A Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week Retrospective through Gabby’s Eyes

The week was nothing short of surreal, exhausting, yet THRILLING. I felt as if each day were a fortune cookie in which I never knew exactly what “fortune” the day would bring. At each show, I imagined where or in what situation I would see myself in the masterpieces featured on the runway. Although my daydreams can be a bit over-the-top (i.e. attending the Glasgow Music Fest with Pharrell Williams as my date while wearing one of Henry Holland’s statement knit tops); but for the most part I was in the real world. Dare to invade my mind for five shows?

Irina Shabayeva’s fall 2010 collection left me breathless! It is no wonder that she won in the sixth season of Project Runway. As printed on the run-of-show sheet, “freedom and the un-tethered journey of flight” inspired Shabayeva to create feather print patterns on wool, cocktail dresses made of feathers, and beautiful jewelry made out of feathers and…Tupperware! I loved the injection of beaded cigarette pants tastefully partnered with tailored jackets. The skillfully handcrafted pieces could fit into so many potential whereabouts. How about a girls’ night out? Yes.

Front row at Irina Shabayeva

Toni Francesc is by far one of my favorite designers! “Artificial Life,” the name of the fall 2010 collection by Francesc, was inspired by the androgynous image in which technology and Man are combined. Slinky coats were paired with leggings.  Strong, military protruding shoulders on dresses, woven tops, and jackets made me even more eager for the fall to arrive. Colors stayed in line with the tech world motif and consisted of industrial silver and rusted copper.

Strong, sexy style (photo by Adriana Cruz)

The NYC chic hues of chocolate brown, latte cream, and dramatic black painted the runway of the Toni Maticevski Fall 2010 show. His clever jumble of tweed and cinched boyfriend blazers over femme evening gowns only left me wanting more! I pictured myself as a chocolate ornament on the top of my very own wedding cake. This cake would belong to no one other than me due to the fact my wedding would ideally be in one of the autumn months. Most importantly, I’d don a chiffon and silk Maticevski gown with a frightened smile on my face as a walked down the aisle.

A look to fall in love with

Tia Cibana, the Creative Director of Ports 1961, stated in the runway invitation that the fall 2010 preview was inspired “by the relationship between discovery and invention.” I certainly felt like I could be quite the haute Carmen Sandiego in the various hues of purple and pops of jade showcased on the runway. Shift dresses, leather, and goddess gold accessories were sprinkled throughout the collection. The pieces were very functional and translated straight from runway to real way for the workplace or party life. Kudos to Ports 1961!

An adventure in style

EROS ANIKATE MAHAN is Greek for “love unconquered in battle.” The aforementioned quote is from the Sophocles’ 442 B.C. drama, Antigony and served as the muse behind the fall 2010 presentation by Vassilios Kostetsos. The inspiration was seen from the use of the red, black, and bronze color palette to denote love, passion, death, and weaponry. Kostetsos’ use of his signature draping on evening gowns and leather certainly brought a smile to my face and lust to my heart.

Style to die for

It was a WHIRLWIND week and bittersweet when the last day approached as this was the last Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week to take place at the Tents in Bryant Park. I look forward to what tricks will be up the sleeves of all designers for next season’s Fashion Week at the Lincoln Center.