Inside Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2010

Here's a quick look inside the tents at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2010.

It wouldn't be Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week without the newest car models!

The Heart Truth had daily giveaways including special edition aluminum bottles of Diet Coke featuring The Heart Truth, along with specially made straws and napkins promoting The Heart Truth campaign and its hearth health messages. Let's not forget the coveted red dress pin!

Maybelline sampled mascaras, gel eyeliner, eye shadows and more. They also supplied notepads, which definitely came in handy!

Since I barely end up eating during fashion week, these ZonePerfect Indulgence™ Nutrition Squares were the perfect snack. The bars include at least 10 grams of protein and at least 18 vitamins and minerals, available in German Chocolate Cheesecake, Caramel Toffee or Chocolate Peanut Butter Mousse.

Vevant, the new online fashion magazine and social network site was giving complimentary massages and gift bags.

Love the handbag and luggage displays from MCM.

- Kim Weling

Arise Magazine African Collective Part III - Fall 2010

Photos courtesy of zimbio.com

Black Coffee

Loin Cloth & Ashes

This is my favorite piece of all the collections

Deola Sagoe

This was the first ARISE Magazine African Collective Show I've attended, featuring three designers, Black Coffee, Loin Cloth & Ashes and Deola Sagoe.

Black Coffee is from South Africa, featuring padded and quilted, over-sized wool and leather coats in muted tones, as well as dresses.

Loin Cloth & Ashes designer Anisa Mpungwe is inspired by her father's hometown of Ifakara in Tanzania. The palette includes white, black, grey and gold. I love the pop of color cobalt blue brings on the shoes and necklaces.

Deola Sagoe is from Nigeria, with the collection Above the Fray inspired by East African Maasai warriors and 18th century European uniforms. With this collection you'll see structured shoulders, lace and bead detail, slashing and fraying in a palette of rusted oranges, browns and deep midnight blues.

- Kim Weling

Video courtesy of mbfashionweek.com

Twinkle by Wenlan Fall 2010

Photos courtesy of nymag.com

Thorn and Vine with black chiffon combo short dress in White/Black, Gold Slide Bracelet (left)
Chantarelle three quarter sleeve blouse with studs in Ink Blue, Chantarelle draped skirt with button detail in Ink Blue, Mad Max Bracelet (right)

Birch Feather one shoulder dress with tie in Berry, Mad Max Bracelet (left)

Houndstooth long sleeve dress with chiffon sleeve in Black/Grey, Cool Cube Necklace (right)

Mystic flutter sleeve dress with embellished neckline and chain belt in Twilight, Arctic Ice Necklace (left)

Mystic sleeveless dress with overlay in Mauve Multi, Leopard Jacquard Pleated mini skirt in Black, Cascading Tears Necklace (right)

Nostalgia short sleeve zipper front cut out dress in Olive, Black Noir Bracelet (left)

Birch Feather three quarter pleated dress with chain belt in White/Black (right)

Clipping sweetheart strapless dress with ruched bodice in Black Multi, Firecracker Necklace (left)

Chunky Knit sleeveless sweater dress belted in Barley, Bulldog Leash Bracelet (right)

This Fall 2010 show was the best I've ever seen from Twinkle by Wenlan to date. Flattering mini dresses, whether it's a strapless, one shoulder or flutter sleeve, all work well for a petite frame. Twinkle by Wenlan, takes chunky knits to the next level with a lean, short sweater dress.

Inspiration for this collection is stems from the tale of Hansel and Gretel, seen through Thorn and Vine and Birch Feather prints and a color palette that represents a journey through the forest - midnight blue, olive green, grey, brown, mustard, royal purple and black and white.

Details include angular framing through piping, hints of lace and exposed zippers. Twinkle Jewels are weighted and twisted, with chokers, draped necklaces, chunky chains and cubes in gold, silver in antique, sparkly and gunmetal tones, red and purple.

- Kim Weling

Here are some additional photos I took at the show

Video courtesy of mbfashionweek.com

HauteLook Lounge at New York Fashion Week - Day 3

On Saturday, February 13th the festivities continued during the last day of the HauteLook lounge, with Jemma Kidd Makeup School providing makeup touch ups. I was excited to receive a Rachel Pally headband and leggings, both made with one of my favorite fabrics - modal. Since there was no XS left, I ended up with a S that looked like a cropped legging. To my surprise, it ended up being a full size legging on me that fit perfectly. These leggings are super soft, smooth and extremely comfortable.

Later that evening I came back to the lounge for the Decadestwo trunk show, featuring designer clothing from Chanel, Prada and Louis Vuitton. I was also excited to receive a $50 gift card toward my next HauteLook purchase.

I wanted to send a special thank you to Kerry, Chelsea and Jeremy, for all your hospitality at the lounge. I enjoyed meeting with all the brands and taking a few moments to relax away from the tents and off-site shows. I hope you make it back next season to kick off Fashion Week at Lincoln Center (until then I can't wait to finish up all these fashion week posts and go back to a normal schedule until September!)

- Kim Weling

Yvette introduces Jemma Kidd Makeup School and provides quick makeup tips

Nima Fall 2010

Model backstage

Nima Fall 2010 was one of my favorites this season. I loved the clothes, accessories as well as the show/presentation itself. During the 2 hour presentation, models continued down the runway one by one, making it easy to get a great shot.

The looks were so jet set, effortless and luxurious -camel wool jackets, black leather skirts and coats, black denim dresses, with pops of color on peacock, sapphire and crystal print dresses. I especially loved the long, knit leggings prominent with every look. Because I have such a petite frame, leggings that are normally too long have a slouching effect on me, so I am glad that I can wear that look with style and appear elongated with some heels. As for accessories, furs are by Saga, hats are by Cori and jewelry is by Dannijo.

- Kim Weling

Matt from Sam Brocato's Salon talks about styling tips

Learn about new makeup shades and tips from Sephora

Nima talks about his Fall 2010 collection

Cynthia Rowley at The Gagosian Shop

The Cynthia Rowley Fall 2010 show after party was held at the Gagosian Shop on February 12th, where guests were immediately able to purchase appropriated designs from the Fall 2010 show. Rowley had photographed her Fall 2010 looks and then had them printed on heavy cotton, creating new pieces of wearable art and an extension of her collection.

An appropriated dress from the Cynthia Rowley for Gagosian collection retails for $320 and an uncut bolt of fabric sells for $280, encouraging you to cut and sew your own creation with the $150 sewing kit that includes the Cynthia Rowley for Gagosian label.

The appropriated pieces will be available at the Gagosian Shop through mid-March. I see the appropriated pieces as conversation pieces, limited edition works of art for Cynthia Rowley enthusiasts.

- Kim Weling

Cynthia Rowley Fall 2010

My favorite looks. Photos courtesy of nymag.com

Motorcross elbow gloves and furocious skirt (left)

Fur/feather printed pant and sheered shell (right)

Lace shell with duscky suede warm up pant (left)

Prussian blue ruched dress (right)

Cobalt lace and tassel top and crisp cropped jacket (left)

Silk tassel flirt skirt with velvet pillow clutch (right)

Razored tassel dress
Cynthia Rowley always manages to come up with fresh inventive looks in vivid colors and prints. For Fall 2010, multi-colored tassel pieces and lace dresses graced the runway, with a mixture of my favorite colors - cobalt blue, purple and black.

Aside from the tassels and lace, some of my favorite pieces from this collection include the slim legging, "furocious skirt", fur/feather printed pant and dusky suede warm up pant. Neck puffers and puffer gloves are the perfect warm weather accessories. I also love the motorcross and gauntlet racing gloves and the fringe clutches and bags.

- Kim Weling

Here are some additional photos that I took: