500 Days of Style: Covering MBFW 2014

The week of NYFW is always one of the most exciting fashion weeks of the week. I can't wait until I'm in NYC during that time of year so I can cover the shows live! Here's just my highlights from each collection that showed during the week.

Academy of Art University
The Academy of Art is the US's largest accredited private art and design university.
The collection comprised of very structured and almost architectural looks for the girls and men's looks with standout jackets. There was a metallic element that ran through the looks and the models were styled with sleek hair, with bangs and strong eyes and eyebrows for the girls.

Adeam

Designer: Hanako Maeda

This collection is made up of very sleek pieces and peach tones. It looks like the trend is moving away from pastels and into even softer colors like nude and beige.

The one darker colored dress was one of my favorites; the silhouette is sexy without being too revealing and the fit is perfect on the model. The shoes for all the looks are also beautifully geometric, and I loved how the models were styled. Middle parts are making a comeback and it's my biggest regret that I can't pull that off.

Alon Livné

Alon won first prize in the Israeli version of "Project Runway" and has designed custom gowns for Beyoncé.

He has such an beautiful and distinct look to his pieces. He focuses on keeping each piece basic white or black and adding in a major pop of color. His chestpiece designs are just a work of art in themselves.

He styled his models with three small braids, which helps to keep the focus on the pieces. I super hate braids, I think a sleek bun would have been just as effective and much more chic, but I see why he styled his models that way.

Anna Sui

Anna Sui has over 50 boutiques in 8 countries and her collection is sold in 300 stores over 30 countries.

She fully embraced the bohemian look with this collection, right to the flower headpieces and crimped hair. I love the micropatterns and gladiator sandals.

Anya Caliendo

"She believes that the true enchantment of a woman begins with a fabulous hat."

I'm not going to pretend like I know anything about haute couture hat culture. But these are pretty fab and clearly lovingly crafted.

Argentine Designers

Agostina Bianchi, Daniela Sartori, Mariana Dappiano, and Fabian Zitta.

This is my favorite collection so far. I love the watercolor jumpsuit and matching jacket; the seams of the suit are so perfectly placed. I also love the mix of patterns but consistency of color theme. And metallic colors seem to be making an widespread appearance on the runway this season. I love the high buns and the morning-after hair textures. The four difference designers came together to create a beautiful cohesive collection.

B. Michael America

His designs have been featured editorially on Halle Berry and Cate Blanchett.

The first designer so far to have looks that I can see being worn tomorrow by regular fashionistas, I love B. Michael's menswear, the way he plays with mixing and matching of colors and patterns for the three piece suits. The colors he plays with are breathtaking, especially the lilac and dark teal. I also adore Cam Corrigan on the runway. She rocks the evening wear like no other. I also love the styling of the guys and the use of sleek buns and french twists.

Badgley Mischka

One of Vogue's "Top 10 American Designers."

I'm obsessed with Badgley Mischka's formal wear. Everything they produce is the perfect balance of strong and delicate. They've embraced the lighter white tones for S/S and play with plunging Vs and sheer tops as well as intricate detailing and modest necklines.

BCBG Maxazria

"The brand embodies a true combination of European sophistication and American spirit."

The collection is very form-free; even my favorite cropped top piece is coupled with loose pants. I much prefer form-fitting looks but I do admire BCBG Maxazria's use of quasi-watercolor prints. The middle part styling makes another appearance!

Betsey Johnson

Known for her "celebration of the exuberant, the embellished, and the over the top."

I don't ever love Bestey Johnson as RTW, but I admire and am in awe of the way she's revolutionized fashion, especially through the punk era. And I do like her shoes.

Bibhu Mohapatra

After studying at FIT, he was design director at J. Mendel for nine years before beginning to design custom couture evening gowns, cocktail dresses, and furs.

Like other designers for S/S 2014, Bibhu Mohapatra works with plunging necklines, peach tones, and metallics. The high bun and clean "barely there" makeup allows the dresses to shine.

Brandon Sun

Brandon Sun was honored with "Designer of the Year" at Parsons School of Design and the gold thimble. He held internships with Jeffrey Chow and Calvin Klein and worked with J. Mendel and Oscar de la Renta.

He creates beautiful silouettes and RTW separates I could totally see myself in. (I'm digging the black sweater.) I adore the red lips with the low bun.

Calvin Klein Collection

Women's creative director: Francisco Costa.

Not a huge fan of Calvin Klein's high fashion lines but I do admire that they stick to basics with greys, blacks, and whites.

Candela

Designer: Gabriela Perezutti. "Her style incorporates these equestrian and traditional gaucho influences and combines them with edgy elements inspired by the urban postemodern city."

I love this collection. Candela's use of colorblocking with lace, mixing sweet and sporty, and playing with non-traditional sleeves makes for a beautiful body of work. I love the pointed-toe shoes too!

Carmen Marc Valvo

"While other designers seek to shock, Valvo's creations shine in the marketplace." His pieces have been showcased on women like Queen Latifah, Beyonce, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Kate Winslet, and Eva Longoria among many others.

His look is dominated by clean, linear cutouts and classic colors. I love his use of cap sleeves on a bathing suit, giving the swimwear a whole new silhouette.

Carolina Herrera

"I have a responsibility to the woman of today – to make her feel confident, modern, and above all else beautiful."

It amazes me how delicate Carolina Herrera's dresses are. They give an ethereal, floating quality to the look as a whole. I also love how she creates shapes with unusual line placement and her use of soft yellows and greens.

Charlotte Ronson

"Charlotte Ronson has become one of the most sought after American womenswear designers and her New York Fashion Week runway shows are a must see event."

There were only a few looks to these collections, but Charlotte Ronson's look is strong. I love her pastels and floral prints. And her bags are hot!

Clover Canyon

"Clover Canyon is a celebration of beauty."

Although the same silhouettes stick to a basic format, the prints are refreshing and beautiful. I don't love half-ups, but the styling does tie together the whole look beautifully.

Concept Korea

Designers: Kaal E. Suktae, Chioboko, Beyond Closet, and Big Park.

Although the designer differences are evident, each look is well made and unique. I especially love the detailing on the dress.

Custo Barcelona

Designers: brothers Custo and David Dalmau.

The pattern play is busy without being overwhelming and futuristic without clashing. The ankle strap heels add to the whole effect of each look very nicely.

Czar by Cesar Galindo
"He is a master tailor, a skilled draper, and a creative visionary with ease for styles, colors, textures and designs."
A "skilled draper" doesn't even begin to cover Cesar's talent. His dresses are crafted as pieces of art. On trend, he incorporates metallic hues into his looks but keeps all of them chic and one-of-a-kind.

David Tlale

"Renowned for his undeniable knack for showmanship and elaborate designs, Tlale's work is both daring and dramatic."

He makes each piece his own, creating elaborate looks that mix trends of the past with modern patterns. His color scheme is subtly eye-catching and his use of detailing is unparalleled. He takes the classic look and brings it slightly further – with strong shoulders, unexpected but undeniably sexy mesh pannels, unique trains. I'm obsessed with the first gown below.

Dennis Basso

Basso's looks have been worn by the likes of Ivana Trump, Brooke Shields, Naomi Campbell, Renee Zellweger, Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, and Charlize Theron, to name a few.

I can see why he is known for his furs. They are beautifully made and designed, looking much like very chic jackets that happened to be made in fur. His fabric choice is also beautiful, especially the white dresses with detailing in the skirt and the leather/sheer look. I'm a sucker for low ponytails and red lipstick so I am loving the styling of this show.

Desigual

Managing director: Manuel Jadraque.

This collection is ideal for the Miami trend-setter. The playful patterns revitalize classic pieces and are both fun and flirty. The detailing of the platforms is also fun but chic.

Diane Von Furstenberg

Known for creating the wrap dress, Diane is committed to empowering women and was named most powerful woman in fashion by Forbes Magazine in 2012.

She releases looks that revel but don't over-reveal, perpetuate femininity but also strength. And her shoes are killer.

Diesel Black Gold

"New twists to traditional garments, iconic blends of past and future, artfully distressed denim and leather, and the craftsmanship of tailoring are some of the signatures of Diesel Black Gold that imbue the products with an authentic vintage feel and a sophisticated, contemporary image."

I've been loving the trend of moving from pastels into softer looks and this collection uses these in my favorite way I've seen so far. I love the grunge-y looks with soft colors that give the overall effect of a laid-back, feminine but hardcore girl. I appreciate especially that the mix of trending colors and 90s grunge fashion makes the looks almost timeless and wearable in various scenarios.

Dion Lee

This is the brand's debut at NYFW after receiving continuous support from UK Vogue, UK Harpers Bazaar, Dazed and Confused, Elle US, Marie Claire US, and American Vogue.

The almost celtic intricacies of many of Lee's dresses are absolutely gorgeous. The way he plays with lines and the classic silhouette results in a refreshing aesthetic.

DKNY

Designer: Donna Karan

DKNY stays away from patterns and business, creating clean, solid pieces. Like others, they embrace the softer pastels. I adore the black panels on the blue dress; they create the feminine shape then enhance it.

Donna Karan New York

Inexplicably different from DKNY.

Donna Karan plays with the maxi silhouette with an asymmetrical long sleeve and unique hemline, which work together to create an elongated diagonal line. Her use of camel tones is beautiful as well as her shoes with a thick ankle strap. I really dislike half-ups so I think the looks would have been nicer with a middle part or simple low bun. I do love the strong cheekbones, though.

Emerson by Jackie Fraser-Swan

"Embodies the powerful and free-spirited modern woman."

Emerson has great statement pieces. My favorite look in this collection is the deep purple dress. The interesting hemline on the bottom of the dress and the intricate detailing on the waist and shoulder make it a stand-out piece that I would love to have in my closet. I also love their patterns: the b&w almost watercolor print, the colorful print, and the almost houndstooth print. The mock undercut and simple makeup make for a clean look.

Falguni and Shane Peacock

"We love the idea of elegance and intricacy, whether it is in a scarf or an haute couture garment."

There is clear elegance and intricacy in these pieces. The use of cutouts is refined and beautiful and the black and white interspersed with color makes for interesting and aesthetically pleasing looks. I hate the wigs and black lips but I do like the accessorizing with bracelets and the simple black platforms.

Fashion Law Institute

The world's first center dedicated to law and the business of fashion.

These pieces are all clearly designed by different people. The first is refined and wearable, the second is a piece of art in itself, and the third is a classic silhouette in an interesting print.

Fashion Shenzhen

China's hub for innovative designs.

I didn't love this collection. I feel like the designs are trying to be different while just repeating what I've seen before. I don't love the blue eyeshadow either.

Hache

"A condensation of contemporary seduction with recherché and exclusive creations."

J. Mendel

"Signiture luxe-femininity and effortless elegance"

J. Crew

The business today includes retail and outlet stores nationwide and an ever-growing online and catalog business.

Jenny Packham

Women who have worn Jenny Packham include: Catherine Zeta Jones, Angelina Jolie, Amy Adams, Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Dita von Tesse, and The Duchess of Cambridge.

Jill Stuart

There are over 500 international Jill Stuart freestanding stores.

Joanna Mastroianni

"Mastroianni is an American designer with a European sensibility."

Katya Leonovich

This russian womenswear designer and artist from Moscow has been featured in Russian Vogue, Collezioni, Nylon, L'Officiel, Soma Magazine, and many others."

Kaufmanfranco

Designers Ken Kaufman and Isaac Franco

Lacoste

Creative director: Felipe Oliveira Bapista

Lela Rose

"Lela Rose's aesthetic of adding whimsy to elegance through brilliant color and handcrafted details has brought a fresh point of view to modern American fashion."

Libertine

Revolutionizes "the way we think of graphic, deconstruction of the classic, and recycled clothing."

Malan Breton

"From gorgeous dresses, skirts and menswear, Breton clearly knows how to design with a woman's body in mind."

Mara Hoffman

Hoffman guides "her designs with a passionate vision and courageous heart."

Marissa Webb

"Her design aesthetic blends and juxtaposes elements of architecture and nature by mixing highly structured, tailored pieces with whimsical softness and flow."

Mark and Estel

Designers Mark Tango and Estel Day

Mathieu Mirano

"The Mathieu Mirano brand focuses intensely on tailoring, quality, luxury, the invention of new fabrics and embroideries and the juxtaposition between soft femininity and hard structure."

Michael Kors

"From the very beginning, I was convinced you could be sexy and sporty at the same time."

Milly by Michelle Smith

"Epitomizes bold, advanced contemporary fashion with a graceful edge."

MM6 Maison Martin Margiela

"A daily and younger contemporary approach to fashion in which prints, soft volume and ease play a role."

Monique Lhuilier

Bridal collection

Naeem Khan

"Impeccably cut dresses, sophisticated gowns and chic separates"

Nanette Lepore

"Bold colors, evocative prints and signature silhouettes"

Nautica

VP Design and Creative: Chris Cox

Nicholas K

Founders: siblings Nicholas and Christopher Kunz

Nicole Miller

"Her silhouettes are artfully draped to achieve a unique body consciousness"

Noon by Noor

Designers: Noor Rashid Al Khalifa, Haya Mohammed Al Khalifa

Osklen

"Osklen finds itself between the dynamism of the metropolis and the exuberance of Brazilian nature, giving life to a style based on the harmonization of contrasts"

Pamella Roland

"Pamella Roland channels her artistic appreciation and creativity into all of her collections, finding inspiration throughout her life and the world at large."

Rachel Zoe

"Style is what one creates...glamour is a state of mind."

Ralph Lauren

"It means taking risks, going with what you feel, but never losing sight of your vision and convocation."

Ralph Rucci

Rucci's work has been featured in numerous museums.

Rebecca Minkoff

Luxury handbags, accessories, footwear and apparel

Reem Acra

RTW and bridal collections

Ricardo Seco

"considered to be one of Mexico's most influential designers"

Richard Chai

Richard Chai was named Swarovski Menswear Designer of the Year in 2010.

Ruffian

"His studies in the fine arts, specifically painting, allow him to explore color on a personal and tactile level."

Sass & Bide

Son Jung Wan

"The luxurious collections designed by Son Jung Wan consist of impeccably executed separates and dresses made from the most sumptuous fabrics."

Steven Alan

Known for his signature Reverse Seam Shirt.

Supima

America's luxury cotton

Tadashi Shoji

Tadashi Shoji has been worn by celebrities like Dita Von Tesse, Florence Welch, and Katy Perry.

The Art Institute of New York City

The Art Institute of New York City is a leading institution for career preparation in graphic design, web design & interactive media, digital filmmaking, fashion design and interior design.

Todd Snyder

"A perfectly fitted suit makes the man."

Tome

Designers: Ramon Martin and Ryan Lobo

Tommy Hilfiger

In 2012 he was awarded with the CFDA's prestigious Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award.

Tory Burch

Classic American sportswear with an eclectic sensibility and attainable price point.

Tracy Reese

Reese is a favorite among stars like Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Emma Roberts, Leighton Meester, Vanessa Hudgens, Katy Perry, Tina Fey, and Kim Kardashian.

Trina Turk

"Trina Turk is both inspired by and represents the lifestyle of California: optimistic, progressive, accessible, effortless, colorful, and confident."