Monthly Archives: February 2012

The New TradHome

Posted on February 29, 2012 by quintessence   •   16 Comments

I am beyond excited to announce that my pick for Traditional Home‘s new TradHome designers was selected. You may remember last year’s incredible popular inaugural issue of NewTrad. The magazine was welcomed online with millions of views and critical acclaim. This year, bloggers were invited to nominate designers who we felt represented new trad style.…

Posted in design, interior design | Tagged , , , , , | 16 Comments  

NY Fashion Week Fall 2012: Michael Kors

Posted on February 26, 2012 by quintessence   •   17 Comments

If you’re looking to ferret out the major trends for fall, you need look no further than the fall collection of maestro Michael Kors. A study in contrasts, the collection presented styles from rustic chic to glamorous elegance, all with his usual easy to wear élan.…

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Coming Soon

Posted on February 24, 2012 by quintessence   •   14 Comments

I lost my fight against time yesterday and just couldn’t manage to get it all done. There is a bit more from fashion week to come  - Michael Kors, a look at the lounges at the Lincoln Center outpost and a very special inside peek at the oh-so-chic collections of Oscar de la Renta.…

Posted in design, fashion, travel | Tagged , , , , | 14 Comments  

NY Fashion Week Fall 2012: Nanette Lepore

Posted on February 22, 2012 by quintessence   •   12 Comments

While I always appreciate the youthful exuberance of Nanette Lepore‘s collections, this was by far my favorite collection of hers in quite a while. The upbeat artisanal patterns have a cross generational appeal with many pieces that can be added to an existing “grown up” wardrobe for a punch of color and fun.…

Posted in fashion | Tagged , , , , , | 12 Comments  

NY Fashion Week Fall 2012: J Mendel

Posted on February 22, 2012 by quintessence   •   13 Comments

J Mendel cited two seemingly disparate inspirations for his luxe fall collection: a Helmut Newton editorial shot at a Gaudi building for Diana Vreeland at Vogue and one of his mother’s bouclé Courrèges suit he remembers from childhood.
Clearly the opening white story relates to the feminine, anthropomorphic shapes as seen in Gaudi’s La Pedrera above.…

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New York Fashion Week Fall 2012: Pamella Roland

Posted on February 20, 2012 by quintessence   •   14 Comments

With a very pretty set, that my photo does not even remotely do justice to, Pamella Roland set out to capture the natural beauty and luxury lifestyle of Aspen.

A part of Rolland’s life since childhood, the casually chic lifestyle of Aspen was captured effortlessly with her stylish looks for daytime comfort and understated elegant designs for special occasion wear.…

Posted in fashion | Tagged , , , , , | 14 Comments  

New York Fashion Week Fall 2012: Dennis Basso

Posted on February 19, 2012 by quintessence   •   22 Comments

CBS Sunday yesterday morning did a segment on the new Boeing 787, interviewing the aerospace company’s executives who explained they were hoping to bring back the glamour of travel with their new Dreamliner. They should have had a chat with Dennis Basso first!…

Posted in fashion | Tagged , , , , | 22 Comments  

New York Fashion Week Fall 2012: Vera Wang

Posted on February 18, 2012 by quintessence   •   15 Comments

Of all the shows at fashion week, I found Vera Wang‘s to be the most artistic, connecting all elements involved in the production in a unique conceptual way. From the dramatic set, to the music, to the collection, it felt united in a single creative vision.…

Posted in design, fashion | Tagged , , , | 15 Comments  

New York Fashion Week Fall 2012: Badgley Mischka

Posted on February 17, 2012 by quintessence   •   14 Comments

Using Fritz Lang’s hallmark German Expressionist masterpiece Metropolis as inspiration, Mark Badgley and James Mischka presented an amazing homage full of rich metallics and structured form.

photo: Getty Images
The set was breathtaking with a magical New York Central Park background video replete with falling snow.…

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New York Fashion Week Fall 2012: Naeem Khan

Posted on February 16, 2012 by quintessence   •   21 Comments

Naeem Khan has always designed with a nod toward his native India. But this season, inspired by a trip home last fall, Kahn translated the extremes of Indian culture, from Tilaka dots to elaborate paisleys into a breathtaking collection worthy of Maharajah splendor.…

Posted in fashion | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 21 Comments