Show Review: Baby Phat Fall 2009

While Adriana covered Tibi in the tents, I power walked down to the Baby Phat Fall 2009 show:

This time around Kimora ditched her usual Roseland Ballroom venue for the smaller, more recession friendly Gotham Hall. Admittedly, Roseland is usually a zoo, crushed with celebrities, editors, and fans--but it also typically has a vibrant energy that makes the Baby Phat show more of a party than a focused fashion event. As a former bank, Gotham Hall had a much more serious atmosphere, but no matter: without all the distractions we were left to focus on the clothes. Thankfully, Kimora put some work into offering interesting silhouettes and pieces real girls would unflinchingly wear.
For fall Kimora went for frills and lace for a girly flair...

..instead of looking cheap, the pieces offered an updated classic, Victorian sensibility that carried over to her reinterpretations of Chanel quilted bags and layered pearl necklaces:

While the lace and frills were fun, my favorite part of the show had to be the outerwear. Cute capes, wool toppers, plaid jackets, and fur collared tweeds cascaded down the runway in silhouettes that would work for anyone from a college girl on the go to a young professional in a funky creative industry...

While some options still looked like a juniors department nightmare with tie dye jeans and bedazzled t's...

Overall Kimora delivered a solid, wearable collection, upping the quality and ante for the Fall 2009 season.
After the show, I walked over to say hey to a few well known faces:
Teyana Taylor looked retro chic with a cute hat, hairdo, and fitting dress:


I said wassup to Ray J, who was putting his VH1 show on hold for the night:

Chit Chatted with my girl Monica about Atlanta and a few of her upcoming projects (Check out my interview with her here:)


And girl talked with Dwight from the Real Housewives of Atlanta!

He was working it in a fur coat and all white suit! No sightings of Nene or Sheree all fashion week, but Dwight was fab-u-lous, and working his outfit!
Yet again, a fun time at Baby Phat:

And of course, I caught the final walk for ya:

I love how 'My President is Black' was the song for the final walk. Very apropos for a show and a President that are all about business!

What do you think?

Bisous!

*Dress from Pieces Boutique, Necklace and Earrings by Jenny Dayco, Chanel 2.55 Quilted Evening Bag care of Avelle.

Show Review: Tibi Fall 2009

Last night at Tibi, the Disco era met Moscow, as Amy Smilvoc's fall offerings came from Russia with love, and included a few references to late '70s/early '80s Halston.

Lively prints with elements of Russian folk patterns and dramatic fur Cossack hats peppered the ensembles, which didn't much deviate from Tibi's usual modern-femme sensiblity.

Smilovic continues to be influenced by her travels abroad (for the Spring '09 collection, it was Hong Kong), which is fitting for the target Tibi customer: jet-setting socialista.

My absolute favorite piece of the line was a sunshine-yellow frock with split shoulders and intricate jet beading (above, far right). The fur muffs were a bit of a costumey touch, as I felt the dresses stood out well enough on their own.

Sweetheart necklines and black trousers in varying silhouettes also made an appearance.

I'm usually pleasantly pleased with Tibi and this time was no exception. While the clothes weren't groundbreaking, there's a consistent stylishness about their designs that solidifies their place as a solid contemporary mainstay.
~Adri

Show Review: William Rast Fall 2009

Monday night's last showing in the tents was one of the week's most anticipated: the Justin Timberlake-helmed William Rast.

The speakers blared rock and blues classics as a modern, artistic rendering of the American flag provided the backdrop for the runway. Apt dressing for a show that offered reinterpretations of American classics such as motorcycle jackets and, of course, denim.

As expected, tons of celebs populated the front row; I snapped Nicky and Paris Hilton, Anna Wintour, Justin's former N*SYNC bandmate JC Chasez, and MTV V-jay Damien Fahey with his girlfriend, up-and-coming fashionista Grasie Mercedes, before the lights went down.

When they came back up and the show started, however, the collection wasn't as glittering as its audience, unfortunately. New takes on old favorites can be exciting but the pieces here lacked innovation and originality. The influence of the American experience was clear, and elements of Western, Native American, '80s Conspicuous Consumption, and '60s Hippie style were evident, yet it felt like a warmed over mashup of fads that made you wince rather than feel nostalgic or inspired.

The men's collection included some slightly better offerings (and some clear James Dean channeling), and maybe focusing on menswear is where Rast's best prospects for the future lie, especially in an already saturated women's denim market where market-share and competition are fierce.

After JT took his bow, the fashionable took theirs, too, and called it a night at the tents!
~Adri

Show Review: Diane von Furstenberg Fall 2009 collection

This season, Diane von Furstenberg's collection transitioned easily from spring to fall. Continuing with the trend of dramatic headpieces, she went from floral headbands last season to pop-pom covered knit hats. Though black was seen throughout her collection as well as the collections of many others, this collection was filled with layering and vivid leopard print pieces...

There were a few sequin-laden pieces as well paired with cardigans and bold knit coats. And some looks weren’t complete without a bright colored clutch.

Leggings and long, tribal necklaces added a pop of color to the gray and darker hues of the collection.

Some of the pieces reflected the importance of comfort and glam, especially because of the Studio 54 kind of vibe I got from a few of the looks. The collection and music paid homage to the disco-era diva herself, Diana Ross, who was actually there, and gave Diane a hug at the end of the show! For more of the collection, click here.
I loved the collection!
How do you all feel about it?
~Vuitton

Show Review: Tracy Reese Fall 2009 Collection

Finally recovered from my transatlantic travels, I stopped into the Tracy Reese show to take in her Fall 2009 collection.

I along with a ton of fashion fanatics piled into Bryant Park's relatively tiny Salon...

There were barely enough seats to sit--Even Andre Leon Talley was left standing!

Finally the show began, and Tracy reinterpreted her signature pretty, uber feminine pieces for fall using a colorful palette of deep reds, purples, and turquoise...

While some of her looks were somewhat predictable--ruffles, lace, and frills--school girl chic also seemed to be the name of the game, with Reese amping up her lacey, brocade regulars with bits of edge witnessed in thigh high socks, skull caps, and librarian-esque readers...

Flashes of luxe elements like fur and sequins also appeared in this collection, making certain items perfect for the girl who isn't watching her pocketbook...

...perhaps why the front row was peppered with glitterati like Paris and Nicky Hilton, Kim Kardashian, and Solange Knowles.

I caught up with Kim Kardashian afterwards who looked stunning in a Tracy Reese strapless dress...

And also got a quick interview with Solange! Check it out here.

What did you think of the collection?

Bisous!

Necklace by Jenny Dayco, Makeup by GlamDLuxe.

Show Review: Cushnie et Ochs

On Friday I was still a bit jetlagged, so decided to keep it low key with the Cushnie et Ochs show:
If you've been reading the Fashion Bomb, you'd know that the dynamic Parson's alumnae behind the line, dubbed the next Proenza Schouler, were the recipients of a $25,000 Ecco Domani Fashion Award to show at Fashion Week.
With all their accolades, I was super excited to see what they would send down the runway:

Their Fall 2009 collection focused on subdued blacks, grays, and whites accented with pops of futuristic metallic. Edgy and eye catching, the ladies went for drama with dresses, jackets, and pants with singular details like cut outs, single arms, liquid materials, and high collars:

While I gushed over some of the more club ready frocks, I felt perhaps the ladies pushed the envelope too far with certain looks--some sheer tops, short skirts, and super tight satin dresses seemed more bawdy than sexy...

They may have overshot just a bit, but they have the proven talent to bring it back. I look forward to seeing their future collections.
After the show, I stopped backstage and interviewed Carly Cushnie about the line's inspiration:

What do you think?

The Fashion Bomb does Baby Phat Spring 2009

So last night intern Adriana and I made our way to our last show of the season, Baby Phat:
...Kimora was celebrating her 10th year of runway shows, and we were pumped to be in the building!
Packed with New York's finest, the show is always exceedingly entertaining, thanks to a bass driven soundtrack, lithe models, and funky clothes. Though the show aimed to start on time, people took a while to get to their seats, so I seized the moment to snap a few pics. Caught up with Lala...
..who was wearing a LaRok skirt and YSL sandals, and finally met Serena Williams!!!
She was in a major rush to get to her seat, but was gracious enough to take a quick picture with me. Had to do it for mom!!!
Finally, the show began, and other notables like Carmelo Anthony, Danity Kane, Alexis Phifer, Ice T, Coco, and Maxwell filled in the front row:
The collection offered a melange of themes, mirrored in thigh skimming belted Safari dresses, Seventies era jumpers, maxi dresses and hippie-esque headscarves, Western style fringed suede vests, and Mideastern turbans:
Eye catching yet simple, Kimora's collection was fashioned to fit her target demographic of around the way girls with a splash of spunk. I myself was drooling over the models' blinged out rings, bangles, and necklaces that glinted in the spotlight:
...I'll take five!
All in all Baby Phat reflected the fun mix of couture and culture that Kimora has been bringing for the past 10 years. No Fashion Week could be complete without it!
After the show was the afterparty, and Adriana was tuckered out so we parted ways...
I went with my buddy to the Plaza Hotel for a continuation of the festivities:
...the celebration was grand, and the Plaza's ballroom was packed with partygoers sipping champagne and snacking on ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery.
Kimora was out of reach, but I was juiced to finally meet Dee + Ricky (creators of the lego pins for Marc Jacobs)...
...and we toasted to the end of Fashion Week. Now it's time to rest up!
Hope you enjoyed Adriana and I's coverage of Fashion Week. Let us know!
Oh and I took my Flip Video with me to the show and caught some Real Style...stay tuned for that on Monday.
Smootches!
*My dress and earrings are from Pieces, medallion necklace by Jenny Dayco.
*Special Thanks to: Carlos, Jerome, Leanne, Stephanie, and Tamar!!!

The Fashion Bomb does Zac Posen

Hey!
So last night after Reem Accra, I tucked into the Zac Posen show in the Tents....
...it was a celebrity swapmeet with Jada Pinkett Smith...
...ALT, Venus, Serena, and Anna...
...as well as a host of other celebs, including Rachel Zoe, Patricia Field, Joy Bryant, and Nina Garcia perched on the front row.
I heard a guy behind me say that he wished to run down and take a picture with the Williams sisters, but was afraid of bodyguards. In the end he decided to stay put....I did the same!
After a bit of hubbub, the show finally started. What can I say? I was impressed:
...Zac showed what he does best: alluring cocktails and fluid gowns, amply ready for any red carpet...
..dominated by flowy fabrics, Zac kept the crowd entertained by balancing neutral white and black with pops of leopard print, yellow, and peach, and throwing in the occasional tailored jacket for good measure:
While he lost me for a second with a couple frothy frocks...
...overall, Zac hit this collection out the water, and I saw many lithe little numbers trendsetting sirens would pluck for an awards show or any other high flashbulb event:
...fierce!
While I hesitated to snap pics before the show, I two-stepped my way backstage afterwards to see what I could see.
I bumped into Joy Bryant, who is tall, thin, and beautiful:
...she was in the middle of telling her friend that she had just 'thrown something on', but her frill laced outfit was very apropos.
Also said 'hey' to old friend Alexis Phifer..
...who is seriously making me want to pop on a red lip.
And of course, had to sidle up to the man of the hour...
...Zac Posen himself! He was super busy receiving accolades, but took a moment to cheese with lil ol me!
With all that excitement, I was done for the night, but no worries: I'm getting my gold stilettos out for the Baby Phat show and afterparty tonight! Should be a good, fun ending to an eventful fashion week.
Stay tuned!
Smootches!
*Shouts to Inaje, Janelle, and Lawrence! You're the bomb!!!