Gen Art's Fresh Faces in Fashion Show

Fashion week has kicked off on Thursday and the city is full of glamorous
and fabulous looking people. My first runway show I attended was GenArt's Fresh Faces in Fashion on Friday night presenting six brand new
designers to the world of fashion, five women and one men designer.
Accessories were shown by Collina Strada, Falconiere, Osborn and Wool and
the Gang.

 I was supposed to shoot the second part of a German reality show during
fashion week so I haven't made any arrangements to attend too many shows.
Last minute the show got postponed so here I am trying to arrange seats
last minute. A friend of mine had two passes to this show so I was happy to
get started. Unfortunately, the seats were not the very best for me in
order to take close-up pictures and see the fabrics and styles. This just
didn't work for me. Ater running up and down and talking to five different
staffs I finally got to this lovely lady in a beautiful coral colored dress
who ended up seating my friend and me right at the very front where all the
photographers were positioned. Perfect. Thanks again for that.

Five minutes later the show started with an introductory by Gen Art's
co-president Elizabeth Shaffer and actress Erika Christensen who was seen movies
like 'Traffic' and 'Swim Fan'. She looked lovely in dark blue denims and
black laced shirt.



First on the runway was William Okpo with his "Crazy, Sexy, Cool" line.
Lots of whites and bright and soft colors with silk fabrics and loose
designs. As seen in big names William Okpo showed high waist pants and
jumpsuits. Not bad.



Second up was Ace & Jig. I don't want to sound rude but this collection did
not include a single nice or at least acceptable outfit in my opinion. And even though
different patterns together are in fashion right now (which by the way I am
not a big fan of) but these combinations just did not suit together at all. It looks too stressful. I do appreciate their creativity though, it just did not work for me. Lots of shorts again like we had already this season and slub weekend dresses; most outfits worn with flat shoes.



Sunghee Bang's "Untangled" line was my favorite of the whole evening. First
of all I have to congratulate the hairstylist on an amazing job. All
model's faces were totally covered with their own hair except a little
see-through-part so they could see where they are going. What a great and
different idea and it went very well with the outfits. Sunghee's pieces
majorly made with jersey fabrics in a chaotic entanglement as she calls it.
She forms tangles three-dimensionally with asymetric shapes and loose drape
capture. Her main colors were black, white and grey. The stand-out outfit
was the last look with a handknit long-sleeve sweater and black asymetric
boyshorts which was asymetric on one side and basically one whole
butt-cheek was visible. The men liked it and me too. What an eye-catch. Great job Sunghee. I see you
going somewhere.



Baron Wells was the only men fashion designer this evening. Starting off
with great music came a farmer like looking model in a poncho and long wood
stick. Not sure what the sticks, which we saw throughout his runway, were supposed to say but I guess he wanted to be different. Well, check on that one Baron Wells. With ponchos, windbreakers and anoraks it looked to me like a bad weather line for wind and rain. Long pants were wrapped up at the buttom with slippers. Overall, not bad but also not really great. None of the outfits were outstanding to me but I'm sure he will find his specific audience.

Next up was Eighteenth with their, yes, don't laugh, "I gained 10 pounds,
but grew 10 inches" collection. Interesting name. Maybe that was the reason
why most of the outfits were loose soft fabrics styles. All outfits were
white with beige and very few light demin. Lots of long dresses with
asymetric shapes and skirts with short loose tops in silk. What caught my
attention were the shirts with very long sleeves going over the hands until
almost knee lenghths. How are you supposed to interact like that?  I liked
a couple of the outfits and the models were beautiful. Defintely can see
them having some more shows in the future. But a tip from my side for the
next show, choose a different music. Even though classical music can be
really nice, this specific song didn't go very well for a runway. Otherwise, good job. Keep going.

Jennifer Chun's "Utiliarian Journey" collection included turquoise pants
with a dress on top, silk python trimmed lace up dress, khaki cargo pencil
skirt and one of my favorite pieces of hers the python skinny crop shorts.
The combinations were not always the very best in my opinion as it got to
stressful and too much but if you divide it up into the single pieces
Jennifer did a great job. She and some of the other designers as well went
with flat men slipper like shoes next to some heels.



Last but not least, Ann Yee presented her SS 2012 collection which I liked.
The Lillian kimono silk-chiffon dress and the Keagan open shoulder sweater
dress were my favorite pieces of her collection. All models were wearing
white wedges with one poor model wearing them at least one size too big
which made her walk look horrible. Poor thing but she went through without
falling. Good job.



It was a great show overall. Well organized, good audience cheering their
favorites and a good start for me into my favorite week of the year in this

great city of New York.

Fall is knocking on the door

Fall is knocking on the door and by that I mean literally the huge fall issues of Vogue, Elle, Harpers, etc. are flying into my mail box. I still have not found the time to went through all of them but at least some. It is kind of sad to see the summer ending but on the other side also very exciting to built up your new wardrobe for the fall season. I was amazed about the designers creativity this year and basically there is no rule anymore. Everything is in. Red combined with animal prints a la BCBGMaxAzria, statement designs with dots all over like presented by Stelly McCartney and Marc Jacobs, leather, lace, sequins, and lots of color color color. I love it. There is no tabu anymore in fashion. Let your own creativity begin and let me show you some of my favorites in these issues.

I open up Harpers and this is one of the first pictures that catches my attention.

This coat by Armani is just stunning. So elegant. It is catching so much attention by itself that you should wear it with something simple underneath like here shown with white jeans. I can very well imagine it with a tight black legging and a silk rose top as the inner lining is rose silk.

Next up was Salvatore Ferragamo. I have seen pictures of Lady Gaga wearing exactly this outfit which was kind of surprising giving the fact that she usually choses food instead of fabrics as clothing :). That was a very abstract change for her as Ferragamo stands for pure elegance. Look at this.

My favorite part of the outfit are the shoes.

As seen on Jennifer Lopez and Drew Barrymore this Emilio Pucci gown looks amazing. Green is one of the favorite colors this year and proof is this:

On a more 'ready-to-wear' basis I chose this look by 'carine's world' as perfect for a fall day. Great to wear in the office and sexy for the night.

Also, Tommy Hilfiger had an outfit on one of their campaign pictures with a black leather pencil skirt, a more loose sweater and a hat. This looks so sexy. By the way, hats are a must this fall season. I know, you don't want to get your hair messed up but it just looks great. Put these big sunglasses and you are ready to be the next Bond girl.

Dots are definitely one of the most favorite new looks for this season. I think Stella McCartney made the statement look and others are following like Marc Jacobs, Oscar de la Renta and Dolce & Gabbana (last picture).

Versace was, is, and stays a classic with its own identity. You can always tell a Versace dress and also for this season they are doing again an excellent job with their designs.

All these golden accessories in their outfits makes you look like a million dollars. Love it.


With lots of colors this year purple is of course not to be missed. Even more attractive as a coat in these darker getting days and nights. Tom Ford chose the color for one of his coats. And as you could see previously also as a dress in Versace's collection. Definitely equip yourself with one purple piece this season.

Kind of unfortunately, the men are always a bit missed out on these issues. I saw a couple of outfits but wasn't too impressed by them except for this suit by Brioni. Very chic and I love brown in suits. It makes the look more warm as suposed to the cold blacks and grey colors that are usually used for suits.



This was just a short review of this season's fall outfits. Definitely more to come soon so stay tuned. 

This Week's Featured Designer - Sachin + Babi

I just came across a couple of designs by Sachin + Babi and I really liked the designs and mostly nude colors they used. The couple's brand has been around for more than a decade and you can find their flagship store on the Upper East Side in New York which I cannot wait to visit. It is not only clothing but also pillows, bedding and accessories that they offer. Very luxurious and I love their current collection. Lots of nudes and natural colors. Please see my picks that I really liked below:

(Pictures by RueLaLa)

"Valery" Sand tank with asymmetrical sequined appliqué

"Ysabel" (How wouldn't I love this one with almost the same name than mine :) - Nude mesh top with intricate beaded appliqué and silk underlay 

"Antoinette" Cocoa brown maxi dress with curved brown ribbon accents and draped upper - I can see this dress perfectly for a summer cocktail in the Hamptons

"Heather" Natural stretch cotton pleated skirt with ribbon and mesh trim - very sweet and playful

"Jodi" Front View - Natural beige twill dress with allover ruffles and hanging suede ties and a self-tie at waist You cannot really see it on this picture but it has a zipper in front from top to buttom, very sexy

"Jodi" Back View - This is just stunning and very different. Love it when there is also attention brought to the back of an outfit

Part of the Toscana Collection designed by Sachin + Babi

"Alessia" (Front) Natural stretch cotton jacket with center ruffle and tonal striped ribbon trim

"Alessia" (Back) - Makes a small waist, very nice

This Weeks Featured Designer - Robert Rodriguez

I recently bought a beautiful dress from Rodriguez and fell in love with his designs. Very classy, chic, unique but not too crazy so you can actually wear it. I was lucky, my dress was originally $689 and I got it for $230. It is in a nude/rose color and chiffon fabrique with a black bow-belt. I am invited to a beach wedding in the Dominican Republic so this is a great color and fabrique for a hot day outside. I am so looking forward to it.

But, fall approaching soon find here some of my picks of Rodriguez for the upcoming season.

(Pictures by RueLaLa)

This black silk dress has allover circular brass-tone studded cutouts and cap sleeves which makes it so unique and looking fabulous.

Olive green sequined sleeveless dress with semi-sheer silk overlay featuring knotted detail at front left strap and draping at skirt. This is one of the hot colors for this summer/fall. Stunning. 

Black silk-blend and lace jacket with 3/4-length sleeves and draped angular hem. Nice light jacket for the evening to put over a dress or top when you are cool and still look amazing. 

This is the olive green sequined tank with draped semi-sheer silk overlay featuring knotted detail at front left strap the model is wearing underneath above's blazer. Again, I just love the color and the sequines shine which is great for a night out.

Textured teal silk one shoulder dress with a contrasting black abstract print and zigzag fabric appliqué throughout with a wide asymmetrical knit waistband. I'm in love with the color turquoise.