All Hail The Depressionista

Remember this: I said it first.

Hi Darlings! I am working soooo hard for you right now. As you probably realize Fashion Week started in New York last Friday and I have been glued to my monitor since then.

Tonight I stopped to get the big bottle of Pinot Grigio so that I could spend idle hours reviewing the shows with my eagle fashion eye. I finally got so excited I had to stop so that I could post, as I know you all are waiting impatiently for my final verdict on the coming season.

Let's just call Fall 2009 the season of the Depressionista. I LOVE the clothes, but I am an old '80's Yohgi Yamamoto follower from wayyyyyyy back. I am so digging the severe and angular black, gray, and white clothes winter is bringing that I would just as soon skip spring and summer. I'm a depressed all black sort of girl and I want those liquid leggings right now!

My god it's exhausting being moody and fashion obsessed. I have circles under my eyes, which is very hot this fall. Throw away your concealer, look fabulously tired and jaded. It is totally of the moment as we enter the Post Recession Fashion Season.

Here are some other terms I would apply to the season's looks: Luxe Minimalism, Sexy Androgyny, Structured Degage, Soft Sadistism.

I loooove fashion oxymorons and non-sequiturs, don't you?

Anyway, as even I cannot possibly sum up every show for you, I can run through the ones that I loved.

Abaete-Their fabulously luxe collection was completely inspired by "Les Incroyables", or at least their take on the young dandies of post-revolutionary France. Anyone remember John Galliano's 1984 graduate collection? Hopefully a few of you? Fabulous then, fabulous now. Very wearable, at least if you are me. Look at this:



It makes my heart flutter! If the name Abaete seems familiar it's because their designer, Laura Poretzky, designed a shoe collection for Payless.

Payless is a shoe store for poor--strike that--economically challenged people. I did go to their website to look at the shoes and wonder why Abaete would pick Payless to debut a ready to wear out of the store shoe collection there. They are a bit of a niche fashion line. I know their work, but the average shopper (read economically challenged) has probably not heard of them. What's next? Will Ports 1961 do a collection for Wal-mart? Exactly.....

BCBG for Max Azaria--I have a closet full of their goodies and this season will prove no different. Very futuristic, lots of metallic liquid leggings under icily fluid satin. Just the look for my weekly Winn Dixie trip. Look:



I would have accessorized this with a fabulous cloche hat. There is a decidedly 1930's air to all the collections I previewed, even Ralph Lauren's exquisite Safari themed look. Very "The English Patient". A wider shoulder and slimmer hip prevailed. Graceful, yet louche gathers of material in pants and skirts. Vionnet inspired bias tailoring which I think is a flattering look for most women.

Charlotte Ronson. I adore Charlotte. Not as much as Lindsay adores her sister Sam, but very close. This season's collection would possibly convince me to sleep with her if I could just have a few pieces of this tres original body of work.. Hmmmm.....sex for clothes.....that's very recessionista, therefore chic. Think of the money I could save!

So that I could promply spend it on Ralph's Safari collection. Sorry to go there again, but I normally find Ralph Lauren about as exciting as granny panties. I think he's perfect for the french manicure set. Sort of a grown up version of Garanimals...everything so crisply matchy matchy. Too cute.....

But I really want those faboo silk harem pants and camp shirt. I must be mellowing in my old age....

Back to Ms. Charlotte. I am giving her the lean, mean fashion queen award this season. very deliciously body conscious. I have never particularly been impressed by her clothes before, but this collection knocked me out in style and price. Instead of her usual frilly,girly pieces, she branched out into a very 1984 (the novel) vibe. It was the future, but filtered through the mind of Depression era writer, George Orwell. How apropos! A collection that reflects the truly dystopian period that we are experiencing...brilliant. Here's my fave look from the collection:

I also loved Rag & Bone. The Teenager and I bumped our fabulous heads together over this one. I say thumbs up to the parachute pants. He screamed that he could never respect my fashion taste again over them. What a little drama queen! I am sticking with my decision; they are to die for. And I should know, I wore them the first time around. He'll see....

Vena Cava also did a great collection. Like bugle beads? You'll love ithis collection too, jet bugle beads everywhere. I also coveted the tie dye leggings they were showing.

P.S Here is a chic tip for the season. Consignment. It is very hot right now to sell your clothes and accessories to high end consignment stores. You call the things "non-performing assets". In fact, if you have any high dollar jewelry that could be liquidated check http://www.circajewels.com/. This is the classy way to resell those goodies you don't care for anymore...

Attention please! Here is my personal must have list for 2009. Now listen, if my fifth sense is picking out the correct perfume for an occasion; then my sixth is must have lists. If I were you I would:

• Buy an armload of chunky bangles.
• A perfectly tailored boyfriend blazer.
• Have gorgeous legs. I don't care if it's genetics, gym, or surgery--get them. It's going to be a long, leggy season.
• Snakeskin Platforms--how best to frame your new best asset?
• Lipliner and lipbrush. Learn how to use them!
• Silk flower to grace your casual ponytail. Abandon after July.
• Harem pants. Not dhoti pants. Think "I Dream of Jeannie" ,not the smelly guy working at your local gas station.
• Camp shirt. Silk. Neutral. This is your beach/pool cover up for the season. It's not like you were actually going to get wet. Don't sweat either.
• Don't shoulder pad yet--hot next year, not now. Build up shoulder muscles instead. Weights, people! Employ your local fitness professional!

P.S. Be looking for Alexander McQueen's line for Target debuting on March 4.

My son and I are busy arguing fashion, he started it. He's still on about the parachute pants and my fringed suede sandals. He's so tiresome! I must go.

Love and kisses,

Cult Diva