Olympus Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2007 has come and gone, however I’m still savoring the memories that I made during those seven glorious (and hectic) days.

As with every Fashion Week I’ve been involved with, Zandile aka my-partner-in-crime, was my companion througout. When it comes to anything having to do with fashion, we are unstoppable. Please believe, you will be seeing our names at the top of a masthead in the near future.

Believe it or not, I made it to 21 shows!

Spring 2007 is looking more fabulous than ever and I was able to witness it first hand. Below you will find a rundown of all the shows I attended and what I thought of them. Hopefully it will help in getting you ready for a truly stylish spring season. Enjoy!

THE SHOWS I ATTENDED (in chronological order):
*Note: All photos were taken by me

MISS SIXTY---Rahsaan was my date for this show, which was held at the beautiful Guggenheim Museum. Note: It looks like denim overalls are coming back. I don’t know how I feel about this, but if you do it right…I’m sure it could be cute. Use Caution.

MARC BOUWER---Think the TV show “Dynasty” filmed in Miami. Not my cup of tea, but if I ever move down to Miami I’ll make sure to pick up a few frocks from Mr. Bouwer.

BABY PHAT---Great show, Ok clothes. Instead of buyers, Kimora fills her seats with celebs (50 Cent: who got in a fight before the show started, Trina, Brandy, Tyson Beckford, Mya, etc). The best part of the show: the music and star gazing. Bonus: the models were sporting blinged out grills as they stomped down the catwalk.



ACADEMY ART UNIVERSITY--- These students from San Francisco killed it. I was impressed with their work more than some of the established designers.

SABYASACHI--- LOVED IT! This designer from India really knows what he is doing. The clothes had subtle elegance. Muted colors (more like a Fall palette) with luxurious fabrics and a touch of glamour with the shapes and the occasional use of metallics.

ALICE ROI--- Think: the rebellious boarding school girl. Roi speaks to the girl who wants to look clean but show she doesn’t mind getting dirty. Note: Pick up one of her fab super-sized belted change purses.

ATIL KUTOGLU--- Another solid collection for Kutoglu. I always feel like I should be lounging by the ocean in the south of France when I see his collection. Very clean and airy with great colors.

ALEXANDRE HERCHCOVITCH--- An African militia was apparently the inspiration for this always over-the-top designer. Zandile loves his work and although I don’t really see myself wearing his super loud, statement making looks, I can appreciate the amazing craftsmanship.



JENNI KAYNE--- Fabulous!!! I was surprised by this semi-newcomer to the fashion industry. Her designs are amazing and I especially loved her leather jackets for the spring (That’s right, leather in the spring…get on it)!



SASS & BIDE--- The two Aussie ladies that make up this label always aim to please and they never fail. This collection was reminiscent of Norma Kamali at her best. The designers strayed away from their usual use of color, but that doesn’t mean it lacked sexiness.

LACOSTE--- A Classic. We all love that tiny alligator placed perfectly on the timelessly designed and executed clothing. This spring the label is showing off it’s versatility. The label covered everything from preppy looks of the 50's to street-ready wears of the 80's. You'll be ready for anything this spring in Lacoste.



TRACY REESE--- If you know anything about me, you know that Tracy Reese is absolutely one of my favorite designers. And after her spring 2007 presentation she has yet again claimed her place in my heart...and closet. A special surprise during the show were the latin dancers to uplift her spanish inspired clothing. One word: Dope!



DIANE VON FURSTENBERG---Adam is going to love Eve’s new duds this spring, especially since she is the inspiration behind DVF’s collection. We all know that Diane can make a helluva dress and she proved it once again. The colors, floral motifs and bold shapes are just a few of the reasons everyone should have a DVF in their wardrobe this spring.

ROSA CHA--- Itsy-bitsy-teeny-weeny. There will be no squeezing any junk in these trunks. Rosa Cha is big on design, but small on fabric. I can appreciate the innovative way in which he sees the swimsuit (ex: adding suspenders…trust me, it looked amazing) but I can also recognize that I would look a hot-mess in one of this tiny numbers.

OSCAR DE LA RENTA--- I did it again! I sat in the friend-and-family section with one of my fabulous former editors for one of Fashion Week’s most anticipated and beautiful shows. Oscar never disappoints. The show was breathtaking and the only way I can describe it is: Flawless. If you need more explanation than that, go checkout the whole collection on Style.com.

NANETTE LEPORE--- The pinup girl is back and she’s more fabulous than ever. Nanette had the jet-setting fashionista in mind when designing this collection. I loved all the dresses and intend on taking them on my next trip to Italy (whenever that happens). The only thing that bothered me was her occasional use of exposed zippers. It looks just a little too juvenile to me.




HEATHERETTE--- This show is always a party and everyone wants to get in—Daisy and I accomplished the task and scored seats with no problem. It was so packed that even Patricia Fields didn’t have a seat and was sitting on the floor! Shame to the people around her that did offer her their seat….what an opportunity missed! Anyway, there surprises around every corner at the show. Strutting out first was Paris Hilton to her “Stars are Blind” song, and sprinkled throughout the show were Nicky Hilton, Tinsley Mortimer, Mya, Amanda Hearst, Amanda Lepore and the one-and-only Kelis (looking gorgeous as usual)!






MICHON SCHUR--- A pleasant surprise. This newish designer made a powerful statement with a collection of smart dresses, feminine blouses and the ever-present bubble-skirts that are flooding the runways. The paparazzi were also flooding the front row at this show….Misha Barton attended (is a friend of the designer).

CYNTHIA ROWLEY--- The first half of CR’s show was amazing. Angelic dresses with touches of colorful wicker details. The second half of the show was not in line with her initial looks and unfortunately weren’t as pretty. I’m hoping that the buyers in the audience feel the same way I do. Speaking of the audience…sitting front and center was the infamous Martha Stewart in all her pretentious glory. You gotta love her swagger though.

CUSTO BARCELONA--- Can someone say…A.D.H.D.? As always, this show had no real direction and was simply sensory overload. If you want to look like a gang of first graders attacked you with their arts and craft kit, then Custo is the collection for you.

DOO.RI--- Drop Dead Gorgeous! This woman knows how to drape fabric. Her jersey gowns and blouses have been the objects of my desire since seeing her show last fall. This spring she updating the legging trend by making them super long and detailed with a draped waist. Amazing! Did I mention that I love this designer! P.S. I totally want her to design my wedding dress.



HIGHLIGHTS:

*Meeting Robin Givhan (the amazing fashion journalist from the Washington Post that recently won the Pulitzer Prize for criticism—the first fashion journalist ever to win): Love her and her amazing hustle to the very tippity-top of the fashion journalism game! We are keeping in touch and when she gets back from the fashion shows in Europe, super-fab Zandile and I will be having dinner with her. God is too good!

*Chilling back stage at Heatherette: Thanks to my girl Zandile, who couldn’t even get into the show but managed to watch from backstage, Daisy and I were able to meet her back there after the show was over. Needless to say, we chatted up Travis Rains and Ritchie Rich (aka the geniuses behind Heatherette), complimented Tinsley Mortimer (socialite) about her amazing strut, watched Paris as she acted too good for all the hoopla and had a moment with Kelis. Another successful night at the tents!

Love and Light...