CFDA 2010 awards

I feel like I haven't posted in years and today I am so inspired I could make about 12 posts. Alas, I am only human so I'll stick to a chronological order to relevance so neither of us go mental. Let's start with the CFDA awards from Monday night. This year I was quite excited for one of my favourite new designers, Joseph Altuzarra, to win the Swarovski Womenswear Designer of the Year award. But, apparently, it had to go to the more unoriginal Jason Wu. I was also disappointed by Marc Jacobs' win as I feel slightly iffy about him, both as a person and as a designer. However, the fact that Richard Chai and Alexander Wang won the Swarovski Menswear and Accessories awards, respectively, made me very happy.

Fashion wise it wasn't a super exciting edition. I was happy to see the Olsens on their first official appearance at the awards as CFDA members but, even though they looked great, I always expect them to outshine everyone else. Something that didn't happen this year. My list of best dressed at this year's event even surprised me. My favourite above all was Vogue's Tonne Goodman, who won the Eleanor Lambert Award, in a Michael Kors outfit that pretty much epitomised classic East-coast style. Jessica Biel showed she can actually get it right every so often. She looked absolutely stunning a 30's glamour version of Diane Von Furstemberg's classic wrap dress. I can't explain why I like it so much but I look at it and it just feels right. Iris Apfel totally made my day by wearing one of Nicolas Ghesquière's Balenciaga jackets from SS09. I simply love the fact that a lady of her age can be so fashion-forward and still look appropriate. I really wish she was my grandma.

What I always love about both the Met Ball and the CFDA awards is the fact that designers attend with their muses dresses in their designs. I thought Hayden Christensen in Richard Chai was absolutely genius, they both look so not-bothered. Pretty relaxed as well looked Altuzarra and Vanessa Traina, in a custom-made dress from the SS10 collection turned black for the occasion. Zac Posen looked better than his companion once again. He is a bit of a roller coaster when it comes to collections but he can dress, there is no doubt about that. And then we have Dakota Fanning, who gave Marchesa such a spin it didn't even look it had come from the hands of Georgina Chapman.
I'm off.

[Pictures: Style.com, Zimbio.com, JustJared.buzznet.com, Tommy Ton for Style.com]

NY highlights

This New York Fashion Week gave the feeling to be more aware of the times we live in. It was interesting seeing designers tackling with the issue of being practical while having their ideas remain on the garments. As usual, the coat took over the catwalks in its many forms —fur and leather still made an appearance but most designers went for the more unexpensive wool and tweed or the ever-classic cashmere. FW10 trends will be monopolised by layers more than ever. Some combinations that might have seemed nonsensical in the past become the protagonists of this season (see Rag & Bone). Velvet, which is a constant in menswear, made a big-time comeback in the shape of dresses (see Altuzarra) that looked somehow like shabby medieval gowns. However, if I were to choose my favourite trend it would be, by far, the maxi skirt and oversized cardigan combo. I have never been much of a boho chic fan but there is something mysteriously sensual about a woman that's not so keen on showing off her curves (see Richard Chai).

[Picture credit: Style.com]

Which one was your favourite collection from NYFW?

I'm off.

"The way of the future"

Once again I couldn't help myself. Something of the like happened the last time I watched Out of Africa, the film sucks me in and I cannot stop thinking about it until I put together something like this. This time the film is The Aviator. Funnily enough both of them were movies I had seen several times before but it seems as if once never suffices. I was surprised by how contemporary and fashionable the styling looks in the film.

Howard Hughes and Katharine Hepburn mix tailoring and knitwear like pros adding round sunglasses and fedora hats as finishing touches.

Above: Jenny Jayne F/W09, DiCaprio and Blanchett in their alter ego's ensembles, and Ralph Lauren F/W09

Hepburn epitomised the boyish look. Suits and shirts à la homme far from body-con yet extremely sensual.

F/W09 - Hutson, 3.1 Phillip Lim and Dolce & Gabbana

F/W09 - Etro and Dries Van Noten

DiCaprio walks around in his leather Belstaff jacket that was made into a special edition. A look from which Hermès and Richard Chai draw inspiration for next season.

Ava Gardner could easily be a fashionable woman of today. In contrast with Hepburn's style, Gardner was more pompous and exhuberant. Striking colours and cuts mixed with big accessories.

From left: Gianfranco Ferré and Louis Vuitton

Now, these I have been trying to track down on the Internet. They are my most desired item of the season. Sadly, Proenza Schouler did not commercialize their metallic version from the runway.

From left: Michael Kors S/S09, DiCaprio wearing my desired shades, and 3.1 Philip Lim

[Picture credits: Style.com, Imdb.com]

I'm off.