Spring 2010 New York Fashion Week Preview

The Week's Biggest Party: Fashion's Night Out
On the eve of September 10th New York City will party to the clanging of cash registers. Consider it Anna Wintour's personal stimulus package. The Vogue edritix has organized for 700 top retailers from Staten Island to Madison Avenue to keep their doors open late so customers - aided by the help of designers, celebs, and the like - indulge in some creative consumption.

Coordinated in conjunction with Mayor Michael Bloomberg (who will be hanging out at Macy's in Queens along with the cast of Hair and Michael Kors), the evening is meant to revive shopping in a dire economy.

This will also serve as a kick off to the week. Celebrities-turned-designers such as Sean Combs and the ubiquitous Olsen twins will be out en force encouraging people to spend those benjamins. But one doesn't need to be famous to join in. Everyone is invited to this fashion week party.
Head to FashionsNightOut.com for more info.

Andrew H. Walker, Getty Images for Vogue Magazine

The Hotspot: The Standard Hotel
Designers, editors, models, retailers, and glamorous out-of-towners will be dining, drinking, and most importantly carousing at André Balazs's latest outpost. Though the parties will be plentiful, we've been sworn to secrecy on the actual events (read: only the invited need apply). If you're golden ticket doesn't come along don't fret. Book your rezzies for a table at The Standard Grill and watch the mayhem unfold.
Don't just take our word for it: "The Standard Hotel is definitely the new epicenter for nightlife chic," says designer Chris Benz, who lives a few blocks away and is known as somewhat of a regular.
Dancing queens should plan to strut their way on over to the nearby Jane Hotel for a late night boogie session.


Courtesy of The Standard

A Tale of Two Tents: Milk Studios vs. Bryant Park
This is the last season that Bryant Park will be used as a show space (for Fall 2010 fashionistas will have to flock to Lincoln Center) so it was interesting twist when early in the summer Mazdack Rassi, owner of Milk Studios, and M.A.C.'s John Demsey announced their partnership.
The uber-cool building already attracts top photographers and gallerists so why not?
The deal also allows 30 lucky designers to show in its industrial space...for free. Fully sponsored by M.A.C., the powerhouse pairing is saving many a business from having to forsake their collections altogether.
Even before the week takes off, fashion's hoi polloi are responding well to the change. "Thank God for Milk," says stylist extraordinaire Mary Alice Stephenson about the collaboration.

Courtesy of Milk | Getty Images

The New Ubiquitor: Alexa Chung
Every fashion week there's always one gal who goes above and beyond the call of sartorial duty by attending all the tops shows and nearly every party. Historically-speaking, she is young, confident, dressed-to-the-nines the nines. Like Leighton Meester and Camilla Belle before her, Alexa Chung is now registering on the fashion radar. Though the Brit import and MTV host disdains the "It Girl" moniker, she has already made a splash at screenings and Saks Fifth Avenue store parties. Expect to see more of her English pluck in the coming weeks.



Astrid Stawiarz, Getty Images

Beauty: Channeling Kate the Great
"There will be more color and more of a polished ultra-feminine finish," says celebrity make up artist and Global Artistic Director of Revlon Gucci Westman about spring's upcoming beauty trends. "There will probably be lots of drop crotch trousers, which makes me think of Kate Hepburn with her feminine tomboy look. The slight 40s feeling will carry over over into the make up... bold red matte lips, shiny lids, [reminiscent of] Jacques Herni Lartigue photographs."
Lancôme's Kerry Diamond agrees. "Expect to see super-saturated color on lips and nails," she says. "Whether it's matchy-matchy or one shade on lips and another on nails."
The hit TV show "Mad Men" will also influence some designers according to Diamond. "It's the idea that lipstick and nail polish make you feel pulled together, optimistic and on-trend for less."
What's not to love about that?

AFP / Getty Images

Major Influences for Spring 2010 Include...Woodstock?
"A mix mastery of prints will fill the runways," says Ken Downing, the Senior Vice President and Fashion Director of Neiman Marcus. "'Taking Woodstock' is in the air and sure to be an influence in many collections."
Also don't throw out your jean jacket just yet: "Denim will be used as a fabrication and there will be a return to sportswear for a look of relaxed chic."






Focus Features

The One to Watch: Joseph Altuzarra
The ink is being spilled over this 25-year old up-and-comer. Raised in raised in France, Altuzarra scored an internship at Marc Jacobs as wee youngster, then went on to become a design assistant at Proenza Schouler and Givenchy.
Along with a stable of Vogue editors, he is also besties with Vanessa Traina (the daughter of Danielle Steele). How's that for street cred?
Not surprisingly this wunderkind cites silhouette kings Helmut Lang, Tom Ford, and Jil Sander among his favorite designers.
All eyes will be upon Altuzarra when he shows his second collection on September 12th.


Mark Von Holden, WireImage.com

It Wouldn't Be Fashion Week Without Gaga
Marc Jacobs has thrown some legendary fetes in his time (who can forget when the designer dressed up like a, er, a camel toe for his annual Christmas extravaganza?) but look for Lady Gaga to steal the limelight on September 14th. The pint-size performer will be showing her "poker face" in person at Jacobs' official after-party/V Magazine-sponsored bash.



Courtesy V Magazine

Model to Watch Out For: Iris Strubegger

"She is the "#1 coolest girl," says casting director Andrew Weir (collaborator of photographer Steven Klein). The fair skinned Austrian beauty and her major cheekbones graced the cover of French Vogue in March, and she recently became the face of Givenchy and Valentino.

Iris, as she is simply known, bears an uncanny resemblance to super-model Kristen McMenamy. It's more than a coincidence, considering fashion's tastes for all things 90's of late. Apparently, models are no exception.



Larry Busacca, Getty Images

What Editors Want: Anya Hindmarch's Three Pocket Bag
With its trio of pouches and easily foldable flap, Anya Hindmarch's Three Pocket Bag is certainly at the top of most editors' wish list this season. (How better to carry all of those invites dahling?)
We did say most...Meggan Crum, Accessories Director at InStyle, has her eye on Alexander Wang's Betty Flap Bag. "It's lady like, but still heavy," she says.

Anya Hindmarch "Three Pocket Bag," $995, available at Anya Hindmarch NYC, (212) 343-8147

Courtesy Anya Hindmarch