NYFW Fall 2011: Best Styling

I started posting Fall 2011 updates this week. Have you seen the previous ones? Today, I will let you in on something that falls unnoticed when showing off collections: Styling. The Fall 2011 collections all show promise but these ones, in spite of their simplicity, stood out. They’re not exactly the best Fall collections, but they deserve to be given credit for smart styling.

The color blocking at DKNY looked New York chic while giving off a European vibe. The New York label stayed true to its place of origin by drawing inspiration from New York modernists. The collection looked really tailored and composed with the oversized coats, even hems and untouched fabric— the latter still satisfies me fully. Stripes were unstoppable and were seen all throughout the show. The 34-piece collection was wrapped up by very sophisticated, textured all-black frocks.

Think goddesses in a wheat field and you get a sense of Rodarte’s Fall 2011 collection. Floor-length coats layered over sheer dresses of the same length and mid-length trench coats were worn as is. Rodarte also made more wearable designs for Fall, focusing on both form and function with trousers and well thought-out surgical cutouts (the X’s on the chest) for the tops. The guests left the show with hazy dreams from the lightness of the tulle dresses.

(c) Fashion Firewoman

Photos compiled from Vogue.co.uk

London Fashion Week Fall 2011: Sass & Bide

The Collection

It’s a brave decision for Sarah-Jane Clarke and Heidi Middleton of Sass & Bide to incorporate Spring-identified colors in a Fall collection. Nevertheless, the vibrant orange-fuchsia palette did justice to the well-constructed 30-piece collection. The question is… is the palette right for the season?

It consists of all sorts of lengths— some dresses were micro-mini, some were asymmetrically touching the knees and the finale dress was kissing the ankles. The models wore ankle boots from the same berry color palette. Although a bit reminiscent of Marc Jacobs’ S/S 2011 collection palette (minus the orange), Sass & Bide was able to do a fresher take on it.

Details

The Australian duo played with lengths and patterns. The patterns were mixed and done with both taste and safety— I’m very happy that the overlapping of prints was kept to a minimum, and not intentionally overused to make a statement.The collection was honest and simple to the extent of keeping with common fabrics like silk, without too much enhancement aside from the tie-dyed last few pieces. They focused on checkered, diagonal stripes and other (hand-painted?) geometrical patterns. The texture of the fabrics used is made more interesting by the woven details and belted silhouettes.

Compared with their previous collections, the Fall 2011 collection lacked edge and fierceness by the looks of the colors alone. Sass & Bide is known for dark, interesting pop culture-inspired designs, regardless of the season, that do not require explanations. They keep things either too simple or too embellished, catering to a wide range of clientele based on age and style. Surprisingly, this collection is distinguishable from the other collections not because of its exquisiteness, but because of its color and beach vibes. It’s up to you to decide whether you hate it for being traditionally wrong, or love it because it’s a different way of looking at Fall.

(c) Fashion Firewoman

Photos compiled from Vogue.co.uk

NYFW Fall 2011: Best Hair and how to redo them!

Badgley Mischka

Old Hollywood glamour hits the runway with Badgley Mischka’s side chignons and crystal-encrusted on the part. One side was twisted to a rope and the opposite was a French twist.

Try it at home: Secure hair with lots of bobby pins and hairspray. The strip of glitz was set in place with the help of eyelash adhesive. The chignon above came from the rope twist held by a net but it’s not totally necessary as long as you have a trusted hair spray and a good relationship with bobby pins. ;)

Monique Lhuillier

The feminine collection was supported by romantic curls in an up-do. The curls gave a “bow” effect once pinned. Hair was sectioned and rolled face down in big curlers. Once the curlers were out, each section was pulled up and pinned on the same direction, gathered on the center, while some bangs were left curled and hanging on the sides. It was topped by a real black bow.

Rebecca Minkoff

The morning after beauty never fails to bring out perfection out of any woman. Long, dramatic curls were seen in Rebecca Minkoff’s models. Minkoff wanted it to look as if you had the most exciting evening the night before, and you just got up and this is how your hair looks like. In achieving this look, hair was set, curled and volumized. Once curled, separate the curls using your fingers and voila, you have a perfect bedhead!

(c) Fashion Firewoman

Photos from TeenVogue, Talkingmakeup