DRESSING ROOM : Arkansan gets taste of fall in Big Apple
Posted on Thursday, May 15, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Style/225797/
In early February, guest writer Elizabeth Scokin — Fashionnashville. com editor, Blytheville native and Nashville, Tenn., resident — donned her signature black sunglasses and took to Bryant Park for New York Fashion Week for her first chance to love or loathe the fashions for fall 2008. She invites you, black sunglasses and all, to take a peek at what she sees coming:
The overall look for fall ’ 08: Sumptuous, yet simple, with silhouettes that are “slim, slim, slim !” That’s motivation enough to pass on the fries and continue Pilates. Specifics ? Dropping hemlines. Slimmer silhouettes. The nude leg. Luxe fabrics. Pale heels. Soignee [polished, sophisticated ] hair. Hues of chartreuse, camel, royal purple. Slim belts. “Secretary” glasses. Boucles and tweeds. Croc-stamped leathers. Camel / nude eyes with mascara. Brownish-plum lips.
Five favorite shows: Betsey Johnson. Hell-o ! Daddy-o ! Just call her new collection Beatnik Betsey. The wacky, fun designer had bongo-playing “hip cats” at the runway entrance, while her edgy girls walked the runway in totally cool cardigans, black cat suits, and zipup little black dresses, topped with jaunty black berets. No more frippery and big ’ 50 s prom dresses here. The cartwheel-loving Betsey celebrated her 30 years in the biz with a finale of her life’s work.
Tory Burch. Carnaby Street posh. A ’ 60 s redo that channeled style icons Julie Christie, Penelope Tree, Joni Mitchell and the Fab Four [Beatles ]. Tory merged casual rock ’n’ roll chic with London lady [chic ]. Totally fab, totally groovy, baby ! Oscar de la Renta. The ambassador of luxe knows what his ladies love to wear. He makes beautiful clothes for beautiful women. Oscar luxed up fall’s rich brocades and metallic tweeds. My favorite was a stunning gold painted shearling coat that dazzled with gold sequins [and was ] worn with a fur Cossack-style hat. His elegance is breathtaking. I particularly loved his black evening gowns in velvet, satin and silk crepe. Nothing is as wonderful as wearing Oscar’s full-on gowns for a very important gala. He is a master of refinement and an editing genius. Carolina Herrera. Carolina Herrera’s theme had a romantic woodsy / tally-ho feel. She sent velvets, tweeds and jacquards down the runway topped off with feathered riding fedoras. Pants were tucked into boots and chiffon blouses into trousers, while jackets were embellished with fur. I absolutely loved her collection... but I have always had a fascination with Sherwood Forest and Robin Hood.
Michael Kors. My total fall fashion crush is on Michael Kors [whose show can be described as ] Mad Men meet hyper-posh Kim Novak. Hitchcock heroines and sexy secretary looks were sent down the catwalk to the tunes of Amy Winehouse and modeled by supermodels Carmen Kass, Coco Rocha, Jessica Stam, Agyness Deyn, and [others ]. This collection, designed by a man known for his love of the jet-setting life, oozed sophisticated elegance and ease. Think mohair pullovers, mink coats, tweed slacks, cashmere sweaters, and black cocktail dresses with taupe pumps.... [The models’ ] makeup was luminously fresh. They were wearing pale gold eye shadow, black mascara, pale rose lipstick, a strong brow and lightly dusted cheeks. Oldschool has never looked so new !
The Kors fall palette: violet, lilac and olive, mixed with camel and nude. The shoe: Pointy, sleek pumps. The bag: large and structured. The new accessory: tortoiseshell, cat’s-eye glasses. A DAY IN ELIZABETH’S FASHION WEEK DIARY: NEW YORK, FEB. 6 9 a. m.: Whisked to the worldfamous Carlyle Hotel with my [personal assistant ], Ann, in tow. Greeted by my gorgeous friend, E. V., who made sure I had lots of Fashion Week goodies in Suite 1203. 10 a. m.: Hurry downstairs to the Carlyle Gallery (in Valentino black slacks and white ruffled blouse ) with Ann to meet friend Carlo for a quick cappuccino before my first show. I saw hairdresser to the stars, [Frederic ] Fekkai, having a meeting one banquette down.
11 a. m.: Pop into the Town Car (in towering 4-inch heels !) to the Bryant Park Tents for the Michael Kors Show. Upon entering, friendly young fashionistas hand out water and I am cleared by the Kors [public relations ] flacks. I am then ushered to a seat with my name on a large white card. The room is electric and the runway covered with plastic sheeting. In a quick survey of the crowd I spot Eva Longoria Parker and Debra Messing, seated across from me. Lights, cameras, paparazzi … and did they go wild as Raquel Welch was shown to her seat !
12: 15 p. m.: Ran across the street to the Bryant Park Hotel to see my glamorous French friend, Bettina, who is in town to for a few days with her boyfriend, the handsome sculptor, Henri. We have a glass of champagne, gossip, and catch up. We haven’t seen each other since last summer in St. Tropez. 1 p. m. We arrive at the Carlos Miele Show. His models were sent down the runway with ’ 70 s middle-parted, stick-straight, almostto-the-waist hair; smoky eyes; and the longest legs I’ve ever seen. His evening dresses were stylized, yet restrained, [incorporating ] lots of blood red and gray. I admired his Brazilian crochet and knitting techniques that made his sweaters look comfy, cozy, and insanely sexy over pencil straight skirts and trousers. 3 p. m. Late Lunch at Nello on Madison with my [New York friends ]. Lunch here is a virtual see-and-be-seen scene !... But we had to rush, as we didn’t want to miss the party everyone wanted an invitation to … this one takes more than a few hours to get ready for.
8 p. m. The hottest party of fashion week ! A Gucci fundraiser — hosted by Madonna, who wore a Gucci gray crepe jersey dress — [and ] benefiting the United Nations Children’s Fund and Raising Malawi [aid for orphans in Malawi ]. Where: The north lawn of the United Nations. Performances by Alicia Keys, Timbaland and Rihanna. Seen: Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Lopez, Salma Hayek and Vogue editor Anna Wintour. Midnight: Arrive at Bungalow 8, Amy Sacco’s late-night lair of fabulosity. Dress code: Dangerously hip or high-octane glamour.... An after-party soiree was in full force, when we arrived and disco was the queen of the night.... It took all my will power to head for the door, as Abba was singing “Dancing Queen.” I remain yours in silk charmeuse, Elizabeth fashionnashville. com elizabethscokinproduc tions. com Dressing Room is published biweekly. Send news releases to Helaine R. Williams, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P. O. Box 2221, Little Rock, Ark. 72203, or e-mail:
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