Welcome to the Fashion Freak Show by Jill Fairchild
So I started off New York Fashion Week by co-hosting an event with the legendary tennis star Chris Evert for the re-launch of the heritage sportswear brand Ellesse. (Evert won 18 grand slam tournaments in her career – truly impressive!)
Over the next few days, it was on to the show tents, where it seemed to me that spectators’ standards of dress were less about looking chic and stylish and more about trying hard to stand out and catch the eyes of the paparazzi who shoot for Japanese or other fashion blogs. The ultimate prize of these fashion characters is of course to be shot by legendary NY Times photographer Bill Cunningham, however unlikely.
Sure, there is the stylish set that epitomizes quiet chic, but they seem few and far between when you can’t help but notice women in tights that look like girders wrapped around their legs; in saris so tight they accentuate – in the wrong way – every curve; in heels so high and skirts so short they look like they might do well at the Four Seasons Hotel bar, if you get my drift, and every other manner of fashion victim around.
It wasn’t a total lost cause, though. Look at the young woman who turned classic Hermes into modern and edgy, pairing white Versace pants with Hermes shoes, the old standby Kelly bag, and a midriff baring top covered with an Hermes scarf. Or the woman who doesn’t try too hard, wearing simple all black with a flowy putty trench. Then you’ve got the women who covet their light tweed suits or skirts, or – at the other end of the style spectrum – those who prefer the bohemian chic side of fashion, like the one wearing a long red skirt and white tank, finished with a leather vest.
Let’s not forget rapper Nicki Minaj, who spurred the paparazzi with her towering blond ‘do and pompom outfits by the Japanese designer Dog. She was hard to miss and quite frankly only she could get away with wearing this. Others who caught my eye included a woman at Ed’s Chowder House (btw, I’ve been living there this fashion week) in black and white with ankle boots, and designer June Ambrose walking through in cool shoes by DSquared.
As for me – I’m keeping it simple. The first day I wore a pair of white Joseph pants, Jimmy Choo wedges, a black jacket that was a $20 flea market find, my croc Perrin Riva ball bag (which I’m obsessed with) and an organic cascading necklace by an independent designer that I’ve had for years. The next day I went with Zara jodhpurs, a vintage Gucci belt, a satin blouse with a Ralph Lauren vest, and Dolce Vita wedges I found in LA (essential for me this fashion week), and of course, my Perrin bag.
True, many at the shows might think I’m playing it too safe but, hey, we can’t all be Nicki Minaj – nor should we try to be.
Style on!
Jill
For live updates from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and more pictures follow Jill on Twitter @JillFairchild
We went shopping online to find Jill’s picks.
Tory Burch Waverly Blouse ($395)
Ralph Lauren Vest ($129)
Gucci Horseblt Buckle Belt ($440)
Zara Suede Legging ($50)
Black Croc Riva Large Ball Bag ($5465)
