Photo: giafrese

I was actually backstage for the Kate Spade New York presentation, so I got a chance to see the hair and makeup looks before they went out. The atmosphere was really fun, which is always is before and during a Kate Spade presentation.

Photo: giafrese

There’s always something so fun and bright about her work that brings out the best in everyone. It’s really hard to be in a bad mood when you’re around Kate Spade anything.

Photo: giafrese

The presentation, styled by Brad Goreski and inspired by the non-stop, ever-changing landscape and people of New York City (particularly 70′s-era Andy Warhol and Studio 54 NYC), it was Kate’s usual pop of color and girly winks and nods with some sexy sophistication thrown in for good measure. If an uptown girl suddenly went to Bianca Jagger for a wardrobe restyle, this is what it would look like.

I had to take this models’ photo backstage because she just killed it.

Bright, glamorous, fun, alluring – what’s not to love about the Kate Spade New York gal for Fall?

Photo: giafrese

Photo: giafrese

These are my favorite looks and pieces from the collection.

Photo: giafrese

Overall, Randall presented a wide range of pieces from flowy, floor-length dresses

to girly cocktail dresses and everything in between. With elegantly tied belts and cinched waists, a feminine silhouette emerged in many of the looks.

The collection also featured a wide variety of sleeve shapes, as seen in a puff sleeve blouse and belled-sleeve coat. The latter piece played into another Honor trend: exaggerated elements.

Coats featured large lapels, and a number of the silk dresses had oversized collars that placed a focus on the face. Randall experimented with color throughout the show, which began with shining jacquard elements (jackets and dress sleeves)

and gave way to bold hues: bright pink, emerald green and jolts of yellow. Randall also created an exotic, symmetrical print in the aforementioned colors, with a bit of orange added for good measure.

With this collection, Honor firmly planted itself on my “labels to watch” list. Randall crafted red-carpet ready pieces, the cropped jacquard jackets are destined for Rachel Zoe’s closet; the long-sleeve chiffon dresses would ideal onstage looks for Florence Welch; and the racy finale dress was made for Blake Lively.

While I couldn’t help but style celebs in Randall’s gorgeous pieces, I also wanted to own all of them myself.

Honor opens February 22 at 68 Gansevoort Street; (212) 255-2233.

Before The Show: While in line, I happened to be waiting next to none other than Esther Nash – one of those Fashion Week staples who’s seen everywhere, although no one really knows what she does. She chatted my ear off about how much time it takes to plan her outfit in the morning, then proceeded to complain that there “really needs to be a coat check, so we don’t all get overheated.” This said while the woman wore a white fur hat, vest, handbag, and pink fur boots. Inside.

Once we entered the tents and the show started, I sensed an industrial vibe. The backdrop showcased machinery, and a huge puff of white smoke encased the first few rows (which included Whitney Port and Olivia Palermo) right before the models came out.

The Collection: As for the clothes, they too had a hard, structured edge to them. The palette was mostly in the brown, grey, black, and deep purple arena with some accents of silver and dirty metallics. Leather was everywhere – from aviator style cloches, to long leather gloves, to high leather boots – each paired rather brilliantly with different materials. Very few flowy pieces walked – we saw mostly structural, non-fussy separates. There was definitely a feel of industry, and possibly invention, as the majority of the models resembled Amelia Earhart if she were to ditch the flying goggles for a fierce necklace and high leather boots.

Trend Spotting: Trendwise, I spotted lots o’ leather, hats and head adornments (there was a turban or two), matte metallics, fishnets, and random, huge, arty necklaces – one being very bulbous and pastel, and others made from plates of copper and gold.

Overall Impression: I dug the show – the vibe was heavy, but not offensive, and the clothes were in a muted palette that could be dressed up or down. Unlike previous seasons celebrating the tribal aesthetic, I’d wear Ports’ fall collection right off the runway.

I’ve shown a lot of images from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and most of them came from one fabulous, very talented (and quite funny) photographer, the fabulous Frazer Harrison. I cornered Frazier when he had a moment to breathe from standing on the media risers at the end of the runway and asked him all manner of questions, from what makes a good picture to what it’s like to work on the red carpet and at the end of the runway at Fashion Week. He’s quite charming and it’s a fun interview. Please do enjoy!

Day Four was my light day so I went for relaxed chic that day. This is what I wore on Day Four of Fashion Week.

The schedule
Robert Verdi’s Luxe Lab, Custo Barcelona and dinner with friends to discuss some items. Like I said, a “light” day.

The Outfit
Sometimes visual is so much better, isn’t it? So I look some video to show you what I was wearing this day. Please do enjoy!

Review of the Outfit: This outfit was incredibly comfortable and with the fabulous blowout and makeup, it brought what could have been a very casual outfit up a little.

Recommend Outfit For You? Yes, but it depends on where you’re wearing it. If you took it up with heels and a cool evening clutch, it would be fabulous for date night but otherwise I found it to be a bit casual. Although, off-the-shoulder makes anything a little more fabulous, know what I mean?

There are many invitations one desires when waiting to see what you’ll be attending during Fashion Week but there’s one little invite that makes all of us secretly happier than almost any other: an exclusive invite to attend Robert Verdi’s Luxe Lab Retreat during Fashion Week. The brainchild of the celebrity stylist/media personality/cultural maven, this gorgeous oasis in Chelsea plays host to many tastemaker celebrations throughout the year, but during Fashion Week it opens its doors to a select number of individuals where you can sit, relax, eat and attend some exclusive sneak preview parties and events. The invite is sort of your golden ticket to a little fashion-savvy candy factory, luxuriously decorated and managed to the nth detail by Robert and his very capable, friendly staff. When I got mine, I have to admit: I did a little happy dance.

This year the program was entitled “Survival of the Chicest” and it lived up to its moniker because the location of Luxe Lab sat squarely between the Bryant Park tents of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and the Meatpacking District-located Milk Studios where MAC & Milk was held. For five solid days, we were treated to nutritious meals by Blueprint Cleanse, cocktails by multiple sponsors (you’ll see Bethenny Frankel’s Skinnygirl Margaritas featured on the new season of The Real Housewives of New York City -they shot an episode at the Lab while we were there), karma readings, a preview of the Tarina Tarantino spring collection and luxurious hair and makeup in the CVS Reinventing Beauty suite located in his to-die-for bath and vanity area. Robert is the consummate host and as proof-positive of the well-curated guest list, celebrities of all kinds popped in and out without anyone batting an eyelash. Yes, it’s New York but when you get to eat lunch with most of the cast of America’s Next Top Model, you have to just smile to yourself: only Robert Verdi could pull this off.

There are many sad things about Fashion Week coming to a close, but one of the most bittersweet is that our time at the Luxe Lab had to end. Bedraggled and harried when we entered, every one of us left Luxe Lab well-fed, more calm, gorgeous and ready to hit the shows again. That’s the magic of Robert Verdi and his lovely Luxe Lab: making the world a little more fabulous, one fashionista at a time. We love you, Robert, and thank you. See you next season!

There are many invitations one desires when waiting to see what you’ll be attending during Fashion Week but there’s one little invite that makes all of us secretly happier than almost any other: an exclusive invite to attend Robert Verdi’s Luxe Lab Retreat during Fashion Week. The brainchild of the celebrity stylist/media personality/cultural maven, this gorgeous oasis in Chelsea plays host to many tastemaker celebrations throughout the year, but during Fashion Week it opens its doors to a select number of individuals where you can sit, relax, eat and attend some exclusive sneak preview parties and events. The invite is sort of your golden ticket to a little fashion-savvy candy factory, luxuriously decorated and managed to the nth detail by Robert and his very capable, friendly staff. When I got mine, I have to admit: I did a little happy dance.

This year the program was entitled “Survival of the Chicest” and it lived up to its moniker because the location of Luxe Lab sat squarely between the Bryant Park tents of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and the Meatpacking District-located Milk Studios where MAC & Milk was held. For five solid days, we were treated to nutritious meals by Blueprint Cleanse, cocktails by multiple sponsors (you’ll see Bethenny Frankel’s Skinnygirl Margaritas featured on the new season of The Real Housewives of New York City -they shot an episode at the Lab while we were there), karma readings, a preview of the Tarina Tarantino spring collection and luxurious hair and makeup in the CVS Reinventing Beauty suite located in his to-die-for bath and vanity area. Robert is the consummate host and as proof-positive of the well-curated guest list, celebrities of all kinds popped in and out without anyone batting an eyelash. Yes, it’s New York but when you get to eat lunch with most of the cast of America’s Next Top Model, you have to just smile to yourself: only Robert Verdi could pull this off.

There are many sad things about Fashion Week coming to a close, but one of the most bittersweet is that our time at the Luxe Lab had to end. Bedraggled and harried when we entered, every one of us left Luxe Lab well-fed, more calm, gorgeous and ready to hit the shows again. That’s the magic of Robert Verdi and his lovely Luxe Lab: making the world a little more fabulous, one fashionista at a time. We love you, Robert, and thank you. See you next season!

Custo Barcelona moved into the Tent, the largest display space at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, to show their collection for Spring/Summer 2010 and judging from the packed house their optimism was well-justified. The runway turned dark and a loud, pulsating soundtrack immediately transformed the crowded venue into the hottest nightspot in town. Known for its unapologetic use of vibrant color and glittering details, Custo Barcelona did what they do best, sending statement piece after statement piece stomping down the runway to music that shook the chairs.

The brand, previously known for brightly-patterned shirts, has moved into a full-on rocker glam label that caters to musicians and the jet set around the world. A well-developed collection for both men and women were sent down the runway in bohemian looks punctuated with aggressively bright pops of color.

Body conscious, optimistic and wildly beautiful, Custo Barcelona wants you to be a free spirit who stands out in a crowd for spring. These clothes need not only be for those who star on stage and screen, merely those who have the confidence and attitude to live life out loud in their beautifully constructed clothing.

After watching front row stunner Rachel Bilson take her seat next to Ugly Betty’s Becki Newton for the Brian Reyes show, it was clear that Hollywood’s favorite fashionistas were out in force to support one of their favorites.

Reyes is known for his designs tailor-made for those who have to make it work in front of the paparazzi and his see-and-be-seen design aesthetic didn’t disappoint for this spring collection. Known for impeccably-cut, glamorous clothes that are edgy enough for young Hollywood but chic enough for more established buyers, Reyes’ collection was full of fun prints (a Rorschach-inspired print was of particular interest), flirty ruffled dresses and evening wear destined for red carpet affairs. All in all, Reyes’ offerings for spring were a success for their intended audiences: the ladies who keep the paparazzi in business and those of us who want to look like them.

Gottex showed their spring 2010 collection to a packed house at the tents during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and fans of the glamorous swimwear line were not disappointed. Architectural cuts and interesting shapes abounded with chic and unexpected adornment, like chili pepper-inspired necklaces, embellished necklines and belts. Ggorgeous cover-ups with splashes of metallics completed some of the looks that will take you from poolside to cocktails in no time flat.

The headwrap added a luxe heiress feel to the collection and for those who rely on the label for their jet-set swimwear staples, they will not be disappointed. Elegant in its simplicity yet not lacking in detail, Gottex delivered glamorous swimwear you’re sure to see at all the hottest spots for spring.