Diane von Furstenberg: Ready, Set, Sample Sale

The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards Gala

On Monday night in New York, the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund had it's fifth annual gala, designer Alexander Wang took top honors (winning $200,000 and a year's worth of mentoring), and the fashionistas were out to celebrate it all.

Charlize Theron is definitely deserving of my top honors for the night, after making a chic arrival in black strapless Christian Dior Fall 2008 Couture with sequin draping and a sheer skirt. Loving the studded sandals too!

I almost spit out my Hot Toddy when I came across this picture. One moment I'm enjoying the lusciousness of Charlize in this dress and all of a sudden a mystery elf appears. So jarring! But no worries, punkins, it's just John Galliano (of Dior, darling) who was there as the keynote speaker of the event. Yes, he dresses like this all the time and no, that's no excuse.

Everyone's model of the moment, Agyness Deyn, showed up in a suit, hat, bra and ferocious red platforms by Alejandro Ingelmo.

Hot girl Chanel Iman chose a more masculine tailored suit from the Daughters by Obedient Sons Fall 2008 Collection. The black fur stole nicely completes her look.

Tennis goddess Maria Sharapova rocked a chocolate brown mini dress (that almost looks like a tennis dress) and strappy sandals.

Juliette Lewis shined in a belted, silver-sequined 3.1 Phillip Lim jumpsuit, which I would totally love to own. I'd wear it everywhere until it fell apart at the seams and then I'd turn it into the gayest throw pillow ever.

Jennifer Morrison (I don't know who she is either) chose a black and white Giambattista Valli Spring 2009 princess dress. Cute.

Aha! Blake Lively! I know her! But what praytell is she wearing? I'm disappointed. All the fabulous fashion at her fingertips and she chooses an unflattering Vena Cava Fall 2007 maxi dress. You live, you learn.



Fashion designer Tory Burch posed in a gold and black velvet YSL Fall 2008 dress and grey clutch. Hmmm, something here is not quite right. And I think it's the dress. It seems to be overshadowing her. Darling, never let a dress wear you!

Erin Fetherson wore a floral maxi dress from her own Fall 2008 collection. The boots are not working for me. Matter of fact, neither is the dress.

Hey Vera! Ms. Wang wore her signature bare face, a beautifully detailed dress and navy shrug. I like.


The loveable Diane von Furstenberg wore a sequined original from her own Fall 2008 collection, featuring a fun feathered hem.

Model Coco Rocha made her black Gucci Resort 2009 dress look even more ethnic by accessorizing with a gold turban.



Anna, Anna, Fabulous Anna, Anna Wintour, she's so outrageous! Here she is wearing a printed top and skirt from the Marni Spring 2009 collection. Nice tights. Her daughter, Bee Schaffer looks young and fresh in a Thakoon Spring 2009 frock and nude sandals.


Mr. Vogue himself, Andre Leon Talley, arrived in his signature ALT style. Would you expect anything less?

Model Doutzen Kroes wore one of Herve Leger's practically legendary banded dresses with a stunning necklace.

Liya Kebede looks beat. Yikes, what happened, boo?

Thanks RCFA for pics and links!

Source/Source/Source

New York Fashion Week S/S '09: Part 1!

Claire from the Fashion Bomb

Greetings my gorgeous gumdrops! As promised, the first of my photo-friendly Fashion Week posts for your viewing pleasure. It all began when my flight from Virginia touched down on Sunday (I had the pleasure of being in my friend's beautiful September wedding) after which I practically ran in my gladiator heels to Bryant Park! The goal was four shows that day...will she do it ladies and gents? (Is there even a question?) Let's start from the top...I knew it would be a great day when I said hello to Nigel Barker, who was walking out of the Tents as I was walking in. Soooo hot. As soon as I made my way inside, I saw one of my favorite fashion bloggers, Claire from the Fashion Bomb, looking really beautiful in a ruffled blouse, animal-skinned mini and Miu Miu bag (above).

Then I ran right into beauty blogger, Yummy411, who's eye makeup looked sensational, natch. A little later I spotted the oh so cute Lloyd Boston sitting inconspicuously in between shows. Of course I told him I loved him and always use his style tips on the site and he was so gracious and told me I looked great. (Yay!) Multiple cheek kisses later, it was time to head into my first show, Terexov.

Russian-born designer Alexander Terekhov showed a solid collection of diaphanous dresses and skirts (cinched at the waist of course) in fresh colors like coral, sea foam green and ocean blue, often paired with white. The breezy fabrics in ladylike silhouettes were accented by lightweight leathers.

My first glimpse of Chanel Iman in the signature print of the show.

Plenty of texture and ruffles!

Overall, I was a big fan of the line...simple elegance. Even the makeup was simple, the models looked fresh faced and damn near scrubbed clean!

After Terexov, I ran into my good friend Sydne Bolden-Long of InStyle Mag (no pictures, darling) and soon after spotted Prince Williams, the ultimate Fashion Week fixture who stylishly appears season after season.

We matched!

I was so excited to witness a live taping of Full Frontal Fashion, one of the staples of my life during Fashion Week, with the hostess herself, Christina Ha. By the way, I don't know how many times I saw some version of this dress, but it was everywhere!

On to Diane Von Furstenberg!

The models were adorned with headdresses which gave the entire collection a free-spirited hippie vibe. There was tons much texture, volume and drape, with a little sparkle thrown in for good measure.

In terms of color, there were a lot of blues, berries and pinks, along with coral and orange.

The models had heavily lined eyes and nude lips, very Edie Sedgwick and Twiggy-esque.

Being DVF, of course the prints were amazing. She is a master of mixing prints! A lot of draped overcoats as well. And sooo many celeb spottings (front row of course): Jennifer Lopez, Eva Longoria, Anderson Cooper, Tim Gunn, Nina Garcia, Rosaria Dawson and Simon Doonan.

The diva herself, Diane. Loved it! After meeting up with my good friend, Matthew, for a quick cocktail, we made our way into Tibi.

We spotted this woman, and more specifically, her pants, right away. So fierce.

Her pants must have been good luck because after chatting and schmoozing until showtime, we parlayed our way right into front row seats! YES!

Tibi was all about volume, volume and more volume! Unflattering is the new flattering, yes? Harem pants and Asian-inspired wrap dresses were dominant.

Cinched waists and rope belts reigned all the loose fabric in. And we fell in love with the nude open toed booties.

Lots of yellows, navy blue, orange, and green, and a beautiful peacock print that incorporated them all.

One shoulder silouhettes were accented by coral lips and high bumps with low buns.

This was definitely the show stopper.

Tibi designer Amy Smilovic, who lived in Hong Kong for many years and used that as inspiration.

After the show, we landed backstage where we double kissed it-model Chanel Iman, who was very sweet. She fell in love with Matthew, who was living for her during the runway show.

Then it was onto the W Suite backstage for more cocktails and noshes. Spotted: Becki Newton (Amanda from Ugly Betty) and Richie Rich. A bunch of sips and giggles later, there was one final show to attend for the day, and it's a goodie...Miss Sixty!

Once you go front row, you definitely can't go back, so we waited around for the perfect time to smoothly sit amongst the VIPs. Worked like a charm! And I got to take a quick pic of Miss Jay! He was such fun. At first he pretended to cover his face, and after I protested, gave me this hilarious shot. Gotta love him.

There were stripes, plaid and a definite 80s influence (acid wash anyone?) at Miss Sixty.

Once again, the running theme was volume, especially in the pants. Plenty of layering, with scarves, overcoats, visors, bangles, necklaces and belts. Accessory overload!


Open toed booties were everywhere!

The dominant colors were orange, navy blue and coral, and the models had wavy, disheveled hair with smoky eyes.

Blake Lively and Rosario Dawson were seated front row, darling.

There were also plenty of sheer fabrics and colorblocking with pinks, greens and yellows. It was certainly an interesting collection.


I've said it before and I'll say it again, it wouldn't be a picture post without our friend David making an appearance. I saw him on the way out with some fashionable friends. Such a sweetheart!

Whew! Honey, what a day! But that was just the beginning...stay tuned to inawordfab.com for the next installment of my Fashion Week experience!

xo, Elle