Elettra Wiedemann & NYC Top Chefs Return Fashion Week 2012

For the 2^nd New York Fashion Week season, supermodel Elettra Wiedemann (she’s the daughter of Isabella Rossellini or you may know her as the face of Lancôme) is hosting her full service Fashion Week pop-up restaurant, GOODNESS.

This year GOODNESS will be held at the Robert, located on the top of the Museum of Art and Design, and this season “GOODNESS” will be featuring a different collection of prominent NYC-based chefs. Everyday from Feb. 11-14 “GOODNESS” will provide fresh, healthy and delicious food to the fashion community. This years line-up includes: Mario Batali, Leo Forneas, Alain Allegretti and Julian Medina. We are also pleased to announce GOODNESS has earned the CFDA’s Health Initiative Stamp of Approval.

Location: ROBERT at Museum of Arts and Design, 2 Columbus Circle, 9^th floor, NYC http://robertnyc.com/

Dates: Saturday, Feb 11^th – Tuesday Feb 14^th, serving lunch from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Featured chefs:

• Mario Batali of Babbo – Saturday, Feb 11^th
• Leo Forneas of ROBERT – Sunday, Feb 12^th
• Alain Allegretti of La Promenade des Anglais – Monday, Feb 13^th
• Julian Medina of Toloache – Tuesday, Feb 14^th

Menu: A la carte or Prix fixe menu ($35)

GOODNESS is open to the public and reservations are now being accepted on, goodnesspopup.com.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week brings it LIVE

Yes, it’s that time of year again…NYC FAshion Week.  I know, it seems like it was just yesterday (well, 6 months ago to be exact) that I was sitting through 71 shows tweeting live (my thumbs still haven’t forgiven me) and bring you all there is to do and see from the runway.  Well, this year, I’ve cut back a LOT and will be focusing on the ‘details’.  What…that doesn’t mean that you won’t get information the second it comes out, but don’t you want your own ‘front-seat’ to the shows.  Well, your wish is just about to be granted.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is now bringing the front-row experience to you and fashion fans around the world. YouTube and Maybelline New York will once again be bringing the excitement of Lincoln Center Live from the Runway channel at www.youtube.com/liverunway.

Beginning today, ‘Live from the Runway’ will feature a number of how-to videos, backstage beauty looks and interviews. February 9-16 will bring live runway shows from numerous acclaimed fashion designers.  You may even see me somewhere.  Ok, so here is the list of shows that I know of so far…if anything else ‘sprouts’ up, I’ll let you know.  So don’t forget to follow me on twitter (@bridalease) for some additional highlights and perhaps even an interview or two.   The ones in bold are just some of our favorite bridal designers who will trip the runway fantastic.

Thursday, February 9th	Friday, February 10th	Saturday, February 11th	Sunday, February 12th
9:00 AM    Nicholas K	2:00 PM Rebecca Taylor	10:00 AM Lacoste	2:00 PM Tracy Reese
10:00AM  BCBGMAXAZRIA	3:00 PM Rebecca Minkoff	11:00 AM Jill Stuart	3:00 PM Custo Barcelona
11:00AM  Richard Chai	6:00 PM Charlotte Ronson	3:00 PM Herve Léger by                    Max Azria	4:00 PM Diane von Furstenberg
		7:00 PM Monique Lhuillier
Monday, February 13th	Tuesday, February 14th	Wednesday, February 15th
10:00 AM Carolina Herrera	10:00 AM Badgley Mischka	10:00 AM Michael Kors
11:00 AM Carlos Miele	11:00 AM Vera Wang	2:00 PM    J. Mendel
3:00 PM    Reem Acra	3:00 PM    Dennis Basso	3:00 PM    Milly by Michelle Smith
5:00 PM    Bibhu Mohapatra	8:00 PM   Narciso Rodriguez	6:00 PM    Anna Sui
6:00 PM    Betsey Johnson		7:00 PM    Vivienne Tam

 

Fashion Week Designers I wish would create bridal

So much has been going on the last few days.  I’m literally running from show to show, getting information from the designers, sometimes, going back stage…it’s fun, but completely exhausting!!  I hope that you’ve been following my tweets (@bridalease) and are enjoying them.

I realized that I won’t have time to complete an article and post tonight, but I did want to give you a bit of eye-candy.  These are just a few of the designers that I’ve seen who have created amazing gowns.  In some cases these are designers I really wish would create a bridal line.  Now, I’ve also included Jenny Packham, Monique Lhuillier, in this first part (it will be updated with all designers by Feb 25 so check back!!), but I wanted you to see how ready-to-wear, can easily transfer to bridal.

Enjoy and do tell me who is your favorite.

Duckie Brown brings color to menswear 2011 collection

This season I made a concerted effort to see as many men’s fashion shows as I could. Personally I found the men that catered to men made equal an effort to show fashions that were wearable, yet grown-up casual chic.  I know that’s a big mouth full, but one designer that I loved was Duckie Brown.  It was a combination of surfer dude goes to Wall Street casual.

This was the best of both worlds: runway and then presentation.  You could actually see the clothing and not just blurs racing down the runway.  The looks were pretty minimalist given the fabric and style but it worked.  The surprise for men in men’s wear is they also used sheer fabrics and some draping techniques in their cardigans.  Color, pattern, and the clash of them all worked in this collection. “Like the boys had dressed in the dark,” said Silver. “Or like a rave, building to a frenzy in the end,” added Cox. There was a smooth sharing from Eastern to Western and it left us in the audience with an optimistic feeling that men could and would embrace color in the spring.  That once we get through this cold grey winter, there would be warmth in the arms and on the backs of the men in our lives.

So gentlemen, take it from me, wearing all black, faded blue jeans or those t-shirts from your high school days are SO over.  Duckie Brown has created a new kind of grown up cool for you to wear.

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Color Trends: Grey, Dune, Dirty White, Dark Grey, Olive, Black, White, Raspberry, Grey Melange, Pink Silver, Turquoise, Chrome, Chili, Cerise And Camouflage

Fabric Trends: Canvas, Nylon, Distressed, Washed Leather, Wonky Cardigan, Knit, Gingham, Silk, Chiffon,

Style Trends: Bulky Sweaters, Tartan, Wrap Shirt and Two-Button Jacket.

NYFW: Cynthia Rowley plays peek-a-boo with fashion

Cynthia Rowley’s spring 2011 collection was all about clean shapes and colors. What was a wonderful surprise the bold giant hole punched look, that graced both dresses and skirts. Yes, some might say it looked like Swiss cheese, but I thought it was a way to show a bit of skin, be bold yet tasteful, as the holes were toward the bottom of the skirts showing just, a peak of skin. I, along with others found her choice of candy-dot buttons an interesting choice. They were all over the dresses and skirts and while they didn’t look particularly comfortable if you were to sit, but I was assured by the models that they were.

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What I think Cynthia is saying is “Ladies, it’s time to grow up, but don’t worry, we can still have fun. “ The look of her collection is sexy, but not in-your-face sexy. There is a true grown up appeal. The colors were fresh, clean and yet some of the sheer tops will bring a new level of intimate underpinning to the market. After all, it’s barely there that is key, not in your face.

Color Trends: Pollen, Iris, Thistle, Blush, Ivory, Strawberry, Laki, Graphite, Milk Glass, Black, Smokescreen, And Honeycomb

Fabric Trends: Perforated, Silk, Mille-Feuille, Leather, Plaid

Style Trends: Invisible Striped Sweater, Perforated Hem, Rose Colored Glasses, Cuffed Sweater, Halter Dress/Shirt

Monique Lhuillier 2011 Garden of Eden collection

“The collection came to me in a dream… A beautiful girl running through a lush garden.  Her very own Garden of Eden. Beautiful flowering trees in watercolor hues.  Red Apple dresses and the temptation of the snake, Seen in a subtle reptile pattern in flowering chiffons.  Lots of shimmer from the glistening sun on dewy surfaces.  Ombres in blues and greens, pale pinks dominate.  I don’t want to wake up, I am in a state of Euphoria!”  Monique Lhuillier

What is there to be said about Monique Lhuillier that you’ve not heard before?  She’s brilliant.  She is loved by her fans. She is an amazing designer. Her evening gowns (and bridal wear) are flawless.  Her designs are what dreams are made of.  In this case, all of this is true in her very own garden of Monique.

I wish I had dreams like this.  Beautiful gowns floating by in my own flower field. There can be no denying the talent and craftsmanship of this collection. Murmurs the moment of the first step on the runway.  Deep sighs and perhaps wistfulness as women dared to dream new places – or in some case, any place to wear one. We know it’s only a matter of time when we’ll see one of these on the red carpet.

The only thing I look more forward to is her bridal collection.  It will surely create new visions of gardens and beautiful blooms.  I’m sure we will see one or more of these in a few weeks in bridal white or ‘something blue’.  I don’t know how she does it, but I’m so grateful she does.

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Color Trends: Blush, Red Apple, Antique Gold, Ivory, Cream, Reptile Print, Bronze, Green Ombre, Pink Floral, Toffee, Stardust, Ocean Blue

Fabric Trends: Gazar, Organza, Light Weight Wool, Raw Silk, Tweed, Brocade, Draped Jersey, Chiffon, Silk, Organza, Taffeta, Sequins, Raffia, Tulle

Style Trends: Pleated Bodice, Embroidered Blouse, High Waisted, Side Slit Lace Insert, Pencil Skirt, Draped Jersey, Bateau A-Line, One Shoulder, Cap Sleeve, Pleated Blouse, Strapless, Corseted Cocktail Dress, Asymmetrically Draped, Dropped Waist, Illusion Neckline, Trumpet, Peacock Hem, Column Gown and Sheath

NYFW: Kill Bill or at least wear themed creations from Vera Wang

Bold, Kill Bill, Bad to the bone are the three words that describe the Vera Wang collection for 2011.  What was so ‘shocking’ is this RTW collection is in direct contrast to the ethereal wedding dresses that we just saw from Chelsea Clinton, Alicia Keys and so many other famous brides recently.  This was dark and while not anti-feminine, there was truly a ‘kick-butt’/take no prisoners attitude.  With only a few pieces that were of color, she made a strong statement.  The fusion of East meets West with a mixture of boyish urban sophistication and romantic otherworldly sensuality.

This east-meets-west look was strong yet exotic. The collection had lots of sculptural accents with origami, double obi folds, high-waisted pants, quilted vests and kimono blouse feel.

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Color Trends: Black, Charcoal, Red, Ivory, Pink Japanese Floral Print, Magnolia Japanese Print Citrine, Grey, Poppy, Chartreuse, Navy, Stone And Blush

Fabric Trends: Silk Faile Origami, Melange Jersey, Wool, Silk, Textured Canvas, Horsehair Inlay, Sumo Rope Belt, Silk Wool and Tulle

Style Trends: High Collar Cropped Top, V-Neck Double Obi, Hand-Ruched Draped Gown With Train Over Stretch Bustier Underpinning, Wrapped Peasant Trouser Tied With Sumo Belt, Bolero, Asymmetrical Quilted Harness, Gymnasium Short With Welted Cuff (Think Rolled Pants Cuff On Shorts), Boy Short, Kimono Blouse