New York Fashion Week Coverage: Final Day

Well, today is the final day of Fall 2008 New York Fashion Week, which began with the Project Runway show at 9 a.m. and ended with the much-anticipated Marc Jacobs show at 7 p.m. In between: Ralph Lauren, Carmen Marc Valvo, L'Wren Scott (aka, Mick Jagger's stylist-turned-designer paramour), Willow, Donna Karan, Jenni Kayne, Daryl K, Staerk and Sean Jean, to name just a few of today's offerings.

I hope you enjoyed reading about my Fashion Week adventures as much as I enjoyed reporting on them, and I hope to be back in September for more crazy fashion fun!

GIVE 'EM THE BOOT

The shoe boot, that is. Also known as the bootie or the shoetie, these puppies have been everywhere this week, from the peep-toe slingback version at Rachel Roy to the black leather zip-front "caged" booties at Alexander Wang to the neon patent lace-ups at Thakoon to the fur-trimmed wedge booties at Calvin Klein to the elastic strapped bone booties at VPL to the Wallabee and ankle-wrapped styles at Vera Wang to the fur-sprouting version at Donna Karan to the flat, open-vamp numbers at Marc Jacobs, the bootie is shaping up to be big (again) for fall.

FOR THE BIRDS

Another emerging - if not as easily adaptable - trend is the feathered chapeaux. First seen at Carolina Herrera in the form of a trilby with elaborate plumage, then again at Ralph Lauren's show this morning, as a small pillbox with a single dramatic quill, the feathered hat is certainly attention-getting, but it takes a certain kind of style - and mucho confidence - to pull off. And don't even think about attempting the curling leaf-cum-antler headpieces seen on Donna Karan's runway - and those Marc Jacobs Tricornes are better left to the American Revolution re-enactors. (I won't even get into the puffy sweatbands he showed. Yikesies, as my friend Jana likes to say.)

INVITE OF THE DAY

Ports 1961 wins the honors today for designer Tia Cibani's invite, a three-layer rubber, plaid tweed and canvas concoction that cleverly mirrored the theme of her collection, which was based on a mythological Scottish creature dubbed "Lassair."

PETA GETS CONFUSED

As I was approaching the Greenwich Street entrance to Donna Karan's show Friday afternoon, I saw a guy (actually, I just assumed it was a guy, it could've been a girl) standing on the street wearing a white DKNY jumpsuit and a Donna Karan mask, surrounded by stuffed pink bunnies. No, I realized as I got closer and saw he was smashing the poor bunnies into the ground, it wasn't Patrick McDonald trying to snag the photographers' attention. It was PETA, as the "Donna Karan, Bunny Butcher" signs made clear, here for a little pre-show f-u-n. I rounded the corner and almost knocked over another PETA protester who was holding up a faux (at least I hope it was faux) skinned rabbit. Now I love animals as much as the next person, but for some reason this spectacle didn't make me feel outraged, it made me laugh. Out loud. The best part: Karan didn't even show fur in her fall collection. So I have to ask: PETA, what the fu@k?!

THE HUNTED BECOMES THE HUNTER

Ok, so Donna Karan may not have shown fur, but she did show what appeared to be a ghillie suit (you know, those crazy Yeti-like camouflage things hunters and soldiers wear in the woods). Seriously. This thing, which Donna called a "Falling Leaves" coat, made it look like the model had fallen into a pile of leaves and been buried up to her neck. So I have to ask: Donna, what the fu@k?!

BEST. SHOW. EVER.

have to admit I was fairly underwhelmed by Marc Jacobs collection for fall. (Dude, I love you but really. Pleated peg-leg pants? Coral Nancy Reagan coats? '80s power shoulders? Give a girl a break.) I did, however, love love LOVE the fact that Marc wrangled Sonic Youth to play the show, and that he plied his guests with Moet minis and individual bags of mixed nuts and M&Ms beforehand. And he drew celebs from A to uh, C-list: Victoria Beckham, Deborah Harry, Gretchen Mol, Ellen Pompeo , M.I.A., Molly Sims, Selma Blair, Ellen Pompeo and, yes, K-Fed.

CELEBS SPEAK!

So what did the celebs think of Marc Jacobs show? "I come out because Marc is a great designer, obviously, and his shows are really really beautiful and so well thought-out - each show is like a little work of art," said Debbie Harry, who's been to "at least" 14 MJ shows. So which was her favorite? "I really liked the one before last [fall '07] when all the models were just standing on the stage like a painting. It was wonderful." I caught up with Ellen Pompeo, who was inching her way toward the Lexington Avenue exit with the rest of the 1,000 attendees post-show, and she said she thought the show "was beautiful. It was my first Marc Jacobs show and my first Sonic Youth concert. He's so creative. His spirit is just flows out of him and it's amazing; he's amazing." Gretchen Mol was equally impressed. "I loved the music and the clothes; they were beautiful," she said as we made our way down the stairs toward the door. "It's such a great New York thing to do!"

21st CENTURY BONNIE AND CLYDE

"I stole my sister's boyfriend. It was all whirlwind, heat, and flash. Within a week we killed my parents and hit the road." No, that's not a line from the movie Badlands. It's a line from the Marc Jacbos/Sonic Youth canvas bag left on the seat of guests at his show (and it's also emblazoned on the t-shirt inside the bag). I know one 15-year-old niece who is going to be very, very happy come Monday.

MARC MY WORDS

Being that it's our last day together, my dear Splendora BFFs, and being that Marc Jacobs closed NY Fashion Week, I wanted to give you all a bouquet, in the form of this cute Valentine's Day window display in the Marc by Marc store around the corner from my house. I would give you each a new red Marc by Marc handbag, too, but Splendora isn't paying me enough to treat you in the style to which you'd like to become accustomed. I'll see you in September, my lovelies! Until then, be good, be happy and stay stylish! *swak* - The Fashion Informer. (And remember, when I'm not blogging for Splendora, you can always find me at The Fashion Informer.)

02.10.2008

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