NYFW F/W '13: Prabal Gurung, Preen Line, Rachel Roy, Red Valentino, Sea

Admittedly, I totally fell off the blogging wagon. I was feeling a little burnt out. But I'm back, and I plan on catching up to all of the runway collections that've happened in the past few months. I do have a question for you though: Is there something new/different you'd like to see on this blog? I'm open to any suggestions. You can drop a comment here, email me, tweet me -- whatever. Thanks!

Now on to the clothes that'll be relevant in a mere three or four months (that's a frightening thought, isn't it?)...

There's a definite military/bondage theme going on here at Prabal Gurung. I like it, but overall, this outing didn't really capture my heart like PG usually does. Regardless, there's still plenty here to like/covet/buy, like the military parkas and peplum jackets.

Of note: Olive drab, buckles galore, appliqued prints.

I pretty much posted this just for the leather and shearling jacket at top left... I know people who'd probably give a toe to have that.

Rachel Roy's clientele are usually working women, or so I've heard. But looking at the above collection, I think her collection might be best suited for art curators or other creative, yet still somewhat formal workplaces. There are certainly a good number of work-appropriate separates, like the long pencil skirts and the short-sleeve t-shirt.

This isn't my usual taste (anymore), but it was so cute, I couldn't resist including Red Valentino.

Berlin, Copenhagen and Stockholm fashion weeks! Whee!

I've covered Stockholm Fashion Week before (1,2), but I had forgotten about it for a while. Style.com has started sharing pictures from other fashion weeks though, so I'm excited to share my favorites from not only Stockholm, but also Berlin and Copenhagen. Enjoy!

Berlin

Frightening, a little Edward Scissorhands plus The Matrix, but definitely interesting. The leather pieces look great, and large polka dots have been sticking around in fall fashion for some time now.

Of note: Adding interest to black with layering, texture, and opacity; polka dots a go-go, sci-fi theatre.

This collection reminded me of past Dolce & Gabbana collections, with their European take on American tropes... I really like the mix of boudoir (like the laced up knee high boots) and country (all that plaid!).

Of note: Full skirts, Wild West meets Eastern Europe, a bit of the Pigalle...

Copenhagen

Stockholm

Dressing for the Occasion with Warby Parker

Hi everyone! Last week, I was contacted by Kaki Read, the Fashion Coordinator at Warby Parker, who asked me if I wanted to collaborate with her on a post. As a fan of Warby Parker's glasses, I was happy to oblige. Without further ado...

Dressing the Part, at Home and at Work

There are just too many times in our lives when we open our closets and just want to shout. Even if you are relatively happy with the clothes that you own, nothing makes you more dissatisfied than heading out for something specific and not knowing what to wear. The clothes that we wear tell the people around us more about who we are, and if you are someone who finds yourself constantly stuck, it is time to look into what your options may be. There are a number of occasions, which seem to call for special clothes, so how can you meet those needs?

Office Meeting Madness

Business - Warby Parker by thefrocker featuring silver rings

If you are attending an office meeting, it is always in your best interests to dress up a little. Even when your office is business causal, dressing things up a little can help you catch the eye of busy execs who are not always in the main office. There is nothing wrong with looking fairly severe. Start with a black skirt, black hose, black pumps and a black jacket, but then throw things for a loop by adding a button down in a very vivid color. If you have a plum blouse, consider add a plum lipstick to your makeup rotation and also a pair of eyeglasses with multi-colored frames. The point of a look like this is that is plain but still aggressively tied together.

Dinner With the Family

Untitled #147 by thefrocker featuring tortoise eyeglasses

After you've got the office handled, you will find that it is quite important to look into dinner with your family. Your family has a certain way that they want to see you, and it is often in your best interests to dress on the conservative side. For example, if you are invested in making sure that you have a pleasant look for your family, think about a pair of black slacks with a simple stretchy, short-sleeved top. Dress it up a little bit with ceramic or silver bracelets, and if you want to add a fun and charming look to your appearance, choose a pair of glasses with vintage-inspired frames for a bit of flash. Have some fun with the look by throwing on a lacy shrug to go over the top, or add a pair of delicate ankle boots to give the bottom some weight.

If you are interested in dressing up for your family or your co-workers, there are some fantastic choices out there. Just find the ones that suit you best and run with them!

Kaki Read- Fashion Coordinator at Warby Parker

 

Pre-fall 2013: Lela Rose, Kelly Wearstler, Missoni, Nicole Miller, Opening Ceremony, Prabal Gurung, Preen

I can't say I paid much attention to Lela Rose before, but I definitely like this pre-fall collection. My favorites are the saffron-colored dress and the colorblocked moto jacket (2nd to last).

Of note: Painterly influences, inspired colorblocking, flats (give those feet a break!), occasional pops of saturated color.

Look at Kelly Wearstler, getting all graphic 'n stuff! I think her designs improve with each season, which is great, considering what a force she is in the interior design world.

Of note: Cutouts in unexpected places, all leather everythang, futuristic harlequin prints.

The first half of this looks like something the White Witch would wear, doesn't it? Snowy grays and whites to blend into the landscape... and a collar made from Mr. Tumnus' family members, likely.

Of note: Platform boots, fur collars, tweed.

Of note: Rider caps (there are some cute ones floating around with ears on them, if that's your sort of thing), zig zag prints, CMYK inspiration.

Where do I even start? I love this. The prints are cool, the shoes are awesome, there are metallics and bright colors as far as the eye can see...

I have to say, I was really excited for the Prabal Gurung x Target collaboration coming soon (next month, I think), until I looked at the catalogue and realized that if I got everything I wanted, I'd spend over $600. I'm still excited, but I'll have to edit my choices waaaaaaaaaaaay down, because ain't nobody got money for that.

Anyway, of note: neon splashes, a healthy dose of white, head-to-toe prints.

I quite like this punky side of Preen... it's interesting.

Of note: Plaid & leather, slouchy silhouettes, winklepickers and Chelsea boots. Oh, velvet too.

Pre-fall 2013: Erdem, Gucci, Helmut Lang, Honor, Herve Leger, ICB, Just Cavalli, Jenni Kayne, J. Mendel

I remember a few seasons back, Erdem said he didn't think that florals were his signature. Are we still going with that statement? I can't imagine being "king of the florals" is a bad thing -- although that totally makes me think of Game of Thrones...

To me, there's a bit of a 60's influence in the shapes here, especially in the coats and dresses. If you should take just one thing away from this collection, it's definitely the mix of solids and prints: good if you can do it in an outfit, even better if you can achieve it in one piece of clothing, like a jacket.

Gucci took the "Hitchcock heroine" route this season, which I didn't quite expect, though there is often a 60's or 70's influence in the collections.

Of note: Opera length gloves and cropped sleeves to show them off, leopard print, slim pants, strictly controlled volume at the hips.

In general, Helmut Lang is too austere for me, but -- a major but here -- the clean lines and angularity of their clothes always catch my eye. What I wouldn't give for the jackets shown here...

Of note: Motorcycle jackets, a pointed or almond toe heel, mixing dark colors (black and blue do go together, ladies).

All I have to say is that I think I'm turning into a floral obsessive.

Of note: All-over florals. Seriously, put them everywhere.

I think this is one of the sexiest collections yet, with the strappy bra top under a vest (bottom row) and that bra/pencil skirt combination.

Okay, so, florals are going to be really big for pre-fall, don't you think? I really like how they're paired with geometric patterns and stripes here. In case you didn't know, florals + stripes = foolproof way to mix patterns.

I'm really enjoying the path Just Cavalli has taken of late. It's still a bit wild, maybe unpredictable, definitely never staid, but it no longer makes me think "tacky".

Of note: Knee-high boots, well-constructed outerwear, paisley and other lavish prints.

Of note: Punchy primary colors, leopard print booties and knee-high socks, a parka in a sophisticated fabric.

Pre-Fall 2013 Collections: 3.1 Phillip Lim, Alice + Olivia, Alexander Wang, BCBG Max Azria

The year is ending, things are wrapping up, but in the fashion world, we're already looking ahead to Fall 2013. Check out the offerings from a few designers below.

As you know, I love me some 3.1 Phillip Lim (even though I can't actually fit into any of it... at least I couldn't as of 2009), and this collection is no different. There's an interesting level of dishevelment here that I find very interesting, especially since the clothes themselves are pretty crisp and structured.

Of note: Clean construction, forest/hunting-inspired colors (oxblood, sand, ivory), animal prints and hooflike shoes, neat layering.

...that leopard print jacket, though. *swoon*

Not entirely sure why this photoshoot was set in the London Underground, but whatever -- I'll go along with it.

Of note: Leather pants and accessories, De Stijl style, a touch of schoolboy preppiness.

You guys know how much I dislike a wardrobe comprised only of black, white and gray, so this is really pushing it for me... I'll tell you what I do like though, those t-shirts (sweaters?) with the prints. I haven't seen detail pictures, but the print looks like black and white photos of fields. I'm down with that.

Of note: Simplicity, high-shine leather.

This was interesting... Not really sure what the whole collection is going for, but there are some really cool pieces here, like the blue and black jacket and the patterned dress. And the shoes... don't even get me started on those beauties.

Of note: Pale colors and chunky shoes to ground them, polished patchwork, nipped-in waists.

Am I the only one that does this?: Holiday Gift Guide edition

Whenever I see a holiday gift guide with categories, I use it like a quiz. I go through the whole thing, and I see what section most of the things I like fall under. (I am easily amused.)

With style.com's guide, for example, it seems I am a... futuristic rebel. I love it! I can just imagine what a futuristic rebel would dress like.

Futuristic Rebel by thefrocker featuring a sleeveless dress