Almost Killed Tadashi Shoji, Fashion Week, Day Two

DAHLINGS -

Your faithful correspondent almost inadvertently killed designer Tadashi Shoji at his Fashion Week presentation on Friday morning.


In my defense, may I point out that my recent illness has required me to use a cane or walking stick. (Do you know how HARD it is to find a decent looking cane??). And I was wearing black stilleto heels, the better to complement my black 1950s wiggle dress covered with velvet flowers and my matching black 1950s veiled platter hat. Walking in very high heels when you have to use a cane is NOT recommended.


So, I stepped up and entered a pitch-dark room, crammed with the usual rude masses, and the press. On one side, the models stood among wooden hand-made trees. This was supposed to be some sort of garden motif. One only wished the dresses had not been same color as the decor. I mean, there's qui and feng shui and all, but really, would making something bright red kill the man? Oh, I forgot, I almost did.

Photo: Ms. Fabulous


The dresses on the far left, which unfortunately you cannot see in these photos by blogger Ms. Fabulous, had those circular petals all over them which you can see on handbags at every street seller's corner in New York City. Who knew Mr. Shoji would use them as an inspiration?


Photo by Ms. Fabulous



IN ANY EVENT, the dresses are lovely, shimmery, the usual. Very red carpet, you know the kind of thing. So I determined to make a quick exit. Not easy when you are impeded by both a huge crowd and a cane. As a result, I found myself not only bumping into people, but crashing into people. I stumbled, and smashed into two small Asian gentleman! (Since even without heels I am almost six feet tall, you can imagine.) One of them turned--

And you know where this is going. It was Tadashi Shoji. With a stunned look on his face.

"Oh I'm so sorry Mr. Shoji the dresses are beautiful it's a lovely presentation is that a security guard must dash congratulations ciao!"

And back in the corridor was I, only slightly flustered and grateful that there would NOT be a headline on the nightly news: "DIMINUTIVE DESIGNER CRUSHED TO DEATH BY BLOGGER".

I had meant to get to the Guli show, but it takes quite a while to look truly fabulous. And it started at 9 AM! So, I went straight to my ill-fated visit to Tadashi Shoji's presentation to the BCBGMaxAzria runway show.

Do you recall the dress on a recent Project Runway that Ivy created? That was called "shapeless," "dull," "not resort at all"?

Photo courtesy of Lifetime.com

I don't think Mr. Azria was watching that night. Eer...um..





What else can one say? Gaunt models speedwalking down the runway in silk dresses of various shapes and sizes and all I could think about was Ivy. Which is NOT a good thing to think, believe me.

This was my favorite. It was darker under the lights, and the fabric had very feminine movement. As it happened, I was sitting next to Mr. Azria's financier, quite a handsome man, so I made appreciative sounds in a voice an octave higher than my own. We're seeing each other after he returns from Morocco.

By far my favorite show of the day was Ports 1961. Fiona Cibani's sister Tia has left the company. You would never know it by all of the wonderful, youthful designs. Ports 1961 always has something fresh to show, and they did not disappoint. The theme was "urban Sahara" , and although by then I had seen enough neutrals to last me the rest of my life, there was a parade of GORGEOUS liquid dresses that had me lusting to own a copy of each one.

That was a perfect show to end my day on. Being extrêmement fatigué, I opted out of attending Betsey Johnson's party in favor of a cold cocktail and a warm bed.

Ciao,

Elisa & Bucky the Wonderdog

Photos courtesy of Getty Images

New York Fashion Week, Thursday, Feb 11, Part One

DAHLINGS -

Forgive my not having written sooner, but I was struck down by...tonsillitis yesterday! I awoke, barely able to speak, my body all aching and wracked with pain, tote that barge, lift that bale...

My apologies. Mixing ibuprofen and bourbon was perhaps not the smartest thing to do.

HOWEVER, day one of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week was the usual frenzy, and it was delightful to be back. This is the last show in Bryant Park, due to the protests of the locals. (The official spin is that MBFW has "grown too big" for Bryant Park. If it makes you feel better to say that, than do so by all means..)

The strange little man with the painted suits has added an accessory: a young girl with a double belly-button piercing dressed in what can only be called a Hooters version of his outfit. At one point in the evening she opened her cropped (extremely cropped) jacket to expose her breasts, barely contained by a blue demi-bra. Much to their mutual disappointment, flashbulbs did not go off.

Your faithful correspondent was wearing a delightful hat called the Schaperelli (sp) by Ellen Christine, and a long authentic Victorian cape with a velvet collar. It was a wonderful combination of whimsy and intimidation. I was the darling of the paparazzi.


My INVALUABLE assistant, who is so much more intelligent than the lumpkin I am dictating this to, was coaxed into a photo with moi. Note her coy shyness.



There is so much to write about that I am breaking this into two posts. We arrived in time for the Ports 1961 show, which, to be honest, left me deeply unimpressed.

My favorite garment was this silk dress; it is a pity you cannot see the back treatment, plunging deep ruching.


Big hair and, conversely, tight little funny hats were a theme in this show, reminding me of going from flappers to hair bands of the 80s:


Photos courtesy of Wireimage

One strange touch, as you can see above, were huge unwieldy necklaces--why does this one remind me of a pacifier? One worried about the necklaces bouncing upward and hitting the models in the face.

More to follow in my next post...off for another dose of ibuprofen and bourbon.

Ciao,
Elisa & Bucky the Wonderdog

Fashion Week Day One: Ports 1961 And Pink-Eye

DAHLINGS –

One approached the Ports 1961 Spring 2010 Show with great anticipation, more so because I was sitting next to the lovely Kim of Omnimedia (our paths have crossed so often that if one of us were male and Fashion Week was a bad romantic comedy, it would seem contrived).

However, it must be admitted that Tia Cibani’s abandonment of her usual formula resulted in a mixture of beauty and boredom. It was by far the longest show I’ve attended, and even Fern Mallis seemed distracted mid-way, as did many of the PYTs in the front row. The peculiar decision was to have the models wear make-up that gave them all a severe case of pink-eye. Fashion and disease do not mix well, unless it’s an AIDS benefit.

All photos by Marcio Madeira.

Many of the clothes, while in lovely materials, had strange bumps in them reminiscent of Project Runway.

Cibani presented some stunning draped silk dresses, in fact most of the materials were exquisite, in a pale pallette of pinks, pastels and metallics.


However, some of her concoctions were either minimal to the point of ennui or sported wide plastic obi-styled belts.


(All one could think when gazing at them was waist-sweat, a concept that was new to moi and most unwelcome.)

Is this a neckpiece made of clear plastic bags, or is it a pair of welder's goggles? You be the judge.

The best dresses had either marvelous draping or, in some cases, unexpected back interest that popped the look when the models turned. And the final gown was an absolutely show-stopper, in flowing white shot with silver.

In the backstage media madness, the extremely petite Ms. Cibani was quite gracious even under siege. And as usual, there was a buffet that nobody was eating. That’s fashion…more free cocktails than you can shake a stick at, but heaven forfend you touch the food.

More later,

Ciao,

Elisa & Bucky the Wonderdog

Fashion Week Day One: Where To Buy My Plus Size Vintage Look!

DAHLINGS -

I am only here for a moment, but I wanted to let you know that you can see my first fabulous ensemble for Mercedez Benz Fashion Week, at:

http://www.diaryofamadfashionistafashionweek.blogspot.com/

Shopping details are there!



Despite an early morning hair disaster, my magnificent hat from Ellen Christine Millinery got me through the day in style! Do go have a look.

In the meantime, it's off to change into another fantastic look--with cleavage, this time.

Ciao,
Elisa & Bucky the Wonderdog

Fashion Week Sneak Peek #2: Ports 1961

DAHLINGS -

Ports 1961, which creates simply marvelous fashion, sent a few sketches of their Spring 2010 Fashion Week presentation to your faithful correspondent this week. It has me simply craving to see them in person!

Ports Creative Director Tia Cibani has stated, that despite the economy: “Give
women beautiful clothes that represent value and quality and they will still find a way to buy them.” 'Tis true, 'tis true.

Cibani is moving from boutique and online marketing to the Bryant Park tents, bringing the customers along with her. Spring 2010 will explore the concept of "craft meets innovation".

See you under the tents!

Ciao,
Elisa & Bucky the Wonderdog