Weekend in NYC: Meeting Proenza & The McQueen Exhibit

I just spent the most amazing weekend in New York and I’m so excited to share my experience with you. I originally booked the trip because I had a meeting with Proenza Schouler to design a custom PS1 I won from CharityBuzz in May. This was part of the Fashion & Friends For Japan auction where numerous designers and other influential fashion insiders donated fabulous experiences all for Japan relief.

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This was by far the best experience I’ve ever had and I’m still speechless from the meeting. I had the help of Jack & Lazaro themselves who gave final approval for my one-of-a-kind design. Unfortunately, I wasn’t allowed to take photos inside the studio but I did get to sneak one in with Jack and Lazaro.

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Of course it was only appropriate to be decked out in Proenza Schouler head-to-toe for my meeting. Proenza SS ’11 dress with SS ’10 shoes and the classic PS1 in hand.

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As far as the final outcome though…I will be receiving the bag in late October/early November so that will be a HUGE Chi City Closet post that we’ll all just have to wait for!

So what else did I do in NYC this weekend?

Went to the McQueen exhibit at the Met (full details tomorrow)

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Spent quite a few hours in Opening Ceremony and Opening Ceremony Part Deux

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Ate at the new Co Op Food & Drink in Hotel on Rivington with my friend Jonathan Valdez

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Got to try Imperial No. 9 (executive chef Sam Talbot from Top Chef season 2), which was in my hotel, The Mondrian.

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And of course, added a few new additions to my closet 🙂

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Suitcase: Tumi (Opening Ceremony), Bag: Proenza Schouler (from their NYC sample sale), Shoes: Christian Louboutin (Barneys)…and a mini McQueen armadillo shoe from the exhibit.

Red Carpet Fashion: 2011 Met Gala (Part 1)

It was so hard for me to choose my best dressed picks from the Met Gala last night because there were so many amazing dresses. This is why I think a follow up post (or 2) is much needed. These ladies were probably getting ready since 10am yesterday, so they deserve a little credit right?

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Joy Bryant in Missoni

Joy is such a beautiful woman and I do love her in this Missoni dress (it’s kind of hard for me to hate anything Missoni) but it is a little casual for the Met Gala. I mean, it’s a gala…a long sleeve knit dress simply won’t do.

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Kristen Stewart in Proenza Schouler, pictured with the designers Jack McCollough & Lazaro Hernandez

As you all know, I LIVE for Proenza Schouler so I hate to say this…but this just isn’t working for me. I don’t hate the dress but Kristen needs to learn how to work the red carpet. She was getting better but she went right back down hill because she looks miserable here. You’re wearing CUSTOM PROENZA K-Stew…try to look a little happier!

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Karolina Kurkova in Jean Paul Gaultier Couture

Never thought I’d find myself loving a “mullet hem” dress paired with lace leggings, but for the Met Gala it totally works. She’s a model so owning a look is her job…and she should get a raise because she is doing all sorts of good for Mr. Gaultier.

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Isabel Lucas in Louis Vuitton

I am now sort of regretting not including this in my best dressed post, because the more I look at it the more I love it. The dress is a stunning color, the pleats are perfect, and that headpiece only works for this occasion and I find it quite beautiful. If anyone can find me that exact bag, or something very similar, please inform me immediately…because I must have it.

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Crystal Renn in Zac Posen

THIS IS HOW YOU OWN A LOOK ON THE RED CARPET. Stunning.

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Anna Dello Russo in Alexander McQueen

This is not what I was expecting from ADR, but I’m not totally hating it. She’s the Lady Gaga of the fashion industry, which is why the egg headpiece couldn’t be more perfect. She can wear anything, and do no wrong.

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Taylor Swift in J. Mendel

Dear Taylor, thank you for not wearing your hair in those little girl crimps/curls, thank you for not wearing a short sparkly dress, and thank you for doing something DIFFERENT. I normally wouldn’t love this but it’s a step in the right direction so I must say…I’m impressed.

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Zoe Saldana in Calvin Klein

Love this color on her. She always kills it on the red carpet. However, this seems a little casual and safe for the Met Gala. She maybe could have pulled it off with some more statement accessories but the gold necklace is not enough to make the cut.

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Sarah Jessica Parker in Alexander McQueen

This dress fits her perfectly. The shoe pairing is a little unconventional which I always appreciate. I was expecting something more extravagant from SJP, but in fashion we are not allowed to criticize SJP so I will leave it at that.

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Rihanna in Stella McCartney

I don’t really know what to say here. The dress looks amazing on her and I do love the colored earrings paired with it…but the hair is ruining everything. It’s what I like to call “the dragon braid” and when your hair is FLAMING RED, it’s just too much.

Photos: Tom & LorenzoThe Cut

Best Dressed: Met Gala 2011

Last night was the Met Gala…otherwise known as the Met Ball, Costume Institute Gala, and the “Oscars of Fashion.” As I like to say, normal red carpet events are meant to please the mainstream, and the Met Gala is meant to please the fashion world. There were a lot of fabulous dresses out there, which of course can easily be ruined by poor styling choices. No one is perfect, but when you have a team of hair stylists, wardrobe stylists and makeup artists on hand, you are expected to get pretty damn close.

With that said, here are my best dressed picks for the 2011 Met Gala…

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Miranda Kerr in custom Marchesa

Her job is to be an angel, and she looked like quite the fashionable one in this custom Marchesa dress. Those appear to be Nicholas Kirkwood shoes which is always a funkier pairing choice. I appreciate when celebs choose an unexpected accessory, and pairing this stunning dress with something other than a sparkly pump is exactly what I’m talking about.

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Margherita Missoni in Missoni

I can always count on Margherita Missoni for some unexpected accessory pairings. Belting this dress definitely dresses it down, but I don’t hate it. Wearing a spiked necklace with those statement bracelets is a bold move, and it’s the perfect juxtaposition to the pastel lightness of the dress.

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Liv Tyler in Givenchy Haute Couture

The 2011 Met Gala wouldn’t be the 2011 Met Gala without at least one dress from the Givenchy Spring 2011 Couture collection. That collection screams WEAR ME TO THE MET so I’m glad Liv Tyler decided to go this direction. The bright yellow clutch is a perfect pairing for this lavish gown.

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Gwyneth Paltrow in Stella McCartney

I’m normally not one for simplicity but this was too perfect to pass up. I know she does this minimalistic nude dress look often, but you can’t help but stare. When a dress fits like a glove, it makes all the difference…and this fit is just amazing.

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Emma Stone in Lanvin

To be honest, I don’t really like this dress. So why did I pick this look for my best dressed picks? Because the drama it brings combined with the bold lips and statement earrings is just amazing. I had to look at this a few times to make sure I loved it, and although this will be a controversial one…I LOVE this look.

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Diane Kruger in Jason Wu

This is another look that brings the drama. A large slit is an easy way to pump up the drama, plus the hair and makeup really compliment the outfit. She is also working the HELL out of this look…which is always important when posing on the red carpet. The dress is gorgeous on it’s own but was meant to be worn by Miss Kruger.

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Demi Moore in Prabal Gurung

Another controversial look, most would see this and give a big WTF, but this was my absolute favorite dress from the Prabal Gurung Fall 2011 collection so I had to include it here.  I actually was hoping someone wore it to the Oscars, so when I saw it at the Met Gala I was beyond thrilled. Although the headpiece is a little much, this is the ONLY event you can get away with wearing a head-to-toe feathered look. My only comment, I wish she would have “worked it” like Diane, because the standard smile-and-pose does not work with a look like this.

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Gisele Bundchen in Alexander McQueen

This entire event was dedicated to the late Alexander McQueen, so I knew there would be quite a few McQueen dresses on the red carpet…although there were none like this. If you’ve read my red carpet commentary posts before, I rarely ever fall in love with a red dress (it’s my least favorite color…especially paired with the RED carpet). However, I literally gasped when I saw this photo. If anyone but Gisele wore this, my reaction would be completely different. But she BROUGHT IT in this dress and I am loving every bit of it.

Who were your best dressed picks? Let me know in the comments section below!

Photos: Tom & Lorenzo, Radar Online, The Cut

Proenza Schouler Street Style on Chicago Streetstyle

Amy Creyer of Chicago Streetstyle recently photographed me for her blog in my favorite Proenza Schouler pieces. We both know I love Proenza, so why not show it off? Check out Jena in Proenza Schouler for the full post.

Here’s a few extra pictures from the photoshoot…

Dress: Proenza Schouler. Coat: 245 Saint Honoré. Bag: Proenza Schouler PS1. Tights: Wolford

Top: Proenza Schouler. Shorts: Rag & Bone. Coat: 245 Saint Honoré. Clutch: Alexander McQueen. Tights: Wolford. Shoes: Dolce Vita

Sweater: ADAM. Coat: Vintage (from eDrop-Off). Pants: ADAM. Bag: Proenza Schouler Mini Sac. Shoes: Dolce Vita.

All photos courtesy of Amy from Chicago Streetstyle

Spring/Summer 2011 Ad Campaigns

If you’ve been keeping up with your magazine reading, I hope you’ve noticed the new Spring/Summer 2011 ad campaigns are out. Although many designers have turned to short videos to accompany their ads, there’s nothing like a real stand-out photo in your favorite fashion magazine.

Check out my top five favorite campaign photos for Spring 2011.

Iselin Steiro for Chloe

This photo is just so cool, fresh and upbeat…you can’t help but smile when looking at this. It’s simple but it makes a statement. I’m also going to buy those shorts when they become available 🙂

Lindsey Wixson for McQueen

First off, I love Lindsey Wixson. She is a fierce model, I love her signature pout…and she’s only 16.! How can you not love her?  Every time I come across this photo, I just can’t stop staring. Absolute perfection.

Karlie Kloss for Dior

Karlie Kloss just seems like such a cool girl. I think we’d make great friends. But besides that, she is WORKING these looks for Dior S/S ’11. She looks sexy yet sophisticated and the look in her eyes say, “You know you want to wear this…” (and I do!)

Tati Cotliar, Kinga Rajzak, Mariacarla Boscono, & Arizona Muse for Prada

With such a vibrant and eccentric collection, it would take a certain angle and style of photography to really capture the beauty of the collection. It was a tough thing to pull off but these photos are perfection. It’s like a Willy Wonka fiesta at the zoo…on acid…in the best way possible.

Julia Saner for Valentino

This was my favorite dress from Valentino’s Spring collection and it also happened to be the first look to walk down the runway…worn by none other than Julia Saner herself. I love the look on her face in this photo because it’s like someone caught her off guard while reading classic poetry…all while wearing Valentino of course.