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

B. Raglin/WireImage.com

I’m generally the last person to focus on the race of a model, but while perusing the Halston Spring 2011 photos on Style.com I realized how distracting it was to have five black models walk the runway one-after-another wearing the only black garments in the collection.

Though I know the initial implication is slightly scandalous. I am not attempting to make some statement about Marios Schwab’s morals though black models in all black will insight waves of revolt, I’m writing about this to show why we shouldn’t always jump to conclusions when the question of race is at hand.

In my mind, the distraction had nothing and everything to do with race. If Schwab had sent five black models in completely different looks down the runway one-after-another, I would have been taken by surprise, not being used to seeing such an abundance of black models walking a runway. However, it was the entire look, the shadowy figures wearing pops of gold that caught my attention. It was the odd, yet beautiful contrast of it all.

I’m not sure why, but quickly flipping through the images of lanky, highly-oiled black models— all different shades of cocoa— wearing black outfit after black outfit gives me chills. It’s like staring at a haunting image at an art gallery. It also made me wonder what other patterns were hiding in the runway arrangement.

It seems there was a bit of a pattern going on: brunettes with hair slicked back wore shades of blue, while the blondes, hair long and flowing, wore blush tones. The models with ruddier toned hair wore gold, and the Asian models wore white. The brunettes with long, straight hair finished the show in oranges and reds.

What does all of this mean?

Honestly, I couldn’t tell you, but had I not been distracted by the sudden juxtaposition of a parade of umbral beauties, I wouldn’t have noticed in the least. Though it may be sad that having more than a couple black models in a row is attention grabbing, I think it’s what the collection needed for people to take a second look. It’s a collection I will remember not simply for the magnificently crafted and luxe-looking garments, but also for the thought behind the entire presentation.

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.