Fall 2011 Fashion Trends: Rebecca Minkoff

Rebecca Minkoff's strategy is simple and effective: She designs clothes that cool girls, like herself, want to wear. The cool girl she had in mind for Fall was the model Charlotte Kemp Muhl, who is recognized equally for her experimental street style and for her relationship with Sean Lennon. The couple, a.k.a. The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger, performed during Minkoff's first runway show for guests including Agyness Deyn and Albert Hammond, Jr.

Of note here was a metallic twill bomber with leather sleeves and fox fur at the neck. And to match: tough drainpipe pants with snakeskin patches on the knees. On the other end of the spectrum were super-feminine, sweeping dresses in watercolor patterns with hints of burnout velvet, and slouchy sweaters that just slip off the shoulder. (Minkoff recently added knits to her offerings.) One could picture Lennon's lady rocking racy lace pants with a bodysuit and boyfriend blazer, or a leopard-print silk jumpsuit. But not all of Minkoff's customers are as uninhibited, so there was a swingy trench with an exaggerated collar and leather trim that would bring just the right amount of edge to the table. And let's not forget about the designer's trump card: accessories. Fans can add a mini quilted chain-handle bag or pony-hair stirrup boots to their growing collections.

The Cat's Eye is Your Eye

Sick of Wayfarers, circle shades, or—god forbid—aviators? If your sunglasses game is edgier than most, you might be first to rock the futuristic cat-eye shape, originally made popular by Alexander Wang's pointy creations with Linda Farrow. Nowadays, you can get a myriad of iterations for chump change. Take theseSpitfire shades, for example. All cash in under $50 and come in shapes so fun, you might want to snatch up a fistful.

Fall Jewelry Trends to Try Now

When a girl is feeling less-than-festive, a beautiful piece of jewelry is all she needs to give her wardrobe that kick-in-the-seat it needs. Fall's runways were chock-a-block with exciting—but wearable—jewelry trends that work for summer, too. From statement jewelry that'll liven up a black T-shirt to an earring style that you haven't thought about for awhile, these are the bits and baubles to start adding to your jewelry box.

Chunky Filigree—A new trend popping up on the fall runways was the ghost of statement jewelry from seasons past: Take the wild curves and oversized shapes from last year and boil them down to pure form, and you've got a fresh spin on head-turning jewels. We like nearly 2D curlicues in a wild color.

Above, from left: Proenza Schouler fall '11, image via Style.com; Moschitto Designs Filigree Cuff, $38, available atNordstrom; Bellissima Lim Drop Earrings, $45, available at Max & Chloe; Bottega Veneta Cameo Ring, $2,480, available at Net-a-Porter.

Hang Long—Maxi-dresses are definitely having a moment, but why should they hog all the fun? Extra-long duster earrings are sure to turn heads. Go on, dust your shoulders off!

Above, from left: Oscar De La Renta fall '11, image via Style.com; Citrine by the Stones Pom Pom Earrings, $250, available at Shopbop; Ben-Amun Linear Crystal Earrings, $145, available at Max and Chloe; House of Harlow Gold Colin Earrings, $98, available at Charm & Chain.

Neon Brights—Neon is the trend-du-jour for spring, but take it over to the jewelry department and you'll end up with eye-popping pieces that will look great with heavy neutrals in fall and winter.

Above, from left: Anna Sui fall '11, image via Style.com; Nixon Time Teller Watch, $60, available at Tobi; Marc by Marc Jacobs Bow Ring, $68, available at Zappos; Kenneth Jay Lane Coral Link Necklace, $80, available at Shopbop.

Botanica Goes Bronze—Florals aren't exactly new news in fashion, but they're shaking up the jewelry box with this new take that gives branches, flowers, and leaves a makeover straight out of the Bronze Age. Go for ornate pieces that teeter just on the edge of gaudy in a good way.

Above, from left: Lanvin fall '11, image via Style.com; Modcloth Enchantment of a Ring, $13.99, available at Modcloth; UOTiny Rose Necklace, $18, available at Urban Outfitters; Allison Daniel Wrapped Leaf Cuff, $88, available at Max and Chloe.

Architectural Chokers—These necklaces will have you cursing the day you threw out all the chokers you collected during your Spice Girls phase in the '90s. From delicate chains to hard-core metal cuffs that balance on your collarbone, chokers add serious style cred to any wardrobe. 

Above, from left: Michael Kors fall '11, image via Style.com; Forever 21 Snake Chain Choker, $14.80, available at Forever 21; Anndra Neen Barrel Choker, $625, available at Kirna Zabete; Mark Walsh & Leslie Chin Rock Screw Collar, $550, available at Opening Ceremony.

Wear Right Shades

Put A Lid On It

The BeeHive

Reserve your sunglasses from the new YER0C by Corey Woods Hive collection

John Varvatos Star USA Accessories

Sure, he’s a wildly successful fashion designer who helms a host of influential lines and collaborations. But John Varvatos is really a rocker. Need proof? Look no further than this collection of edgy accessories. From distressed leather cuffs to chain-link keychains to totes declaring “It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll,” our sale is everything you need to turn up the volume on your look. These are my faves.

John Varvatos Star USA Accessories Canvas Duffle $119 Gilt

John Varvatos Star USA Accessories Canvas Shopper $119 Gilt

John Varvatos Star USA Accessories Lasered Skull Shopper $129 Gilt

The Maxi Dress

If you’re headed to a picnic, an outdoor concert, or an evening bonfire this summer, the easiest way to step up your style game is by adding a must-have maxi-dress into the mix. Worn over a bikini, under a little denim jacket, and paired with some flatform sandals, it’s low-maintenance and high-impact at its best—the ultimate summer essential! Whether you pick a solid-colored number, a form-fitting option, or something a little more relaxed, the maxi-dress can take your summer style to the max.

Rachel Comey Vapor Dress, $598

Jenni Kayne A-Line Dress, $950

Bird By Juicy Couture Stormy Print Waterfall Dress, $378

Alexander Wang Asymmetric Zip Dress, $695

 

Ian Drawstring Dress, $305

 

 

Creatures of Comfort Lauren Dress, $360

 

Elizabeth and James Anita Belted Kimono Maxi-Dress, $485

Be A Man Wear Jewlery

CFDA Fashion Awards 2011

The CFDA Fashion Awards is always the place to see the hottest new trends that will take over the public in no time. It is the Oscars of the fashion world and everybody always attend. This year attendees included:

Zuzanna Bijoch, in custom Yigal Azrouel, with the designer

Karolina Kurkova

Grace Coddington

Tory Burch

Diane von Furstenberg

Amy Astley

Eniko Mihalik

Andrew Rosen, Olivier Theyskens

Doutzen Kroes in J.Mendel

Joy Bryant with Rachel Roy, both in the designer

Vera Wang

Anderson Cooper in Ralph Lauren

Doo-Ri Chung

Jessica Alba in custom Diane von Furstenberg

Ken Downing, Linda Fargo

Kirsten Dunst

Ashley Greene and Miranda Kerr both in Michael Kors, with the designer

Kerry Washington in Calvin Klein, with Francisco Costa

Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen, both in The Row

Liya Kebede

Chloe Sevigny

Kanye West

Lady GaGa in custom Mugler

Anna Wintour in Marc Jacobs

Chanel Iman

Zac Posen, Sessilee Lopez

Lucy Liu in Monique Lhuillier

Jack McCollough, Liv Tyler in Proenza Schouler, Lazaro Hernandez

Karlie Kloss in Jason Wu, with the designer

Alexander Wang, Iris Apfel

Hana Soukupova in Marchesa