More looks I like from NYFW SS11

Nicholas Kirkwood for Rodarte

Rodarte

Rodarte

Proenza Schouler

Proenza Schouler

 


 

3.1Philip Lim

Rodarte

Now that the dust has settled

The most notable looks from last week's Costume Institute gala in New York. Note - the big story here is minimalism.

Chloe Sevigny in turquoise lace (by Proenza Schouler): I bet a lot of people didn't like this. It's weird - slightly Victorian-inspired, with the highneckline and the updo, but then also sexy , with the visible bra and abrupt hemline; the colour is jarring - all of which make for an oddly pleasing outfit.

Jamie Bochert in Rodarte for Gap (didn't you think this was Marc Jacobs? I did). The dress reminds me of a 30s partygirl - the hair is pure 21st Century.

Dree Hemingway in Calvin Klein Collection. Geometric, minimalist perfection.

Alexa Chung in 3.1 Phillip Lim. Kudos for wearing trousers (as Kate Moss did a few years back). She reminds me of a glamorous Puss in Boots - or Puss in platform buckle heels, rather.

Sasha Pivovarova, Sean Lennon and Charlotte Kemp Muhl.

I love the way these chaps think they look so cool. While you have to applaud their points of difference - mustard shorts! - I actually think Charlotte's outfit doesn't work on account of the unflattering length of said bottom half. Sasha looks pretty, though.

Kate Bosworth - looking nicely draped.

Amber Valletta in RM by Roland Mouret. Nice graphic lines, and the cobalt blue looks modern. She suits minimalism, this girl.

More minimalist perfection from Zoe Saldana in Calvin Klein Collection.

Naomi Watts in burgundy Lanvin. Some people didn't like this, but I think she looks as delectable as a glass of claret.

Blake Liveley. Again, some people didn't like this, but I smell a fashion snob rat. Just because Ms Lively isn't a leftfield fashion icon doesn't mean she can't rock a fashion moment, and this swirling, Neptunesque mini (by Marchesa) is divine.

You can see all the looks from the Met Ball on Handbag.com

5 New York designers fashion bloggers love

The New York AW10 shows have just ended, and the the online fashion community is having its ears assaulted by the cacophony of thousands of digits busily tapping their opinions. In the same way FBs have certain girls whose style they applaud no matter what, there is a clutch of designers who can do no wrong. Here are the New York ones:

1. Alexander Wang. First noticed due to association with FB fave Erin Wasson. Has maintained FB cool status through creating lots of FB-friendly attire - supple leather jackets, zippy handbags, and by pioneering the whole 90s-inspired revival going on at the cool end of the fashion spectrum right now.

2. Rodarte. Perhaps beloved more than any other designer by the FBs right now. Quirky yet cool, with a carefully managed image that has seen them associated with the likes of Colette, featured in The New Yorker, and worn by FB-approved celebs like Kirsten Dunst and Natalie Portman.

3. Proenza Schouler. The duo have exceeded the initial hype awarded them by US Vogue and Anna Wintour, and gone on to show that perhaps what they are most talented at is creating clothes which tread the commercial /cool divide to perfection. Their tough-looking accessories have been a hit with the FBs.

4. Altuzarra. Joseph Altuzarra is new fave, following endorsements by Vanessa Traina (who has walked in his shows) and Lauren Santo Domingo. Sexy clothes in the Azzedine Alaia / Tom Ford vein.

5. Marc Jacobs. FBs would like to not like him due to him being a fashion dinosaur (FBs are a fickle crowd, and also hate to like anything mainstream), however his seemingly endless capacity for translating cool (helped by collaborator Venetia Scott) keeps him right up there in the FBs books. Celebs weren't invited to his latest show, which is the kind of stunt FBs love.