New York Fashion Week: Tracey Reese

Tracey Reese's show made us feel like we were attending a garden tea party. Pastel colors, soft silhouettes, and beautiful flower appliqué galore, Reese's collection exuded sophisticated femininity. Soft pink, lavender, peach, and cream dominated the pieces, but were nicely offset by splashes of darker hues like magenta and black. The collection's dresses and skirts dazzled and will be appealing to a wide range of women. But, as it usually does, Reese's outerwear stole the fashion show. Stunning trench coats made us excited for Spring to come, so we can go about town looking chic and ready for the elements. All in all, Reese's show was as pleasing to the eye as its pieces will be on women this Spring.

-Kelsey Bristow

New York Fashion Week: Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera always puts on a good show, and this year was no different. For Spring 2009, Herrera included a color pallet of black and white interjected with bright, bold colors. There were lots of reds, yellows, teal faille trimmed in tweed, and a marigold photo print.

Instead of embellishments, Herrera opted for lots of ruffles this year with a cocktail hour silhouettes. There were short Watteau-back jackets in duchesse satin, paired with very slim pants that were cropped several inches above the ankle. You couldn't help but notice the amount of dresses that strutted down the runway. They ranged from mille-feuille chiffon party frocks and corseted silk colque to sleek, glossy black raffia.

The standout outfit was a beaded, liquid jersey column in white with a black gabardine jacket slung over the shoulders.
-Katherine Mingey

New York Fashion Week: Proenza Schouler

For Spring 2009, Proenza Schouler has decided to go for a much tougher look. Their collection is very reminiscent of the 1980's and includes everything from big shoulders and high-waisted pants to parachute silks and jumpsuits. Behind Proenza Schouler is the design-duo, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez. Last year they sold a portion of their company to the Valentino Group and it showed with their new collection of accessories that included round sunglasses and 'fuzzy bedroom slippers' in the form and heels. Their models strutted down the runway wearing blouses and coats with cape-like sleeves, jumpsuits for day that were worn belted over sheer, sleeveless button-down, and jumpsuits for night that had a variety of silver and black white bugle beads stitched into them.
-Katherine Mingey

New York Fashion Week Spring 2009: Peter Som

Peter Som has the uncanny ability to simplify an outfit while emphasizing one essential part of the look. Whether it is the shoes, belt, silhouette, or the pattern, Som effortlessly creates pieces that nicely complement the focal point of the outfit.

The outfits consisted of mostly resort-wear clothing, such as cocktail dresses and light shorts and skirts. Som mixed textures such as organza, tweed, and linen to create pretty looks without becoming stiff. The color scheme of the collection consisted of all shades of oceanic blue, light tan, sheer crimson, and blush-toned peach that worked together to create a blithe ambiance throughout the collection.

The collection started off with light beige spring dresses accentuated with belts and hints of light blue. As the neutral color scheme remained dominant in the first portion of the show, Som presented light-weight dresses and skirts that were strikingly blue and coral, reminiscent of colors found in the coral reefs of the ocean. The show concluded with black floral print on the feminine frocks that were innocently romantic while retaining an air of sophistication, true to Som’s nature.
-Grace Yu


New York Fashion Week; Spring 2009 Peter Som Collection-Shop Designer Fall Styles at NORDSTROM

New York Fashion Week: Diane Von Furstenberg

Another stunning collection by Diane Von Furstenberg for her recent collection at New York Fashion Week. Her show was dazzled by a large crowd of starlets. Among the stars who attended her show were Uma Thurman, Jennifer Lopez, Venus Williams and Eva Longoria. For this fall, Diane took a brilliant take on the print and floral trend by using flowy fabrics with bold hues which were a great combination. The palettes were bold with carmine pinks, bright reds, oranges, berry, yellow, white cotton. The style was more rock chic with a '70s vibe to it. Her collection spoke volumes as it was loud, not like last season where she used more of the darker shades. Her collection was more suited for the busy everyday women who likes to look stylish and chic. She featured long, flowy printed dresses which is a must-have for this season with few tailored pieces like white pant suits. We have also seen more of the oversized bags on the runways.
-Desiree Masiela

NY Fashion Week Spring '09: Lorick

We love a good set design along with great clothes and Abigail Lorick nailed it for her Spring 2009 presentation. This was one of the more elaborate presentations we've seen with 7 different rooms like "Demolition Party," "A Room of One's Own," "Overgrown Garden," "Bedroom Disaster," "In Limbo," and our favorite "Cake Coma." Her Spring '09 clothes will be making an appearance on Gossip Girl. This designer is going straight from up-and-coming to full on designer, you just watch. Maybe Gossip Girl could use Lorick for her set skills as well. This gal has talent.