Jewelry hunting at last year's spring ready-to-wear collections was like shooting fish in a barrel. Everywhere you looked there were huge statement necklaces, boatloads of bangles and lots of layered links.
This year? The runway shine is as dull as a Michael Bolton quickstep.
HOWEVER - there are two noteworthy designers that used the jewel to make their lines pop: Giorgio Armani in Milan and Zac Posen in Paris (his show wrapped just hours ago). Observe...
Armani's Spring Ready-to-Wear collection was all about midnight madness. The navy night sky in Africa was Mr. Armani's inspiration, according to Style.com - and the jewelry he chose echoed the sentiment beautifully (I'm digging out my midnight sapphires as we speak...).
Zac Posen's line was more flirty, feathered and flapperish - with mesh jewelry styles that scream "Industrial Maven meets Prohibition Chic". Bravo.
With the Parisian pret-a-porter extravaganza just underway, some of my favorite designers are still on the calendar - Dior/Galliano, Chanel and Jean Paul Gaultier. Will they bejewel their beauties? Stay tuned...
"Mad Men" actress Christina Hendricks shows up at the 2010 Emmys in a crepe, chiffon and feathered Zac Posen Resort 2011 gown featuring, what else? Yes, SLEEVES! (it's a trend kids). I like it better on her than the model! Ten Points for Christina--so great to see her wearing color since she has been wearing black lately and everyone else seems to also favor black and navy this year. This lilac color looks amazing on her and you can bet she will stand out, and be photographed OVERTIME! Her hair is great and that mini sequined clutch is just the right accessory--next to her "sisters"!!
I heard that Katy Perry was trying to "vibe" India with this gown because of how "moved" she was on a recent trip there with her fiancee, I-Love-Chest-Hair Russell Brand. Unfortunately, I just don't think she ever made it NEAR the Indian Subcontinent in this gown. Maybe a little past ARTESIA! If she really wanted to "vibe" India she should have taken a look at the Givenchy Fall 2009 Haute Couture Collection. I can find 10 AMAZING looks for her in in that collection.
The stretch nude jersey and the gold "pasties" strewn throughout just made the gown more suitable for Cher circa 1986 as opposed to Katy in 2010. Now if she said "Bob Mackie" made this, I would have at the very least given her some "old school" "Nick V Points". For sure!
With one more day left of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York, my head has been spinning trying to keep up with all the top designers and their Spring 2010 Ready-to-Wear creations. The week started slow, with not a lot of new trends to get excited about - and even less jewelry to gawk at.
Designers that usually offer up at least a little sparkle - Carolina Herrera, Thakoon, Narciso Rodriguez - opted out of the usual statement bling this season. But never fear - Zac Posen, Marc Jacobs, Vera Wang and Diane von F came to the rescue.
Marc by Marc Jacobs: Bold color, tribal influences and beads, beads, beads were the jewelry looks the 'chosen one' offered us for his little sister signature line (his Marc Jacobs collection offered up no jewels to speak of). Clearly, turquoise will be big for spring and layered bangles are still the best way to add color and style to any outfit.
Zac Posen:
Party wear is Posen's specialy, and he returned to what he knows best in what was arguably the critics' favortie collection this week. Primary colors ruled his catwalk as funky brooches and colorful statement necklaces in blues and pinks added sparkle.
Vera Wang:
Known for using jewelry creatively in her shows, Vera Wang did not disappoint this year as she sent her models reeling down the runway in lobster bib-sized chain mail pieces and lots of layered metal that gave an edge to her otherwise romantic collection of blacks and whites.
Diane von Furstenburg: The First Lady of Fashion is still as ecclectic as ever, with yet another wearable ready-to-wear collection of boho chic garb. Layered bangles elbow deep made each look leap off the stage with a cornucopia of color. Seems to be the must-have accessory for next season, jewelry hounds. And the good news? You can find 'em cheap and plentiful just about everwhere - from Old Navy to Nordies.
So what do you think of my jewelry selects? Did I miss a designer you've been dying to see? I'd love to hear your thoughts. In the meantime, I'll continue to collect my thoughts and give you an overall rundown by week's end.
It's All About Color Ladies! Yep, Resort 2010 is looking more like a trip to the Bollywood movie set, as opposed to a trip to the Hampton's . Naturally, Spring and Summer are the seasons when designers add color to their collections (as opposed to Fall/Winter black and browns) . But even so, it is unusually BRIGHT.
Duran Duran Back-up Dancer: Cobalt Blue cowl-draped Mini Dress, fromDerek Lam Resort 2010
Strong 80's colors, hearken back to the colorful dresses of Stephen Sprouseand the genius of Patrick Kelly. Pastel tones: OUT. Neon brights: VERY IN! Think Cobalt Blue, Bubblegum Pink, Neon Green. Looks like you'll also be needing a FIERCE pair of sunglasses to block out the glare from the women wearing these bright bold colors.
Garden Party: Blues and greens, according to Alber Elbaz for Lanvin Resort 2010
Bubblegum: "Barbie Pink" as shown atDonna Karan Resort 2010
Some say this renewed use of bold colors might be a direct result of the dire economic woes the world is in. Clothing designers are making things look "Happy Happy Happy", showing bright colorful coats, dresses, sportswear and trying to inject a bit of fun into people's depressed lives (Although I doubt someone who can spend $3,000 on a bright Zac Posen Apple Green mini-dress is having an "economic depression").
Robert Palmer Girl: Apple green satin mini dress with black peek-a-boo bust,Zac Posen Resort 2010
VH1 The 80s Are Back: Electric Blue and shocking printed leggings,Alexander McQueen Resort 2010
In all fairness, when looking at the collections as a whole, there is plenty of Black and the Neutrals are well represented. But BRIGHT COLORS are the real story for Resort--and the coming Spring 2010.
Will you be wearing a pair of neon kaleidoscope leggings from Alexander McQueen next January?
Fashion Schmashion... Lady In Zac Posen Red: Cowl-draped shouldered plunging neck ruffled gown, Fall 2009
So, it has become a tradition of sorts here at www.nickverreos.com to, of course, talk about fashion and especially what's the "freshest" and "newest" in fashion, and particularly, on the runways. Because I was crazy-busy doing all my segments for Oscar.com and all things surrounding the Academy Awards, New York Fashion Week sort of came and went. In fact, I was going to go to NY and attend the Finale of the newest (and yet un-aired) Season 6 of Project Runway at Bryant Park, but could not, because it conflicted with my duties for Oscar.com (oh well!). I have added some great runway shows from some of the top designers who showed at last week's New York Fashion Week, as well as accompanying photos naturally.
Oh, Zac, he loves DRAMA (and so do I huney!). And he gave them drama for his Fall 2009 Collection. There were loose themes of Victoriana, Joan Crawford and 1930's Hollywood in his collection, mostly confined to dresses and gowns--from bias-cut slithery silks to full ruffled mermaid shapes. Joan Crawford Shoulders: Zac Posen Fall '09 exaggerated raglan and bishop sleeved cocktail dress
There was a lot of interest and focus on the shoulders (a theme for Fall '09) therefore the Joan "No More Wire hangers Christina!" Crawford reference. Style.com wasn't necessarily won over and deemed it a bit "too much". Zac Posen, too much? Really? Click Below for Parts 1 and 2 of Zac Posen Fall 2009 Runway Show
Oscar De La Renta:Dominican Diva: Model-of-the-moment Arlenis gives you plunging neckline
Elegant, high-society clothes for the moneyed set. This has always been Oscar De La Renta's anthem. For Fall 2009 , he did not change a thing---and thank God for his clients. Speaking of clients, if the use of more than one or two models of color (Gracias Oscar!) is any indication, I have a feeling somebody is trying to woo First Lady Michelle Obama, either overtly or covertly. Oscar De La Renta has always been known to be the favorite designer of the upper-echelons of the Ladies-who-lunch REPUBLICAN set. Violet Goddess: A violet-colored silk column one-shoulder gown, Oscar de la Renta Fall '09 (also worn by Jessica Biel to the Oscar After Parties Sunday night!)
But change is in Washington, and so Oscar may seem to be trying to change his "political" fashion colors, as they say. Whatever the (wonderful) conscious decision of using so many STUNNING Black girls, I love that his first and final model were models of color---talk about CHANGE!!! Final Exit: Model Jourdan Dunn in a black-and-white strapless ball gown
His Fall 2009 Collection was stunning, filled with expensive silks, duchess satins and wools, and had hints of Kiera Knightley's "The Duchess" (look at that hair!). Of course I absolutely loved the stunning gowns at the end. Yes, we are in an economic recession, but don't tell that to Oscar or his ladies. Click Below for Parts 1, and 2 of Oscar De La Renta Fall 2009 Runway Show:
