Although Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York is over, the excitement is far from it (kind of like my foot pain from stomping around Manhattan in 4 inch heels for a week straight). I had the pleasure of attending NYFW last week and although this was my second season there, it was just as thrilling as my first time (the second time’s a charm, right ladies? Just kidding). I also have the pleasure of sharing my favourite shows and Spring/Summer 2012 collections with you, fine people visiting Style Nine to Five, which you can see below.

1. Vivienne Tam

I absolutely loved this collection: it was full of rich colours, beautiful and harmoniously mixed prints and interesting details on each garment like appliqués, cut-outs and embroidery. My favourite pieces included a handful of suiting with shorts or cigarette pants in the many nature-inspired and geometric prints, an ivory and coral printed dress spotted early in the show, the iPad case-like clutches and the dramatic eveningwear, including a teal gown with a ruffled t-back and the extra long sleeved finale dress. There’s an effortlessness and ease that flowed throughout the collection; it was inspired by the designer’s love of the spirit of the seventies, but the clothes translate into something that is very modern. My favourite looks:

2. Michael Kors

This Spring/Summer 2012 collection described by the designer in one word: “Afriluxe” — a bit of a misstep given the current famine crisis in Somalia, however, faux pas aside, this show and collection were definitely my favourite (that I attended in person) of the entire week. It’s inspired by Michael’s memories of Africa and the rustic modernism of the Lebombo Lodge, with an injection of the line’s signature effortlessness and easy, laid back attitude. From the clothing to the shoes to the accessories, it’s congruent from head-to-toe and from look-to-look, a true collection that a veteran like Michael Kors probably thought of in his sleep or while mindlessly shining his CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award.

The colour palette ranged from the ground to the sky, with earth tones of limestone, olive and clay, creamy ivory hues of ivory, impala and antelope and sunset shades of amber, sienna and cinnabar. The beauty of the garments are not only in the intelligently designed pieces but in the palpable luxury that exists in the details: distressed materials like cashmere and linen, leather with a savage edge as if it had been torn, snakeskin trims on boldly hand dyed gowns, rustic patchwork and graphic photo realistic animal prints. The collection is topped off with oversized travel bags, strappy belts and one of the first things I noticed, the rugged boots and sandals. My favourite looks:

3. Hervé Léger by Max Azria

I was really excited to attend the Hervé Léger show because I knew the front row would be packed with celebrities (fine, I lied: I knew it would be packed with Kardashians — they love their bandage dresses and I secretly love Keeping Up with them) but I figured that the collection would be fairly predictable. As expected, the collection was made up primarily of body-conscious bandage dresses but much to my surprise, it was far more exciting than I had anticipated.

The colour palette for the collection was primarily metallic with intricate detailing like tribal motifs, cutouts, braided harnesses and military-inspired cylindrical beadwork. I also loved the shoes that were paired with the collection: although a bit too heavy a look at times (specifically with dresses with longer hemlines) the knee-high strapped and buckled gladiator boot sandals. Style.com called the collection “dystopian warrior princess”. I couldn’t have said it better myself (so I won’t try). My favourite looks are below. Oh and front row the celebs spotted? No Kardashians, but Ashlee Simpson, Jessica Szohr, Leann Rimes and Katie Cassidy.

4. Monique Lhullier

Another favourite of mine was Monique Lhullier’s SS12 collection. I was expecting a show full of feminine gowns but was pleasantly surprised with the edgier aesthetic she went for this season. The show opened with architectural dresses and separates that evolved into more feminine looks, all incorporating color-blocking, leather shoulders or leather panels, and cut-outs with these details maintained throughout. I also loved the bold colour palette of this collection: the show commenced with a strong black and cobalt contingent and incorporated cream, a bright fuchsia and an even brighter cadmium yellow while closing with incredible gowns in graphic prints. Spotted in the front row? Julianne Hough of Dancing with the Stars fame and actress/singer/model Mandy Moore, who by the way is beyond gorgeous in person. My favourite looks:

Who are your favourites from New York Fashion Week or Fashion Month thus far? Tell us in the comments below!

For more of my adventures, outfits and general debauchery from NYFW, check out my coverage on MTV FORA and on A Haute Mess.

All photos courtesy of style.com.

By: Niki Blasina

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