Mercedes-benzFashionWeek

The Fashion Statement: Farewell, Bryant Park

Fashion weeks gets underway here in New York today but, even before one model could place a stiletto on a crisp white catwalk, the mood was bittersweet.

That's because this week will be the final time the collections will be unveiled in the Bryant Park Tents. Bryant Park management had long been locking horns with fashion week producers, complaining that American fashion's biggest spectacle was growing too large and restricted public access to the park. In September, the shows will move to Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park, a venue that can better accommodate the twice-annual event.

The shows have been held at Bryant Park since 1993 catapulting more than a few designers' and models' careers and fostering many more memories. Several fashion insiders took the time to reflect recently and the Tents will be adorned with their quotes. Here, a preview:

"I began modeling in 1965 when there were only shows in Paris. When Bryant Park started, fashion became a world event. It was exhilarating." -Lauren Hutton

"Bryant Park became the beacon of what New York fashion stands for-an industry that's fearless, tireless, and always moving forward." -Anna Wintour, Vogue

"Bryant Park became the heartbeat of fashion twice a year... we will miss it!" -Diane von Furstenberg

"Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is when all of New York comes together to shine a light on its family of designers. We share a runway, a calendar, an audience-and of course, the spotlight. As a result, it has given us a world presence. There's no better way to support our industry than when we stand together as one." -Donna Karan

"I'll always have fond memories of the Tents in Bryant Park, it was one of the earlier highlights of my career." -Gisele Bündchen

"I propose that a plaque be mounted in the park as a legacy: 'The Bryant Park Tents 1993-2010 branded New York as the indisputable Fashion Capital of the World.'" -Tim Gunn

Tags: Bryant Park Tents, BryantParkTents, Diane von Furstenberg, DianeVonFurstenberg, Donna Karan, DonnaKaran, Lauren Hutton, LaurenHutton, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Mercedes-benzFashionWeek, New York Fashion Week, NewYorkFashionWeek, Norma Kamali, NormaKamali, Tim Gunn, TimGunn

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Akvinta, Luxury Croatian Vodka Makes US Debut

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Akvinta, the world's first Mediterranean luxury vodka mentioned by my colleague Deidre Woollard when it was introduced to Europe last year, has just launched in the U.S. and is now available in New York, New Jersey and California.

The Croatian spirit was first introduced in New York as the official vodka of the recent Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. The brand is also available exclusively on Virgin Atlantic Airlines as well as in the airline's Upper Class Clubhouse at JFK airport, and at Nobu in New York and California.

Akvinta Vodka is a super-premium, USDA-certified organic spirit, carefully crafted using only premium ingredients including 100% organic wheat alcohol from Italy, pure Dalmatian spring water, and no additives of any kind.

Akvinta's revolutionary quintuple filtration system uses five natural filters - charcoal, marble, silver, gold and platinum - to purify the product, resulting in a smooth spirit with a light citrus nose with a touch of sweetness, a light peppery mouth feel, and a finish with no afterburn.

Tags: Akvinta, Croatia, mediterranean, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Mercedes-benzFashionWeek, Nobu, vodka

The Fashion Statement: New York Fashion Week Wraps Up

by Kristin Young (RSS feed) —

Filed under: The Fashion Statement

How many countless man hours of work goes into New York fashion week? It's particularly impressive that publicists can check in hundreds of people in less than 30 minutes and all the while weed out gate crashers, deal with seat stealers and accommodate divas.

There are certainly more difficult tasks then sitting in the audience. Still, being shuttled through show after show-and trying to retain what you've seen-is exhausting. Today, it all comes to an end.

So what's the best thing about fashion week?

"For me? When it's over!" quipped Fern Mallis, Senior VP IMG Fashion, who organizes Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. "It's such an exciting week. It's like school reunion twice a year."

"Renewal," answered Linda Fargo, Bergdorf Goodman's Senior VP of Fashion.

"People watching for me," said Genlux magazine's creative director Stephen Kamifuji.

And my favorite answer came from André Leon Talley, Editor at Large, at Vogue. "My bed!"

Tags: Andre Leon Talley, AndreLeonTalley, Bergdorf Goodman, BergdorfGoodman, Fern Mallis, FernMallis, GenLux, IMG, Linda Fargo, LindaFargo, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Mercedes-benzFashionWeek, Stephen Kamifuji, StephenKamifuji, Vogue

The Fashion Statement: Overalls are Back

by Kristin Young (RSS feed) —

Filed under: The Fashion Statement

I know. Call me insane, but I've been waiting for this day to come. Overalls have returned.

Ralph Lauren, in his infinite wisdom, has declared this über comfortable piece of clothing fashionable again as evidenced by his Spring show held earlier today.

"I am inspired by the character of the worker, the farmer, the cowboy, the pioneer women of the prairies living authentically through challenging times," he said in his program notes. "I have always admired the honesty of their work wear-the weathered jean, the sturdy overall, the jean jacket, the faded blue work shirt, the naive print of a floral dress."

With the sounds of trains, banjos and Bob Dylan blaring in the background, Lauren sent models out in ripped, stitched and patched RRL denim overalls. One he paired with a metallic pale blue lame blouse and a crystal-encrusted shoe more appropriate for the evening. Another, he topped with an indigo striped jacket. Finally, he created a carpenter pant out of faded blue ombre charmeuse.

The overall certainly fits the baggy, low-crotch pant silhouette of the moment. Genius. Do you agree?

Tags: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Mercedes-benzFashionWeek, overalls, Polo Ralph Lauren, PoloRalphLauren, RRL

The Fashion Statement: Slam it in Neutral

by Kristin Young (RSS feed) —

Filed under: The Fashion Statement

Move aside, paint splats, watercolor prints and all manner of brights. Spring collections like Catherine Malandrino's (pictured above) are also putting it into neutral. Neutrals have traditionally been the stalwart of spring, but these neutrals have, for lack of a better word, umph. There's something urban about them.

Rich khakis are everywhere (Alexander Wang, Vena Cava). Gray matters, particularly darker shades ranging from slate gray to dark charcoal (Narciso Rodriguez, Milly by Michelle Smith). Pale, oh-so-pale-it's-barely-there ice blue looks just perfect right now (Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs). And flesh tones like beige, milky ivory and taupe are so delicate I did a double take because I wasn't sure those models were clothed (Max Azria, Donna Karan).

Of course, there's a method to the madness. Designers are hyper aware that the shopper is going to go for basic pieces that complement what's already in their closet. Neutrals do the trick. And you can always change it up with a colorful bag, scarf or shoe.

Switzerland has nothing on Spring 2010.

Gallery: The Fashion Statement: Neutral Territory

model walks the runway at Narciso Rodriguez Spring 2010 fashion show

A model presents an outfit from Max Azria

Alexander Wang - Runway - Spring 2010 MBFW

Donna Karan Collection - Runway - Spring 2010 MBFW

Tags: Catherine Malandrino, CatherineMalandrino, Donna Karan, DonnaKaran, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Mercedes-benzFashionWeek, Milly by Michelle Smith, MillyByMichelleSmith, Vena Cava, VenaCava

The Fashion Statement: Orange You Glad...?

by Kristin Young (RSS feed) —

Filed under: The Fashion Statement

Who can forget the scene in The Devil Wears Prada in which Miranda (Meryl Streep) lectures Andy (Anne Hathaway) on cerulean blue?

...I think it was Yves St Laurent, wasn't it, who showed cerulean military jackets? Cerulean quickly showed up in the collections of eight different designers. Then it filtered down through the department stores and then trickled on down into some tragic casual corner where you, no doubt, fished it out of some clearance bin.

The rant is memorable no only because it was snarky, but also because it was informative. That's exactly how it happens. Silhouettes and colors take on lives of their own and, before you know it, you have a full-fledged trend.

Halfway through New York fashion week, there's indication orange could be the next cerulean blue, in a manner of speaking (purple and red have been in the limelight recently).

Designers presented several orange "groups" -- three or four looks in one color scheme -- in their collections. Donna Karan's orange gowns and dresses were striking against a mostly pale palette of grays, silver and white. At Carolina Herrera (pictured above), orange gowns and dresses played beautifully off of an array of purple gowns. Carlos Miele showed a killer short cocktail dress with a racer back, one of the highlights of his show.

If that's the color of spring, thank goodness it's flattering. Orange you glad we aren't talking about mustard green?

Gallery: The Fashion Statement: Orange You Glad...?

Mercedes-Benz Presents Fashion Week Spring 2010 Official Coverage

lie Tahari - Presentation - Spring 2010 MBFW

A model wears a creation by Carlos Miele

Tags: Carlos Miele, CarlosMiele, Carolina Herrera, CarolinaHerrera, Donna Karan, DonnaKaran, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Mercedes-benzFashionWeek, The Devil Wears Prada, TheDevilWearsPrada

The Fashion Statement: Bryant Park Tents, the Spectacle

by Kristin Young (RSS feed) —

Filed under: The Fashion Statement

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On any given minute of any given day, rain or shine, lookie loos crowd the entrance to the Bryant Park tents during fashion week. Who are they hoping to see? Do they see them? And how much time do they spend hanging out?

Here's what a few said as the Max Azria show let out this afternoon:

"I read my fashion magazines and I find it quite fascinating--the whole excitement around it," said Clare Payn, an investment banker and photographer from London.

"I don't know what's really going on, but it's exciting. I just saw [a pair of] super heels." said Jenni Lanfear, a personal assistant in Australia. "New York fashion week is huge...especially coming from Australia.

"I'm hoping to see Anna Wintour [Editor in Chief of Vogue]," said another Aussie Jimmy Mouzakiotis, buyer for a supermarket chain. Mouzakiotis had already seen The September Issue (which, BTW, is more than I can say).

And, finally, I approached Noreen Young, a makeup artist brandishing a camera. "Wait. Wait. I'm trying to get Linda Wells [Editor in Chief of Allure magazine]." She got her shot as well as that of InStyle's Fashion Director Hal Rubenstein. "He was just kissing somebody," she beamed.

Average hanging-around time, according to my informal poll? 10 minutes.

Great sightings like Mickey Rourke and Lucy Liu were at the show, but publicists make a point of letting celebs know how to slip out the back way.

Tags: Allure, Anna Wintour, AnnaWintour, Hal Rubenstein, HalRubenstein, Linda Wells, LindaWells, Lucy Liu, LucyLiu, Max Azria, MaxAzria, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Mercedes-benzFashionWeek, Mickey Rourke, MickeyRourke, Vogue

The Fashion Statement: Shop Like Europeans

by Kristin Young (RSS feed) —

Filed under: The Fashion Statement

At New York fashion week, you have access to throngs of fashion journalists, stylists, celebrity stylists and buyers. I was dying to ask these stylish people how they have navigated shopping in a downturn. Are they shopping? Are they cutting back? Have their buying habits changed?

Yes, yes and yes (except one self-proclaimed shopaholic who said if she allowed herself to buy one thing, she'd fall off the wagon).

Answers like this came back unanimously: "I used to buy cheap and volume and now I buy fewer things that are better quality and I take care of them."

Timeless pieces top people's lists for fall. A midnight wool coat. A pair of black pumps. The perfect white shirt. An LBD, of course. And all are planning to make these purchases from well-established designers.

There's little talk of wear-'em-once pieces like plaid trousers, It handbags or look-at-me shoes. If buying more of a statement piece, like the one pictured above from Tuleh (Spring, 2010), they'll wear it a million different ways. In other words, they're shopping like Europeans, not Americans.

"I'm focusing in on what I need and I need a black dress. " said Jennifer Lee Rosth, a fashion editor based in Austin, Texas. "I've been shopping my closet for two years. I was so glad that I had been an American before because I had 15 black dresses. But, now, I'll be more choosy."

Tags: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Mercedes-benzFashionWeek, New York Fashion Week, NewYorkFashionWeek, timeless pieces, TimelessPieces, Tuleh

The Fashion Statement: The Crop of the Season

by Kristin Young (RSS feed) —

Filed under: The Fashion Statement

There are so many eye-arresting Spring looks marching down the runways this week, it's easy to overlook what's going on up top. But the look that caught our eye shouldn't be getting short shrift. Short hair.

A few models have already succumbed to the shears. Bangs are brushed forward and cut to frame the face. The back is rounded and tapers in at the nape of the neck. Think Peggy Moffitt in the topless Rudi Gernreich bathing suit. Very simple, very '60s mod and very edgy next to the sea of mostly curly, long tresses.

The timing couldn't be better. Look around and note who's wearing short hair. I bet your list is very, ahem, short. It's time for a change and, if fashion week is any predictor of things to come, change is on its way. Besides, most of us are already eschewing other purchases for one great haircut.

Tags: haircut, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Mercedes-benzFashionWeek, Peggy Moffitt, PeggyMoffitt, Rudi Gernreich, RudiGernreich, Short hair, ShortHair

Mercedes-Benz Celebrates Fashion & Car Design

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Luxury Cars & Autos, Events

Mercedes-Benz has teamed up with fashion icon Dayle Haddon and Modelinia.com, where supermodels share their beauty, fashion and lifestyle secrets, to curate this season's display for the Bryant Park lobby at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in NYC. In line with the overall theme of travel for the week, the exhibit tracks the journey of fashion and automotive design over the past seven decades. Illustrated with iconic photographic images throughout the years, the display is brought to life with key fashion pieces provided by Southpaw, one of New York's leading vintage resources. Mercedes-Benz Presents designer Narciso Rodriguez closes the Twenty First Century with his contribution to fashion over the last decade, in particular his unforgettable dress for First Lady Michelle Obama.

Tags: Bryant Park, BryantPark, fashion, Fashion Week, FashionWeek, Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Mercedes-benzFashionWeek, Modelinia, Modelinia.com, Narciso Rodriguez, NarcisoRodriguez, Southpaw

The Fashion Statement: What is One Luxury You Won't Give Up?

by Kristin Young (RSS feed) —

Filed under: The Fashion Statement

Here at the spring shows in Bryant Park, there's a lot of waiting. Waiting in lines to get in. Waiting for shows to start. Waiting to exit.

We decided to put all that waiting to good use and ask fashion show attendees what is the one luxury they won't do without, even in tough times. What came back was answers more varied than the colors of spring, ranging from a BMW to a cup of coffee at Starbucks.

The majority chose little luxuries that had to with their person: manicures and pedicures, hair cuts, hair highlights, makeup and massages.

"Teeth bleaching!" offered Wendy Evankovitch, a pediatric dental assistant. "Chiropractor," said makeup artist Szilvia Varrs.

But there were some random answers, too. Nancy Mammana, who owns Rock Media Entertainment, won't do without dance lessons. Zachary Weiss, an intern for publicist Lizzie Grubman, said it was his needlepoint belt by Tucker Blair he splurged on recently. He was wearing it today.

Sadly, clothing was not the first word rolling off tongues, an indication of how difficult a time the industry has had lately. Accessories have had it a little easier.

Violet Xie, a fashion student, said vintage jewelry is her one shopping allowance because it can pump up a simple ensemble.

"I love handbags," said Jordan Brodsky, a college grad looking for a job in fashion, sporting a bright blue number from Michael Kors. "No matter how much weight you gain, they'll always fit you."

What about you? What is the one luxury you won't give up?

Tags: BMW, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Mercedes-benzFashionWeek, Michael Kors, MichaelKors, Starbucks

The Fashion Statement: Vivienne Tam's Digital Designs

by Kristin Young (RSS feed) —

Filed under: The Fashion Statement

Vivienne Tam is one of the few designers who deigns to go near technology.

Tam unveiled the new design of the HP "Digital Clutch," a small purse-size notebook computer aimed at style conscious women. The machine, which costs about $700, will be available next spring.

Backstage before her show last night, Tam told me the print--a red butterfly on Champagne gold background--was inspired by the famous Chinese opera "Butterfly Lovers." The same print showed up in the designer's spring line which was all about ethereal printed caftans, origami shifts and hippie silhouettes. "It's a symbol of happiness, freedom and optimism," she said. All good.

But here's the thing: The Vivienne Tam notebook computer is pretty much your average HP notebook computer with a pretty design on the lid. Will there ever come a time when fashion designers actually design computers? Are we forever bound to squares and rectangles?

If Tam has anything to do with it, the answer is no. "I would love to learn that!" she said. Hear that, HP?

Tags: Butterfly Lovers, ButterflyLovers, Digital Clutch, DigitalClutch, HP, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Mercedes-benzFashionWeek, Vivienne Tam, VivienneTam

The Fashion Statement: Custo Barcelona's Expansion

by Kristin Young (RSS feed) —

Filed under: The Fashion Statement

Bold, graphic prints are certainly having their day in the sun. Spring 2010 is picking up where fall left off with lines such as BCBG Max Azria and Twinkle showing runny watercolor prints, Jackson Pollock-esque paint splats and all kinds of print mash ups during New York fashion week.

Designer Custo Dalmau of Custo Barcelona (pictured above) seems to be dovetailing nicely with the current look. But, since he started out in the business designing T-shirts in the '80s, he has always been obsessed with vibrant, colorful prints. A sneak peak of his line, slated to be unveiled tomorrow night, is a cocktail of peacock feathers, fringe, a bright lipstick print and a whimsical dressing table print (perfume bottles, mirrors).

"What would we be without prints?" Dalmau tells me. "We'd be jobless. To use color in fashion is kind of taboo. Prints are life. Life is in color."

Custo is also one of the few designers is this economic climate who is moving to a larger venue, rather than downsizing. Some 2,500 RSVPs are logged for tomorrow night's show.

What gives? Dalmau says the company has cut production costs to lower the retail price for customers. Changing the weight of yarn, choosing lighter materials and saving money on finishing the goods has made the difference. We can't independently confirm the private company's financial health but we do know Custo Barcelona is expanding to include childrenswear early next year.

Tags: Custo Barcelona, CustoBarcelona, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Mercedes-benzFashionWeek, Prints

The Fashion Statement: A Subdued Fashion Week?

by Kristin Young (RSS feed) —

Filed under: The Fashion Statement

Day two at New York fashion week and, already, the trends we'll be wearing next spring are starting to emerge. But the recession continues to cast a bigger cloud over Bryant Park than the pouring rain outside.

There are fewer shows-about 10 fewer than in February-because designers have moved to less expensive venues or have chosen not to show at all. Other designers pooled their funds (and models) and showed together on one runway.

"It's not as wild as I thought it was going to be," said Damon Webster, a commercial producer who was at the shows for the first time. "It's fairly tame."

Elizabeth Fisch, an intern at Vogue, said the decor of the lobby looks like it's been toned down and there is less intense promotion by sponsors.

Most surprisingly, though, some attendees insist they've seen fewer celebrities. Russell Simmons, Monet Mazur and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have all been spotted as well as an endless supply of TV reality show stars. But without a parade of A-listers, fashion week is not the media circus it's been in the past.

"There was a big line to get a glimpse of Kid Cudi last night," said Webster. Who's Kid Cudi? "Exactly!" Kid Cudi is a well-known hip-hop artist, but you get the point-not exactly a household name.

Then again celeb gawkers would have been very pleased with Fashion's Night Out (a shopping event) on Thursday night, where bumping into big names (Charlize Theron, Hate Hudson, Gwen Stefani, Victoria Beckham) was about as common as running into freaky dressers at the tents.

Tags: Bryant Park, BryantPark, Charlize Theron, CharlizeTheron, Fashions Night Out, FashionsNightOut, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Mercedes-benzFashionWeek, Monet Mazur, MonetMazur

Skybar Miami's Cool New Cocktails

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spirits

The poolside Skybar at the luxe Shore Club in Miami Beach (above) has revamped their chic cocktail menu in time for the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week swimwear shows (check out a sizzling slideshow of bathing beauties here). The indoor/outdoor oasis, which is comprised of four different settings - the Redroom, Redroom Garden, Sandbar, and the Rumbar, which has 75 different varieties of rum - is intertwined with lush gardens ad secret passageways. Check out the gallery for photos and recipes of the new libations, but you'll have to actually go there to get the special Skybar Bento Box prepared by the Shore Club's own branch of Nobu.

Gallery: Skybar Miami Cocktails