Emerson Spring / Summer 2013

 

For Emerson Spring/Summer 2013, designer Jackie Fraser-Gold credits 1970s and modern day horror films as main sources of inspiration. The Emerson S/S 2013 collection girl is young and edgy, chicly dressed in sheer fabrics and a lot of black and white. Unexpectedly bold patterns and colors also came down the runway, in contrast to what I was expecting.

From the moment the lights went on until the last strains of closing song “Fight for Your Right” by the Beastie Boys, Emerson was everything I ever wanted a runway show to be and more. It could have just been the letter jacket and many pairs of Swiss-dot knee socks, but the show reminded me of all the best things about high school: prom, homecoming, football games... although I do remember high school being a bit of a horror as well. Even the braids (done by Zahir Ziani for Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spas) reminded me of hairstyles that were popular when I was in my teens.

I wouldn’t be disappointed to find this entire collection hanging in my closet, but my favorite looks were the high-low silhouettes, especially the one with the polka dot Peter Pan collar. *

Photos by Alexandra Shook, Delayed Missives

- Alexandra Shook, Delayed Missives

Allure Upstairs Lounge at New York Fashion Week

The Allure Upstairs lounge on the 2nd floor of the Empire Hotel was packed with press and VIP guests enjoying facials and skin consultations by SkinMedica, hand treatments from Bioxidea, manicures, makeovers by Maybelline New York and hair styling by Ricardo Rojas Salon. TeQava sponsored cocktails that tasted like an ingenious mixture of tequila and champagne. In between beauty treatments and services, guests sampled the designer fragrance bar and previewed Renzo + Kai's collection.

- Kim Weling

New York Fashion Week Lounges September 2012: Duane Street Hotel / Cygalle Healing Spa / Clarins

Between running back and forth between shows and then back to the office, I definitely needed some down time to relax. I always look forward to the Fashion Week lounges, whether it's to re-charge my phone and check my emails, or enjoy a facial or makeup touch up. Here's a look at some new lounges I experienced during Fashion Week Spring 2013.

The Duane Street Hotel Blogger Lounge

Duane Street Hotel hosted a blogger lounge from September 6-13th at 130 Duane Street, with complimentary WiFi, beverages by Perrier, delicious brownies by Chef Jehangir Mehta and special gifts including a REN skin care set and  voucher for a complimentary makeup touch up at Pas De Deux Salon. This was my first time at this boutique hotel, which was a nice quiet and relaxing getaway from all the fashion shows. 

During the week there were special appearances and events held at the blogger lounge, featuring designers Rae Francis and Rebekah Lea. 

The Royal Treatment at Fashion Week

On September 7th and 8th, Cygalle Healing Spa invited media and Fashion Week VIPs to experience 'The Royal Treatment' also hosted by Organic Avenue, Best Drug Rehabilitation and exclusive yoga sessions by Dechen Thurman at The Empire Hotel Rooftop.

Guests enjoyed a complimentary Cygalle Healing Spa massage with hot stone and aromatherapy or True Holistic facial. I immediately felt rejuvenated by the facial, incorporating Cygalle Healing Spa's True Holistic skin care products - Chamomile Licorice Makeup Remover, Spice Face Wash, Cranberry Anti-Oxidant Toner, Volcanic Clay Scrub, Gold Leaf Intensive Eye Treatment, Raspberry Q10 Moisturizer and Sea Pearl Elixir. Guests were given a travel kit of the amazing products, for a true holistic facial ritual on-the-go or at home. 

Clarins Lounge

The Clarins Lounge was also held at The Empire Hotel, providing guests with makeup touchups and hand massages. There were plenty of Clarins products on-hand to familiarize yourself with, coveted samples of the Clarins Beauty Flash Balm, a radiance booster that can also be used as a facial mask. 

- Kim Weling

VLOV - QingQing Wu Spring / Summer 2013

I was so happy that I got a chance to cover the VLOV - QingQing Wu S/S 13 show at the tents this season for Fashionably Petite! This was my first introduction to the designer. "Tranquility and the serene sense of calmness influences my designs this season. I want to express this through the ease of silhouette, my soothing colors, the use of wash effects, and crinkled silks and linens", QingQing Wu quoted atop his run of show. I definitely have to agree.

He showed the gents how to dress effortlessly whether they are going to work, going on a date, or just hanging with the guys. I loved his generous use of blazers with each ensemble, but died over the cardigans because I'm a sucker for a guy who can pull off the cardi look. His color palette might have been basic, which is what gents can relate to (grays, blues, khaki, blacks), and his collection is basically what guys need in their closets. Looking forward to his fall collection.

Above images by Jordanna Stephen, The Fashionisette

Below images by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images North America

- Jordanna Stephen, The Fashionisette

Christian Siriano Concept Store Launch

On the eve of Fashion's Night Out, Christian Siriano held a launch party for his first retail store, located at 252 Elizabeth Street. The 1000-square-foot concept store features Siriano's gorgeous gowns and evening dresses, bold clutches and to-die-for shoes.

The party was hosted by Girls' star, Allison Williams and featured music by The Misshapes, Tennessee Thomas and Brad Walsh.

Here's a quick interview with Christian Siriano and his picks for petites

- Kim Weling