SARTORIAL SANITY: The Row S/S 2012

One part mental asylum. Two parts Calvin Klein. Shake well.

I'm on the fence as to whether Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, the duo behind The Row, hit it out of the ballpark with their spring/summer 2012 collection or merely came close to pulling it off. From pieces bound in silk cord and minimalist sheaths to fringed tuxedo pants and what looks like drawstring sleepwear, I'm not really sure what ties the collection together other than the apparent lack of color (which I applaud).

The epitome of Calvin Klein minimalism, no?

Trapped in a room with padded walls.

Love the silhouette of this structured/textured top.

Rodarte's dessert dream

I cannot get enough of Rodarte's color palette for spring. Such an epic representation of opulence as well as a new take on neutrals, the collection has such a fresh take on dessert inspirations. A mirage of golds, dirty and muted neons, and citrines, I love the way the colors played with the models' tan skin, dark brows and metallic lips. The shapes were also so interesting and new - triangles of exposed midriff, boxed minis layered over tulip skirts and heavily draped shoulders all played up this story of a deserted diva.

Marc Jacobs S/S 2011 - Meoww

An annual show stopper, he- and we expect nothing less- has done it again. Switching gears quite dramatically from his fall collection, Marc Jacobs sent a rainbow of sunburst orange bell-sleeved, mandarin collar coats, plum-puffed party dresses and Missoni-inspired magenta zig-zag knits down the baroque gold runway to an audience of socialites, celebrities and industry demigods who were all biting their lips and counting down the days until they could get their hands on a piece of his genius.

Prabal Gurung strung out

I was quite intrigued by the progression of Prabal Gurung's S/S 2011 show. He started off by sending six looks down the runway with a color scheme straight out of the brightest Crayola box, but then dramatically shifted gears to a completely sheer, nude set of looks. Although I was excited by both of these seemingly contradictory aesthetics, the collection didn't seem to have that total cohesion or chameleon-like growth that I think is so important. Each season, I like to be able to reference a designer's collection with a few key monikers that trigger images and memories from the show but, I feel like those few adjectives don't really exist for Prabal Gurung's latest collection.

Best of NYFW so far: Jill Stuart

Switching gears from her last collection that had most of us fearing that we were going to see more of the models than we would like (scandalous minis had models tugging down hemlines as they posed for photogs), this season, Jill Stuart returned to her classic roots - the reason we all fell in love with the Jill Stuart "girl" to begin with. Probably my favorite collection of the season so far, I about died when the navy sateen cape and tunic dress came down the runway. And what about the transparent tulle, black and white lined, 50's silhouette classic - sheer genius. And those copper cigarette trousers - sartorial splendor.

Charlotte Ronson goes grunge

Although Charlotte Ronson's show is usually one of my favorite NYFW tickets, this year I was less than enthused about her 90's grunge meets prairie florals collection. Beanies, nose rings and hoodies galore, the collection definitely acheived its desired time machine effect, transporting all of us to the days (grade school for me) of baggy overalls, stringy hair and an affinity for Alanis Morissette and the Spice Girls. Thankfully, the collection's saving grace was Ronson's inclusion of transparent layering with barely there tea length skirts (just another bit of evidence that hemlines are falling across the board) and blouses.

The dudes want in on NYFW

Word on the runway is that dudes are feeling a little left out. John Varvatos has recently been kicking up some dust with the CFDA trying create a New York Men's Fashion Week. Both Milan and Paris already have a week of shows dedicated to the other half and Varvatos thinks it's time for NY to step it up. While womenswear has always dominated the runways, the number of menswear designers has been steadily rising. Hey, I'm all for a week of eye candy!

Qu'est-ce que tu penses ma pote?

I've been in search of the perfect summer wedge (great for walking and a little extra height) and have found a few candidates...your opinions would be very much obliged! Merci!

Farylrobin Madison Wedge, $228

Kelsi Dagger Nude Wedge, $148

Rosegold Suede Heel, $168

Tight tattoos!

A la Chanel, for their fall 2010 collection Marchesa seemed to catch the tattoo flu. No, the casting agents didn't find all of the girls for Marchesa's presentation at a biker bar. The leggy tattoos that the models were sporting were actually printed tights. Although this idea of an elegant inked look is a bit too reminiscent of Chanel's Spring 2010 show, I do like that these tatts don't have to be applied directly to the skin- quite a time saver for the girl who wants a bit of edge without trying to finagle a press-on tattoo around her ankle.

Alex Wang, you fox!

I found these shots from an Alexander Wang photo shoot on one of my favorite blogs but, I'm not sure where they came from or what they're for (new campaign shots?). But, I'm totally smitten with Alex Wang (I think he is adorable!) so I had to post them. Let me know if you know!

Luxe layering at Rag & Bone

Forget about waiting for Fall to try and emulate Rag & Bone's F/W 2010 collection, get the look now. For the design duo's first solo womenswear show, it was all about Appalachian style layering for the girl who may find herself anywhere from the concrete jungle of New York to an impromptu hike in the back-country. For the collection, Marcus Wainwright and David Neville created a girl who is just as much smitten by practicality as she is by style. Leather sock garters, tweed capes, cropped loose-knit sweaters, fur mufflers and Native American-esque belt pouches, made the look a classic-cozy-chic with a twist.