New York Fashion Week Spring 2010 Wrap

This is the next to last season at Bryant Park. After 18 years, fashion week will be moving to Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center in September 2010.
This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. If you need to flag this entry as abusive, send us an email.

In case you didn't know -- fashion week is moving. And any true fashionista knows that when traveling, a diverse wardrobe is not only necessary, it is required.

Fern Mallis, SVP, IMG Fashion said in the official program for fashion week that the tent graphics are a reminder that this is the next to last season at Bryant Park. After 18 years, fashion week will be moving to Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center in September 2010.

That means that next season's collections will be the last for Bryant Park.

As always, fashion week didn't let the inevitable move spoil the party. In fact, Fashion's Night Out -- spearheaded by Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of Vogue Magazine became fashion's biggest block party.

Every fashion capital let loose on September 11, 2010. And as always, New York stole the show. At Bergdorf Goodman's you could get your favorite drink served to you by the Olsen Twins. If that wasn't crazy enough -- Bette Midler along with Oscar de la Renta, Barbara Walters and Sarah Jessica Parker -- dressed in de la Renta serenaded an on looking audience.

The night was a virtual who's who of the fashion elite.

The original purpose of Fashion's Night Out was to give the fashion industry a much-needed financial bailout. How did they do?

ShopperTrak reported that Fashion's Night Out's 3.4 percent nationwide traffic in stores helped a lot, especially with a nearly 50 percent rise in Manhattan alone.

Anna Wintour and the CFDA always throw the best parties.

Bill Martin, co-founder of ShopperTrak told Women's Wear Daily that the traffic data proves that Fashion's Night Out proved to be very successful for the apparel and accessories segment.

BCBG Max Azaria

Designers brought their A-game to the tents at Bryant Park. The overlying theme was obviously a breath of fresh air -- or at least I thought so. BCBGMaxAzaria played with shapes and blending to use plain textiles as a base for each look which he blended with a touch of patterns in a majority of his garments.

Ports 1961

Ports 1961 shared in the same medium with box-like dresses and garments. The depression era could be felt throughout each of the garments =- which were not playful at all and a bit serious at times.

Cynthia Steffe

Certainly one of my favorite shows - Cynthia Steffe was brilliant. With each look that came down the runway, I felt as though I was sitting through a delightful romantic film. Indeed, creative director Shaun Kearney told me that his inspiration was the girl who fell in love. I would say that this designer hit it right on the knob because his collection drenched romanticism. The garments were well-made and realistic ready-to-wear.

Jill Stuart

And with every party -- the trendy crowd wasn't too far behind. I enjoyed the looks that Jill Stuart showed. Located right next to the tents, the Jill Stuart collection was shown at the NY Public Library. Her collection didn't disappoint. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised by Stuart's young-lady looks. You could tell that she thought about what people in this economy would buy, and stayed true to that. Well done.

Yigal Azrouel

One of the best things that I like most about Yigal Azrouel is that he thinks outside of the box. This designer's perspective is different from any other designer as they all should be. He stays true to himself and this collection was no different. Geometric shapes came to the forefront this time around. But the designer considered the everyday woman and man with this collection that featured styled-jackets and dresses that could be worn anywhere -- and probably will be.

Christian Siriano

While on Project Runway, no one could keep their eyes off of Christian Siriano. That is still the case. With each season this designer matures, but his perspective is still the same. Aside from creating impressive looks that would fit on a person or in a museum, the designer always creates fresh ideas.

Carolina Herrera

The thing with Carolina Herrera is this -- you can always count on her to keep it classic and timeless. She didn't disappoint this season, but her collection had streaks of youth, due no doubt to the influence of her daughter. Always a staple on the higher-end red carpets (Emmy's, Oscar's) Herrera showed beautiful evening gowns which could easily be seen on the red carpet and will no doubt be worn by her loyal celebrity following (Rene Zellweger).

Lela Rose

Lela Rose is fun to look at. The collection was a breath of fresh air. Like other designers, this collection was realistic ready-to-wear. Each look could have been worn right off of the runway. This year the designer played with colors and shapes, but kept it simple. Each look was well thought out and presented very well. And as always, anything that translates well is sure to go over well with buyers.

Toni Maticevski

I call Toni Maticeveski's collection, antique ready to wear. This young designer blends classic and contemporary mediums together so well that I forget that the brand is relatively young sometimes. Each look was well made and extravagant -- giving on lookers something to look at each time a look came down the runway. Ruffles were the embellishment of choice but it was all done in good taste -- a standout favorite.

Thuy

Details, details, details -- that is where Thuy shines. Thuy Diep showed some of the most elegant pieces that showed true fashion artistry. The jackets were my absolute favorite - I couldn't take my eyes off of them. What I like most about this designer is that each of her looks can be easily adapted into different looks. That means that buying a jacket and pants can be worn together or as separates.

Diane von Fuerstenberg

Diane von Fuerstenberg always shows the most outlandish patterns and shapes that wouldn't work in anybody else's collection besides hers. This season she did the same thing, but each look was absolutely beautiful. Cheetah print -- seemingly von Fuerstenberg's favorite print was present in her collection more than anything else. Still, the designer gave a great showing for the uptown girl with an attitude and bank account to match.

Pamella Roland

Pamella Roland's collection was easy on the eyes. She showed a complete collection of everyday ready-to-wear. From jumpsuits, to swimsuits, to evening gowns -- this designer thought about the fashion consumer. One of the things that I remember most about her showing is that the models looked fresh in her clothes. That was no doubt the direction that the designer wanted.

Michael Kors

Michael Kors is always a fashion week favorite. His collections are consistent in style and approach. And this collection fits right in with the rest. Kors always brings the essence of classic American style to the forefront. He already designed the black dress worn by Michelle Obama in her official White House photo. If the brand were around earlier, no doubt, he would have dressed some of history's beautiful first ladies.

3.1 Phillip Lim

3.1 Phillip Lim was one of my favorite collections. I thought that the collection was inspired - by more than a storyline, like other designers. The collection was thoughtful, fresh, colorful, and fancy. The brand and the designer have grown tremendously -- though he always puts on a great show. This collection was the best that I have seen from the designer in a long time. His men's collection was just as inspired. There was no runway -- instead, the designer had models strategically placed in a house installation where models lounged. Each look had a message and tribute. He did Beatniks proud.

For the very last spring showings to be seen at Bryant Park -- designers paid homage. With different looks and perspectives luggage is sure to be especially filled with a diverse set of ready to wear wardrobe.

Popular in the Community

Close

HuffPost Shopping’s Best Finds

MORE IN LIFE