NY Fashion Week Diary - Day Three

J Brand Film Shoot for Costume e Societá

First thing on the agenda Saturday morning was an on-camera interview with Jeff Rudes, CEO and President of J Brand, and fashion journalist Mariella Milani for Costume e Societá. My friend Beth is the PR manager for J Brand and allowed me to tag along on the interview. As a publicist for several years this was nothing new for me, but it was still fun to be invited and to help out. When we arrived at the J Brand showroom in the Garment District we immediately started arranging the furniture and pulling samples in anticipation of the interview. Then Jeff arrived and decided on a few more looks to pull with Beth. Finally, the camera guy and Mariella arrived and everyone was ready to start the interview. Mariella is a no fuss, experienced journalist who knows exactly what she’s doing. There was barely any lag time and the interview took about 30 minutes. Since it was fashion week I’m sure Mariella had many places to be and many shows to see. I love working with professional journalists that don’t waste your time.

My aunt Rosa and I at Lincoln Center

Before I knew it the afternoon was upon me and it was time for my first show of the day, Mandy Coon. Once again I headed back to Lincoln Center. This time I was allowed to bring a guest so I invited my aunt Rosa who lives in the city. Mandy Coon’s fall collection showed more leather and unflattering silhouettes than her previous spring collection. Some of the pieces were not exactly my cup of tea, but I did find the tailored dresses and fur accents to be the most appealing.

Mandy Coon Fall 2011

Then it was time for the next show, Hexa by Kuho at the Park Ave. Armory. My aunt and I arrived a bit early so we decided to explore the venue. When we were finally allowed to retrieve our tickets we enter a dimly lit room where the show was about to take place. The show started with each model lit up by a spotlight as they entered. All the models were wearing black dresses which they then took off and reversed into more colorful but not identical versions of the original. As they changed, very loud dance music played and the lights flickered rapidly. Once all the models had reversed their dresses, the flicking lights stopped and they exited the stage one at a time. The presentation was quite an extravagant show, to say the least. I loved the unique concept of the reversible dress, the creative layering and draping, and the variety of colors. After the show we made our way backstage where the designer Kuho Jung was being interviewed on-camera along with South Korean actress Yoon Eun Hye. It was a treat to be able to check out the dresses up close.

Erin Fetherston

Later that evening, Beth, Stephanie (VP of Marketing for J Brand), and I headed to Milk Studios for the 8th Floor shows. The shows that evening included Erin Fetherston, Suno, and Pamela Love. Erin Fetherston, previously a creative consultant for Juicy Couture, debuted her more affordable line, Erin, that evening. The airy and pretty collection was right up my alley of style. Her unique presentation at Milk Studios included models conversing and laughing in the background before they strutted by photographers for their photo op. Overall, I just couldn’t get enough of her fall collection and considering the price tag ranges from $150 to $600 it made it even more appealing.

  

Erin Fetherston Fall 2011

Pamela Love Fall 2011

The next room I visited was the Suno presentation. The fall collection had a variety of vibrant and busy patterns with earthly tones. The charming vintage inspired designs also reflected a bohemian style. The last room was a presentation of Pamela Love jewelry. Her designs consisted of lots of spiky rough metals and crystals. It was a very spiritual and celestial collection, which I would love to get my hands on.

Suno Fall 2011

Model Karolina Kurkova at Milk Studios

Afterwards, it was time for dinner so we met Jeff Rudes and his family at the Standard Grill. The restaurant was packed and the hostess said it would be a two hour wait for a table. So instead we decided to get one drink and briefly say hi to the big boss, Jeff. After our drink we jumped in a cab and headed back towards our hotel. We decided on Delicatessen on Prince since it wasn’t a long wait and only a few blocks from the hotel. We ordered a sampling of what seemed like everything on the menu. It included the Truffle Spinach & Artichoke Dip, Chili Stuffed Corn Bread , Giorgio`s Meatballs Appetizer , Truffle-Parmesan Fries , Grilled Mahi Mahi , Beet, Endive & Fennel Salad , Roasted Sea Scallops, and Milk & Cookies and Ovaltine Pudding for dessert. Everything was absolutely amazing but we were literally stuffed by the end of the night. We then made our way back to the hotel for some much needed beauty sleep.

Related Articles:

NY Fashion Week Diary – Day One
NY Fashion Week Diary - Day Two
NY Fashion Week Diary - Final Day  

NY Fashion Week Diary - Day Two

The morning of Friday, February 11 I woke up to my cell alarm and jumped out of bed to get ready for day two of fashion week. The Tess Giberson presentation was at 9:30 a.m., another early show, but this time I gave myself enough time to get ready.

Texture and layering dominated the Tess Giberson’s presentation. A very wearable collection with several cozy oversized sweaters, cowl necks, and fur vests. Every look was a stylish ensemble that I found very chic and alluring.

Tess Giberson Fall 2011

After the presentation at Lincoln Center, I jumped in a cab and headed back downtown to Milk Studios for the Parsons panel discussion, “What Should We Be Doing?” with Jeff Rudes (Founder and CEO of J Brand), Tommy Hilfiger (designer), Rogan Gregory (designer), Stephanie Rosenbloom (reporter for the Style section of The New York Times), Andrew Rosen (CEO and President of Theory), and moderated by Simon Collins (Dean of Fashion Parsons The New School for Design). The discussion centered on the importance of the apparel industry using American factories, especially those in New York and Los Angeles. Manufacturing in the U.S. allows designers to be more creative and innovative if they have direct access to the factory instead of one overseas. Jeff Rudes, who manufactures denim in California for J Brand, said, “There is something to be said about touching and feeling your samples.” They also discussed how Wall Street should help finance young and emerging designers and how the fashion industry should find a way to connect with Apple or other technology companies in order to help with advancements in production. Towards the end of the panel, Jeff Rudes suggested the establishment of a group or network where young designers could have the guidance of a mentor as they enter the fashion industry.

The Parsons Panel Discussion at Milk Studios

Afterwards on the 8th floor of Milk Studios, I took in the presentation for NAHM. Designers Ally Hilfiger, daughter of Tommy Hilfiger, and Nary Manivong’s freshman collection was not what you would expect from a Hilfiger offspring. Mostly in black and terracotta, they reinvented the shirtdress with a Raven themed presentation that included uneven hemlines and modern silhouettes. The goth-like pieces didn’t strike me as uniquely inventive, but I was still intrigued by their debut collection.

Nahm Fall 2011 - Ally Hilfiger & Nary Manivong

Later that day I made my way back to Lincoln Center for the Cynthia Rowley show. Her collaboration with artist Ryan McNamara produced a show that was about the fashion factory. Before each look, a model would run past the runway entrance in her undies, playing on the idea that fashion is, in essence, a factory assembly line. The artsy collaboration also transcended into the collection with the geometric and cubist-inspired patterns. Personally, I was obsessed with the velveteen fabrics, the fur neck scarves, the calf length dresses, skirts, and pants. This collection was a favorite so far.

More after the jump...