I knew that I was going to be very tired on our first day of Fashion Week because we flew in on the redeye and still had a LONG day to go. So I deliberately planned a very bright and simple outfit to keep up my energy levels. 

I continue to enjoy bright colour blocking. Soon I’ll be clad in heavyweight neutrals as we head into Winter, so I’m making the most of my lighter weight, bright clothes in the mild Autumn weather. I matched a citron blouse with an orangey-red knee length pencil skirt. I finished off the look with gold accessories, bag and gold tipped low heeled pumps. No jacket required. 

The silhouettes are very simple, allowing the colour to do the talking. I’m still having fun sporting the sharp shoulder trend because it brings back sweet ’80s memories. So there you have it — this blouse has shoulder pads. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but it makes me smile.

On the way to supper after our final meeting we met a little doggie called Ninja. He was a sweetheart and climbed straight onto my lap when I showered him with attention. That was my favourite part of the day.

The concept is nothing new. We saw flatforms in the ’70s and ’90s and they’ve been back for a season or two, this time with more variety and refined styling. As the name implies, the flatform is a flat platformed shoe. They achieve the height of a heel without arching the foot. 

Some of my clients who have foot challenges enjoy flatforms because normal high heels cause painful pressure on the balls of the feet or cramping of the toes. My feet also don’t like to arch in heels, but I have a different problem with flatforms. The soles are usually inflexible and I find that I can’t walk my usual fast pace in them. Flatforms with spongy rubber soles, a very ’90s look, have better flexibility, but I still prefer walking in either true flats or very low heels. 

All in all, I am thankful that flatforms made a comeback because they have the capacity to reduce foot pain in a fashionable and on-trend way. Here’s to happy feet.

With press credentials in hand, it’s almost time to head off to New York Fashion Week. Spring 2012 collections will be on the runways and we’re excited to bring you the coverage. We will blog about the shows, my outfits and whatever else catches our attention. I’ll also tweet, while Greg posts photos on our tumblr page, so sit back, relax, and enjoy YLF’s interpretation of this colourful fashion and style extravaganza. Blog posting will be sporadic so don’t be alarmed when they pop up at unusual times of the day and over the weekend.

We are packed and ready to go. This time I’m armed with bodyglide and blister defense just in case my heels misbehave like they did last year. We walk A LOT in NYC and we wouldn’t have it any other way. I also plan to swap out my footwear, changing into heels just before we approach Lincoln Centre, home of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. 

As if fashion week itself wasn’t excitement enough, there will also be a YLF gathering on Saturday 10 September. It might end up being the largest gathering to date.

Goodbye Seattle. Hello Manhattan!

I absolutely love the way that Chanel, Valentino, Moschino and Kate Spade style bows in their clothing, footwear and handbag collections. Their bows are sculptural and deliberate in a retro, yet modern way. The bow on my polka dot Lulu Guinness bag is a good example. I also adore pussy bows on soft blouses and dresses, and I like bow ties. 

I tend to dislike like bows when they have a juvenile or lingerie integrity, unless those types of bows are worn by children or are on underwear respectively. I also steer away from clothing that ties in the back with a bow. 

For the most part, I like sculptural bows that make a statement. I’ve noticed with my clientele and friends that I am in the minority here. Many of them think of bows as twee, prissy, fussy and overly-sweet. Some believe they add unnecessary bulk to their frame. So they end up bypassing items with any type of bow. 

There is no right and wrong here because it’s a stylistic preference, which is 100% subjective. How do you feel about bows? Like them, loathe them, can take them in small doses? Let’s hear it.