Sparkle Magic: Jenni Kayne Spring '10

This season Jenni Kayne offered up more of her easy breezy separates, but my favorite looks of hers were the ones that showed off some sparkle.

Straight to the Heart: Vena Cava Spring '10

And so Fashion Week begins! I'm being very picky this season and only choosing my absolute favorite shows, and while some labels like Cushnie et Ochs and Rachel Comey were bland in my opinion, others like Vena Cava really maintained their wow factor. The girls delivered on many of their signature pieces, like zipper dresses, but also brought a new sophistication to their look with flowing goddess dresses and tribal accents.

Bullish Behavior: Julian Louie

Wow, I've never heard of Julian Louie but I absolutely love his Fall collection. It's very reminiscent of Balenciaga, which is probably why I like it so much, and very Spanish-influenced with a lot of matador looks. Everything is precision cut and expertly constructed, and I really like the paneling and peplum detailing, as well as the subtle hint of sparkle that showed up here and there. This is a collection that deserves a lot more attention than it probably got. View the rest of the collection here.

All But A Dream: Marchesa Fall '09

Marchesa creates fantasy for the little girl inside of me, and beauty for those who never want to hear that ugly word "recession" again. I was absolutely smitten with this collection, which brought to mind fairy tales and medieval tapestry. I love this first look, with a pattern that incorporates two unicorns with crossed horns. Absolutely breathtaking.

Earth Mother: Rodarte Fall '09

I absolutely love Rodarte's new collection--such a great combination of textures and colors. It seems very of the earth, and gorgeous in a perfectly imperfect kind of way....

Make Believe: Erin Fetherston Fall '09

Viewing images from Erin Fetherston's show was like stepping into a fairytale. Everything had a whimsical, spun-sugar look to it. And I loved those owl and kitty masks!

Glitterati: ThreeAsFour Fall '09

ThreeAsFour have had a special place in my heart for what seems like forever. I think their creations are exquisite, otherworldly, and unlike anything any other designer creates. This season they embedded mesh leggings and floaty, precision-cut dresses with tons of Swarovski crystals. I guess they know girls like their sparkly things. I heard the presentation involved the models clipping bonsai trees while Icelandic music played in the background...knowing ThreeAsFour, it's no surprise to me!

Sweet Danish: Staerk Fall '09

I had the great pleasure of meeting Camilla Staerk last Fashion Week, and she really is the sweetest, most talented person. Her penchant for leather and dark elements is still going strong, and I thought this collection was especially ladylike and polished. Chilly, but enticing!

Urban Cowgirl: Karen Walker Fall '09

Alright! On to Karen Walker. By the way, in my "coverage" of this Fashion Week I am not going to be inundating this blog with every single show I come across--rather, I'm focusing only on my favorite designers that I've loved for years, and zeroing in on two or three looks that really stood out to me. For Karen Walker, I really enjoyed the whimsical (but also kind of foreboding) prints on some of her dresses, which incorporated images of shattered glass and a broken string of pearls. I liked that her looks were feminine, but infused with a bit of toughness, whether it was a leather jacket or some edgy shades. Unlike other shows, it was hard to pick only two or three looks to showcase from this one. Definitely check the whole collection out here!

Straight to the Heart: Vena Cava Fall '09

Two pitch-perfect looks from Vena Cava Fall '09 aka "Crystalarium."

Mad Rush: Lorick, Rachel Comey Fall '09

Fashion Week is happening so fast that I can barely keep track of all the good shows! To save time and space, I'm going to consolidate my Lorick and Rachel Comey shows into one comprehensive post. I only attended Lorick, which was reviewed with unenthusiasm for the most part. I would have to agree to some extent-- the majority of the looks were a bit bland, and I felt the show only picked up toward the end when some more colorful, playful pieces were shown. However, I loved the creativity behind the makeup (thick smoky cat-eye eyeliner and baby-pink lipstick) and the accordian player who provided the music (each attendee got a copy of his CD, which was specially made for the show). Below is my favorite Lorick Fall '09 outfit, and my Rachel Comey overview! Keep scrollin'!


On to Rachel Comey, which I personally loooved. Then again, in my eyes she can do no wrong! I loved the thick layers in each look, and the abstract headwraps--some of it looked a bit reminiscent of Grey Gardens! Here are some of my favorite styles:

Morgane, Je T'aime: Morgane le Fay Fall '09

The whirlwind of fashion week activities has begun, and I was able to cram all my events into one day! First up this morning was the show for a French designer I'd never heard of, who I assume has been producing collections very quietly for years now. The invitation to Morgane le Fay's show kind of dropped into my lap the other day, so on a whim I decided to go. I was pleasantly surprised with the collection--it was very "on trend," and I loved the almost gothic, witchy vibe that permeated her Ralph Lauren-esq looks. Everything was paired with tall black equestrian boots, a structured element that contrasted nicely with the sheer, flowing dresses and feather accents. For some reason, it all made me think of that 90's classic film The Craft! Some of my favorite looks below: