Umm...This Be Good: Jason Wu Resort 2014 Slicker

It's been raining cats and dogs all day in New York with no clear days ahead this weekend


If only we all had sleek slickers like Jason Wu's Resort 2014 green machine 

Happy weekend, happy puddle jumpin' ! 

Shalom Harlow for Jason Wu

There's something so 'My Name is Dita, I'll be your mistress tonite' about Shalom's role in Jason Wu Fall 2012 ads

I've been bad. Soooo bad. 

Thanks for the Ad: Black Cats Come Alive for Jason Wu for Target

There's something so whimsically French storybook about the Jason Wu for Target commercial starring a black cat with a penchant for well designed mischief and Francoise Hardy

Is it April in Paris yet? 

             

                    

The Dior Continues to Swing...

Women's Wear Daily reports that talks with just moments ago front runner Marc Jacobs "have come to a halt" and LVMH has "stepped up the pace and depth of negotiations with other designers"

That's good news as Jacobs' vision is clearly suited for Louis Vuitton with the proof in continued sales growth under his guide.

But the disheartening news here is this buried bit that "it is understood Alexander Wang, Raf Simons and Jason Wu are among some of the candidates recently approached."

(Marc could be out, but which of these other names could really be "in"?)

Yikes! While Raf would be the best of that lineup given his penchant for imaginative and modern plays on color and print, Phoebe Philo's minimalist work at Celine already kind checks that box

(Celine looks)

New talent Jason Wu still needs to find his way and that Alexander Wang is no Dior heir! I'm sorry I know gals love his loose and shapeless, but damn if I can at all see him designing for the 21st century lady of Dior.

New York Fashion Week's Biggest Spring Trend

Peplums

(Jason Wu)

Peplums kept popping up all New York fashion week long 

(Cynthia Rowley)

(Marc by Marc Jacobs)

                                                                                                               (Suno)

This is like the camel of Spring 2012: over-hyped trend seen on far too many runways considering it will flatter about 1% of the population

(Who wants this diapery effect, Vera Wang?)

(Lela Rose only half commits, but that's still a half too much)

(The Row don't know most women don't want to add volume to their hips!)

Sarah Jessica Parker Leaving is the Least of Halston's Issues

Sarah Jessica Parker, Chief Creative officer of Halston Heritage, let it slip in the August cover article of American Vogue that her role "recently came to an end"

But with so many American labels battling for the NOW (first lady endorsed Jason Wu, CFDA winners Proenza Schouler, perennial favorite Marc Jacobs, buzz brand Prabal Gurung and more) and many European lines embracing American sportswear and 70's disco dressing, Halston's role has long been questionable

(Marc Jacobs)

Will the real Halston please stand up?   

   

                                   (Vionnet)

(Lanvin)






Unfortunately, the year 2011 doesn't allow for much laurel resting and Halston Heritage even told you upfront that it was the sum of its former glories

Yes there was in-battling between the creative and business sides, but, hello? Welcome to fashion (or really any creative artistic business). More likely is Halston's undefined role in American fashion and the world stage of dressing. 




Sarah Jessica did her best to promote the line, but I personally am not surprised at this news. Re-incarnating storied 70's American sportswear labels (Anne Klein, Bill Blass, etc.) has proven an uphill battle. This is just another example, I'm afraid. 

Very Important for Fall: High and Wide-y

The 70's influence that emerged so strongly in Spring 2011 carried over to Fall's high waisted, flared pants trend with inspiration coming from such disparate sources as Charlie's Angels, Greg Brady and Bianca Jagger.

Hey I'm down, but designers there's a big fat elephant in the room here: the 70's were a different time. A time when people were less sedentary and dependent on fast food. It's tricky to predict how much this high waisted trend will translate into solid retail dollars and the reach of consumers it will speak to in the year 2011 when obesity rates are at our highest ever in the states and rapidly growing internationally.

But if we suspend thoughts of dollars and merely enjoy some fun clothing, then there's a deluge of fabulous fashions to take in. There's something for all here from the Parisian teen smokin' on the bridge to the just arrived in the big city editorial assistant to the trophy wife (and really, that's all walks of life covered, right?)

Let's take a peek:

(Alice + Olivia do a literal 70's spin in corduroy)

(Chanel cuffed and rolled their tweedy versions)

(Shots of crimson are sexy accents to center creases at Jason Wu)

(Chris Benz's southern gothic boho)

 (Yes, it's more Dietrich than Fawcett, but Gucci's pants are too beautiful to not include)

(Catherine Malandrino asks: why are the French so obsessed with hip hop?)

(Tracy Reese honors 70's American sportswear legend Anne Klein)

(Tsumori Chisato's satin pants and patterned sweater is by far my favorite)