By Benjamin-Emile Le Hay 9/14/12 7:27pm

Looks from the spring 2013 collection.

Calvin Klein Delivers for the Conclusion of the “Oscars of Fashion”

We love the clean lines and abstract nature of Francisco Costa’s designs for Calvin Klein Collection. Of Brazilian descent, he has an unmatchable talent for creating wearable art that is minimal and wearable—perhaps the only one who provides a Parisian level of artistic thrills in New York.

We had some time to spare before the show began—a departure from our general habit of sprinting four blocks and arriving sweaty and out of breath at the last minute. We left our seat-mates Bianca Jagger, Julie Macklowe and Kelly Klein, to name a few, to explore the front rows.

Amy Adams, Diane Kruger, Emma Stone and photographer Patrick Demarchelier were all present, but our vigilant eyes sought out someone less obvious: W Magazine’s Fashion and Style Director, Edward Enninful. Read More

By Benjamin-Emile Le Hay 9/13/12 5:46pm

Fashion Week

An exclusive backstage photo from The Observer's Wang-insider/tipster.

Does the Sensationalism of Alexander Wang and Other Designers Overshadow Their Fashion?

American fashion design has seen an exciting new crop of talented youngsters creep onto the scene. Creatives such as Joseph Altuzarra, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler, Alexander Wang, Jason Wu and Prabal Gurung have received a great deal of attention—and rightfully so. The majority of this bunch thrive on fanfare—not always on the design of their clothes, but on their front-rows, frantic check-ins and backstage dramas.

The Proenza Schouler duo, after several seemingly shaky years, have quickly become darlings of the global fashion elite, continually present interesting and attractive collections. Now sitting more comfortably with financial investments from Theory Group’s Andrew Rosen and a glossy new David Adjaye-designed boutique (albeit too damn dark to see any of the merch), its safe to say they are no longer emerging.

Mr. Altuzarra’s nomadic, opulent materials and prints seem to satiate the critics. Since PR Consulting has never invited us to one of his magical shows, we’ll let him be.

Jason Wu’s nearly flawless technique and practical glamour—not to mention being a favorite of first lady Michelle Obama—means he’s fine and dandy.

Same for Thakoon Panichgul. Read More

By Michael Miller 9/18/09 4:40pm

MAC, Milk and Menkes: Fashion Week Ends With Somewhat Perplexing Panel

On the final day of Fashion Week, students from Parsons and FIT gathered at Milk Studios for a panel discussion about the industry’s future co-sponsored by MAC Cosmetics. Moderated by the International Herald Tribune’s fashion editor, Suzy Menkes, the discussion was mostly lighthearted, and filled with a lot of unanswered questions.

The panel—which included Read More

By Irina Aleksander 8/29/08 3:31pm

Anna Wintour’s Fund-Raiser for Obama, Round 2

On June 17, Anna Wintour co-hosted a fund-raiser for Barack Obama with Andre Leon Talley, Calvin Klein and Michelle Obama followed by an $10,000-per-head dinner at Mr. Klein’s home.

Now, with New York Fashion Week approaching, Ms. Wintour has roped in Sarah Jessica Parker to help with a second fund-raiser on Sept. 9 at Charles Read More