Fashion is My Life: November 2006

Fashion editors couldn’t wait to get back into black. At a reception the other night for fashion glitterati  - it was champagne, wine, and a sea of black.

 All-in-black, Norma Kamali, explained to new designer Peter Som that it’s “so rare” to have the good vibes he’s surrounded with now. Vera Wang in mellifluous black dress and gray knitted tam.

I’m not advocating the look just describing it.

Diane Von Furstenberg in black and white. And killer Louboutin’s. DVF’s a friend of Louboutin so she would get first dibs on the shoes. Gotta have them. Suede, black platform sandals with criss-cross straps. In baby pink too. On eBay (and of course in Louboutin’s own store). Quick, get them now before Jessica knocks them off! And they lose some of their cool.

NO PITTA PATTA OF LITTLE FEET

When Gwen Stefani came to NY to present her line during fashion week in September, she had Kingston with her. Guarded by grandma and grandpa (Gwen’s parents), wee one just slept and slept through the presentation as gaggles of editors chirped about the fab clothes.

And they are great. Japanese-inspired tops, hot HotPants, brightly-printed dresses, white funky, tailored jackets, and reggae-tinged looks. Unlike, some other celebrity offerings, they’re not cheap. Gwen designs with Zaldy, who said he was off to create the costumes for Scissor Sisters’ tour which, I guess, should be happening around now.

THE KLUMP KLUMP OF CRUSTY FEET

There may be nothing in models’ contracts that compels them to actually use a washcloth and soap. But are designers telling them to arrive at shows “hair and make up ready with  nude nails and really dirty feet.”? It’s the new look for spring 2007: dirt-caked clodhoppers slipping around in beautiful designer shoes.

I think models should at least have to take baby wipes to the soles of their feet before they hit the runway in sandals and slingback stilettos. 

MORE MISS ISAAC

Isaac Mizrahi has a line in a chain of stores in Toronto called Fairweather.

Kind of similar deal to what he does here in the States with Target. Just mentioning in case you should ever be in Canada and want to check it out.

THE VICTORS

How fabulous is Viktor & Rolf for H &M? Little more expensive than standard Hennes & Mauritz bargains. But that didn’t stop shoppers at the store on  34th Street in NYC from tearing pink or black lingerie off the racks and scooping up as many dresses, tops and tuxedo jackets as they could carry

over one arm. However, you may want to skip the peacoat: Nice look but rough to touch.

 As with the Karl Lagerfeld line about a year ago, there’s stuff up on eBay for those of you who don’t live near an H & M.

Photos by Patrick McMullan Co., Inc.