Helmut Lang Fall 2012 New York Fashion Week.
Photo: Getty Images

As much as I adore gawping at genetic anomalies swan down slick runways in precipitously tall heels wearing tens of thousands of clothes, sometimes it's like spending too long at the perfume counter--after the umpteenth ensemble, your senses SHUT DOWN. Which is why I get excited when someone flips the script on a silhouette and makes me snap to attention. Especially when the designer has deigned to showcase a look that any ol' mortal regular person can mimic without THE very specific coat or THE very specific dress. This snood situation courtesy of the co-creative directors behind Helmut Lang--Michael and Nicole Colovos (formerly of Habitual)--is exactly that.

Though some of the monstrous funnel necks were attached to the wrap coats, this is just a keen study into piling on some wide felted wool strips in various colors, interwoven with thinthinthin printed organdy scarves with complementary outerwear that instantly gets a face-lift (or maybe a high-quality collagen peel and 10 hours of sleep). Plus, I also adore the contrast of wearing cobwebby knits with leather pants that are anchored with a pitch black snood. With all the silhouettes elongating for Fall 2012 with monochrome, basque bodices, long swishy skirts and tall collars, a quick way add even more height is one of these mufflers. It's sorta like that Portlandia skit with birds--put a snood on it! Unless you're a dude, 'cause then it's on a case by case basis and most of the time very bad news.

Like us on Facebook so we can be friends and follow us on Twitter @MTVstyle to talk.

Tags , , ,

If there's one brand that has their signature steez so unabashedly down pat, it's Herve Leger by Max Azria. You can be sure that the French atelier will present a collection that is opulent, sexy, and most of all, takes cues from ancient civilizations. Whereas for his Spring looks, he went the route of glistening Greek goddesses, Max's Fall line was clearly mused by the jungle cat-slaying Roman gladiators. But the whole straight up arena-fighter homage has been done time and time again, so Herve Leger takes it to fusion levels with opulent details and simultaneous nods to the roaring twenties.

TOUCHES OF TWENTIES

Herve Leger by Max Azria Fall 2012 New York Fashion Week.
Photo: Getty Images

The Fall 2012 Herve Leger color palette was creams and mahogany and black with gold and pewter sprinkled throughout. Azria took a turn from the skintight bandage dresses of yesteryear in favor of floatier fabrics and silhouettes. Leather harnesses adorned almost every look, and every model was outfitted with battle-ready heeled sandals and sleek ponytails. The fusion happens with the addition of tiered fringe à la speakeasy flappers and prints that wink to Art Deco.

Read More...

Tags , , , , ,

Models walk the runway at the Boy and Girl by Band of Outsiders Fall 2012 fashion show on Feb. 11 in New York.
Photo: Getty Images

Boy. by Band of Outsiders brought the wild, wild west straight to New York Fashion Week. The desert rock formation runway backdrop paired with endless Western-inspired pieces took us back to the late 1800s when women sported long, demure dresses on the open frontier. The collection took bits and pieces of old America mixed with fresh silhouettes and on-trend accessories. The first selection of dresses were straight from Little House on the Prairie. The modest, generously cut midi-to-floor-grazing gowns were covered in all types of ditsy floral prints. This off-the-shoulder, layered ruffled number feels oddly city-ready when paired with gray socks and black booties. In another look, Boy. by Band of Outsiders gives the traditional poncho an updated feel with a sleek cut, exposed zipper, and matching body-con '60s-inspired skirt. In the last menswear-inspired look, a model sports a late 19th century style jacket with long coattails and furry GORILLA SLEEVES. (This is such a huge fall trend we can barely handle it. See: Jason Wu). The ruffled, high collar beige blouse and cropped cream pants feel fresh paired with caramel-colored peep-toe booties.

Read More...

Tags , , , ,

Mara Hoffman Fall 2012 New York Fashion Week.
Photo: Getty Images

Mara Hoffman is quickly growing as a major player to watch. Last season's colorful Mexican-inspired collection totally melted our faces off with its kaleidoscope of Frida Kahlo-conjuring looks, and her latest showing at New York Fashion Week is the perfect follow-up. Mara keeps with her global mentality for Fall, presenting a kind of Arabian nights meets the Oregon Trail vibe. Wide-brim felt hats, utility shirts and trousers are given a jolt with intricate Moroccan prints in rich bold hues. Plunging necklines, clavicle-baring cut-outs, and gilded headpieces walk the runway alongside leather knee-high boots, chunky blanket cardigans, and knotted scarves. The combination sounds absolutely bonkers on paper, but Mara's artful execution makes it all look so accessible and fresh. We want EVERYTHING!!

Like us on Facebook so we can be friends and follow us on Twitter @MTVstyle to talk.

Tags , , ,

Celebs at Fashion Week

Nina Dobrev, Kellan Lutz, and Nikki Reed at New York Fashion Week on Feb. 11.
Photo: Getty Images

As the celebs continue to roll into NYFW, we've noticed the front row's getting very vampy as of late. Namely appearances from Vampire Diaries' Nina Dobrev and Twilight's Kellan Lutz and Nikki Reed to be exact. Nina stopped by the Herve Leger by Max Azria show in a body-con (of course) black, cut-out shoulder mini with a scalloped edge. She complemented the dress with strappy black heels that mimicked the shoulders, soft curls and shimmery brown shadow. Kellan stopped by Lacoste in a casual, nautical look. With a striped navy and white tee, navy windbreaker, relaxed-fit brown cords, and simple, caramel-colored leather sneakers.

Read More...

Tags , , , , ,

Asher Levine Fall 2012

Looks from Asher Levine's fall 2012 presentation in New York on Feb. 10.
Photo: MTV

You may know Asher Levine for creating those to-die-for leather pieces for Lady Gaga (um, oversized motorcycle jacket anyone?), but the menswear designer has come a long way since his big 2010 debut. We stopped by his fall 2012 presentation, and we were immediately engulfed into his dimly-lit, post apocalyptic world filled with military-style jumpsuits, light-up helmets, and futuristic sunglasses. He carried over some of the alien-esque accents from last season (think: rubber tentacles and claws), but what mostly caught our eye were the glowing MakerBot printers busily working in the back of the room.

Read More...

Tags , , , , ,

Selects from the Charlotte Ronson Fall 2012 New York Fashion Week show.
Photo: Getty Images

Did you SEE Charlotte Ronson's Fall 2012 collection?! Deep into this Friday night, we are still recovering from the break-neck change of pace this season was for the designer. With dramatic bold colors, unexpected silhouettes, and risk-tasking accessories choices (*achem* knit and leather BONNETS), C. Ronson really upped the ante this New York Fashion Week with a riveting and totally inspired collection. One that, BTW, still held true the label's hallmark synergy of edgy, feminine, and cool. A collection for girls this ballsy needs the right brand of girl-powered tracks to accompany its catwalk debut. Thankfully, Charlotte is born of an uber-musical family with a talented sister (Samantha Ronson) who happily DJs her shows to soundtracking perfection.

Read More...

Tags , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Theophilus London Rebecca Minkoff

Theophilus London performs at Rebecca Minkoff's fall 2012 show in New York on Feb. 10.
Photo: Getty Images

There are times when fashion and music mix so beautifully that our hearts explode in utter happiness. This, my friends, is one of those times. Theophilus London performed during (yes, not before or after) Rebecca Minkoff's fall 2012 show singing his latest single "I Stand Alone." This is his second appearance at NYFW in the middle of his Tour De Roses tour, and we CANNOT get enough of his amazing outfits that, dare we say, are making everyone else look kind of boring. He wore an all-leather black ensemble for his runway debut—a seriously studded motorcycle jacket (are those rhinestones around the front pocket?!), a plain black shirt, and tight black leather pants. He doused himself in tons accessories ranging from layered gold chain necklaces to decked out rings to a bedazzled belt. He definitely brought a badass feel to Rebecca's classic, '70s-inspired mixed print collection, which we love. Thanks to her runway show, we can envision ourselves in nothing but cut-out collars and bold colors this fall. And, um, this quite possibly the best use of snake skin we've ever seen.

Rebecca Minkoff

Looks from the Rebecca Minkoff's fall 2012 show in New York on Feb. 10.
Photo: Getty Images

Read More...

Tags , , , , ,

Can you imagine the kind of day that Rag & Bone co-designer Marcus Wainwright had? Two shows (for ladies and gents) AND his wife gave birth this morning. I know I'm supposed to be waxing rhapsodic about the looks (and I will shortly because I loved them) but just wrap your head around that. He's probably seeing laser auras right now because he's so zonked.

Not that the collection betrayed the slightest hint of fatigue. Wainwright and co-designer David Neville turned out a thoughtful and sumptuous collection laden with fashion nerd details galore. There were leather panels, blanket prints, skirts over ribbed leggings, stripes, nubby tweeds, and a grip of blazers. Each ensemble was a study in delightfully unpredictable layering technique and most of the looks were belted, with the anchor of a leather horizon manipulating the contours and complementing the prints. Basically, the belts were like The Dude's rug--they really tied the looks together. The music featured dubstep and was again provided by Thom Yorke.

MIXED PRINTS AND TEXTURES

A model walks the runway at the Rag & Bone Autumn Winter 2012 fashion show during New York Fashion Week on February 10, 2012 in New York City.
Photo: Getty Images

Yo. Herringbone ombre where the gradient ends in the black band of a turtleneck and a dark patch of fur on one shoulder? Gorgeous. Also, the addition of a long scarf that draws the eye back down to the tissue-thin pants that are printed with arrows that point inward on each leg, thereby creating a larger chevron that echoes the herringbone? So many treats. Then, there were ornate brocades rendered less fusty-froufrou by clean leather panels, and asymmetrical, leather-collared, striped tweed jackets over fur paneled dressed over silken jodhpurs.

All tolled though, one of my favorites has to be the ensemble where a chunky, grey sweater was worn under a navajo blanket-ish long coat with a cropped, sleeveless almost motorcycle-jacket-looking vest OVER THAT. Part of the charm of the collection is how the designers continuously flex this notion that all of these seemingly disparate articles can be matched seamlessly and in infinite permutations because someone has done all the thinking for you... Provided you have that magic belt.

SHAWLS AND STRIPES

A model walks the runway at the Rag & Bone Autumn Winter 2012 fashion show during New York Fashion Week on February 10, 2012 in New York City.
Photo: Getty Images

One of my favorite tricks by far and one we've seen before but may have forgotten about is belting a shawl, blanket, or cape. I realize the middle example is not in fact a blanket like the other two but I wanted to illustrate the nifty complement of a trompe l'oiel variation on a theme where the two striped, leather-trimmed shawls behave like the leather coat with a gigantic popped collar where the jacket front evokes a really long, heavy scarf. I think it's neat that it takes up the same idea of space.

And while we have to at least mention the five tidy buttons on each leg of the trousers because they are lovely, let's study these perfect, sturdy ankle boots with varied uppers displayed throughout. SO GOOD. Another note that I enjoyed was the gloves and the turtlenecks/high collars. Holy sister-wife-in-a-burka, have you ever seen a completely covered-up woman look more powerful and sexy? There's something decidedly True Grit about the entire collection. It smacks of poise and ladies who are about their business and also maybe enthusiastic and capable equestrians. Bully for them all.

Like us on Facebook so we can be friends and follow us on Twitter @MTVstyle to talk.

Tags , , , ,

It's clear Jason Wu knows exactly what he's doing. Following a perfectly timed capsule release, he showed a truly spectacular fall collection today at New York Fashion Week, and as they should, each Wu atery will snowball attention for the other. Granted, we're comparing spring to fall here, but while the recently released Jason Wu for Target collection is adorable without question, today's fall 2012 showing hammered home the differentiation. The parent line sits on an entirely different, muy fabuloso echelon of togs, and this show was calculated to the millidetail to prove just that.

From behind giant scarlet double door and a heavy fog, Wu sent out a kind of high-fashion Mulan (the Disney storytelling, of course). Black, olive, and maroons in hard tailored shapes gave way to fur details to metallic brocades and vibrant tomato-hued satins. While our nostaligic hearts would have EXPLODED to witness an NYFW show soundtracked to "We must be swift as the pouring rainnnn. BE. A. MAN." etc., etc., we love and appreciate Jason's selected minimalist background music. Frenzied tribal drums played under more utilitarian looks while lighter tinkling melodies scored the more feminine pieces.

MILITARY CHIC

Selects from the Jason Wu Fall 2012 New York Fashion Week show.
Photo: Getty Images

One of the biggest trends seen on Jason Wu's runway was this collision of utilitarian silhouettes and opulent fur accents, and not just as scarves and stoles and lapel accents. Wu took jackets and added gorilla arms. Quilted vests were given fur skirts and cinched with wide double notch belts. This would be the Genghis Khan portion of the Mulan story.

Read More...

Tags , , ,

About This Blog

MTV Style follows how people express themselves through fashion and beauty, from our favorite pop culture icons to you, the reader. We cover the fun, loud side of the industry with news, trends, interviews, videos, and more — MTV Style is fashion at full volume.

+ E-mail the editors: style@mtv.com
+ Follow us on Twitter:
@MTVstyle

+ Like us on Facebook:
Facebook.com/MTVstyle

+ Find us on Tumblr:
MTVstyle.Tumblr.com

+ Find us on Google+:
+MTVstyle


Editorial Director
Sophia Rai
Editor-at-Large
Mary H.K. Choi
Associate Editor
Chrissy Mahlmeister
Assistant Editor
Gaby Wilson

Featured Comment

I love these two as a couple. What a festive way to celebrate two important events in their life. Mariah looks like a dream.

Posted by Journey on Mariah Carey And Nick Cannon Shut Down Disneyland To Renew Vows In Cinderella-Themed Ensembles
SPONSORS
AD:
©2013 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. MTV and all related titles and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.