The Fashion Informer

At Shelly Steffee: Ethnic Elegance for Spring 2010

"I started with this book about the architecture of fish," explained Shelly Steffee of the jumping off point for her drop dead gorgeous spring 2010 collection, which somehow manages to feel both soft and powerful. "I got really enamored by that - the transparency and the whitened, translucent layers - but it has a bit of edge to it."

Also edgy, and layered in a different way, are the ethnic face painting photos Steffee discovered in the book Desata Planeta, which informed the collection's prints and the textural byplay seen in sheer chiffon tops and elegant wrap dresses, which act as a lovely feminine foil to the more tailored vests, jackets and pants on offer.

Below are images of the spring 2010 collection, along with some behind-the-scenes snaps of Steffee's inspiration and mood boards. You can find our full review at VOGUE.COM.

Lookbook images courtesy Shelly Steffee
Other photos © The Fashion Informer/Lauren David Peden

         
        

   

  

New York Fashion Week Spring 2010 - Best Invites

On average, we probably get about 300 invites to various shows, events and launches during any given New York Fashion Week.  Here, our favorites from Spring 2010.

Photos © The Fashion Informer/Lauren David Peden

New York Fashion Week Spring 2010 - Days Eight and Nine

So I'm still catching up from yesterday (and the day before). Oy.  But here is the last round of front row reports from Oscar de la Renta, Anna Sui, Doo.Ri, Proenza Schouler, Ralph Lauren, Norma Kamali, Phi, Isaac Mizrahi, Calvin Klein and threeASFOUR - the latter of which was one of my favorite Fashion Week moments.  Yoko Ono on the soundtrack, in the audience and on the clothes (figuratively speaking). Genius!

I will post photos for all next week (I know, I know. Bad, bad blogger).  Better late then never, though...

Photos © The Fashion Informer/Lauren David Peden

New York Fashion Week Spring 2010 - Days Seven, Eight

Here are the latest Fashion Week show reports, where the New York trends are shaping up to include suede and leather for spring, killer platform shoes, lots of shine (for day and evening), navy and taxicab yellow, and the continuation of the harem pants trend (some with a gently carrot shape, others with an ankle-grazing drop crotch).  More on that after fashion season ends.

For now, here's the latest on Zero + Maria Cornejo, Julian Louie, Thakoon, Yeohlee, Vera Wang, Rodarte, Halston, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Betsey Johnson, Narciso Rodriguez, Baby Phat, Michael Kors, 3.1 Phillip Lim and Marchesa.  Sleep can wait!

Photos © The Fashion Informer/Lauren David Peden

New York Fashion Week Spring 2010 - Days Four, Five, Six

Where have I been you ask?  Running around town covering shows for VOGUE.COM, of course.  Which is where you can find my reports on Cynthia Rowley, Costello Tagliapietra, Juan Carlos Obando, Esquivel, Richard Chai Love, Karen Walker, Alexander Wang, Boy/Band of Outsiders, Poleci, Lela Rose, Derek Lam, Thom Browne, DKNY, Diane von Furstenberg, Y-3, Rachel Roy, Zac Posen, Carolina Herrera, Donna Karan and Marc Jacobs, with coverage of Gareth Pugh's New York Fashion Week film debut thrown in for good measure.  No rest for the wicked during New York Fashion Week!  Photos will be posted next week when I come up for air.

Photos © The Fashion Informer/Lauren David Peden

Marc Jacobs Spring/Summer 2010

Here are a few shots taken at tonight's Marc Jacobs show.  Enjoy!

 

Photos © The Fashion Informer/Lauren David Peden

New York Fashion Week Spring 2010

Talk about best laid plans.  Before Fashion Week started, I'd planned to post juicy tidbits, photos, reviews and blog entries each day about the comings-and-goings of the fashion flock.  But my eight-shows-a-day schedule has made that nearly impossible.  So for now, here are the most recent recent reviews I've done for VOGUE.COM - on under.ligne, Claiborne by John Bartlett, Lyn Devon, Nima, Vena Cava, Duckie Brown, Tom Scott, L.A.M.B., Jen Kao, Preen and Jason Wu - along with coverage of the FIT Couture Council luncheon honoring Dries van Noten, the Anna Sui/Target pop up shop party and, of course, Fashion's Night Out (because all work and no play makes The Fashion Informer a dull girl).  Happy reading!  

Photos © The Fashion Informer/Lauren David Peden