returning to my old stomping grounds...Milan and New York

The past month has been a whirlwind. I received an amazing opportunity from a past employer to consult/freelance in Milan and New York. Within a few days of the offer, I was on a plane to Milan, excited to see friends, clients, and the city again. Needless to say, it was my tenth trip to Milan in less than three years, so I've grown a bit attached to the Milanese culture.

my colleagues walking through Via Dante

Immediately, I fell right into my element once again. Instead of stressing about upcoming busy days of client appointments, I strived to live in the moment and take things day by day. Throughout the trip, I remained focused and enjoyed re-connecting with familiar faces. The trip to Milan was truly a blessing and gave me the courage to follow my passion.

on Corso Como, wearing Jil Sander Spring 2011 Runway

After returning to Chicago from Milan, I quickly sent my clothes to the dry cleaners and repacked again. I flew to New York and continued to work another week. I was a bit apprehensive to be in New York again after living in the city for years. Would I feel regret? Or, would I not be able to get out of the city fast enough? 

I quickly felt like I had never left New York. Yes, restaurants and businesses have come and gone, but the city is very much the same as I had left it. I assumed my role of a former New Yorker fashionista, tromping through neighborhoods in my large sunglasses and sky high wedges, reveling once again in the downtown street style. 

Summer is in full swing and buying appointments are (finally!) winding down. I have much more to report on, so please stay tuned. 

Xx,

B

long live MCQUEEN!

It's hard to believe that it has been just over a year since designer Alexander McQueen's passing, but Creative Director Sarah Burton has proven that his spirit lives on. Tailoring, structured silhouettes, and wild designs have often been the core of the brand. Burton, (former right hand design aide of the late designer) has been instrumental in carrying McQueen's aesthetic forward, by adding her own feminine touch. 

Shown in Paris last week, the color palette consisted of white, black, grey, and a touch of lilac. The first few looks were structured white skirt suits, with strong shoulders and fur trim. Following the white escapade, were darker, edgier looks. A bit of a nod to Black Swan? Perhaps. But, more than likely, Burton reflected a bit of McQueen's former darker demons. The drama continued throughout the show in a structured cap sleeve tops, paired with a soft, A-line skirt. Embroidered gowns that looked like a couture creation, ended the show. 

Many retailers should have no trouble finding plenty of pieces to please their loyal McQueen client. Before Burton took over the helm, it was often risky for retailers to reason buying creations directly off the Runway. Buyers looked to commercial versions that could give a similar, but less costly effect. The drama however, certainly remains intact, but jackets, coats, and even dresses appear to be more wearable than ever. Burton has once again created a phenomenal showing. No doubt that she will continue to excite loyal followers that McQueen lives on.

Top 5 Milan Fall Fashion Week Shows

Milan Fall Fashion Week

1. Bottega Veneta

Tomas Maier, creative director of Bottega Veneta, presented an exquisite collection of mohair coats, distressed lace dresses, and beautifully deconstructed gowns. 

2. Fendi
The perfect peacoat, inside out shearlings, bright colored furs, and more mod from Milan was shown by Karl Lagerfeld this season.

3. Gucci
After a few seasons at the club, the Gucci girl has grown up and is back to work. Frida Giannini brought back the bold colors this season and infused them into every category. In addition to the sportswear, evening wear was absolutely stunning.

4. Jil Sander
The couture sportswear that Raf Simons, creative director of Jil Sander showed last Spring appeared on the Runway again this season. Double face cashmere coats, capes, and jackets, were paired with a skinny ski pant. A new floral screen print also popped up on coats, jumpsuits, and boots.

5. Prada
A few fall seasons ago, Miuccia Prada had you salivating over lace dresses at Bergdorf Goodman. This Spring, you drank the kool-aid and are hunting down a colorful striped monkey top. Next Fall, you will be tucking your cashmere socks into your Mary Jane's, wearing aviators, and not leaving the house without a colorful plaid coat.

New York Fashion Week Digest

Enjoy the my NYFW digest below of the last shows!

Marc Jacobs

One wonders what Marc will have up his sleeve each season, or should I say on his sleeve? This season, it was all about polka dots, lurex, and hints of the early to mid-20th century.

There is truly no one like Jacobs in the American arena. He is consistently evolving each season, but always staying true to his aesthetic.

Michael Kors

Michael Kors celebrated his 30th anniversary with a tribute to the 80's, 90's, and now.

Kors has defined quintessential American sportswear for the last thirty years. He has dressed us for work, a date, and even to pick up the kids from school. Nothing groundbreaking was presented in this show, but Kors allowed us to see that it's nice to return to our roots...every once in awhile.

Rodarte

California sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy presented a Rodarte show unlike anything ever seen from the design duo. The concept behind their creations is often very organic, stemming from wildlife or a landscape. Eyelet dresses, wheat print on a long silk dress, and golden tones all reflected references to the Great Plains. The hues shown throughout the show uniquely mirrored a day in the Plains, from sunrise to sunset.

Amidst the golden tones of the show, a nod to Dorothy Gale from The Wizard of Oz appeared in two looks, in a red jacket and sequined skirt.

Another exceptional creation from the Mulleavy sisters!

The Row

Another (twin) sister duo, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen presented a luxurious Fall Collection this week in New York. Say what you want about the Olsen twins, but these two have proven that they are the real deal. They have carefully controlled every aspect of The Row, from design, distribution, menswear, runway shows, and now the debut of their handbag line. I have also spoken with a seller of their collection and hear that season after season, the girls have been in the showroom during Market appointments interacting with their Buyers.

The show this season was scaled back to a presentation in New York. Tailoring and minimalism has continued to be the core of the label. The fabrications and materials included cashmere, fur, leather, crocodile, and a hint of lace.

Vera Wang

Vera Wang's Fall show heavily referenced a recent trend of couture sportswear. Most notably shown during Spring 2011 by Raf Simons for Jil Sander, Wang produced pleated long gowns, worn under outerwear. The long gowns were playfully worn with a ankle boot, creating an edgier day to evening look.

Derek & Donna

Derek Lam

Oh, Derek. NYFW just got a WHOLE lot more interesting. The past few seasons, we have seen a lot of military looks (think trench, peplum jackets, riding pants) from Lam. The shapes have been consistent, almost staples for the house, until this past Sunday. Lam went outside his comfort zone and presented very modern, yet wearable luxury shapes.

The first look was a fitted light blue wool jacket paired with a longer skirt. Light blue and pops of red filled the runway between more neutral looks.

One of the most profound looks, was Look 11. Lam paired a wool or cashmere striped cape (it appeared to have a leather trim) that was longer in the back. The cape was worn over a long sage green asymmetrical turtleneck that could be cinched at the hem. These pieces were paired over the leather legging, a similar shape as his riding pant staple.

The show was cohesive and true to Lam. It's inspiring to think what's to come from Lam in the seasons ahead!


Donna Karan

After showing a divine Spring/Summer collection, marking the 25th anniversary of her label, Karan kept true to form in celebrating...the woman. Shades of pearl grey, ice blue, charcoal, and sage filled the runway. As seen through many shows (not just Karan's) last season, hemlines are coming down. Skirts and dresses from the waist down were form fitted. Sleek tops, coats, and silk scarves gave a more sensual look. Karan used plenty of wool jersey, silks, and fox fur in her looks.

Jason Wu

Jason Wu showed classic American sportswear Friday with a Baroque inspired twist. Lace detail on several silk georgette blouses, jackets, outerwear, and even embroidered on the sleeves of a heather grey sweatshirt. How is that for juxtaposition? Wu's team even hand applied tiny paillettes to a gold lace gown, embellishing what has already been embellished. It took over 600 hours to create.

Aside from embellishments, Wu paired a buttoned up blouse with a leather pencil skirt creating an edgier look that should please his younger clientele. The color palette on the runway consisted of lots of neutral tones such as cream, nude, grey, and black, with pops of bright blue, red, and pear green.

Is Wu playing it safe? Certainly. He created a beautiful show of 21st century modern elegance. But many of the styles shown were not groundbreaking. Why not evolve his impeccable tailoring even further and develop a few structured dresses with embroidery? Wu has proven he is here to stay beyond the red carpet and dressing the First Lady. Changing up his approach to femininity each season wouldn't alienate his clients, it would make them more eager to see more.

Happy New York Fashion Week!

"Every year, the women of New York leave the past behind and look forward to the future...this is known as Fashion Week." - Sex and the City: The Movie (I couldn't resist!)

Today marked the first official day of New York Fashion Week. Runway shows and presentations will run through the 17th in New York. Check back on frontrowrunway for the latest coverage of New York shows! 

Here's a sneak peek of the shows I am looking forward to covering:

Derek Lam

Lela Rose

Marc Jacobs

Michael Kors

Donna Karan

Vera Wang

J. Mendel

...and more!

ciao for now!

xxB

you can take the girl out of the city, but you can't take the city out of the girl...

Welcome! With the gentle urging of friends and family, I have decided to blog about my long time love of fashion. I hope to share with you the people, places, and things that inspire me the most. Fashion has always been an art form to me, long before I began working in the industry. When most thirteen year old girls were reading teen magazines, I was reading Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. I thought the advertisements from fashion houses were beautiful and so strong. In college, I would cut out my favorite advertisements, and "wall paper" my dorm wall with these images. 

Within six months of graduating college, I accepted a paid Market internship for a well known fashion house in New York City. I planned to stay in the Big Apple for 6 weeks, but my adventure in the fashion industry kept me in New York for over 3 1/2 years. 

After I finished my internship, I accepted a job with another fashion house and worked in Wholesale Sales. The job brought me to Milan several times a year for Market campaigns and the Runway shows. Each selling season, I worked with the top department and specialty stores in North America to bring the best assortment from the collection into their stores. When I was not in Market, I analyzed weekly sales figures, traveled around the country for selling clinics and trunk shows, wrote press credits for magazines, and organized samples for photo shoots. 

Last August, I decided to move back to the suburbs of Chicago. It was a tough decision to leave my job, friends, and New York, but I knew I needed to find a better balance in my life. I continue to work in fashion sales in a slower paced environment and stay connected to the industry. This winter, I began taking Italian conversation classes with a friend through a local college. I have also practiced Yoga and Pilates. It's been fun to try new things that I did not have time for in New York!

Happy Reading!

xxB