my first fashion show.

So last Thursday night, my favorite employer hosted a Men's Fashion Event on our floor, successfully turning our cases full of merchandise into a full scale bar and our main aisle into a full scale runway.

Nordstrom collaborated with CS Magazine to host this fabulous event. We had a famous Chicago DJ, gorgeous male models, and news cameras all over the place. Unfortunately, it was my job to make sure the shirts were straight and the customers were happy rather than enjoying a delicious beverage and eyeing some gorgeous male models [but I did get paid. Yay].

But it really was an eye opening experience, even though it was small scale to the kind of shows I write about but only dream of one day attending. But the music and the vibe really suited me. Everyone seemed to be having a great time, and our wonderful store manager and my favorite men's furnishings girl in the world really made the night something bigger than just a little fashion event on the second floor of our store.

What really floored me is how great all the attendees looked [minus, of course, the homeless man that continued to compliment me on my shoes. ugh. how did he even get up there? who knows]. Seriously, everyone was dressed to the nines, and of course I knew this is how people dress when going to a fashion event, but it was a bit shocking to see it first hand.

Overall, I'm so glad I skipped class [sorry, professor] to come to work and experience this event. NBC and CS Magazine covered the event and took some video. Sorry for the lack of good pictures... like I said, I felt kind of awkward whipping out my iPhone while on the clock. But I got a couple. Enjoy!

Ps. Skip to .48 seconds if you want to skip to the show.

Pps. Here was my job for half the evening. Yes that is a giant pile and bar full of unfolded men's dress shirts. Ugh. Glamorous. To be fair, that's probably one of the most intense piles I have encountered while working there. But still.

the most surprising of paris fashion week: Chanel

Slideshow of the looks.

Okay, aside from Karl's rude comments earlier this week, the Chanel show was still absolutely something we have never seen before.

With a down on the farm theme, the entire runway was covered in hay with models and Lily Allen [wtf, why] playing around in the space while somehow creating a semblance of a show.

Favorite Look:

How hot is it to have a gorgeous couple being able to pull of the exact same outfit? Incredible and impressing. And those jeans, gotta have em.

With close to 75 looks, it's unbelievable [but not unusual] that he had so much to show. However, that being said, there seemed to be a multitude of ideas that did not really connect. That is not to say the show was bad, but I would have been more impacted if the clothes all had the classic Chanel feel, or a white out feel, or whatever feel that would fit together.

But give me a break on the ugly clogs. I usually never say this about anything unique or super high fashion, especially Chanel, but those clogs are just freaking hideous.

Overall, I feel very mixed emotions about Chanel this season. It's very hot and cold for me, like wow, that was completely incredible or oh my god, I wish I could burn that. But that's the thing with fashion, sometimes your favorite designer can create something that makes you gasp, and not in a good way. But no one can ever deny the genius that is Karl Lagerfeld or the house of Chanel, no matter what gets sent down the runway.

Photo by Monica Feudi via gorunway.com/style.com

in a dream world.

I posted this on my old blog when it first came out last March. So it may be a bit old. But regardless, I was feeling inspired due to my current assignments for school: a french composition and a magazine spread.

I just can't begin to touch upon this woman and the impact she has had on my life. Honestly, if I could be anyone in the entire world, I would choose Carine Roitfeld...hands freakin' down.

She is the editor in chief of French Vogue. She does not believe in celebrities on the covers of magazines. She does not believe in models that are too skinny. She does not believe in clothes that are too expensive.

Here is a clip from an article published in 2008 about Carine and her opposition to American ways.

"Roitfeld has been the editor-in-chief of French Vogue for the past seven years, ever since she took over from the cerebral Joan Juliet Buck. Roitfeld remade French Vogue in her own image, which is to say svelte, tough, luxurious, and wholeheartedly in love with dangling-cigarette, bare-chested fashion.

So much of the fashion world is about negotiating insecurity—exploiting it enough to make you want to buy things, but still nurturing, to keep you close. But Carine Roitfeld is like the industry’s X factor: Fashion does not, could not, make her insecure. Fashion is the place in the world where Roitfeld is most comfortable and at home.

Because of this, Roitfeld’s French Vogue is the polar opposite of most American fashion magazines. It is unconcerned with making fashion wearable or accessible to its readers. It is not inclusive: There is no advice on how to dress if you’re shaped like a pear or about to turn 50."

This is exactly how I feel about fashion. To. A. T.

And like I said, I feel as though I cannot touch on her sheer brilliance. It is just one of those things that is, and something I understand on a very real, cerebral level.

At risk of continuing and sounding a little obsessed, I leave you with these clips from an episode of CNN's Revealed, where they followed Carine around to soak up all her fabulous. Enjoy.

the best of paris fashion week: Louis Vuitton

Slideshow of the looks.

Favorite Look:

This collection is so Marc Jacobs it's ridiculous. And yay afros. For real, so different and original. Some of the denim looks were a bit off for me, as well as the giant rabbits' feet. But overall, I'm feeling the grungy roots of Marc with the twist of Louis Vuitton thrown into the garments. This one is a great play off menswear. And the jacket with the contrasting sleeves is straight out of my wildest dreams.



I even sadly enjoy the giant tassels? Why? I don't know. I really need to find some way to acquire this jacket. Even though I have nothing Louis Vuitton. Ugh. Also, on Louis Vuitton's Facebook page, the show streamed live for the first time ever. Here's a link if you care to watch the crazy fros and fab clothes strut down the catwalk.

Ps. Sorry for the late postings of the shows. I just had other things to tell you about.

Photo by Marcio Madeira, via style.com

not too sure.

The new cover of November Vogue has surfaced.

Honestly, I love Annie Leibowitz. But these women are seriously gorgeous. Why all the blatant airbrushing? For real.

I'm pretty much obsessed with all the gowns, and with Marion Cotillard...and with the musical Nine [the reason for the four seemingly random girls to appear on the same cover], even though it isn't out yet.

I guess I'm just partial to Carine's idea. Models on covers, not celebrities. Ugh.

the best of paris fashion week: Lanvin

Slideshow of the looks.

Favorite Look:

I just mentioned draping in the last post, and it seems Alber was ready to conquer that trend all over again. I think this dress is just gorgeous, and the color is as rich as an expensive piece of jewelry.



While I will probably never own anything Lanvin due to my ridiculous lack of extra money, I will continuously wish otherwise. Some of the clothes this man cranks out are nothing short of amazing. I mean genuinely, can you imagine how much time this took? Anyone that tells me high fashion has no reason for being that expensive, I'm going to show them a picture of that.

Photo by Marcio Madeira, via style.com

the best of milan fashion week: Dolce and Gabbana

Slideshow of the looks.

Favorite Look:

The bright red shoes [which I might add, are not pumps. Even better]. The feminine look of a man's outfit. I adore it.



Plus, it could probably hide the extra around my hip/waist area. Or make it look even worse. It really is a gamble, but one I'm absolutely willing to take.

Photo by Marcio Maderia, via style.com

the best of milan fashion week: Fendi

Slideshow of the looks.

Favorite Look:

There were only two or three disasters that walked, but the moment this look popped up, I immediately forgave Karl for a couple slip ups and began contemplating how I could possibly make this skirt appear in my closet.



Oh, to be a Fendi girl...

Photo by Marcio Madeira via style.com

the best of milan fashion week: Gucci

Slideshow of the looks.

Favorite Look:

Basically, the coat and the accessories are unbelievable. I love the similar shades combined together to create a sporty, but fierce look.



I feel like grey could be the new black. Call me crazy. But I'm really into it.

Photo by Marcio Madeira via style.com

the best of milan fashion week: Marni

Slideshow of the looks.

Favorite Look:

Ok, fine. I have three. Whatever. I might go broke very soon, and by might, I mean will.



Dear Consuelo,
I'm obsessed with your clothes.
Love,
Maddie

Photo via Marcia Madeira, via style.com

the best of milan fashion week: Bottega Veneta

Slideshow of the looks.

Favorite Look:

It's rare that I pick one of the formal/red carpet gowns as my favorite. Because of course, they're incredible, but when was the last time [or the first time, rather] that I needed a dress for my red carpet event? Try never.

But this one just blows my mind.



I'd feel like just like a queen.

Photo by Marcio Madeira via style.com

the best of milan fashion week: Prada

"Business to Beach" was the theme of Miuccia Prada's Spring 2010 Ready to Wear show that kicked off Milan Fashion week.

She strayed away from her traditional wacky pieces that challenge normal thoughts about fashion. The transition from casual to dressy combined with looks like bermudas and vests made out of dressier material. It started with the business looks and ended with the beach looks, creating a unique fluidity.

Not everything was totally wearable, but a great deal of the looks created a new aspect of Prada's design that could be worn for a multitude of occasions.

Not my favorite show, but definitely one of the best due to the originality of the looks and ideas. That, and Miuccia is a genius, per usual.

Slideshow of the looks.

Favorite Look:

Okay, everyone picked this look at well. It's not necessarily something I would walk out of the house wearing, but I love the abstract layers and details.



And of course, the shades.

the best of london fashion week: Burberry Prorsum

Christopher Bailey and his team at Burberry utilized one of the newest tools in reaching a much larger audience that fits in their tents yesterday at the Burberry Prorsum Spring 2010 Ready to Wear show.

From Chelsea College of Art and Design in London, Burberry broadcasted the show live over the internet. I posted the link right before the show started, and was only able to watch about five minutes of the actual footage before class had to swoop in my ruin my life. Typical.

Many of fashion's finest, including current Burberry model Emma Watson [aka Hermoine, in the seriously bright gold dress],Victoria Beckham, and Mary-Kate Olsen sat front and center to watch the newest glam strut down the runway, according to style.com.

This young audience fit perfectly with the overall aesthetic of this season's Prorsum line: young, short, and loud. Military looks and glitter both made appearances, but the ideas mostly echoed around fresh takes on Burberry's iconic pieces.

What most impressed me was his use of drapery and intricate folding, which made old silhouettes look like a brand new idea. The fact that I would seriously drop my few paychecks on nearly every piece is a serious statement.

Chris, you're a genius.

Slideshow of the looks.

Favorite Look:

Throw the trench on top of the outfit, and I'm in heaven.




See that knot at the bottom? Iconic twist. Who knew.

Photos by Marcio Madeira via style.com

the true best of new york fashion week: Oscar de la Renta

Classic.

That is the simpliest, yet most direct way to describe anything Oscar de la Renta touches.

This collection needs no review. It needs no recount. For me, it defines how a woman should dress and the ultimate in style.

And I'm not the only one who thinks so. Cathy Horyn of the New York Times writes about his ability to create a look for every kind of woman, and have them be individualized at the same time.

The bright colors echoed the season as bright purples, blues, and oranges made many appearances down the catwalk. He showed many different kinds of looks, per usual, from casual daywear to red carpet ready. Oscar defines fashion. Of course, every show has pieces that not everyone addresses with. But this show, so far, is the best of New York Fashion Week. All in my opinion, of course.

I'm truly at a loss for words.

Slideshow of the looks.

Favorite Look:

Okay. It isn't fair. But I really can't choose. Really can't.
If you don't look at any of the rest of the slideshows, look at this one.
Seriously.

the best of new york fashion week: Rodarte

The fabulously wacky sister duo Laura and Kate Mulleavy of Rodarte, who just won the CFDA's award for 2009 Womenswear Designer of the Year, turned out their newest collection on Tuesday.

In a strange mix between tribal and gothic tones, the girls never cease to impress with their unique take on dresses and prints. According to style.com's review, who says it much eloquently than I dare attempt to repeat, "In other words, they aged, painted, burned, shredded, sandpapered, and otherwise destroyed all of the materials—including grungy scraps of plaid, plastic, cheesecloth, wool cobweb, crystals, macramé, leather, and more—until they bore only traces of what they had been originally."

I mean how...how did they construct some of these garments? Pieces of the dresses are so intricate I can only imagine what backstage looked like trying to get actual people into them. What truly amazes me about these girls is how delicate garments that are so hard can become with a little inspiration.

Last season, I found myself lusting after the mini dresses that had this unbelievable fluidity without being anything I'd ever seen before. After gaining their sterling reputations in the fashion world, I feel as this collection speaks most to who they are as designers...so far at least.

Ps. How cool is the floor?

Slideshow of the looks.

Favorite Look:

Ok. Practical, no. Unbelievable, yes.



Maybe in a dream, I will walk down Michigan Avenue in the dead of winter wearing this. And of course be this skinny...sigh.

Photo by: Marcio Madeira via style.com

the VERY best of new york fashion week: Marc Jacobs

no heels.
all flats.
pure genius.

Inspired by bringing women back to more theatrical, lively ways of dressing, my all time favorite man/designer/person Marc Jacobs presented his Spring 2010 show on Monday.

"If last season was a trip back in time to the eighties," he continued, "this was a trip to the theater, the ballet, the opera."

Now I'm really not sure any show will ever beat out Marc's Spring 09 show, and I mean for the rest of my life. But this show, while lacking the same fluidity usually expected by his fans, brought costumes right off a stage and onto the streets.

The minute details always make it for me. They are why I hold the most respect for him as a designer. He could probably twist around a bag of garbage and sell it for thousands on Madison Avenue.

And I still cannot BELIEVE he didn't use heels.

Slideshow of the looks.

Favorite Look:



It has a military feel, which doesn't really go with the rest of the looks. But the skirt fits in, and is completely genius. However, it's really too bad I'd need pants since my legs do not look like that.

...and I may or may not get in trouble as soon as these shoes come out for purchasing them immediately.

Photo by: Marcio Madeira via style.com

the best of new york fashion week: Alexander Wang

At his show on Pier 94 last Saturday, Alexander Wang took an American classic and spruced it up a bit. And by a bit, I mean tons, per usual.

At Nordstrom where I work on Michigan Avenue, the women's clothing departments are on the 3rd floor. I do my best, usually failing, to stay away from that floor altogether. But I always MUST stay far from Alex Wang at risk of spending my minimal paycheck.

He's very young at 24, but has already had collaborations with Gap and Uniqlo, as well as been recognized by the CFDA. This collection surpassed his previous genius as he unveiled his american football inspired collection.

According to the style.com review, he wanted to created a few timeless, staple pieces that will last girls longer than just the fads of the current season. With Wang, there always seems to be a minute detail that you don't find until the last minute, or a fairly typical item that has never been used that way before. And to think, I'm only 3 years younger.

Some of the looks were a bit off the deep end for me, like shirts with the stomachs cut out. But overall, his aesthetic and uniqueness won me over.

Slideshow of the looks.

Favorite Look:
I'm mostly obsessed with the skirt, and the textures that contrast on the two shirts.



And oh, those braids.

Photo by: Marcio Madeira via style.com

the best of new york fashion week: Zac Posen

The oh, so fun to look at Zac Posen never ceases to amaze.

After he moved his show to Monday morning instead of Thursday, he also switched locations to stir things up a bit. The Altman Building housed Posen's show, and the smaller venue echoed the designer's visions quite well.

Looks featured color block looks and vibrant colors, some with cutouts and various new shapes not typical of Zac's evening and sophisticated style. He did large and small prints, and created numerous fantastic looks that women actually will want to wear on the daily. Minus the pricepoint, of course. One day I found a Zac dress online at Glit for $250 dollars, and didn't buy it. Still kicking myself.

Anyway, love Zac. Love this collection and it's fun loving looks.

Slideshow of the looks.

Favorite Look: Ok looks. I really can't decide.
So I picked a dress and a seperates outfit.


I may or may not like green.

Photos by: Marcio Madeira via style.com

the best of new york fashion week: Diane Von Furstenberg

As if anyone is surprised.

The goddess herself, DVF showed her Spring 2010 collection at Bryant Park on Sunday. The designer was insprired by a girl that is "looking into antiquity for effortless beauty." Her shows and styles always contain ethereal, flowly, and feminine looks. None of these were absent, but DVF also added a few fabulous tailored looks to round out her show.

Every show, a general theme cascades over the runway to compose a liquidity. This show centered around this season's nomad searcher with Egypt and the desert on her horizon, along with a side visit to the Pre-Raphaelites, according to style.com's review.

This is my favorite of her shows in a long time. I really loved last season's Rock Goddess, but this season seems to get back to her feminine roots while adding bold acccessories and new silhouettes to perfect her already flawless clothes.

My one complaint is how I could skip the neon/bright bangles. I get it, but so does Claire's and the 12 year olds that shop there.

Slideshow of all the looks.

Favorite Look:
SO buying the cardigan and belt.
Work it outtt.

Photo by: Marcio Madeira via style.com

overkill?

So Fashion's Night Out was last week. And I babbled on and on...and on about it.

However, all the good stuff from the night has slowly been coming out, and it's only fair that I let you all in on the stuff I find right?

I mean you are reading my blog, after all.

Here's a video from my mecca, Vogue, recaping some of the highlights. Although I'm not sure you can get better than Oscar, Bette, Barbara and SJP singing...maybe.