Musings on N.Y. Fashion Week-Spring 2018

Front row selfie with Jeffrey Ciullo
V.P. of Sales at Pamella Roland

I read something spectacular in the Business of Fashion this week! IMG, the former powerhouse behind the tents at Bryant Park and the runway installments at Lincoln Center, is planning on bringing back an organized venue for Fashion Week at Spring Studios.

Pray God, it is so, because it is complete madness to dash all over town like a ping pong ball to see shows at a half a dozen or more spaces, sprinkled all over the City. 

Literally, the thrill is gone.  Fingers crossed, this will be up and running for the Fall shows in February.

My BFF is my Vogue runway app.  If you haven't downloaded it yet, stop reading please, do so and come back.

You are welcome...

Oh how I love to swipe through the collections in nanoseconds.  As Co-Owner's of Mary Jane Denzer in White Plains, my partner Anastasia Cucinella and I are always on the hunt for new talent. 

Runway of course, is always exaggerated for effect and for the press.  The truly salable, wearable clothes, live back at the showroom, where the real work gets done.

Still, I don't mind seeing something that is beautiful, wearable and salable on the runway. Here are some of the trends that threaded through many of the collections:

Pretty in Pink-

Pink at Pamella Roland

Ombre Pink at Pamella Roland

 Shades of Blue-

Gorgeous blue ombre tulle at Pamella Roland

 Long blazers, Strong Shoulders, Denim-

White Days and Nights-

Gorgeous LBD'S-

And with a nod to Spring, a touch and a flourish of flowers-

In the meanwhile,  we are very excited  about all our gorgeous goodies from New York and Paris that are currently in store, at Mary Jane Denzer for Fall.

In addition to the most beautiful clothes to wear for your important events, we have added more collections to suit your every day lifestyle needs. Please do, come visit.

As we like to say, "Come Experience the Extraordinary"!

Fondly,
Debra O'Shea

The Fall 2017 Fashion Trends from NY and Paris

Mary Jane Denzer Partners Anastasia Cucinella and Debra O'Shea
at the Elie Saab Atelier in Paris for the Fall 2017 Collections

It was an absolute joy to attend Paris Fashion Week with my partner Anastasia Cucinella to buy for our store Mary Jane Denzer in White Plains, N.Y. Our vendors are excited for us and  have been fantastic partners, who are looking forward to growing with us. We truly appreciate their support and friendship.

We look forward to continuing to honor the DNA of Mary Jane Denzer; a luxury destination for special occasions, but we will also be spreading our wings! We have added several collections that will allow us to completely service all aspects of our clients lifestyle; so in addition to your Red Carpet moments, you will be able to find the perfect, "guest" dress, luncheon outfit, or casual but chic outfit to wear to a committee meeting.  We also found fresh and exciting accessories at the tents in Paris and look forward to receiving the fabulous scarves, jewelry and bags we purchased.

I promise to keep you posted on our trunk show schedule,  starting with Neil Bieff, our in-house designer, who will be at Mary Jane Denzer with his new collection through Saturday...stay tuned tomorrow for my interview with Neil, an enormous lasting talent, who has beautifully, dressed dozens of Hollywood and Music's biggest stars!!!

Now lets talk trends!

The term "Fashion Week" is truly a misnomer...Fashion Month is more accurate. What begins in New York, continues to London, Milan and finally Paris.
My fashion legs are pretty sturdy, but I can attest that New York and Paris were plenty to take in.  The other reality is when you arrive at the showrooms.  Of course the marvels that walked the runways are their too, but the reality is often in the trove of wearable, 'commercial' clothes, that most buyers actually buy, lined and with necklines built up beyond the navel.

Trends do emerge, and whether you are looking at high end evening wear or sportswear, they do resonate from show to show and continent to country. While it's still fresh in my mind, here's a bit of what we saw:

Dresses in Bloom

I am very proud to officially be a "Wagger", earning a place in the writers masthead for WAG Magazine .  Each month the Editor creates a theme and the articles regarding, fashion, art, interior design and architecture are centered around it. 

This month was summer gardens.  I was asked to choose floral dresses and show how they might best be worn to parties and celebrations in outdoor gardens.  I couldn't resist throwing in a little dress etiquette as well...wouldn't it be great if the Kardashian sisters took heed?

Dresses in Bloom

By Debbi O’Shea

Is it any wonder that people wait till spring and summer to put their homes on the market? Homes and gardens are never prettier then when lush green lawns, colorful azaleas, plump peonies and thickets of rose bushes enhance them. It's also the perfect time to host celebrations and parties outdoors, from graduations and weddings to birthday and cocktail parties.

If you are hosting, you will probably take equal care with the guest list, food, table arrangements, signature cocktails and attire. As a gracious guest, any specific requests, from “no gifts” to “festive attire” should be adhered to.

If your host has requested a specific type of attire and you are unsure what exactly “cocktail casual” means, by all means feel free to ask him or her to clarify or confer with other friends who will be attending. It's always nicer to err on the side of over- rather than under-dressed.

It’s important to know if you will be standing in grass, on a patio, or in a tent with or without a floor. Let's just say, 90mm Jimmy Choo stilettos are best saved for indoor venues. Pretty patent wedges are a better option for stability, comfort and, if the occasion calls for it, dancing the night away.

Regarding dresses, wearing any of the “terrible toos”– too tight, too bare and too short – may entertain your fellow guests, but will not endear you to your hosts. Here are some looks that would be both pretty and appropriate for garden celebrations this summer: