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Mackage Fall 2009

story and photos by Sandy Ramirez

Wednesday night, Eran Elfassy and Elisa Dahan premiered their label’s Mackage F/W 2009 collection at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in The Salon at Bryant Park. “Mackage,” a named derived from a mispronunciation of the french “maquillage” (make-up) by Eran’s young niece, is a label that was itself born in school children’s day dreams. While in elementary school in Montreal, Eran and Elisa used to sketch together and dream of being fashion designers. They always hoped to show in New York. Now, that dream is normality. Continue reading “Mackage Fall 2009”

Richie Rich Fall 2009 – The Comeback Club Kid

The Richie Rich F/W 2009 show opened to great anticipation for a few hundred adoring friends and fans in the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel’s uber-glitzy Grand Ballroom with two well-chosen musical acts and a par-for-the-course bizarre showgirl-boys violin rock ballet performance that worked up audience excitement to a fever pitch.

story by Charles Beckwith and Cameron Carpenter
photos by Freda Henry, Sandy Ramirez, and Charles Beckwith

It has been more than a year since Heatherette dropped off the fashion radar, and New York Fashion Week has just not been the same without their shows. Now, beloved former Heatherette duo frontman Richie Rich is back in the game with a solo label that he has bestowed with his own playful moniker.

Continue reading “Richie Rich Fall 2009 – The Comeback Club Kid”

5 Minutes With Rosemary Ponzo

While enjoying one of the new McCafe Lattes, I had the chance to talk with fashionista and stylist Rosemary Ponzo. Rosemary (a native New Yorker) has styled film and television productions for clients ranging from Sam Raimi to the History Channel. With camera, and coffee in hand, and after disavowing all connections to The New York Post, I began asking her a few questions.

story by Sandy Ramirez

While enjoying one of the new McCafe Lattes, I had the chance to talk with fashionista and stylist Rosemary Ponzo. Rosemary (a native New Yorker) has styled film and television productions for clients ranging from Sam Raimi to the History Channel. With camera, and coffee in hand, and after disavowing all connections to The New York Post, I began asking her a few questions. Continue reading “5 Minutes With Rosemary Ponzo”

Malan Breton Fall 2009

Malan Breton’s F/W 2009 Collection was not his usual runway show, but an evening walk-around presentation in an art space. The 4,000 sq. ft. Eli Klein Gallery played host to the designer’s latest thread pageant. It was a fun affair attended by an eclectic crowd who were very receptive to the work and seemed to enjoy being able to get close enough for the far better viewing of the skilled young clothier’s fabrics and seaming than one is given parked in chairs five rows back along a catwalk.

story by Cameron Carpenter
photos by Sandy Ramirez

Carolina Herrera Fall 2009 – A Sermon In The Fabric

For last fall, Carolina Herrera produced an array of stylish looks that seemed inspired by the leisure of English hunting parties and 60’s uptown girls. Models paraded out onto a bright runway with feathers literally in their caps, clad in double breasted power vests, and wearing riding boots obviously meant for strutting.

This time, no such affectations. Clean lines, elegance held close to the body. Braiding and silk cascade gracefully to a far more conservative tune, with elegant embroidery providing inborn detail.

story by Freda Henry and Charles Beckwith
photos by Freda Henry and Adrianna Favero

This time, no such affectations. Clean lines, elegance held close to the body. Braiding and silk cascade gracefully to a far more conservative tune, with elegant embroidery providing inborn detail.

Marc Jacobs Fall 2009 – A Tale of Two Stories

No revolutions in accessory design this week, but much like what Andy and Debb marched down the catwalk two nights before, Marc seems to be pulling out the 80’s style guide and rewriting it with gusto. At first glance, simple lines, simple silhouettes, but looking closer, my God, it’s made of stars! All the outlines are tremendously complex embroidery and patterning of myriad non-fabric objects. Beyond the demi-Couture outfits was almost a whole other line. Vibrantly colored coats and ponchos were paraded out with hair and makeup that really should have been accompanied by The Eurythmics’ Sweet Dreams.

story by Freda Henry and Charles Beckwith
photos by John Pringle

Either Marc Jacobs’ PR machine is on a celeb-free diet, or everyone was over in The Tent at Bryant Park for William Rast. Whether the paparazzi-magnets showed up not, the color and detail sure did, in this skillfully-executed collection. Continue reading “Marc Jacobs Fall 2009 – A Tale of Two Stories”

5 Minutes with Cognac Wellerlane

by Sandy Ramirez

While waiting for the Venexiana show, I met one of Fashion Week’s Grande Dames, Cognac Wellerlane. Cognac has a TV show and website called Cognac’s Corner out in Los Angeles, conducting interviews of celebrities and fashion luminaries in the City of Angels.

5 Min – What is behind your super style ways?

CW – I have a passion for fashion! I love the Hollywood & New York lifestyles. The glamour and glitz of it all.

5 Min – From all the Fashion Weeks you’ve attended, what have you found most memorable?

CW – Having all those PETA people yelling at me because I wear fur. It happens every time I come here. Another thing I remember is Donald Trump running in and kissing Beth (Howard Stern’s wife) while I was interviewing her. It ruined my interview!

5 Min – Who haven’t you interviewed yet that you really want to talk to?

CW – Susan Lucci.

5 Minutes with Michelle Heller

by Sandy Ramirez

While grabbing an order of steak frites at F&B on 23rd Street between the Rag & Bone Show and hitting the Malan Breton installation, I noticed a young woman in a very catching coat. After letting me take her picture, she told me she was a magazine editor. This was Michelle Heller, formerly of In Touch magazine, and currently freelancing.

When asked about her coat, she said she simply found it at The Gap back in 2005. What attracted her most to the coat was it’s distinctive style, a color that brought out her eyes, and the fact that it was so affordable. When asked what her street style says about her to the world, she replied “arty, kooky, and Parker Posey.”

5 Minutes with Edith Moy

by Sandy Ramirez

Mingling at the Malan Breton presentation, I met the webmistress of The Fashionable Matilda, Edith Moy, who was standing around in a lovely Madison Marcus dress. She told me she knew of Malan’s work because of Project Runway, and was curious to see the new “fashion installation.” She recalled that his previous seasons had a very “Couture-ish” feeling, and was impressed at how his current season shows such a strong day-to-evening versatility.

Venexiana Fall 2009 Collection

story by Darrah Leffler
photos by Sandy Ramirez

Venexiana LTD, of New York and Venice, and their inspired designer, Kati Stern, did not disappoint at the Venexiana Fall 2009 gala in The Salon at Bryant Park.

For being relatively new to the set, having launched her line in 2004, Stern certainly commands rapt attention with her innovative takes on classic looks.

This season’s collection, which we are told was influenced by Barbie designs down through the years, would indeed make any woman feel like a living doll. Stern’s designs “wow” in a way that allows the wearer to be playfully girlish, yet empowered as a woman, supported by both strong tailoring and softened lines.

Despite the efforts of the animal rights activists gathered in force out front, Stern sent rock-n-roll elegance down the runway with furs flying.