NY FASHION WEEK: Diane Von Furstenburg Spring 2012

 The iconic designer and head of CFDA, Diane Von Furstenburg presented one of the most talked about fashion shows so far.  She sent lots of brightly printed large florals down the runway. The designer also showed sold separates in beige, lemon yellow and pops of turquoise blue.  The prettiest pieces were the shimmering pastel day to evening looks.  There was a iridescent print used in 1960's silhouette dresses, embroidered sweaters, tops and sheaths.  The rolled neck on many looks were also quite retro.

The beauty styling was reminiscent of vintage Hitchcock leading ladies with elegant bouffant hair and ladylike pink lips.

Handbags were multiple variations of the envelope clutch.  Some were solid, some were color-blocked.  A few were produced to match the prints of the clothes. 

Fabulous four, Rachel Zoe, husband Rodger Berman, PR maven Lorenzo Martone, model

In a touching finale, Diane Von Furstenburg acknowledged the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks by handing out American flags to guests along the runway.  I love the hug and kiss she gave designer Valentino when she saw him (below).

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Happy Easter! A Special Greeting from Anna Wintour, Karl, John Galliano, Diane and Andre

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Have a beautiful bunny day!  The team at Ms. FABulous

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CFDA's Celebrity Fashion Auction for Japan

Have you shopped or donated to help Japan?  If now, a huge score of top designers and fashion-related celebrities have put together experiences for auctions to help the tsunami victims.  

If you love NY Fashion week, you can bid on front-row tickets and meet & greets with almost every designer involved.  Some designers have donated very intimate experiences, like a paradise vacation at Diane Von Furstenburg's Harbor Island home (in addition to a shopping spree).  You can shop the Olsen Twin's collections right in their studio aided by Mary Kate and Ashley personally.  You and your friends could lunch with Project Runway's Tim Gunn or attend Elton John's Academy Awards Party.  

If you are stylishly inclined, you will find at least one of the 100 auctions to tickle your sartorial bone.  Bid at CharityBuzz today!

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Shop to Help Japan - Designers Save For Tsunami

In times of need, the fashion community gets together to help those who require it most.  Designers and retailers across the board have banded together to produce fundraising events.  Others have donated product for sale with the proceeds going to Tsunami victims like H & M and Uniqlo.  Shopping sites like Ideeli and Gilt have created portals to donate directly.

United Bamboo, Philip Lim body held sample sales to raise aid money.  Theory set up drop boxes for direct donations of items.

If you want to shop for a cause, some designers created a specially-designed product to help. Rebecca Minkoff is donating $100 of each red handbag sold to the Red Cross.  Polo Ralph Lauren is selling a special edition polo where the proceeds will benefit the United Way.  Lady Gaga's website is selling "We Pray for  Japan" wristbands.

The BIG shopping event is coming up from Fashion Girls for Japan.  Over 60 NY designers like Marc Jacobs, Alexander Wang, Alice + Olivia, Derek Lam, Richard Chai, Diane Von Furstenburg (just to name a few) will have rolling racks of goodies to be sold to benefit the American Red Cross.  The event takes places this Saturday and Sunday at the Bowery Hotel (335 Bowery Street, NYC).

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Strut the Sidewalk Catwalk on Broadway

A lot of attention has been paid by the media in saving New York's Garment Center. Local Organizations like Save the Garment Center, the CFDA and Made In Midtown have been fighting to keep New York’s fashion industry intact with local manufacturers.

This week through the September 3rd, New York designers are taking this fight to the streets. The pedestrian-friendly parts of Broadway between 35th street and 42nd street will be home to the Sidewalk Catwalk.

Thirty top American designers and student teams have created original mannequins attired in a signature look. The lineup includes icons like Diane Von Furstenburg, Isaac Mizrahi and Donna Karan. New guard designers, Prabal Garung and Jason Wu are represented as well. Many of these designers, like Nanette Lepore manufacture their clothing in New York as a vital part of their business.

In addition to the exhibit, the original artwork for the mannequins is being auctioned to benefit Materials For the Arts. The organization donates supplies and support for arts programs in schools.

Care to take home a piece of garment center history? Bid here.

Sidewalk Catwalk

Click for Full Slideshow Photos by Adam Weinstein

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Red, White & Blue at the Met Gala

Monday night saw the glamorous and the patriotic grace the red carpet of the Met Gala. The Costume Institute's event brought out the top designers, socialites and celebrities to the museum in honor of the American Woman exhibit.
While the gentlemen overwhelmingly chose a classic tuxedo, the ladies on the other hand, showed the love of their country in American designers.

In Red:

Kerry Washington in Thakoon, Camilla Bell in (and with) Jason Wu

In White:

Gwen Stefani in L.A.M.B.(and hubby Gavin Rossdale), Donna Karan in Donna Karan.

In Blue:

Blake Lively in Marchesa. Oprah Winfrey in (and with) Oscar de la Renta.

Star Spangled:

Diane Von Furstenburg and Eva Longoria Parker in DVF.

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CFDA Announces Nominees

Last week held a lot of news for the Council of Fashion Designers of America. First, Diane Von Furstenburg was elected president for a third time (a first for the organization). Second, the designer held a soiree at her studio to announce the nominees for the CFDA awards.

Prabal Garung, Joseph Altuzarra and Michelle Obama favorite, Jason Wu were nominated for the Swarovski Award for emerging talent in Womenswear. Marc Jacobs, Donna Karan and Alexander Wang are competing against each other for Designer of the Year. For accessory design, nominees include Alexis Bittar, Lazaro Hernandez & Jack McCollough for Proenza Schouler, and Marc Jacobs.

Project Runway’s staple, Michael Kors will be receiving the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement award. The awards will take place at Lincoln Center June 7 in NYC.

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NY Fashion Week: Barbie's 50th Anniversary Fashion Show

Pop culture and fashion icon Barbie celebrated her 50th anniversary on Valentine’s Day at Bryant Park. It was a glorious fashion show featuring the works of 52 designers who were inspired by Barbie.

The show’s audience contained the usual fashion editors, industry vets. It was also attended by celebrities like Heidi Klum and Kellie Pickler as well as many young Barbie fans who were incredibly excited to see their heroine. While waiting to enter the tent, I waited next to famed photographer Annie Leibowitz. Only in hindsight, did I think of playing naïve and asking her to take a quickie photo of me with my digital camera, (talk about a Facebook pic with serious bragging rights!)

This was probably the most fun and flamboyant show I have seen in ages, (as most apparel companies are no longer spending money on this kind of stuff… sigh). Jaded industry vets were no match for the infectious music, cute factor and drama of the outfits on the runway.

The presentation was divided into three acts, the first showcased retro-inspired outfits from designers like Monique Lhuillier, Michael Kors, and Carmen Marc Valvo. They represented Barbie through the decades with glamorous evening gowns and jeweled accessories. The next act, the “Faux Reality” act represented modern and contemporary Barbie with hipster contributions from the likes of Diane von Furstenburg (above) and Baby Phat (above). The last act was inspired by Barbie of the future, with a lot of metallics and funky clear vinyl from designers like Calvin Klein, Betsey Johnson and getting the biggest applause of the day, Bob Mackie (above).

Guests were treated to a great soundtrack of strong women, and tongue-in-cheek selections (”Doll Parts” by Hole opened the show – so wrong and so right). The most entertaining moments was undoubtedly the excitement on little girl’s faces when they saw the pink-ribboned box on their chair. Each seated attendee was gifted with Barbie chocolates by Dylan’s Candy Bar and a limited edition Debut Barbie Fashion Model doll.

Two floor length video screens acted as curtains and projected a sparkling set, the history of Barbie, the multi-ethnic faces of the doll and split apart for the models to make their entrance on the runway.

I am personally ecstatic to finally own my first Barbie doll, (about 25 years after I first asked my parents for one). Why the delay? My parents refused to buy me a doll because they did not want me to grow up with “An unhealthy pre-occupation with frivolous things like fashion”.

Yep, that made me laugh too.

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