Falling for Spring Fashions

By: Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week ushered in a new era this year with the historical move from Bryant Park to Lincoln Center and a major upgrade in technology: the addition of Fashion GPS-which streamlined communication and expedited check-in procedures.  Mayor Michael Bloomberg showed his support for the move, declaring, that he thought Lincoln Center would be a “perfect place for a fashion show–fashion is art.”  He went on to say, “New York City is fully committed to the health and growth of our fashion industry.”

The consensus among organizers and industry insiders was that this inaugural season at Lincoln Center was a success.  A common thread among designers for their spring collections was the presence of beige, which ruled the runways, alongside neighbors on the color palette, white and ivory-in sheer and non-sheer fabrics and the requisite spattering of black.  Several designers showcased vintage designs, including Gottex and Betsey Johnson, with a throwback to the 80s and Marc Jacobs with his Studio 54 inspired 70s designs, complete with vintage accessories and big floppy hats.

Despite having a mere 36 hours of non-stop fashion week bliss this season, which is akin to squeezing in all of Art Basel in one day or savoring South Beach Wine and Food Festival in a morning,  we’ve put together a brief recap of the good, the great and the “we-couldn’t-make-this-up-if we-tried!”

Mercedes Benz Presents Designer Carolina Herrera

 The Mercedes-Benz Presents Designer’s runway show is one of the highlights of every Fashion Week.  This season was no different, as the elegant and stylish, Carolina Herrera was chosen to receive this great honor.  Herrera showcased her latest collection on September 13th and was recognized throughout the industry for her impeccable style and sophisticated designs- attributes that are also prevalent in the Mercedes- Benz brand, as evidenced by the motto emblazoned in the main lobby of Lincoln Center, as a backdrop for one of the two new Mercedes-Benz sleek vehicle displays: “The Best or Nothing.”    The 2011 E550 Cabriolet and the new 2011 CL63 AMG were showcased throughout the week for guests to admire and desire.

Our favorite space in Lincoln Center was the Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge, which was created through the collaboration between design consultant Carlos Mota and fashion icon IMAN, the first display of the new IMAN Home design collection. The lounge played host to dozens of celebrities and designers throughout the week.

“Anyone who attended the inaugural season of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center could feel the energy from the runway shows to the lobby — it could not have been more exciting,” expressed Lisa Holladay, Manager of Brand Experience Marketing for Mercedes-Benz USA. “Along with all of the volunteers and supporters, it was the designers who truly made it happen with a range of collections that engaged and inspired us all, throughout the entire week.”

Monique Lhuillier

Monique Lhuillier’s spring 2011 collection was inspired by a dream, as models graced the runway in colors that ranged from pastels to candied apple reds.  Perrey Reeves, aka Entourage’s “Mrs. Ari” commented on how Lhuillier’s creations make her feel like a princess and how she loves the femininity and gracefulness of each piece- which has its own unique presence.  Celebrities in attendance included:  90210‘s Jessica Lowndes, Odette Yusman, Giada De Laurentiis, Lost‘s Maggie Grace, Emma Roberts, and Gilmore Girl Alexis Bledel.

Badgley Mischka

The Badgley Mischka show transported guests back to the Great Gatsby era, and included models styled with soft flowing curls, beaded hats and romantic slip gowns.  The designers created a chic collection featuring embellished day and evening wear and Oscar-worthy gowns.  The front row included:  Denise Richards, Kristin Cavallari, Gabrielle Union, Kelly Rowland, LaLa Vazquez, Kelly and Bensimon.

Michael Kors

Michael Kors

“And I’ll say, it’s all right…” blared the Beatles’ classic, Here Comes the Sun, through the speakers for the entirety of the Michael Kors’ show, sending virtual rays of sunshine through the crowd.  Can we say “insta-good mood” at 10:00 a.m. on a Wednesday?  Inspired by summertime, long days and cook outs, Kors’ creations are a reflection of his upbringing on the beach.  Shades of avocado greens, lilacs, bold fuchsia, and yellows were paired with fitted tees and leather camel trench coats.

After the show, through some bizarre and fantastic twist of fate, as we were making our way through the ebb and flow of the dense crowd, observing Donald Trump as he exited, we happened upon none other than Dr. Ruth Westheimer (Vest-heimer), who shuffled us backstage right along with her, and shared her secret to happiness: “Finding something you love and sticking to it.” That explains why the good doctor is smiling after all these years! We caught up with Kors backstage who shared that his homes served as the inspiration for his collection- his garden in New York, house on the beach on a sunny day, barbecues and relaxing. Kors said he emphasized length, color and texture in this collection. “This is the first time I’ve ever done a collection without any black! I’m in a sunshine state of mind.”  When asked about his favorite piece, he admitted that it has to be the double-faced leather trench coat because it’s something you can wear for more than 30 years.  While we were talking with Kors, lucky guests had the opportunity to select their favorite pair of Michael Kors sunglasses as a parting gift. “Sun, sun, sun…here we come!”

Vera Wang

Vera Wang

Vera Wang took her east meets west influence and infused it throughout her collection.  Wang, inspired by Quentin Tarantino’s classic Kill Bill, showcased the classic ethereal style with edge, channeling the exotic, strong, warrior within.  Sculptured accents and bold jewels accentuated each look down the runway, worn by stoic, barefaced models, with really wild, wind-blown hair.  Anna Wintour and Serena Williams shared a few laughs before the show and seemed to enjoy sitting cozily on the bench side-by-side, like old friends.

Nanette Lepore

Nanette Lepore

Sexy singer, John Forte set the stage for Nanette Lepore’s show, serenading the audience with his sultry voice, alongside his live band.  Models clad in Lepore’s creations sauntered the runway in classic chic ranging from brightly colored high waisted bikinis to cocktail attire for day and night in vibrant floral patterns- a refreshing break from the neutrals that dominated the majority of the other shows.  The collection was a jet setter’s dream, providing an array of looks to compliment a tropical retreat at a moment’s notice. Lepore closed her show with a trip down the runway with one of her two daughters, both of whom took the day off from school to attend.  Lepore’s audience included: Stanley Tucci, Lili Taylor, Kristin Chenoweth, Carol Kane, Talia Balsam and former Sopranos stars, Aida Turturro and Jamie Lynn Sigler.

Betsey Johnson

Betsey Johnson

Far from being the most glamorous or elegant show during the week, Betsey Johnson brought the fun. Among the most original of the shows, Johnson projected a video montage of herself riding her bike all around New York as a backdrop while the corresponding looks appeared on the runway, Le Tour Betsey.  At the end of the video, Johnson played a clip of Johnson family movies which culminated in her riding down the runway on her bicycle, being presented with a trophy by her daughter, Lulu and her granddaughters and doing a cartwheel as models waved racing flags and cheered her on.   Seen enjoying the show were Kelly Osbourne, Denise Richards, Rimah Fakin, Carmen Electra and Ciara.   Later that night, Johnson joined friends and fans at the basement of the Hudson Hotel, and danced with the DJs in their booth above the main floor, to the amusement of the adoring crowd. 

Parties!

No Fashion Week would be complete without a myriad of incredible parties and openings.  One such party took place on Tuesday, September 14th, when A-list celebrities, athletes, notable New Yorkers and a few Miami locals celebrated the official grand opening of LAVO New York City, a Southern Italian bistro/state-of-the-art nightclub owned and operated by nightlife masterminds, Noah Tepperberg, Jason Strauss, Marc Packer, Jayma Cardosa and Rich Wolf, the hospitality impresarios behind LAVO Las Vegas, TAO, Avenue, Stanton Social, Rue 57, Goldbar and Avra. The space is stylish and gorgeous- think Prime 112 meets The Florida Room, with the former stacked atop the latter, and the food, service and atmosphere are top-notch.

We had the distinct pleasure of sitting next to the “damn-some” (that’s short for damn handsome) Joe Manganiello, the hot werewolf from True Blood and girlfriend Audra Marie, who were canoodling in a booth in between bites (no pun intended).  Manganiello was served a special low-carb dinner because he is on a strict diet for the show.  The couple ventured downstairs to the club late in the evening and joined Ashley Greene and Xavier Samuels from Twilight .  Manganiello laughed when someone made a comment about how competing werewolves/ vampires were taking over the party.  Also seen enjoying the music downstairs: new “besties” Kristin Cavallari and Shantel VanSanten, who hit the Fashion Week circuit together; Lennox Lewis who tried unsuccessfully to get Russell Simmons’ attention, as Simmons was appealing to the doorman to let two models into the party; and Nicky Hilton, who danced on her banquette, swinging her arms and screaming out that she loved the DJ.

Other VIP guests at the  LAVO NYC opening, including Oliver Stone, Alessandra Ambrosio, Michelle Rodriguez, Ashley Greene, Kristin Cavallari, Samantha Ronson, Dylan McDermott, Stephanie Pratt and Lenny Kravitz enjoyed music by Solange Knowles, DJ Vice and Chuckie, along with surprise performances by Ciara and Swizz Beatz.  We were excited to see some of our favorite Miami locals:  Chris Bosh, Nicola Siervo, D. Ashlee Harrison, Seth Browarnik and Melissa Katz having a blast at the party. A couple of nights later, Jessica Simpson threw a birthday dinner for her boyfriend, Eric Johnson, at LAVO.

You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger Premiere

Earlier on Tuesday night the Cinema Society’s screening of You Will Meet a Talk Dark Stranger at MOMA and after party at the elegant, newly re-opened, Lambs club brought out A-listers from all over the industry.  The party was lauded as one of the most exclusive of the week, despite having nothing to do with Fashion Week.  Granted, the film’s director, Woody Allen and his films have been in fashion for almost half a century.

Guests at the screening and after party included Adrian Grenier, Adrian Brody, Michelle Rodriguez, Leelee Sobieski, Alec Baldwin, Martha Stewart, Ethan Hawke, Gemma Jones, Stanley Tucci, Patricia Clarkson, Deborah Harry, Mark Ruffalo, Oliver Stone, Brett Ratner, Juliette Lewis, Alan Cummings, Bobby Flay, Stephanie March, Kelsey Grammer, Denise Richards, and the film’s stars, Josh Brolin and Lucy Punch. All gathered upstairs at the Lambs Club to toast Allen with Grey Goose cocktails.

From the moment he arrived, Adrian Grenier was on a mission to meet Woody Allen. After walking the red carpet, Grenier waited to introduce himself to Allen and was overheard saying “He’s one of my New York Legends.” Grenier spent the rest of the evening chatting with fellow party goers including Adrian Brody and Michelle Rodriguez.