Remembering Karl Lagerfeld

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pictured: Chanel puzzle pieces tote in black patent /

It is with a heavy heart that I write this post. Karl Lagerfeld passed away on February 19, 2019. Although I never met Karl Lagerfeld in person, I have always been moved by, and admired his work; most notably his work with the house of Chanel.

I am a huge Chanel fan, and Karl Lagerfeld was a creative genius who worked tirelessly to encompass Coco Chanel’s original intent in his designs for her fashion house. While I never purchased his RTW or couture clothing, I have been an avid consumer of his Chanel handbag collection. His RTW and couture collections are clothing lines I have always admired, but have never purchased because I don’t personally spend that much on clothing; I get bored of my clothing after one season.

I have always looked at his clothing designs as inspiration for my own personal style. He always knew how to make something classic also encompass a fashion-forward vibe. Of course, when it comes to handbags, I view them as an investment I can wear for years and eventually pass down to my daughters. This is why I have purchased so many Chanel handbags over the years.

I remember when his personal collection launched at Macy’s with a party inside of the Macy’s on Union Square. I was there reporting for another publication, and as a result, I don’t have any photos, or copy to share with you. I remember loving his collection and wishing I was there to shop rather than work. While his collection only lasted a few seasons, his work with Chanel, Fendi, et al., lives on in the memories of fashion fans everywhere.

This handbag is my favorite of his designs that I own. The “Puzzle Pieces” collection was inspired by Coco Chanel’s own quilting. Karl Lagerfeld was perusing the Chanel archives one day and came across this puzzle quilt. He loved the quilting and wondered why it had been in the archives for so long without being used in her design house. He went to work on a capsule collection for Chanel which celebrated her puzzle quilting. The result was a few handbags and pieces with the puzzle quilting. I purchased the tote, which happens to be a bag I feel is very special in my Chanel collection.

While I don’t wear it often, it holds a special place in my heart as it meant a lot to Karl when he found the quilts. I love that there is a story behind this bag; and the fact that it isn’t just a redo of something the house of Chanel had already done in the past.

Karl Lagerfeld joined Chanel in 1983, and since then, he has maintained Coco Chanel’s aesthetic and original intent in her art. His own ventures have been equally genius, and his work with Fendi has also been incredible. The fashion world lost a creative genius this week. I am sure he will guide future designers from Heaven with his selfless love for the art of fashion.

You can read Chanel’s official announcement on their website at Chanel.com.

I would love to hear your Karl Lagerfeld memories in the comments below!

Thank you for stopping by,

Cathy

Day three New York Fashion Week fall 2019 recap

photo: Son Jung Wan fall 2019 runway New York Fashion Week

The third day of New York Fashion Week was definitely my busiest day. I started out with one of my favorites, Custo Barcelona, followed by another one of my favorites, Son Jung Wan. Then, I attended two group shows from Oxford Fashion Studio. They each had multiple designers which is always fun to watch. I finished out the day with the Pony x Harbin runway show; which was absolutely amazing.

Out of all the days I attended fashion week, the third day offered the most color, envelope-pushing trends, and avant-garde styles. It was a really fun line-up of shows!

Without further ado, here is a recap of the shows I attended on day three of New York Fashion Week fall/winter 2019-2020.

Custo Barcelona fall 2019 New York Fashion Week

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The Custo Barcelona fall 2019 New York Fashion Week runway show was fabulous. There was a large amount of looks on the runway for the fall 2019 season, and they were bright, playful, and perfect for the upcoming cool weather season. Custo Barcelona played with texture, prints, faux fur, and intricate details while infusing a slight party vibe into his collection. These are great pieces to add to one’s closet in order to spice up one’s wardrobe, and infuse a playful fashion vibe. I need that black coat in my life!

You can see more from Custo Barcelona on his website, Custo.com.

Son Jung Wan fall 2019 New York Fashion Week

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Son Jung Wan is always one of my favorite shows of fashion week. For the fall 2019 season, Son Jung Wan offered rich fabrications, texture, a touch of glitz, and that slight disco vibe I love seeing on her runway. I wish I was better at photographing sequins and sparkle! I need to work on that for September with my new camera! But, I digress. . .

Son Jung Wan offered an inviting collection of soft fabrics, sparkle, texture, volume, and a mix of color which was eye-catching. I would love to get that blue velvet jumpsuit in my closet!

You can see more from Son Jung Wan online at her website, SonJungWan.com.

Oxford Fashion Studio fall 2019 New York Fashion Week

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photo credit: iMaxTree PR photos

Oxford Fashion Studio was a series of two shows with several designers. I wasn’t able to snap my own photos at these two shows, but I was able to grab a few PR photos from GPS to share with you. I loved the vivid blue hues designers chose to show on their runway, and I also loved the edgier designs. My favorite looks are shown above.

You can learn more about Oxford Fashion Studio, and all of the designers, online at OxfordFashionStudio.com.

Pony x Harbin fall 2019 New York Fashion Week

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Pony x Harbin was quite a show! The runway started off with a musical performance. You can see the singer in the first photo, and the band behind the second row of guests in the second photo. It was an amazing performance, and a music style I haven’t heard before. It definitely set the tone/mood for the show! After the performance, the models came down the runway. There were looks for both men and women. The collection offered an upscale street vibe with high-end sports-wear, and athleisure looks. The puffy coats looked warm, cozy, and chic! Loved!

In the middle of the show, there was another performance with a dragon, dancers, and martial arts. It was really fun to watch! There was also a performance artist painting on a long parchment on the floor while models walked the runway. It was hard for me to see his work, but you can make him out in the sixth photo above.

The fourth photo above is of the front row across from my seat. The man in green must be famous because the girls sitting around me were buzzing about him; unfortunately I don’t know who he is, but I took his picture to share with you anyway. Maybe you know who he is? If so, please let me know in the comments below!

I would love to find this collection online, or to learn where it is sold. Alas, the brand does not seem to have an Instagram account or website. Until I find one, you can see the designer’s online profile at NYFW.com.

That’s a wrap! Day three was a lot of fun, and I really loved the colorful and playful vibes from the runway shows that day. Which collection was your favorite?

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy

New York Fashion Week street style fun

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wearing: vintage barrettes circa 1990s / lipstick / checkerboard faux fur coat / Biggie tee / fuschia boyfriend jeans / black pouch handbag / spring nail polish / black white street sneakers /

When it comes to choosing my outfits for New York Fashion Week, I tend to assemble looks I can also wear back home. I don’t need one-time-wear clothing hanging around in my closet. That being said. . .I saw this coat at Topshop and a bell went off in my head. What if I did one outfit, just one, that was crazy and fashion week inspired? OK, let’s do this!

I bought the coat. Then, I needed an outfit for the coat. haha, enter bright pink jeans. They looked warm for the cold weather, and since they were pink, I thought they were a step up from regular blue jeans. OK, outfit coming along! Then, I was browsing online and found a Notorious B-I-G tee. Well, the 1990s are a huge influence in fashion right now, and I lived through them. I remember the Tupoc and Biggie drama; and felt close to it since Tupoc went to Tam High School. Tam was a huge football rival of my high school-so he was close enough geographically for me to make a connection. He was born in New York, but relocated to California-and Biggie is from New York. Since this outfit was being put together for New York, and I have always felt a connection, I thought I should wear it and show my west coat love for the east coast. NYFW outfit assembled-and with meaning. Check!

When I told my fashion-partner-in-crime (Dawn from Fashion Should be Fun) about my outfit, she too said she had a black and white coat plus pink planned for NYFW. OK then, let’s wear theses outfits the same day! haha, it was so much fun! We were color coordinated! In the photo below, we were heading to lunch after the Son Jung Wan show. One photographer stopped us, then, we got swarmed. There must have been at least twenty photogs snapping our pictures. That was crazy-and fun! Dawn ended up with her picture in The Cut. I ended up being cut-on the cutting room floor. Oh well. . . haha

photo credit: Allnycee Photography

This coat was super warm, and these sneakers were a life saver; they were so comfortable! I am so glad I brought them to fashion week. We do a ton of walking and standing in line, so comfortable shoes are always a life saver.

Another funny tidbit about this coat; everyone else had the same idea. I saw at least two people each day wearing it. Oh well, I guess that means it was a great coat because everyone was wearing it!

I did get stopped twice by videographers who were filming as they stopped me. They asked me who my coat was by, and when I said TopShop, they either snickered or looked at me funny. Does everything have to be high end? Isn’t it OK to wear an affordable coat to fashion week? I don’t really like people putting a live video camera in my face; I have to admit. It’s a little pet peeve of mine that happens every fashion week. It would be nice if people asked permission before ambushing you with questions while a video camera is rolling. End rant.

The photo below is by Denton Taylor. He is a fabulous street style photographer who has snapped my picture before, and he is always so nice! This photo was taken after Custo Barcelona at Pier 59.

Shop my just-for-fun, New York Fashion Week street style outfit:

Have you ever put an outfit together for fun, wondering if it will be worn again? Let me know in the comments below!

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy

new york fashion week street style

Photo credit: Denton Taylor