Haute and the City

It has become an increasingly popular notion in the fashion industry that what was once a tightly-sealed industry-only event, fashion week must be brought “to the people.” DKNY Men made New York Fashion Week history yesterday by becoming the first-ever collection to be presented at the NASDAQ MarketSite in Times Square, which was broadcast on the screens to the pedestrians outside on the 12 Reuters JumboTron screens.

The crux of this season’s DKNY Men’s collection pays tribute to the timeless 1950′s gray suit, modernized by a slim silhouette, skinny ties and paired with platform Doc Marten’s and Tevas. Unstructured blazers and the (disappointing) presence of cargo shorts provided a more casual feel to the overall collection.

The message here is clear: whether you need an outfit for your nine-to-five or for the weekend, DKNY men has you covered with the American classics.

Photos courtesy of Style.com.

DKNY

Always a favorite at NYFW, Simon Spurr did not disappoint with his Fall/Winter 2011 Collection presented at Exit Art last month.

Compared to the Spring/Summer 2011 collection, this collection was noticeably darker (and, dare I say, more gothic?). Contributing to this darker tone were the black feather embellishments that were present throughout the collection.

The most exciting part of a Simon Spurr collection (this one being no exception) is his modern take on menswear classics. Standouts included a shark skin suit paired with a leather collared shirt, chunky knit sweaters with over-the-top necks, military-inspired jackets with convex buttons and, of course, the sequined striped finale blazer.

Go to the Haute and the City Fan Page for more pictures (do you see a familiar face in the front row?)

simon spurr

Project Runway fans no doubt will remember New York City designer Irina Shabayeva, who won the show’s Season 6 competition.

The collection contained many of Irina’s trademarks: chunky knitwear, extreme attention to silhouette and lots of black and gray.

Irina’s knitwear, one of her strong points, is impressive in that she manages create beautiful garments that not only appear comfortable and warm, but feminine and stylish- perfect for NYC fall weather.

While cutout snowflake motif was a little tiring, the collection on a whole was very strong.

Feminine, glamorous and a dash of cozy.

What more could you ask for for your cold-weather wardrobe?

For more exclusive pictures, head over to the Haute and the City Facebook Fan Page.

Irina Shabayeva

Having made its mark as an edgy brand of deconstructed black, white and gray pieces, Rochambeau made a bold move with its FW11 menswear collection: bold colors.

While the draping Rochambeau is known for was definitely present in this collection, there was also a surprising amount of very structured items. Rochambeau maintained it’s edgy quality with interesting cuts, asymmetrical designs and colorful camos.

Of course, it wouldn’t be Rochambeau without something torn up a bit. Love, love, LOVE these distressed skinny pants:

The standout piece in the collection is the one-button wool free-form scarf coat in red. Statement red, while a very hot menswear trend for the Fall/Winter 2011 season, is a must for every fashion-forward man.

Obsessed.

Head over to the Haute and the City Facebook fan page for more exclusive shots of this awesome collection!

Inspired by abstract expressionist Philip Guston, Rolando Santana crafted an elegant Fall/Winter collection marked by deep colors, unexpected textures (including feathers!) and an undeniable feminine grace.

Rolando stuck mainly to dark colors for this collection: blacks, purples, navy, etc., which fit into perfectly a New Yorker’s Fall/Winter wardrobe perfectly. In a nod to his previously popular faux fur pieces, Rolando introduced a few new faux fur adaptations in this collection.

The collection, aptly titled “Discrete Opulence,” was marked by just that – a subtle glamor and elegance. Between the gorgeous belted bows, the sequins and the subtle prints, this collection is Rolando’s finest yet.

To see exclusive photos from the Rolando Santana show, please “like” Haute on the City on Facebook.

rolando santana

For a guy from Los Angeles, Eric Kim has a firm grasp on what New Yorkers want to wear in the winter.

Black, black, black (with a splash of burgundy)!

Instead of boring us with a collection of black on black, Eric Kim has created an exciting offering by expertly juxtaposing textures such as cashmere, lambskin, calfskin, cotton, silk and much more to a sophisticated and fashion-forward effect. Kim’s remixes of American classics, urban tailoring and expert attention to detail made this collection one of the hottest menswear presentations of the week.

Further (and thankfully), MIK CIRE maintained the “sophisticated bad ass” vibe we saw from the Spring 2011 collection.

“As a designer, I strive for innovation.” – Eric Kim

Two thumbs WAY up!

If you want to learn more about MIK CIRE, follow MIK CIRE on Twitter or “like” them on Facebook.

John Crocco, the Perry Ellis creative director, presented a preppy (but not too-preppy) palette of camel, greys and greens in the Perry Ellis Fall 2011 menswear collection at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

While a Connecticut-inspired Winter Wonderland doesn’t typically fit the NYC aesthetic, the Perry Ellis Fall 2011 runway provided plenty of gasp-worthy moments that would translate beautifully to the streets of New York.

The delightful moments in the Perry Ellis collection came from the unexpected details: mixtures of patterns and colors, interesting fabric juxtapositions and beautiful textures.

For those of you who can’t wait to get your hands on the gorgeous wool exploded plaid topcoat or the cotton braided cable coat (seen above on Sean O’Pry in vanilla), race over to the Perry Ellis Facebook Fan Page, where you can exclusively shop for looks from the runway.

For more exclusive pictures from the Perry Ellis NYFW show, check out the Haute and the City Fan Page!

perry ellis

During Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, one of the more popular questions a fashion writer receives from a non-fashion writer (besides “what shows do you have today,” of course) is: “What’s it like inside the tents?”

Generally, my response is: “stressful, but there’s relief at the (Kim Crawford) wine bar.”

In all seriousness, there are a great number of sponsors at the event, such as Diet Pepsi, Maybelline and AOL (for the media lounge, equipped with plugs and places to peacefully type stories/edit photos).

Possibly the best tag line ever.

MBFW wouldn’t be the same without the abundance of the Starbucks Frappuccino. This season Starbucks is playing bartender, serving Frappuccino with your choice of Disaronno Amaretto or Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur.

This custom Swarovski gown was worn by Julianne Hough in The Heart Truth’s Red Dress Collection fashion show, presented by Diet Coke.

Mecca, aka the Kim Crawford Wine Bar. I recommend the Pinot Noir.

“The Media Pit” – Competition for these seats is fierce; I fully anticipate seeing someone getting knifed here before the end of the week.

For more exclusive photos from the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week tents, check out the Haute and the City Facebook Fan Page.

Since many of you have been asking, I wanted to share my schedule for this season’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Let me know if we have any shows that overlap or if you want to meet up in the tents!

Thursday | February 10
COPPERWHEAT
Katie Ermilio
Christian Siriano
Jonathan Simkhai
Tim Hamilton
IRINA SHABAYEVA

Friday | February 11
NORMAN AMBROSE
Costello Tagliapietra
Cynthia Rowley

Saturday | February 12
Logan Neitzel
KAELEN
Vivienne Tam
MIK CIRE

Sunday | February 13
SIMON SPURR
Yuna Yang
Pierre-Henri Mattout Homme
Romas by Linda Rowe Thomas

Monday | February 14
CALLULA LILLIBELLE
Woolrich John Rich & Bros

Tuesday | February 15
RAD by Rad Hourani

Wednesday | February 16
Rolando Santana
KEO

For those of you pining for the Fall/Winter 2011 New York Fashion Week schedule, your prayers have been answered! Fashionista shared an early version of the NYFW schedule, which you may find in its entirety below.

Please note: because this is such an early version of the schedule, it is likely to change and will be updated periodically.

**Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week shows at Lincoln Center are indicated as Stage, Studio or Box. Other NYFW show locations are indicated individually.

Wednesday| February 9^th
7:00 p.m. – The Heart Truth’s Red Dress Collection, Theatre

Thursday | February 10^th
9:00 a.m. – Nicholas K, Studio / Lyn Devon, TBD
9:30 a.m. – Porter Grey, Box
10:00 a.m. – BCBGMAXAZRIA, Theatre
11:00 a.m. – Richard Chai, Stage
1:00 p.m. – Duckie Brown, Studio
3:00 p.m. – Luca Luca, Stage
3:30 p.m. – Mara Hoffman, Box
4:00 p.m. – Tadashi Shoji, Studio
6:00 p.m. – Eva Minge, TBD
6:00 p.m. – Tim Hamilton Redux, MILK Studios
7:00 p.m. – Christian Siriano, Stage
8:30 p.m. – W Hotels Global Glam, Box
9:00 p.m. – Irina Shabayeva, Studio

Friday | February 11^th
9:00 a.m. – Ruffian, Studio / Blanc de Chine, 673 Fifth Ave.
9:30-10:30 a.m. – Tess Giberson, Box*
10:00 a.m. – Peter Som, MILK Studios
11:00 a.m. – Perry Ellis, Stage
12:00 p.m. – Rag & Bone (Menswear), 82 Mercer / Farah Angsana, Studio
1:00 p.m. – Jason Wu, TBD
1:30 p.m. – Buckler by Andrew Buckler, Box
2:00 p.m. – Costello Tagliapietra, MILK Studios / Rebecca Taylor, Stage
4:00 p.m. – Doo Ri, Eyebeam Gallery
5:00 p.m. – Rag & Bone (Womenswear), 82 Mercer
5:30 p.m. – Tommy Hilfiger (Menswear), TBD
6:00 p.m. – Nicole Miller, Studio
6:30 p.m. – Tommy Hilfiger (Menswear), TBD / Joy Cioci, Box
7:00 p.m. – Cynthia Rowley, Stage / COMPLEXGEOMETRIES, The Westway
8:00 p.m. – Sally Lapointe, 548 W. 22^nd St. / Academy of Art University, Theatre
9:00 p.m. – Venexiana, Studio

Saturday | February 12^th
10:00 a.m. – Libertine, Exit Art
10:30 a.m. – Binetti, Box
11:00 a.m. – Jill Stuart, Staeg
12:00 p.m. – Prabal Gurung, Studio / Sanga, TBD
1:00 p.m. – Edun, TBD / Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti, Aeffe USA
2:00 p.m. – ADAM, Stage / ARAKS, TBD
2:30 p.m. – MANDY COON, Box / Gant by Michael Bastian, TBD
3:00 p.m. – Vivienne Tam, Theatre
4:00 p.m. – Mik Cire, Studio
5:00 p.m. – Alexander Wang, Pier 94
6:00 p.m. – Charlotte Ronson, Stage / Band of Outsiders, Sir Stage 37
7:00 p.m. – G-Star RAW, Theatre / Suno, MILK Studios
8:00 p.m. – Altuzarra, MILK Studios
9:00 p.m. – Toni Francesc, Studio

Sunday | February 13^th
9:00 a.m. – Victoria Beckham, TBD
10:00 a.m. – Derek Lam, Stage
10:30 a.m. – Timo Weiland, Box
11:00 a.m. – Lela Rose, Studio / VPL by Victoria Bartlett, TBD / Tom  Scott, 327 W. 13^th St.
11:30 a.m. – Preen by Thorton Bregazzi, MILK Studios
12:00 p.m. – SIMON SPURR, TBD / Malandrino, TBD
1:00 p.m. – DKNY, TBD
2:00 p.m. – Calvin Klein Collection (Menswear), 205 W. 39^th St. / Tory Burch, Studio
2:30p.m. – Yoana Baraschi, Box
3:00 p.m. – Max Azria, Stage
4:00 p.m. – Diane von Furstenberg, Theatre
5:00 p.m. – Y-3, 82 Mercer / Cynthia Steffe, Studio / Romas by Linda Rowe Thomas, The Michaelangelo
6:00 p.m. – Thakoon, 548 W. 22^nd St. / Carmen Marc Valvo, 4 Times Square
7:00 p.m. – Custo Barcelona, Stage / Patrik Ervell, MILK Studios
7:30 p.m. – Behnaz Sarafpour, Box
8:00 p.m. – Tommy Hilfiger, Theatre
9:00 p.m. – Zang Toi, Studio

Monday | February 14^th
9:00 a.m. – Jenny Packham, Studio
9:30 a.m. – Callula Lillibelle, Box
10:00 a.m. – Carolina Herrera, Theatre
11:00 a.m. – Zero + Maria Cornejo, TBD / Carlos Miele, Stage
12:00 p.m. – Theyskens’ Theory, TBD / Woolrich John Rich & Bros, TBD
1:00 p.m. – Tracy Reese, Studio / Ohne Titel, MILK Studios
2:00 p.m. – Donna Karan New York, TBD
3:00 p.m. – Monique Lhuillier, Stage / Rad by Rad Hourani, TBD
3:30 p.m. – Barbara Tfank, 535 W. 24^th St.
4:00 p.m. – Yeohlee, TBD
4:30 p.m. – Chris Benz, TBD
5:00 p.m. – Thom Brown, TBD / Alice + Olivia, TBD / pamella roland, Studio
6:00 p.m. – Chado Ralph Pucci, 536 Broadway / Betsey Johnson, Theatre
7:00 p.m. – Mackage, Stage
8:00 p.m. – Marc Jacobs, N.Y. State Armory

Tuesday | February 15^th
8:30 a.m. – Kate Spade, 48 W. 25^th St.
9:00 a.m. – Rebecca Minkoff, Studio
9:30 a.m. – Trias, Box
9:30 a.m. – Rachel Roy, TBD
10:00 a.m. – Badgley Mischka, Theatre / Karen Walker, Exit Art
11:00 a.m. – Vera Wang, Stage
1:00 p.m. – Jen Kao, Studio / Diesel Black Gold, Pier 94
1:30 p.m. – Bibhu Mohapatra, Box
2:00 p.m. – Hervé Léger by Max Azria, Theatre
3:00 p.m. – Dennis Basso, Stage
4:00 p.m. – Marc by Marc Jacobs, N.Y. State Armory
6:00 p.m. – J. Mendel, Studio
6:30 p.m. – Halston, TBD
7:00 p.m. – TIBI, Stage
7:30 p.m. – Frank Tell, Box
8:00 p.m. – Narciso Rodriguez, Theatre

Wednesday | February 16^th
9:00 a.m. – Yigal Azrouel, Studio
9:30 a.m. – Domenico Vacca, Box
10:00 a.m. – Michael Kors, Theatre
11:00 a.m. – Nanette Lepore, Stage / Derek Lam, TBD
12:00 p.m. – Oscar de la Renta, 583 Park Ave.
1:00 p.m. – Oscar de la Renta (2^nd showing), 583 Park Ave. / HERCHCOVITCH;ALEXANDRE, Studio
1:30 p.m. – Adrienne Vittadini, Box
2:00 p.m. – 3.1 Phillip Lim, St. John’s Center
3:00 p.m. – Milly by Michelle Smith, Stage
4:00 p.m. – Reed Krakoff, 510 W. 34^th St. / Helen Yarmak, 730 Fifth Avenue, 23rd Floor
5:00 p.m. – Christian Cota, Studio
6:00 p.m. – Anna Sui, Theatre
6:30 p.m. – Odd Molly, Box
7:00 p.m. – Elie Tahari, Stage
8:00 p.m. – Proenza Schouler, TBD

Thursday | February 17^th
9:00 a.m. – General Idea, Studio
10:00 a.m. – Ralph Lauren Collection, Skylight Studio
12:00 p.m. – Isaac Mizrahi, TBD
1:00 p.m. – L’Wren Scott, TBD / Ports 1961, Theatre
2:00 p.m. – Calvin Klein Collection (Womenswear), 205 W. 39^th St.
3:00 p.m. – Calvin Klein Collection (Womenswear, 2^nd showing), 205 W. 39^th St.
5:00 p.m. – Bill Blass, TBD
6:00 p.m. – Elene Cassis, Studio
7:00 p.m. – Naeem Khan, Stage
7:30 p.m. – LUBLU Kira Plastinina, Box*
8:00 p.m. – L.A.M.B., Theatre
9:00 p.m. – IVANAhelsinki, Studio

Photo credit: Flickr