Sonia Rykiel RTW fall 2010 collection shown during Paris Fashion Week on March 7th, 2010 – featuring Nathalie and Sonia Rykiel, Anna Dello Russo, Beth Ditto, Susan Cernek and many more. Behind-the-scenes footage and exclusive interviews!

A snowy and cold New York Fashion Week is over, and the designs presented there were all the more welcome for looking to be warm. Collections were, for the most part, fairly restrained in color and cut. Shoes were perhaps the most “out there” accessories, with a few medieval looking spike studded shoes and gladiator-bondage style sandals with torturous heel heights.

As for handbags, Marc Jacobs sent two down the runway that were drool-worthy. A chain handle leather bag in gray and white was the ultimate in city sophistication. Coco Chanel would have been proud. Jacobs also presented a gray crocodile skinned structured bag with a short, adjustable leather handle that prompted a lot of uptown fashion editors and a few stars to think, “Ooh! Gimme!”

But while the collections weren’t as bizarre as they sometimes can be, there were some pieces that did step outside the safe fashion zone. One example was the awesomely pieced-together Joseph Altuzarra black leather dress that some described as straight out of The Nightmare Before Christmas. Altuzarra also presented a classic black swing trench coat that would have been gorgeous atop the leather zipper dress, but which would, come to think of it, look gorgeous atop a burlap sack. It was amazing.

Rag & Bone came out with something that many thought wasn’t possible: sophisticated hooded ponchos. The classic wool fabrics and the color palette of mixed grays gave them a sophistication that you just don’t think about when you think of the word “poncho.” For evening, Jason Wu presented an amazing strapless tulle cocktail dress. What was so special about the dress was that underneath the draped and gathered tulle was an entire layer of feathers.

Not all the shoes seen on the runways were outrageous. Derek Lam showed a pair of black leather boots with roll-down tops that were gorgeous, and for straight-up glamour, the ruffled, tassled platform suede shoes by 3.1 Phillip Lim couldn’t be beat. Fashion week may be over, but it just means we’re that much closer to actually getting to wear some of the awesome styles showcased there.

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The final day of New York Fashion week belonged to three American designers: Isaac Mizrahi, Ralph Lauren, and Calvin Klein. Klein is universally perceived as the epitome of elegance and sophistication in the form of beautiful, wearable clothes. Designer Francisco Costa did the label proud with a collection that no doubt had the celebrity-filled front row thinking, “I’ll take that one, and that one, and that one, and that one …”

Though Costa’s color palette was limited to black, winter white, gray, and azure blue (which shone all the more brightly by contrast), the lines were so elegant, the fabrics so luscious, the tailoring so just right that they didn’t really require the extra help of a broad color palette. And the styles were classic enough that you can imagine wearing them for years (or until your daughter steals them from your closet for her first grown-up job interview).

Three other reasons why the label is to be applauded and supported are Kristen McMenamy, Stella Tennant, and Kirsty Hume. Three models in their 30s and 40s brought it, and showed the assembled guests that their beauty and experience are timeless. Maybe this will be a lesson to other designers: models of all colors and ages give the presentation of a collection an extra measure of sophistication and class. Hint hint.

Source: images wwd.com

Looking at Monique Llhuillier’s Fall / Winter 2010 collection, I kept thinking, “These look like dresses that women wear to the Oscars.” There’s no doubt in my mind that any actress who chooses from this collection will not regret it. These are some seriously beautiful formal looks. Mostly simple, but with original touches that set them apart and keep them from being “just another ball gown.” One crimson floor-length dress featured a strapless bodice and full skirt, done up in deep red crinkly silk. It was absolutely perfect.

But there were work looks, too, and one gray suit with a slightly fringy trim would make Coco Chanel proud. Younger looks included short dresses over tights, and classic cocktail frocks in black and red. All in all, this was a delightful collection that is sure to be widely imitated, but probably not equaled.

Source: images wwd.com

Mark Badgley and James Mischka showed some gorgeous red-carpet-worthy gowns at their Tuesday morning show at Bryant Park. Included were some gorgeous column gowns, and a charming little gold confection made of what looked like a series of connected peony blossoms. But there were more “serious” clothes, too, including some work ready dresses that would knock the socks off a potential lucrative client or two. The second half of the show featured clothing from Mark & James, the lower priced line that the duo launched in 2009. In fact, there were twice as many outfits sent down the runway for the Mark & James collection as there were for the more formal Badgley Mischka line.

These were, for the most part, young looking pieces of wool, jersey, and leggings. Sequins were applied liberally, keeping most of the pieces from completely losing their winking sense of humor over their fabulousness. With the exception of one or two of the formal gowns, the color palette was muted and featured a lot of black, as have the collections of a number of designers this past week. It could come as a big relief for those shoppers for whom color play is an intimidating task.

Wednesday’s showing of the 3.1 Phillip Lim  line for Fall 2010 made for several instances of thinking, “Ooh! I love that! What is it?” While there was some hint of disco-era glam, Lim also playfully added in some backlash to go with it. Yes, there were sequins, but they were tempered with chiffon overlayers. Glam was consistently paired with smart-looking partners, like thick, warm capes and tall boots.

While there was almost a sweetness or innocence in many pieces, there were one or two – a deep purple sequined and black wrap dress comes to mind – that were nothing short of drop-dead gorgeous. And Lim didn’t stick as closely to the gray-black-beige color palette as a lot of other designers did. In addition to the levity imparted by the sequins, there were also touches of pink, gold, blue, and periwinkle. Thank you, Mr. Lim. Fall 2010 suddenly looks a little brighter!

Source: images wwd.com

Starbucks Lounge at Fashion Week check out the new Frappuccino Light flavors.

Erin Fetherston may be perceived (even by herself!) as being fantasy driven, but for Fall 2010 she broke some new ground personally. Fetherston said that her muse was the late German singer Nico, who became famous as part of The Velvet Underground in the mid 1960s. This season’s collection of dresses was her attempt to answer the question of what dresses would Nico (who always dressed in slacks) wear?

Whether the collection answers that question or not, it is a beautiful collection of dresses with winter whites, deep reds, and the occasional metallic piece that look to be gorgeous antidotes to gray fall and winter days. Flared slacks and velvet jackets (in purple, no less!), and touches of 1970s glam-rock make Fetherston’s Fall / Winter 2010 collection as beautiful a collection of clothing as you’ll see in a month of Sundays. Though she’s known as a maker of party dresses, these clothes bring definite touches of beauty to every day, and isn’t that what style is all about?

Source: images wwd.com

Starbucks Lounge at Fashion Week check out the new Frappuccino Light flavors.

While Zac Posen’s show last season was all about the playful neons, his Fall/Winter 2010 collection featured a much more fall-friendly (and noticeably grown-up) palette. His downplay of color allowed him to instead amp up the texture and structured details, featuring panels of soft suede, shiny satin pleats, and tiered fur. With a focus on signature short dresses (made cool-weather appropriate with tights), the collection boasted pieces that were carefully structured (some even with corset-style boning) but still had loads of movement; his series of floaty satin skirts seemed to sashay down the runway. While the collection mainly displayed an uncharacteristic amount of restraint on the designer’s part, the unexpected fur boots and smudgy black eye makeup helped to keep the show from looking too “pretty” or put-together.

Color Palette: cranberry, chocolate brown, saffron, black and gray
Celebs: Veronica Webb, Ellen von Unwerth, Patricia Field and Steven Kolb

Click here to see the full slideshow

From our friends at Stylehive.com

Diesel Black Gold presented the debut collection by creative director Sophia Kokosalaki Tuesday, and the place was packed. Her approach had basically clean lines, but with a rock and roll edge. There was plenty of black, plenty of leather, and plenty of faded denim, but it wasn’t all motorcycles and tough chicks.

The dresses in particular were surprising in their simplicity and real-world wearability. The black leather jumper over a plaid shirt is a look that will probably be seen a lot next fall. It’s flattering, sexy, and yet not vampish. The same could be said for a one-shouldered, cream colored belted dress that looked just the thing for parties. But if you think Diesel Black Gold has gone all girly, think again. Even the sweetest pieces in the bunch had an attitude of confidence. No doubt the next Diesel RTW collection show will be equally packed.

View the entire Diesel Black Gold Fall 2010 collection here