Yesterday I was a modern-classic gal. It was a busy and warm day at Fashion Week, which meant that a simple look combining crisp white cotton and stretchy skinny trousers was in order. We walked close to 90 blocks at a fast pace during the day, so a form fitting frock or skirt was not going to work. 

I bust out my new Anne Fontaine shirt for the occasion. It has a self-colour, textured stripe, mother of pearl buttons, an oversized collar and stitched down French cuffs. I’m a white shirt gal through and through so this shirt is already a wardrobe favourite. It’s 100% cotton so it kept me cool and refreshed all day. Surprisingly, it didn’t crease too badly either.

Adding piles of vintage pearls was the way to go here, thereby adding more white texture to the top half of the outfit. My feet were really happy in my animal print booties the day before, so back on they went with this outfit. (This was Greg’s suggestion and I appreciate his stylish eye). Ms. Valentino added her incomparable magic.

The best part of the day was meeting with top New York Fashion Stylist Kendall Farr. I am a huge fan of her work and books, “The Pocket Stylist” and “Style Evolution”. Kendall is even more delightful, humourous and lovely in person, and she was very complimentary of YLF. We chatted up a storm about dogs, the shows, and the fashion industry. We also shared our love for flat shoes, Hong Kong, H&M, Zara, soft dressing, and the return of the midi skirt. Kendall and I laughed a great deal and it was a pleasure spending time with her. And she rocks those Geek Chic specs like nobody’s business!

This was our first Lela Rose show and it did not disappoint. There was lots to admire about the collection, not to mention the ravishing Susan Sarandon, her daughter Eve Amurri, and Mariska Hargitay seated in the front row with Ken Downing, Fashion Director for Neiman Marcus. 

I thoroughly enjoyed Lela Rose’s lady-like and fresh designs.The show opened up with silver grey, which along with nude and white seem to be the neutrals of the new season. Each outfit married the modern with the elegant. There was nothing hard edged about this collection, which I found refreshing. Soft, flowing and feminine is definitely trending.

The colours were divine! Mid toned purple, coral, denim blue, pumpkin and bright orange were strongly underpinned by light neutrals. Citron accents were aplenty. Patterns were abstract with a hint of floral.

Some of the skirt and dress hemlines were a little above the knee, but most of them were on or below the knee. Short, tight frocks, skirts and shorts took a backseat. I might be speaking too soon, but it looks like a dress season next year – both sheaths and fit-and-flare frocks in midi lengths.

I loved Rose’s soft, bright, baggy short shorts, both patterned and colour blocked. They were combined with soft knitwear and long collarless blazers. Very nice! Trousers were typically tapered and slouchy. (I haven’t seen wide legged trousers on the runways yet this season). Remarkably, tops and dresses are more covered. Big win. 

Rose showed heavy lace and subtle mixing of patterns. She generally combined colour blocked pieces with prints and threw in the odd textured false plain and micro stripe. She also accessorized some of the outfits with tribal necklaces — a dramatic juxtaposition with the dainty collection. 

After the show we went backstage where designer Lela Rose and celebs Susan Sarandon, Eve Amurri, Mandy Moore and Mariska Hargitay were being interviewed. I absolutely loved this show and am ready for a feminine, flowing and ice-cream toned start to Spring 2012. But the best part of this show was seeing graceful Lela Rose and Eve Amurri wear pieces of the new collection on show day. Brilliant.

After a brilliant YLF gathering in the city all day Saturday, it was back to the hustle and bustle of Fashion Week on Sunday. The cooler weather meant that my animal print booties could come out to play. The low heel, soft-ish leather and cushioning footbed made them comfortable from the word go. I brought along my ballet flats just in case, but to my surprise, no swapping required.

I paired my cropped, black silky harem pants with a tucked-in drapey halter neck top. To keep out the chill, I layered over an ink blue blazer, the same one that you recently saw on our Vegas trip. I completed the look with a gold bag and animal print booties. Aside from my watch, I left off the accessories to keep things more crisp and modern. The pleats on the pants and the slanted buttons on the blazer add enough interest, as do my purring booties. 

This outfit has many elements that are an acquired taste: booties on bare legs, animal print, harem trousers, and loads of drape. I completely understand if it’s not your cup of tea. To my eye the outfit works, if not in a form fitting and flattering way, but in an interesting and fashion forward way. 

Walking back to the hotel was a real treat. We met friendly Fergus the Silky and Dudley the Yorkie after their lunch time stroll in Central Park. They were so adorable I could barely stand it, so we stopped to fuss over these cool little dudes and chat with their delightful Mummy Maura. Oh how we miss our little Rosie (and Jasmine).

Althought this post will be published on 9/12, I’m writing it on Sunday and want to mention today’s 10 year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center Towers. As we watch the memorial activities we feel so many different emotions. Our hearts go out to the people who lost their lives and the families and friends they left behind. We are also in awe of the bravery and sense of duty exhibited by the fire fighters, police, emergency services, and others, as they put their own lives at risk to save the lives of others. Particularly the passengers on Flight 93, who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Most of all, we’re impressed by the positive energy in New York City. Even as a “credible” terrorist threat is being reported in the news, New Yorkers are packing the subway and bustling around the city. For us, there are very few places in the world that feel so full of life, and that feels like a triumph over those that took so many lives in the 9/11 attacks.

This was our first Rebecca Taylor show and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The theatre was packed to the brim and rightly so — Rebecca Taylor is a great designer, liked by me and many of my clients. 

The show opened up with a series of taupe, and beige outfits. Beige as a neutral for next Spring and Summer is still strong. Her show went on to show citron, bronze, silver, cream, French blue, grey, navy and black. The designer also showed baby pink, peach, cream and dark blue satchels and clutches with the outfits. Shoes were metallic gold, blue and silver or animal print.

Fabrics were soft and silhouettes were generally flowing. There were few form fitting items in the collection, which makes for quite a change. Minis were shown, but most of the skirts and dresses were midi length, ending either just below the knee cap or on the calf muscle. Shorts were also longer, hitting models a few inches above the knee instead of much further up the thigh. Trousers were either pleated and tapered or cropped and flowing. These are directional silhouettes for Spring so watch out!

I have the magpie gene so I absolutely loved Rebecca Taylor’s interpretation of daytime sparkle. From slouchy sequined trousers to lurex knitwear and glittery sheer blouses. Taylor also mixed heavy lace with her sparkly fabrics.

Spring cover-ups included baggy anoraks and cropped mandarin collared jackets. Cropped tops with both high and low waisted bottoms were aplenty. I quite liked the way cropped knitwear was shown with flowing midi skirts and baggy shorts.

Many of the models were wearing chains with a single tassel across their bodies. The accessory functioned like a necklace and looked like a crossbody bag (without the bag portion). It was super cool and my favourite part about the show.