You would and you should! If the sight of these pants give you a case of the mean reds, think again.
Bright colors are a big trend for Fall 2011. More so, bright trousers were spotted on the runway from designers such as DKNY, Michael Kors and Burberry.
What you probably don't even know is that you already have clothes in your closet to work in with a bold pair of pantalones!
Tips for wearing Red Pants
1) Don't do solid black only. Why not work with the color rather than just throwing on a black top? Of course we know black goes with everything, but try neutral brown, burgundy and gray. Add a black accessory to complete the look, but avoid all black and one lone red pair of pants. You can even color block with complimentary hues like hot pink, orange or even purple.
2) Don't buy a pair of red pants just because of the color. Ask yourself what your style is. Are you a rock chick? Opt for red jeans. Do you like quirky working girl styles a la Melanie Griffith? Then do trousers. Consider yourself casual? The go with loose fit harem styles. You dont ever wear pants? Then wear a red skirt!
3) Always wear what makes you feel most comfortable. Remember that how the pants fit you is the key to making you feel confident. Feel a little stuffed in skinny red jeans? Buy a couple sizes up and let them slouch boyfriend style. The number on the tag should never be the deciding factor on purchasing clothes. I cut the size tags out of all of my clothes. It's no ones business!
Yuna Yang was named one of our women's designers to watch. Early critiques of her work was that she had the talent, but she needed a bit of a jump on coordinating a collection that was not just a random display of technique, but also a complete vision. Sadly she didn't take her spirited designs to the cuckoo couture level. It seems she's managed more commercial-friendly designs in her latest Fall 2011 collection.
The sequin short sporty dress could blend in with the Alice + Olivia sections of department stores. Piece by piece, the wide leg pants were great, the tops were basic. But it was a bit as if you could see Yang sitting in a room with "designer's block." Is that a real phrase you ask? It is now!
Unloved Looks
Still, it remains that she's still trying to find her identity. While I can see many of these pieces online at contemporary stores, overall, I wonder whose closet I'm looking into- mom's or daughters? The show could've used much stronger styling to at least bring in some cohesion. Spring 2011 was a much stronger collection.
People, Scene and Music
Shown at the Alvin Ailey Theater, this off-site show was about as basic as it could get. Basic clothes, basic stage, basically basic. Sure, the show had a title called Bright Lights, Big City (this was also the name of a 1988 movie starring my childhood crush Michael J. Fox) and was supposed to follow the journey of how a women evolves because of her arrival in said city, but the stage and venue did nothing to help that vision.
SImon Spurr has been showing for a few seasons now to much interest of the industry. It seems now he has moved from dressing the average-Joe to dressing the international editors of the world. The winding long line outside the show proved that he has reached an acclaimed status. Fashion Funhouse Emporium named him as one of the Men's Designers to Watch during the Spring 2011 season.
Spurr churned out a mix of suits in stripes and prints, taking on a modern sixties mod vibe with a link to a dark-side. Men will be rushing to get their hands on these duds. The second skin leather jackets, 3/4 zip hooded leather pullovers, and very slim sleeved leather arms on wool coats were tailored to perfection as was the entire collection. Spurr is a shining star and for him, showing along side the menswear collections in Milan is the next logical step for the designer. Though, for selfish reasons I hope he stays grounded in New York.
Unloved Looks
The metallic shirt and black pants look seemed out of place.
People, Scene and Music
Exit Art is always a long haul, but it was worth it.
This is designer Norman Ambrose's debut onto the New York Fashion Week scene. With a background that includes the Academy of Art in San Francisco, and names like Bottega Veneta and Versace on his resume, he's bringing out honed technical skills and a discriminatory eye for details.
Wow. For those who style red-carpet, these are some looks to add to your arsenal. Often, when a new designer tries to bead, sequin and feather, the result is a strange club dress from some New York whole-sale shop in the garment district. This is absolutely not true for Norman Ambrose's collection. Tastefully and impeccably done, his evening gowns and separates proved that before he launched on his own, he made sure he had his skills down. New designers, take note, this us how you debut. The gold leaf embellished dress and the turquoise jeweled top, with a splash of late 60's early 70's actress allure were flawless. Fist bump to the stylist and creative team on this show as well.
I only like fur on living animals. I'm not PETA crazy, but little balls of fur are off putting to me-unless they are barking or meowing. But ladies who love to taxidermy themselves in animal pelt coats will go ape-shit over these jackets. (Pun intended)
The Lincoln Center box gives presentation designers a great way to squeeze in with all of the other shows going on. Though sometimes simple white background is best. Models stood on actual boxes, leaned on ladders in front of a colored paper backdrop. It looked very much like a school gymnasium area reserved for couples pics at the school dance. Gospel-soul singer Ms. Candi Staton's Victim played in the background. As far as the people, lots of bloggers. It seems we are the new eyes for spotting the up and coming. ATL and Wintour, you missed out.
In my twitter feed I commented "Elise Overland is the coolest (and coldest) runway show at New York Fashion Week Fall 2011." I meant it.
Perhaps it's those rock n' roll roots of her days dressing rock stars that make her want to pull out all the stops when introducing a new collection. When so many of us in the industry are questioning the relevance of the runway shows now that instant coverage is provided online, Elise Overland reminds us all what it is to put on a show.
As testament to Elise Overland's skills and wearable garments, most of the dresses and separates that caught my eye were moving on. Real people, ice skaters, moved about and they still looked so chic. Sure, the girls in 6 inch platforms who had to be helped on to the ice and led to a Rubbermaid bath mat by production wore the clothes well too. What's interesting about this season's collection is the mix of what seemed to me, editorial pieces with commerically wearable garments. Yes. I said the "c" word. Fashion is a business as well. And as always, she can make a leather jacket like its no joke.
As for the models standing on ice in stiletto boots and dresses in subterranean weather, this was probably one of those days in which they questioned their career choice, as did I...for a minute.
I wasn't feeling Johnny Wier's giant pimp fur that he was rehearsing in, but its probably a lot colder swooshing around the ice at the speed he does than just standing still in the 20 degree weather? But Johnny Weir is anything but bland and he says he is not afraid of PETA.
People, Scene Music
I got to The Standard Hotel ice rink early because I wanted to leave before 7pm to see some shows up the street at Milk Studios. Johnny Weir was rehearsing when I arrived. I was pretty happy to be able to see a sort of private show before the massive crowd arrived. There were some people out side the rink with video recorders and cameras, but I assumed there was a place where the models were standing in warmth, inside, by a fire place. But to both my and the model's dismay, this was an outdoor show. In the middle of winter. In New York City.
There was area on the right side of the rink that had heat lamps, but it was separated by a velvet rope. I stood outside for a bit, thinking that the heated area was just for the photo pit. After freezing my ass off for 15 minutes, I finally asked if there was a check in. Of course there was and it led right to the heat lamps.
Upon walking into the area, I was handed a cup of hot liquid. I asked "is this coffee?" No, said the girl "Its cider." Oh great, I love hot cider! I took a big swig. Then spit it back in the cup after I realized the drink was about 3/4 vodka. I'm not much of a drinker, so I just tossed it out. Though others didn't mind and seemed to be enjoying the Belvedere vodka spiked cocktails.
There were glass doors off the patio overlooking the ice where I assume any celebrity and socialte guests hid out until the performance.
Johnny Wier gave a sassy performance to his own single "Dirty Love." He's like Britney on ice. He rehearsed to the song as well, and he skated around a bit before most people got there to some New Order.
Once he and the other ice skaters started the show, all of us were willing to freeze for fashion.
That's not coffee in those cups.
If you look closely, thats me in the hat in the lower left corner.
Vivienne Tam is one of the more established shows you'll see here. Her runway show was one of the first I ever attended. As an intern back in 2006, when swag bags made it past the first three rows, I was so excited to walk out of her show blown away by the beautifully feminine garments how (and with a red floral embroidered make-up bag that I still use 5 years later).
Tam's Eastern inspired clothing hasn't changed much since 1994, proving that she knows what works and sells for the woman she designs for. She started an Asian inspired craze in which other designers tried to imitate. Some of the pieces from her early collection were given a home in my hometown of Pittsburgh at the Andy Warhol museum, among others like FIT. What has changed is that she is now a lifestyle brand.
Tam has always been on the cutting edge of technology. Long before she collaborated with HP on the clutch book, she designed phone cases for Motorola she's partnered with Stardolls in a virtual online clothing boutique for teens and has participated in designing the costumes for an animated film.
She's also established herself as a personality having been a judge on The Fashion Show and Project runway and is an author of the book "China Chic."
Colors: navy, black, shades of blue and a dash of red
Where some critics may feel she pulls out too many of the stops, I didn't mind so much. Its her thing. If you can do multiple back flips without falling, then why not? Though I suppose showing off can tire some. Her knits and simple crop pants were main stream ready, but have details that make them a bit more interesting than your average department store sweater. But then again, if you own your own stores around the world, then why not get crazy with the embellishments?
Unloved Looks
Some pieces went a bit too crazy to the point of confusion. Sometimes one less element is a good thing.
People, Scene, Music
The show was at one of the larger venues in the Lincoln Center tents. I wondered why it was so large, but then again, Vivienne Tam embraced bloggers long before designers thought it was cute to have Tavi and Bryanboy attend their shows. Yes, Bryanboy was there, along with a contestant from The Fashion Show, who was telling his story with teary eyes to the girl in the seat next to him. Model Petra Nemcova was there, surrounded by photographers. An older lady in a crocheted vest next to me asked if I knew who she was as if hosting some fashion show celeb spotting tour. I pretended I didn't speak English. Kidding. I told her. Angela Simmons daughter of Rev Run of Run DMC, Reshma Shetty, Eric West, Nigel Barker, Sisalee Lopez and one of the chicks from one of the seasons from The Bachelor weren't the only unrecognizable yet recognizable people there. What was cool about this show was the big screen, which I've never seen in operation at these rock-arena style shows. It gave ample viewing to those of us in the back rows. My Shazam app picked up the groove on the song Ay Ay Ay by Duke Reid and Nora Dean.
The triumphant fashion week return of Libertine was a hyped show that indeed delivered. The brand has always had it’s cool-hipster points. Now, since it’s a one-man show after a split from co-founder Cindy Greene two years ago, there seems to be a new spirit and mood that Johnson Hartig wanted everyone to be a part of. Prim and proper proportion, the key to his collection included acid hyper prints over plaids and flannels. Taking inspiration from vintage 60’s shapes (Libertine's first collections started from reworking actual vintage pieces) and a post WWI wood block blown up to the point of distortion. Who would think a chunk of wood led to the beautiful prints that were all over the jackets, coats, tops, dresses, and tights? After this collection, lets hope that Libertine jumps back on the scene for good.
Unloved Looks
It seems a bit strange to hold on to the label's name "Libertine" since Hartig's rendition has a very different amped atheistic than the oringal line with former founder Cindy Greene. While the collection holds its own, it strays from the very vintage designs that put them on the map. Johnson Hartig can very well be successful with his own namesake label, as his collection was the most cohesive of all the Libertine collections to date.
People, Scene and Music
The show was held off-site which usually means a more cherry-picked crowd for established designers like Libertine. With Rodarte’s Kate Mulleavy, Thom Browne, Bergdorf's Linda Fargo and Meredith Melling Burke sitting front row, you can tell that Jamar and I weren't the only ones curious about the runway return of the line. Exit Art is usually so out of the way, that only the dedicated show up. The music was your typical runway fare by another DJ with a slick name: Farmer Dave Scher.
United Bamboo designers Miho Aoki and Thuy Pham (not to be confused with Thuy Diep of the label Thuy) like clothes...and cats. For the past couple of years the two created a calenders with kitties dressed in their own couture. The blogosphere went crazy sending the calender viral with copy-cat photos of the feline in the runway look replicas.
Making mini versions of their clothes and expert tailoring skills that the duo has consistently showcased since they first launched in 1998 proves that they are not just about gimmicks. Where many others fall out, United Bamboo has staying power in this industry and a loyal following of people... and pets.
United Bamboo has always been a go to for classic pieces that you just want to wear. This season was based on menswear, but there was a very interesting mix of girls walking the show. The shearling coats were a stand-out along with the beautifully fit double breasted wool pea-coats. A couple of draped bias cut dresses, tailored knitwear, and some killer over the knee boots were all in the mix. Though, a bit random, the black draped bias cut dress was a favorite for me.
Amber's notes: As far as personal style goes, this is mine. Keeping in mind, however, I can't judge the fall collections based on my own tastes. I'm just saying that I need to save some money for a fall trip to Opening Ceremony. I'd wear 90% of this collection.
Unloved Looks
I was confused by the need to mix a double breasted cropped jacket with double pleated culottes. The overall collection seemed to lack cohesion, but all in all I’m sure each piece will sell due to individual appeal, and not to mention everything looked so comfortable.
People, Scene and Music
It seems with each season, those who forgo the tents pick farther places to show. Anything between 9th and 10th avenue is a hike for fashionable feet who don't have cab fare for multiple trips from uptown, to downtown, to midtown to the West Side Highway. Alas, If Sean Lennon could make it, then so could I. Along with Mr. Ono Lennon, hipster musician Andrew Vanwyngarden and jewelry designer/ actor Waris Ahluwalia sat front row.
Last season, in conjunction with the Korean Ministry of Culture, Concept Korea showed at Lincoln Center. While not a part of the Concept Korea show, Korean designer Bumsuk Choi (unfortunate English translation on the first name. Don't judge me, like you didn't notice.) has been showing his luxury label since 2004 and was the youngest designer at age 26 to join Seoul Fashion Week, helping put South Korea on the map when it comes to top designers.
Colors: bright primary colors, orange, black, navy
I would say its more difficult to create men's clothes that stand out than it is for women. General Idea gave it the best shot with the sporty-dandy collection. Its as if Apollo Ono, Justin Timberlake and Hamish Bowles took their entire wardrobe to an amusement park and dumped it onto The Rotor. Whatever stuck to the wall won. For the majority of this General Idea collection, this worked. It managed to combine just enough styles to make it interesting but not too outlandish. I loved the colored oxford shoes.
Unloved Looks
I don't think any man should ever wear fair isle knit sweaters. Its like said person just stepped out of some bizarre Christmas photo in which the way too close family all posed in the same sweater. Also, I'm not sure how the half oxford shoe, half snow boot would play out in the everyday on the street but I do admire the attempt at something new.
People, Scene, Music
Nine AM on a Saturday is a hard spot at Lincoln Center. A socialite or two, combined with bloggers, crashers and haute hounds showed up bright and early though. I appreciated the black arch runway entrance. It seems like most designers don't bother with the set at the tents.
All we could find about these designers are that they are from Montreal Canada. You can buy their clothes online and in the store Project No. 8, a carefully curated New York City boutique. Hurry before the retailer gets taken over by a Gap.
Draped for the woman's man or the man's woman? This neutered collection had a true dark, but natural feeling to the collection with the showing of stone necklaces and wooden platform boots. The epitome of of unisex clothing, the androgynous looks that could be related to a more feminine version of Rick Owens. Is it bad that I always reference and relate to Parisian designers? Not at all, because like Karl, I value my opinion. The best ideas come from established Paris luxury lines. We look to them and scoop out what we can afford to “get the look.” Complex Geometries served up a great interpretation. The stone accessories styled as necklaces and bracelets were a collaboration with Harakiri, which reminded me of age rings from the center of an of old oak tree. Very complex indeed. The off-the-shoulder mohair sweater with suede shorts and two stone necklaces was a favorite!
Unloved Looks
There was a draped top that looked like a scarf tucked into a black wrap skirt. No bueno.
Amber's two cents: Um, some of these looks were not unisex, unless you're a guy who dresses in drag. Then, by all means...proceed.
