Pink Rock Candy – Top fashion trends, news and shopping of 2010

The Spring/Summer 2010 Dries Van Noten collection was inspiring, but there is one thing I don’t understand.

The way Dries always seems to turn printed fabrics with headache-inducing potential into beyond chic pieces of clothing without loosing one bit of “wow” factor, makes me adore him. Like a good student of fashion, if I don’t know/understand something I have to ask the tough questions.

Therefore, Dries, though I am practically in love with this collection, what is up with the one-armed blazer look?

From the apparent arm straps, I am assuming there is actually another half to the look. Why send models down the runway looking like I do while struggling to juggle putting on my jacket, carry my over-stuffed bag, and text friends simultaneously?

In no way does this a-symmetry change my feelings for the collection. I’m just confused, and I hate being confused.

Any thoughts on the half-jacket?
Photos: Style.com

Being one of the only people rooting for Estrella Archs and Lindsey Lohan as the Chief Designer and Artistic Adviser, respectively, I can honestly say, the Spring/Summer 2010 Emanuel Ungaro collection wasn’t all that I had hoped.

I wanted it to be amazing, so people would simply shut up about the Lohan aspect, but amazing it was not. However, I can’t say that the collection was sub-par either. It was merely average.

Like most collections, there were things I really like and things I either didn’t understand or simply didn’t like.

Things I like:

• The all-over heart print - It may be a little Valentine’s Day, but something about wearing black on Valentine’s Day and hearts whenever I want truly appeals to my antagonistic side.
• The brush strokes - the dry-brush fabric used for many of the pieces was a bit edgy, but the simple strokes and the designs juxtapose it perfectly. Also, at times the pattern reminds me of feathers, and I can’t get enough of feathers.
• Puffy-sleeved, wrap shirts - I love a good wrap and the puffy sleeve tugs at my Gypsy-loving innards.

Things I dislike:

• Harem pants - I was over the trend before it started. No matter the length, they’re always a no in my book.
• Fur stoles - I don’t understand why they would send fur stoles down the runway for a spring/summer collection.
• Pasties - I think that just speaks for itself. No, no, no!

I guess, design-wise, I don’t particularly have a problem with the collection. The shapes were a bit limited, but the collection was only created in about a month. So, Archs is safe. My biggest problem seems to be with styling (fur stoles, pasties, etc.), and since I still have no idea what Lindsey does other than gain publicity for the brand, I can’t blame her for the styling. Lohan’s still my favorite celebutante.

Photos: Style.com

p.s. I realize that the Lohan decision is the only true turn off most industry people disagree with.

My first infatuation with an entire collection has finally occurred this season. Generally, I love a skirt here or a dress there from most collections, but in my opinion, the Marc by Marc Jacobs Spring/Summer 2010 collection was perfection from Look 1.

I might be completely crazy because the collection was a bit reminiscent of collections past, but I felt like I could identify with everything sent down the runway. That’s what this giant industry of fashion is all about, right, creating something that is not only beautiful but also marketable to consumers so the cycle has a chance of continuing for another season.

Though, like most people, my self-perception may be a little skewed, I saw my own style in the Marc by Marc collection— or maybe it was simply the style I wish I had. Everything about the laid-back tees with belted skirts, mismatch prints, bold colors, and large hair bows feel right for this time of my life.

Sure, I may replace some of the bows with feathers or leaves à la DVF’s S/S ’10 collection, and I might even trade more of the plaid shirts for t-shirts, but even without doing anything to the collection, I would wear head-to-toe Marc by Marc Jacobs S/S ’10 forever if I could.

New York Fashion Week is in full swing, and yet again, I’m swamped and barely have time to look at runway pictures, much less have time to digest the trends I’ve been seeing. However, no matter how busy I get, I always make time to look at the Diane von Furstenberg collection, and this season is no different.

DVF’s Spring/Summer 2010 collection is the perfect continuation to the Nomad story she was telling with her Fall/Winter 2009-2010 collection— you know the one where all of the pieces are “like old friends”? Not to diminish my friends, but they are nothing like clothes, much less DVF clothes, but I digress.

The S/S ’10 collection was draped and layered similarly to the Nomad collection, but it looks almost as if the Nomads stopped by Egypt while Cleopatra was in power and bedding whomever was ruling Rome at the time— Gaius Julius Caesar, Mark Antony— I don’t blame her.

They change their layers to lighter more diaphanous fabrics, and they put on gladiator sandals. The patterned, in primarily muted colors, didn’t overwhelm the plethora of hippie style dresses, but to add a bit of color all the models were adorned by large multi-colored woven bangles, stacked high on the forearm.

I could probably wax poetic about each and every piece, but in truth, my favorite thing about the collection is the hair. The crimpiness just screams summer without looking like the models just walked out of the eighties, and the crown of leaves is definitely a statement piece anyone can do no matter the hair cut, texture, or length. I’m thinking leaves are the new feathers, but I will probably do some mixture of the two because the little girl in me still wants to be Pocahontas.

p.s. I think I’m obsessed with the coin-covered shift dress Arlenis is wearing below.

So, the Twinkle by Wenlan Spring/Summer 2010 fashion show was such a success. I was beyond busy at the beginning of the day. I was helping check-in models and also was sent to Exit Art to pick up two models who were working the Ruffian show— we wanted to make sure they got to the tents with enough time for hair and make-up. Everything went as planned and the show started on time, or on time enough for fashion’s standards—only 30 minutes late!

Though I had seen the collection coming together at the office, I was so surprised how amazing everything looked going down the runway. The orange lips were so fun for spring. As always, the dresses were flirty, and the relaxed pants that I wasn’t so sure about were beyond lust-worthy. As the music pumped and my heart raced, my finger was clicked the shutter button on my camera so fast, I had no idea what any of the pictures would look like, but some turned out pretty good considering I was lurking in standing.

I ran around in 5″ heels the entire day, as I waited backstage for people to clear out so we could clean up, I realized my feet were in no pain. However, as I finally was able to sit while on the train home, I realized the painlessness was simply do to adrenaline, because the balls of my feet were throbbing. The pain was well worth it!