New York Fashion Week: Son Jung Wan

Son Jung Wan at Studio, Lincoln Center [09.07.13]

The work of Korean designer Son Jung Wan has never looked so beautiful. It's a shame the event staff were such bullies at her show. I was so mistreated as a seat holder that I gave up dealing with them and took a place on the media riser.








New York Fashion Week: Jill Stuart

Jill Stuart at Stage, Lincoln Center [09.07.13]

This is my favorite collection of Fashion Week! My Asian blood is inexplicably drawn to Jill Stuart's designs, along with the many other Asians who lovingly attend her show season after season. The gift bags are always the cutest, and this year was no exception - glittery pink lip gloss and a really cute Jill Stuart branded folding fan. I'll let the photos speak for her Spring line...I tried to include one example of each motif presented in the show.









New York Fashion Week: Lacoste

Lacoste at Theatre, Lincoln Center [09.07.13]

Cheryl and I have never managed to get into this show before, but this season by some miracle I was granted riser access. Although Lacoste doesn't hold a lot of surprises, it's a big big show and the collection this season had a few unusual delights (check out the navy blue cutout number below). Looks like there will be lots of sheer happening next spring.

  


Just realized I spotted this guy on the train the other day.


New York Fashion Week: Project Runway, Season 12

Project Runway Season 12 at Theatre, Lincoln Center [09.06.13]

The annual Project Runway show always brings the most over-styled reality TV fans to the live audience population at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Were I not glued to my sweet media riser spot for hours, I would have shot some of the fan getups for you all. My favorite was a man in an all-emerald suit (Pantone 2013!) with fuchsia 3D butterflies tacked all over.
The judges: Heidi + Zac + Nina + Kerry
Guest judge Kerry Washingon (of Scandal)!
As is tradition, yesterday's taping showcased 8 contestants' collections and tried to mask the identities of the finalists. Judging by some of the waterworks during a couple of the contestants' speeches, I have a hunch who may have made it to the final round. My personal favorite collection was Justin LeBlanc's delightfully avant garde line, but I have a feeling Kate Pankoke (the biggest cryer) will win Season 12.
Helen Castillo's frumpy use of the unique material
Alexandria von Bromssen used newspaper as her unique material
Alexandria von Bromssen's collection was hip and marketable, but probably not the winner
Brandon McDonald's loveliest piece, though most of the collection (and his speech) was over-the-top
Justin LeBlanc's collection (my favorite)
Dom Streater's retro collection felt pretty cougar-ish
I'd say this season's collections were on a whole less polished and much more fantastical than last season's. What could have contributed to both was that each contestant had to feature a unique material, and most foolishly chose unwearable plastics the models struggled to walk in. Contestant Alexander Pope focused a lot of effort engineering one showy piece in particular (see below).

Random notes: Kerry Washington is gorgeous. Also, I think Alyssa Milano was in the crowd, somewhere. Is she actively working these days?

New York Fashion Week: Nicholas K

Nicholas K at Studio, Lincoln Center [09.05.13]
It's 9am on the first official day of Fashion Week. Fashionistas are eager, but a lot of them have just flown in and they don't appreciate the early start time. I hovered near my assigned seat until I could find my moment to stride up to the front row and treat myself to an unobstructed view (and gift bag).

Nicholas K's Spring 2014 collection continues in the spirit of their previous seasons - airy pieces with urban hints, like racing straps on pant legs. A number of hippie commune style gowns. Feet were on wedges and wrapped in cloth, sometimes past the knee. Far fewer hoodies than I recall from past shows. And as you can see in the photos, a serious Tiger Lily vibe which drew this adorable front row toddler's attention away from a yummy snack.
More photos from the collection:
 

As the sister-brother designer team took their bows, their bow-wow ran around and sniffed up the guests. I'm telling you, bringing animals on the runway has been trending hard in 2013.

New York Fashion Week: It Begins.

Target Fall Style Presentation at Pier 57 [09.03.13]

Last night I was stoked for two reasons: 1) the humidity in NYC has finally backed the bleep down, and 2) it was time to unofficially kick off Fashion Week with a show hosted by the well-funded event department at Target. Here's a list of some of the serious flair these folks brought to Pier 57:
  • Glow-in-the-dark Target style checkout counters (for video paperwork sign off)
  • Mission Impossible style laser beams moving around a dark entrance corridor
  • Conveyor belt runways + rotating stage
  • Conveyor belt hors d'oeuvres (Target accessories laced in)
  • Beef carpaccio on pretzel sticks
  • Insanely complex stage lighting
  • Photo printer that spits out the Instagram photo you tagged just minutes prior 
  • Models paid to "push" shopping carts on treadmills during the entire after party

The show began with one model sliding out on a conveyor belt runway...

...which escalated to a rotating mashup of models and manic dancers. (Why does the first show of Fashion Week *always* feature manic dancers?)

More captures from the show:


Target showcased all of their longstanding Target brands, from Xhilaration to Merona to Mossimo Black. Shoes were mostly done by Sam & Libby for Target. Definitely some pieces in there I would wear myself, though I definitely felt the presence of the stylists in the more chic layered looks.

In contrast to all the Spring I'm about to see this week, it was nice to look forward to Fall for a night. Am I allowed to wear booties yet?


Greetings from San Francisco (and a Fashion Week update)

So, a little news on the personal front...I've moved to San Francisco!

This is the view from my company cafeteria. Terrible, isn't it?


A bit unexpected, perhaps, but it was something that I had been thinking about for awhile, and then I received an offer I couldn't refuse, so here I am! By day, I'll be working for, ahem, a major apparel retailer that's headquartered out here, but by night, I will continue to blog here at Cheryl Shops. Next month marks my 10th anniversary—yes, I've been blogging for TEN YEARS—so I have all sorts of exciting things planned in the coming weeks. I am also looking forward to exploring and shopping in a new city, but I promise I will continue to do so in my platform shoes.

Speaking of stepping into one's shoes, unfortunately I will not be covering Fashion Week this season, but my trusty friend and photographer Mina Kim is on the scene, so stay tuned for her picturesque dispatches, or follow her on Twitter and/or Instagram in the meantime!

Back to School Shopping & a Giveaway from TheFind

Even though I've been out of school for (cough, cough) awhile, there's still that feeling of excitement and anticipation around the end of the summer. Especially when I was in high school, I spent weeks painstakingly planning my first-day-of-school outfit in the hope that I'd appear to have transformed into a Cool Girl over the summer. It never really worked, but it at least provided hours of entertainment. And all the shopping that went into it was kind of the best part anyway.

Speaking of back-to-school shopping, I've teamed up with TheFind for a $50 gift card giveaway! Here's how to enter: Leave a comment below with your email address and tell me what's on your back-to-school shopping list, real or theoretical. (Note: All entrants will be placed on TheFind's email list for promotions.) You'll be entered to win a $50 gift card, as well as a grand prize $100 gift card, winner to be announced September 12. Spend it on new jeans, kicks, Trapper Keepers, or whatever you want! Entries are due by 11:59 p.m. PST on September 8, 2013.

Need some motivation? Here's my dream first-day-of-school outfit.









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TheFind Guest Post: Need Supply's Go Explore Collection Offers Up Stylish Travel-Ready Wardrobe Options



I don't often get the chance to travel for work.... and when the opportunity does happen to come along, I usually try to get out of it. Call me lazy, but the hassle of traveling – packing, airport crowds, flying anxiety, plane-wrinkled clothing, post-travel expense reporting – serves as a huge turn-off for me, and makes me want to channel my inner hermit and curl up in bed. Luckily, I'm sane enough that I'll force myself to suck it up and go anyway – and I always end up having a fabulous time – but that doesn't make the more irritating parts of traveling any less annoying. Need Supply's latest "Go Explore" capsule collection seems to have been created with gals like me in mind – people who enjoy exploring, but just need a little inspiration and a push in the right direction. In this case, that happens to be a very laid-back, stylish yet comfortable direction. The online retailer has teamed up with some of its favorite indie designers – Dusen Dusen, Collina Strada, and Black Crane – to create a 16-piece travel-friendly collection of apparel and accessories that are bound to banish any curmudgeonly feelings toward travel right out of your system. Wrinkle-resistant shirt dresses, loose-fitting breathable trousers, and fuss-free tops and jackets help give you one less thing to fuss about while you're stuck at the airport. Unfortunately, it can't do anything to alleviate the security line situation, but hey – at least you'll look cute while you wait! — Alexandra Gambardella

Content provided by TheFind in partnership with Cheryl Shops.

TheFind Guest Post: Studs & Straps: a Killer Pump Combo for Fall!


I'll be honest – there was a time when I swore I'd throw a fit if I saw another heavily-embellished accessory. Studs, spikes, rhinestones – they've been a bit overdone in the past few years, but this season, straps and studs are coming together to invade our shoe collection in a way that's simply too bad-ass to pass up! A streamlined silhouette with a rocker-chic edge, these pumps are the perfect pick-me-up to help you get out of a wardrobe slump, especially in the middle of fall's impending gloomy weather. Edge up your go-to jeans-and-tee combination with some strappy embellished pumps, or breathe new life into your favorite tried-and-true little black dress. Check out some of my favorite studded, strappy numbers in the links below! Pictured above: B Brian Atwood Mercada Ankle Strap Pump, Sam Edelman Darla Studded Pump, Alice + Olivia Drixa Studded Ankle-Wrap Pump, Valentino Patent Leather Rockstud Pumps, and Charlotte Russe Studded Ankle-Strap Pump. —Alexandra Gambardella

Content provided by TheFind in partnership with Cheryl Shops.