Mercedes Benz Fashion Week New York — Spring 2010 Collection

September 17, 2009

Marie Green is a fashion stylist and writer from San Diego California. She is the Fashion Editor of FINE Homes and Living Magazine and her column, “Fashion Focus” has appeared in FINE Magazine as well as LaJolla Light, The Del Mar Times, Del Mar Ink, The Carmel Valley Leader, Rancho Santa Fe Record, and The Solana Beach Sun. Marie is also the co-founder of SheWants.com.

The recessionista attitude ruled Bryant Park this year—there was hardly any swag to be had. The designers only put swag bags on the seats in the front rows, if at all. The lobby, usually a prime spot for free upper-end goodies, was taken over by McDonald’s McCafe (giving away coffee drinks—easily the most popular place in the tent), Tresemme, Maybelline, Lu Cookies, Palm, Muscle Milk and One Water. Mercedes Benz, which places two luxury autos at the entrance each year, chose to display their mid-price E-class rather than their high end models.

Marie and Vanessa at the Mercedes Backstage Lounge Mercedes Benz E550 at Fashion Week entrance
Mercedes Backstage Lounge Mercedes Benz E550 at Fashion Week entrance

I attended seven major fashion shows within three days in NYC: ARISE, Erin Wasson, Lacoste, Georges Chakra, Christian Siriano, Vivienne Tam and Derek Lam.

ARISE: ARISE is an African fashion magazine that has a huge international presence. The show was actually a collective presentation of four different designers and featured bright colors, bold patterns and exotic looks.
ARISE Runway Video » | Runway Pics » | ARISE Magazine.net »

Erin Wasson: She’s a former fashion model, so it was no surprise her runway models were stunning—the most attractive I viewed all weekend! They had gorgeous make up and big long hair. Clothes you can imagine models wearing in their downtime are the looks that came down the runway. Her design palette was mostly beige along with sea blue and featured very short skirts and shorts. Most surprising celebrity in the front row: Bruce Willis, who caused a media frenzy.
Erin Wasson Runway Video » | Runway Pics » | Erin Wasson.com »

Lacoste: This preppy line of stylish golf and tennis wear was shown on a runway built to look like a long dock or pier. The traditional athletic looks were paired with exotic looking head wraps and funky sneakers with heels in mostly blues and white. The finale was a parade of male and female models all in bright yellow from head to toe—so fun! Lacoste Runway Video » | Runway Pics » | Lacoste.com/usa »

Marie and Vanessa on the Lacoste runway Yosef H with his designs at Bendels
M&V on the Lacoste runway Yosef H with his designs at Bendels

Georges Chakra: I have never seen a more beautiful, lovely yet sexy collection. I was speechless through much of the show, as I didn’t want to miss any details. The show was made up of ready to wear dresses and gowns in shades of pink, yellow, white, beige and black. The unique use of embellishment was brilliant and utterly stylish. Front row celebrity: Miss J Alexander from America’s Next Top Model.
Georges Chakra Runway Video » | Runway Pics » | Georges Chakra.com »

Christian Siriano: Project Runway’s fierce star nailed it with his show. He presented suits and very pretty dresses with lots of ruffles and satiny fabric—many were accessorized with floppy hats and killer shoes from his new Payless collection. It all had a feminine yet modern edge. Beige, yellow and blue were his dominant colors, but he also included some splashy prints. Tori Spelling, Kelly Rowland, Nina Garcia and Tim Gunn all rocked the front row.
Christian Siriano Runway Video » | Runway Pics » | Christian Siriano.com »

Vivienne Tam: Totally boho chic is the best way to describe this collection. She used lots of beige and lavender plus colorful butterfly prints. My favorite item didn’t look anything like the rest of the collection—a black sequined strapless dress. The most memorable thing about this show was the accessories: very cool strappy edgy shoes and large relaxed suede handbags with fringe and the new HP clutch mini computer.
Vivienne Tam Runway Video » | Runway Pics » | Vivienne Tam.com »

Kelly Rowland being interviewed before the Christian Siriano show Rachel Zoe and her black Birkin
Kelly Rowland being interviewed before the Christian Siriano show Rachel Zoe and her black Birkin

Derek Lam: My Fashion Week was complete when I spotted the famous Rachel Zoe walking into this show right in front of me. She is so tiny and pretty in person! Her classic black Birkin with gold hardware adorned her in the front row, where she was surrounded by cameras right up until the show started. Zoe disappeared backstage immediately at the end, most likely to congratulate Mr. Lam on his major collection. More on that: it featured blousy looks with waists cinched by thick leather wrap belts with bits of embellishment. I loved his structured leather handbags with long chain straps. Beige and blue were his most used colors and short skirts were the dominant look.
Derek Lam Runway Video » | Runway Pics » | Derek Lam.com »

Inside Scoop: A WWD survey of all the designers showed the top three colors for spring 2010 are violet, yellow and turquoise. Many of them also included beige — a strong neutral tone great for every wardrobe.