ideeli at MBFW: Days 3 and 4

Days 3 and 4 of MBFW found the ideeli team covering everything from the coronation of Prabal Gurung as THE next "It" designer (you can still shop our Prabal sale today!) to the innovative red-carpet pieces that we’re sure all the chicest celebs will soon be wearing at Christian Cota, to the return of the ‘90s (yes, really!) at Charlotte Ronson. And that’s just some of the shows!

With Björk thumping in the background, and none other than Rachel Zoe and every all-star editor from the big fashion magazines you can imagine out front, Prabal took the crowd’s breath away with his singular attention to detail, precision tailoring, and use of techniques such as color blocking (a silk dress with a hand-embroidered leather and tulle bodice caused quite a few triple-takes among our crew—see above). Next up was Yoana Baraschi’s presentation, which continued the romantic theme we’ve been spotting at places like BCBGMAXAZRIA and Tadashi Shoji—lots of flowy layers, ruching, little jackets, all in dusky colors.

Vivienne Tam’s show was a dream of boho chic, with major macramé and crochet setting the retro-inspired mood. Eyelet, patchwork and pops of indigo rounded out the equation, and since we’re suckers for this style, we were sold. Now, we have to admit we can’t really picture front row attendees Kendra Wilkinson, Serena Williams, and Denise Richards in the looks, but they all looked gorge and we’d love to see them change it up.

Then it was across Lincoln Center to see Christian Cota, the much buzzed-about designer (ideeli has sponsored Cota’s last 2 shows!) who is a finalist for the prestigious CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund. Cota did not disappoint, delivering a major collection (see above) in the Lincoln Center Atrium, full of all the right kinds of drama. With Angie Harmon and Sally Singer of The New York Times in the front row, Cota sent out an array of long and short, intricately tailored gowns in original digital prints, which we especially loved. Cota told us, “I was inspired by thoughts of nature mixing with technology. I was also intrigued by organic forms mixing with engineered structure.” And how does this very busy rising star unwind after the show finally goes on? “My greatest source of relaxation is always dancing!” A man after our own hearts.

After that, it was on to Charlotte Ronson, where it was very clear that the '90s are back. With heavy references to grunge, the designer sent tees under floral prairie dresses, baggy ski caps, washed-out denim, and combat boots down the catwalk to a soundtrack (assembled by her sister and celebrity DJ, Samantha Ronson) that could have been straight out of Reality Bites. The show is always a goodie for celeb spotting, and didn't disappoint: Mark Ronson, Nicky Hilton, Russell Simmons, and Brett Ratner were just a few of the boldface names spotted among the camera flashes. We took Christian Cota’s dancing lead later that night to the Ted Gibson Salon and Spa, where we attended Cocktails and Couture, one of the hot-ticket events for bloggers and digital media influencers during fashion week. The brainchild of blogging maven extraordinaire Lianne Farbes (TheMakeupGirl.net) and her partner, Kristin Booker (FashionStyleBeauty.com), we were surrounded by good hip-hop, yummy eats, complimentary manicures, and (best of all) tons upon tons of bloggers we admire. Also on the scene were The Real Housewives of D.C. stars Mary Admons and Jason Backe, pictured above with, from left to right, Maci Peterson (found of Mwari Magazine), Farbes, and Booker.

Day 4 was a quiet one for the team (whew!), but we did catch the Y-3 show at the Park Avenue Armory and Custo Barcelona at Lincoln Center. At Y-3, Yohji Yamamoto wasn't there in person (but Tavi and Bryanboy were) but there was a note on the seats that said "I am stuck in Tokyo, see you in Paris!" While the note was cute, the clothes had a hard edge, with black leather and lipstick playing a prominent role.

Not surprisingly, Custo was anything but black, with the brand's signature psychedelic patterns and colors on full display. Turquoise, fringe, fuschia and beading ruled the runway (see our sketch from the designer, above, to get the idea). The designer Custo Dalmau told us via email about how the collection came together: "I found the inspiration for Spring/Summer 2011 in the music festivals that happen in Europe all throughout the summer: Ornamentation vs. functionality; clothes that you will be comfortable in for both a night out on the town and day dressing." Whether you're planning a holiday on Ibiza or just a night on the town, Custo's pieces always make us smile.

Stay tuned for our Day 5 roundup tomorrow!

MBFW Pick of the Day: Prabal Gurung

As an official sponsor of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, we’re celebrating our headlong plunge into this fabulous event with what we do best: amazing sales. And while our fashion team is off getting a first glimpse at the new collections, we’re bringing you some of our all-time favorite designer pieces—like this stunning white gown by Prabal Gurung—the same day his runway show debuts.

In the year-and-a-half that’s passed since launching his eponymous collection, the New York-based designer has been nominated for a CFDA and counts Michelle Obama, Oprah, and Demi Moore as clients. Talk about catapulting to the top! Take one look at his stunningly fluid gowns and beautifully draped dresses, and we promise, you’ll fall right in with the fold. The second we saw this one—with its off-the-shoulder sleeves, ruched pleats, and understated train—visions of a fall wedding started dancing through our heads. The sweet, vintage-inspired aesthetic feels like the perfect complement to falling leaves and a harvest feast. (Okay, so we’re prone to vivid fantasies.) But this dress is so brilliantly cut it can feel both demure and standout, simple and intricate. The blend is magical—and if nothing else, who doesn’t want a little magic on their special day?

The ideeli Scoop with Prabal Gurung

The last time we checked in with Prabal Gurung was back in February, when ideeli sponsored the designer’s premier outing at the Bryant Park tents. Since then, Gurung has continued his striking climb to fashion’s highest reaches with his gorgeously draped, feminine-yet-edgy creations, scoring a recent nomination for the 2010 CFDA Swarovski Womenswear Award. Today, pieces from Gurung’s Spring 2010 collection are right here on ideeli (shop our sale here), in an exclusive sale we’re just over the moon about. We caught up with Gurung—who was raised in Nepal and now resides in the East Village—to get the scoop on his fantasy vacation plans, staying motivated, and the perfect summer outfit.

What's it been like to be a part of the first CFDA Fashion Incubator?
To be surrounded by such great designers is inspiring, and if you ever fall short of any resource you always have a neighbor to depend on.
After making such a splash so quickly with your eponymous line, how are you handling the pressure for your next collection?
I began the design process for the upcoming collection as soon as the last show was over. The pressure is always on to develop an innovative inspiration and create a collection that will be received well internationally. The pressure serves as a motivational force.
What are your current design inspirations?
At the moment I am inspired by the many different countries around the world. We become so enveloped in what New York has to offer that we forget what else is out there.
If you could travel anywhere this summer, where would it be and why?
I would have to say the south of France. There is a place along the French Riviera that I have fallen in love with called Beaulieu-sur-Mer. It is beautifully quaint and conveniently located right next to Monaco.
What's your advice for women facing the perpetual summer fashion dilemma of staying simultaneously cool and pulled together?
You cannot go wrong with throwing on a simple, chic summer dress paired with great sandals. You can easily stay cool and look presentable.
What's your favorite fashion possession, something you can't live without?
I cannot live without a simple cotton v-neck tee. It is so versatile and you can dress it up or down, day or night.

Pick of the Day, Prabal Gurung

When you've been given the approval of Queen Anna (Wintour) herself, nominated for the coveted CFDA Swarovski Womenswear Award, and worn by trendsetters such as Michelle Obama and Demi Moore...is there anywhere to go but up? We think so, thus today's exclusive Prabal Gurung sale on ideeli, which features curated styles from the up-and-coming runway darling. We've taken to this stunning piece, in particular, for its verve and avant-garde sophistication. Gurung, who's lead a far-flung life—from Singapore to Delhi to New York City—infuses a worldly aesthetic into his designs that's both cosmopolitan and exotic. His use of color and construction, particularly, is part of what sets him apart—and what we love about this scarlet cocktail number. The vivid scarlet contrasted with the slashes of black lend this frock an edgy yet sexy feel, while expert draping and pleating give it a fashion-forward sensibility, and keep it from being just any other one-shoulder dress. This is one for those über-chic affairs where you want to be sure all eyes point your way when you enter the room! Get it here!

At the Prabal Gurung Show

Jumping into the New York Fashion Week fray, ideeli was proud to sponsor the incredible talent of Prabal Gurung in his premiere outing at the Bryant Park tents on Saturday. Although he's been a player in the fashion industry for a bit (he was design director at Bill Blass for 5 years), Gurung's star has risen dramatically since he launched his eponymous line in 2009. Recently named one of 12 designers in the CFDA's prestigious Fashion Incubator program, and worn by everyone from Demi Moore to Oprah, Gurung has quickly become a name to watch. The show did not disappoint--we knew we were in for something special when Anna Wintour arrived and made a beeline backstage to greet the designer before the action started. Heady stuff! Rachel Zoe and Avatar's Zoe Saldana were also in attendance, but the real stars were the clothes themselves.In an interview Gurung did with us before the show, he told us the collection was inspired by "A sense of speed and the graphic elements of motocross, juxtaposed with the old-school couturiers like Charles James and Poiret." Indeed. The architectural pieces had a real sense of motion, with color blocking in a restrained palette of white, black, camel, and red providing graphic contrast. The grey wool hooded Paddington jacket was a study in simple chic and will no doubt be a go-to piece for fall. Gurung did a series of pieces in a fabulous black and white iridescent tweed that may change the way we think about tweed, period. Many dresses seemed red-carpet ready (and we may be seeing them during the upcoming Oscar season), from the backless number with white gazar ruffles to the black and white wool motocross dress which was studded with etched jet Swarovski crystals. Lucky for ideeli members, in the not too distant future, we'll be featuring a Prabal Gurung event with pieces from his Spring/Summer 2010 collection. And how does Gurung feel about ideeli? "It's like a guardian angel looking out for young designers who are doing everything on their own. It's helping me to dream a little bigger," he told us. With a dream this drop-dead gorgeous, we are happy to help!