciso Rodriguez, Michael Kors, Derek Lam, Rodarte and L’Wren Scott are all finally creating looks that can be flattering on real women of any age in their real lives.

As if it could get any better, mid-priced collections are giving high-end designers a run for their money by producing lavish looks that don’t concede on style.  Designer collections such as Tory Burch, Alexander Wang, Theory, Helmut Lang, and 3.1 Phillip Lim are just a few that stood out at FW12 shows.

These lines are more affordable and offer head-to-toe looks; yet they don’t compromise the trends for next season. 

Speaking of trends, bright color blocking still reigns supreme, but it better watch out for black and white graphic schemes which stole the show at Ralph Lauren.

Other dependable trends – which are so basic – yet so classic are back: white suits as seen at Phillip Lim; the mixture of navy and black, not an easy feat but done successfully by Proenza Schouler;  Asian-inspired, particularly red silk seen at Paul Gaultier’s show and (my personal favorite) Anna Sui’s inspired prints; good old basic black seen everywhere; and hemlines, some of which have fallen down below the knee again but, in some cases, just have flair.

If your style aspirations are realistic -- such as mine -- you may be just as excited to see that J. Crew has launched a lux line called J. Crew Collections.  The results were well received.  The line offers a more custom-made looks in edgier fabrics such as python, pleated leather skirts, metallic pants, and accessories pared with curly lamb fur.

Rachel Zoe Collection FW2012

My favorite stylist turned celebrity designer – Rachel Zoe – wowed the critics for a second year in a row.  Her new Rachel Zoe Collection continues to imbibe a vintage vibe with polished sweater dresses, velvet tuxedos, gaucho jeans and her signature maxi dresses.  According to the designer, the line was inspired by London’s 1960s Rock N Roll scene. Compared to last year, the collection represents more color and sophistication and makes me think more of old Hollywood than beatnik Liverpool.

Across the pond, hard-core fashion bloggers are now reporting on London Fashion Week, but I am busy getting a head-start on finding my perfect white suit.