New York Fashion Week Monique Lhullier, Jenny Packham, Proenza Schouler, Pamella Roland, Victoria Beckham

For Monique Lhullier's luxurious and feminine fall/winter 2011 collection, the hair and make-up look was doll meets punk. Make-up artist Val Garland for MAC created a deep purple smoky eye, intense brows and berry-colored lips. Odile Gilbert for Kérastase created a doll-like, haute-couture updo, with ribbon-like curls topped off with a black bow.

source and photo credit: beautypress.com

Jenny Packham's feminine and fun autumn / winter 2011 collection included textured and delicate pieces, flowing gowns and beautiful metallic embroidery. The color palate featured nude, black and brown tones. The makeup and hair was very soft, romantic and nymph-like: Talia Shobrook for Temptu created frosted eyelids, warm, peachy cheeks and applied a soft coral color to the lips. Leonardo Mannetti of Community NYC for L'Oreal created long, flowing hair with soft waves, echoing Botticelli's Venus.

source and photo credit: beautypress.com

Jack McCulloch and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler took inspiration from Native American blankets purchased on a road trip from Santa Fe to Wyoming as the starting point for their Fall/Winter 2011 collection.
Strong geometry and homespun fabrics took on a complex sophistication and became the foundation for a brightly colored, bold and inventive show. Brilliant!

images by Mario Madeira

 Pamella Roland brought some old school glamour to her Fall/Winter 2011 collection

images by Getty

Victoria Beckham has such a fabulous understanding of theatrics and fashion. I love this highly dramatic presentation of her gorgeous collection

Rachel Zoe's Complete First Collection

Not to be confused with her QVC line, Rachel Zoe is debuting her complete first collection, Fall/Winter 2011.

The line is, quite frankly, completely fabulous.
From sequined cocktail dresses and faux-fur vests to wide-leg pantsuits and oversize bags, it’s an eclectic  mix of 70's inspiration and modern silhouettes. There are so many stand alone, classic pieces that become staples in your wardrobe. I am infatuated with the line!

The pieces will be available in stores this fall for $200 to $700.

Check out more from her lookbook:

 The shoes and boots are fabulous too!!

Jessica Simpson Covers New York Magazine Spring Fashion Issue

This makes me happy on so many levels!!
Jessica Simpson on the cover of New York Magazine's Spring Fashion Issue

Firstly, I am loving these images! If there is one thing Jessica Simpson knows, its how to take a great picture!But actually, there is something else she knows too, and that is how to build a giant fashion empire.

In 2010 Jessica Simpson's fashion empire rang up $750 million in sales.
To put this in perspective, that means she is selling approximately the same volume as heavy weight Michael Kors.
This year with the addition of a full ready to wear collection and a "career separates" line, sales are expected to hit the $1 billion mark.

In an industry where celebrity clothing lines are doomed to fail (with the exception of the Olsen twins brilliant lines, and Victoria Beckham's divine but tiny dress line, very few actually make it)
The magic formula seems to be the goal that: “A girl could go to the shopping mall with her mother and she’d have a great new outfit and still have some money left for lunch at McDonald’s. She can look like Jessica Simpson, smell like Jessica Simpson, and she can afford it.” 

After all the attacks Jessica has had to endure about her music, her acting, her love life and her fluctuating weight, you'd think she'd enjoy taking this moment to turn her nose up at her detractors.
But not so. 
 Everyone who knows her (as in people at my end of the industry) talk about how totally lovely she is. Even douchey John Mayer who famously labeled her "sexual napalm" (which has to be the best compliment ever, especially allowing for how much he gets around!), races to her defense, and tells what a sweet and lovely girl she is.
And so, with sweet grace and dignity she moves forward, looking incredibly hot as she takes it all the way to the bank.

images by Ruven Afanador for New York Magazine

Holly Smith, Academy of Art University student show

I thought this was pretty fabulous.

I haven't been able to get this dress out of my mind for the past 24 hours. I love the color, the cut, the form, and the boots!

Part of New York Fashion Week are the student showings. They give us an opportunity to see what the designers of the future are thinking and doing.
This year is has been a selection of students from the city's Academy of Art University.
I was particularly taken with Holly Smith, who contrasted hoods with plunging necklines.
I didn't particularly care for the makeup, but how fantastic are the clothes???

source and images fashionising.com

New York Fashion Week F/W 2011 Farah Angsana

This is gorgeous!

"70's Glam" was the inspiration for the make-up looks at Farah Angsana's Fall 2011 collection.

Make-up artist Tara Drake brought the look to life by creating a dark, smoky eye, with eyelash extensions to add more drama and bright, red lips- reminiscent of Debbie Harry.

Makeup was provided by Make Up For Ever, MAC, Bobbi Brown and Nars. The models' hair was twisted, pinned and hairsrayed into retro, 1960's mod beehives.

Do you just love it???

source and images beautypress.com

New York Fashion Week F/W 2011 Rag & Bone

At Rag & Bone Fall Winter 2011. Makeup: Revlon’s Global Artistic Director, Gucci Westman, paired a smoky eye with sun burnt skin for the Rag & Bone Fall 2011 collection, bringing forth the designer’s vision of an urban Eskimo.

Behnaz Sarafpour's fall/winter 2011 collection was exquisite.

 A completely neutral color palette was offset by beautifully deconstructed, slightly messy hair, and soft makeup ehanced by a moody, smoky eye. I'm not 100% certain, but it looks like Gucci Westman designed this lovely makeup look too.

New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2011 Jason Wu

 Oh I die. I die! Every season I just die over Jason Wu.

Too, too fabulous. The drama! The glamor!

Makeup was designed by Diane Kendal for MAC
“it’s versailles pulled into the modern world. a vibrant gold highlight amidst a deeply shadowed eye gives a baroque twist to a simple look.”-Diane Kendal

I love him!