Cheryl Shops

I am really, really, really, really sick of winter. Really. I think I have maybe another week or two left in me, and then I'm going to need to take desperate measures: I'm going to start dressing for spring, actual weather be damned. I mean, how am I supposed to keep wearing tights and boots when there are cute shoes like these Rowan sandals by Milly for Sperry Top-Sider around? Granted, nothing says warm weather to me like a classic pair of Top-Siders, but the preppy mainstay has smartly partnered with Michelle Smith, who put a modern, fashion-forward spin on the line for spring. There are glittery slip-ons and fun printed espadrilles, but the Rowan sandal here is my favorite from the line—it combines signature Sperry elements like lacing and webbing with fashion-forward details like an espadrille platform and a chunky lucite heel. (Seriously, I am drooling over that heel!) The tan color probably would make a better transitional style, but my super-impractical side—you know, the one that wants to wear sandals when it's 40 degrees out—really loves the white. And why not? It will be spring soon enough, right? Right? Please?

After a weekend in Fashion-Week Wonderland, real life interceded this week, and I managed to hit only a handful of shows in the last few days. Having missed it last season, I was glad to make it into Milly, which is always one of my favorites. The theme for fall was Illumination, specifically that of urban landscapes at night, and that came across in a somewhat futuristic way, with hologram effects on leathers and sculptural shapes. (Side note: Were Rebecca Minkoff, Nanette Lepore, and Milly's Michelle Smith listening to a lot of Bowie recently? All had distinct spaceman-like undercurrents to their collections.) Many of fall's emerging trends were on display—plaids, boxy outerwear, lots of black—but as you'd expect from Milly, it was all very wearable, in flirty full skirts, nubby-textured knits, great-looking leather-sleeve coats, and sporty-chic sweatshirts. The full midcalf skirts and high-waisted pleated pants might be a harder sell, but there was enough femininity in the collection to keep the Milly customer happy. It was enough to keep me happy too—I figured I might as well end Fashion Week on a high note, and thus decided to skip the rest of my shows this Fashion Week. Until next season, Lincoln Center...

When & where: Wednesday, February 15 at 3 p.m., the Stage, Lincoln Center 
Runway recap: It had been a few seasons since I attended a Milly show, and it seems the brand has grown into a more refined, yet still fun and flirty persona. The styling—black opaque tights, pointy pumps, berets and hair bows—hinted at a Parisian vibe, but the almost futuristic fabrics and bright colors were all American. Smith showed skirts ranging from pencil to pouf, and most of the jackets were cropped and slightly boxy, a Milly signature. What was new was the luxe look of many of the fabrics, many with an interesting texture or sheen, or in the case of a gorgeous red coat, both. Over the years, Smith has really refined the Milly look, and it's interesting to see how she explores the aesthetic—a little bit preppy, a little bit retro, and very feminine—within those constraints. Many of fall's big trends, from pepums to leather, were well-represented here, but everything still looked unmistakably Milly. Which, if you ask me, is the mark of a successful line.   
Bonus points: The shoes in the show—pointy, platformless stilettos—were custom-made by the master of that classic look, Manolo Blahnik.
Where to buy: Click here to find a store.

Show me a woman who doesn't like Anthropologie and I will show you a liar. Hence, everyone should be happy that the Urban Outfitters–owned chain is opening another location, this time in the Chelsea Market. In addition to the usual mix of vintage-inspired clothes and housewares, the new store will feature several exclusive lines: SOR reworked vintage dresses from Nolita's Some Odd Rubies, one-of-a-kind dresses from Lorraine Kirke (of the West Village's Geminola), and hand-painted jeans by Carol Horn. The store opens this Friday, 4/16, at 75 9th Avenue (15th & 16th Sts.).

For vintage lovers with a slightly bigger budget, Milly by Michelle Smith has launched an e-commerce shop. My favorite feature is that you can shop directly from a video of her fashion show, although you can also shop more traditionally by look, occasion, or item. Milly is always one of my favorite fashion shows because what goes down the runway is what actually ends up in stores. Case in point: this asymmetrical ruffle dress was my favorite look from last September's show. When it comes to getting straight-from-the-runway looks, there's nothing like going straight to the source.

Where & When: Wednesday, February 17 at 3 p.m., the Promenade, Bryant Park
Runway Recap: Although her program notes claim her inspiration came from the Nouvelle Vague films of French director Jean-Luc Godard, I think Milly's Michelle Smith has been watching Gossip Girl, because nearly every look she sent down the runway yesterday looked like something Blair Waldorf and her band of Blair-bots would wear. There were brightly colored boxy cropped jackets paired with supershort miniskirts, pussy-bow blouses, ruffled skirts, and a prim yet pretty mix of black and gold party dresses. Driving the Blair point home was the fact that many of the looks were worn with headbands and/or bow belts at the waist, a sweet touch that read as youthful, but not necessarily young. Hem lengths aside (let's hope they're a bit longer when they hit the sales floor), there were many great items for Milly's core quirky career-girl customer: the aforementioned blouses, a great Chanel-inspired suit, and some tweedy separates.
Standout Look: Pieces like this are the bread and butter of Milly: a ladylike beaded cardigan and a brocade miniskirt, both of which carry a strong vintage inspiration but are cut in a flirty, fitted modern shape.
Bonus Points: A rather unorthodox combination of front-row celebrities: Julia Stiles and Elizabeth Hasselbeck. I wonder what they talked about.
Where to Buy: Find a store near you at MillyNY.com.

Where & When: Wednesday, September 16th at 3 p.m., the Promenade, Bryant Park
Runway Recap: Milly's designer Michelle Smith tends to dabble in the retro looks of the '50s and '60s, but updated for the modern girl. And while her signature metallic jacquards still turned up yesterday in polished sheath dresses, kicky miniskirts, and chic, boxy cropped jackets, a definitely punky vibe crept into this collection, proving that apparently no designer is immune to the charms of the '80s. Nevertheless, the references were subtle--the Milly girl is more feminine than fashion victim, after all--and the freshest looks in the lineup were a series of flirty black dresses, many featuring gold embellishment or styled with gold jewelry. Milly's customers surely have a closet full of the label's candy-colored feminine dresses; come spring, looks like they'll be adding a different kind of classic to the mix.
Standout Look: There were lots of great LBDs at Milly, but this one-shoulder style was my favorite, with a flattering fit and flirty tiered ruffles at the shoulder.
Bonus Points: In one of the most fitting celebrity-designer pairings of the week, the adorable Alison Brie, who plays Trudy Campbell on Mad Men, was in the front row. I also loved the delightfully Euro music, which included "Baby Baby Baby" by Make the Girl Dance.
Where to Buy: Find a location near you here.

New York Fashion Week Recap, part 3: My Favorites
Of the 21 shows I attended, I'm glad to say that while some were a little disappointing or just plain crazy, none were truly awful. But here are my favorites, in no particular order.

Carlos Miele
Sexy pieced chiffon dresses, great layered sheer pieces for day, and live entertainment from Seu Jorge.


Karen Walker
Great prints, a perfectly slouchy boyfriend silhouette, and a cool downtown vibe.


DKNY
A true master of American sportswear, Donna Karan gave a nod to the past while looking to the future.


Sabyasachi
Mixed prints, colors galore, and embroidered to the hilt, a collection unlike any other I'd seen.


Milly by Michelle Smith
Brightly colored, totally wearable pieces for your summer of love.

Milly by Michelle Smith Spring 2009
Where & When: Wednesday, September 10th at 6 p.m., the Promenade, Bryant Park
Runway Recap: The contemporary Milly line generally has a retro '50s vibe, but for spring, designer Michelle Smith took a trip to 1970s Marrakesh for a fun collection of hippie-chic clothes in bright colors. Vivid psychedelic prints and embellished trim like tassels and sequins accented long caftans and groovy minidresses; crocheted lace decorated separates; and everything was accessorized with either knit skullcaps, macramé belts, or tasseled necklaces. Every once in awhile, a more typical Milly piece like a boxy cropped jacket or bow-neck blouse popped up; however, these did not detract from the easygoing, bohemian vibe.
Standout Look: This dress was one of the first few looks down the runway, and I immediately knew it was going to be my favorite. It has a versatile look--you can wear it whether you're a true bohemian chick or a girly-girl--and it's the perfect kind of summer sundress that you start looking for at the beginning of the season and yet never find. Until now, that is.
Bonus Points: The audience (myself included) was rocking out to the classic-rock music, which included the Rolling Stones' "She's a Rainbow" and George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord."
Where to Buy: Saks, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom