Pre-Fall is all about the feminine details

It can be uninspiring to look at the debut of the pre-fall 2011 collections while it's freezing and snowy outside.  The thought of doing it all over again with new coats and sweaters and layers is pretty daunting.  But the current outpourings from various designers is making the thought bearable--exciting, even!!  There are some absolutely amazing pieces taking hold in New York right now and some definite trends are emerging.  We especially love the femininity of the looks--so many designers are going for gorgeous ruffles, feathers, bows, and shapely silhouettes.  And, of course, there's plenty of pink, cream, red, and other wonderfully fun colors.  What an excellent antithesis to minimalism (though, of course, we love that too!!)

Below are some current favorite looks from designers like Nina Ricci, Lanvin, Oscar de la Renta, and Valentino.  The billowy fabric is just gorgeous and we love getting swept up in the lovely details.

Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta, Lanvin, Nina Ricci, Valentino 

Pre-fall will be a chance to show off some luscious ensembles and we cannot wait!  For now, though, it's time to keep donning snow boots and plenty of cashmere...

Trendspotting: Sparkle, sparkle, sparkle!

In the last blog post, we pictured an amazing beaded jacket by Parker, paired with a metallic beaded necklace by Kenneth Jay Lane.  The ensemble was shimmery and eye-catching without being over the top--perfect for cocktail parties or evenings on the town!  And sure enough, sparkle is everywhere this season, especially for tops and jackets.  Here are some pics from the runways of Paris and New York for Autumn/Winter 2010:

BCBG Max Azria

Tibi

Alberta Ferreti

Tommy Hilfiger

We love this look so much!  Of course, winter sparkle is a classic.  Keeping it simple makes them timeless--you will be able to wear them again and again!  Pair it with monochrome and neutral pieces as shown above to focus all the attention on the glitter!

We love Magaschoni's take on this fashion-must!  Below are two amazing pieces from the collection, available now at Gramercy: a beaded pullover and a sequin cardigan.  Beautiful!!

A close-up of the pullover, with intricate sequin work across the front.

A close-up of the cashmere cardigan.  We love the sheer accent and silk ribbon!