best of NY fashion week fall 2010 - according to me.

now this list is by NO MEANS complete; you'll notice i didn't even include Proenza Schouler (we will get to that). these are simply what i thought were the best collections that i saw. there were some insanely amazing pieces in some other collections (that tan cloak/coat in the Wang show, and did anyone take a peak at the Tommy collection? when did Tommy get so cool??). *sidenote* i will admit i was a little disappointed by Alex Wang, Boy by Band of Outsiders, Charlotte Ronson and Karen Walker... i just felt like i needed to put that out there seen as they are usually in my top 10. and some that i list here are NOT usually in my top anything so way-to-go fashion week for totally surprising me!

HI knits, HI! awesome knits in this show. and just generally all together well put together. totally digging that tulip-y/petal-y skirt. kind of reminiscent of Wang's Spring collection when i liked almost everything he showed (like i said, disappointed)!

totally digging that middle look. i feel like all these collections are trying to enforce in me that LONG SKIRTS ARE COOL. GAH it's just so hard to pull off! not sure if i'm ready yet... also adore the proportions of the grey sweater on the right - i usually am not into that whole metallic painting on knits but it's so subtle being just on the cables that it works here!

something about the styling is a little too intense for me... i think it might be the hats. but the colours and individual pieces are really quite amazing. the whole collection is so friggen wearable! don't get me wrong, i love the outlandish, but i was really drawn to a lot of straightforward wearable collections this season. the coats here are amazing! they would go with everything, especially that white/grey one in the centre - just picture it with some like super bold coloured dress?? or even some insane floral print?? yes please.

that first coat is super intense but in a really badass dramatic way. check! and like i've stated before, i'm a sucker for plaid. sooo that skirt is like... well honestly it's taking me back to my private school days so not sure if i could actually wear it, but... amazing.

amazing incredible wood-grain-type-printed jersey!! and paired with that sherling coat?? can i have that??

clearly i'm a knitwear snob but actually... that sweater on the far left is so phenom i want to cry.

again, just an all-round amazing collection. and i adore the way it's pulled together so casually with those wicked, amazing cream booties.

so i watched the simulcast of the show and i was all "ehhh... i dunno. i like it more than last season but not really into it." i gave it a second look and immediately i got it! the top ones are some of my favourites but frankly that was hard to decide. i adore the 70s-ish silhouettes and details (the collars? that 3 piece suit? kind of makes me want to be a business woman and not many things make me wish something so ghastly). i also am pretty much in love with those yellows and creams he's using here... that dress on the far left is sooo pretty! and don't get me started on the dress on the far right. incredible flower-child silhouette in this insanely beautiful brocade-type fabric that at a distance looks like a field of daisies and WHOLLY WOW GORGENIOUS pewter sequins or some shit just friggen freaking out at the bottom of her dress and like mad swarming upwards like those crazy red ants on those insane Nina Ricci shoes Olivier Theyskens did before he left and was all like, "up yours i'm amazing, and you'll never find a designer like me!" last season.

amazing, amazing, amazing. but only ONE thing... that skirt length looks amazing on these 7 ft tall, gargantuan beauties but for the rest of us peasant-folk? not so sure.

lace, lace, amazing lace!! the dress on the right reminds me of my mom's wedding dress which goes to show that Marc was carrying the 70s look into Marc by Marc too.

usually i'm really bored by Marc by Marc (lately, i mean. i used to die for Marc). but this collection was a total nod to what i used to love about his clothing. those colours are scrumptious and i would wear every piece here. the first look is so effortlessly cool and just down-right straightforward sportswear glory. and don't get me started on that red-piped camel coat. perfection.

not usually someone i follow really at all, but this collection has changed my mind! all that slick, rich brown leather, tailored to perfection! again, a 70s vibe which everyone knows i die for. that first dress with the long sleeve top underneath and those over-the knee socks. very Ali Macgraw circa Love Story.

just some more amazing-ness. no big deal. those pants second to left would be my second skin if i owned them.

never ceases to amaze me! that coat on the far left?! incredible! i would wear it super casual with dark high-rise jeans and a pair of bright-coloured brogues. that green ensemble is perfection (is that top suede?!).

i love that she's chosen the simply disregard that border between "Spring and Fall colours" (in my opinion, there is no such line!!).

not a popular fave, but i am so in love with Chris Benz. he completely has his own style and his sense of colour is incredible, in my opinion. i also love that he sort of disregards all of the fads going on at the moment and just does his own thing! sometimes it doesn't quite work but you've got to give him props for just not giving a shit! okay so now i have to make an announcement. *ehem*.... of all collections i have seen this Fashion Week, though this is not my favourite, it most certainly contains my 2 fave pieces. 1. the coats on the far left. 2. the coats on the far right. i don't know what it is about them, but they just completely do it for me.

more Chris Benz lovelies! love the contrast of the navy, satin cropped jacked and the liquid metal skirt!

more to come with a separate post devoted to the majesty that is Proenza Schouler, and London Fashion Week!! (which i haven't even looked at... *ehem*)

**SIDENOTE! what the hell is with this weather?!

what's up, Suess Pepper Marten?

it's hard to believe that over 50 years ago, the fist Dr. Marten was created. and by a doctor in the German army during WWII at that. fed up with his uncomfortable standard-issued army boots, Klaus Märtens created a new boot with softer leather and air-cushioned soles. eventually they went into production, using discarded rubber from Luftwaffe airfields. and i always assumed they were a British shoe from birth, but the first Dr. Martens boots weren't released in the UK until 1 April, 1960 (hence the name of the boot, 1460)! the boots became huge hits in the 70s with the punk movement, then later in the early 90s with the grunge scene, and once again, everyone is rocking their docs. not that they will ever be out of style... these kick-ass boots are true classics.

(it was this shot of Sienna Miller in Nylon that had me literally hunting for these discontinued gems. i never did succeed, though i got them in white).

(monochromatic crayon, rainbow, primary colour loovvveee).

(Raf Simons pairs with Dr. Marten).

(Raf Simons pairs with Dr. Marten).

(coming soon!)

(Doc-inspired Marc Jacobs FW 06).

(Doc-inspired Chloe FW 07).

(saw a girl wearing these outside Opening Ceremony the other day and they looked totally comfortable. she was doing heavy lifting and shit. believe it).

(See by Chloe FW09).

(AND FINALLY WE ARRIVE. Proenza Schouler Pre Fall. see you in my dreams).

my hat taught me a very important lesson today.

so this morning started just like any other morning. only it didn't because i "accidentally overslept" by two hours (who decided to make friday morning 8am classes?? who?). i was getting ready as per uje (this is the spelling i have created for the abbreviation of 'usual.' runners up, with honourable mention were: usge, yooj, and uakjsghkah), and i decided today would be a hat day. perhaps the first of the season. mostly due to the fact that i am bored of my summer hats and would like to find a gibson girl-esque one to replace my wilted straw fedoras. think Marc Jacob's 'rachello boater hats' circa the fall 09 collection (though not loving his stuff lately... *ehem* marc by marc fall 09 *ehem* excuse me while i chunder all over my mom's neon power suit from the 80s *ehem*... i loved his Marc Jacobs fall 09 collection).

moving on... so normally i would collect my things, and put my green headphones on, and head out the door. however, somewhere in the process of doing this it occured to me that the hat on my head had suddenly become a sort of obstruction. in realization of this, i decided i could go a day without my tunage, as it had already been decided that today was a hat day (this decision came after trying to manage both together... i tried puting my headphones over the had, but failed miserably, and the only way i could wear them under was if i wore my hat sideways. needless to say, this didn't seem like a viable option).

out the door i went, only to discover the following things:

1. birds chirp in the morning in brooklyn - this can work as a refreshing replacement to my daily soundtrack.

2. people are full of compliments - getting of the R train, and onto the N, a woman told me she liked my necklace! also, a kind man on 8th ave told me he liked my hat! i had no idea that one person could say something to another person in passing (both of which not knowing eachother) and it not contain crude remarks! i finally realized that by wearing my headphones, i am closing myself off from the beauties of New York City, and perhaps making myself unapproachable for my Prince Charming.

one might think that this would be reason enough to have my ears alert in the morning and evening during my commute - which, don't get me wrong, i will try out maybe every other day? - but i also learned some things that put me off a tad...

1. the train is a very quiet place in the morning. very quiet. like... painfully quiet. like, all-i-hear-is-the-hum-of-the-train-tracks-quiet. i am not a huge fan of silence.

2. cars honk a LOT, and firetrucks are REALLY loud.

3. people are a lot less happy then they appear to be - i believe that this assumption that people are generally chipper in the morning might have been swayed by my listening to Simon and Garfunkel as i walk down 7th ave. but people are like really angry sometimes. i guess i always assumed that the cab driver was opening his door and getting out of his car and hollering at the biker he just about ran over to tell him how wonderful it was to see someone using such a non-damaging mode of transportation... feelin' groovy!

4. the obese children on their way home from school are very loud and obnoxious - sorry, kids, but you are really annoying.

speaking of obese children, yet with no relation to that subject at all, i saw Vetiver last night at the Bellhouse. wicked venue, it was my first time there. as far as i know, it's fairly new. i am SUPER happy about it's opening because it is walking distance from my apartment. the first opener was These United States, and i really enjoyed that show - kind of folk-y, pop-y indie rock from DC/Kentucky - fun to dance to. the other opener was Papercuts, a little sleepy and perhaps took itself too seriously but quality music (beautiful drummer. like wow). and Vetiver was STELLAR! long set-list (which my wonderful-dancing-front-and-centre-like-she's-in-a-rap-video roomie pulled off the stage for me!) chalked full of the best old and new tracks. all together great show, i'll post pics/vids once i find my camera chord!