coutorture --

New York Versus London (So Far and Mostly)

coutorture — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 06:00:05 -0800

So it seems our British friends have taken A/W 08 in an entirely different direction. That is, the fur and sparkle of New York's A/W 08, not to mention the deep plums and vibrant greens are virtually non-existent. London Fashion Week, thus far has been a little more Terminator, a little less Kindergarden Cop. Just take a peek at our photo galleries from Topshop Unique, Jacob Kimmie,
Krystof Strozyna, and Modernist Autumn, it's virtually another fashion world. All of these collections dominated by black and white, most with eruptions of red in the most brazen display (it's not worked in slowly, it's thrust into the collection and promptly removed). Sure, you could call upon Paul Smith from the Londoners, and
Camilla Staerk from the New Yorkers to argue that there is crossover. To which we'd say: "Despite some dandy-embellishments, Paul Smith is no different than Ralph Lauren, and Camilla Staerk is a newcomer. Those are bad examples.". So we win. And boy, do we love the fight.

Plum For A/W 08

coutorture — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 12:19:26 -0800

Perhaps our beloved designers didn't venture too far down the aisle at Mood this year. It seems the S/S 08 lilac craze has morphed into plum for A/W 08. Here are just a few of many looks that include some shade of plum, which we know will look quite sharp with red lipstick, pale skin, and dark wool layers.

Backstage At Kai Kuhne

coutorture — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 12:16:02 -0800

Another backstage, another MAC team (though some familiar faces from Bill Blass. MAC travels fast.), another set of models waiting for their 15 minute show to begin. If the Kai Kuhne collection is any bit as interesting as its hair styling, we think it should be a dramatic show. Black pipe cleaners weave around the front of faces before hair is sprayed and then set 1940's style. In the end, blacked out eyes peek out from perfectly coiffed bangs. The loft is calm and cold, a cloudy river view shooting grey light throughout the space. The girls are getting dressed and we're off to the pit to shoot the show.

Backstage With MAC At Bill Blass

coutorture — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 11:13:25 -0800

We just finished up a little backstage time with the MAC team. The look for the Bill Blass A/W 08 show conjures that ever-popular 'rock chick' vibe. Naturally, that means a lot of liner and mascara (fake eyelashes to be exact) a deep plum eye and orange-leaning blush high on the cheekbone. As with most strong eye-looks, the MAC team is keeping it simple with basic nude lipstick. Everyone, including the models, seem a bit tired on the second to last day of fashion week. Thankfully, we have Peter Som for Bill Blass to look forward to, expect an edge that just might get you through the next two days.

Backstage at Naeem Khan

coutorture — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 08:22:54 -0800

We're backstage before the Naeem Khan show. Glamorous beaded and leopard frocks make us feel, even at eleven o'clock in the morning, like we should have worn our fur. Mr. Kahn, an eloquent speaker and very nice gentleman indeed, talked with us about his A/W 08 collection. Expect fur, beading, leopard prints and black tie worthy frocks. Khan's aim is to dress a globe trotting, powerful woman, which will certainly perpetuate the luxe-themed saga of A/W 08.

A Video Interview With Michael Kors

coutorture — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 20:35:42 -0800

Sometimes you give a designer the brush off and then they run along and surprise you. It could be that some of his clothes are the sort worn by women who haven't had an orgasm since they rode in a Jeep on their African Safari. It could be that. This season, "Whoa there Kors 08, hubba hubba" is what we say. Never has WASP been sexier, and perhaps because he just took the whole housewife thing straight back to the 1950's. Like his message to his customer was "Look, if you're going to drive a minivan and drink 'cosmos' the please give a humble and respectful nod to time when people of your sort drove Jaguars and drank martinis". Makes us want to move to Omaha and start shagging the pool boy.

A Video Interview With Michael Kors

Call me prude but Kors is always sexy.

Meh, same shit. Better styling.

Yes, there's something slightly more mischevious about this.

I'm more the Y-3 type. Kors just bores me.

Fur For A/W 08

coutorture — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 20:03:53 -0800

Whoever said fashion had a conscious must have been reading the post-Inconvenient Truth press release from A/W 07. For A/W 08, however, the act has been dropped and fur, the most sinful of fashion's fabrics, has taken over Manhattan. It's abundance signals a sense of luxury taking the mood for A/W 08 and we suspect this pill won't be an easy one to swallow for those who favor conscious garments to glamorous ones.

Behnaz Sarafpour A/W 08 Runway Show

coutorture — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 10:52:11 -0800

Pop colors are abundant these days. We all know that. You start with the neutrals and then pick a few complimentary brights to serve as lining, piping, and the like. The Behnaz Sarafpour A/W 08 collection was the perfect example. Deep plums and acid green's jumped off garments while the blacks served to classify the bright color. Two amazing flapper-like dresses turned up solid, showing off Sarafpour's knowledge of texture (the dresses moved like sea anemones) and confidence in the two hues that only appear in glimpses elsewhere.

It's Going To Be A Beatnik A/W

coutorture — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 09:40:46 -0800

Looks like the Beatnik theme is hitting the runway hard. Betsey and Marc are especially responsible, but we've seen the cropped pants, the boyish cuts, and the simplicity elsewhere. Save those Wayfarers, stock up on black turtlenecks, and start reading books (no, not in your Google Reader). It's a simple enough formula, and thankfully not bohemian in the Nag Champa sense. Poll it, let us know if you can dig it.

It's Going To Be A Beatnik A/W

Beatnik lends itself to menswear and is pretty inexpensive to conjure. I'm feeling the trend.

If I slap on a beret, that makes me fashionable? I'm so over this.

If it keeps people basking in self-importance, like Kerouac, this trend can piss off.

Hey! Anything that encourages reading, smoking, drinking, and deep conversation! I feel tears coming on already!

MAC And The Karen Walker A/W 08 Look

coutorture — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 08:06:59 -0800

If you're a Karen Walker fan, you're probably keen on the makeup for this season's A/W 08 runway show. We spoke with the MAC team about the quintessential Walker look, where sweet pinks and nude coverage embody that cool downtown vibe. After all, Walker girls aren't really the sort to cake on the face lacquer, nor fuss with touch-ups. If you seek guidance, check out our video from backstage where MAC walks us through the look.

MAC Pulling Out All The Stops

coutorture — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 16:58:52 -0800

We've been keeping our eye on the MAC teams this week and this afternoon, backstage at Behnaz Sarafpour, we were most impressed. Drawing from a palate that included flashes of acid green and deep plum, MAC sprayed these girls with a new product they're soon launching, which brightens even the most tired eyes. For the rest of the face, MAC keep it neutral with a matte cheek and glossed lips. Video of this technique and of tonight's show to you shortly.

Opening Ceremony Party on 2/4

coutorture — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 06:20:18 -0800

Last night we went to the Opening Ceremony party at Webster Hall, thrown to celebrate Chloe Sevigny's line for the store. Three short guys let people in Studio 54-style by pointing to the pretty folk who messed up their hair or put on their lensless Raybans for the occasion. There was a gentleman with a clipboard, but we'll be damned if he checked in every Seymore and Esther in the lot. It was handsome, there were stairwell debaucheries, as with any party, people walked around and looked at each other. Some people, like us, took pictures of each other.

MBFW Day Two

coutorture — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 08:40:59 -0800

Alright kiddos, it's day two. That means everyone's kept their cool for 24 hours and are about to go bonkers. People are rubbing their eyes, Bawls are being consumed at above average rates. Even the outfits are getting a bit stranger. Not that we can't appreciate a good sense of humor and a healthy dose of yellow mohair. Hay ho, we most definitely can.

MBFW Kicks Off Today!

coutorture — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 09:44:37 -0800

Just a quick update from us while we've a second to drop our camera bags and write. It's pouring rain and cold in New York, umbrellas are flipping inside out with reckless abandon. We'll be uploading photos of the shows as fast as ever, so keep an eye out. Videos of today's shows, including those designers featured in our pre-fashion week video series, coming up soon. Stay warm, keep Coutorture open, and we'll take care of the rest!