The Fashion Informer

TFI on Rue La La: Tom Ford

Tom Ford recently brought his well-groomed self to the stage at 92Y, where Fern Mallis grilled him about life, love and the pursuit of happiness (not necessarily in that order). I covered it for Rue La La, and images from the evening—and Ford's recent collections—can be seen below.

TFI on Ru La La: Schiaparelli and Prada

Here's what happened When Elsa Met Miuccia (at least according to the Met's latest Costume Institute exhibit, Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations).

TFI on Rue La La: Ginger + Liz

I just spent a lovely afternoon hanging out with nail lacquer designers Ginger Johnson and Liz Pickett at the soon-to-open Nail Suite by Lisa Logan on Strivers' Row. Join me, won't you?

TFI on Ru La La: Marcia Patmos

In the mood for "Coffee Tawk" and a leisurely stroll through the Brooklyn Botanic Garden? Then join designer Marcia Patmos as she relaxes and recharges after a hectic week at work.

TFI on Rue La La: Emily Sugihara

I recently spent an afternoon hanging out with Baggu founder Emily Sugihara at her Williamsburg loft for Rue La La. She has a swing in her living room (not the dirty kind, the fun kind). I am beyond jealous. Go here to read about the rest of Emily's kickass pad.

TFI on Rue La La: Daniel Vosovic

So is designer Daniel Vosovic as charming and chill as he seems? Join me to find out...

Kirstin Sinclair's Front Row Seat

British photographer Kirstin Sinclair has been a fixture on the fashion circuit for nearly a decade, documenting the action as it moves from New York to London to Milan to Paris.  

Every season I look forward to seeing Kirstin's friendly face as she darts around the shows with her camera, shooting editors and celebrities, backstage beauty, street style scenesters and, of course, the models on the runway. 

A Front Row Seat gathers the best of her work into one glorious compendium that brings readers into the heart of the action. Featuring hundreds of lush color photos, the book opens with a chapter devoted to front row celebrities (starring luminaries such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Jennifer Lopez, Keira Knightley, Kanye West, Clive Owen and Victoria Beckham) before moving on to A-list editors (Anna Wintour, Stefano Tonchi, Carine Roitfeld, Giovanna Battaglia, Anna Dello Russo, Suzy Menkes, Joe Zee and co). 

Kirstin's catwalk images are particularly striking, whether it's an unrecognizable Karlie Kloss in deconstructed Gareth Pugh, Kate Moss having a smoke at Louis Vuitton, Freja Beha Erichsen emerging from an iceberg at Chanel or a bevy of lingerie-clad beauties stalking the runway like an army of glamazon fembots at Dolce & Gabbana. The designers behind these fanciful creations are presented in their own chapter (along with candid shots of Marc Jacobs, Donatella Versace, Ralph Lauren, Carolina Herrera, Miuccia Prada and dozens of others), followed by images of the fashion industry's top buyers—Linda Fargo, Sarah Rutson, Natalie Massenet, Ken Downing, Julie Gilhart and the like.

From here, we move backstage, where Kirstin offers readers a privileged glimpse at the pre- and post-show madness at Vivienne Westwood, Prada, Karen Walker, DKNY, Alexander McQueen, Romeo Gigli, Preen, Rag & Bone, Marni and Marc Jacobs. 

Then it's on to street style (think: Bryanboy, Susie Bubble, Leigh Lezark, Taylor Tomasi Hill, Joanna Hillman and Hanneli Mustaparta) and model style (from Lily Cole, Elle Macpherson and Stella Tennant to Hanne Gaby Odiele, Du Juan and Iekeliene Stange), which is where designers' inspirations both trickle down and bubble up.

Throughout, Kirstin captures her subjects' personalities—and the energy and excitement surrounding the shows—with flair and dignity, bringing a sense of warmth and intimacy to the ever-evolving circus that is Fashion Week while showcasing the various elements involved in producing an unforgettable runway show. Her love of fashion and its players comes through on every page, making for a fun, engaging read.

A Front Row Seat (ACC Editions), is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Selfridges, Liberty and Harrods.

TFI on Rue La La: Paris Fashion Week (part two)

And in the second installment of my Paris Fashion Week coverage for Rue La La, may I present Givenchy, Jean Paul Gaultier, Stella McCartney, Chanel and Valentino.

TFI on Rue La La: Paris Fashion Week (part one)

The latest from Dries Van Noten, Rick Owens, Christian Dior and Haider Ackermann in part one of my Paris Fashion Week coverage for Rue La La.

TFI on Rue La La: Milan Fashion Week

I just covered the best of Milan Fall 2012 Fashion Week (think: Gucci, Prada, Bottega Veneta, Missoni, Prada, Marni, Giorgio Armani and Raf Simons' Jil Sander swan song) for Rue La La.

1 = 1,000: Haus Alkire

TFI on Rue La La: Sue Wong

Designer Sue Wong walks me through her idea of a perfect weekend over at Rue La La. A cookout in Malibu, yoga on the beach and hiking in Solstice Canyon? I'm in!

CFDA Announces 2012 Awards

The Council of Fashion Designers of America hosted a party at CFDA President Diane von Furstenberg's Meatpacking District studio last night to announce this year's CFDA Fashion Awards honorees and nominees, with Carolina Herrera, Peter Som, Phillip Lim, Rebecca Minkoff, Reed Krakoff, Robert Geller, Rachel Roy, Johan Lindeberg, Narciso Rodriguez, Sophie Theallet, Gilles Mendel, Monique Pean, Jim Moore and Joe Zee (among others) in attendance. The winners will be unveiled at the ceremony on June 4th at Alice Tully Hall.

Drumroll, please…

Womenswear Designer of the Year nominees
Marc Jacobs
Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen for The Row
Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez for Proenza Schouler

Menswear Designer of the Year nominees
Billy Reid
Patrik Ervell
Simon Spurr

Accessory Designer of the Year nominees
Reed Krakoff
Alexander Wang
Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez for Proenza Schouler

Swarovski Award for Womenswear nominees
Joseph Altuzarra
Chris Peters and Shane Gabler for Creatures of the Wind
Max Osterweis and Erin Beatty for Suno

Swarvoski Award for Menswear nominees
Antonio Azzuolo
Phillip Lim
Todd Snyder

Swarovski Award for Accessory Design nominees
Irene Neuwirth
Pamela Love
Tabitha Simmons

Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award
Tommy Hilfiger

Media Award
Scott Schuman and Garance Doré

Fashion Icon Award
Johnny Depp

Founders Awards
Andrew Rosen

International Award
Rei Kawakubo for Comme des Garcons

TFI on Rue La La: London Fashion Week

London Fashion Week ran the gamut from boy-meets-girl suiting and louche pajama dressing to artfully singed eveningwear from designers Burberry Prorsum, Paul Smith, Aquascutum, Roksanda Ilincic, Giles, Mary Katrantzou, McQ by Alexander McQueen, Peter Pilotto and Stella McCartney's London Evening collection, the last of which drew an A-list crowd (Kate Moss, Anna Wintour, Bianca Jagger, Shailene Woodley, Rihanna) and a flash mob of dancing supermodels. Missed the action? Not to worry. I covered it for The (Style) Guide.

TFI on Rue La La: Lynne Hiriak of Cardigan

I recently spent a delightful afternoon hanging out with Lynne Hiriak, the designer of Cardigan, at her Williamsburg home/office, which you can read about over on Rue La La's The (Style) Guide.

1 = 1,000: Thom Browne

TFI on Rue La La: CFDA "Impact" at FIT

I attended the press preview for the FIT exhibit, Impact: 50 Years of the CFDA, just before New York Fashion Week, which drew the likes of Tory Burch, Reed Krakoff, Isabel Toledo, Tracy Reese, Carolina Herrera, Narciso Rodriguez and CFDA presidents past and present, including Diane von Furstenberg, Donna Karan, Stan Herman and Oscar de la Renta. If you want a master class in the diversity that is American fashion, Impact delivers.

1 = 1,000: NAHM

TFI on Rue La La: NYFW Fall '12 Trends (part one)

It's all about layering, sweater dressing, digital prints, high-tech fabrics, sexy stockings and borrowed-from-the-boys styles next season.

TFI on Rue La La: CFDA Health Initiative

The Council of Fashion Designers of America Health Initiative kicked off New York Fashion Week with a discussion entitled A Well-Balanced Life, featuring panelists Karolina Kurkova, Monique Pean, Elettra Wiedemann and Arianna Huffington, moderated by CNN's Alina Cho. In the audience: Diane von Furstenberg, Anna Wintour, Steven Kolb, Jenne Lombardo, Tommy Hilfiger, Reed Krakoff, Maria Cornejo, Olivier Theyskens, Prabal Gurung and Tory Burch (among others). I was on hand to report for Rue La La.