NY Fashion Week Fall 2011: Oscar de la Renta and Proenza Schouler

Fur, Luxe, Ethnic, Santa Fe, Native American Prints, Velvets and Embellished Gowns...Welcome to Fall/Winter 2011/2012

Park Avenue Inuit: Oscar de la Renta Fall 2011

Oscar de la Renta Fall 2011

Michelle Obama, This Is For You: Oscar de la Renta Fall 2011

Oscar de la Renta knows his Park Avenue Ladies. They don't care if there's a Recession, they only fly First Class--or Private--and they go to him for Rich Rich Rich Clothing. Who cares if these ladies are getting well, how shall we say this, older. But then, that is why his press office is working long and hard getting young starlets like "Glee's" Lea Michele to wear his gowns on the red carpet showing "Hey, Oscar de la Renta can do YOUNG too!!", if those young girls have $2,500 to spare for a chic little Daytime sheath dress!

Baby It's Cold: Oscar de la Renta Fall 2011

For Fall 2011, there were lots of luxe fabrics: Jacquard, Furs, Tribal prints, Mongolian references, embellished gowns and cocktail dresses. If it doesn't have sequins or feathers...then it ain't an Oscar de la Renta gown huney!

One-Shoulder Entrance: Oscar de la Renta Fall 2011

An Embassy Soiree: Oscar de la Renta Fall 2011

Oscar Goes to The Oscars: Oscar de la Renta Fall 2011

Oscar Ball: Oscar de la Renta Fall 2011

Click Below for Runway Video of Oscar De La Renta Fall 2011:

Proenza Schouler Fall 2011

Santa Fe Princess: Proenza Schouler Fall 2011

A Trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico...via New York City...via Proenza Schouler Fall 2011. Proenza Schouler Designers Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez went Native American for Fall 2011. They took a trip to Santa Fe and were inspired by the local Native American prints, especially in those iconic blankets.

Print Dressing: Proenza Schouler Fall 2011

There was a "Tribal" feeling throughout but modernized. Loose cropped pants, folded, pleated-draped skirts, jackets. Surprised that there weren't any of their signature bustier looks, however. The Colors Palette: Mustard, Brick Red, Deep Wine. Luxurious fabrics like sumptuous velvets, leathers and wools rounded out what seemed to be a Stand-out of a collection for the boys.

Lunch Meeting: Proenza Schouler Fall 2011

Statement Skirt: Proenza Schouler Fall 2011

Cocktails a la Proenza Schouler: Proenza Schouler Fall 2011

Click Below for FULL Runway Video of Proenza Schouler Fall 2011:

Resort 2010 Trend Alert: The High Waisted, Cropped Pant

You Slouch!The Latest Pant: Paperbag Cropped Trousers, Marc Jacobs Resort 2010

Slouchy, loose-yet-fitted, pleated and pegged...these are all the buzz words for Resort 2010. And since the Resort Collections are just an overture to what you will see for Spring/Summer, then this is just the beginning of a major trend alert! These Pants look AMAZING...on a 6'2" size 2 model: Proenza Schouler Resort 2010

Designers, from Marc Jacobs to Proenza Schouler to Lanvin's Alber Elbaz, are still in a major 1980's "moment" and these pants are indicative of this. Since I am a child of the 80's, I unfortunately remember these. I would venture to guess that most of the Design Assistants at these firms, weren't even born in the 1980s (God I feel old!) and think these are just so "new and fresh". When I see these, all I can think of is Dexy's Midnight Runners and their 1982 "Come On Eileen" video. Matthew Williamson Resort 2010

As I began looking at all the Resort Collection photos, I noticed these pant styles kept popping up. What first came to mind was can a "real girl" wear these? The silhouette alone seems to be unflattering to just about EVERY OTHER GIRL---except the 5'11", 112 lb, size 2 model wearing them! They emphasize your hips and cut off your legs at a rather unflattering line. But to heck with that. Fashion doesn't have to be for everybody.Cropped Graduate: A design from FIDM Debut '09 graduate, Adrian Manuel

These pants are fabulous and chic-- if you are a size 0-4 fashionista girl, a junior Vogue editor fresh out of NYU or a young, tall and thin Hollywood starlet or singer. And I must admit, I thought they were cute enough for one of my FIDM Advanced Fashion Design students to show them for their Debut 2009 Collection earlier this year.
Phillip Lim 3.1 Resort 2010

I'll be really curious to see how much this trend takes effect and how soon Forever 21 knocks it off! I'm sure you could already find a pair at H & M. The one thing this trend might be really good for is the Shoe Industry. Whereas the trend before was to cover the shoe with floor-grazing jeans and trousers, now we are exposing them with these new cropped and pegged high-waisted baggy pants. And just when you think that it's only the females who are being burdened with this trend: Think again. The latest Paris and Milan Menswear Collections also showed cropped , pegged and (I am about to scream!) PLEATED pants!!!!