New York Fashion Week Fall 2011: Jason Wu, Diane Von Furstenberg

Bow Ties, Black & White, Yves Saint Laurent References, Skinny Pants and Dresses Dresses Dresses...

Androgynous Chic: Jason Wu Fall 2011

Jason Wu Fall 2011:

Dinner With The Boys: Jason Wu Fall 2011

Style.com's Nicole Phelps noted that "We lost count somewhere around 90 when we tried to tally the photographers in the pit at Jason Wu's Chelsea show today. The designer's rise has been fairly meteoric, thanks in part to Michelle Obama, of course. But it struck you, looking at his Fall collection: The clothes are legitimately living up to his outsized reputation.".

From the runway photos and video--the collection was meant for a younger Lady Who Lunches. She also does Cocktails, Galas, and she BETTER be seen in Vogue Magazine's "Flash" section...or else her pr person will hear about it! Lots of man-tailoring super-skinny sized. Lace and transparency, embellishment and high HIGH slits in the last gowns. Bow ties are the new "Statement Necklaces". Oh and it all looked very Alber Elbaz-meets-Yves Saint Laurent (the Genius not the brand). Love the tulle-and-lace face veil, by the way!

Enchanted Cocktail: Jason Wu Fall 2011

Slit Happy: Jason Wu Fall 2011

Watch Full Runway Video, Jason Wu Fall 2011:

Diane Von Furstenberg Fall 2011:

El Wrap Dress: Diane Von Furstenberg Fall 2011

For Fall 2011 Diane Von Furstenberg's Collection was named "American Legends", referencing to Style Divas such as Milicent Rodgers, Gloria Vanderbilt, Diana Vreeland, etc. From the Gaucho-esque wide-brimmed hats to the metallic Disco stylings and pops of turquoise, red and in-your-face prints, it all looked more like a Party in Buenos Aires or Marbella circa 1979. I would say Naty Abascal would be a closer Muse than the ones named above. There were tunics, high-slit skirts, transparent Bishop-sleeved blouses and yes, more YSL nods. Here are some highlights:

Winter Color Palette: Diane Von Furstenberg Fall 2011

Gaucho Girl: Diane Von Furstenberg Fall 2011

Studio 54 2011: Diane Von Furstenberg Fall 2011

Watch Full Runway Video, Diane Von Furstenberg Fall 2011:

Resort/Cruise Collections 2011: Carolina Herrera, Narciso Rodriguez, Donna Karan

More from the Resort Collections 2011: More Pink, Black & White and 70's GlamCarolina Herrera Resort 2011:
The Venezuelan-born designer showed light elegant clothes (yes, it's what she is known for) for Resort 2011. Every piece was perfect...well, perfect for a Met Gala Opening, perfect for the Upper East Side socialites--both Mom's and Daughters--and perfect for the wives of those Goldman Sachs bankers who need a little "something-something" to go out on the town in. She showed gloriously printed dresses-both gowns and cocktail styles, as well as bright fuchsia pinks, canary yellows (my favorite being the above off-the-shoulder fitted gown with side pockets) and yes...a little Black and White. I can JUST see the gown above on Barbara Walters, Nancy Kissinger or even Princess Letizia of Asturias, the Crown Princess of Spain. These were timeless, a little 60s, a little 70s, a little 80s, yet somehow still NOW and very chic.

Narciso Rodriguez Resort 2011:Narciso Rodriguez, also went LIGHT, for Resort 2011. These were clothes with a soft "hand" showing effortless draping. He is going beyond his "semi-bondage/racer-back athletic girl", at least for Resort. So I guess, his "woman" loses her hard edge when she heads to her Caribbean vacation next February. Standouts include this soft-pink suit (above) with a perfect shapeless blazer and cropped trousers; A little white knee-length wrap dress (love the shoulder pads and dropped shoulder!) with black waist-tie and..

This turquoise "one-shoulder" kimono-inspired wrap dress with contrasting straps and ties. These are simple yet stylish dresses that would still turn heads in St. Barths...or Manhattan.

Donna Karan Resort 2011:
Karan sent out her girls--with the hairstyle du jour, the "Slick Back"--with all the items Karan devotees want, including this easy-breezy jersey tunic dress with elongated sleeves (I'm sure those will be cut down by 10" before they hit the department stores kiddies!).There were also lots of glam gowns such as the slate-gray one-shoulder jersey draped dress above. There was a mid-70's vibe to her collection with hints of Bianca Jagger and a bit of Shelley Hack, the "Charlie Girl" .
The jackets had the length of 70's jackets, the extended shoulders of the 80s but those pants--and styling definitely say 2011! This is what you wear when you are invited to celebrate New Year's 2011 in Aruba with Sean 'P. Diddy' Combs, Beyonce, Jay-Z and all those Ukrainian multi-millionaires who are paying for your flight there.
Happy Resort darlings.