Sunday, September 20, 2009

JLCBGGRC


Amid the dozens of stunning collections at New York Fashion Week, I have finally pulled together my favorites. Truly almost every collection featured something I liked (especially the glittery blazer at 3.1 Phillip Lim, the fabulous array of slouchy trousers at Ralph Lauren, and those three fluffy dresses that closed the Jason Wu show), but for me these four were extra special.

Julian Louie
has shown me the breathtaking power of a monochromatic outfit sans black. The sunset colors in his collection are gorgeous beyond belief, and I think the balance between body conscious and more flowing pieces is just right. Totally digging the vintage-inspired separates in the first two looks, and the construction of that little peach dress is perfect. The girliness of the collection is awesomely spot on: springy and feminine, but with enough cleanly structured pieces to prevent it from looking sickly sweet. Aces!




Chris Benz has created one of the most unapologetically fun and amazingly fresh collections I have seen in a long time. I adore the juxtaposition of elegant forties-inspired pieces (like that perfectly clingy pink dress) with the totally outrageous sequined items, and the fact that the simpler parts of the collection stand up to its glitzy highlights makes Benz's work that much more impressive. Whether I am in the mood for understated or grandiose partywear, something in this collection will fit the bill, which I think is a very rare feat.




Gary Graham pulls off the ethereal, undone Victorian look to the tee. The collection is gorgeous but not quite pretty, thanks to loose pieces and haphazard belting (not to mention those killer black boots). The first four dresses have a fairylike, wood-nymph feel to them that I adore, but my favorite look is the filmy orange corset and cropped black trousers. The riot of sunset colors and slouchy cut of the pants are the perfect counterpoints to the leather boots and sharp structure of the corset. I really love how untrendy and comfortable everything looks.




Rachel Comey is undoubtedly my favorite New York collection this season. It might not be especially groundbreaking or irreverent, but who says great fashion needs to be? (I know, I know, I am completely not cut out to work in the world of high fashion. I apologize for just liking pretty clothes. Actually, wait... I don't apologize!) In judging how much I like a collection, my criteria are stupidly simple: are the clothes pleasing to the eye, and would I wear them? In the case of Rachel Comey, the answers to these questions are both enthusiastically yes. I adore the pairing of tiny crop tops with roomy bottoms, her color palette is cohesive and lovely, and every look has just the right dose of hipster-granny quirkiness that I look for in daywear.





Of course, I loved and appreciated many of the traditional best in show. Marc by Marc Jacobs was kooky and adorable as always, Rodarte blew my mind with their elaborate conception and prodigiously detailed dresses, and Alexander Wang once again nailed the fresh sportswear with too many fashionable twists to count.

But here I would rather share the collections that fulfill what I personally love about and look for in fashion. Every single look I have posted above I would wear in a heartbeat, and that's what makes a collection a favorite for me. So tell me - what collections have you loved because you can totally see your own style reflected in them?

I might post some more New York favorites soon, but coming up next is my one hundredth post so I have something special planned. Stay tuned!

32 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love Julian Louie's collection. The colors are lovely. I've never seen so much originality in monochromatic outfit ! I love the second dress. And the makeup is awesome !

Anonymous said...

And thanks a lot for your comment on my photos, I appreciate.

Liya said...

FABULOUS POST GIRL!!!
whatgreat picks

myglitteringcreation.blogspot.com

Rosie Unknown said...

Hmm, I wasn't wild about these, but the Gary Graham collection was pretty awesome.

Victoria Jin said...

awesome choices. the makeup in the first collection is unbelievable - art art art!
congrats on the nearly 100th!

emily said...

love all of them, especially the last two!

Maria Confer said...

Stunning collections, but my favorite by far is Gary Graham's amazing and dreamy collection.

Thanks so much for the sweet comment.

lululetty.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

these clothes are so amazing!

indigotangerine said...

I wasn't as crazy about Rachel Comey's collection as her past ones but those first three were amazing, especially the first. If I didn't look atrocious in salmon I would wear it right now. And Benz's was just so FUN! I hadn't seen all of these, thanks for sharing.
-indigo

Helennn Louise said...

Thanks for the comment XD

Is it bad that I hate catwalk fashion. I always seem to think the outfits just dont go!

Is this what you want to do or already do in life??

xx

Barbro Andersen said...

Great post! I love the neutral colors in all of these outfits - and my fave among these was absolutely Rachel Comey.

Thank you so much for an amazing comment on my blog, you are too kind! I really appreciate it a lot, and I am so following your blog from now on!

Emma said...

ahhh sheer amazingness the lot

xoxo

Anna G said...

I was definitely loving Phi, I don't think I'll ever see lace up jeans the same way. I also was really liking the Jason Wu collection. Another one that appealed to me was Boy by Band of Outsiders. All very classic and I probably buy a few things if I had the money.

Analisa said...

The first collection looks so pretty, & I fell in love with the Gary Graham one when I first it haha

Amelia said...

Wow, I hadn't seen the Julian Louie collection before. I love the colors and the little ruffly details. So cool! Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

In the first collection I really like the 3rd and 5th outfits! It's interesting how they painted their faces though! lol And pretty much everything in the second to the last collection I adore! Great selection from fashion week!

Anonymous said...

lovee fashion week!
gary grahames first dress is amazing!

are you checking out londond? Charles Anaste had some gorgeous dresses!

Helennn Louise said...

Oh right, cool. Well you sure have a passion for it XD

xx

Tereza said...

I love Gary Graham´s collection - so feminine, romantic and beautiful dresses

Winnie said...

Great post. I love Gary Graham's dresses, they're the kind of dresses that I've been quite drawn to lately, romantic and wordly!

Unknown said...

Do love all these ecspecially chris benz, he nailed it!
XOXOX
Libby
http://fashionconfectionairy.weebly.com

Melissa~ said...

Amazing! Thanks for share.
I love all the collections, the colors and shapes are perfect.

Thanks for visit my blog!

Woods said...

i my favorite is the last picture they look more me
=]

Lexie said...

i cant even think about spring fashion right now, but

i love that in your profile you're called a "grunge granny." that made me smile!

Rebecca, A Clothes Horse said...

Chris Benz is fantastic. I want it all and the contrast is so perfect for a modern wardrobe...a hint of vintage and a flash of modernity. :)

Raisa said...

Love them!!!

<3

this wheel's on fire said...

Great post! You really selected fab ones xo

Unknown said...

It's definitely Hotness! ;)

Stéphanie said...

So great !

Anonymous said...

ah those collections make me feel calm :o but i like 'em all, especially the one from rachel comey from the ones that you've post & i always adore chloé - also this time.

Gabbi said...

Gorgeous... I want it all! :)

Meg said...

I love the Gary Graham collection as well!