New York Fashion Week F/W '09: Party at the Plaza

So after the first night's shenanigans in the Tents, it was off to the Plaza for the ARISE afterparty. We stepped out of the taxi and I fell in love on the spot with fashion designer, LaQuan Smith, who was working the Louboutins like nobody's business! Is he serious?

As sickle cell! The jewels, the scarf, the sequin...I can't with him. Honey, you better work.

Stepping out of the elevator, we crossed paths with Farnsworth Bentley, who is surprisingly pretty tall in person and was nice enough to stop for a swaggalicious pic. Yes, I approve.

Estelle showed up a short time later in a classic black trench. After we complimented each other on our twin haircuts, I took this quick snap.

The fabulously freckled model, Stacey McKenzie, posed for a pic after walking in the show earlier. Super cool chick, man.

Precious.

I need everyone to know that it was not this cold! But clearly, oversized scarves and fur were required attire. Brother man was definitely doing his thing. At this point, I had thoroughly zsjushed the entire party, drank my fair share of free cocktails and had too many passed hors d'oeuvres and as soon as I said to someone, "Isn't Solange supposed to be performing?" she appeared!

Yes, Miss Solange and the Hadley Street Dreams were in the building!


She looked super cute, no?

Especially her legs. They looked amazing in those shoes!

Mama was having throat issues, and kept some hot tea on hand. She informed us that the doctor gave her a shot in the booty, but it hadn't kicked in quite yet. Still, she sounded pretty good.





The crowd was too mellow for Miss Solo Star so she decided to come down and dance among the chilrun for her final song, "I Decided." Before I knew it, I turned into a pumpkin (the last train to Jersey damn near left me) and I had to skate!

Stay tuned for the rest of my New York Fashion Week posts...coming soooon!

New York Fashion Week F/W '09: ARISE African Fashion Collective

GRAAAACE!!!!! This is exactly what my insides were screaming during the ThisDay ARISE African Fashion Collective show during Fashion Week. It all started with a freaky fun video featuring Ms. Jones herself, followed by four separate shows by rising African stars in the fashion world: Xuly.Bet by Lamine Badian Kouyaté, Tiffany Amber by Folake Folarin-Coker, Stoned Cherrie by Nkhensani Nkosi, and Momo by Fati Asibelua. ARISE is a global style and culture mag dedicated to African achievement, music, business and politics.

Malian designer, Lamine Badian Kouyaté for Xuly.Bet, was up first, displaying a grunge/rock edge to his African-influenced designs. Fitted pantsuits, oversized scarves and skintight leather looks were the highlights. Liya Kebede started the show in his velvet pantsuit...

...hot girl Stacey McKenzie weeerked his mini dress...

...and Alec Wek and Tyson Beckford shut it down when they walked the runway together! The crowd went crazy.

Guerilla digicam shot

And just when you thought it was over, Grace muthafluffin Jones walked out and I almost lost it...

...and so did everyone else!

Now that we were all thoroughly amped, Nigeria's Tiffany Amber was ready to show her collection of easy breezy dresses in bright fabrics that seemed to float down the runway. There was an elegance to the collection, which included traditional Ankara fabrics, like the one worn by Chanel Iman.

I especially loved the braided hair, fit for royalty.

This dress was accented by strands of freshwater pearls!

The plunging Ankara ruffled neckline and violet color made this gown one of my favorites.

Next up was Stoned Cherrie's tribute to Miriam Makeba. Exuding color and expert craftsmanship, the highlights were blouson blouses, pencil skirts and feminine dresses.




This sunset orange ombré dress worn on Alex Wek was a standout.

Finally, Momo's collection displayed The Mosaic of Africa. After such a fun and exciting show, Momo was kind of a downer. Super simple and understatedly uniform, it felt to me like the same pattern with alternating animal print...again and again. Bummer.




Source/Source

New York Fashion Week F/W '09: Venexiana

The stunningly glamorous Venexiana show was one of my favorites of the entire week. Fabulous fur detailing, miles of sequin, brocade ball gowns, lots of lace and sumptuous velvet; it was a study in over-the-top luxury. The ultra-opulent fabrics and beading made a jaw-dropping runway statement. In the world of Venexiana, recession be damned.

Designer Katy Stern takes a bow.

Photo Credit: Eat the Cake NYC