Karlie Kloss, Anja Rubik, Chanel Iman, Bambi Northwood-Blyth, Jacquelyn Jablonski, Jourdan Dunn, Abbey Lee Kershaw, Eniko Mihalik, Kendra Spears, Anais Mali, Mirte Maas, and more all strutted down the catwalk in the odd array of attire which made up Kanye’s collection.

If this were Project Runway, Heidi would definitley be saying “auf wiedersehen” to the rapper-turned-deisnger, as his collection seemed to lack a comprehensive vision. Many pieces were oversized so exaggerated that they look unwearable.  In one look there’s a nude cutout bandage, another fur, and another includes some sort of hood with teeth. Then poor Eniko Mihalik’s boobs don’t look appealing at all in a very little black dress, while Chanel Iman wears an ivory and off-white jacket with pants that look like they’re falling off the petite model. It all just feels a tad bizarre and lost.

This was West’s first attempt at designing and he had access to some of the best fashionable minds in the world (including Central Saint Martins professor Louis Wilson) and even that couldn’t save him. Then again, just because he met with intelligent minds, doesn’t mean he listened to them…we’ve all heard Kanye can have a bit of an ego… At least he puts his money where his mouth is?

On the bright side, the strappy heels were pretty cute!  What do you think of Kanye West’s first attempt at designing?

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[images via Style.com]

via Getty Images

Commencing with a tribal style instrumental version of the favored Adele tune, Karmen Pedaru opened the show in sage shorts and a complimenting large linen sage serape with Simon Nessman (both current faces of the brand). The audience was immediately taken on a voyage to Africa with the laid back high fashion looks that were described as, “Afriluxe.” The designer’s use of rustic textures, leopard and snakeskin prints alongside flowing silhouettes evoked a wildness in everyone. The music switched up to Florence + The Machine’s “Drumming Song” and these feelings carried over to the menswear, which consisted of a utilitarian on vacation vibe. Cargo pants, olive hues, and messenger bags were seen throughout on the male models.

Karmen Pedaru with Simon Nessman opening Michael Kors

A few standout pieces included a leopard hand painted feathered shift dress rocked by Daphne Groeneveld (left), an ivory wind coat and matching swimsuit worn by Karolina Kurkova (center), and an olive linen hand dyed trench on Karlie Kloss (right). However, it was an impala python print swimsuit which really got everyone’s taste buds slithering.

Kors’ all star model lineup also included Arizona Muse, Erin Wasson, Jourdan Dunn, Izabel Goulart, Liu Wen, Lindsey Wixson, Fei Fei Sun, Frida Gustavsson, Hilary Rhoda, and Hanne Gaby Odiele. Their pulled back hair and natural makeup looks perfectly coupled the raw jungle aesthetic. Hair stylist Orlando Pita and makeup artist Dick Page took care of all of the models backstage.

Kors is a designer who has worked hard for his achievements, but continues to stay true to his chic sporty look that the world has come to adore. So I ask… Who’s ready to go on safari?

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Having followed Prabal Gurung‘s career for a few years now, the designer continues to appeal to all types of women and his popularity is getting to be as big as Nicki Minaj’s hair – literally. The singer paraded into Gurung’s NYFW show today with paparazzi swarming around her. Trailing behind and making a much more delicate entrance was actress Amanda Seyfried, who was seated close to Minaj. It takes imagination and a unique comprehension of a woman’s body to appeal to both of these celebrities, which Gurung has, not to mention the designer has dressed everyone from Michelle Obama to Zoe Saldana.

Anna Wintour was vacant from this showing, yet the Vogue presence remained a powerhouse with Andre Leon Talley, Grace Coddington, and Hamish Bowles front row. Elle’s creative director Joe Zee sat with the mag’s editor-in-chief Robbie Myers, while we also spotted Brad Goreski, Bryan Boy, Steven Kolb, Derek Blasberg, Mickey Boardman, and Imran Amed in the audience.

Karlie Kloss

The designer’s pre-show tweets gave us a preview of the looks, so we knew to anticipate shades of violet. Of course in true Gurung fashion, always expect the unexpected as fierce sheer cutout pieces came down the catwalk. Metallics yelled at the audience and reflected the wearer’s dominance over the crowd. The designer’s collection transformed from flirty into a dagger of seductive reality before coming full circle with immaculately detailed tulle accented silk gowns. The garments encompassed the empowering effect of romance, whether that be with another person or your wardrobe.

On the runway coveted model Karlie Kloss wowed in a sheer cutout black gown which was sex and drama in clothing form. Kloss even gave a slight smirk down the runway before greeting photog flashes. Also walking for Gurung we spotted Lindsey Wixson, Arizona Muse, Liu Wen, Jourdan Dunn, Nimue Smit, and Sui He. Each model had noticeably slicked back locks and bold lipstick, while their face makeup remained natural with a light sheen thanks to makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury.

Showgoers knew they were witnessing something amazing. As you can tell by the finale music in the video above the occasion felt momentous; Boardman even tweeted that he cried. If there’s something we’ve learned from his shows throughout the years, it’s that Prabal Gurung is a designer who has a way of taking pieces women would normally fear and morph their fright into desire. As you can see by his mixed clientele, he’s good at having his way with the ladies and he can totally have his way with me any day.

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There isn’t one day that passes where I totally regret not snapping a photo of the stunningly gorgeous Karlie Kloss, who I randomly spotted at a Starbucks this past Fashion Week. Of course, if you’re anywhere around Lincoln Center during that time you are bound to see models, but Karlie isn’t just any model… At only 18, her resume is so impressive that she has major potential to follow the path of some of the modeling world’s greatest! And although there is now rumor floating around that she is romantically linked to Joe Jonas, her love life in no way seems to be affecting her booming career.

Miss Kloss signed on as the face of Oscar de la Renta’s Fall 2011 campaign shot by Craig McDean, this being her fourth consecutive campaign for the brand. And now she also stars in the latest ads for Bally alongside Caroline Trentini and Nico Malleville, shot by Steven Meisel. Check the video below for a behind the scenes peek at the shoot! Which campaign do you think Kloss killed it in? Oscar de la Renta or Bally? (I’m calling it a tie.)

According to the Telegraph, “while Anna’s at the helm of US Vogue, it will remain an Alaïa-free zone. All US Vogue staff were banned from attending his couture presentation yesterday, both by Wintour and by Alaïa, who also huffed that the publication never supports him anyway, “She hasn’t photographed my work in years even if I am a best seller in the U.S. and I have 140 square meters at Barneys. American women love me; I don’t need her support at all.”

Perhaps Wintour, who attended the premiere with her niece, is secretly a huge Harry Potter fan? (we bet she’s already on Pottermore.) Besides who needs Vogue when you have noteworthy guests such as Kanye West, Donatella Versace, and Sofia Coppola (whose wedding dress could be Alaïa designed) at your show?

On the catwalk models Karlie Kloss, Sigrid Agren, Karmen Pedaru, Hailey Clauson, Sasha Pivovarova, and Arizona Muse (to name a few) all strutted the Tunisian designer’s latest looks. The collection commenced with meticulously tailored variations of the coat-dress and transitioned to noir gowns with sheer and ruffled accents. The coat-dresses need to grow on us, but the sharpness of the formal dresses and their subtle, yet impactful detailing are reasons Alaïa has remained a high fashion staple for so long…sorry Anna.

Which would you choose: Azzedine Alaïa’s couture show or the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part Two premiere? Well, unfortunately we can’t give you access to the film, but you can see his couture collection below.

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[source, images]

Derek Lam chose Willow Smith. He said, “Naturally talented, charismatic, unblemished optimism, with the whole wide world open to her possibilites and abilities. I think she is the future-forward American icon.”

Jason Wu said of model Karlie Kloss, “I have known Karlie since she was sixteen. As fierce as her runway presence is, she still has the personality of that girl-next-door from St. Louis.”

Michael Kors said of Michelle Obama, the first lady, “She is the quintessential triple threat: stylish, smart and strong, all at once.”

Who else made the cut besides these three?

David Neville (of Rag & Bone) chose Gisele Bundchen

Diane von Furstenberg chose Rooney Mara

Marcus Wainwright (of Rag & Bone) chose Cate Blanchette

Maria Cornejo chose Christy Turlington

Narcisco Rodriguez chose Hanneli Mustaparta

Peter Som chose Shala Monroque

Tommy Hilfliger chose Katy Perry & Taylor Swift

And lastly, Tory Burch chose Michelle Williams

Is there someone missing? Tell us in the comment box below.

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Fire-eyed glamour, flowery fetes, and Parisian chic are themes we’re used to seeing from Christian Dior Couture and their former creative director John Galliano, but their newest collection sans Galliano left the fashion crowd scratching their heads. Taking the reigns over designing the collection was Bill Gaytten, Galliano’s former assistant (now studio director), and assistant Susanna Venegas. Surprisingly neither of these designer names have been on anyones lips as potential creative directors for the brand.

Gaytten took some risks with flamboyant prints and shapes along with some exuberantly large dresses- especially Karlie Kloss‘ closing number above. The couture looks clearly have a much more youthful look, but that’s not always a good thing; think about the mature audience would potentially wear the pieces, I don’t think they want to dress like Katy Perry.

The collection was far too Galliano influenced, an aesthetic the label and its followers may be wanting to do away with…perhaps that’s why they haven’t been mentioned as replacements? It’s clearly time for something new that doesn’t fall along the lines of a modern couture circus.

I suppose this is a sufficient showing until house can get itself together, but why should a high fashion luxury brand even have an interim collection?! Shouldn’t this designer game be over already?

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[via WWD]

Look, I am all for fashion on a budget and I don’t mind dropping a pretty penny on clothes or accessories as long as the quality is good, which is why recently I vowed to stick to vintage and higher end stores. After my horrible experience with Urban Outfitters, I have decided to be a lot more careful when it comes to quality and fashion as a whole. That being said, I have found myself favoring more mature looks from J.Crew (especially their Fall 2011 collection), Zara and the fabulous (and most reasonably priced) H&M.

And it appears as if H&M is stepping up their game for the Fall not just in terms of design but in terms of models as well. They recently tapped Gisele Bündchen now they’ve gotten it-girl of the moment (and girl crush) Karlie Kloss to work it for their Fall 2011 lookbook. Kloss, who recently walked at Chanel’s 2012 Cruise looks gorgeous! Her deep dark slick hair and wine colored lips totally compliment all the neutrals, oranges and turquoises we can expect to see from the brand for fall! What do you think?

To view more of Kloss and H&M, head to MyFDB!

It seemed as if everyone who was anyone in the fashion industry fled to Cannes, France yesterday for a fashionable getaway; and rightfully so, as Chanel‘s Cruise 2012 was the call for the celebration. Celebrities and muses such as Vanessa Paradis, Blake Lively, Rachel Bilson, Alexa Chung and Carine Roitfeld were in attendance and looking fabulous, but of course.

According to WWD, “the collection was presented yesterday evening just before sundown. This was Lagerfeld‘s second year presenting in the South of France to which he was quoted saying “Cruise is always about going away.”

And “get away” the collection did, as it was quite the contrast in comparison to last May 2010′s showing of looks which were embellished and Bohemian. The show opened with chic suits in pastels such as yellow and purple and then slowly made it’s way into classic black and white tweed looks the house is known for, accompanied by stripes and a more elitist look to that of the idea of “cruise”. Models Abbey Lee Kershaw, Stella Tennant, Baptiste Giabiconi (muse and chocolate lover) and Karlie Kloss were just a few spotted working the runway.

As much as I am not a fan of color-blocking, Lagerfeld seems to have it mastered in the latest collection with symmetrical style pieces color-blocked in black and white (yes, I am counting black and white as actual colors). Mid show, florals and more romantic patterns and cuts made of chiffon and embellished in pearls began to emerge but not before it was back to black and white cap-sleeve dresses, suits and other lightweight items.

The collection, one which was crisp and fresh, showed that as casual as a cruise collection can be, it will always be more classic and chic for the House of Chanel as long as Lagerfeld is at the helm…and that’s not such a bad thing.

Check out the gallery below for more Chanel Cruise 2012 chicness!

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Prada has literally been seen EVERYWHERE this season…from stripes, to bananas, to bright minks to huge floppy hats, I can’t get enough of the pure genius that is Miuccia Prada. And now it appears one floppy hat is getting a little friendly with models Karlie Kloss and Jourdan Dunn. It acts as not only one of this season’s hottest accessories, but also a cover-up for Kloss & Dunn on the latest cover of i-D.

If you think both friends are covering up for the mathcing spread, you’re wrong. The two bravely bare it all while captured by the talented Kayt Jones. Look, as much as I love my bff, I don’t know if I could go clothes-less, but maybe when you look as fabulous as Kloss and Dunn, it’s alright?

Peep the team behind the scene and the rest of the editorial on MyFDB!

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