Friday
21Sep
Fall 2007 - Favorites
Friday, September 21, 2007 at 10:50PM 
Bill Blass - Fall 2007Gosh, where to begin? Just how does one pair down an entire season of deliciousness into just a few choices to be deemed "favorites"? Now that's a lot of pressure...
Fortunately, I have some strict parameters for getting onto my favorite list. First, I have to want to wear it. This means it would fit in with my usual style sensibilities and lifestyle overall. In other words: not a lot of room for ballgowns - not that I don't love them, but would I want to spend my money on one? Probably not. Which brings me to my second parameter: I have to want to spend money on it. Okay, so I don't exactly have pockets for much of this stuff, but if I did I still wouldn't be just buying up fashion willy-nilly - it would have to be good. Third, the "genius" arbiter means absolutely nothing to me. If someone (read: major media, magazine, "tastemaker", whatever...) starts telling me a certain designer's collection is a must-have because of some supposed preternatural design ability alone, I instantly shut down. If someone is a "genius" and they make ugly shit I'm not buying it - and I don't think I'm the only one.
Overall, "favorites" mean things I could see myself wearing - not because someone told me so, but because I know so...
As mentioned in my first post in this series, there were a few collections that stood out for me overall: Andrew Gn, Chado Ralph Rucci, Marc Jacobs, Lela Rose, Alberta Feretti, and Carmen Marc Valvo. Also, while I was luke-warm on the collection, I completely fell in love with all of the little jackets Balenciaga sent down their runway - I love wearing jackets and this showcased a great way to do it. I found that these collections fit my parameters, and if I had the means I'd be buying a lot from these lines right now. The main thing is sportswear; this is how most women dress these days and I'm beginning to see designers "getting it". It used to only be Michael Kors who really understood the sportswear market, but now other designers are creeping in and giving us more of what we want. Sportswear dressing is all about pieces - mixing them up, putting them with jeans - then maybe having a few great dresses for dinner or a party.
Duro Olowu
Karen Walker
Lela Rose
I love these three ensembles because I could honestly wear them every day. They're colorful, cool, relaxed, and interesting. They also offer layers of pieces which is another thing I love to do. These are chic enough to be worn to work, but easy enough to be shrugged into for a long walk in the park.
Chanel
ChanelI love see that the house of Chanel is getting a little bit more downtown and edgy in their aesthetic. There are always the die-hard "Chanel girls" (a party I'm not invited to,) who will always buy whatever the Kaiser comes up with, but these looks really appeal to me. They have elements of the classic Chanel hallmarks, but are modern and hip enough for your cooler working girl. Even the uber-alternative artsy types would still go for these looks, albeit with vintage pieces...now that's more my school, though secretly I'd rather buy the Chanel version!
Carmen Marc Valvo 
Michael Kors
Marc Jacobs
Taking that same downtown idea and moving it uptown...these three looks are perfect for the lady of the office. You can't go wrong with great trousers, gauchos, jackets and simple tops. Perfectly comfortable, luxurious and effortless.
Emanuel Ungaro
Salvatore Ferragamo
Nicole Miller
It's rare that I actually need to wear a suit these days, but it doesn't mean that I don't love them. Suits are truly the easiest thing to wear; grab and go, no thought needed. While these three looks aren't suits per se, they come pretty close.
I love that the Ungaro jacket is a little bit off - the asymmetrical closure adds some modern interest and keeps the ensemble from being too formal. The Ferragamo look is done in a gorgeously rich knit which is no doubt as comfortable as it is lovely to look at. I also love how Nicole Miller mixed her materials for a truly chic outfit. All three pieces could be worn separately, but together they are sophisticated, graphic and feminine.
Celine
Gianfranco Ferre
Marc Jacobs
Tommy Hilfiger
Valentino
Vivienne Tam
I've been known to cross the street to take a look at anything red in a shop window - it's may favorite color and I'm actually one of the lucky people who looks good in it. So, this is a group of my favorite red offerings for this fall. Everyone always longs for the perfect red dress and I think these from Marc Jacobs, Tommy Hilfiger and Celine are beautiful and non-traditional. If you want something even more different you could go with Vivienne Tam's gorgeous printed silk version which is so lovely it makes me want to cry!
Alberta Feretti
Alberta FerettiApart from all of the other looks from Alberta Feretti that I called out in this series, these two are the ones I absolutely adore. I love the navy and black dress - especially with the sleeve detail and ruffles down the front. I cannot think of any occasion when I wouldn't wear this! Same goes for the dress and jacket on the right - the print is unusual and graphic, but it's balanced by the traditional tweed of the jacket.
Martin Grant
Roberto Cavalli
Viktor & Rolf
I love love love coats and jackets, and there were so many wonderful ones this season! These three stood out for me because of their simplicity, retro appeal, and touches of detail. To be honest, my great-aunt gave me a leopard coat from the early 1960s that looked strikingly similar to this one from Roberto Cavalli; since that coat had to go to the rag pile after losing almost all of its faux furriness, I suppose I'm trying to get it back by choosing this one. The Martin Grant coat could easily be worn every day with just about anything, as well as the Viktor & Rolf burgundy red coat. This one has some added sparkling appliques which are incredibly endearing and delightful.
Andrew Gn
Emilio Pucci
Chado Ralph Rucci
I think I chose these three looks because I'm so utterly bored with the clothes I have to go out to a party, concert, or just a night on the town. I'm longing to mix it up with something new! I grant you, the ensemble by Chado Ralph Rucci is a bit much for someone my age, but it's still sophisticated and lovely - could certainly be worn to a black tie affair. I love the Andrew Gn outfit because the pieces are chic and easy all together, but could easily be worn with jeans. At the other end of the spectrum, I had to indulge in the bling-a-ring dress from Pucci. Yes, it looks like a Gustav Klimt painting, but the black tights tone it down quite a bit and it would surely be super-fun to wear!
And really, isn't that what it's all about?
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