Narciso Rodriguez Spring Summer 2012

 No. Yes. Yes

No. No. Fuck me dead, no.

Rodriguez has really pushed himself into new territory this season. Regular customers will probably be perplexed but Rodriguez is long overdue for something new. Was he trying something new because he felt genuinely inspired or was it simply trend-driven? It was pastel colour blocking and tricky draping-too tricky at times.
Some of the pieces looked over- designed and recalled the work of Helmut Lang and Balenciaga. The jackets didn’t work. They were strong in the shoulder then fell straight and low and swishy. Extremely unflattering. Look at a Stella McCartney collection if you want to see a well constructed oversize tailored jacket. Despite the tricksy construction the collection was concise with just 30 looks. It’s such a drag when designers like Michael Kors show 60+ looks because if you don’t get your message across after 30 looks then you’re clutching at straws. The pants were strong and some of best I’ve seen so far (Karen Walker's pants were great too but they always are).

Karen Walker gives good pant.

Karen Walker: Flies, Skulls & Wolves

Plenty of tom-boy looks in typical Walker style. Not a very exciting collection but plenty of fun stuff to be had. A swirling blue wallpaper print upon closer inspection turned out to be made up of flies, skulls, trees and wolves. The sheepskin and corduroy was a bit 70’s but also a nod to New Zealand, where Walker lives. Though not attention grabbing it was still a very well put together collection which is more than I can say for many other contemporary brands in New York right now.

NEW YORK FASHION WEEK IS OVER

My head is still spinning from all the collections I've seen this past week but there's barely time to breathe. London is already kicking and screaming.
I had a quick look on the official LFW website and I think I saw Bora Aksu has already shown so I've gotta look at that.
I saw Jeremy Scott is on the schedule too. Apparently he's going to be showing this collection in New Zealand for fashion week and none other than Vivienne Westwood's muse, Pamela Anderson will be there.

I think the Spring shows were the strongest I've seen in New York lately. The last two seasons were blaaah.

My faves for New York were Donna Karan, Marc Jacobs, Proenza Schouler, Alexander Wang and Karen Walker.

Worst collections? That's tough and most would be for different reasons but off the top of my head Peter Som (but maybe I just don't get his vision), Narciso Rodriguez, Halston (just let the man rest in peace) and Ralph Lauren.

ps, here's a pic of my fave shoe of the season. It's Calvin Klein. It kinda reminds me of this hideous orthopaedic shoe my maths teacher used to wear. You know, the ones you buy from the pharmacy. I love them.

KAREN WALKER SPRING 2010

Karen Walker took a bow at her Spring/Summer collection wearing skinny jeans, heels and a black tuxedo jacket over a slouchy marl t-shirt. It’s this effortless chic that runs through her collections and Spring 2010 was no exception.

A naval theme was present in a collection of mostly navy blue, khaki and punches of yellow that recall perhaps a childhood spent outside in the rain, jumping in puddles instead of being inside playing with dolls. The Karen Walker girl has always been a tomboy and there was a well cut pant in khaki with a rolled cuff to keep fans happy. The navy theme was present but not overdone. A navy and white striped boater cleverly turned up again in a pretty navy dress with white trimmed ruffles and if a gold buttoned blazer is too obvious then a neat little jacket with bronze zippers should do the trick.