New York Fashion Week: Style 360

There is so much action going on during New York Fashion Week, and not all of it is inside the tents.

STYLE360 has always explored the relationship between fashion and contemporary culture by pairing style trends with innovative brands—and 2009 promises to take this tradition to the next level. From September 12 – 15, STYLE360 will serve as the alternative Fashion Week destination and showcase its most impressive roster of fresh fashion talent and inventive design houses yet. Headquartered at the Metropolitan Pavilion in the fashionable Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan, STYLE360’s sixth year includes not only runway shows, but celebrity-hosted after parties, buzz-worthy press events, and unique product interactions.

Some of the shows going on include:

• Kristin Davis is headlining with her new apparel collection
• Dash by Kim Kardashian presented by Oral B
• Abbey Dawn by Avril Lavigne
• Liquid Metal
• Geren Ford presented by Tide Total Care
• Accessories designer Rebecca Minkoff presenting her ready to wear collection
• Abi Ferrin presented by Toni and Guy
• Walter presented by Kipling
• Project Runway alum Malan Breton presented by Rado Watch Company

There is also a "Pink Dress Breast Cancer Awareness" fashion show hosted by the Susan G. Komen Foundation and a 15th annual Gen Art "Fresh Faces" fashion event.

Complete information about the event will be posted at Elle.com/style360.

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New York Fashion's Night Out: Costume National

Everyone knows about the goings on at Bergdorf Goodman and Barneys, but I'd like to talk about a few places that might be a little more out of the way, but no less exciting for Fashion's Night Out in NYC on September 10, 2009.

Costume National is hosting artist Shinique Smith from the Yvon Lambert Gallery for their FNO celebration. Held in their new Soho space, art will be on display until a late closing time of 11 PM. In addition, shoppers will be able to purchase the highly-sought after event t-shirts. Come by and visit!

Costume National Boutique

160 Mercier Street, Soho

6 - 11 PM, September 10, 2009

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New York Fashion Week And Fashion's Night Out

Have I mentioned that I will be covering Fashion Week this September in New York City? No? Well, I think I've told everyone else, because I am REALLY EXCITED about it! I'm also part of Inside the Tents, put together by the Style Coalition. Inside the Tents is a group of bloggers who are hand picked to bring you the most interesting coverage of New York Fashion Week from - you guessed it - inside the tents.

I'll be able to access the tents, and a few shows. I'll be attending some workshops as well while I'm there, so I'll come back with lots and lots of things to share with you. But one of the things that I am most excited about is Fashion's Night Out Friday, September 10th all across the city.

Fashion’s Night Out (FNO) is an unprecedented global initiative created to celebrate fashion, restore consumer confidence, and boost the industry’s economy. In the United States, the program is a collaboration between American Vogue, the Council of Fashion Designers of America, NYC & Company, and the City of New York. On September 10, 2009, more than 300 stores will stay open late to put the fun back in shopping, with designer appearances, live windows, celebrity guests, and other special events. In addition, two important New York charities—the September 11 Memorial and Museum and the NYC AIDS Fund—will benefit from the initiative via the sale of a charity T-shirt and a citywide clothing drive, respectively. On the same night around the world, and led by twelve international Vogue editions (United Kingdom, Greece, Italy, Russia, France, Brazil, India, Spain, China, Germany, Japan, and Taiwan), each country will tailor its Fashion’s Night Out celebration to appeal to its city’s unique retail environment.Stores and boutiques will be open late and all sorts of fun and special stuff will be going on.

The complete list of retailers and designers participating can be found at the Fashion's Night Out website. Click on each one to find out the specifics, if any, for the event.

Now, there are so many stores and salons participating that I'm having a super hard time figuring out what I want to do, but I think I've got a general idea of what I want to hit. Here are my picks:

• Barneys New York: Designer personal appearances and special events are planned. From "lip readings" by Lipstick Queen Poppy King to knitting circles to salsa lessons. I'm not missing this.
• Bergdorf Goodman: A cookoff with Padma Lakshmi from Top Chef, an exhibition of extreme beauty photographs from Vogue, and a game show hosted by Andre Leon Talley with teams lead by Donna Karan, Linda Fargo, and Robert Verdi. Customized t-shirts by Alexander Wang and a "conversation" with Issac Mizrahi. Can a I get a holy crap on this one?
• Space NK: I'm a beauty junkie first and foremost, and I've never been to Space NK. So, I want to join them for cocktails and treats and watch eyelash applications and and prepped for all the shows the next few days.
• M.A.C: I don't want to miss the preview for Style Black, their upcoming collection focused on black eyeliner and gothy 80's looks. Can. Not. Wait. At the Soho location a special celebrity guest will appear. See you there!
• Magnolia Bakery: Not to be outdone, the Magnolia Bakery will be creating a special FNO cupcake and donating a portion of the proceeds to the 9/11 Fund. Buy lots. I plan to.
• Bond No. 9: Next door to the Magnolia Bakery, Bond is offering 20% off all items. That's crazy, y'all. You can also blend your own fragrances and enter to win an I Love New York Double Decker Sampler Box. Celebrate NYC!
• New York and Co: My favorite "mall brand" will be showcasing their new Red Label collection and Carson Kelly will be on hand at the Lex Avenue store. While you can chat up Carson on fashion tips, you can also score goodie bags and exclusive event discounts.

There are so many more fun and exciting events to choose from - this is by no means even close to being a complete or comprehensive list. Go check it out and tell me what you would like me to cover!

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McDonald's Sponsors Fashion Week

Isn't this odd? McDonalds and New York Fashion Week don't really seem to go together, do they? It's a strange new world.

Photo by New York Magazine

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Getting Real: A Different Look at New York Fashion Week

The ever-so-talented Sarah Conley over at StyleItOnline.com is producing an amazing project that you all simply must check out. After attending New York Fashion Week three times, she found that she let the fashion culture affect how she felt about her self as a plus-size woman. Let's get real, people. The average American woman is a size 12-14, and doesn't even remotely fit into the size 0 that most of the models strut down the runway in. I truly think this is breaking some new ground and helping to make the spectacle that is Fashion Week more accessible to women of all shapes and sizes.

Enough talking about it. You must go over there right now and watch Chapter One: Introduction.

Photo by Peter Duhon via Flickr.

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Style.com Brings New York Fashion Week to Your iPhone

I love my iPhone with a passion that might very well be close to obsession. I sleep with it right next to my head, I always have it with me, and I tend to text far more than I actually talk.

So it brought me such happiness to find out that I can almost be at New York Fashion Week with style.com's new iPhone app! Since I am not actually going to be joining in the fun, you can bet I'll be watching all the shows via my iPhone.

According to the description, you will be able to select the designer, and then flip through photos of the runway show. Or you can just push play for an easy slideshow. You can also select videos from the front page and choose from season and/or designer. The fall runway shows will be instantly delivered to your device. The app includes coutoure shows, the Style File blog, and runway videos.

Head on over to iTunes and download your copy - did I mention it was free? Now go!

Photo by Fr3d.org via Flickr

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New York Fashion Week: dvf

Let's face it, dvf is all about the dresses. She makes the most amazing dresses I have ever seen. And the cut is designed to actually work with a woman's body, not just a model's body, which makes me love her even more. Of course, I am a huge fan of the wrap dress, and just about every dress I own pays tribute to her in it's styling. You just can't go wrong with a good, old fashioned wrap dress.
Before I get off on a tangent, I just have to show you two gowns that I absolutely love out of her collection. No wrap dresses, just gorgeous 40's-inspired gowns.
How much do you love that black and white graphic print? I know you do.
Okay, maybe a little wrap here, but look at it. Just gorgeous and would be flattering on just about any woman.
Photos from style.com

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New York Fashion Week: Nicole Miller

I really hope Nicole Miller isn't bringing the poncho back.
Because I already did that trend not too long ago, and I didn't like it much then. I don't want to see it come around again so soon.
But ohmygosh, I love the shape of this sweater!
I don't know about the color, but that's just because I can't wear yellow worth a darn. It just makes me look vaguely ill. but the oversized aspect versus an almost crop at the waist is brilliant. Love it.
The good news is that the look that I've been sporting this fall/winter season may stick around a bit.
This is such a classic look and comfortable to boot. Which is one of the reasons I've always liked Nicole Miller - most of her things are actually wearable in real life. And I love that bag. The end.

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New York Fashion Week: Rag and Bone

It's so hard to get into that fall mindset after a long winter of dark colors, but I think that Rag and Bone had a lovely show. The dress above especially appeals to me, with it's use of blue with black accents. It has a nice shape, instead of the shapeless dresses we have been seeing lately, so that was a nice change.
Okay, a bit shapeless, but an excellent use of the blue. Hang on to those opaque tights, ladies. We will get another season out of them at least.
Fantastic coat! Vague military styling with the capelet flourish. Love to see gorgeous coats with tall black boots - it's such a chic way to brave the cold.
And there always seems to be at least one motorcycle jacket that I fall for every fall fashion week. I think this year's lemming belongs to Rag and Bone.

All photos are from style.com

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