Nordstrom at NYFW

Celebrated society columnist and industry insider Ben Widdicombe captures the culture of fashion at the shows and all over town.

Pamela and Deniz are our Fashion PR experts and fixtures on the NYFW beat. They're bringing all the runway action to you with reports from inside the tents at the week's hottest shows.

Cheri, Nordstrom's National Beauty Director, takes you behind the scenes to reveal the season's biggest beauty trends and makeup artists' tricks of the trade.

Donna Karan: 25 Years of Urban Aesthetic

Donna Karan's namesake label is turning 25. Amongst those who turned out for the Fall 2010 collection and the label's silver jubilee were Susan Sarandon, Demi Moore and Brooke Shields.

Such a trio of strong, beautiful and talented women in the front row is a testament to the kind of muses Donna Karan loves to dress. In fact, this milestone show had the best celebrity turnout of the week.

The first look was a black, textured wool/nylon organza cocoon jacket and organza sculpted skirt (underneath, the iconic bodysuit Donna started with all those years ago). This really set the tone for a show that was more sculpted and tailored than previous collections.

As many designers have this week, Donna focused on texture. Her approach utilized tactile wool, organza and tweed seamed with satin and heavy-gauge cashmere.

More familiar were the softer and draped silhouettes shown in some of her evening dresses and floor-skimming skirts. The closing look was a cascading black silk/wool Mikado evening dress (one I think Demi or Susan should consider wearing to the upcoming Oscars)

Shop the latest from Donna Karan's 2010 Spring Collection. 

Rebecca Taylor Goes Tailored

Mena Suvari, Sophia Bush, Carmen Electra, Kristen Bell, Whitney Port and Michelle Trachtenberg kept the paparazzi swarming at the Rebecca Taylor show. But the real stars were on the runway—great-looking tailored menswear items, in addition to the designer's signature sweet, ruffly aesthetic.

Rebecca sent a strong, structured message with her first couple looks: a snow leopard faux-fur coat, white tux shirt, pleated wool skirt worn with charcoal suede ultra-thigh-high boots and all topped with a fedora.

Look 2 was a tweed salt-and-pepper pantsuit. I can't remember the last time I wanted to wear a one of those...but seriously, this wasn't your lawyer's pant suit!

We're having a menswear moment in fashion, and it looks fresh mixed with feminine pieces like the teal shoes Rebecca showed with bouncy bows flowing from the ankles. 

Other hot items from the collection: fluid wide-leg pleated-front trousers, sparkly tights, charcoal leopard puffer jacket, silver tweed high-waist pants and much more.

We also loved her color palette—neutrals mixed with soft teal blues and lavenders. She showed the prettiest navy blues, calling them "blue moon" and "jet". And for those who look to Rebecca for her ruffle-edged cardigans, dresses and silky blouses, there's plenty of those to mix with the new menswear pieces. 

 

Marc Jacobs Finds His Pot of Gold

Set to an enchanting mix of "Over the Rainbow," Marc Jacobs wowed with his Fall 2010 collection. By far, it has been one of my top favorite shows.

Cathy Horyn reported sunday in the New York Times there would be no celebs (I wasn't so sure; we sat across from Madonna last season). But when the clock struck 8, there was Marc Jacobs himself, unveiling his giant box with 56 models inside—so visually stunning it wouldn't have mattered who else might have been in the room.

The scene and clothes were spectacular. All the opening looks were gray—an array of suiting, flared skirts, tweed, suede and bouclé coats. His hemlines were generally longer, something we've definitely seen this week and a sharp contrast to the micro minis for spring.

The show closed with an element of fantasy—a gorgeous silk taffeta daisy-print gown. I can't remember a show that left me feeling so giddy. 

SJP at Halston

While fabulous fashion is the reason we're here this week, every now and then I have an off-the-runway sighting that's worth sharing—especially when it happens to be a favorite icon so fantastically dressed (as usual).

Last night we swung by Halston's Fall 2010 presentation, and we were so glad Sarah Jessica Parker made an appearance. Appropriately so, she recently signed a deal as creative director for Halston Heritage, the house's secondary line.

I decided to position myself to snap a candid shot (shame I couldn't get her killer pink, riveted peep-toe pumps in the frame).

Now, back to the clothes at the presentation! Halston's new designer Marios Schwab focused on jersey looks reminiscent of what made the house famous in the Studio 54 days. Take a look at this slinky red, red jersey number with cut-outs.

The designer also updated the collection for today's Halston girl using a few more structured silhouettes, such as short asymmetrical jackets and ruching on neoprene, leather and cashmere.

We're interested to see what SJP has in store for Halston's contemporary line, Halston Heritage, which is arriving in our via C department at selected stores now.
 

Tracy Reese: Bold Impressions

The Impressionist floral backdrop at Tracy Reese conjured up visions of the pretty, feminine dresses we’ve come to expect from the designer. But once the lights went up and the funky music blasted, we were treated to a bolder, more body-con attitude than expected.

Look 1 was a black, lacquered jacquard funnel-neck coat and a gray, embellished shift mixing texture and shine. Slim silhouettes were cut super close to the body, including a gray lace spliced jersey dress. Body-accentuating ruching and pleating defined this season's skirts and dresses from the house of Reese. 

A pair of tuxedo pants were the skinniest of them all with a trail of studs marching down the leg in place of a traditional grosgrain stripe.

Oh, and if you’re looking for music to get down to as you’re getting ready for a night out, look no further than Tracy’s show playlist (I just had to share):

“You got the Love” by Rufus
“Cutie Pie” by One Way
“Rescue Me” by Taste Of Honey