One area of fashion that is often neglected is the world of fragrance. Personally, I can't leave the house without spritzing myself with some sort of eau de parfum. For me, it's like sealing the deal on your outfit — I'd feel naked without it. Come to think of it, I might even have a mild obsession with perfume: I have an entire shelf full of fancy bottles, from Gucci to Givenchy, BCBG to Burberry. (My newest fixation? See by Chloé.) But the problem with being a slave to all of these big names is that wherever you go, you're bound to smell like someone else at the party. I've actually had to retire my Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue because of this quandary. So it seems, there comes a point in every woman's (or man's) life when you need a breath of fresh air… or a whiff of a fresh scent.

So, does perfume-making fall into the DIY category? Perhaps, maybe, I'm not really sure. I've never attempted mixing my own fragrances. Even in 9^th grade when every other girl in the class swore that blending CK Be and Tommy Girl was like heaven for the nose, I staunchly begged to differ. But I'm talking serious perfume-mixing here — as in buying a slew of oils and going drop by drop to find just the right balance to suit your fancy. To be honest, I don't think I have the patience for it… and I'd probably get a headache pretty quick. But if you think you have what it takes to be your own parfumerie, then maybe you should have a word or two with Larry Siena, a Wappingers Falls resident who has perfected his own potion — and mass-produced it.

Palio, by Lorenzo Siena Fragrances

Larry Siena (who's been teaching high school in Westchester County for the past 30 years) created his own men's cologne about two and a half years ago — though his love affair with fragrance began many moons ago, when he would mix scents for personal use. But several years ago, people began stopping him on the street to ask him, "what are you wearing?" and "where can I get this?" These incidences prompted the idea of mass-producing his fragrance.

So how do you go from stirring together a shot glass worth of oils to starting your own fragrance company? Siena approached a handful of companies with his cologne, Palio, to find someone to manufacture it. However, he ran into serious trouble trying to break into the industry. "It's pretty much a closed market," he says. "People were receptive, but they all gave me the same story. It's a very controlled market; the large fragrance companies have it locked up." After months of searching for a manufacturer and numerous rejections, about two years ago, Drom International — which also produces Derek Jeter's cologne — agreed on the spot.

But before you start pounding on the doors of every perfume manufacturer that comes up on a quick Google search, understand that Siena — though he doesn't claim to be a chemist — has a valuable understanding of the industry. "My wife and I have traveled extensively over the years and had always found time while touring to visit the European fragrance houses," he says. "I know what works well together."

The oils that make up his "classic" scent that "transcends time" include citrus sparkles, fresh pineapple, ivy greens, and mint leaf for the top notes; iced lavender, rose, muguet, and star jasmine for the mid notes; and sandalwood, patchouli, and white musk for the base notes. "It's bit soft, a little powdery, but definitely manly," says Siena.

Siena will soon be launching a second men’s fragrance, Palio Gold, as well as a perfume for women, which should be ready by next spring. A lot of smaller specialty stores in Manhattan have expressed interest in carrying his line, though at this point, it's only available via his E-commerce site, www.LorenzoSienaFragrances.com. The 3.4-ounce glass bottle retails for $80. 

So treat your dad on Father's Day, your brother on his birthday, and your husband on your anniversary with this unique scent — he'll happily stand out among all of the other men in the room doused in Burberry.

Dear Marist College Fashion Students,

Last Friday, May 2, I attended the 2008 Silver Needle Fashion Show at Poughkeepsie’s Mid-Hudson Civic Center. I would like to thank you for showing my colleague and I such a great time. We were both amazed by the originality and creativity of your designs, as well as the high standard of professionalism you displayed throughout the entire event. I truly enjoyed your show and admire the hard work you all put into this successful event — my colleague and I eagerly anticipate next year’s production. You are all well on your way to exciting careers in one of the most fascinating industries in the world. Cheers!

Sincerely Yours,

Valley Vogue


Dear Valley Vogue Readers,

In case you weren’t in attendance at either of the two Marist College Fashion Shows last week, and have no idea what I’m talking about, allow me to explain. The Fashion Department at Marist College puts together a fashion show every spring, displaying the original collections of design majors, which are judged by industry professionals from New York City (this year included Kenneth Nolan, a designer at Calvin Klein, and Andrea Praet, a trend consultant at Promostyl). Winners in categories such as “Outstanding Portfolio” and “Outstanding Business Plan” (for merchandising majors) receive scholarships provided by renowned U.S. fashion companies like Liz Claiborne. The show, with help from the department’s faculty, is produced entirely by students enrolled in the Fashion Show Production class, which is broken down into sections that correspond to different sectors of the industry, dealing with every facet of runway show production, from invitations to marketing to choreography.

As far as the designing goes, the students make their sketches at the beginning of the semester and present their portfolio to the faculty. Pieces are then chosen and created for the show, which seniors then use as their portfolio on job interviews. For seniors, the show is a culmination of four years’ experience and hard work.

I’ve never been to a student fashion show and was honestly surprised by the fact that college students were able to put together such high quality, original collections. The show began with the first-year collections, with the theme of “New Frontier.” Each freshman designed a Western/Cowboy–inspired outfit. Next up was “Art as Inspiration,” by the sophomores, which was very Medieval-esque, with a lot of very large collars, capes, and dark color combinations. I thought the following collections, the Tailored Sportswear by the second-year students and the Knitwear Collections were especially well designed. I liked the way they manipulated current trends but maintained a clear representation of their own styles. I also enjoyed the “Project Green” collection, designed by the juniors, which included only sustainable materials, like bamboo fabric. My favorites were the third-year students’ Sportswear Knits and the Senior Collections. For me, these had the most RTW appeal, were tailored nicely, and had a lot of creativity and imagination. And, of course, the most entertaining was the last collection, the Comedy/Tragedy by the seniors. These designs, whose inspirations came from the likes of “I Love Lucy” and “Janis Joplin’s Death,” were really over-the-top and very fun to watch.

It was a very seamless presentation, parallel to that of a professional runway show, complete with loud music, lights display, and large projection screens. And in case you’re wondering, no, none of the models fell. This is an excellent, fun, local event that I highly recommend. If you didn’t make it this year, definitely plan on getting tickets for next year’s show, which is bound to be even bigger and better. Make sure you take a look at some of my favorite looks from the show below.

Sincerely Yours,

Valley Vogue

In case you haven’t been to the supermarket, mall, or essentially out of the house in the past month, then perhaps you’ve missed all of the gargantuan Mother’s Day signs that have sprung up everywhere (I even saw one at the car wash. Weird?).

Not that I’m complaining… I mean, where would we be without Hallmark these days? Well, probably forgetting to honor a whole bunch of family members and coworkers (Administrative Professional’s Day, anyone?). So, with the upcoming über-important holiday just about a week away, you should definitely be ready — or in the process of being ready — to shower your mom with love, gratitude, and of course, gifts. But, if you aren’t, don’t worry: neither am I. Though I did feel pretty ahead of the game when I purchased my Mother’s Day cards for the respective moms in my family mid-April, I’m feeling a little anxious now because I’ve yet to buy the gift(s). And it’s not because I’ve forgotten or don’t want to.

On the contrary, I love shopping for my mom; she’s so easy to buy for. We have practically the same tastes and she’ll pretty much adore anything you give her because it’s from YOU. No, the reason I haven’t yet made my purchase is that I don’t know what to get for chère maman. You see, during the past four years I spent in central PA for college, it was understood that — with final exam week kicking in just around the time of Mother’s Day — a card was completely acceptable. But now that I’m back in town, I’d like to do something a bit more lavish. Recently, I’ve been thinking about the kinds of gifts I’ve given my mom over the years. My earliest memories of Mother’s Day consist of making her breakfast in bed with my older brother. We would also make her extravagant pop-out cards from colored construction paper, craft fabulous accessories (think: beaded necklaces), and write poems — there was also that one time my brother made her a clay rock, ahem, paperweight.

But as we matured, so did our wallets (a result of the weekly allowance — thanks, Dad). We would give her store-bought gifts, usually in the form of a picture frame or decorative candle. And a little later on, there were gifts of scarves, potted-plants, and gift certificates. But now, what to get mom? How do you celebrate Mother’s Day? Do you take her out to brunch? Do you send a card and flowers? I’ve been racking my brains trying to figure out what will work this time around. While I’m sure the usual gifts of flowers, jewelry, and perfume will please just about any mom, I decided to be a bit more creative with my approach. Here are some of my thoughts:

Glycerin Loofah Pomegranate Soap, $5; All Natural Body & Face Balm, $14; All Natural Bath & Body Oil, $12; All Natural Foot Scrub, $12
Rosner Soaps, Sugarloaf 
www.rosnersoap.com

Guaranteed, no questions asked: Dad will be equipped with a huge bouquet of gorgeous roses next Sunday. Won’t they look fabulous in this dainty, hand-blown glass vase?

So what do you think? Would your mom like any of these gift ideas? And, if you have any other ideas, PLEASE let me know — there’s still time! … Right?

Isn’t shopping such a stimulating pastime? I always find it exciting going into each store, ogling the mannequins, watching all the busy salespeople run about, and checking out what the other shoppers are interested in. Yes, there is more to shopping than just buying clothes. It’s more of an experience — an adventure, if you will. However, it’s an experience that often becomes more of a task, and sometimes a nightmare. There are those times when your feet are in pain from walking around all day, your head is pounding from loud store music blaring, or that pesky salesperson is pressuring you into purchasing something that is obviously unflattering on you. These are some components of the shopping experience that I can always do without.

Wouldn’t it be great if you could avoid all of the stress and hassle that comes with shopping at crowded department stores and boutiques (where the salespeople aren’t concerned with how you look or feel in your clothes)? Imagine shopping in the comfort of your home — or the home of a friend — where you’ll be free from lines at the fitting room and obnoxious, impatient shoppers behind you at the check out. Imagine building a relationship with sales assistants who know your likes and dislikes, what types of pieces you’ll need for which events you’ll be attending, and will be honest with you when something just doesn’t work for you. Actually, that does exist. And I’m not talking about pricey personal shoppers and stylists that serve Hollywood royalty. Right here in the Valley you can have someone work with you, helping you build your wardrobe from season to season.

These days esteemed fashion houses like Carlisle and Bill Blass New York are selling exclusively through sales associates, who basically bring the store to the consumer. About four times a year, the associates debut sample collections in their home or showroom and invite clients and friends to try on the merchandise. This has become such a profitable method of retail that, according to Marshall Cohen, chief retail analyst at the NDP Group (a market research company), “Direct to market sales are growing at triple the rate of on-line fashion sales. It’s now a billion-dollar business.” Since we always like to stay on top of all of the new trends in fashion and shopping, it’s clearly time for us to jump on the bandwagon.

Today kicks off the Bill Blass New York trunk show. I spoke with Melissa McCoy-Garizone, a BBNY fashion consultant based in Newburgh, and got all of the details on why shopping a trunk show is better than department stores, and what she can do for you and your wardrobe.

What is a trunk show?

The trunk show is a boutique-type setting of a season’s collection(s) presented within the comfort of a private residence (or location of the choosing) by a Sales Consultant. The location houses the 250+ pieces for a period of six days. During this timeframe, interested individuals can schedule a time to come and view the collection; have a presentation of the style, line, and quality; and have a fitting to assist with the most flattering pant style, garment styles, as well as color. The trunk show is basically a traveling salon that brings the couture to the client.

So you can only purchase the collection at the show? 

The collection is presented in a “sample set” to have styles and a broad spectrum of sizes to determine the correct sizes. BBNY is only available for purchase through this manner, which makes the items very exclusive. They will not be seen at Neiman’s, Saks, Bergdorf’s, etc. Once a two-season timeframe leaves, the collections are no longer available. All items are paid for upon order entry and most are available within seven business days. (Sometimes demand may alter this.)

In what ways do you help someone select different pieces from the collection?

The trunk show provides true personal “one-on-one” service. Preference is to work with one client at a time (1 - 1 ½ hours) to provide personal service — however, if you prefer, you may attend with a friend. I work with the client to determine style, fit, and color; build a wardrobe; add a specialty piece; create a mix-and-match work or travel wardrobe; and provide the opportunity of couture style and tailored clothing in an area which caters to off-the-rack mass styling. Our clothes will never be sold in season at a retail venue — only in the private appointment-setting atmosphere.

Who are your clients?

It is very much for the discriminating shopper who might not have time — or even like shopping — to have personalized service right here in the Valley. No more trips to NYC. However, I do take clients on a personal showroom visit as well if they prefer or are not in town the week of my show. Many women in NYC and social communities are familiar with salon appointments.

What are the benefits of your services?

In the department stores, for the most part, you’re trying to make your selections with some assistance from a salesperson. You carry your things to the dressing room, yell out for someone to get something in another size, and contemplate the use and wear-ability of the purchase. Salespersons are usually helping others and covering other things as well. At the trunk show, you get ALL the attention. I walk clients through each season’s collection — as it is always 100 percent new. I talk to the client about upcoming events or needs and can direct them quickly to appropriate garments in the line. I can select or help select the clothes; set you in the dressing area; get new sizes; cuff the pants; belt the jacket; and suggest options and styles when requested. And I keep a file on every client for their sizes, color preferences, previous purchases, etc., so I can work with them to build their wardrobe from previous seasons and colorways when they arrive — or order an extra item they might have not purchased but changed their mind. They just call me and I place the order. All items are ordered and received, beautifully packaged or garment bag-hung and delivered to their home or office personally. What a way to shop, huh?!  

Bill Blass New York is a designer that emerged about 2 and a half years ago. What sets this label apart from other fashion companies?

Bill Blass New York is the only luxury label in the direct sale apparel industry. It launched its premier collection in July 2006. The luxury lifestyle line, sold through private trunk shows by sales consultants throughout the U.S., features a range of styles from day to evening. Our management team is being headed by former execs from Dolce & Gabbana, Hilfiger, Karl Lagerfeld, etc. We are poised for great growth.

What drew you to this line of work? 

I am an interior designer by trade and own an interior design firm as well. I am a very style-oriented and independent-driven person — I love working for myself and allowing the needs of my three children to be met as well. Had I not gone into I.D. I would have majored in Fashion. I added/joined BBNY as another business last year as it provides me with the flexibility for meeting my family’s needs and the opportunity to become entrenched in an iconic brand, bringing quality and style to the region. My clients are delighted with the opportunity to shop like this. Many are new to this venue and many shop Palm Beach and other regions of the world.

Melissa will show the 2008 summer and spring collections together from April 26th to May 2nd in Newburgh. Her next show won’t be until September 9th (for the Fall ’08 collection), so call her now to set up an appointment!

Melissa McCoy-Garzione
Fashion Consultant
Bill Blass New York
914-474-2459
 mmccoy@billblassnewyork.com

I never really thought of myself as one who is especially environmentally conscious. But after all of the recent media attention on "going green" — including our own eco awareness department here at HV Mag — I decided to do some reflecting. I've realized that I do make efforts, however (usually) unconscientiously, to be kind to our ecosystem: I bring my coffee to work in a thermos instead of stopping at Starbucks every morning; I refill my water bottle throughout the day rather than using a different one each time; Though I don’t drive a Prius, the car I lease is a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (which means it releases 90 percent cleaner emissions than the average new car); And I can proudly say that I do not own any real fur, and very few pieces of leather. However, on the other hand, I probably have enough bad habits to be put in quarantine by the EPA. For one thing, I can hardly remember the last time I've recycled anything. I haven't carpooled since I played club volleyball in the eighth grade. And the amount of gas I burn per week (roughly estimated at 25 gallons) is utterly atrocious. Now, I'm finding out that even my closet is damaging to our precious Earth.

A few months back, I was up in Woodstock meeting with a storeowner for Shop Talk. I spent the afternoon speaking with Joanna Black of Hip-E Living Boutique, which sells only organic, natural, sustainable, recycled, or energy smart merchandise. To say my interest was piqued would be a gross understatement. Joanna really opened my eyes to a whole other world and realm of, well, fashion. She explained to me the many ways (and reasons) to be more green-minded — not just by recycling soda cans and growing your own vegetables — but also by modifying your wardrobe and choice in cosmetics. According to Joanna, there is a global effort to become more eco-savvy. Retailers everywhere, from large department stores like Nordstrom, to independent designers like Stewart + Brown, to upscale designers like Marc Jacobs, are taking steps toward being socially and environmentally accountable. In addition to creating clothes with eco-friendly materials, their packaging, manufacturing, and retail stores are getting the green treatment.

After my day of enlightenment, I ran over to Mother Earth in Poughkeepsie and purchased a load of organic lotions, shampoos, and other beauty items. For a few weeks I even bought strictly organic produce. Needless to say, my grocery-shopping regimen hasn't been quite so severe for some time now, though I have continued to be very adamant about using only organic products on my face, hair, and body. But until now, I haven't quite taken to the clothing aspect of the green movement.

During the past week, my curiosity about eco-fashion has grown enormously. Last Thursday I attended the Spa Week Media Party in Manhattan, an event that kicked off this season's Spa Week (which is such a fabulous deal you'd be a fool not to at least check out their Web site). I spent several hours speaking with representatives of fashion and beauty companies like Phyto Universe and Olivier (and having my nails manicured and my makeup professionally applied with Jane Iredale, a mineral cosmetics line). I learned about all of the latest in green beauty, from skin care, to makeup, to hair care, and sampled tasty treats from Le Pain Quotidien and organic martinis by 360 Vodka. Most importantly, I watched a green fashion show — complete with a grass runway — featuring styles by eco-friendly designers Emily Katz, Sameunderneath, Stewart + Brown, and Toggery by Kate D'Arcy. These fashion companies create clothing using green-minded materials like bamboo, organic cotton, and natural hair fibers, and make strides toward being responsible to our society and the environment by using locally obtained products — which saves time, money, and pollution — and taking advantage of factory surplus fabrics — which reduces waste and saves additional resources.

I was really intrigued by this concept: we're basically helping to save the planet by shopping! I'm also happy to see that the clothes are super fashionable — so don't worry, wearing eco-friendly garments doesn't mean you'll be sporting a burlap potato sack. I'm even more excited that you can find designs by these companies at many stores in the Hudson Valley (see below for details). So now we have no excuse not to green our wardrobes. I'm ready to begin erasing my carbon footprint… are you?

Check out these great looks from the Spa Week Media Party green fashion show:

 Stewart + Brown                                                   Sameunderneath

              Emily Katz                                                 Toggery by Kate D’Arcy

Find apparel and accessories from these ecologically conscious designers at these HV boutiques: 

Stewart + Brown 

Kusa
Germantown
518-828-6620 

Outer Luxe
Larchmont
914-834-2345 

Pamela Robbins
Scarsdale
914-472-4033 

Rags
Rye
914-967-4144 

Sorella
Woodstock
845-657-4104 

Tru Grace
Armonk
914-273-9600 

Hip E Living
Woodstock
845-679-2158

Toggery by Kate D’Arcy

Cow Jones Industrial
Chatham
518-392-2139

For more great sustainable fashion, check out www.truly-organic.com. Truly Organic Apparel has simple, fresh looks for men and women — and the best part is they use organic cotton and a natural dye process. So, if like me, you're ready to start taking a green-minded approach to fashion, definitely take a look at their e-commerce site and browse their debut spring/summer 2008 collection.

Yesterday was a good day. Not only was the weather beautiful — 70 degrees and sunny — but I got to work from home. To fully take advantage of my good fortune — and get a much-needed dose of vitamin C — I brought my laptop outside, spread out a blanket, and spent the day typing away in pure bliss. It truly was marvelous. But by evening, as I was getting ready to go out, with the sun going down and the wind picking up, it wasn’t so warm and I was no longer comfortable in my short sleeves and cropped pants. Though it definitely wasn’t cold enough for me to pull on my wool pea coat that I’ve been wearing since November, it was certainly not weather suitable for leaving the house without any kind of jacket.

Now is, of course, the perfect time of year for a nice lightweight coat. And as we all learned from our fashion expert Christine McGowan several weeks back, the spring jacket of choice this year is the trench coat. I love the look of the trench. In my opinion, people of all sizes and shapes can wear this one well — they’re available in lengths that hit at the hips for shorter gals, but also come in an array of thigh- and knee-length cuts for us taller women. My only problem is that, with the weather being so unpredictable these days, it’s hard to know how long we’ll actually need a sturdy jacket. I remember two years ago, I was wearing one until late June, but last year, I hardly needed one past mid-May. So, if you’re only going to be wearing a lightweight coat for a couple of months, do you really want to spend a fortune on it? I know the trench is a classic look, and I’m all for purchasing quality, timeless pieces that you can wear from year to year, but where’s the fun in shopping if you’re not going to be able to buy a new jacket next spring?

To find a solution to this “dilemma,” I tracked down several great trench coats — in different styles and colors — that you can find at departments stores in every corner of the Valley. These are all quality trenches with a modern twist — perfect for looking ultra stylish on those breezy evenings and rainy afternoons. And thanks to the beauty of sales, they’re all for under $100. Now we can look fabulous for a great price, and not feel guilty about our purchase when we find ourselves (a) completely comfortable sans anorak (hopefully!) come June, and (b) looking to buy a new seasonal jacket next year.


Full Skirt Trench Coat in Stone, $69.99
Find this coat at Target stores and at www.target.com. I really like the adjustable tie waist because it balances out the full skirt, giving the impression of a very narrow waist. 



Apostrophe Short Trench Jacket, $30
Find this jacket at Sears stores and at www.sears.com. I think the large buttons and cargo pockets give this jacket a “safari feel,” which is very hot this season.



American Living Lightweight Trench, $59.99
Find this trench at JCPenney stores and at www.jcpenney.com. This trench is a very classic style: slim-fitting, long, and belted at the waist. You’ll look so chic and sophisticated!



Funnel Neck Trench Coat in Red, $69.99
Find this coat at Target stores and at www.target.com. You’ll definitely stand out in this fun, modern red trench. The wide collar and bubble sleeves are great accents.

Gracie tote, $65           Lulu petite, $75




Blanche, $95                        Leigh $125 shoulder bag                 Zana cosmetics bag $35





Mimi tote, $65                  Gloria petite $75

Hotchkiss Bermuda Shorts, $87



Crescent Mini Mini Skirt, $84



Lenox Short Shorts, $84



Crescent Pearl’s Dress, $121



Lenox Crop Pant, $88

On my way to work Tuesday, water was pouring down the mountain and out onto Route 9. And on Wednesday night, the Route 299 Bridge (which spans the Wallkill River in Ulster County) was closed due to floodwaters — the river level was a mere 10 feet below the bridge. You probably don’t need to read this post to find out that it’s been raining a lot this week — surely you have your very own severe rain sightings that you could share, also.

Anyhow, the other day I was discussing with a friend of mine this rain situation, and its adverse effects on our clothing. We agree that walking around in heavy rain completely ruins our shoes and the bottoms of our pants. So, what’s a girl to do when rain clouds come rolling into town? The logical answer is: be equipped with umbrella, raincoat, and rain boots.

“I bought a pair of rain boots a couple of years ago,” my friend said. “I hardly wore them because I thought I looked silly; so I threw them out. Now everyone is wearing them. I’m leaving for Ireland this week and it’s going to be so wet over there — I really wish I had a pair now.”

I don’t think I’ve owned a pair of wellies since the early ’90s (aka third grade) — and every time I thought about buying a pair to salvage my suffering feet, I’ve had this fear that I’d look like I was nine years old again. But with the recent influx of rain boots in colorful, boisterous designs, I’ve become increasingly curious. So yesterday, while shopping down by Bleeker Street in Manhattan, with my friend’s words and the loud patter of rain from earlier this week echoing in my head, I did it: I bought a pair of galoshes. And now, after spending four years of sloshing across my (unusually rainy) central-PA college campus in regular shoes — and wet socks and cold feet — here I am with my brand new pink rubber rain boots, ready to take on the world — and all the rain it dares to pour.

So do I look silly in my new footwear? Frankly, I don’t really care anymore. Because for the first time in a long time, I’m actually looking forward to walking in the rain — even splashing through a few puddles. I think I went with a rather conservative style (the majority of the selection consisted of funky plaid or polka dots and zany duck or frog prints), and I’m wondering if I should have went with something a little bit more fun — like a lot of what I’m seeing on other girls’ feet. I mean they’re rain boots, they’re not supposed to be taken seriously, right?

If you’re ready to bite the bullet and buy yourself a pair — or if you own something that look more like bog busters, and want to spice it up a bit, take a look at these really cute designs by Chooka. They’re priced at $59.95, and I think the only local place you can buy them is Nordstrom, or on their Web site.



Ladybug Skulls          Love Hurts            Koi Tattoo          Tattoo City

Blue Frances Clutch, $25                                                      Blue Hayworth Flat, $30





Black Betty Sandal, $30                                                                      Blush Harlow Sling, $30

Tortoise Tess Tote, $28                                                        Denim Ariane Pump, $35




Coral Sabrina Sling, $35                                                        Navy Dot Clara Ballet, $30

$30 Silver Olivia Sneaker                                                              Black and Pink Louisa Flat, $30





Lime Aidan Wedge, $40                                                                  White Marjorie Clutch, $25

As you may know, today marks the end of New York’s Fashion Week. Since last Friday, journalists, buyers, PR assistants, socialites, and celebs have been all over Manhattan, reveling in the excitement of the début of the fall 2008 collections. And for seven days, models showed everything from thigh highs, to plaid jackets, to flapper dresses, designed by all of our favorite American couturiers, including Marc Jacobs, Zac Posen, and Betsey Johnson, as well as a few beloved international designers, like Oscar de la Renta and Hervé Léger. Though I didn’t see any of the shows, I did stop by the tent in Bryant Park on Tuesday (where I did see Brittany Murphy and Joy Bryant), and from what I heard — besides the thumping of loud techno and shouting of paparazzi — the clothing was fantastic. I’ve been keeping up on everything that’s been going up and down the runways this week, so read on to find out all of the hot, new fall looks that you’ll be shopping for in a few months.

From the runway:

The Look: Cinched waists
As Seen At: Max Azria (who belted nearly every look), Preen
Wear: with dresses, jackets, skirts….

The Look: Skinny pants
As Seen At: Sass & Bide, Betsey Johnson
Wear: with voluminous tops

The Look: Sheath dresses
As Seen At: Michael Kors (where models strutted in lilac and olive)
Wear: in floral prints

The Look: Wide, fluid trouser pants
As Seen At: Oscar de la Renta, Cynthia Steffe
Wear: in a high waist cut with heels

The Look: Tweed
As Seen At: Narciso Rodriguez, Derek Lam
Wear: with skirts, dresses, jackets…

The Look: Orange
As Seen At: Charles Nolan, Philip Lim
Wear: in a nice burnt/reddish hue with other warm colors

The Look: Plaid
As Seen At: Marc by Marc Jacobs, Ruffian, Y-3
Wear: with black or dark grey

The Look: Ankle boots
As Seen At: Preen, Temperley London
Wear: with tights in the same color family

The Look: Blue
As Seen At: Tracy Reese, Y & Kei
Wear: in every shade!

The Look: Asymmetrical cuts
As Seen At: Erin Fetherston, Rodarte, Hervé Léger
Wear: a one-strap dress

The Look: Metallics
As Seen At: Nicole Miller, Ruffian
Wear: with black

The Look: Collarless jackets
As Seen At: Verrier, Peter Som
Wear: over a collarless shirt

The Look: Grey
As Seen At: Yigal Azrouel, Philip Lim
Wear: with bright jewel tones, black, or white

The Look: 1920s fashion
As Seen At: Betsey Johnson, Diane von Furstenberg
Wear: a flapper dress

The Look: Thigh highs and over-the-knee boots
As Seen At: Sass & Bide, Jill Stuart
Wear: with short dresses and mini skirts

The Look: Purple
As Seen At: Everywhere! (especially Rag & Bone, Anna Sui, Badgley Mischka)
Wear: often!

For more Fashion Week coverage, check out www.elle.com/fashionshows/12765/fall-2008  and www.nymag.com/fashion/fashionshows/.