Norma Kamali Fall/Winter 2012, New York Fashion Week

Heels clacking loudly in a rush across the West Side Highway to Pier 59 on a rainy winter's day, we arrived in time to see Norma Kamali's presentation, which included the launch of Kamali Kulture, her new under $100 line. Surprisingly, the cavernous studios were filled not by models, but instead by cut-out amazons donning Kamali's designs.

One benefit of this set-up was that it allowed us to wind our way through the cardboard jungle, fulling immersing oneself in the collection. While musing deeply, we experienced both delight and concern.

Delight at the candy apple red turbans, pom-pom turbans, and...turbans. If you haven't already gathered from our copious postings on headwear - j'adore. While actually rocking a turban requires a bravado that we lack, we still appreciate from afar.

We've noticed, with considerable concern, the bare midriffs that have been peeking out with increasing frequency. Norma Kamali, apparently embracing this revival, clad one model in what appears to be spandex leggings and cropped long-sleeved top, all of which is covered in text (i.e. "skill resistence excellence"). StyleShifter, while remaining ever the style optimist, just can't get behind this...

The best part of the presentation? Ms. Kamali herself, looking fabulous and happily not ensconced in a cocoon of protective PR gatekeepers. Not a bad end to NYFW.

Herve Leger at New York Fashion Week, Fall/Winter 2012

Wondering what to do with your leather harnesses? Well, strap them on over a Herve Leger bandage dress, of course. We were pleasantly surprised by the looks at this show, offering a fresh take on Max Axria's signature dresses. Look after look left us rapt and wanting more - our senses delighted in mini-pleats galore, body-hugging dresses juxtaposed with flowing Grecian skirts, fur, fringe, leather, and geometric lines. Following are our two favorite ensembles, which we love for their fearsome femininity (the photographs sadly don't do them full justice - the lines you see literally sparkled as the models sashayed along the runway). 



The diagonal lines on these next looks caught the eye as they moved beautifully with the body, nicely offset by the harnesses and gladiator boots - seduction and restraint indeed...



Reincarnate your inner Roman goddess with these stunning dresses (or, for those of us sans cash to afford Herve Leger, pull out your Versace for H&M as you weep a single silent tear).



There was a dash of fringe, also, refreshingly veering away from the Pocahontas/flapper-like .



As another day of NYFW wanes, we close our eyes, slipping into a reverie not at all unlike this week - where  ambition and creativity fly high, and dreams manifest upon our very selves

Katie Gallagher at Milk Made

We kicked off Fashion Week yesterday at the Standard with the Katie Gallagher FW '12 show, "Silent Soil." The professed sylvan motif gave life to what we would imagine to be the garb of space age wood nymphs. High-collared asymmetrial shearlings were our favorites - they were the most successful use of flattering lines and surpising mixes of materials. Several of the less structured looks led us to focus upon the ubiquitous leggings, whose curving lines delineated between sheer and opaque fabric. Otherwise, we saw empire waists, below which material billowed widely. Black, cream, and beige were the dominant colors, although we appreciated the bright pop of green or blue eyeshadow encircling model's eyes in the style of futuristic sunglasses.

Stay tuned for coverage of Herve Leger's Lincoln Center runway show and street style shots tomorrow, as well as more live tweeting!

We will also update on our current experiment - getting StyleShifter or one of her StyleSetters photographed by a street style photographer, looking fashionable but not over-the-top attention-seeking crazy. We are taking suggestions on what we should wear to accomplish this goal!

Lesson 1 - Apparently, this will not work: awkwardly lurking about such photographers with our own industrial camera whilst towering enormously upon six inch heels, brilliantly red lips pouting.

Lesson 2 (based upon observation of others) - This will work: wearing an inappropriately prom-like white lace dress with a black silk tie at the waist and costume jewelry. And no, lesson #2 does NOT ring of bitterness.

Countdown to...New York Fashion Week!

Once again, it's the most wonderful time of the year...fashion week!! Stay tuned for coverage beginning with the Katie Gallagher and M.Patmos shows on Thursday! Much, much more to come!

Need fashion week fun to tide you over in the meantime? Reminisce with our September fun here, here, here, here, and here.

Milk Gallery: Cliff Watts' "Wood Water and Rock"

We admit it, we have two fixations in life: the Milk franchise (Gallery, Studio, you name it), and headwear. So you can imagine our excitement on Tuesday when we strolled into Milk Gallery for opening night of Cliff Watts’ book only to discover a space full of not only provocative photographs, but also be-hatted attendees. We saw fedoras galore, pageboy caps, turbans, and the fun fedora meets Robin Hood hat pictured above. 

Milling about, vodka in hand, we basked in the beauty of both the crowd and the exhibit. Another important takeaway we gleaned from the event is that the 90’s truly are having a resurgence, particularly when it comes to a high waist above which peeks out an exposed midriff. Although we may change our mind and ultimately champion this movement, our initial reaction is that we are not yet ready to return to Sweet Valley High.

On the other hand, there were no such sartorial distraction in Watts’ photos, which portray nudes in the wilderness. From afar, it appears at times that the two have indeed become one. Don’t take our word for it, though, check out the exhibit through February 4^th at Milk Gallery (

450 West 15^th Street

).

Happy Valen...Thursday!

Proverb: What’s on the inside is what really matters.

Meaning: Keep your lingerie game tight (and NOT just on Valentine's Day).

Amulette Enchante Babydoll, available at the warehouse sale 

As so often happens, most secrets lost their luster after Victoria shared them too freely. But no need for my discerning friends to fret…instead, go boutique shopping!

We suggest starting with Journelle. In-store until Friday, January 20^th, and online for as long as supplies last, Journelle is having its warehouse sale online and across the street from their Union Square location. The only problem is that you might have trouble deciding between the elegant selection from some of our favorite brands (i.e. Cosabella, Chantelle, Eberjay).

As you glide about in lacy silk after a covert lunchtime trip to the warehouse sale today, you will feel good from the inside out. In fact, it may inspire you to sneak out tomorrow for an altogether different but equally mischievous reason. Happy hunting!

For more information on Journelle:

http://www.journelle.com/

3 East 17th Street, New York, NY 10003
Between 5th and Broadway

3x1 + Shantell Martin

Happy New Year to all my StyleSetters!! We are back with a vengeance shifted look and looking forward to a big year ahead!

Why not kick off 2012 with one of our favorite things? That is, style + art. Style + art, meet 3x1 + Shantell Martin.

You may remember the lovely artiste Ms. Martin from our coverage of Creative Time's party a few months ago. Her lines are legendary and thought-provoking, whether drawn on our own skin or on other surfaces. Currently, Shantell has partnered with 3x1 denim, which offers various products featuring Shantell's lines, including the ever-so-clever message on a bottle, shoes, scarves, and, of course jeans.

Check out Shantell and 3x1 at http://3x1.us/collections/3x1-shantell-martin or if you are in NY, at 15 Mercer Street!