VICTORIA BECKHAM returns for Spring 2011 with a looser, but shapely and still sexy silhouette. There is no mistaking the feminine body conscious shapes that have become her trademark. She has shown us that she is quite capable of producing very alluring and salable collections while sticking to her original design philosophy.

MONIQUE LHUILLIER is well known for red carpet confections and bridal gowns, this season she revs it up for those camera ready moments. From cocktails to drop dead evening extravagance, Ms. Lhuillier has kept the bar high for any occasion after 5 PM.

RALPH LAUREN consistently delivers incredible collections season after season and is forever mining the archives and refining his designs until they are perfection. The urbane couture cowgirl for Spring is no exception. In pristine whites, beiges browns and silver think of prairie skirts, suedes, cottons, concha belts, whip stitching, cavalry shirts, ruffles, lace, Navajo patterns and then just throw in some bugle beads and silver lame and you have all the ingredients of the collection. There is no stone unturned and not one element missed. He cannot be praised enough for salable, chic, endlessly appealing collections.

OSCAR de la RENTA remains the favorite for socials, starlets and the perennial best dressed ladies of the world. The pinks, the neutrals, the crispness of black and white and a few nods to Chanel will keep Mr. de la Renta enthroned for a while longer. He certainly has accentuated the waist and maybe even brought a bit of retro to the collection but nothing gets in the way of his exquisite gowns and those Latin influenced ruffle numbers.

NARCISO RODRIGUEZ might need to examine this collection and ask why. His usual structural and architectural looks were replaced by a bunch of disappointingly soft and slouchy looks. Yes, it is Spring and no one wants to be harnessed in to some tight ass constructed garment but there has to be some common ground between what he presented and what was his usual fare.

REED KARKOFF is insistent on being a designer entity unto himself despite his success with Coach. In his namesake collection, which is in its second season, the DNA has not yet been fully developed and that’s where the issues begin. One can assume that the collection will remain on its minimalist path but when Mr. Krakoff veers off that path, then we see trouble. Again we see the folds and the origami work of so many collections but here we see it become clumsy. Even his use of red jolts us as with his black: they become odious under his hand.

STEPHEN BURROWS has presented Spring 2011 in a very relaxed, if not amateurish setting and seems to have lost his way. This is the man who was king of sexy matte jersey and the King of Henri Bendel when Geraldine Stutz ruled the roost. He would be far wiser and certainly better received if he would only dig into the archives, as so many have done and continue to do, and give it a fresh twist. So much more is expected from a designer of this caliber.

Don’t forget to check in with www.style.com for full photo coverage of all the collections and you can always find me on Facebook  as well as http://jeffybruce.blogspot.com/  and now at http://www.examiner.com/user/2062506/2038116/articles  so please subscribe.

VICTORIA BECKHAM

MONIQUE LHUILLIER

RALPH LAUREN

OSCAR de la RENTA

NARCISO RODRIGUEZ

STEPHEN BURROWS

REED KRAKOFF

Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren

Ralph Rucci

Ralph Rucci

Oscar de la Renta

Oscar de la Renta

For the premiere of Fashion By the Rules, I would like to invite you to my overview of the New York Spring Collections for 2010.

The New York  trends for the season, which I know seems very far away, are not set in stone so use them as a guideline to make your personal statement  for Spring 2010.

As Kay Thompson said —“Think Pink”….but think blush pink on its own or mixed with white or black or beige……then think prints…..bold prints and not those little ditsy florals …polka dots and or spectator looks of color with white………these are Spring staples and you cannot go wrong even if you stick to the basics.

Next up is the waist ……….it has made a come back for Fall 2009 and continues to Spring 2010.  Your choice is to cinch it or suggest it….belts have made their comeback  and so have shaped dresses or pant or skirt with blouse or tee but tucked into the bottom of choice. Dresses range from shirtwaists to shifts to serpentine seamed sheaths that define every curve….your choice !

Travelling south , we get to everyone’s favorite …shoes!!  My feeling is that while many designers showed platformed heels(sandal or pump), I personally feel that a less “heavy” looking shoes is more correct so that you are not weighed down ….I am a big fan of regular sandals(not the gladiator variety) whether they are flat, mid heel, or stiletto as they all have a look but try to keep the color of the shoe on the light side, even if its metallic……of course black is acceptable but always be aware that a heavy closed up pump or worse yet “booty” can kill a stellar outfit.

Always remember that these shows are geared towards press and present an overall mood of each collection…they are in no way meant to be carried out to the letter.  You should take the time to review several of the shows on style.com—-it’s always educational to see each designer’s unique vision.  My favorites are Chado by Ralph Rucci , Oscar de la Renta. Ralph Lauren and Marc Jacobs who is proof that the vision and the reality are 2 different things—–all photos courtesy of www.style.com

Diane von Furstenburg

Diane von Furstenburg

Erin Fetherston

It’s that time again, this week’s trend report is the official Oligoville Resort Report. With dozens of amazing designers presenting dazzling accessories, handbags and threads we had to pick a few of our faves to share with you.

While neutrals are present in many Resort collections, I must respectfully look the other way. Nothing against the hues, but as you ladies know, I’m just not a neutral kind of girl.

This resort reprt is all about color and  here are some of my top selections from the trends this year.

Best of Resort #1: Candy Colors

Sonia Rykiel shorts (Mimosa, anyone?)

Prada Clutch:

Ralph Lauren Collection dress:

Best of Resort #2: Turquoise

Oscar de la Renta:

‘

Chanel (of course) and a Frette towel:

Roberto Cavalli Ring:

Best of Resort #3: Navy and Gold

French Connection top:

Miu Miu Sunglasses:

Proenza Schouler sandal (so hot):

So those are some of my top pieces, but what about complete collections?

A savvy fashionista from NY divulges her top designers, which I must respect and agree with her insider opinion: “[My] three favorite collections shown at New York during Resort 2009 fashion week dazzled me with their lovely, feminine sophistication note. First of all I love their chromatic palettes: white and off-white, grey, rose, crimson red, midnight blue, navy and black and the subtle refinement of the delicate details: ruffles, draping and other embellishments. These are clothes to keep in your wardrobe forever and not just for one holiday.

Carolina Herrera, recently granted with Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award at CFDA, brought out an impeccable chic collection, as always, though with a cheerful, breezy note, perfect for resort: orchid print, wide-leg fluid trousers, sheath dresses with delicate frills, long gowns with bold prints…simply stunning.

Carolina Herrera Resort 2009

Donna Karan showed a romantic resort collection that included delicate pieces in soft makeup colors – blushes, pinks and nudes – emphasized by deep black. Soft fabrics and different textures are cut into gently bubbled silhouettes. Draping or feminine embellishments such as bows add a lot of chic appeal while those breathtaking one-shouldered draped gowns in jersey and silk make you wish a never-ending holiday.

Donna Karan Resort 2009

Zac Posen‘s resort collection is just as lovely and chic and, most of all, very wide-range reaching all sort of sartorial needs that might occur during vacation time. Cocktail dresses with floral prints for outdoor parties, crisp tennis whites for smart looks, loose garments for strolls on a beach and even short dance frocks or Grecian evening gowns.”

Zac Posen Resort 2009

While I won’t be sporting these looks at the lake on this holiday, maybe some of you will at more glamorous locations. These Resort picks are styles that will keep you on the edge of fashion whether you are in the Hamptons, on the beach or staying haute in the City.

XOXO

Hallelujah! It’s official, the battle between the defined versus the undefined waist is over! Accentuating your waist and creating curves is a classy (and sexy) fashion trend this fall, and in my opinion is always in style.

Earlier this month The Cut revealed the hottest upcoming trends and defining your waist made the list as as one of the top 9 trends of the season, “The waist is in for fall. Belts will come large, thin, and corseted — a little something for everyone. Balenciaga’s waist is sashed, feminine, defined, and girlie. Lanvin showed a skinny belt that was a nice color contrast with the dresses. Ann Demeulemeester’s corseted version has a twinge of S&M: slightly naughty and dangerous. If you needed any confirmation, Michelle Obama’s already wearing buckled belts frequently.”

Here is a gorgeous and sleek interpretation of how to clinch your waist by Oscar de La Renta.

One fashionista loves the idea of this Fall trend and describes it as, “So Mad-Men-meets-June-Cleaver but with a modern sensibility.” I couldn’t have said it better. “Belts that emphasized the waist, volume that’s been controlled via pleats, darts or tucks and skinny pants are all part of a bigger trend: the sleek silhouette.”

Let me also point out a trend: Michelle Obama as a new fashion icon. Her style caught our eye during the campaign and now she is bringing classic looks back into the White House and into our closets. You can’t ignore her power and grace in her array of J. Crew threads; we can’t keep our eyes off of her! The truth is, a sleek silhouette and a belted, clinched feminine waist is far from a new discovery. Michelle Obama is bringing back a 50′s sense of style that we haven’t seen executed so well since Jackie Kennedy.

And I can’t be happier! I hope this is the end of the bag-like dresses that hang shapeless from our bodies that don’t even look that appealing hanging from the walls of our favorite stores.

And I cannot talk about the skill of clinching your waist without mentioning one of my favorite fashion icons: Grace Kelly who effortlessly always looks fabulous and divine. Some of my favorite wardrobe selections comes from the movie Rear Window, a classic Hitchcock thriller where Kelly paired with James Stewart as well as some gorgeous dresses.

Here is just one amazing dress she wore in the flick:

I personally was inspired by Mrs. Obama and Ms. Kelly two weeks ago while shopping for a daytime wedding,  always a difficult task (especially with the ever-changing weather in Texas). I ignored my urges to select a dress from the popular colors this spring and instead chose a classic, yet unexpected piece doing some last minute shopping. My eyes fell on a sateen stretch color block dress by DKNY and I had to try it on. It was strapless– a risk for sure– but grabbed my size and carried my new find determined to the dressing room.  Amazingly, it fit perfectly. When does that happen? The store attendant said it was sassy, and it was.

Simple and classy. White on top with a black accent around the waist that hit at the perfect place. The bottom was slimming and the best part is that it has pockets, how fun.

Well, maybe the best part was that it was actually on sale, further justifying my purchase that I had already been running through all the different examples of how I could re-use this classic dress. Which meant I could buy a fabulous pair of  Marc Fisher “Samelia” pumps: black leather ice snake to be exact. I realize I am sounding a bit like the character from Confessions of a Shopaholic, but with my savings from the dress it’s as if the shoes were free!

Mr. Fisher describes them as, “ A glam pump that’s perfect for making an entrance.” And did I ever. I little flare on my feet to pair with my DKNY waist clinching love. If I felt any better I would have been the bride.

XOXO

The day after Barack Obama’s presidential win, the headlines weren’t just about the new milestone our country had just experienced … it was about Michelle Obama’s dress on that historic night.

I applaud our future first lady for this choice and others she has made, that push the envelope and introduce the country and the world to designers they wouldn’t have necessarily come across otherwise. Her bold choices are a sign of independence, confidence and gusto … BRAVO !!

The future of our country seems to be laying in the hands of Obama …Mrs. Obama that is.What will decide this future? The dress she dons on January 20, 2009 for her husband’s inauguration. Of course, we all know what you wear makes a huge impression, but to have so much riding on it is unprecedented. Her choice will signify hope, promise, and for sure influence women everywhere in their fashion choices. Designers will use Michelle as a muse, and inspiration will trickle to the runways for seasons to come.

Oscar de la Renta

Many believe her choice should be an American designer, and I agree. It should stimulate excitement for the garment industry in the US, which is especially feeling the strains of the economy. There is a very delicate balance to focus on. The coveted choice Michelle makes shouldn’t be too over the top, alienating the more conservative mass, yet with her obvious youth and spunk … a fun, fabulous, slightly risky pick would be perfect.

Oscar de la Renta has been a first lady favorite for years, with Laura Bush as a huge fan and before her Hillary Clinton.

Tracy Reese

There’s Diane von Furstenberg,  Calvin Klein, Marc Jacobs, Carolina Herrera, Phillip Lim, Peter Som, Rodarte, Nicole Miller, amongst others.

Tracy Reese would be an amazing choice; being a successful, accomplished African-American woman, very similar to our future first lady. Not to mention her designs are simply stunning.

Nicole Miller

Michael Kors has national recognition with his Project Runway fame; his designs are clean, classy and crisp, sophisticated and spectacular. He also is accessible, with a bridge line Michael Michael Kors … making him attainable for the masses, and the pick I am pushing for !!

Carolina Herrera

Quelle colour? Michelle looks amazing in most tones. Purple seems to be her color of choice. Blue would be absolutely appropriate, Red might be too much after her election night pick, and Black might be too basic.

Rachel Roy

In this case, and always: Understated elegance is always best.

She also has her two daughters to keep in mind, Sasha and Malia. They always seem to blend perfectly, with few words; their wardrobe often speaks to their individual and unique personalities.

Rodarte

Now that the election is over, and our choice for president has been made, the question is: What will Michelle wear? I can’t wait to see for myself …

Article written by Alana Kelen, Head stylist for VH1