TOP PICKS FROM LONDON: SPRING 2011

More amazing textures from London Fashion Week: Erdem, Mark Fast and Pringle of Scotland romance the eyes with luxe embroidered lace, metal embellishments, silky fringes, and sheers. These are the looks I will be emulating this coming Spring season!

Erdem Spring 2011 RTW London

Mark Fast Spring 2011 RTW London

Pringle of Scotland Spring 2011 RTW London

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TOP PICKS FROM LONDON: SPRING 2011

London refreshes a certain city-girl quality that just seems to have a little more polish. Moreover in the shows there is a presence of girlish whimsy that touches on demure. The textures, the layering, the crafty architectural qualities are simply stunning. Here are more haute picks from the catwalks: Richard Nicoll, Mary Katrantzou, Julien MacDonald and Antonio Berardi.

Richard Nicoll Spring 2011 RTW London

Posh urbanite in tailored leather pants and trims with a well-done layering of sheers.

Mary Katrantzou Spring 2011 RTW London

Whimsical construction in exacted prints and decorum eludes to a ritzy hotels pop-up book.

Julien MacDonald Spring 2011 RTW London

Beachcomber-meets-damsel in silhouettes harkening to the romance films of the 1930's.

Antonio Berardi Spring 2011 RTW London

Detailed embellishing on party frocks and über-sultry floor-skimming slinky dresses give reason to blush.

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TOP PICKS FROM LONDON: SPRING 2011

After New York passes, there is always a slight clamoring as we begin to see what the mainland will bring to us (and by mainland, I mean Europe.) Plenty of different takes on fashion for Spring 2011 came just from the first few days in London. Too many to pin down actually. Here are my top takes from London Fashion Week's open; Betty Jackson, Charles Anastase, Fashion Fringe and Unique.

 

Betty Jackson Spring 2011 RTW London

Just can't fight those socks.

Charles Anastase Spring 2011 RTW London

A riveting childlike innocence.

Fashion Fringe Spring 2011 RTW London

An interplay of volumes and structures with a study in cutting and draping.

Unique Spring 2011 RTW London

Billowing silhouettes re-cut from 90's fashions.

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TOP PICKS SPRING 2011: DELICACIES IN THE DETAILS

Wrapping up my summary of New York Fashion Week — a little collection of my favored collections in terms of attention paid to detailing. Always extravagant in statement but never overly done to the point of eccentricity, these looks give everything it is I'd crave and look for when out on the prowl for statement pieces. It's the detailing that really makes that lasting piece in your wardrobe beautiful and ageless.

My top picks in the category of attention to details: Anna Sui, Badgley Mischka, Behnaz Sarafpour, Bibhu Mohapatra, Carlos Miele, Chado Ralph Rucci, Chris Benz, Dennis Basso, Jason Wu, Jen Kao, Jenni Kayne, Jill Stuart, Juan Carlos Obando, Julian Louie, Luca Luca, Marchesa, Philosophy, Prabal Gurung, Sachin + Babi, Thakoon, Threeasfour, TSE, Vivienne Tam and Willow.

Anna Sui

Badgley Mischka

Behnaz Sarafpour

Bibhu Mohapatra

Carlos Miele

Chado Ralph Rucci

Chris Benz

Dennis Basso

Jason Wu

Jen Kao

Jenni Kayne

Jill Stuart

Juan Carlos Obando

Julian Louie

Luca Luca

Marchesa

Philosophy

Prabal Gurung

Sachin + Babi

Thakoon

Threeasfour

TSE

Vivienne Tam

Willow

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TOP PICKS SPRING 2011: MINIMAL PREP

Let's see what happens when you mix the beachcombers and tea drinkers then add a splash of vodka. You get the best part of the whole show, that's what — an all-expenses-paid free pass to ride the ride with and watch the pristine wallpaper peel up and curl at the edges. The idea of free and easy preppy keen in soft and silky silhouettes makes my nerve endings tingle with glee. I love the addition of a tassel here, an exposed collarbone there... but most of all I love the introduction of loose, comfortable fabrics into an otherwise statically-defined prissy wardrobe. (Need I mention I'm a prepster part time?)

My top picks for minimalistic prepster: Yigal Azrouël, 3.1 Philip Lim, ADAM, Band of Outsiders, BCBG Max Azria, DKNY, Karen Walker, Lyn Devon, Michael Kors, Organic by John Patrick, Ruffian, Steven Alan, Theyskens' Theory, Tibi, Tommy Hilfiger and United Bamboo.

Yigal Azrouël

3.1 Philip Lim

ADAM

Band of Outsiders

BCBG Max Azria

DKNY

Karen Walker

Lyn Devon

Michael Kors

Organic by John Patrick

Ruffian

Steven Alan

Theyskens' Theory

Tibi

Tommy Hilfiger

United Bamboo

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