So far, Autumn/Winter 2012 fashion is shaping up to include the usual leather, dark colors, and beautiful coats that seem to appear every Fall. Color blocking is still a thing, though it’s been one-upped by pattern blocking–combining multiple prints and patterns–and it looks like pops of bright color (including Spring’s tangerine shades) and quirky ironic sweaters will be around for another season or two. Some of my faves from the NYC runways:

Definitely enjoyed the Narciso-meets-Balenciaga vibe at Altuzarra

Really feeling all the patterned pants, pants everywhere

L’Wren Scott has clearly been watching Downton Abbey (don’t spoil me–I’m only up to episode 4 of the 2nd season)

The layered knits and copper leather at Rag & Bone had me at hello.

I will absolutely be on the hunt for knockoffs of designs “inspired by” the shoes at Derek Lam

Still trying to decide where I stand on the Helena Bonham Carter-in-a-Tim-Burton-film vibe at Marc Jacobs.

The layered textures and shades at Christian Cota just feels right for this season

Peplums have made several runway appearances in the past few seasons, but have yet to be widely adopted by retailers. How am I supposed to get my Sandra Clark on?

Did you have any favorites from New York?

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Thanks to the internets, it’s easier than ever to follow what’s happening on and off the runways during New York Fashion Week. Besides the usual pictures and reviews and street style snaps, video is making me feel like I’m in the front row, albeit in sweats instead of Suno. In particular: YouTube’s Live From the Runway.

 What’s your favorite way to keep up with the shows?

The Greatest Voice of All

On a much sadder note, RIP to (another) one of the singers whose music helped define my childhood. People used to say I reminded them of Whitney Houston fairly often back in the day (my usual reply: “I’m EVERY woman”) and though I knew she was at least 27 times more beautiful than me, I took that ish to heart and tried to replicate her hair styles and makeup as much as I could.

Thanks to Ms. Houston, I nearly wore out my pre-pubescent vocal cords trying to hold that last note from Greatest Love of All, daydreamed about wearing a beaded headdress while performing I Have Nothing instead of listening in algebra class, and chased boys around the playground while You Give Good Love played on a boombox in the background. Shoot, it was just a week ago on Superbowl Sunday when I clicked over to YouTube to watch that 1991 performance of the National Anthem–not that Kelly Clarkson wasn’t good, she just didn’t move me like Whitney did.

 Now, off to Netflix The Bodyguard and Waiting to Exhale while weeping softly into my plate of nachos…

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Despite an uncharacteristic disinterest in the recent Fashion Weeks, I managed to browse a few shows at style.com. I quickly noticed a trend: the color orange was EVERYWHERE, from the runways to the streets.

Sources: Style.com, Fashionologie

Unfortunately, the color orange makes me look like a sallow, bloated, er…ORANGE, so I won’t be partaking in this particular trend. Will you?

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So, methinks Jenna Lyons and her crew (ha! J’s crew!) over at J. Crew were…inspired by Celine’s spring collection:

Everyone from Kanye to magazine editors to adorable doggies (squee!) loves Celine, so I understand why the ‘Crew took its cues from the color palette and iconic prints of that collection.

Images via Style.com, NY Post, ImYouAre, Stop It Right Now, Cut y Paste

Of course, they mixed it in with J. Crew’s signature preppy hipster style to create a look that’s more…J-line? Celcrew? These squish names always confound me!

What say you? Do you see the similarities or is it all in my head?

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It’s Fashion Week(s)! While the relevance and timing of runway shows has been hotly debated, they’re still a very important part of the industry. At some point during the Fashion Week hullabaloo, someone unaccustomed to the intentional outrageousness of fashion shows–they’re called SHOWS for a reason–will say something like “who would actually wear that?” (Clearly, they’re unfamiliar with the likes of people like Daphne Guinness and Anna Dello Russo, who revel in bringin’ the cray-cray.)

The answer to that question is: it depends. Designers often show a few pieces that showcase their creativity and their vision for the season’s collection, which are created specifically for the runway and use in editorial for magazines like Vogue. Those are the looks meant to garner news coverage (free publicity!) and spark sales for the designer’s perfume/cosmetics/handbags/other highly profitable divisions.

Styling makes a difference

However, sometimes the clothes look “out there” simply due to styling. To truly appreciate the more offbeat runway looks, it helps to dissect them. I like to look at all of the elements together, then break them apart and re-imagine the possibilities for each individual piece.

Break apart and re-imagine:

Of course, part of the fun of fashion is mixing things up in unusual ways and being outrageous and unpredictable. When the mood strikes, put on your gold sequined military gilet and WERQ!

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It seems counter intuitive to get all excited about Spring fashion when we’re just now on the cusp of boot-and-sweater weather, but thanks to the (somewhat outdated) fashion cycle, the Spring/Summer 2012 fashion shows are in full swing!

Even though floaty dresses and pastels (why so many pastels? WHY?) were all over the New York runways, there were also a few Fall-friendly looks that are currently wearable should one be so inclined to dress ahead of the cycle:

I took runway ripoff inspiration from this simple combination at Karen Walker: A striped blouse, cropped trousers, knotted silk scarf, and brogues.

Easy and professional! Did you spot any cool-weather looks on the Spring/Summer runways?

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I hate to admit it, but I can be really slow sometimes. I was going through my pictures to make a digital photo album for Ted, when I came across a picture from last year’s Fashion’s Night Out.

I peered at my screen, leaning closer to my computer. Hey, that looks like… Wait, is that…?

Model Joan Smalls and her…agent?

Joan Smalls posed for me and I didn’t even remember!  She of countless magazine editorials, Fashion Week runways, international ad campaigns, and frequent appearances on my Tumblr (the last being the most significant of the aforementioned accomplishments, of course).

How did I not realize that I’m practically a Noted Fashion Photographer? I’m like Inez and Vinoodh AND Mert and Marcus rolled into one!

Anna darling, call me!

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Whew! I’m still recovering from last night’s activities, but I thought I’d share some pictures of the fun/mayhem:

FNO Cincy

At Saks pre-Fashion’s Night Out. First, how cute are the ladies working there? Second, how badly do I need (yes, NEED) this feathered bag?

My friend, photographer Ann Van Epps hung out at FNO Cincy and took great pics of the stylish women there. I didn’t realize the store itself would be such a gorgeous backdrop…

The beautiful girls of Style Edit (remember my interview with them here?) and a guest wearing my favorite–black and white stripes–and gorgeous Missoni (?) heels.

Don’t forget about the guys! Given my love of menswear, a lot of my style inspiration comes from dudes anyway.

Blog buddies (well, what am I supposed to call them?) Marsha and Brock of Style Edit and Zach of The Fagazine with a friend. Cuteness!

Thanks to Ann for the wonderful pictures!

The Fashion Event

There was a lot of crazy hair backstage at the fashion show for A-Line, but Ashlee of amellostyle styled our Stop Traffick Fashion tees to a…well, to a T!

Waiting to walk the runway at the fashion show…

It was fun. I’m exhausted. Have a great weekend!

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With Fashion Week(s) quickly approaching, we can look forward to fashion parties galore in the next month or so. While I won’t be going to NYC for Fashion’s Night Out like I did last year, I will be hitting A-Line‘s Fashion Event and the FNO event at Saks downtown to hang with fellow fashion lovers and (window) shop my heart out!

Dressing for these events can be difficult, because you want to look good and show your style chops, but you don’t want to look like you tried TOO hard because that justaintcool. So, I have a formula* of sorts: Fabulous + Frumpy + Amazing Accessories

Fabulous is the bread and butter of a fashion party look. People need to know you BELONG there, and stare longingly at your shoes. However, you also need the Frumpy aspect because the idea is to make it look like you totally forgot about this party, and  just threw on your 5-inch stilettos and gold lame blazer before casually rollin’ through.

So the idea is to combine the Fabulous and the Frumpy, add sparkly statement accessories, and stir:

Aaaand…just for giggles, I made this handy-dandy video to further demonstrate the “formula”:

*Please note that though this is a Very Complicated Formula derived via Highly Scientific Analysis, it may not apply 100% in all cases. Take this advice with a grain of salt, preferably on the rim of a shot of Tequila.

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Cincinnati Fashion Week continued in full force after my coverage of Part I!

Graphic Fashion

On Thursday, Landor held a block party in the alley beside their offices to celebrate the unveiling of a new window display based on the synergistic relationship of graphic design and fashion. I’m all about THAT!

Landor’s windows are always a point of interest–everyone gathered around to see the creativity on display.

Like most Fashion Week parties, the place was rife with music, booze, and beautiful people!

Le Grand Finale

Lovely bathing suits (and a reminder to lay off the cake) by New York designer Cala Ossidiana

I arrived at The Edge (how long has that been under construction, anyway?) a little late because I was at a party, but managed to catch the tail end (ha!) of the first part of the show.

There were drinks, makeup lessons, a beautiful view of the city, and plenty of room to roam around and check out people’s outfits–the crowd was primed!

AmareSinh on the runway

When the show started again, I really enjoyed Philly designer AmareSinh‘s collection–lots of architectural shapes and edgy femininity. Since I’d arrived en retard, I missed Laura Dawson‘s wonderful presentation (she’s one of the most adorable people EVER) and planned to see it at the Merchant Fair at Brush Factory on Sunday, but it was rainy and cool all day, so most of my time was spent like this:

“What? You want me to get UP?”

Sometimes Beau has the right idea.

You can find more CFW coverage at 5chw4r7z, Style Edit, and The Fagazine.

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