And the hair? Put those curling irons away, because straight blunt cuts and messy, undone styles – from the grunge look at BCBGMAXAZRIA to roughed up ponytails at Richard Chai and Tadashi Shoji – are back.

By Brianna Lapolla, Staff Writer

How will you be watching NYFW? Share in the comments below, or tweet us at @ruelala.

Not a Member and like The (Style) Guide? You’ll love Rue La La. Join now.

The Spring 2012 New York Fashion Week shows may be over, but the trend spotting continues. On the beauty front, the looks ranged from the don’t-try-this-at-home to the perfectly poised and polished.

Erickson Beamon heightened the drama of its jewelry by way of false-eyelashed, rainbow-hued glitter lids accompanied by matching multi-hued nails. Bright pink, red, and turquoise eyeshadow turned up at Richard Chai Love, Katie Gallagher, Pink by Douglas Hannant, and Faster by Mark Fast, among others (Fast, Chai, and Gant by Michael Bastian even did blue lips, making it look as though the models were very chilly, indeed). And several shows, including Marchesa, Fast, and Jeremy Scott, featured models with bright pink hair.

Dramatically smokey eyes were the big beauty story at Rodarte, while a more wearable version of the lined eye turned up at Bibhu Mohapatra, Victoria by Victoria Beckham, L.A.M.B., and alice + olivia. Karen Walker gave her girls sweet rosy cheeks paired with rolled, forties-inspired updos, and the Alexander Wang show featured slightly greasy long hair (a just-worked-out complement, perhaps, to his sports-inspired collection).

But the biggest spring hair trends on the New York runways were long hair brushed back off the face (at Victoria Beckham, Prabal Gurung, Cynthia Rowley, Cushnie et Ochs, BCBG) or left to hang naturally (Nicole Miller, Peter Som, DKNY, Lacoste, Kimberly Ovitz, Oscar de la Renta and Betsey Johnson), which is good news for those of us who like to keep it simple.

Another big hair trend: elegant chignons, elaborate buns worn on the top – or side – of the head, and all sorts of braids and ponytails, as shown by Michael Kors, Proenza Schouler, Donna Karan, and Carolina Herrera.

And there were as many natural or lightly glossed lips as there were pink or cherry red puckers. Meaning next season, the beauty trend is pretty much whatever you want it to be.

Lauren David Peden writes for Rue La La as a Contributing Editor.

If three’s a trend (as they say in fashion), I guess five or six is a phenomenon. Such is the case with this structured bookbag from The Cambridge Satchel Company, a UK-based bag maker whose retro-inspired cross-body has become all the rage among fashion insiders.

While the company makes its most popular style in a range of classic colors – from basic black to saddle tan to brick red – it’s the fluoroscent green and yellow hues that are being carried by in-the-know fashionistas. Modeled after a classic school bag, this boxy unisex carryall was given a thoroughly modern makeover in shades so bold they almost glow in the dark (making them really pop against the all-black ensembles worn by most New York showgoers).

I first spotted this bag on Marie Claire editor (and street style blog magnet) Joanna Hillman at the Missoni for Target preview back in June. Then this past week, I noticed no fewer than five other industry insiders, including stylists Susan Joy and Brad Goreski, carrying their own fluro satchels. Which makes sense, since they come in several sizes and are designed to hold all one’s New York Fashion Week essentials in style (bonus points for having your initials monogramed on the flap in gold lettering, as Brad and Susan did).

Why should kids have all the fun? These of-the-moment bags let you channel your inner child in high style – without having to do homework.

Lauren David Peden writes for Rue La La as a Contributing Editor.

Presidents Obama and Bush weren’t the only ones paying tribute to those who lost their lives on 9/11. On the tenth anniversary of that fateful day, several designers also paused during their shows to remember the terrorist attacks.

Lela Rose was one of the first designers to show in Lincoln Center on Sunday morning, and before her event began, the house lights dimmed and John Lennon’s “Imagine” played in its entirety. When the lights came back on and the first model hit the runway, there was barely a dry eye in the house.

Gwen Stefani dedicated her L.A.M.B. presentation to the victims of 9/11, as did Bono and Ali Hewson at EDUN. The program notes for the Bespoken menswear presentation, which is designed by two sets of brothers, read: “Amidst the hectic schedules around New York Fashion Week, we would like to take a moment to honor and respect the men and women whose lives were lost on 9/11. Our lives will be forever impacted.”

Diane von Furstenberg dubbed her Spring 2012 collection “Beginnings,” and carried several small American flags as she took her post-show lap around the runway, handing them to guests Valentino and Oscar de la Renta and pledging to make a donation in each guest’s name to the September 11th Families’ Association.

At DKNY, Donna Karan not only included a heartfelt love letter to “Our beloved city, New York. Our inspiration” in her program notes, but the collection itself seemed inspired by American patriotism (heavy on the red, white, and blue sportswear). The Donna Karan company also made a donation to Action America, an initiative to unite and activate Americans everywhere to turn the events of 9/11 into positive action.

They were small gestures, to be sure. But on this momentous – and emotional – anniversary, they encouraged showgoers to remember that which should never be forgotten.

Lauren David writes for Rue La La as a Contributing Editor.

I knew something was afoot when I arrived early to the Imitation of Christ show Thursday and saw interns scurrying around scattering rose petals on the stage (which was decorated with a garland-strewn canopy) and down the center aisle of the ballroom at the W Hotel in Union Square. As if that wasn’t enough of a tip-off, standing in the corner was a dude dressed as a priest. Turns out Father Andrew O’Connor is a real ordained Diocesan priest, and had agreed to officiate at the fanciful wedding dreamed up by IOC designer Tara Subkoff to showcase her Spring 2012 collection.

As the It Girl wedding guests (including Susie Bubble, Natasha Lyonne, Cory Kennedy, Byrdie Bell, Arden Wohl, and photographer Ellen von Unwerth) looked on, singer Natalie Rose LeBrecht sang a lovely a cappella version of Billy Idol’s “White Wedding,” and out came a tuxedoed groom and best man, followed by a flower girl in a pretty embroidered dress, who tossed more petals as she strode toward the altar. Several dozen bridesmaids followed, all dressed in beautifully ethereal IOC confections that recalled garden party frocks from the Thirties and Forties (think: floaty feminine dresses with delicate beading, lace, and lingerie-inspired details in dusty shades of blue, cream, and blush). Best of all, the models were actually smiling – a rarity at most fashion shows.

Then a string quartet struck up the familiar notes to “Here Comes the Bride,” and, well, there came the bride: model/actress Lydia Hearst-Shaw in an elegant lace gown with a figure-flattering corset. As Father O’Connor advised the bride and groom to “imitate Christ for one another” (meaning: strive to be the best they can be and to see the best in each other throughout their marriage), it was easy to forget this was not a real wedding, and more than one hardened fashionista got tears in her eyes. Then he pronounced them man and wife, the “newlyweds” kissed, and the crowd erupted in a huge heartfelt cheer. Huzzah!

Between the sun-dappled ballroom, the gorgeous gowns and the beaming bridal party (all two dozen of them) this was one of the most joyful, feel-good fashion events I’ve ever attended. “I miss my old shows,” Tara told me after the show. “And I wanted to give people something in the spirit of that – something fun and beautiful – to start the week!”

Mission accomplished.

Lauren David Peden writes for Rue La La as a Contributing Editor.

Lauren David Peden writes for Rue La La as a Contributing Editor.

OK, so we’ve already discussed most of Fall 2011’s major trends here on the Rue La La New York Fashion Week blog series and during our Facebook Live Chat on Thursday (to recap the biggies: the color red, layers, long skirts, black platform booties, statement coats, ‘90s/grunge influences, and lots and lots o’ fur).

In addition to the above, hats had a starring role on the New York runways this week. And while there were all sorts of toppers on display — berets, turbans, furry trapper hats — the style that got the most play and looked freshest to my eye was the wide-brimmed floppy hat and its distant cousin, the fedora.

They turned up on the runway at Rebecca Minkoff, Diane von Furstenberg, Tommy Hilfiger and Marc by Marc, adorned the heads of many models at the Chris Benz and Global Glam presentations, and capped the wonderfully austere looks (quite literally) at the Giulietta debut of NYFW newbie, Sofia Sizzi.

This is good news for fashion lovers, as a wide-brimmed hat looks terrific on many different face shapes and, unlike a beret or fur topper, doesn’t give you hat head. And even with a wide or floppy brim, a structured hat feels somehow more dressed up, more pulled together — and makes it seem like you put more effort into your look — than a knit hat ever could. Maybe it’s the fact that a wide-brimmed hat adds instant panache to any outfit, or the sense of Mad Men propriety and refinement it evokes without your ever having to say a word. Whatever the reason, I’m really feeling this trend for fall — and I saw more than one stylish young woman rocking the look at the tents this week (and I have the photos to prove it)! So go ahead, ladies. Flip your lid. I promise you’ll be happy you did.

[One small suggestion: Be sure to wear your hat ever-so-slightly big so it fits comfortably on your head without slipping down over your eyes. That way, the band won’t dig into your forehead and leave an unsightly line when you take it off. You don’t want folks thinking you’ve had a lobotomy now, do you? Didn’t think so.]

Lauren David Peden has been hired by Rue La La for her reporting at New York Fashion Week.

BY LAUREN DAVID PEDEN/THE FASHION INFORMER

I first spied it at Wes Gordon’s presentation at the St. Regis hotel on Thursday afternoon. Sixty minutes later, it was standing on a podium at Mara Hoffman’s NYFW outing at The Box. Two hours after that, there it was again stalking the runway at Wayne’s show at Milk Studios. It made a brief appearance at the W Hotels Global Glam event at Lincoln Center later that evening, and reappeared yet again at Tess Giberson’s presentation (also at The Box) the following morning.

By the time it showed up on Costello Tagliapietra’s runway Friday afternoon — less than a full day after New York Fashion Week had officially begun — I knew we we’d gone beyond the “three’s a trend” rule and into bona fide fashion phenomenon territory.

The “it” of which I speak is, of course, the color red — make that RED! — an eye-popping, take-no-prisoners, crimson-meets-vermillion hue of the fire engine/“Addicted to Love” variety.

I’m not sure if it was in honor of Valentine’s Day (which fell during New York Fashion Week) or in tribute to the Heart Truth Red Dress event (which takes place the night before NYFW officially begins) or if this brutally cold winter had every designer in New York gravitating toward a shade that by its very nature signals “heat.” Whatever the reason, red is the color of the Fall 2011 season.

Not for the faint of heart, this bold and beautiful shade turned up on the runways of designers both emerging and established, including Tess Giberson, Chado Ralph Rucci, Mara Hoffman, Diane von Furstenberg, Milly, Altuzarra, Rodarte, Reed Krakoff, DKNY, Michael Kors, Derek Lam, Marchesa, Cynthia Rowley, Proenza Schouler, Prabal Gurung, Peter Som, Carolina Herrera, BCBG, Giulietta, Victoria Beckham, Julian Louie, Tibi, Marc by Marc Jacobs, and… well, need I go on?

There were red skirts, red pants, red dresses, red gowns, red kimonos, red blouses, red vests, red sweaters, red jackets, red coats — even red furs (and a surprising number of them, from different designers). On the accessories front, red turned up on shoes, on boots, on jewelry, on handbags, on gloves, on scarves, on tights, on leggings, and on belts. At Elise Øverland’s Ice Capades extravaganza, one model wore a red plastic (read: cellophane) neckerchief to ward off the chill while Johnny Weir skated in circles around her. Isaac Mizrahi even sent a red cake down the runway (yes, you read that right: a cake).

And let’s not forget the glossy red lips, nails, and eyes (see: Thakoon), which were also in abundance on the New York runways this week. All of which makes me think it’s going to be unseasonably h-o-t come fall. Bring it on!

Lauren David Peden has been hired by Rue La La for her reporting at New York Fashion Week. ]]> http://www.ruelala.com/blog/2011/02/24/nyfw-2011-trend-alert-%e2%80%93-red-hot/feed/ 0 http://www.ruelala.com/blog/2011/02/22/nyfw-2011-all-that-glitters/ http://www.ruelala.com/blog/2011/02/22/nyfw-2011-all-that-glitters/#comments Tue, 22 Feb 2011 12:40:04 +0000 Lauren David Peden http://www.ruelala.com/blog/?p=3533 BY LAUREN DAVID PEDEN/THE FASHION INFORMER

At the House of Waris presentation, jewelry/scarf designer (and actor) Waris Ahluwalia debuted his Fall 2011 jewelry collection the Museum of Arts & Design to a crowd that included Chloë Sevigny, Tory Burch, Angelica Huston, Olivier Zahm, Suzy Menkes, Amanda Brooks, Inez and Vinoodh, Arden Wohl, Tara Subkoff, Bibhu Mohapatra, and Elise Overland, among others.

The jewels were displayed in cases throughout the room, and the scarves were worn by models (who were otherwise naked, save for bikini underwear). Ooh la la!

Lauren David Peden has been hired by Rue La La for her reporting at New York Fashion Week.