Coutorture

Aminaka Wilmont Fall 08 Deliveries

coutorture — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:30:42 -0800

Double layered silk gown $2,025.00$1,012.50 @ Net-A-Porter, Digital print dress $810.00 @ Net-A-Porter, Fall 2008, Fall 2008, Pleated leather jacket $2,095.00 @ Net-A-Porter, Origami tank top $590.00 @ Net-A-Porter

It's almost time to stop editorializing fall which we can hardly believe because it feels like the season has just begun--before it creeps up on us we must give a nod to Aminaka Wilmont. We met the designers last week at the Centre For Fashion Enterprise pop-up showroom and got to gush over their Spring offerings. That said, the experience would never have been so great had we not first learned about the brand through their Fall 08. Aminaka Wilmont, at first glance, looks like the kind of apocalyptic or gothic clothing that should be grouped with brands like Rick Owens and Rad Hourani--upon further inspection, though, you'll see a more glamorous and classic tone of voice and it is this combination that makes us really appreciate their aesthetic. To see the Fall 2008 Aminaka Wilmont collection, click here.

Narciso Rodriguez Fall 2008 Deliveries: Black & White

coutorture — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 11:05:01 -0800

Clockwise from top left: Narciso Rodriguez Fall 2008, Strappy wool dress $1745 @ Net-A-Porter, Narciso Rodriguez Fall 2008, Diamond jacquard dress $2700 @ Net-A-Porter, Skirt $695 @ Neiman Marcus, Wool tapered pants $795 @ Net-A-Porter

All this sample sale talk frankly has us overwhelmed and so we've decided to take a moment to appreciate a man who makes it all look like black and white. Narciso Rodriguez Spring 2009 might be a bit more lively in the color department but for Fall, only a shot of orange and a glimpse of blue, made its way into the collection. What was left were a slew of chic basics for women who like to keep it simple. It's medicinal really, for times when there are just too many long lines and discounted options. To see the entire Narciso Rodriguez Fall 2008 collection, click here.

Stell McCartney Fall 08 Deliveries

coutorture — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 07:11:30 -0800

Stella McCartney Velvet kimono dress $1495 - Net-A-Porter

Stella McCartney Ruffle-front shirt $1045 - Net-A-Porter

Stella McCartney Damask cocoon coat $2095 - Net-A-Porter

Stella McCartney Faux sheepskin platform boots $1995 - Net-A-Porter

Stella McCartney's clothing is often just as likable on the runway as it is when it appears in stores--this is probably because she always strikes a nice balance between a unified concept (runway) and attention to individual garments (stores). We're loving the lace and navy velvet looks from her Fall 08 collection and the shearling jackets that are were so voluminous they looked like fur. Maybe that's McCartney's way of showing the industry that vegans are no less luxe. To see the Stella McCartney Fall 08 collection, click here.

Oscar de la Renta Fall & Resort Deliveries

coutorture — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 11:07:43 -0800

Oscar de la Renta Distressed jacket $5500 @ Net-A-Porter

Oscar de la Renta Moiré trapunto dress $4490 @ Net-A-Porter

Oscar de la Renta Fall 2008

Oscar de la Renta Lace Dress $4990 @ Neiman Marcus

Oscar de la Renta Resort 2009

Oscar de la Renta High Pants $1790 @ Neiman Marcus

Oscar de la Renta is a designer who doesn't create collections that pivot too much on concept--he is known, in other words, for his individual garments rather than his specific collections. It should come at no surprise, then, that his Resort business is strong...so strong, in fact, that we can only keep the Fall and Resort deliveries straight with the seasonal notion of color and fabric as our guide. Whether it's a distressed shearling leather jacket or a pair of luxe high waist pants, we think the Oscar de la Renta customer will be so consumed by the purchase itself they may very well forget all about the business of seasons. To see the Oscar de la Renta Fall 08 collection, click here, and for the Resort 09 collection, click here.

Rag & Bone Fall 08 Deliveries

coutorture — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 09:21:26 -0700

Rag & Bone Zhora Skirt $325 - Tobi

Rag & Bone Great Coat $890 - La Garçonne

Rag & Bone Skinny Cashmere Knit Dress $350 - La Garçonne

Rag & Bone Hussar Jacket $580 - La Garçonne

One of our favorite rituals here on Coutorture is to pit the runway photos against the e-commerce deliveries and examine how the collection changes in our mind once the clothes hit the shelves. Rag & Bone, a brand that doesn't wow on the runway so much as it does on the retail floor or, in fact, on your body, is a perfect brand for our Deliveries feature. If you're in search of a heavy overcoat or military inspired blazer--look no more. If you like to keep it simple under such things, again, you're in the right place. We wouldn't call it basic so much as smart, tailored, and long-lasting and, interestingly, those adjectives don't translate on the runway as well as they do in your shopping bag. In any case, to see the Fall 08 Rag & Bone runway collection, click here. Just don't forget to check it out online, or in the stores, for a second opinion.

Fendi Fall 08 Deliveries

coutorture — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 07:01:25 -0700

Fendi Heavy knit sweater $2360 - Net-A-Porter

Fendi Over-the-knee boots $1380 - Net-A-Porter

Fendi Honeycomb knitted skirt $1250 - Net-A-Porter

Fendi Borderline satin clutch $1110 - Net-A-Porter

It might not be as voluptuously fur-trimmed as some of what we saw on the runway but the Fall 08 Fendi deliveries are still quite luxurious. Boots that are so tall they act as actual suede trousers, a cozy knit sweater with structured shoulder pleating, a sweater skirt with multiple layers, or an evening clutch with the tiniest folds of fabric. There is no way, in these clothes, you won't look like the million bucks you just spent.

Three Diane Von Furstenberg Coats We Love

coutorture — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:24:58 -0700

Sabienne Coat in Charcoal & Burgundy $695

Sabra Coat in Camel or Midnight $725

Gene Kelly Coat in Giant Kit Kat Club $725

It's not often that we see a collection on the runway and notice, more than anything, the outerwear. The Diane von Furstenberg Fall 08 collection showed coats of all varieties and, now that they've delivered, we've fallen deeper in love with the different styles. Finding a stylish designer coat that is also somewhat warm can also cost quite a bit of money and all three of these styles are in a reasonable price range. All three of these coats are available on the Diane von Furstenberg e-commerce site, right here, and be sure to check out the entire Fall 08 runway gallery right here.

3.1 Phillip Lim Fall 08 Deliveries

coutorture — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 08:06:24 -0700

3.1 Phillip Lim Silk layered tank gown $1250 - Net-A-Porter

3.1 Phillip Lim Cadet Jacket $595 - eLuxury

3.1 Phillip Lim Cropped tapered pants $350 - Net-A-Porter

3.1 Phillip Lim Ruffle-front dress $695 - Net-A-Porter

The name Phillip Lim might be common to hear, but we can't help but acknowledge the man's talent. This Fall 08, no matter how drab the runway looked (it was a serious season--unlike the lightness and femininity of Spring 09) what ends up delivering are a slew of jackets and cocktail frocks that didn't make it on the runway. The connection between the two, however, is seamless. Click here to see the Fall 08 runway gallery.

Luella Fall 08 Deliveries

coutorture — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 07:24:46 -0700

Luella Nels Long Wool Coat $940 - La Garçonne

Luella Joana frill dress $940 - Net-A-Porter

Luella Caroline full skirt $425 - Net-A-Porter

Luella Ike Wide-Leg Trousers $425 - La Garçonne

It played up the gothic, witchy mood for Fall 08 perfectly and now it's all up for grabs--today, Luella has our heart pounding. Luella always offers feminine, smart separates, no matter how dramatic her runway show appears to be. We love that her vision is a unified and high fashion one, but that the individual pieces are quite wearable and long-lasting. Check out the entire Fall 09 Luella collection, right here.

Anna Sui Fall 08 Deliveries

coutorture — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 07:15:35 -0700

Anna Sui High neck blouse $475 - Net-A-Porter

Anna Sui Basketweave chiffon dress $400 - Net-A-Porter

Anna Sui Velvet lamé skirt $310 - Net-A-Porter

Anna Sui Paisley print blouse $355 - Net-A-Porter

Anna Sui might not have the same kind of high fashion clout as Maison Martin Margiela or Givenchy, but that shouldn't dissuade us from talking about her beyond the eighth grade. The Fall 08 show was so visually stimulating, we hardly knew how to place it in the context of the season. Seeing everything begin to ship, however, as its own separate garment, makes us appreciate this collection much more. Each piece has a print or silhouette that would make it stand out in your wardrobe, and there are...so many pieces to choose from. Just see for yourself--the complete Fall 09 show right here.