Full Frontal

Wow, it's like some designers this season are competing for our attention by showing tons of skin while still technically covering it up. This jumpsuit from the Ann Valerie Hash show is pretty amazing and even if most of us wouldn't wear it, you have to appreciate the concept of it looking like it's in the process of being taken off. Sheer madness.


Photo by Sonny Vandevelde

Good Times

Here's some backstage shots at the Jeremy Scott show in Paris. I should talk about the actual show but I love everything Jeremy does, so I thought I'd show the behind-the-scenes.












photos by the cobrasnake

Future Synth

Balenciaga's spring sci-fi collection was one of my favorite at all the fashion weeks. Shiny, glinting surfaces covered complex layered forms set off with pale hues and center-parted slicked back hair. It was a collection free of narrative or constraints, with experimentation being pushed on every garment.

Hussein Chalayan SS09

This collection is so sick!"It's about the speed in our lives and how it can only result in a crash," Chalayan explained, adding that the prints, which included number plates, car handles, and fenders, were "taken from pictures of car graves." The idea of speed was also manifested in the molded latex dresses that appeared to be frozen in aerodynamic motion. They reminded me a lot of some cycling helmets that are shaped similarly for aerodynamics. The color palette was very well thought out and those lense-less geometric shades were a pretty nice compliment to the futuristic fashions.

Bernhard Willhelm SS09

The one thing this guy does well that keeps me coming back for more is his strange combination of prints. I have Willhelm sneakers that have dinosaurs, smiley faces, and black/white marble print all on one shoe. His clothes are also very whimsical and free, and almost always loose or oversized, which makes for some fun silhouettes and good summertime clothes. I love the hotdog chain and pretzel sandals from this collection!

Safe by Rebecca Turbow Spring 09

Hood By Air SS09

I'm kicking myself for missing the Hood By Air show. I changed my mind at the last minute cause there was crazy monsoon rain that day in NYC. If I was a dude, I'd probably attempt to dress like this. Anyway, this is sick stuff for the guys...enjoy.

Comme des Garçons SS09

Rei Kawakubo is one of the most original designers of our time. She is a trend-setter and a true innovator, shouting her unique point of view season after season for Comme des Garçons. For her Spring 2009 collection, Rei pondered the question "What is the future of black?" With this in mind, she set out to interpret her vision in the form of vinyl leather, hexagonal shapes that looked like deconstructed soccer balls, and cacooning skirts. I will forever love her work and style.com put it best, "But did the collection end up answering Kawakubo's original question? That's something only she can know, and she's not one to spell out an insight. All that's certain is that she's set out yet another puzzle here that many designing eyes will be trying to figure out in seasons to come."

Maison Martin Margiela SS09

This was one of the most pleasantly disturbing collections I've seen walk down the runway this season. It was something like part serial killer mixed with a bit of cousin IT as a Broadway dancer...or something like that. There were so many strange yet awesome inspirations in Margiela's 20th anniversary collection—it was the perfect way to end two decades of brilliance. Underneath the very dramatic styling and presentation of the show, the clothes were very much a modern reworking of his greatest hits paired with some innovative surprises. Margiela is here to stay (those rumors of him retiring were confirmed as total BS) and the roar of approval at the end of the show was certainly deserved.

Bedazzled Balmain and some good knockoffs

I never thought I'd use the word "bedazzled" in a good way! Drummer boy jackets and enough studs and rocker bling to make you go blind. Pure genius! Love, love, love.



Speaking of Balmain, the Fall 08 collection was pretty amazing too, especially those fringe boots that every model had on.



If you obsessed over those, check out these $23 knockoffs! I'm so excited to find them! It's a pretty cheesy site, but that's where you gotta look to find the good stuff.

Bodkin and Lykke Li

One of my fave musicians right now, Swedish pop songstress Lykke Li, was asked to model for Bodkin's Spring 2009 preview lookbook. Her angelic features and strawberry blonde hair created the perfect compliment to the soft neutrals and organic cottons that make up the collection. I could wear any of these pieces and knowing they are made with sustainable materials and production methods, as well as right here in NYC makes me love them even more.

Bodkin is a Brooklyn clothing label created by Eviana Hartman and Samantha Pleet. Samantha has her own clothing line as well and Eviana has written for some of the best fashion mags out there including Nylon, Purple, and Vogue.

Bound with rope

I like both these looks from Marios Schwab's SS 09 show. The colors and materials are spot on and appropriate for spring. Most of all I like the rope accessories around the waist. It sparked an idea for a DIY project perhaps I'll try. All I need is some cool material for the rope part and maybe some copper wire. I'm thinking black or a neon yellow. M&J Trimming should be a one stop shop for that stuff—I'm feeling crafty!

Jaeha SS 2009

This 21 year-old designer is making some big waves in New Zealand. Since debuting his first collection in September 2007 (inspired by Edward Scissorhands), Jaeha has gotten major press from Australia to America. His latest collection for Summer 09 is called "Colouring in Calms Me Down", which was inspired by a French film called The Dreamers. It includes surrealistic caricature images, lace socks, and plenty of innovative draping and tailoring. His clothes are mostly available in Australia and New Zealand and online at General Cucumber.

Ann-Sofie Back SS09

Taking a cue from celebrity culture, Ann used plastic surgery and liposuction as an unlikely point of reference for her spring collection. That explains the plastic-wrapped feet and nose tape! Aside from the styling down the runway, the clothes themselves utilized this reference through cutting, tucking, and pulling of the fabrics. The result was some rather interesting, yet wearable garments that are a lot more fun than getting a nose job.

Backstage at VPL SS09

Here's some backstage model shenanigans and a close look at some hot shoes and accessories at VPL by Victoria Bartlett. Photos by Sonny Vandevelde.

Betsey Johnson SS09

Betsey has created another crazy collection that everyone is undoubtedly freaking out about! The woman is a genius. For Spring 09 she channeled Peter Pan, so all the pieces were influenced by pirates or pixies, with a dash of 80s club kid for flavor. There were cotton candy wigs, skulls, and lots of ruffles. Betsey never disappoints. Here's a few of my faves. Oh, and I'd get married in this one.

Proenza Schouler SS09

Proenza Schouler hit big this season! And I mean big— 80s power babe was in full force. There were glitzy geometric jumpsuits, architectural jackets, and plenty of black & white. Models wore side swept wavy hair and red lips to top off the looks. Take a closer look at the accessories— they are part of the first full season effort of Jack and Lazaro which includes fierce gloves, metal-heeled shoes, and some killer round sunnies. I have to say this is one of my favorite collections I've seen so far at this fashion week.

Telfar SS09

Yesterday afternoon, I went to see Telfar's Spring presentation at St. Patrick's Old Cathedral Gym. The location had a tie-in as the collection was called "Breathe" and featured all unisex, athletic-inspired pieces in a refined color palette. Models walked around a mini track in the gym as the guests watched form the "in-field." There were tops and bottoms in white jersey, and a lot of baby blue— a popular high school team color, so it was fitting. Neck braces were given the fashion treatment, and oversized light denim shorts contrasted with a fitted waist.