This was our last day in New York City. I had originally planned to wear the top part of this outfit with a skirt, hose and pair of booties, but the rain ruined that idea. So I opted for my casual Seattle uniform of skinnies tucked into flat weatherproof boots. 

I didn’t think I would be as into pattern mixing as I am these days. But despite my minimal style tendencies I’m having fun with the trend because it extends my outfit possibilities. So I matched a neutral, un-tucked animal print blouse with an orange and camel argyle pullover, buttoning up the blouse and popping the collar. 

My red coat went back on and I added a Burberry scarf for extra warmth. I chose the black bag for outfit cohesion because it matched my shoes and gloves. I also changed my specs and carried a red polka dot umbrella. Too bright for some, but just right for me on a miserable grey and wet day. 

We just arrived back home, soon to be reunited with our Yorkie, Rosie. I have many more shows to watch online before I pull together my final trend predictions for Fall 2012. In the meantime, its back to talking about Spring and Summer style on Monday.

Go to our New York Fashion Week Page to see all of our coverage, including a photo stream and live Twitter updates from Angie.

Farah Angsana is a new-to-me designer so I was extra curious to see her creations. Her collection showed a few very dressy daywear options and shorter cocktail dresses, but for the rest it was all about full length glamourous evening gowns. Dazzling! 

Pictured in this post are some of my favourites of the collection. The gowns were colour-rich, soft and romantic. Not a solid black frock in sight. I really appreciated the fact that some of the gowns had sleeves. Silhouettes were both form fitting and voluminous. Orange, red, white, purple, cobalt and emerald green ruled the runway, although metallics were also popular. And in line with all the runway shows I’ve seen so far, printed evening gowns are very on trend.

I adored the 1940’s soft shoulder pad shown in some of the gowns, the red gown with the plunging neckline was my favourite of the lot. I liked how the gown was styled with fingerless driving gloves. How’s that for edge. 

Go to our New York Fashion Week Page to see all of our coverage, including a photo stream and live Twitter updates from Angie.

The second last day of fashion week was very busy and we raced around quite a bit. We didn’t have time to take photos of my outfit at a more interesting venue (Greg had an old grey stone building in mind), so we settled for the podium near the entrance to the tents at fashion week. This backdrop was also grey, a nice neutral complement to the bright ensemble.

I was tired at this stage. There is lots of standing in queues waiting to see shows, lots of commuting on foot, and write up of show coverage in-between. I find that wearing bright colours not only lifts my spirits but also energizes my mood. I matched a colour blocked turtleneck with a pair of straight leg black trousers. Both of these items are soft, stretchy and comfortable. But the combination lacked the crispness that I strive to add to all my outfits. So I layered a black button down shirt underneath the turtleneck. Things started to fall into place because I could pop my collar and turn back the cuffs. Amazingly, neither of these black items picked up lint. 

At first, I had the shirt and turtleneck un-tucked over the trousers. I also liked that version of the styling, although it was very matchy-matchy. So I tucked in the lot and added an animal print belt to break up the colours and the lines.

Black booties would have been an obvious leg lengthening choice, but I preferred pairing my low heeled cream booties for a softer and more Mod effect. I also like how they picked up the off white colour blocking in the turtle neck. I finished off the look with red coat, off white bag and black specs. 

These clothing items, along with the horizontal lines, emphasize the straightness of my body. It’s polar opposite to the form fitting black dress I wore earlier in the week, which created some curve. I’m physically more comfortable in this outfit, but I enjoy the two silhouettes equally.

Go to our New York Fashion Week Page to see all of our coverage, including a photo stream and live Twitter updates from Angie.

Interior designer and fashion icon Iris Apfel was the inspiration for this designer’s collection. Iris herself sat front row and I had to do a double take when I realized it was her. WOW. This is such a meaningful message. We live in a fashion and style world that is obsessed with youth. Yet a designer who shows at New York Fashion Week makes a 91 year old fashionista her style muse. That’s brilliant. 

Joanna Mastroianni’s designs are based on Iris Apfel’s flamboyant, colourful and theatrical style. If you’ve seen photos of Iris, you’ll instantly pick up on the similarities. For example, Iris wears a lot of black with brights like red, emerald green and peacock blue. She also wears metallics like copper, bronze, gold and pewter, all of which we saw in the collection.  

The first thing that pops into my head when I think of Iris’s style are her oversized specs. After that, I think of A-line high-necked smock-type toppers with kimono sleeves and turned back cuffs in luxurious fabrications. She often pairs these arty jackets with slim cut brocade trousers and extremely dramatic shoes. So it was fun to see the designer’s interpretation of this style of jacket and cigarette pant on the runway. 

Iris’s style is also very texture rich. Feathers often feature in her outfits as a trim as do fabrics like organza, embossed leather and crushed velvet. Mastroianni used these signature Iris looks in her collection and the result was effective.  

My favourite outfit of the range was a pair of bright red, slim cut brocade trousers matched with a halter neck tunic. I’m really enjoying the idea of wearing a bright colour from head to toe instead of breaking it up with a neutral or alternative colour. I have a yearning for a brightly coloured trouser suit. 

What also struck me about the collection was Mastroianni’s accessory-free approach to her outfits. Iris Apfel wears many, many accessories at once. Lots of colourful layered necklaces, bangles and cocktail rings, along with her gigantic geek chic specs. Models sported a pair of dramatic gloves from time to time but that was it. I enjoyed the more refined and minimal approach of the collection. 

The end of this show was very moving. One of the models was holding a Pomeranian as they all came back onto the catwalk for the finale. This may have been Iris’s little doggie, but I’m not sure. The audience applauded heavily as the models walked off the runway. Joanna Mastroianni walked on and headed straight for Iris in the front row. Iris stood up and with the help of a cane walked onto the catwalk with the designer. By this time the models and the cute Pomeranian had returned to the runway, and they backed Iris and the designer like a protective army. The whole audience was on their feet and photographers were going crazy as Mastroianni and Iris slowly walked arm in arm to the runway entrance, followed by their army of models. The whole sequence was accompanied by a roar of applause. I reached for my tissues.

Go to our New York Fashion Week Page to see all of our coverage, including a photo stream and live Twitter updates from Angie.