Jill Stuart Fall 2011

Jill Stuart Fall 2011 is one of my favorites shows this season - color blocking with burnt hues of red, orange, navy, forest green and black, neutral mixed with metallics and owl and fox prints.

Flowy dresses have tie-neck blouses, pleating details and longer, below-the-knee silhouettes.

Photos by nymag.com

- Kim Weling

Nolcha Fashion Week Lounge

The Nolcha Fashion Week Lounge took place on February 10th at The Empire Hotel Rooftop, with a Pop-Up Showroom that featured a Designer Showcase including 13 brands in womenswear, accessories eco and bridal.

Celebrity stylist Jess Zaino took me through the Nolcha Style Tour, introducing me to the brands and trends from each collection. My designer picks from the Nolcha Fashion Lounge are Adolfo Sanchez and Iris Perez and Irene Ramos of Abreu Rios. Watch as I walk through my favorite pieces from Adolfo Sanchez here.

I then made my way to The Beauty Oasis and got my hair/makeup done by Paul Mitchell and got lashes applied by Kiss, who were also applying instant manicures with their French nail kits.

Learn more about Nolcha Fashion Week at nolcha.com.


Adolfo Sanchez dress


Abreu Rios

- Kim Weling

Nautica Fall 2011

The Fall 2011 Collection is inspired by the Sleeping Bear Dunes region of Lake Michigan, part of America's Great Lakes region.

The palette consists of navy, grey, white, neutral camel/khaki tones and a pop of orange, paying homage to the Coast Guard.

Some of the pieces include blue or red cotton plaid buttondowns, cotton turtlenecks, wool toggle coats, pants and ties that are very wearable, especially when layered together.

- Kim Weling

Josie Natori Fall 2011 Ready to Wear

Here's a look at my favorite looks for Fall 2011 from Josie Natori Ready to Wear. The pallette includes white, grey and black, with pops mustard yellow, red and blue. The black dresses have a modern twist with draping details.

Photos by Michael Alexander, cliQny

- Kim Weling

Mara Hoffman Fall / Winter 2011

For Fall / Winter 2011, Mara Hoffman features long gowns and dresses, chunky knits and coats in red, black and prints including “Hunter” (Feather camouflage), "Arrows” (Tribal),“Wolfy” (Dreamcatcher), “Kiko” (Geometric) and “Traveler” (Zebra).

The pieces are accented with tassles, braiding and embroidery. Fabrics include stretch silk georgette, chiffon and silk jersey.

As Mara explains, "My influence for this collection started with my husband, Javier Piñón,who's last body of work, entitled O Babalon,has been an enormous inspiration to me. We constantly inspire oneanother and because we are expecting our first child together, asartists we feel more creatively connected than ever.” O Babalon consists of collages built around depictions of an earth goddess, her attendants, priestesses and their mystical terrain. The juxtapositionof spiritual being and warrior, “where veil meets turban,” provides a jumping point for the collection’s aesthetic.

Jewelry by All For The Mountain

- Kim Weling

Vena Cava Fall 2011

Photos courtesy of nymag.com

Star design duo Lisa Mayock and Sophie Buhai of Vena Cava paid homage to the 90s in their FW2011 show at Milk Studios. The venue was packed with the hippest of the fashion scene, including Tavi in the front row. Prior to the show, guests received magazines (cleverly named 'Zina Cava!) showcasing anarray of artistic content put together by Mayock, Buhai and some notable friends.

The collection drew on the more refined trends of the decade. Models strutted down the runway in long, flowing maxi skirts, structured, cropped tops with cut out detailing and square necklines, and wide-legged pants, all topped off with berets. We saw once more Mayock and Buhai's keen eye for unusual prints and their indefatigable desire to produce fashion that is both fresh and inventive.

Standout looks included a long-sleeved, black and white body skimming maxi dress and later, a halter top with cut-out under the bust paired with flowing silk pants subtly tapered at the ankle. Also memorable was the oversized colorblock cardigan with leather sleeves, matched with a cropped top with boning and high-waisted leather shorts.

All in all, the show was in every way a hit - the duo succeeded in creating a collection that was cohesive, and something new, but still saleable. Best of all, it immediately evoked among the audience a sense of inspiration and excitement to draw on a time period that has yet to be explored by the rest of the fashion community.

- Stephanie Wu

Additional photos by Stephanie Wu