Obsess: Donna Karan: For the City Warrior in Us

Donna Karan has been doing her thing for so long that, honestly, sometimes I forget to even look at her Collection- which is my bad.  Her clothes are still amazing.  Her collection for this Fall is really empowering- the slicked back hair and the intense eyes make the women coming down the runway look like warriors.

While the color palette is a little dull (we've all see combos of black, brown and beige), Donna Karan's collection is full of texture and unique cuts which make this a true Obsession of mine.  I tend to like the safe things that have a little bit of quirk so this stuff is right up my alley.  She pairs leather with velvet pair with narrow skirts and fur.  My favorite looks for your pleasure:

These girls look like City Superheroes.  The floating swathes of fabric create really unique and strong shapes against the skin-tight skirts.  I'm a big fan!  I don't care if I've seen all these colors together before, I think the strength in these designs is really inspiring and they look like pieces that I would love to wear.  I especially love the brown furry hat!

Obsess: Billy Reid and a Decadent Fall

It's going to be a wonderfully decadent Fall!

Fashion Week, Fashion Week, Faaaaashion Weeeeek!

While I don't take any kind of active role in anything Fashion Week, I always love to see what the designers have lined up for the next season.  In a dull, cold and dreary winter, Fashion Week sweeps through the city and breathes life into the faces of those that are worn out in their black peacoats and snow-resistant boots.  So poetic and over the top, but it's true.  Just looking at what's in store for Fall next year gets me excited about new trends I can Ogle now at least until the weather gets warm....and then cold again.

So, what were my favorite shows?  It's really hard to pick favorites.  I like shows the same way I like albums.  I never love the entire album, but if there are enough songs on it that I listen to more than 3 times, I can solidly say I like its style.  Same with Runway shows- I rarely see one where I love everything in the show (I actually don't think I've ever looked at a Collection and loved every look), but I'll still love a lot of the things I see.

Anyway, let's talk about some shows!  Let's start with Billy Reid and how wonderfully Obsessed I am with the feel of his Collection.  When it's a Fall Collection, I want it to feel like it's Fall and the collection is everything that I love about the season.  It's warm with a lot of earth tones, leather, jackets that almost seem oversized, alongside the secret to pairing black and brown.  The outerwear is AMAZING.  Here are some of my fav looks:

I love the boxy silhouettes of the coats.  Paired dresses that come in right at the natural waist and deep necklines, I just can't get enough.  The plunging neckline with the high waisted dress in olive and navy...ah, it's what I want right now!

The show was both Men's and Women's.  To see the rest of it, check it out at NYMag.com.

Ah, so lovely!

Obsess: Mandy Coon's Spring is Dark and Lovely

When I think of spring in New York, I often get this image in my head of pretty girls rubbing their eyes and shedding all the layers of black that they piled on in the winter.  When the weather isn't quite warm enough, but the sun is shining bright, they emerge in shorts to show off their well-hibernated legs.  They braid their hair and wear beach waves.

Well, Mandy Coon's Spring 2013 collection just slapped me in the face, woke me up, and shoved leather and greased-back hair in front of me.  And I liked it.

You know what else she had in her show??  THE BUNNY BAG!  I love that bag!  It's so lovely and adorable.  It's a nice contrast to the tough lines and the shiny leather.  The floppy ears are awesome. Take a look at my favs:

Loving the slicked back hair, too!  To see the whole show, you have your trusty slideshow on Style.com.

Obsess: NYFW Jenni Kayne Spring 2013

Jenni Kayyyyne.

You've heard me go on about how much I loved her D'orsay flats, but her most recent Spring Runway show has driven me deeper into my love for her design and awesome use of color.  Let me share with you a few of my favorites:

I love the shorts and I love those FLATS (of course).  High-waisted shorts are awesome for shorts girls (like me) AND those lucky, leggy girls as well.  I love the colors and the throwback patterns.  Needless to say, I'm totally excited for Jenni Kayne next spring!  After all this time that I'll have to obsess over those flats, I might just have to Own them (soon).  Oh, and, that pink dress is stunning.  If you want to see the whole collection, you can find it at Style.com.

Fashion Week Ogle: L'Wren Scott, Full of Sass!

When I go through images of all the shows from Fashion Week, I sometimes find that some of the collections blur together (like Theysken's Theory, Helmut Lang, Alexander Wang...I love their designs but somehow they all end up feeling similar).

A show that really stood out to me was L'Wren Scott this season.  While many shoes were challenging the shape of clothes on the body, L'Wren Scott is keeping it real with fitted styles tapering at the waist. Lots of shows seemed to feature just one or two main colors in their collections, but L'Wren Scott blew. it. out.  Her show was fillllllled with awesome color- pinks, whites, yellows reds, purples...!

The colors and the rejuvenation of the ladylike silhouette were so in charge!  I'm not usually one to rock too many of the demur, ladylike styles, but L'Wren Scott's show was so inspiring that I might have to adopt some of these styles into my wardrobe.  Check out my favorites here:

It's so Gatsby-esque!  I love the last three looks here- the bright lace, the dramatic glitter, and the front slit.  All so glamorous and perfectly shocking in all the right ways for the runway.  See the whole collection here on NYMag.com.

Fashion Week Ogle: Zero + Maria Cornejo

I have always loved Zero + Maria Cornejo and this Fall 2012 show was just a reminder as to why I loved the designs to much.  The shapes that she creates in her designers are so unique and fun to wear.  I think of her clothes as comfortable and easy, though they appear to be so much more than that.  Her Fall 2012 Show was no exception.  It was filled with flowy colors, muted ones paired with loud ones, and sharp shapes paired with a slightly baggy and casual silhouette.  It reminds me a little bit of origami...anyway, here are my favs from the show:

I love the dress with the huge slit.  I think that slits are so sexy and so under-used!  I know, I know..."but what if the wind blows wrong and the world gets a peek at my hoo ha?"  Well, my friend, that's a risk I'm willing to take.  Chances are I'll have on a really cute pair of undies anyway (thanks to my obsession).

Such an awesome and tough spin on being ladylike!  Love it.  Here's hoping that last look with the high neck jacket somehow miraculously makes it to a sample sale...See the whole collection here on NYMag.com.

Fashion Week Olges: Pinterest

Fashion Week is so chocked full of amazing fashions.  While I respect all fashions out there (you see some weird stuff in NY, but hey, props if those people are willing to strut it out in public), there are still times when I see collections on the runway and only like one or two pieces.  Since I don't like the whole collection, I usually won't write a blog post about it, but I don't want those Ogles to go wasted!  Find all the one-off Ogle-able Runway looks here-  Follow me on Pinterest!

Want a sneak peek?  Here are some of the amazing things in there:

Preen AW 2012

TSE AW 2012

For more, follow me!

Fashion Week OGLE: Derek Lam: Flowery and Tough, but still Silky Smooth

I keep thinking that there's going to be a time that I'm going to get tired of seeing leather in the fall, but at this point, I don't think that's going to happen any time soon.  Derek Lam's show at New York Fashion Week- the looks, the use of leather, the patterns, the flow- AAHHH awesome.

I love that leather isn't overused- it looks great with the dainty, floral patterned shirt that gets it's structure from the hints of black that stand out.  It's amazingly tough as sleeveless top with a simple skirt.  

The patterned suit remind me a little of traditional Asian fashion.  I love the black and white floral pattern with strong collar.  As much as the patterning was in the show, I feel like it had a really nice progression back to the sleek and simple style that I'm used to seeing from Derek Lam.  I love the white dress with black cap sleeeeeeeves.  So dreamy and excellent for a daring bride...!  By the end of the show, the skirts were flowing.  See for yourself:

See the full show here at Style.com.  More to come!  I love Fashion Week!

Fashion Week OBSESS: Mara Hoffman Fall 2012

I've already written about how awesome I think Mara Hoffman is, but recently I've been loving her stuff more than ever- especially here uniquely patterned bikinis (you know, since I'm planning for my warm weather vaca!).

Well Fashion Week Fall 2012 is alive and buzzing in NYC and of course I took to the web to find out Mara Hoffman had walking down the runway. Her designs continue to be so full of color and inspiring. They make me want to get dressed and leave the comfort of my blacks and greys and blacks again.

She's found a way to remove all the campiness from the boho look andake it feel chic and authentic.

I llllooooovvvvee it!

Does it make me wish that next fall would get here faster? Maybe. Yes, maybe.  All the pics are from Style.com so go there if you want to see the full collection.