FASHION Magazine

Consider it the people’s choice awards for online fashion: Polyvore has partnered with Cover Girl to bring four alumni designers from the Fashion Institute of Technology to the runway during New York Fashion Week. The shows will take place today, February 13, at La.venue in New York but, naturally, Polyvore will also be streaming the shows live.

Barely any makeup is par for the course at Alexander Wang, where his downtown girl is so cool she doesn’t need to wear much. In keeping with this recurring idea, makeup artist Diane Kendal created “a very sculpted look, keeping it almost kind of androgynous,” using M.A.C Pro Sculpting creams. With “Coffee Walnut,” she contoured the cheekbones, temples, and the side of the nose, and then added highlights in the same areas with “Accentuate.” Brows were kept straight and boyish, and lip balm was dabbed on models’ mouths. “He just wanted the girls to be strong and a little bit warrior-like,” said Kendal. Manicurist Jin Soon Choi applied “Bandage,” to the nails—a beige shade from the designer’s second collaboration with Sally Hansen.

The constant rushing between back-to-back shows (and shows, and shows, and shows) can make fashion week feel like somewhat of a big blurry journey. Uptown, then downtown, then—where are we again? Amidst that kind of chaos, it’s nice to switch it up with a few friendly faces, which was the scene at Jeremy Laing’s show yesterday morning. Everyone from photographers Tommy Ton and Jason Hudson, to writers Amy Verner and Sarah Nicole Prickett, to cool kids Eva Michon and Matt Jackson turned out to root for one of the strongest home-team players. Cue his splendidly architectural collection, with its attention to the backside (rear-view zips, backwards button-downs, and capes) and its awesomely fresh denim velvet abstract print interspersed throughout the collection, and you’ve got one helluva brunch replacement (to thankfully be followed by one actual brunch).

We’re just getting started! Day three of New York Fashion Week brings us a look at some incredible colour-blocked pants courtesy of Jenna Lyons, a beyond-textured outfit from Michelle Harper (wearing the designer at Prabal, of course), and a peek at Queen Anna’s signature bob. Come see what else we spotted outside Hervé Léger, Rag & Bone, and Prabal Gurung.

See all the pictures! »

Day two of the shows began with another early rise, this time for Lacoste’s Fall show at Lincoln Center. The intrinsically sporty brand took an edgy spin for Fall, with designer Christophe Lemaire turning up the zip-age on the collection from the first look—a quilted high-necked vest over a long and oh-so smooth black leather jacket and colour-blocked leggings—to the last—a black leather mini with sleeves that zipped off above to give the appearance of a jacket worn just on the shoulders.

Next was Jill Stuart with a gussied up Nikki Reed and Olivia Palermo in the front row. The designer’s penchant for vintage girliness extended to a ‘60s soundtrack dubbed over models who showed off gold-threaded embroidery on turtleneck dresses, slim trousers, and pleated skirts. Continuing on the blowout spring trend, a peplum showed up mid-show to amp up the au courant.

See all the pictures from backstage »

When I arrived backstage at Jason Wu, the designer himself was receiving a touch-up from makeup artist Diane Kendal. These are the things you witness if you get to the venue early enough. Once he scooted out of her chair, Kendal proceeded to rhyme off all of Wu’s references for his Fall 2012 collection: the Ming Dynasty, the Chinese military, and ’40s Hollywood.

NYFW continues, and we have more than 90 pictures from the crowds at Peter Som and Jason Wu! Day two brings even more bright colours, pattern mixing, and some of the best shoes yet. And from Olivia Palermo to Joanna Hillman, furry toppers continue to dominate the streets of New York.

See all the pictures! »

It’s that time again! The semi-annual ushering in of awesome new things we can’t afford but want SO badly. The month of running around like a headless chicken in shoes that feel “just okay” but look “so amazing!” And so it began yesterday morning with a ceremonious full-body search at Billy Bishop Airport and a quick Porter jaunt over to New York City (the flight was like a FASHION invasion, with our editor-in-chief Bernadette Morra and features editor Elio Iannacci both coincidentally on board). Arriving with just enough time to plop my stuff down, overdo it with the Elnett, and pop into a cab for Jason Wu, I was off.

Welcome to New York Fashion Week! Our photog Lewis Mirrett will be sending his best snaps from the streets all week long. First up is a look at the goings on outside Milk Studios before Erickson Beamon presented their debut ready-to-wear collection.

Take a look! »

First Phoebe Philo, now Ralph Rucci. Luxury line Chado Ralph Rucci announced today that it is cancelling its upcoming Fall 2012 runway show, and opting for more intimate showroom appointments instead.

The designer (who you may remember from his diva-esque cameo on Kell on Earth) was set to show on February 12, during the same time slot as Tommy Hilfiger (an undeniable NYFW staple). Of course, this has people questioning whether the Rucci camp moved the show to avoid press and buyer competition with Hilfiger.

Of course Rucci’s sister, Rosina Rucci, shot down all those rumours, telling WWD, “Tommy’s audience is decidedly not ours.”

Others are speculating that this is all about finances, citing Ungaro’s recent decision to cancel its Pre-Fall and Fall shows. But given that Ungaro also sent models with heart-shaped nipple pasties down the runway at the behest of Lindsay Lohan, we find it hard to compare the two.

We hope this isn’t a sign of difficulties (monetary or otherwise) in the Rucci camp. Whatever the reason may be, we just hope we can see snaps of the collection online. We love us some American couture.