17 blocks from barneys

Someone brilliantly kept record of overheard quotes during New York’s Fashion Week. There’s nothing like a good top ten:

10. “If everyone standing in this line actually bought something from Vena Cava…they’d be much better off.”

-Fedora-wearing gentleman standing behind us in the long, long line to get into the Vena Cava presentation in West Chelsea.

9. “The clothes are made for not-perfect people. But they’re pretty perfect.”

-Isaac Mizrahi, on his fall collection

8. “What if Barbie had a party and nobody came?”

-Showgoer, while transfixed by the giant, hot pink Barbie installation around which the action in the Bryant Park tents revolved

7. “Now I want those shoes even more.”

-Our seatmate at the Herve Leger by Max Azria show, in which several models took a tumble on the perilously high snakeskin stilettos

6. “There’s strength in the shoulder, without us looking like we’re in Dynasty.”

-Michael Kors, on the ’80s (but not too ’80s) silhouette of his fall collection

5. Showgoer A: “Is that a derby?”
Showgoer B: “I think it’s a bowler.”
Showgoer A: “Wait. What’s a trilby?”
-Mid-show conversation concerning the headwear at Monarchy

4. “So what’s Domenico Vacca?”

-Our seatmate at the Domenico Vacca show.

3. “Well, I did that last season, but really, I can never get away from Bellmer. He’s always with me. Him and Louise Bourgeois.”

-Victoria Bartlett, when we asked if the work of artist Hans Bellmer was an inspiration for her brilliant VPL by Victoria Bartlett fall collection, entitled “Exquisite Corpse” and featuring a dismembered doll on the show invitation

2. “This is the best design building in New York. It’s better than the D&D Building. They have everything here. Vladimir Kagan is here!”

-Estée Lauder president John Dempsey on the New York Design Center, site of the Tuleh show

1. “We’re trying to keep it beachy but not too homeless-looking.”

-Stylist Dennis Lanni, on the hair at Lacoste

[Quotes via Unbeige / Image via Herve Ledger by Max Azria Fall 2009 runway]

There is clearly nothing I can say about this bag, but “genius.”

[Image via Unknown]

Today’s ritualistic perusal through style.com’s party photos brought up this little gem – taken at the milliner Stephen Jones’ V&A Museum retrospective opening in London.

The “girl” on the right is named Immodesty Blaize. I kid you not.

[Photo via Style.com]

I’d also like to add another little quote – since this week’s posts seem to be very quotey…

“Fashion means you never have to say ’sorry.’ “

No idea where I saw it, when I saw it, or how I saw it. I just know it’s true.

[image via Isaac Mizrahi's blog]

Out of the street style paparazzi emerges What I Saw Today. It’s like a glimpse into the designer mind…maybe they do view the world in beautiful colored pencil?

[sketch via What I Saw Today]

Barbara Munsel is from the Netherlands. I’m going to the Netherlands.

Handmade from organic and vintage textiles.

[Image via Barbara Munsel]

“Just remember, the same as a spectacular Vogue magazine, remember that no matter how close you follow the jumps: Continued on page whatever. No matter how careful you are, there’s going to be the sense you missed something, the collapsed feeling under your skin that you didn’t experience it all. There’s that fallen heart feeling that you rushed right through the moments where you should’ve been paying attention. Well, get used to that feeling. That’s how your whole life will feel some day. This is all practice. None of this matters. We’re just warming up.”

— chuck palahniuk

PS – I did this to my jeans. You should, too.

[quote via little grey book]

I would like to recall my post Tweed on the Run and replace it with this one. 

I’m about to make your Sunday afternoon spectacular. Go pour yourself some Earl Grey, drape yourself with some kind of wool blanket (tartan is preferable), and click here .

Houndstooth makes me happy, what can I say.

[Images by Roxy Ericson]

Here’s a designer to watch: Jeffrey Monteiro

His own little melting pot of style – born in the Middle East, raised in Australia, schooled in India, and London stuck in there somewhere – he now lives in New York and spends his time making me swoon. Time well spent, Jeff.