Essie Weingarten at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Lounge

I spent a few moments backstage at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Lounge with nail polish innovator Essie Weingarten of essie, the authority in nail color and care.

Inspired by the 2010 E-Class vehicles, Mercedes-Benz teamed up with Essie to create a limited edition nail color Capri Blue. Capri Blue is the newest addition to a few other Mercedes-Benz inspired colors - Mars Red, Safet-E, Palladium Silver, Black Series and Diamond White.

If you are looking for this color it would be very hard to come by. VIPs attending Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Bryant Park are able to get their hands on Capri Blue, as well as the following salons - Samuel Shriqui, OC 61 and Kay Runn Hirsch.

- Kim Weling

Essie Weingarten talks about the exclusive Capri Blue, and shares nail tips

Rachel Bilson at the Spring 2010 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week TRESemmé Lounge

Rachel Bilson and model Ronnie Kroell,

runner up from Season One of Make Me a Supermodel

On Tuesday, September 15th, Rachel Bilson stopped over at the TRESemmé Lounge right before attending the Brian Reyes show. She looked gorgeous in a Brian Reyes dress.

TRESemmé is partnering with Conde Nast for an exciting new “Steal the Show” campaign with Rachel Bilson, giving readers the inside scoop on hair-to-toe trends, debuting in November.

TRESemmé proudly sponsored and created hair looks for the Tracy Reese, Whitney Eve, Mara Hoffman, Nicholas K. and Brian Reyes shows.

During Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2010, attendees who stopped by the lounge got goodie bags filled with TRESemmé products, including their #1 selling Vitamin E Moisture Rich Shampoo and Conditioner and Tres Two Ultra Fine Mist Hair Spray. The lounge offered dry styling and touch ups to attendees(tip: your best chance of getting your hair blown out or curled is to go early in the morning to beat the crowd!)

- Kim Weling

Christian Siriano Spring 2010 RTW and Payless Shoe Collection

Photos courtesy of nymag.com

video courtesy of mbfashionweek.com

As I was shut out of the Christian Siriano show, for being at capacity, his spring 2010 collection received full applause from those of us who watched the show on-screen in the lobby of the tents. The collection is inspired by the notion of luxurious Mediterranean travel.

The palette includes soft khakis, nudes and blushes, infused with rich colors fuchsia, blue and orange, picturesque of yachting in the coastal sunset. Siriano has really stepped up his game for spring, with incredible oceanic and volcanic prints on stunning silk, chiffon and organza. The fabric print was created using an aerial photograph of the intricate Italian coast line that has been flipped, modified, repeated and saturated with Volcanic and Oceanic colors.

I especially like the draped sleeve detail seen on the washed silk cotton waist blouse and on the two toned silk dress. Spring continues with the metallic linens, as seen on the zip front dress in ocean and pleated short. Siriano still shows his dramatic flair, yet focuses on wearable ready-to-wear pieces, like the satin-faced chiffon draped bustier with diagonally draped skirt in volcanic print and a beautiful satin-faced organza draped strapless dress with beaded bodice - the perfect evening dress. I do love the gowns Siriano presents in the collection. You can definitely see the craftsmanship, skill and work put into them.

To go along with the spring looks, get ready for the Christian Siriano for Payless shoe collection, also including two of the handbags seen on the runway. The upcoming spring shoe collection marks Siriano’s third line for Payless, this time encompassing textural tribal themes with the use of mottled prints and hides with raw metal sequins and details.

The upcoming Payless collection includes To-the-Point pump with upturned point toe and exposed platform sole, It’s-a-Cinch ankle bootie with teeny peep toe, All-Done-Up pump with nickel sequined straps, Cut-it-Out high vamp pump with thick ankle cuff strap and metal sequins, and Stripped Away ankle boot, including a giant zipper that runs all the way up the front of the shoe with a chain tassel zipper pull. The shoes feature Siriano’s signature bull-horn heel in colors that match the runway collection.

- Kim Weling

Georges Chakra Spring 2010

Photos courtesy of Getty Images for mbfashionweek.com
video courtesy of mbfashionweek.com

Georges Chakra is always one of my favorite shows to attend, with amazing chiffon cocktail dresses and gowns. Spring 2010 has a lot of color – lime apple, yellow, aqua, sky blue, pink and deep pink, along with bronze, pistachio, bronze and classic black and white.

It is all about the details and accessorizing most of the looks with a silver leather belt. Each look has different embellishments, including Swarovski crystals on straps, metallic and pearl jewelry at bust-shoulder point, bronze metal ring at shoulder, beading and stones.

Favorite looks include a short black satin drape dress with metallic and pearl jewel accessories with silver leather belt, short lime apple chiffon dress with horizontal and vertical details at front, with chiffon cape at back and satin lining, chiffon sky blue gown with bed embellishment and silver leather belt, short strapless mosaic sequined dress in white, ivory, silver and bronze shades with ivory ruffles, chiffon deep pink drape dress with embroidery and silver leather cross bands.

- Kim Weling

Monarchy Spring /Summer 2010

Photos courtesy of nymag.com

video courtesy of mbfashionweek.com

Monarchy Spring/Summer 2010 by Eric Kim is inspired by the Roi de la Planete Bleue festival in Nice.

The collection includes lightweight fabrics such as satin, linen, organza, silk jersey, along with leather and cashmere. The palette includes neutral colors – white, cream, khaki, caramel and grey, with a splash of metallics and blues, including navy and teal.

Favorite looks include the white organza origami pleat deep v dress, blue floral taffeta strapless origami pleated dress, white organza shirred sleeveless top with khaki twill obi belted skirt, metallic linen jersey criss-cross back top with khaki twill paper bag short, metallic linen jersey asymmetric draped short sleeve top with blue suede paper bag short and tobacco leather asymmetric draped jacket with white jersey box tee and white high waisted skinny denim.

- Kim Weling

Twinkle By Wenlan Spring 2010

Photos courtesy of nymag.com

For Spring 2010, Twinkle by Wenlan’s collection exhibits “the spirit of Yoko Ono with the attitude of Blondie for a riotously artistic doctrine.” Twinkle’s colorful and artistic Oil and Water, Peeled Paint, Paradise Etched and Flower Myth prints stand out amongst black and white pieces.

Twinkle always includes dresses and separates that tailor to a petite frame, without having to shorten a dress or skirt. I love the look of an exposed metal zipper on a skirt or dress – it’s like an added accessory. The tangle and knot necklaces and bracelets highlight each look, whether it’s on print or black and white.

Favorite looks include a silk Oil and Water off the shoulder graphite shirt dress, silk Azalea sleeveless dress with front panel layer and exposed metal zipper, silk Peeled Paint dress with elastic high waist, silk Albertine white dress with sweetheart neckline and sheer chiffon, exposed metal zipper and ruffle tier bodice, silk Etoile Jacquard deep v sleeveless jumpsuit with straight leg.

- Kim Weling

video courtesy of mbfashionweek.com

Rosa Chá Spring 2010

Photos courtesy of nymag.com

Rosa Chá’s new Spring Collection – Special Edition is simple, yet elegant with crystal appliqué finishing. There aren’t exotic or unique prints - mostly dots, stripes and chambray, with a touch of sophistication. These looks would work for someone going to the Hamptons or a pool party, a fit for the everyday lifestyle. The bikinis and classic one piece swimsuits are versatile, with the looks changing from beach-appropriate to dining or drinks attire, just by adding a dress, jumper or high-rise pants over a swimsuit.

Alexandre Herchcovitch is Rosa Chá’s new creative director, inspired by the essence of the brand’s beachwear and structure of lingerie.

“Architecture was the foundation for designing the brand’s classic beachwear pieces such as triangle tops, one piece swimsuits and cover-up items for the pool and the beach,” says Herchcovitch.

Favorite looks include a striped plunging-v neckline blouse with bandeau top & high waisted bottom, halter top and striped low-rise bottom with gold chain detail and layered halter top swimsuit.

- Kim Weling

video courtesy of mbfashionweek.com