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Coutorture Community's Morning Must Reads 2/21

coutorture — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 05:12:07 -0800

The Coutorture Community has their eye on the Milan Fall 2008 shows as well as the latest Spring fashions hitting the stores. The Fashion Bomb, Fashion Indie, ShinyGloss, The Shoe Goddess, and Pink Rock Candy keep you in the know.

Coutorture Community's Must Reads 2/7

coutorture — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 09:18:04 -0800

Members of the Coutorture Community are covering the latest and greatest from New York Fashion Week. Catch up with highlights from Fashion Projects, J'Adore Couture, I Heart Makeup, I Am Fashion, and Senora Cartera.

Backstage at Karen Walker Fall 2008

coutorture — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 11:03:00 -0800

We're backstage at the Karen Walker show right now, talking to the MAC team about the makeup (sweet, blanked out pinks and nudes) and shooting the girls during their run-through and preparations. The atmosphere is very calm, Walker is sitting front row, watching the girls walk the runway, with half finished makeup, combs sticking out of hair. The girls seem especially friendly, everyone's kind of goofing off together while an older woman approaches the microphone and asks them to listen to something they've heard a million times: walk to the end of the runway, turn, walk back. There are a few mom's here, reading books. In the pit the guys are catching up and talking about the shows, some complaints about back pain (we here ya buddy). Overall, a very nice vibe here compared to most. It would make us not want to return to the tents, except, we've Mastroianni to look forward to. Until then.

Poll: A/W 08 Fur Madness

coutorture — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 09:50:19 -0800

In New York this season (as in, uh, now) we've noticed an influx, particularly among young women, of wearing fur coats and stoles. Perhaps because we don't have cars and have to brave the cold for extended periods of time, or because vintage culture is strong enough that people feel they won't be the subject of social scrutiny, it seems fur is now worn with jeans just as often as with couture. For A/W 08, it appears the trend has come, quite unabashedly, full circle. Let's poll it, shall we?

Poll: A/W 08 Fur Madness

I feel slightly nervous about the moral compromise, but damn if it doesn't make you look like a million bucks.

Vintage is the way to go! It's cheaper and already passed it's faux-pas prime.

This is totally wrong no matter how cold it is. I'd rather wear a fleece joker hat.

Herrera Shakes Her Tail Feather

coutorture — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 09:23:01 -0800

The Herrera show just finished here at the tents, and damn if it wasn't pointed and dandy-esque. Long feathers emerged from hats, from the backs of frocks, from nowhere in particular. The message seemed directed at the sloppy, bed-headed generation of twenty-somethings. A certain maturity was exaggerated for A/W 08, perhaps simply because Herrera is no Betsey, and never adheres to an adolescent aesthetic. With Oscar to follow, it looks like today's a day for the grown-ups.

Interview With Adam Lippes and A/W 08 Runway Show

coutorture — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 08:48:50 -0800

This A/W 08 season, Adam Lippes of Adam drew inspiration from the geography of the Berkshires. Lippes, one very charismatic and handsome gentlemen, conjured quite a crowd for his A/W 08 show. Among a very becoming set of thirty to forty year-olds were Margherita Missoni and Anna Wintour. The collection was chic and conservative; wool trousers, silk dresses that came to knee, high waisted belted skirts. The attendees erupted with applause when the show commenced as if it was the collection to end all collections. We suspect though, however handsome the collection was, the enthusiasm was partly due to the atmosphere of the show and the personality of its designer. With so many well-dressed attendees (this is not your Miss Sixty crowd) and Lippes running around, twinkling his bright blue eyes, combing his disheveled blonde hair with his fingers, and talking about his house in the Berkshires, we suspect it was the whole package that had every one aflame.

Coutorture Community's Morning Must Reads 2/4

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 08:45:25 -0800

You aren't the only one enjoying Coutorture's coverage of Fashion Week. Coutorture Community members Platinum Blonde Life, Shop Diary, ShinyStyle, Catwalk Queen, and Eyeshadow Government offer new insights.

Backstage Interview With Charles Nolan

coutorture — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 08:01:59 -0800

Yesterday, a beautiful Sunday afternoon indeed, Charles Nolan showed his A/W 08 collection. We'd been to his studio recently, for the FGI Rising Star Awards party he hosted, and, like last time, the large space filled up in a casual Thanksgiving-dinner sort of way. Children were running between legs, people were sipping coffee and eating bagels with lox and cream cheese. Sure, there was the usual chaos of preparing for a show, but the Nolan-way was present. It was our pleasure to interview Mr. Nolan before the show, where he told us a little bit about the collection and its mix of tradition and technology. Soak up that bright light (that's a sick river view you're witnessing) and the amiable manner of a gentleman who can manifest 'lifestyle' from backstage to brick and mortar.

Backstage With Mac: Preen A/W 08

coutorture — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 07:26:00 -0800

Yesterday, we stopped by the Preen show, backstage, to talk with the Mac team. Last year, makeup was inspired by Lauren Hutton, and this year, Kim Bassinger (in L.A. Confidential) and Kurt Cobain. For the Kurt there were smudgy shadows in shades of brown, and for the Kim, red stained lips that 'look like you've been kissing and making out for hours'.

Backstage At Lyell: Pizza and Cat Power

coutorture — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 13:04:43 -0800

We're backstage at Lyell right now at the National Arts Club in Gramercy. It's a beautiful old building with creaky wooden floors and haunting portraits of people that are not fashion designers or journalists. The models are stuffing their faces with pizza, as any good Lyell girl would, while the rest of the crew lines up the Ferragamo's and loiters around the stereo. This year, Lyell designer, Emma Fletcher, won an Ecco Domani award. Her designs are willowy and delicate, the kind of pieces that compliment starched trousers, porkpie hats, and wingtips.

Gilded Age Presentation A/W 08

coutorture — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 12:00:43 -0800

Okay, we might have gone for some friendly gawking. We mostly attended, though, because we think Gilded Age is a sharp line (especially after talking to them at Capsule). So, we just stepped out and wanted to get you this first look at their A/W 08 collection. Looks like Gilded Age is channeling the golden age, where unlaced boots and polo clad men prove a simple formula for a handsomeness. The bowler caps and sharp layering were key, however, and gave the collection a little something beyond a tip of the hat to a 1990's Abercrombie and Fitch.

Look, It's A Fashion Week Outfit

coutorture — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 09:12:49 -0800

This is the perfect example of 'Hey, I woke up an hour ago. I'm here. Everybody relax'. We think this outfit has a nice palate and chic casual vibe. Most importantly, it includes flats and loose layers, two things that are imperative during fashion week. Even if you're not having a crazy day, wearing draped-out neutrals can still make you feel like you're operating on another plane of consciousness.

Look, It's A Fashion Week Outfit

This is my idea of a Saturday uniform. I can basically visualize The Economist in her purse.

You know, I don't think it's so much the outfit as the haircut that makes this work.

People just don't clean up the way they used to. I prefer my look a little sharper.

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.

Video Report From Baby Phat Fall 2008

coutorture — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 08:08:15 -0800

The steamy, seedy Roseland Ballroom provided rich dark inspiration. Money, power, and personality peppered the show with highs and lows. In this blurred new fashion world Baby Phat is our emblem.

A/W 08: Pre-Fashion Week Studio Visit With Erin Fetherston

coutorture — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 05:57:27 -0800

Right before fashion week, we visited Erin Fetherston to discuss with her the A/W 08 collection. The collection, inspired by Juliet, was atmospherically dark and romantic, it seemed align with Fetherston's whimsical aesthetic though sultry in a way that was advanced. She showed us the rich jewel tones, printed florals, and classical imagery which inspired the collection, but nothing, naturally, compares with seeing it on the runway. With our pre-fashion week video, here's a taste of what goes into pulling together a collection and preparing for the big show.

More: Pre-fashion Week Studio Visit With Elise Overland
More: Pre-fashion Week Studio Visit With Asleigh Verrier
More: Pre-fashion Week Studio Visit With Joanna Mastroianni
More: Pre-fashion Week Studio Visit With Sue Stemp
More: Pre-fashion Week Studio Visit With Chris Han
More: Pre-fashion Week Studio Visit With Sylvia Heisel

Seeping Through

coutorture — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 19:55:09 -0800

Pouring rain and oozing personalities run together. Uneasy standing room guests eye lines of self satisfied seated guests displaying their status with bright invitations. And yet the hierarchy of a once industry only event continues to disintegrate. Ostentatious sponsors have overtaken the nooks and crannies of the tents allowing the many drones of Fashion Week little space to congregate for work. American Express, Mercedes Benz, Lycra, BAWLS, and new varieties of vodka we have never encountered fill any possible seating areas. The political, the commercial and the aesthetic have run together leaving everything feeling blurry. And its not just the rain.

Ecco Domani Winner Wayne Presentation

coutorture — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 14:55:06 -0800

We just popped into the Wayne A/W 08 presentation downtown where the breezy collection really lifted our spirits. On a rainy day the 1940's aviation themed collection made us wish we were high above the clouds. Looks like Wayne's got quite a following as it was full of young, pretty things, throwing back the booze. While the girls slowly moved across four platforms, a man sat in the corner playing harmonica and singing in a very lonesome, Steinbeck sort of way. Our video, and photos from the collection, coming to you shortly.

Bryant Park Prepares for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

coutorture — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 14:00:42 -0800

Alright ladies and gents, fashion week is here. That means eight days of complete and total chaos. No, really, that means eight days of shows (and parties, and backstage happenings, and standing room fist fights) that we cover faster than you can ride the L train to the Meatpacking District on a Friday night. Get ready for it.

All photos by Brian Bedder

Exclusive: J. Lindeberg A/W 08 Collection

coutorture — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 10:01:52 -0800

This week, we popped into the J Lindeberg showroom where Kim Johnson, U.S. sales executive, showed us the A/W 08 collection. Later in the week, we'll have a video of Johnson telling us about the inspiration and collaborators for A/W 08, and, Lindeberg's plans for relaunching the women's line. For now, just to wet your appetite, we've got our hands on the complete A/W 08 look book. J. Lindeberg didn't have a runway show this season, so consider this our special sendoff to fashion week!