NYFW Coverage: Big Sweaters and Purple Hues Trend Forecast

If you are a fan of sporting sweaters that could possibly swallow you whole or donning purple once in a while, then odds are this past NYFW was the one for you. Aside from the over abundance of fur, fake and real alike, being captured on a plethora of street style vixens outside of Lincoln Center, on the runway, however, there were a couple of trends that were being seen more often than Miley Cyrus's tongue. If you haven't figured it out. That's A LOT!

The first one I noticed were large sweaters. By large, I mean exactly that. They are the type of sweaters that you throw on for a rainy day, while the sleeves cover your hands and leaving you enough room underneath to store all the boy bands you like, for cozy rendezvous later on. I won't complain about this future trend because honestly, I love them. Their comfortable and easy to wear over almost anything. For fall and winter throw one over a pair of leggings with some boots and accessorize with a scarf. Wallah! An outfit that can be worn, anywhere from a college campus to a casual day at work, is born.

Photo Credits: mbfashionweek.com

Remember that girl in Willy Wonka that ends up blowing up and turning into a blueish hue of violet? Well, I was afraid that's what was going to happen to me when I saw all the constant purple pieces coming down the runway. It wasn't even one shade of this color, but multiple. Violet, lavender, lilac, pretty much the whole purple clan came to this family reunion. This made me wonder, did all these designers just call each other up and mention that this color would be the way to go? Who knows? Of course, the timing couldn't be any better since Pantone's 2014 "Color of the Year" is Radiant Orchid. So pull those purple pieces out next fall and winter because I love you and you love me. We're a big purple family. I think that's what Barney sings. Right? 

Photo Credits: mbfashionweek.com

NYFW Coverage: Pamella Roland Fall/Winter 2014

Loved it, loved it, loved it! Pamella Roland featured 47 looks for her NYFW Fall/Winter collection and each was a gift within itself. Oh, and did I mention I loved it? I cannot even begin to describe my admiration for this designer and her ability to create classy and stunning fabric based works of art. Don't believe me? Well, the minute I walked out of her show, I turned to my friend jaw dropped, speechless, and so thrilled to be apart of that experience that I asked her, "What did you think?" She goes onto say, "Probably my favorite!" I then turned my head once again, and like a crazy school girl in the 80s, at a Rick Steves' concert, I jumped and exclaimed "Me too!" 

While I watched each dress, coat, skirt, and blouse make its way down the runway, I was reminded why I love fashion and what attending NYFW really felt like, a glamorous dream filled with Chopard jewels, well executed music, and models in Manolos. For me, a runway show at fashion week should be all these things and more and Roland captured exactly that. With her line of many tweed, leather, and chiffon pieces, she brought sexy back in ways that not even Justin Timberlake could do. 

This all makes sense, being that the line was created to "exemplify" the energy of New York City, which by many, is seen as sensual, exciting, and breathtaking. The city life was implemented through the color palette of the collection with hues such as berry, navy, gunmetal, and pale gold. To add to the inspiration, Roland used textures from laminated window pane tweed to multi-dimensional beading to give it that extra Big Apple kick. 

In the end, as the lights followed the purple/black gown with cascading train, down the white paved road, and onto TJ Wilcox's sunset filled skyline, all I could think of was the song they had played earlier, "She's a lady." After all, with this collection any woman can be a lady in the best of ways. 

Favorite Thing: Cut It Out

A few of the dresses, like the wine crepe back satin gown with black fishnet sleeves and back, had a cut out or two designed into them. This added a little element of risque to the more elegant and safer design. 

Not Loving It: Are Those Toothpicks or Models?

I understand the fashionable thing has always been to use skinnier models in this industry, but seriously? Have we still not moved on from that ridiculous phase? The pieces were gorgeous and would look even more so on women with a few more pounds and actual curves. Not even the celebrities sitting front row are as skinny as these models and their the ones who may end up wearing the collection at Red Carpet functions. It actually gave me chills to look at some of their legs. I thought they would snap at any moment. Girls, you are beautiful, Stop starving yourselves and eat. Eat to your heart's content, like me at 4 am with a bag of bacon and a bowl of noodles. No shame! 

Photo Credit: mbfashionweek.com

Photo Credit: mbfashionweek.com

Photo Credit: mbfashionweek.com

Photo Credit: mbfashionweek.com

NYFW Coverage: Katya Leonovich Fall/Winter 2014

"Are there birds in here?" I looked up to the ceiling trying to spot the tropical forest that would envelop us at any moment. Turns out there were no birds or Tarzan like men making music out  of random objects. It was in fact just Michael Magnan brilliantly adding sound to Katya Leonovich's futuristic runway show.  

This wasn't particularly my favorite show for several reasons. Some pieces, for instance, looked more jungle, while others were straight-up astronaut chic. Therefore, unless she was going for the urban jungle meets space, this line was not cohesive. The only aspects that aligned everything were the metallic balance of color and bubble shaped skirts and dresses. 

Negatives aside, I did find this to be one of the more different collections. After seeing so many similar hemlines and silk or satin pieces throughout this past week, it was a nice change of pace from the painfully expected and overdone styles that make up fashion week. 

Favorite Thing: Aqua+V=Stunning Party Dress 

I cannot get enough of the Aqua metallic deep-v party dress. Effortlessly styled by Max H. Gross, the combination of the aqua color with the the three tier layering of fabric and puffed v-collar were a match made in heaven. Rock it at a wedding or just a night on the town with the gals. Either way, you are going to look like you raided Carrie Bradshaw's closet. I couldn't help but wonder, how is that not awesome?

Not Loving It: Please Stop the Music

As mentioned earlier, the music was well done and felt very real, like being stuck with Sandra in space during Gravity, while watching it in Imax real. Yup, that real.  Only thing, it was a tad annoying after a while. There is only so much repetitive bird and banging sounds I can take. It made the show lag a bit.

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Photo Credit: mbfashionweek.com

Photo Credit: mbfashionweek.com

Photo Credit: mbfashionweek.com

Photo Credit: mbfashionweek.com

NYFW Coverage: Noon by Noor Fall/Winter 2014

Fun is the word that comes to mind when pondering over the Noon by Noor show during this NYFW. I wish I could say it is because they had crazy cutouts and bright colors that could blind from a mile away, but I would be lying. To be honest, Noon by Noor's collection wasn't spectacular, but there was definitely an element there that made me wanting more once the runway lights dimmed and the bright florescents came back on. 

Between the shiny embellishments, soft materials, and bright hues, I felt like I was sitting more at a J. Crew store than a Noon show. I understand both designing companies are similar in femininity aspects, but this collection just seemed too reminiscent of every time I open the "Crew" catalog. With that said, I am in no way hating the line, just stating the obvious similarities I found. The collection was quite nice all in all, and some pieces have the the power to make a person want to get dolled up and party the night away. After all, I did say it was fun! 

Plus, anyone that can make yellow look amazing, should get props just for accomplishing that task. If not handled correctly, this color can turn from bright and happy to banana like and frumpy. Just ask Lena Dunham and Zac Posen. (I know they tried, but it just wasn't the right color for her complexion) At the Noon show, yellow was seen in various ways from a peplum dress to sharing spaces with a gray blazer or textile patterned pant. It was just the right amount of summery warmth mixed with wintery cold. 

Favorite Thing: Oh the Embellishments 

Give me a cardigan, or anything for that matter, with chic embellishments and you've got yourself a winner. Without these little details, the line would have fallen flat. With them, well that's a whole other story. Every ensemble that featured either a detailed encrusted sweater or skirt or even cardigan, was love at first sight for me. It gave them that extra oomph that colder weather clothing may need at times.

Not Loving it: Why so Wrinkly? 

Some of the items such as the pants or gowns were a little less fitted and little more baggy than I would have liked. It seemed that they would wrinkle in a very uncomplimentary way coming down the runway. If they looked badly during a fashion show, how would these particular designs handle a real life event during the day or evening? Oh and not to mention how most of the skirts and dresses constantly kept creeping between the legs of the models. That would be way too frustrating for me to wear. 

Photo Credit: George Chinsee

Photo Credit: George Chinsee

Photo Credit: George Chinsee

Photo Credit: George Chinsee

Photo Credit: George Chinsee

NYFW Coverage: MESKITA Fall/Winter 2014

"I was afraid the girls would fall. (chuckles) That is my biggest fear." That may have been Brazilian designer, Alessandra Meskita's, worry on Sunday night, when she debuted her ready-to-wear collection at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, but fortunately this scary thought did not become a reality. Instead, her first time show at Mercedes Benz, was a complete an utter success. So much so, that by the end, she received a standing ovation, the first one I had witnessed this past week.

It is no shocker that Meskita received such praise. She was considered to be a pleasant surprise with her  minimalist take on Fall/Winter fashion. Drawing inspiration from the old Hollywood glamour of the 1950's, she designed a collection in honor of greats such as Sophia Lauren, Grace Kelly, and Elizabeth Taylor. All of whom, were known to wear waist hugging gowns and ensembles. She mentioned to me that she wanted to design pieces  that would "slim women in an easy and complimentary way," hence the many belts that accompanied her outfits on the runway. 

Aside from the 1950's, Meskita also incorporated the year of the horse into her line. The strength that the horse represents is shown in the collection by the sportswear elements that were added to the ensembles. The purpose of such a move was to show how women can bring sportswear into their everyday clothes, whether for daytime or night. 

Although some pieces used body conscious neoprene, not all of the items in this line are for the everyday woman's body. For instance, the leather corsets, or jumpsuits can be worn by only a handful of women that have a thinner waist, but not to worry. Some of the coats, chiffon pieces, and circle skirts will do just fine. 

Favorite Thing: High Pony-Tails

Fizzy hair, stringy hair, side swept hair, yup I have seen it all this week, but my favorite locks to walk the runway were from the MESKITA show. They were simple yet perfect to match the inspiration of the year of the horse. Plus, they took the attention off the model herself, and made the audience focus more on the clothes, which was brilliant. Well done Anthony Crosfield for your work as the lead stylist and to Marshall Lin on styling the hair as well for this presentation! Brava.

Not Loving It: Too Much Skin

This is a Fall/Winter line right? For clothing that will potentially be worn by people in cooler weather, there was a lot of skin being shown. If next year's weather is anything like this year's than we need to cover up more, not start dressing in preparation for pneumonia.  

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Photo Credit: Dan & Corina Lecca

Photo Credit: Dan & Corina Lecca

Photo Credit: Dan & Corina Lecca

Photo Credit: Dan & Corina Lecca

NYFW Coverage: Academy of Art Runway Show

When one thinks fashion week, many connect the famous week-long event with even more famous names such as Oscar de la Renta, Zac Posen, or even DVF. However, fashion week does not only belong to the designers who "made it," but to the ones who are on the road to that same brightly spotlighted, model filled, and organza encompassed world. Therefore, to watch the future of fashion grace the runway, by the hands of a few current college students, can be quite the treat. This was the case for the Academy of Art Show. 

The show, which featured looks from various young designers, delivered everything from Willy Wonka inspired bright hues and cartoonish silhouettes, to modern prints, and over-sized coats. Out of all the collections, my favorite would have to be the the lavender line. Lavender hasn't been a color seen too often in recent times. People either pick light purple or more a long the lines of everyone's favorite talking dinosaur, Barney. This time though, lavender had its spotlight and it was breathtaking. With grayish undertones and silver embellishments, this line brought the entire show, or at least me, to an utterly impressed moment of bliss.

In its entirety, if I had to compare this show to their last one in September, which I also attended, I would have to say that last time they were just some nice students studying fashion, but this time they were potential epic designers in the making. That's why, for me, it is so important to appreciate the students that showcase their work during NYFW. These are the designers who will one day take over, while all the current ones are aging and hitting retirement. So watch out and never take for granted a college fashion student with a needle and thread. Amazing what a few classes and a cat-walk can do. 

Favorite Thing: Moral Support

When the designers made their way out onto the runway, many thought the show had ended, but it in fact was just beginning. One of the designer's mother's stood up, started yelling, and moving her hips like Shakira, in support of her child. Everyone, which is easily over two hundred people, immediately began to not only clap for the designers, but their families as well. This one mother brought laughter and smiles all around. Considered to be the best part of the line, it represented something deeper than seams and social media. She reminded everyone that through this week of image, materialism, and at times celebritism, there will always be family and that moment they see you accomplish your dreams. Plus, I won't lie. I cried a bit when this happened. 

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