NYFW: Kate Spade Fall 2016 - Live at the Rainbow Room

 Is there a more glamorous old school New York venue like the Rainbow Room? Kate Spade's Fall 2016 collection was a bit of retro elegance and showbiz. The clothes displayed vintage styled floral prints and tweed coats. Kate Spade handbags had the signature tongue-in-cheek shapes. However, this season, I'm going to have to restrain myself from buying all of them.

The clothing was styled into demure silhouettes. Lots of high necks and peter pan collars. Fur collars and wraps gave some richness to some outfits. There were ladylike sweaters paired with trousers that ended above the ankle.

 The first handbag I saw when I entered the Rainbow Room was the swan purse. I. Must. Have. It. I don't usually jump at novelty bags, but this was love at first site. The furry black cat was cute. The fan bag was another beautiful, vintage inspired clutch I want. The movie marquee and radio bags were adorable.

It was all about jeweled shoes for me. I love anything with lots of tasteful (or not so tasteful) jewels. There was a mix of dainty flats up to platform heels. The jeweled flowers across the vamp were sized accordingly. I love the look of the sparkle on top of the animal or floral print.

The otherwise simple shapes of the clothing were made up with the heavily embellished collars. There was elaborate jewel embroidery on simple blouses and jackets. The antique brooch trend from last season was elaborated upon with multiple brooches or over-sized jeweled embroidery on the chest as an alternative. Makeup was simple and soft. Like a blushing lady with a smarter edge behind her eyes. Hair was kept simple. Clean or pulled back.

I liked seeing the softer colors and lighter layers for fall and winter. Not every customer lives in a subzero climate (like NYC this fashion week!). Indoors can be roasting while the outdoors are frigid. Kate Spade Fall 2016 tweeds paired with light sweaters over crepe dresses might be exactly what city dressing needs to be for the modern gal.

photos by Mariana Leung

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#NYFW: Kate Spade's Urban Garden Spring 2016

A spring collection from Kate Spade is like visiting the most fabulous garden party ever. This season, the blooms were more urban. The venue was filled with buckets upon buckets of fresh flowers to emulate the surprisingly plentiful selection offered by NYC'S modest bodegas.

There were several groupings of inspiration. There was a floral and sweet group of pink, red and black with bigger shopper handbags, feminine shoes with bows or rhinestones.  The more whimsical offerings included puppies shaped bags, circus carousels and teapots. 

There was a honeybee group with more of a yellow, white and black story. Daisy motifs were in appliques, prints and laser cut patterns on the clothing.  Handbags included a demure daisy clutch to wicker honeypots. 

Kate Spade remains a favorite among women in NYC as one of the few brands take us away from our cliche black. This brand does sweet and feminine but with a twist, (just like our cocktails).

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Kate Spade Fall 2015

Have you met the Fantastic Mr. Fox? Kate Spade's Fall 2015 collection was styled in the quirky chic aesthetic that I  love film director Wes Anderson for.

The overall presentation had rustic elements in wool plaid and fur clutch handbags. There was an artsy element in the Roald Dahl inspired sketches along the walls and whimsical colour palettes. There were Kate Spade's signature feminine (though not girly) accessories of hats and gloves with the candy box handbags. The larger carryall purses were either crocodile embossed leather or color blocked. The starring Mr. Fox was featured a leather applique face on bags and sweaters.

photos by Mariana Leung

The retro styling of the clothes themselves did look like they could fit into a Wes Anderson movie. Skirt lengths were either short or Ladylike A-line past the knee. Sweep Peter Pan collars added to the deceptively demure looks with a modern edge when paired with heeled oxford shoes. The bright pink and floral prints looked like they could fit into a painted movie set or out on the streets.

I love that the Kate Spade brand has continued to keep her tongue-in-cheek attitude throughout the years. While personal style is nothing to joke about, fashion should never be taken too seriously.

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#NYFW: Kate Spade NY Spring 2015

The girliest girl, even grown up, will always love Kate Spade.  The spring 2015 presentation of this label was an indoor garden party.  The backdrop was a fantastic wall of paper flowers.  The ground was carpeted in real grass (and dirt). 

Chief Creative Officer Deborah Lloyd has kept the feminine, tongue-in-cheek spirit of the original brand in this fashion show.  The models were outfitted in graphic, pop art floral prints, bold colors like poppy red, grass green, white, black and hyacinth.  The designers added subtle athletic influences that you could see in color blocked silk tunics reminiscent of 1920's sportswear.  There was one look with a model in a green and white print coat and hat that I swear was the spitting image of the Kate Spade mascot illustration from the 1990's. 

I think more fans are familiar with the handbags of this brand than the clothing.  There were whimsical wicker bags in the shape of crabs and frogs.  Cute clutch handbags were decorated with witty eyelashes.  Big carryall totes have been a signature shape for Kate Spade.

On a recent Twitter chat about beauty trends at NY Fashion Week, I posed a photo of the manicures at this show.  Models sported white nails with a thin black line through the center.  Simple, graphic and a big hit online. 

I personally love my big weekend bag that I now use for my laptop.  No doubt a few spring pieces will also end up in my sister’s collection as well.  (Bags, she will claim I “gifted” to her but she bought for herself).  Once a Kate Spade girl, always a Kate Spade girl.  

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Kate Spade Wedding Belles

From spring flings to the wedding ring... Kate Spade's cheerful color palette was accompanied by her fresh bridal collection last week.  Champagne and French macarons were served to the shoppers ready for blooms.  Those looking for a makeup touch-up were treated to new shades from Jouer Cosmetics.

 For the bride, the silhouettes contained simple sheaths, tunics and shirt dresses.  There were delicate embellishments like pailettes and pearl beading.  The price range was generally between $400-$500.  Bridal jewelry included pearl flower clusters, beaded chokers with chains and jeweled earrings. 

There were plenty of goodies for bridesmaids.  Fabric flower rings and over-sized organza mums adorned hairpins.  Bright colored vintage-inspired jewelry along with embroidered 'dressy' cardigans were perfect for a breezy garden ceremony.  I took a liking to the whimsical clutch handbags inspired by vintage books.  The ultimate accessory that evening was the shoes.  It was the most popular category of the night, all the fashionistas crowded the shoe lounge couches.  The favorite shoes (by far) were the fushia satin glitter encrusted mules with a bow.

If you're planning a simple, chic walk down the aisle, a trip to Kate Spade's boutique in Soho will take care of your needs.

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Designer Handbag Sample Sales! Botkier, Be & D, Rebecca Minkoff and L.A.M.B....

Disappointed in Black Friday or Cyber Monday?  Redeem your shopping cred with seriously stylish handbags:

In NYC:

Be Inthavong and Steve Dumain have produced luxury bags with European craftmanship since 2004.  They  have been a favorite of every 'It' girl of the past few years (Katy Perry, Eva Longoria, etc.)  Ready to grab some starlet style?  Get thee to the Be & D sample sale right now...

When: Tuesday 11/30 - Friday 12/3, 9 AM - 7 PM, 9 AM - 5 PM
Where: 35 West 36th Street (between 5th and 6th ave)  10th floor

The Botkier sample sale is reputed to draw long lines in cold weather, so plan your shopping carefully.  If you make it in, you will be rewarded with sexy, edgy bags to carry you through winter.  If you're a great friend (of mine) you can shop here for holiday gifts too!

When: Friday, 12/3 - Sunday, 12/5, 11 AM - 8 PM, 12PM - 7 PM, 12 PM - 6 PM
Where: 421 West Broadway (between Broome Street and Prince Street)

The L.A.M.B. sample sale and Harajuku Lovers by Gwen Stefani embody the pop star's fun style.  Kawaii, Ska, Fashionista or all of the above? I'm sure you have girlfriends who can't wait to unwrap these this season...

When: December 8 - 10, 8 AM - 8 PM, 10 AM - 8 PM, 8 AM - 6 PM
Where: 144 Fifth Avenue (between 19th and 20th street) 2nd Floor

In Los Angeles and San Francisco:

Rebecca Minkoff has been travelling around to different cities for trunk shows, offering fabulous sales in NY, online now on the West Coast.  You could say she's the handbag version of Santa (ok, maybe not).  Either way, grab your favorite 'Mac' or famous Morning After Bag.

When in LA: Friday, 12/3 - Sunday 12/5
Where in LA: 8211 West 3rd Street

When in SF: Saturday, 12/4
Where in SF: 111 Minna Street (by the Montgomery Bart Station)

ONLINE:

Not on either coast?

Check out Kate Spade and Matt & Nat on Wesdnesday 12/1 on GILT.com

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