From left: Marchesa, Rodarte, and Alexander Wang.
Anything chiffon-y with stars in it (would that I could find star-printed chiffon by the yard to make myself a little a summer romper!!); a mishmash of prints, crochet, knitting, lace-embellished mesh; and menswear turned sassy 80’s flirt.
What trends are you loving for Fall?
-illustration by me.
You can see the video of the Alexander Wang show here
And the Rodarte show here.
Both were streamed live last week at SHOWstudio.com (and you can view a lot more fashion shows from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week there).
Other live streams coming up?
GUCCI Women’s Fa;;/Winter 2010 Collection (on their Facebook page)
Saturday, Feb. 27, at 17:45 CET (11:45 AM EST for you guys in the U.S.)
Emporio Armani Womenswear Autumn/Winter 2010
Friday, February 26th, at 4:30 PM Milan local time (10:30am EST)
Giorgio Armani Womenswear Autumn/Winter 2010
Saturday, February 27th, at 2:15 PM Milan local time(8:15am EST)
Set your calendars!
xoxox
Carly
Since New York was bitterly cold – I layered a pair of Insight Beanpole Ripped Jeans (similar here) over a pair of tights for warmth – they’re ombre colored, going from light gray at the top to charcoal at the bottom, so the color just barely peeks through the rips in the jeans. I was going to layer over turquoise tights, but it really didn’t go with the top.
The top I made out of charcoal gray lightweight suiting fabric. I know it’s hard to see – but it has a center front pleat, and then a double-layered ruffle at the bottom, with grey chiffon sandwiched in between. You can wear it with a plain skirt to look business-like or over jeans (like here) to be more casual.
I’m thinking it would be better without the front pleat and with a rounded neckline instead of the semi-V neck it has now. What do you guys think?
This is a fabulous tissue-weight tee from Mossimo (Target) that I wore TONS as a layering piece in New York. It’s so soft and surprisingly warm – best $9.99 I ever spent!!
The silver stretch pyramid bracelet is no longer available from Forever21 but the Lacquered Pyramid Bangle (in Black/Gold or Black/Silver) is here for $4.80.
Handmade studded fabric ring. I wear this all the time.
I am growing more and more in love with this color of Chanel nail polish. (Saw it on WhoWhatWear, to be honest, and though I was originally looking for O.P.I. Over the Taupe, this is pretty lovely.) It’s a deep mushroom color that in some lights looks like a dark cafe latte color, and in some a light gray with the slightest hint of brown. Plus, it lasts a really long time since it’s Chanel and great quality.
I also added my clip-on Priscilla hair extensions…I so miss my long hair!! (Can’t wait til this current cut grows out…*sigh*) I
love that the extensions are already curly and heat-resistant so I can style them how I want to. Wilshire Wigs has a great selection of clip-in extensions…HairDo hair extensions (from Ken Paves and Jessica Simpson) are super-realistic and great quality!
xoxox
Carly
It just so happens that STEPS is a few steps away from the tens at Bryant Park. I checked in there last year, and though their stuff was cute and affordable, I didn’t feel like it much differed from what was sold at places like Jeans Warehouse or Forever21. This year – HUGE difference.
New buyer, new brands – and just stocked with some great stuff. Bright atmosphere – and ton of clothes to look through and squeal over. (Though I can’t say the staff is the most friendly or helpful; my one caveat.)
I could literally buy the whole front half of the store. Piece after piece: tops, dresses, jackets for Spring, had incredible details, unique (albeit a little flimsy) construction – and it was stuff I had seen nowhere else. And so affordable! Tops and jackets ranged from $39.99 (sale) to at the highest $69.99; with dresses and pants somewhere in the middle. Accessories clocked in from $9 – $40. drooooool
Here are a few fabulous pieces I found:
White leather zipper skirt – $59.99.
I also managed to swing by AlphabetsNYC [their website has been COMING SOON for a year now] on the Lower East Side, one of the few boutiques I had visited last year, where I bought my Ryu double-hood tunic top for a steal (that I’m wearing here in the photo with Yigal Azrouel). AlphabtsNYC is divided – one store is a music/CD store, the other, a knicknacks/gifts/clothing boutique. Both store sides are crowded and crammed with items – kind of kitschy; a little vintage-looking and tongue-in-cheek…but the clothes are a whole ‘nother story!
You head to the lefthand storefront and way into the back, and there are racks for both women’s and men’s clothing and accessories. (The sales staff is pretty indifferent, so I just leave them alone.) My male friend oohed and aahed over a cracquel-grain leather briefcase with flap pockets for $150, and turned over hat after hat rendered in tweeds and dandy-ish pinstripes. I concerned myself with the women’s clothing racks on the right – in the far back; both top and bottom racks are a whopping 70% off [unmarked, so you have to ask and make sure!] and I could barely contain myself at the fabulosity – AND the prices.
I ended up with the sweetest little sheath constructed of wide ribbon fringes in graduating colors, for only $25! Truly a chic steal!
If you are ever in the area you MUST check these boutiques out:
STEPS 1040 6th Ave map it
AlphabetsNYC 115 Avenue A (12 pm – 8 pm daily) map it
Have any of you ever been to these boutiques?
xoxo
Carly
Finally, a chance to visit Century 21! I hadn’t been able to last year when I was in town, but this year I firmly avowed (on Valentine’s Day, no less) to stop by.
If you’ve never been inside Century 21 – this is what it looks like.
Racks upon racks of clothing, in some areas separated by designer, in some, marked just “Skirts 0-6”, and in some “SALE – European Designers” or something like that.
The jewelry I wasn’t too impressed with.
But you come for the clothing. And ohmigosh what alot of it! You literally need hours to sort through everything, and even then there will be racks you’ve overlooked and missed. There’s so much in the wrong section, on the floor, or two things shoved onto the same hanger – so you’ve really, really got to look.
But when you do – gaspworthy finds.
A $1910 Pringle of Scotland nubby silk and brushstroked dress marked down to $129.99???? Swoon. (Sorry I forgot to snap a photo of the dress. Assured it was amazing. Now I’m sorry I didn’t buy it…even though the fabric and hem were quite worn and had some damage.)
A $640 Iodice dress on sale for $49.99? (You can see how the bodice has been ripped and pulled in the photo above, which is why it was marked with the red SALE sticker.)
$1045 Lanvin t-shirt on sale for $119.99. You can see how the ribbon detailing is frayed at the bottom.
$385 Galliano beaded tee on sale for $58.99. This was in pretty good condition.
But- a huge caveat to many would-be bargain-hunters: much of the clothing was dirty, torn, or had been trampled. I agonized over a $355 Vivienne Westwood Red Label puff-sleeve top that had literally been ripped in half, having my friend hold up both sides as I tried it on and tried to determine if I could fix it well-enough to be worn. It was marked down to $25.99, but considering the significant damage and the fact that fixing it would alter the fit of the body, I demurred. But it was so hard! $25.99 for a Vivienne Westwood!!! (But it was made of fabric that felt cheaper and more flimsy than the worst Forever21 piece…so common sense dictated letting it go.)
After only about 20 minutes of browsing, what with the people, the noise, the crowds, etc. I started to feel light-headed and had to leave. I was not feeling physically able to even visit the shoe section, though I saw they had some Vince Camuto booties that I wanted to try on. Oh well, another time! One definitely needs stamina to go here!
If you have never gone – definitely put aside at least a couple hours – and some PowerBars! – to fully take in the designer discount awesomeness.
Century 21 (Cortlandt St. store in the Financial District) – map it on Google
xoxox
Carly
Crumbs Bake Shop cupcakes r da bomb!! [You can drool over all their flavors here.] I’ve limited myself to one per year – which is what it will take me to work off all the calories.:-)
White Hot Chocolate Cupcake: Vanilla Cake filled with white chocolate mousse topped with vanilla cream cheese frosting edged with mini white chocolate chips and topped with marshmallows and white chocolate drizzle.
Yup. Heaven in cake form.
As a side note: What do you think of my Gickr animation? It’s my first using this site’s feature – I thought it was pretty neat!
xoxox
Carly
Carly J. Cais I am a DIY’er, designer, sewist, maker, and marketer. Chic Creative Life is where I share what I do, and help others bring their unique style into their own lives.
