the clothes 2011

I saw Marc by Marc Jacobs firsthand and fell in love (if you couldn't tell by my enthusiastic tweets immediately after). I almost wish I had standing room because I probably would have gotten better pictures, but being seated at the show was definitely an honor I won't soon forget. The Marc Jacobs collection was also stunning and I need to get my hands on a little polka dot beret like that (as already mentioned in Monday's post) or figure out how to DIY my own...

collage pictures courtesy of Style.com; backstage picture via V Magazine

One of my favorite collections of NYFW was Chris Benz. So many marvelous textures, patterns, and layers working together in witchy, wonderful vibe. I'll definitely re-visit this collection again and again for inspiration.

Erin by Erin Fetherston is erm, Erin Fetherston's newest collection with a lower price point ($200-$600). It was a lovely presentation, made even better by the expressiveness of the models who truly looked like they were having fun. I really enjoy collections that also inspired a whole look and I certainly want to imitate the crown of braids and Grecian inspiration. It was a mad scene at Erin Fetherston though; way too many photographers and an extremely crowded space with people getting turned away at the door...I'm quite glad I elbowed my way in and up front.

Writing this post is quite a daunting task...How can I sum up in any amount of words how wonderful, inspiring, and exhausting NYFW with Tumblr was? It's a trip I would repeat again and again if I could, but I might require more hours to be added to each day! As wonderful as the shows I was able to attend, the studios I visited, and the backstage access, were the people. It's rather unfortunate to meet so many fascinating, creative people and then leave them behind for my hermitage here in Virginia. I hope that I will be able to see most of them again and they all made a lasting impression on me.

Pamela Love is known for her talons and bird skulls, but her new fall 2011 collection went in a more mystical collection with rough-cut crystals seeming to sprout from rings and cuffs. Her aesthetic of natural meets modern is all her own and wholly covetable.

Alice & Olivia was our last presentation after a busy day and I must admit as we rode the elevator up at the Plaza hotel, I wasn't feeling it. However the gilded elevator doors parted and we were immediately handed glasses of champange, chocolate truffles, and dazzled by sequins. Munching on miniature cupcakes and weaving my way through the glamorous crowd to admire prettily posing models styled with red lips and cateye makeup, I started to feel the party spirit. The flapper-inspired collection was fun and fit for a scene out of Gatsby. The standout pieces in my eye though were chunky heels; striped in red and cream or covered in black sequins, in the words of Eloise, I want them now.

My favorite backstage experience during NYFW had to be Suno. It was so much fun to see part of the process and madness of a fashion show firsthand before it all began. The collection was also one of my favorites; so many amazing prints and the way things were layered was genius. Completely inspiring from start to finish and I hope you enjoy the video I shot of it!

I could get used to hurrying through Lincoln Center (where these pics were snapped) on the way to a show and stumbling around backstage before shows snapping pictures like a madwoman quite easily...if only I could somehow squeeze sleep into that equation! The backstage moments are decidedly my favorite; it's so awesome to see all the work that goes into styling the models (p.s. I made a video showing the prep backstage at Suno). "First looks," where photographers are invited backstage for around two minutes directly before a show when the models are fully dressed, is the most hectic, but also the most thrilling spate of time.

On my last day in New York (it was a short trip!) I stopped by the Temperley London store to do a little mannequin styling with their new Alice collection for a competition. Being released into a store and allowed to pull anything you want is rather like being a kid in a candy store. Thankfully, Erin was with me to snap some pictures, help me dress the mannequins, and give some much-needed feedback. There were a ton of pieces I wish I could have walked away with (hello black cape and blue dress!). The girls from the store were also so sweet and helpful; even when I kept getting confused on the rules and requesting items that didn't exist (how great would knee socks be with the cape look?).

My flight was later that day so my outfit was casual and thrown together without much thought. This jacket is officially my new favorite; you have to love something with a hood.

Now I'm officially in Maryland with family for a little while before the move to Virginia. So, yes I will still be living out of suitcase (7 weeks out of a suitcase so far, another 2 or more to go...). Living out of a suitcase is quite limiting and I'm getting excited to have more variety soon. For fall, I'm really looking forward to colors and interesting combinations thereof. But first I still have a few more posts from Italy to share with you all.

Outfit details:

UO dress and jacket

sandals c/o Seychelles

Modcloth necklace

Buxom Lip Stick in Barcelona

P.S. You can vote for my mannequin stylings here! Every voter is also entered to win a prize.

One of my last events in New York was going to the Modcloth Dress Up Party; a grueling way to end my time in NYC, no? Erin was kind enough to snap these pictures of me outside before we headed indoors to the dimly lit party scene. There was an open bar featuring so many drinks it was hard to choose and tons of yummy snacks, even little bite-sized bits of grilled cheese! Modcloth even gave away some cute tote bags and necklaces. It was a very fun night and a great way to end my time in the city. No pictures from inside the event because it was quite dark and my flash is unexceptional!

I especially enjoyed connecting with Cocorosa for awhile. It always makes me a bit sad though to meet so many wonderful people at events like this and feel as if we could really hang-out, only to have to leave a few days later. Why can't all my favorite blogging buddies be located in one spot and preferably a spot near to myself? Although, Cocorosa called herself a "freebird" and I'm rather the same; even if I managed to get everyone together long-term in one place I would probably flit off to some new location!

Outfit details:

Clothes Horse dress collaberated on with Neneee

heels c/o Seychelles

Owl bag from leather market in Florence, Italy

rings via Gilt and Modcloth

*pictures of me by Erin