Cheryl Shops

Stick a fork in us; we're done! We both made it to one show this morning, skipped everything this afternoon (sorry, Milly and Whitney Eve), and only I managed to stumble back up to Lincoln Center one last time. Tomorrow, I'm wearing flats.

Nanette Lepore

Whether it was the Brazlian Girls performing live or just advance buzz on Nanette Lepore's  spring collection, it seemed everyone wanted to get into her show—including Aida Turturro, Edie Falco, Abigail Breslin, Stanley Tucci, Soledad O'Brien, Carol Kane (!), and Jennifer Westfeldt, all of whom sat front row. I barely got in myself, but thankfully Mina was on the media riser to take these awesome photos. As for the clothes, they were very on trend, with lots of vertical stripes in green, white, and black. Lepore added some texture with groovy crocheted swim cover-ups and slick patent-leather jackets and shorts. A lovely series of blue and coral printed dresses that grew more sheer toward the hem closed the show with a pretty effect. Can't decide which was your favorite look? Lepore had a more pressing vote in her mind—she left Obama-Biden 2012 buttons on everyone's seat. photos by Mina Kim



Juicy Couture
I was excited to be invited to Juicy Couture's presentation; mock the brand all you want, but its clothes (and especially its jewelry) are fun. The brand had fenced off part of Josie Robertson Plaza at Lincoln Center, right in front of the tents, and as I walked in, I was served a glass of pink champagne by a cute bartender. So far, so good. However, the "presentation" turned out to be a video projected on a huge screen; it featured Candice Swanepoel modeling the spring collection to "Crazy For You" by Best Coast (excellent song choice, btw) as directed by Zoe Cassavetes. In other words, there were no actual clothes on actual models, wah-wah, although Juicy was kind enough to send me photos of the collection after the event.  (My favorite look is at left.) And thus my Fashion Week came to somewhat of a lame end, albeit a happy one: I was slightly buzzed, and I had Thai food and MW waiting for me at home.

When & where: Wednesday, February 15 at 11 a.m., the Stage, Lincoln Center
Runway recap: Nanette Lepore must know how much black, gray, navy, and brown we already have in our closets, because in her fall show, there was not one stitch of neutral color. Instead, she sent a veritable rainbow down the runway, with bright red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple looks, with a good dose of colorful prints in the mix too. Reportedly inspired by tarot cards, the collection had a hippie-gypsy vibe, with sari-like prints, gold beading, and colorful fringed accessories. It was by far the most fun show I've seen this week, and even the models, with their high, slightly frizzy ponytails, looked content. And models know best, don't they? 
Bonus points: Lepore always packs in a celeb-heavy front row, and this season did not disappoint, with Stanley Tucci, Kristen Chenoweth, Ariana Huffington, Erica Dasher and India de Beaufort (from Jane by Design, my new favorite show), Kelly Rutherford and Matthew Settle (otherwise known as Rufus and Lily from Gossip Girl), and Bobbie Thomas from the Today Show. Whew!
Where to buy: Click here for store locations.

Nanette Lepore is always a favorite around Cheryl Shops—her clothes are unabashedly feminine but also fun and free-spirited. What's also fun and free-spirited is scoring her looks for a song: I'm talking $50 tops, $65 skirts, $80 dresses, $109 blazers, $130 coats, and $20-$35 shoes. Clothingline is hosting the sale, featuring samples and stock, for two days only—go early and go often. 2/1-2/2; 11-8 W, 11-7 Th; 261 W. 36th Sth. (7th & 8th Aves.), 2nd fl.

I always look forward to Nanette Lepore's show for several reasons: One, she usually has a random selection of celebrities in the front row, many of whom are her personal friends (this year, Stanley Tucci, Kelly Rutherford, Aida Turturro, Arianna Huffington, actress Carol Kane, Austin Scarlett from Project Runway, and SNL's Vanessa Bayer). Two, she often has live entertainment; in this case, Sam Bisbee, whose CD everyone received as a gift. Finally, not only are her clothes very wearable, but they make it to the stores in almost exact runway form, which means that you can basically shop the runway—a dangerous proposition, but an appealing one as well. And in spite of all this, there's something distinctly mellow about her shows (or maybe that's because it's the second-to-last day of Fashion Week and we're all dragging). What was not mellow was Lepore's use of color, which, in a season of mega-bright citrus shades, outshone everyone else. With a seemingly go-big-or-go-home ethos, Lepore went with full-on day-glo for nearly every look, but when teamed with her sweet cutout sundresses, work-friendly suits, and retro ruched swimsuits, the color was totally wearable—irresistible, even. I've already made my shopping list for next spring.

When & Where: Wednesday, February 16 at 11 a.m., the Stage, Lincoln Center
Runway Recap: As happy as I've been to see so much color on the fall runways (especially after so many recession-borne seasons of black, gray, and white), there's a certain density and heaviness to fall colors. So when the first batch of creamy white and gray looks came down the runway at Nanette Lepore, I was ready for neutrals all over again. She layered cozy-looking sweaters with wispy chiffon dresses, and flounce hems on everything from skirts to jackets gave the collection a feminine feel. A series of teal tweed coats and beaded black velvet looks were more seasonal (and, one would argue, practical), but even these were done with a light hand and with a femininity that's sure to please Lepore devotees.
Standout Look: This was the first look in the show and it was totally indicative of the airiness I mentioned earlier. I love the combination of the handknit-looking cardigan and the pretty, silky maxi dress. It's romantic and lovely and a nice change of pace for fall.
Bonus Points: Nanette Lepore has awesome friends who all come to her show--so much so that I kind of want to be her friend too! This included Aida Turturro, John Slattery and his wife Talia Balsam, Lili Taylor, Kelly MacDonald, Kelly Rutherford, and Patricia Clarkson. Seriously, it was the best front row I saw all week (and, even better, I was sitting directly across from them).
Where to Buy: Click here for stores.

Where & When: Wednesday, September 15 at 11 a.m., the Studio, Lincoln Center
Runway Recap: Lepore dedicated her collection to her mom, who recently passed away, and, as a mama-lovin' girl myself, I instantly teared up. (Then again, I am also exhausted and thus a little emotional anyway.) Nevertheless, her collection today was an absolutely joyful burst of color--tangerine, coral, and plum--with vintage-inspired elements and a beachy summer feel (a mood set by the introduction of swimwear at the beginning of the show). Lepore clearly thought about her customer and what she needs to wear, from the aforementioned swimwear to pretty blouses and relaxed trousers for work, a stunning sequined shirtdress for night, and fluid overalls (yes, overalls) for the weekend. There's been a lot of buzz this week about "wearable" clothes; Lepore's aren't just wearable, though--they're mood-altering too. Stuff like this makes you excited to get dressed in the morning.
Standout Look: This was the second look to come down the runway, and it was the first to make me really perk up in my seat. It's one of the happiest party dresses I've seen this week, and what's better than opening up your closet to see something like this greeting you?
Bonus Points: There was a star-studded front row--Stanley Tucci, Kristen Chenowith, Natasha Bedingfield, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, and Aida Turturro--but what was really cool was the live music from former Fugee John Forté (and that everyone received a CD with the music featured in the show).
Where to Buy: Click here for stores.

Where & When: Wednesday, February 17 at 11 a.m., the Promenade, Bryant Park
Runway Recap: This season, to trot out an old chestnut, black is the new black. Except, that is, on Nanette Lepore's runway where, refreshingly, there was barely a stitch of that ubiquitous neutral. Instead, she chose bright magenta, tomato red, and soft teal, with some olive and navy to temper the mix. Lepore worked in a sporty military influence with strong belted coats and anoraks, which nicely balanced the overtly feminine aesthetic that is her signature. Also notable was the looser silhouette seen throughout, from sparkly beaded cocktail dresses to the elegant velvet gowns that closed the show.
Standout Look: The beading in this dress was very detailed and expensive looking, yet the shape was utterly relaxed, with a blouson effect that ended in a closer fit through the hips. If this is the shape of things to come, pass me the carbs, please.
Bonus Points: The photographers were going crazy for Kelly Osbourne, who was in the front row, but I was far more excited about silver fox John Slattery (otherwise known as Roger Sterling on Mad Men), who was seated just across the runway. Also, in lieu of gifts, Lepore gave out postcards, stamped and addressed to Mayor Bloomberg, asking him to support the Garment Center, Lepore's pet cause (and a very worthy one).
Where to Buy: Click here to find a store.