Lord & Taylor decided to take advantage of the hullabaloo that is New York Fashion Week and coordinate their new shoe salon opening.  This was a big and shiny affair, with DJ’s designers, bartenders, and an array of New York’s stylish.

Lord & Taylor knew just when to pop the cork with this one, the fall styles are overflowing.  Fifth Avenue is a shopping mecca for tourists and locals alike, and every noteworthy department store has some form of representation on this street.  Lord & Taylor was one of the first department stores in New York City, so it is fitting that they would make such an entrance.

Dance music, mixologist cocktails and a fashionable scene were all at hand to witness the new look of the store’s 5th avenue and 38th street store.  Shoes upon shoes upon shoes filled tables, shelves and all manner of displays.  Designs from Ivanka Trump, Vince Camuto, Steve Madden, Michael Kors, Frye, Hunter, Converse, Sam Edelman and loads more!  A huge portion of this floor in the store was mapped out with the path to all of your new favorite shoes.

The atmosphere was great for a little buttered up shopping.  Nothing gets people to buy more stuff during a sale than alcohol.  Champagne flutes and heels clicked while girls went gaga over the selection of boots.  Fall is around the corner and you don’t want to get caught in the first cold rain with your sandals on.

The most important part of this new shoe wing, Shoe Obsession, is the color selection.  All important colors are present, and trending styles such as pony, camo, and red and olive suede.  Hunter boots in the most colors we have seen yet were a distraction.  Having good wellies is a survival must in this city.  Converse and Sam Edelman slides tempted right at the escalator.  Stiletto anklets from Michael Kors in camouflage pony were a hot item, as were Coach tan knee high boots.

Lord & Taylor knows fashion, and shopping at one of New York’s original department stores is so simple when it is right in the heart of midtown and surrounded by glitz and glamor.  Snag a great pair of fallsies for under 200 dollars, there are so many great styles to choose from!

Lord & Taylor
424 5th Avenue
(between 38th and 39th Streets)
Shoe Floor
New York, NY 10018

By Danielle Guercio

The tenth annual WWD Beauty Inc Awards breakfast was last week, and awards were presented in several categories. We would like to share with you the winners in the “Product of the Year” category, a list TVC finds useful when making product recommendations and for our own purchasing decisions.

COLOR COSMETICS DIOR ADDICT LIPSTICK What’s so special about it? Has 44 strong colors, and a special “mirror jelly” comprised of a proprietary blend of polymers and oils. Dior execs used a presell program to whip up interest before the launch, while Kate Moss also added her inimitable allure. Kate Moss fronted the ad campaign and the supermodel’s rock ’n roll lifestyle inspired the line’s three signature shades.

SKIN CARE LANCO^ME VISIONNAIRE ADVANCED SKIN CORRECTOR “This is the future of beauty,” declared Youcef Nabi, president of Lanco^me International at the launch of Visionnaire Advanced Skin Corrector.Visionnaire’s formula contains a new molecule, LR 2412, said to stimulate the production of six markers of the epidermal structure and regeneration linked to aging. Claiming that it was safe for all skin types, even sensitive, Lanco^me claims to have created a “universal anti-ager that works on wrinkles, pores, pigmentation, scars and vascular evenness”

HAIR CARE BUMBLE AND BUMBLE THE STRAIGHT LINE Bumble and bumble is the first professional hair care brand to formulate an in-salon straightening treatment, ConcenStraight. ConcenStraight is formaldehyde free and allows a stylist to customize a client’s desired straightness. They also introduced a retail line, Straight, consisting of a shampoo, conditioner and leave-in styler, as well as at-home straightening kits.

FRAGRANCE JUSTIN BIEBER SOMEDAY If you are 12 you’ll get it, if not I hope not.

When I chat with jewelry designer Andrea Barna before the photo shoot with her for The Stylish City about the looks we should go for I suggest that, based on her designs, I see two styles which emerge from her line, one is bohemian yet glamorous, I think it’s called “boho glam” in fashion slang, and another that reminds me of the style of Vogue Paris editors- edgy, minimalist, a lot of black, high-heels. And maybe throw in that mix a touch of New York uptown elegance (Andrea does live after all on Park Avenue and her favorite restaurant is Mr. Chow on 57 Street). She tells me that she actually defines her style as “Edgy Bohemian,” so we decide to go with that. I was thinking youthful and colorful before the shoot, and for the first outfit we put together a slightly bohemian, glamorous, feminine yet all black look, with quite a bit of make-up on and Andrea’s hair up so that the earrings, designed by herself, are showing. After a few shots, Andrea suddenly pulls her hair down and tells me “I really feel that I should be myself, and I never wear my hair up.” She was clearly showing that independent streak she kept talking about during our interview. It made sense, given that Andrea is a young woman who started her own jewelry line at 23 and who doesn’t follow trends or other designers in her work. That trait, along with her appreciation of quality and her love of fashion and design, might also explain why her line became immediately successful, carried by the most prestigious stores, and her jewelry designs are worn and owned by celebrities like Angelina Jolie and Alicia Keys. The early success also meant that she was approached by many showrooms and publicists, who eventually tried to control the creative direction of her line. It was a learning experience, and these days Andrea prefers to grow her business at her own pace, sell her designs mainly through her (and a few other) websites, and pick her collaborations carefully, because she cherishes her freedom that allows her to create a versatile, unique and affordable line which attracts a wide range of customers, who can find among Andrea’s designs something for every taste and every occasion.

The Stylish City: How would you describe the aesthetic of your designs, of your line? Is the style of your pieces eclectic, or is there a common thread that runs through all your designs? Do you design for a particular kind of woman and what kind of woman is she- is she within a certain age range, does she have a particular style, personality, lifestyle?

Andrea: My line has many different facets to it, and really is so versatile! I have customers of all ages and personalities.

I have a signature and a trend collection. The signature collection is more elegant and refined. It has been carried in stores like Neiman Marcus, Fred Segal, Henri Bendel, and it was my first collection.

My trend collection, which I started designing about two years ago, is edgier. It has a lot of different elements to it like studs and spikes. It’s really a lot of fun! I designed it on and off and it was 4 months ago that I really started selling it and added it to my website catalogue. And I am always adding pieces to these two collections.

The Stylish City: What is your creative and production process like?

Andrea: When I did my signature line, I was sawing the earrings by myself at first and then my friend Melissa, who was living in my building, saw me and she offered to help me by connecting me to a production company, and that took a lot of work, especially physical work, off my shoulders. But it is expensive to produce in the U.S., so I researched production costs around the world and decided to shift the production to Bali and Indonesia.

Now I come up with concepts and ideas and then transform them into sketches, but I am not very technical, so I explain to my team in Bali exactly what I want and they bring my creations to life, they are genius. I used to be represented by a showroom but now I enjoy having my independence. I have been approached by so many showrooms and PR companies but I am happy doing my own PR for now, but that might change, who knows what will happen in a week? That’s the beauty of running your own business.

The Stylish City: Do you follow trends, or your own inspiration?

Andrea: I don’t really follow trends, I like to create them, but I do care about what’s going on in fashion. I rarely pay attention to what other jewelry designers are doing, and I think my designs are pretty fresh and fashion-forward.

The Stylish City: Do you envision a particular theme for every collection or does every item have its own style? Are there certain colors, shapes, materials that you tend to use again and again?

Andrea: My trend collection is more substantial, thicker, edgier, made of 18k over brass, while my signature collection is sterling silver and 14 and 18k gold pieces. I use a lot of enamel, resin, I love bold colors for bracelets and necklaces, but the colors I use for earrings are more subtle because I think that they shouldn’t overshadow your face which is your best feature. I think that jewelry should accentuate you, not overpower you. I use tons of cabochon set stones, and this season I did a lot of spikes and studs, and I love hoops, to which I constantly add new elements.

The Stylish City: Your pieces have been worn by quite a few celebrities- can you tell us by whom and if you will add to this list any new names in the near future? Which high-profile women who have not worn your pieces would you dream of wearing them?

Andrea: I have some celebrities in mind for whom I’m interested in designing- Kate Winslet and Penelope Cruz to be specific, as I have spoken to their publicist.

To date, Angelina Jolie, Britney Spears (she wore my earrings at her star-signing in Hollywood, probably one of the most important moments in her life), Alicia Keys, Poppy Montgomery and Marcia Gay Harden have all worn and own my jewelry.

The Stylish City: What inspired you to name a gold-over-brass-with-garnet pair of earrings the “Alicia Keys earrings”?

Andrea: The Alicia Keys earrings are actually named after her because she owns them and has worn them on several occasions. From what I hear she loves them!

The Stylish City: Do you have a personal favorite piece among your designs and one that you would consider your “staple”?

Andrea: My current favorite pieces are my lapis and cobalt gold-plated hoops. I design a lot of hoops, so they are kind of staple items for me. These particular ones are definitely eye-catching and are perfect for daily wear.

The Stylish City: When you get dressed in the morning, do you start with the outfit, or with the jewelry?

Andrea: I have to admit that in the morning I’m always reaching for my jewelry first, and the clothes are secondary.

The Stylish City: What are your ultimate goals for your line? Any definite plans that have to do with the production and expansion of your line in the near future?

Andrea: My designs have already been sold all over the world, including at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, which has been one of my most prestigious accounts. They carried my more artistic pieces for 5 consecutive seasons. I have some collaborations in the works, and I sell my pieces through ice.com, a leading shopping website for diamond and gemstone jewelry. But honestly, now I prefer to focus on my website, at my own pace, because when I started designing I was 23 and I felt that I had to deal with too many showrooms and publicists, some of whom were trying to tell me what I should design because that was selling.

I plan to take my line to the ultimate destination, whatever that will mean. That’s what I like about fashion, it’s exciting to wake up and not know what could and what will happen today.

By Doris Sangeorzan

Jewelry designer Andrea Barna talked to The Stylish City about the path that led her from her quaint native Westchester town, where she grew up in a family of lawyers, to the decision to join the world of fashion in New York City, first through fashion and accessories editorial positions at some of the most prestigious fashion publications, and eventually to start her own jewelry line, A by Andrea Barna, at age 23, inspired by the energy and culture of the city she loves and calls home.

Although she is often trying to get friends together, and seems full of energy and initiative, you get the sense that Andrea is not the pushy kind of friend who’s all over the place, that she likes the comfort and privacy of her home as much as she loves to explore the city. Somehow the combination of those different sides of her personality made the experience of starting a business that allows her to make her own rules, work in her own space and at her own pace, and at the same time connect with people through her work and expose herself to new opportunities every day, a very fulfilling one. When I visit her apartment, which sometimes doubles as her office, it pretty much matches my expectations- it is elegant and faces Park Avenue, but it also has an artsy touch, as well as playful, girly glam details, like the leopard-print pillows that contrast nicely with the brown leather couch (her long-haired Chihuahua’s, Benny, favorite spot), and the white flowers and candles which decorate her terrace, from where one can admire the lights of Manhattan in all its glory. The large living room table is covered with jewelry pieces Andrea designed, as well as tear sheets and a portfolio filled with images of the still life shoots she styled during her stints at W and WWD. “I love my space, and I am very independent,” Andrea tells me. That pretty much sums up my impressions of her and of the place she inhabits. At the same time Andrea is very accommodating, and when her former high-school classmate Marisa, the make-up artist on the shoot, arrives, Andrea’s spontaneous, funny and informal side comes out, as the two young women start to chat about former high-school mates, Chappaqua, and, inevitably, about New York. Suddenly, I feel like I am among old friends, so I join in.

The Stylish City: We’ve heard a lot about your native town, Chappaqua, because former president Bill Clinton and his wife, Hilary, moved there. What was it like growing up there? Did it inspire you in any way to work in fashion and was anyone else in your family involved in fashion?

Andrea: Growing up in Chappaqua was pretty amazing. I had an extremely tight group of friends and most of us are still close. It doesn’t get much more beautiful than Chappaqua, it’s so picturesque. It’s changed a lot since I lived there, it’s much more populated now and after the arrival of the Clintons the real estate market has gone up.

The Stylish City: Did living there inspire you in any way to work in fashion, and was anyone else in your family involved in fashion?

Andrea: I have always loved fashion. Each day at the Horace Greeley High School was like a fashion show for me and my friends. Slightly like the high-school halls from the show “90210.” It was fun!

My family is FULL of lawyers. I carved my own path in fashion, and I couldn’t be happier with my decision. I guess you could say that I took the road less traveled. I grew up coming to NYC with my family. I loved all the museums here and loved going to the theatre, and it’s only 45 minutes away from Chappaqua. I knew I wanted to live in the city when I grew up. I moved to NYC when I was 19 with my family, which now resides on the UWS.

The Stylish City: You started to work for fashion publications (W, WWD) at an early age, 19. How did you get the job, was it an internship? And what was it like working with all these well-known editors, journalists, stylists, designers when you were so young?

Andrea: I began as an intern at W and WWD, the summer before my senior year of college at Roger Williams University in Rhode Island. I hated going to that college, I was studying business, and I don’t know why I didn’t transfer to Parsons or F.I.T. But my step-sister knew someone who worked at W and WWD, so she is really responsible for getting me the job! After I finished the summer internship I became a fashion assistant for the two publications and it was one of the best times of my life. I have all kinds of memories…I remember that I picked the Jimmy Choos which Jennifer Lopez wore at the VMAs in 2000 and when I watched the awards show and saw her walking around in those Jimmy Choos I was so excited! I did so much there, from assisting Joe Zee on a photo shoot with Hilary Swank, Alex White on a Kate Moss photo shoot, to a lot of menswear shoots for W Men’s Portfolio, and I remember assisting men’s editor Marcus Teo on an issue that included a portfolio dedicated to influential men in media, and we styled Anderson Cooper, Patrick McMullan, Euan Rellie and Darren Aronofsky, among others. I also styled still-life shoots for the WWD Beauty (editor Kerry Diamond was my mentor in the beauty department).

The Stylish City: Do you feel that the book and the movie “The Devil Wears Prada” were an accurate depiction of what it’s like to be a young, fresh-out-of-school woman working in fashion media?

Andrea: Haha, “The Devil Wears Prada” was an amazing movie, but no, my experience was nothing like that. I loved working at W and WWD, I learnt a tremendous amount from some of the most talented, intelligent and world-renowned editors. I can’t think of a better place to have started my career. Some of the very editors I worked with at 19 (beauty editor Kerry Diamond, fashion editor Joe Zee), have been very helpful people who have shaped my career.

The Stylish City: Did you know at that that point that you wanted to design jewelry or was it an unexpected direction and craft that you became familiar with while working with accessories at W and WWD? What prompted you to make the transition from fashion journalism to jewelry design?

Andrea: After W and WWD, I worked at Mode magazine as an assistant accessories editor, which was a step up from being a fashion assistant, and I had a lot more to say in what was going on in the accessories department, I produced photo shoots, called in product, and was able to use my PR contacts from W and WWD to call in products from high-end designers that Mode hadn’t had access to before, because the magazine did not have the prestige that W and WWD had. It was then, after years of calling in product, that I thought to myself I can come up with something great too! My years at fashion magazines were a great experience, but like any industry, it had its limitations- a long path to a position that pays well enough for one to live comfortably in Manhattan, job insecurity (Mode folded since I worked there), and I craved independence so eventually I came up with a business plan and I started my line in 2003, and I love doing this, it’s my passion! I also get to use what I learnt in college when I studied business, in order to implement this business. After I started the line, things took off pretty fast in terms of press coverage, prestigious store wanted to carry my line, I was very lucky.

The Stylish City: Did you take classes in jewelry design or are you a self-taught designer? How useful were the fashion publishing experience and contacts when you started your own jewelry line?

Andrea: I took a beading class in the Union Square area, and that was really it. I design from inspiration through trending fashions, and study old issues of Vogue a lot. There is an amazing store called Gallagher’s in the East Village that has archives of almost every single magazine ever published.

The Stylish City: You seem to be very much a New Yorker, very fond of the city, its people and its culture. What are some of the New York places, characteristics, people that inspire you? If you didn’t live in New York, where else would you like to live?

Andrea: I can’t really imagine living anywhere else in the world besides NYC. I love the seasons, the culture, the nightlife, everything about it really! The only other place I can maybe imagine myself living in besides New York is L.A. My step-sister and her family live there, as well as many of my close friends. It’s a really fun and magical place.

I’m known to be a homebody at times. I love to watch movies, and to spend time with friends. I love the energy of the city but I also love to go home and I am privileged to have a spacious apartment by NY standards and to be able to work from home sometimes.

The Stylish City: What are your favorite restaurants, places to go out, shop, spend your free time at in the city?

Andrea: I love going to dinners at restaurants with friends, and would really rather spend my time there than in nightclubs. I am not the type who goes out and networks all the time. I used to go to Mr. Chow on 57 Street with my stepsister at least twice a week, it was by far my favorite restaurant ever! I also love Elio’s, an Italian restaurant on the Upper East Side. My favorite store is definitely Henri Bendel. It’s quintessential NYC!

The Stylish City: In your opinion, what are the best and the worst things about living in New York?

Andrea: The best things about NYC are the seasons and the culture, the worst thing is by far the traffic!

By Doris Sangeorzan

For those who are recovering from the chaos of Fashion Week, or just need to escape to a tranquil hideaway, the irresistible deals of Spa Week are calling you.

Since 2004 Spa Week has been the original and most successful National Spa Marketing Event to date has allowed millions to take advantage of the healing benefits of the spa with its biannual, signature $50 treatments. From October 10th – 16th, hundreds of day spas, medical spas, resort spas, yoga and Pilates studios and other health and fitness centers will offer 2-3 exclusive services for a discounted price of just $50 each. The average price of a massage is $85, a facial is $91, and a body treatment is $95, but during spa week these prices are slashed to a universal price. This is the perfect opportunity for those who don’t have the money to spend on a day of relaxation as often as they like ­­­–– this week is the ultimate coupon!

All you have to do is go on the Spa Week website, register and search for spas in your area that are participating in the event. Some of the most luxurious spas around are offering people the chance to indulge in their services at minimal cost. Whether you live in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County or out of state, this national event is available to everyone. But don’t forget to book your spa treatments as quickly as possible, this notorious event is known to be booked instantly.

By Ashley Caputo

But a plan is afoot to save the day, apparently. The big players in the world of men’s jeans are putting together a huge fourth quarter push in an attempt to revive flagging sales – even though, in the bigger scheme of things, sales haven’t dipped that much when compared with other sectors. And the core idea at the heart if this plan is? A “reinterpretation” of colored denim and vintage wash jeans.

This might seem like a tired old formula with little inspiration behind it, but when you look a little deeper there is more to this sales push than meets the eye at first glance. For instance they have decided to concentrate on the premium sector, which has seen significant growth in and of it, and are applying mainstream market trends to that higher price bracket – which may not be great news for the consumer.

Some of the premium brands seeking to capitalize on this sales theory include True Religion, Seven For All Mankind and AG Adriano Goldschmied.

Handcrafted washes certainly seem to be the order of the day. Again. However, newer designs are incorporating innovative tweaks, such as one-of-a-kind shank buttons and rivets made from reclaimed tin signs – a feature that is really hot at True Religion right now. Other companies are also adding their own twists, with Seven For All Mankind also turning toward more vintage washes and away from the cleaner looks it’s best known for.

It may be less trend driven, but trends certainly seem to be the order of the day when it comes to this planned mini-revival. In the meantime, men can start looking forward to all of those out of season jeans that will be going for cheap in the not too distant future!

Metallic fabrics are a hit on both New York and London runways, a bold statement for those who want an edge in their suits, dresses and t-shirts ensembles. On the runway we see metallic throughout the entire collection at Giles, on layers of draped fabrics at Todd Lynn, mixed with sequins at Sass & Bide and on shimmery skirts at Danielle Scutt. This metallic look adds a bit of fun to the designer’s aesthetic on the runway and a great way to stand out.

The tribal sensation that consumes much of the stores as we shop for fall this year is here to stay for yet another season. These bold, exotic patterns are mesmerizing on the runway are seen in a variety of forms in many collections, like the House Of Dereon and Burberry Prorsum. Tribal is also the inspiration behind a very futuristic jumpsuit at Peter Pilitto and the many party dresses at Matthew Williamson.

In both London and New York designers take the runway with a more sporty edge by using mesh fabrics –– like Alexander Wang, Vera Wang, Cynthia Rowley and Tibi had during New York Fashion Week. Wang’s collection most utilized mesh by threading it through his entire sportswear collection, and even on his headscarves. For London Fashion week Craig Lawrence did just the same as Wang, and meshed up his entire collection of long dresses, tights and cover-ups. In London the House of Holland also embeds a lot of mesh shirts and cover-ups, while Jaeger London plays with a lot of cutouts that has a similar appearance of mesh.

There were just as much of a tropical floral vibe in London as there was in New York. Designers like Erdem and Temperley London had flowers from top to bottom in simple, loose silhouettes. At Christopher Kane you can see flowers in a variety of different dress shapes and cut-outs. Ashish uses large, bold flowers to make a statement as Matthew Williamson ties light, tropical florals into his bohemian look.

And we can’t forget the snakeskin that seemed to slither down the runway in an array of different combinations. From the head to toe snakeskin jumpsuits at Maria Grachvogel to the snakeskin embellished suspenders at the House of Holland –– this is the “it” animal print for 2012. Designers at (TopShop) Unique and Fashion East also incorporated snakeskin into their collections.

Once again, Fashion Week in both London and New York has opened the door for fashionistas to mix-and-match their favorite trends for next Spring. And remember, have fun with fashion –– just as the designers do on the runway each year.

By Ashley Caputo  

For the beauty junkie, any development in skin care is cause for celebration, so imagine the thrill that ensues when a truly revolutionary new product bursts upon the scene. Fellow beauty buffs, trust me: ioma is just such a line.

Available exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue, ioma combines radical new technology with holistic skin care to create a truly personal beauty regimen. ioma’s treatment follows three key steps: diagnose, customize, and measure and quantify. I recently visited ioma’s counter at Saks and let beauty adviser Ornella Marcone walk me through the steps.

After a brief chat about ioma and my own skin care concerns (acne and under eye circles), Ornella led me to a white orb that looked like a cross between the machine that blows air into your eye at the opthamologist and the space suit heads of your most feverish dreams. One side cunningly served as a computer screen, onto which I input my basic information (name, age, skin type, etc.). After I was done, Ornella turned the orb around, revealing a chin rest. I poked my head in and, quick as can be, a camera took five pictures.

Here’s the revolutionary genius of ioma – each picture revealed something different about my skin. The first was natural – my skin as it appears to people passing me by on the street. The next picture utilized a parallel polarized light to highlight my fine lines and wrinkles (this one was unpleasant to look at). The third picture used a cross-polarized light to feature my redness. The fourth involved a UV light and, astonishingly, showed the sun damage BELOW my skin! This is the same technology they use to investigate melanomas and it was an eye-opener – I’ll definitely be more religious about sunscreen in thefuture. The final picture used a blue light to show bacterial activity and clogged pores – gross.

Ornella then went through the results with me – turns out my skin is dehydrated and I have too many forehead wrinkles. On the plus side, my pores are largely unclogged, my UV damage is minimal, and I have no redness. So there’s that. At this juncture, it was hard not to feel a little shaken – forehead wrinkles and bacterial activity isn’t what anyone wants to think about in regards to their skin. Fortunately, ioma has all the solutions. Ornella went through each photo of my face and, without being at all pushy about sales, showed me exactly which of ioma’s many products would be best for my skin. As a final flourish, she printed out my photos, skin profile, and recommended products so I could think about which I’d like to buy and return later, and sent me off with several lovely samples.

I experienced the first two of ioma’s three steps. Had I purchased a product, I would have returned in a month to experience step three: measure and quantify. All customers get a one-month check-up to see how the products are working and make any necessary adjustments. ioma is currently available exclusively at the Manhattan Saks Fifth Avenue, though a Beverly Hills location will open next month. If you’re a beauty junkie and/or a tech geek, it’s an absolute must visit.

By Leila Cohan-Miccio

Themes from Fashion Week this year include metallic, bright colors, tropical floral prints and various usage of peplum hemline.

To sparkle and shine, designers have mixed and matched (one of our favorite things to do) metallic designs with casual wear to create the perfect fun outfit. On the runway we see a high-waisted red metallic skirt for Suno, a sequined blue undershirt for Marc Jacobs, gold shorts at Cynthia Rowley and a sequin mini skirt at DKNY.

If anything has stood out the most for us this year on the runway, it is the play on bright colors –– this year has been one of the brightest in years. While some designers went for crèmes and pale colors, most went for bold, ranging from pastels to shades of oranges and corals. Alice + Olivia mixed bright yellows with black and white stripes, Nicole Miller mixed bright orange and yellow cutouts on a black dress, J.Crew combined a bright pink button down with orange suit pants and J. Mendel uses shades turquoises to color block.

Designers couldn’t help but to throw in the tropical floral prints that represent the warm weather of summer and spring. On the runway we see tropical floral prints at Richard Chai-Love, Tadashi Shoji, Bagdley Mischka and Jason Wu. Matthew Williamson’s signature bohemian flair appeared again on the runway, but he wasn’t alone as many designers begin to play around with different prints as well –– Altuzarra, Peter Som and Derek Lamb incorporated a flirty bohemian style into their runway.

Lastly, we can’t forget the trend from the 80’s that has crept its way back into fashion –– peplum, which is a short over-skirt or ruffle attached to the waistline of a skirt, top, or dress. This is hourglass look has been reconstructed by most designers on the runway to fit into their style aesthetic. On the runway was has seen peplum on Vera Wang’s flowy gowns, Thakoon’s Bermuda shorts and Cushnie et Ochs’s leather pants ensemble.

If you follow our grand theory we are sure that you will be ahead of all the shoppers scrounging to purchase what’s in style. Instead, right now you pull out your brightest colors, favorite sequin mini-skirt and floral prints so that you are mentally and fashion ready for the Spring of 2012.

By Ashley Caputo

Today we’re bringing you a New York Fashion Week preview to set you up for the big occasion, where we’ll give you information on the top shows, how to get invited to the main events and – most importantly – how best to dress at a fashion show if you’re lucky enough to get in!

The Lineup

New York Fashion Week has been going since 1943 and is widely regarded as the hottest media event in town. Taking place twice a year, in February and September, all the stellar names and upcoming designers can be found displaying their wares throughout the city during what is usually a hectic and exciting seven days for participants and attendees alike.

The schedule for this Fashion Week is jam packed as you would expect (you can view it in full here) so we’ve narrowed it down here to our top three choices, to give you an idea of which shows are simply must-goes.

DIANE VON FURSTENBERG  September 11th, 4PM, Theatre

Around since the 1970s, the Belgian-American fashion designer remains one of the biggest names in the business, and rightly takes a prominent place in this NY Fashion Week lineup. DVF is worth seeing for her iconic status alone, considering she has been awarded a lifetime achievement award by the CFDA and has appeared as a judge on Project Runway. And, as her Fall 2011 collection showed everyone, she and her label are still at the cutting edge of fashion innovation.

TORY BURCH  September 13th, 9AM, Alice Tully Hall

Another megastar name in the industry, in recent years American designer Tory Burch has seen her lines garner huge critical and commercial attention throughout the fashion world. Despite the fact that her label has only been around since 2004, she has become a favorite on the sample sale circuit, helped in no small part by an endorsement from queen Oprah Winfrey herself. We can see Tory Burch being one of the big hitters at this season’s Fashion Week and, best of all, the Tory Burch label is based out of Manhattan, so it makes sense to support your own!

NORMA KAMALI  September 14th, 9AM, David Rubenstein Atrium

Norma Kamali is one of the most respected innovators in the entire design world. She was responsible for the unforgettable red swimsuit worn by Farah Fawcett in that famous 1976 Charlie’s Angels poster, which gives you an idea of how deep her influence on the fashion industry has been. Her slot in the schedule is not to be missed, despite the early start.

Of course these three examples represent a mere handful of what will be on show. Some other great recommendations we have been given include Cynthia Rowley, Song Jun Wan, Lela Rose and Nanette Lepore, so you certainly won’t be short of great fashion talent to peruse.

How To Get Invited To A New York Fashion Week Show

On of the top ways to get into the best shows during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is to put in some work. That is to say, to volunteer to help out on the logistical/administrative side of things. Similar to the Tribeca Film Festival, volunteers are offered free passes to many of the main shows, as well as getting exclusive participatory merchandise. Free tickets and free stuff, as well as a nice little addition to your resume – you can’t go wrong! Contact IMG now to inquire about voluntary work at this season’s Fashion Week.

If you are a keen follower of The Vogue City, then there is a good chance you like to blog about living and style just like we do. Particularly if you write for an established website or blog, you may be eligible for press credentials. If you have never blogged before, it’s probably too late to make a name for yourself in time for the upcoming Fashion Week, but who knows where you’ll be come next February’s show. Front row press seats could await you in the near future!

This is probably the riskiest one, but if all else fails, just turn up! You might get lucky and be allowed to take the seat of someone who doesn’t show. After all, not everyone who has a ticket is going to be able to make it. However. don’t just stand outside in a t-shirt, sweats and uggs – make sure you look the part! It’s by no means a sure bet, but if you’re really passionate about your fashion like we are then it’s certainly worth a try!

Dressing For Fashion Week

For most people, what they are wearing themselves is even more important than the clothes on the models they have come to see. We’re all vain creatures at heart after all! But seriously, what better occasion to display your superior fashion taste than New York Fashion Week?

Of course everyone has their own style, so we can’t tell you exactly what to wear, but we can give you some broad tips that will help you to get your Fashion Week outfit plans underway. Having listened to what some of the best fashion writers in the business had to say, we have compiled this quick list of tips that we think will serve you well. But remember, whatever you decide to wear, enjoy your time at this season’s Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week!

• Flats. Everyone recommends flats. Remember that Fashion Week can be a lot of work, especially if you want to see a lot of shows, so make sure your feet are nice and comfortable. You don’t have to wear them all the time, but make sure to pack a pair in your bag for when the going gets tough.
• Bring a camera. You don’t want to miss your big opportunity to record some great fashion week memories. As we’ve said already, pretty much all of the biggest names in the game will be there!
• Don’t play it safe. Be edgy, be unique – this is the one time when you can wear what you like and be pretty much guaranteed that someone else will outdo you on the eccentricity scale. Experiment!
• Some practical accessory ideas that keep popping up: Wet Wipes, an extra cell phone battery, a notebook (either the computerized or old fashioned variety), an unlimited Metrocard if you’re up for braving the stuffy subways – and a big bag for all this stuff!
• Whether you’re going for boots or heels, Preston Davis of Keep It Chic has somes great suggestions: “I have two pairs of the most perfect Jil Sander OTK boots with a low heel and my Valentino studded sandals, which are unbelievably comfortable.” But remember, don’t forget the flats!