Autumn/Winter 2012: Trend Report

In February at New York Fashion Week, WGSN, the world's leading fashion forecaster, curated a list of 10 Autumn/Winter 2012 trends.

And though the photos below may not show it, the hot colours for Autumn/Winter 2012 are: burnt orange, eggplant, royal blue, peach, deep teal, primrose yellow, venetian red, and cerulean (hello Devil Wears Prada!).

Winter Whites
As seen at 3.1 Phillip Lim & Alexander Wang

See, white can be worn after Labour Day.

European School Girl
As seen at Kelly Wearstler & Anna Sui

Fun & flirty

Blanket Stripes
As see at Rag&Bone & Mulberry

From coats to sweaters and dresses, this cozy print will make you want to curl up apres ski

Fabric Blocking
As seen at Herve Leger & Alexander Wang

Colour blocking's more daring sister

Strong Women
As seen at Herve Leger & Victoria Beckham

The juxtaposition of masculine and feminine

Fur
As seen at 3.1 Phillip Lim & Yigal Azrouel

Coats, hats, bags...you name it, and it can have fur

Contrast Collars
As seen at Derek Lam & Moschino

From dainty (Lam) to bolder (Moschino), there are no limits

Brocade & Embellished Pants
As seen at A.L.C. & Derek Lam

Simple designs with rich fabric

Lace Inserts
As see at Charlotte Ronson & Rebecca Minkoff

How daring you are is up to you

Quilting
As see at Jason Wu & L.A.M.B.

Again, marrying the masculine and feminine

All images via Style.com

NYFW: My Fashion Week

This season my Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week was short. It fell on the tail end of a visit to the city, so I managed to squeeze in a few shows before leaving. Fashion Week is always...eventful, but I've noticed that there are habits that I've developed over the past 3 seasons.

Here's just a few of the things that shape my Fashion Week.

1) Starbucks (Broadway, between 62nd & 63rd)

I'm not a Starbucks fan and avoid going as much as I can. However, when you're already running late and don't have time to grab coffee before you hop on the subway/into a cab/into your car, the Starbucks next to the Empire Hotel is the way to go. This location is always busy and Fashion Week just makes it insane. But for those few days, it runs like a well-oiled machine. So, don't let the crazy line deter you.

2) Between show breaks at Rosa Mexicano (61 Columbus, between 62nd & 63rd)

To be fair, I've only ever had their soup and guacamole. But! It's the best guacamole I've ever had. It's made to order right in front of you! Pair it with a margarita (frozen or on the rocks).

I actually just recently ate all this myself

3) Sunglasses

Remember that extra vodka soda or glass of bubbly you had at [insert designer/store/magazine/website name]'s party last night (open bar, of course)? Sunglasses hide that. Remember when you got home at 4:00am and you had a show to attend at 9:00am? Sunglasses hide that. Sunglasses hide everything. Aside from protecting your eyes from UVA/UVB rays, they also make you look really cool when you're walking into the NYFW tents and when you're sitting front row at that 9:00am show (plus the lights are really, really bright).

Sunglasses: Spitfire

4) Flats

I am not rich. I (much to my dismay) cannot afford to take cabs or car service to and from the Lincoln Center (or SoHo, or The Standard, or The Piers) all the time. Whether you have regular flats or Dr. Scholl's Fast Flats, they are a must-have if you're broke like me. I have been saved many a time by doing my commute in flats

5) Thank-you Cards

Send them to the PR team of the shows you attend. It's just polite. I always go with Love + Mark'd.

My Favourite NYFW Moments

And so my NYFW coverage comes to an end (finally!). Here are some moments that were caught on camera but I haven't posted yet (including 2 of my favourites). Can you believe that we get to do all this again in 6 months?? Hopefully my liver's recovered by then - doubtful.

The single most amazing (& heavy) sweater I've ever seen. 

Knit coat from Michael Angel. So luxurious that I didn't want to take it off.

Keeping it classy at the Otte x Concept Korea party (blame the open bar).

Backstage at Prete &Bruno

We <3 NY

Media Frenzy!

A hard day's work. 

From the Nonoo presentation

NYFW: NEON

My last NYFW outfit post. You're welcome.

This was the last day of Fashion Week and my favourite outfit. I'd been saving this for a day that wasn't too cold, but since that never happened, I decided to brave the elements (and the street style photogs - "Do you think Tommy Ton will want to shoot this?") with bare legs. Turned out for the best since I was featured on The Cut (slide 16), and apparently that photo has been floating around Pintrest.

Coat: Michael Kors T-shirt: Joe Fresh Skirt: ASOS (similar style) Shoes: Senso Bag: H&M Necklace: Borrowed

Heidi Gardner F/W'12

Heidi Gardner's F/W'12 jewelry presentation was an intimate affair during Fashion Week. In the new Hotel Americano, Heidi was extremely nervous, but looked more at ease as she spoke with family and friends and got into her interview groove.

The collection is stunning, although a bit unconventional (for even more unconventional, check the photos on her site - shocking and amazing). Heidi's pieces are definitely conversation starters. Says Heidi's mother, "Everyone has a little bit of a dark side, Heidi's just not afraid to admit it and use it to her advantage by putting it toward her creativity."

Heidi on her inspiration, "I find inspiration and beauty in the bizarre and macabre. Always have and most likely always will. There's something mysterious and alluring about the things that repulse most people. You are taught as a young age to not state at that which is different or unattractive, but I have never seen anyone or anything that is not beautiful. And so I stare. At everything and at everyone, appreciating its unique genius. I wanted to try and share that concept in my jewelry and in its presentation. I DO want people to stare. You may be repulsed but in this setting it's okay to...stare."

I Wore This: NYFW

So, it's practically a month later....

New York was cold. And I don't particularly enjoy being cold, so I went for the warmer (but more boring) route compared to Niki. So while I didn't get street style snapped as often as her, it's probably better since I would've been an icy bitch (literally, an ice cube).

Coat: Michael Kors Skirt: American Apparel Shoes: ShoeMint Sunglasses: Spit Fire Bag: Top Shop

Tank: Wilfred Blazer: Top Shop

And that is the face of a malnourished, exhausted, hungover-but-maybe-still-drunk person. Just kidding, I ate some celery and carrot sticks.

Nonoo F/W'12 Presentation

I hadn't heard of Nonoo before this past February, but the presentation not only turned out to be a great way to start my Fashion Week, but it also turned out to be one of my favourite collections.

Misha Nonoo was raised in Bahrain and grew up in London. The inspiration for the line comes from the varying childhood experiences; the vibrant colours of Arabian souks and the edgy cool of the UK. To Misha, fit is everything, as it is a key element to accentuating every woman's look.

The colours were rich jewel tones and the tailoring, impeccable. The red fur was so eye-catching and the other fur elements were amazing - fur sleeves! The lace appliques reminded me of Jason Wu (NOT for Target).

The spiked sleeve tee? The green printed pants? Purple blazer? Want. It. All.

My un-birthday us coming up soon-ish. Just sayin'.

Naeem Khan F/W'12

Naeem Khan was one of my favourite shows of NYFW, and it wasn't just because I spotted Matt Damon sitting front row (next to his sour-faced wife...who was sitting next to Padma Lakshmi, who was sitting beside Kristin Chenoweth). The detail, bead work, and pattern on the collection was absolutely stunning. There were sequins and caftans and embellished pants! What more could a girl (or drag queen) want?

Here's my video of the final walk (with ridiculously bright lights in typical Lincoln Center style):

Here are some of my favourite looks from the collection:

SO SHINY! And a beaded suit - SO MUCH WANT.

Impeccable beading 

Sequins and beads and shine, oh my! 

Caftans & sheer & embellished PANTS. Dying.