Curious how to bridge seasons and continue wearing the fabulous studded ankle boots of AW 2009?  Pop in a peep-toe, swap zippers for laces and grommets, and consider olive or khaki hued boots instead!

Styles to snag now for spring and summer:  see below.

Isabeli Fontana and Sasha Pivovarova looking leggy in Guiseppe Zanotti ankle boots.

Isabelli, Sasha and Liya Kebede in Alexander Wang’s new lambskin Freja booties $675 www.alexanderwang.com.

If you feel entirely up to the style challenge of full on military, Lily Donaldson and Liya are rocking Kaufman’s Army & Navy gear, sold here.

Garance, I conquer.  For spring, khaki is so the new noir.  Military lace-up boots are the NEW studded black ankle boot.

Photos:  Military Issue: Lily Donaldson, Sasha Pivovarova, Isabeli Fontana, Liya Kebede by Mario Testino in US Vogue March 2010

beaucoup de neige!

I thought this post would chronicle my current moment of tranquility, as I’m home with family with nothing more to occupy my time than my D90, studded boots and the several inches of snow.  Work it out there with wool leggings, big coats, lots of layers, hats, gloves, and of course – a fabulous pair of shoes.  Just watch your step!

Just a quick post – awaiting the AW 10 collection, I have been browsing the SS ’10 Balmain collection that debuted in October.  Beautiful, simple and commanding.  The perfect way to bridge the ice of winter with the moisture and regeneration of spring.  For Spring 2010 – pass on pastels and focus your sights on the chrome-toned sharply designed military monochromatic pieces inspired by Balmain.

The strong-shoulder, monochrome shine, leather (or faux, s’il vous plaît) wrapping and strapping, studded accents meet Grecian wrapping and asymetrical balance.

Dewey-faced models with happy yet stoic faces marched strongly down a white runway, a parade of militaristic style.

Freja Beha Erichsen (IMG) marching in military olive denim, note the Frankenstein stitching accents.

Isabelli Fontana wearing a hybrid gladiator skirt and spider web garment, that borders precariously close to Xena.  To be frank, I don’t mind the homage to the warrior princess.  Darretta – this is for you.

Anja Rubik – I have to say, I debated posting you. I just love this dress.  However, Miss Rubik’s hipbones could cut glass.  I would like to personally reward her with a Magnolia cupcake for being so fierce.

Michael Kors’ girl – Carmen Kass – displaying the signature military jackets that have become the staple of Balmain collections – and knockoffs.

Thanks to the designs of Christophe Decarnin, Balmain gives a clear design guide for spring.  Again ladies and gentlemen, pass on pastels.  Save them for Fall…Just ask Louis Vuitton.

&

One of my first moments in which I felt welcome in the industry will always be a memory that is inextricably linked with McQueen.

After my freshman year of college, I moved into a model apartment on the Upper East Side.  It was a brownstone, and I felt like a veritable Carrie Bradshaw dancing down the six steps to the sidewalk, where the concrete was cracked by the large root of the tree that leaned over 81st Street.

With a fresh cut from beloved Jenny Balding at Cutler (the beginning of a long relationship of trust! Refused to trim my hair while living in Paris, for fear of ruining Jenny’s perpetually perfect work), I walked into Redken’s Fifth Avenue headquarters for a runway casting.   I tried to internalize my agent’s advice, “Project that you already have the job.  They’ll believe you.”

They did!

After a day of paid prep at 565 Fifth Avenue, I rode the 3rd Avenue bus back uptown.  I love taking the bus in Manhattan.  The M79 Crosstown was a particular favorite, as my frequent trips to a friend on the UWS also meant the peaceful ride through Central Park.

The next morning, back to Redken for final wardrobe fittings.  Here is where Alexander McQueen entered my life.

Looking at my newly darkened brunette hair, Angel DelSolar, PureOlogy/Redken genius, said, quite breathlessly, to his assistant, “Bring me the McQueen.”

My heart rate accellerated.  McQueen?  Alexander…McQUEEN?  No.

I couldn’t be wearing a McQueen.

Two hours later, all the models had been fitted.  Off to the downtown showroom for the Anniversary of a collaborating company that works behind the scenes with Redken, PureOlogy, and other salon product lines.

For one of my quickest successes, earliest moments of approval in the industry that had, until that point, been akin to a sudden drop and a short stop, Alexander McQueen’s lace gown, with it’s leather neck strap and tight belted waist, became a powerful symbol of encouragement and acceptance.  And for that – I fell in love with his collections even more.

I was sitting on my bed a few days ago, when my roommate Kik walked up to the side of my bed.  She looked down, and saw the screen of my MacBook Pro.

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN, AGE 40…

“Catherine…I heard.  Are you alright?”

The fashion industry is shaken and hurt with the passing of Lee Alexander McQueen.  May he rest in peace, aware of the power of his art – on the runway, in print, and in the hands of a model beginning her career.

Paying tribute to McQueen at Fashion for Relief – Haiti.

The Final Walk :  NYFW A/W 2010 in Bryant Park.

FASHION FOR HAITI.

WEAR YOUR SUPPORT.

To purchase, click here.

For more information, click here for CFDA.

The success of this blog has been amazing! THANK YOU to everyone who has been visiting, reading and enjoying the posts. My press pass for NYFW resulted in these photos, which I hope capture the air of Bryant Park, for the final walk. In September, the Spring Summer 2011 shows will move to Lincoln Center, to take up residence with the other art forms that, along with fashion, give New York City life.

FOR MORE OF MY NEW YORK FASHION WEEK PHOTOS – KEEP READING.

The Final Walk at Bryant Park.

Modelinia! www.twitter.com/modelinia

Model and girlfriend of Kanye West, Amber Rose backstage at Nicole Miller, wearing amazing Alexander Wang boots.

Heidi Mount (IMG)

Irina Kulikova shares an endearing moment with a photographer, as he shows her an album of his favorite photos he has shot of models. She smiles seeing one he shot of her during a previous season.

Kati Stern walking into The Salon at Bryant Park – for her show at 9pm.

VENEXIANA by KATI STERN. (Followed closely by the look-board for her show.)

Designer Dennis Basso, left.

Editors of Harper’s Bazaar

I’ve featured NAMES TO KNOW:  TOMMY TON, HANNELI, GARANCE DORE, YVAN RODIC…STYLE.COM SMARTLY CONSOLIDATES THEM, WITH OTHER INFLUENTIAL STYLE BLOGGERS.  BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE VOGUE SHOOT:  LOGGED ON.

Next NAME TO KNOW:  BRYANBOY.

Handsome. He must have read my circle scarf post…

Not sure what I j’adore most about this look – the bow tie, the pairing of plaids, or the Lagerfeld pin. The amazing pink heels in the first photo are adorning the feet of Anna Dello Russo, Fashion Director at Large for Vogue Nippon.

These photographs are currently profiled on Style.com, and they are the work of Tommy Ton. The previous shots are from Milan, see the entire collection here.

This is Lily Donaldson – and she is wearing my beloved Ray Ban Clubmaster shades. It was a stunning day in Paris this past October, and Tommy caught some of the most beautiful moments of style.

Jardin des Tuileries, Paris. Paris Fashion Week S/S ’10.

Place Vendôme is a square in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, France, located to the north of the Tuileries Gardens. Home to the Paris Ritz, Chanel, Dior, among others. The feeling here la nuit est magnifique.

Known throughout the blog and hardcore fashion world for his sweet personality, Tommy’s ability to capture breathtaking moments of style in real-time has put him on the map.

Katie Shillingford, clad in chains.

Something special about Tommy’s work is the wow-factor that so many of his images wield. During fashion weeks, street-style abounds. However, an outfit disappears at the end of the day. A well placed accessory (or five) has a surprising POP against the backdrop of a cobblestone street in Paris, or in contrast to a yellow New York City taxi.

Anna Dello Russo, Vogue Nippon.

Fashion, events, and places can be crystallized through photography.

It’s all about paying attention.

Hanneli, personal friend of Tommy, waltzing and giggling with a friend.

Fabulous Karl Lagerfeld tote

Leigh Lezark, Model/DJ and style muse.

Tommy Ton, shot by Hanneli Mustaparta. Wearing amazing boots by Alexander Wang.

Tommy has collaborated with ComplexGeometries, Lane Crawford, and others. He recently took over for Scott Schuman as Style.com’s Fashion Month photographer.

For more on Tommy…

JAK & JIL BLOG

The Business of Fashion

The Cut: New York Magazine

GQ

PS: Looking through JAK & JIL Blog, I just discovered this photo, that had previously gone unseen. Tommy dearest, we were standing next to eachother at the Valentino show in Paris in October, and congrats on getting a much better shot of Natalia & Justin than I was able to muster!

http://jakandjil.com/blog/?p=3548

The February 2010 issue of Harper’s Bazaar is absolutely flawless.

Well, as long as the reader doesn’t have a problem with Miley Cyrus.  Shot by Peter Lindbergh, she looks beautiful on the royal blue cover.

The issue opens to beautiful spring ad campaigns, stand-outs including St. John’s pale beauty with flaming red curls, and Bluemarine’s spread, splashed across three double-sized pages featuring the lovely Doutzen Kroes.   Steven Klein’s representation of Madonna for Dolce & Gabanna is intimate – as we see the musical icon represented as an Italian housewife.

Dior’s mysteriously monochromatic campaign displays American model Karlie Kloss, looking very much like a young temptress who set her sights Don Draper – and landed the ad.

Photographer Steven Meisel captures a disarming sophistication in Kloss.

I should have seen this campaign coming back in October – seventeen year old Karlie sashayed by me in Jardin des Tuileries after the show, an absolute vision with her pale complexion and bold red lip.

Now, onto the editorial that took my breath away.  Well, I was on the treadmill when I first opened the issue, so granted, I was already at a loss for breath.

My point?  Camilla Akrans photography is delightful, fresh, and powerful.

Models: Regina Feoktistova and Amanda Norgaard
Photographer: Camilla Akrans
Hair: Miki for Tresemmé
Makeup: Wendy Rowe
Manicure: Kimmie Kyees
Stylist: Brana Wolf

cette photo est la perfection.  shoes:  alexander mcqueen SS’10

These unbelievable Alexander McQueen shoes made their debut on the Paris runway in October, while Lady Gaga played loudly, imbuing the models with the confidence to carry off the soaring shoes.

Recognize this Chanel dress on the left? Of course you do!  Diane Kruger wore it when she announced the nominations for the 67th Annual Golden Globes, in December 2009 – two months after the garment made its debut during Karl Lagerfeld’s brilliant farm foliage focused fashion show in Paris.

Lancome girl Arlenis Sosa goes for a ride in her colorful spring ensemble.

While the entire February ’10 issue is visually captivating, perhaps the most moving feature lies on pages 115 and 116.

“From Torture to Triumph” describes model-activist Waris Dirie, and her fight to end female genital mutilation. Liya Kebede will play Waris in the upcoming film, Desert Flower.

To read the article in this issue of Harper’s Bazaar, click here.

For more information on FGM and the campaign to end it forever, follow this link to UNICEF.