Marc Jacobs
Marc Jacobs always has a message, and this year’s was loud and clear: be an individual. Jacobs told reporters after his show that he was tired of seeing young girls wear “black and studs,” lamenting that look’s lack of individual expression. And he definitely got his point across: it was certainly a zany, random show (alert: a fanny pack appearance)! All I could think about were the women in The King and I…there were obviously some strong Far East influences, with the teeny spiraled buns on top of each model’s head, harem pants and porcelain-doll make-up. There were also trench coats with skinny belts HIGH above the waist, tufts of ruffles that doubled as skirts, and just all kinds of crazy pairings.
RUNWAY TO REAL WAY: Marc Jacobs’ shows always need to be taken for the larger picture, and not what he actually showed. I’m not going to tell you to dress like any of the wacky MJ models, but I will tell you to listen to the message – be an individual; do something different. You should never exactly copy any look you see; decide what it is about the look you’re attracted to, then put your own personalized spin on it. For example, I’m in love with this pale blue fabric that has multi-colored diamonds all over it, and also the different neckline. So maybe this spring I’ll look for a top similar to this and pair with a pair of cigarette pants in a cool hunter green color. See? Me and Marc make a great team.
Donna Karan Collection
Gotta be honest – I have never been a huge Donna Karan fan. Maybe it’s her overdone, semi-scary appearance, or maybe it’s because I wasn’t a world-savvy adult in the 90s when she bursted on the scene (I was more interested in making my Little Mermaid dress match my stirup leggings and pink tutu…). So I was literally jaw-dropped today when I found myself really loving her spring 2010 collection! It was just so…sophisticated! And breezy! Everything from the colors (muted creams and slates with pops of lollipop red) to the stunning construction – it made me love fashion all over again (and that’s saying something).
RUNWAY TO REAL WAY: One of my favorite warm-weather looks is a dress with a fitted tank top and an easy, breezy bottom in floaty colors. You look just like a ballerina (there’s the child in me again)! Sometimes the sexiest thing is to leave a bit to the imagination: find beautifully draped pieces with higher necklines that still show off your figure. Just be classy, and use everything from DKC as a source – except for the paper mache-esque Peter Pan hats. You can ditch those.
Tracy Reese
Such bright pops of feisty colors! Saturated blues, oranges and mustard yellows became alive next to simple whites and blacks. Tracy Reese’s spring 2010 collection had a safari feel – but with a fun, party twist. Polka dot dresses mingled with animal print full skirts; corseted tops socialized with both slouchy and fitted pants. I will say that I thought the first half of the collection was festive, and then was a bit put-off by the almost sloppiness towards the end. But all in all, fun party dresses ruled the runway.
RUNWAY TO REAL WAY: Bright colors! Animal prints! Tracy Reese knows how to design for the REAL woman; so for you top heavy-girlies, look for the busy patterned high-waist skirts with simple black tanks, like this (it draws all the attention down), and for all you bottom heavy ladies, try an a-line long jacket with neutral colored pants, like this, to hide your worry zones!
Carolina Herrera
In the 10th grade, I did a research paper on Carolina Herrera. Some might find that odd, because she is an older South American woman and I was a 15 year old American girl. But something about her fantastically sophisticated clothes enthralled me, and I’ve loved her ever since. So, perhaps I am biased towards her and by extension her spring 2010 collection. It was a tad matronly…BUT if you separate some of the pieces, mix them around a bit, or even add them with some things already in your own wardrobe, it would be faboosh. It’s a bit of the J.Crew complex: some trends walk the fine line between sophisticated trendy and ladies who lunch. That being said, the fabrics were rich, the structure was regal, and I guarantee we see some of the gorgeous gowns on the red carpet this awards season.
RUNWAY TO REAL WAY: Take an intricately twisted top like this, or a cute trapeze blouse like this, and pair it with skinny jeans and platform heels. Or how about a jacquard skirt like this in a stand-out color, but with a structured, big bow necklined blouse? Never be afraid to mix and match!
Zac Posen
I just…don’t know. Rain slickers? Shag carpet prostitute jackets? Hand and lip cutouts attached to dresses? I’m going to go out on a limb and say that the venue (mood-lit Altman Building) was the best part about this show. Admittedly, I am able to find SOMEthing I like in a handful of the looks; such as the major role of an interesting green color in many outfits, or the modern geometric patterns and cut-outs. And I am able to somewhat appreciate what he is trying to do. But for our purposes – as in, us in the real world – not really sure how well it will translate. Lizz put it perfectly when she said it was very “Japanimation.” I’m thinking Lady Gaga might be interested…
RUNWAY TO REAL WAY: Again, I just…don’t know. Your guess is as good as mine what will look good or catch on…so have a peek - and you tell me!
