STELLA'S GARDEN PARTY - SPRING 2012

STELLA McCARTNEY SPRING 2012- PH: PAMELA BERKOVICWith the Fall weather getting closer day by day, I'm fondly thinking about a magical afternoon this Spring that was the official kick off to Summer in NYC.   Fashion designer Stella McCartney stayed true to her British roots and staged the ultimate garden party in New York's West Village.   McCartney is known for her understated style and laid back attitude on-and-off the runway.   While most fashion events are stuffy and uptight, team McCartney is able to create an easy atmosphere that comes off cool and chic.   When Stella has a party, you know you are going to have a good time! Who else could make shaved ice, ping pong, and scrabble a backdrop for a runway collection?

There is an authenticity to these events, that just can't be staged.  Partly due to the fact that the parties are always full of Stella's own friends.  And when your friends and family are rock legends and movie stars, there is hardly room (or reason) for getting a big head.ph: PAMELA BERKOVIC 

For Spring 2012, Stella gave us bright colors and intricate prints styled in the signature mix & match combinations that first made McCartney famous.  It was her re-launch of the sleeping French classic  Chloe collection in the late 90's that made headlines.  STELLA McCARTNEY SPRING 2012 - PH: PAMELA BERKOVIC Stella set the fashion world on fire with a mix of fine tailoring and fluid soft shapes.   For Spring 2012, we find bright horizontal stripes worn back to exotic Hawaiian prints.  The collection is full of items that can truly be worn back to pieces shoppers already own.  *This has always been one of the secrets to Stella's success*.  She knows how women shop and never loses sight that the coolest customers build their wardrobe piece by piece. 

The party at St. Luke's in the Field was a breath of fresh air.  Models played croquet, guests drank Guinness, and Stella's friends were able to relax in the private garden setting.   Liv Tyler, Naomi Watts, & Bono  (to name a few!) all stopped by to show their support.  The garden was decorated with small displays of accessories and shoes that became part of the beautiful garden of St. Luke's in the Field.  (This famous garden, open to the public, was featured in the motion picture Doubt with Meryl Streep).

Guests of the party were given a living rose bush on the way out the door via a flower cart, a subtle nod to Stella's passion for sustainable fashion and her effort to make the world a Greener place.   This devout vegan is the only designer working with a major fashion comglomerate (PPR) that does not useROSES FROM STELLA PH: JASON JOBSON leather in any part of her collections.   Bravo Stella!  ST. LUKE'S IN THE FIELD PH: JASON JOBSON

Visit Stella McCartney to view the full collection - and Net-a-Porter to shop the current collection.  

** Stella McCartney NYC  moves to Soho this Fall **

Special thanks to team Stella and the very talented photographer- Pamela Berkovic.

BACK TO SCHOULER - PROENZA STYLE!

LAZARO HERNANDEZ & JACK McCOLLOUGH - PROENZA SCHOULEROne of the most relevant brands toPROENZA SCHOULER - PS1 BAG come out of NYC in recent years is PROENZA SCHOULER.   The boys behind the brand- Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez sat down for Net-a-Porter to talk about their new favorite PS1 bag.   The bag is inspired by schoolboy bags and the concept of a bag that becomes a classic as you wear it in.

Watch the interview below and shop the collection at Net-a-Porter now.