My Favorite Looks From The Concrete Catwalks @ NYFW 2013 RTW

My favorite looks from the concrete catwalk during New York Fashion Week 2013 RTW: 


Herieth Paul on the streets of NYC.
New York is one of the worlds fashion capitals when it comes to individual style and beauty and all the best looks first start on the streets before they get on the designer catwalks. Women of all backgrounds and ethnicity's were rocking bold patterns and colors. Long skirts and short dresses in shear fabrics and embellishments.

Notice me. Look at my style. Looks that don't cry for attention will always catch the photographers eye. Shoes that were made for walking and some that were just not fit to even walk in and yet the wearers point-of-view came through. Denim in all kinds of hues and styles and piles of accessories that served as a constant inspiration to designers for the coming seasons. In reality, I take my cues from the street when it comes to interpreting a look that I like and celebrity style has never played a part in it.




A shift dress hides a multitude of sins.

Our favorite "It Girl" Solange Knowles sporting her signature pattern mix

finished off with a pair of leopard pumps.

Model Sara Nuru

Stylist and blogger, Athanaelle Paul of Fashion Bench.

Elise Peterson of Swagger New York

The Peplum jacket or shirt is a classic style.

Vivid Color

Giovanna Battaglia in Prada

A Maxi and Thong Sandals Are Super Chic

 Photos by FM,GI,WWD

Le Looks Du Jour: The Fatabulous Shala Monroque @ Paris Fashion Week

This is the style of Shala that I'm used to seeing. I really missed seeing Julia Sarr-Jamois during PFW, but Shala, Shiona and Tamu brought it!

Photos: NAM, Phil Oh, BFA

Le Look Du Jour: Solange Knowles Is Printastic!

While everyone is reporting on the borrowed gowns of last night's Grammy Awards, I stick to the real trendsetters who get me excited about fashion. Those who bring something special and unique and Solange Knowles is that special someone for me.

You can't go soft even in DVF prints like this...I'm smitten!

Photos:Nam/Anthea Simms

Who's That Lady???

                                                              "La femme de mystère"

From all of the European shows of last month there is a new woman who has caught my eye and I have yet to read if any of the photo/style bloggers have mentioned her name and what she does. I know she has to work in fashion because she was at all of the major shows, but I don't know who she is. 

* Update: Her name is Azza Yousif and she is a fashion editor and stylist with VOGUE Hommes and VOGUE Paris.

Since I won't be attending any of the shows I'm not that much interested in the collections unless of course some of my favorite models are featured wearing something stunning. My eyes will be zeroed in on the showstopping looks featured on the street and hopefully on this mystery woman. While I do love my photo/style bloggers, many of them are starting to feature the same people over an over again while ignoring the ones who can inspire all of us with their impeccable style. 

The editors of VOGUE China and the other Asian publications are really the ones who are now setting the trends with their show stopping looks. No one is really featuring the women who look like me who we know who are out there and who work in the industry, but aren't getting featured. I love to see Shala, Julia, Tamu and a few others, but I know there are more and I will find them. I've been seriously thinking about setting out to do just that since my children are now on their own and I want to tell the fashion story of every one and not just a few. 


Click away, but click on the best there is and show a little more diversity.  I can truly say the men's shows in Paris and Milan had the best photography ever this year when it showed an array of men in the best of styles which left me smiling from ear to ear.

Photos: The Sartorialist|Tommy Ton|Wayne Tippets|

Straight Off The Runway and Onto The Street:Shala Monroque Prada SS 2012

When I saw a photo of a headless woman (on the right) wearing an off-runway look from PRADA'S SS 2012 Collection, I knew it had to be none other than Shala Monroque and after a little searching my guess was confirmed. It was indeed Shala who was photographed after or before the Miu Miu SS 2012 RTW show wearing the above skirt but with a different applique and color. I knew she'd do it before any one else would including the so called fashionable celebrities because she's done it before. I guess it does pay to have Miuccia Prada as a friend.



Photos: Go Runway

LUXE-LIST MIU MIU SHOES:VIA TAMU STYLE

Super Chic Tamu McPherson of All the Pretty Birds

Shoes from Miu Miu's Spring Summer 2011 Ready-To-Wear 

I'm crushing hard on Tamu's 'ferocious' shoe game and style, especially these photos featuring these fab pumps that only Miuccia Prada could dream up. The shoes are steep in price and some of the shoe collection is available at: Barney's, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, SAKS
and other high-end stores and boutiques.


"Backstage at Miu Miu's 2011 Spring/Summer RTW"

Photos: Miu Miu/GoRunway.com/Tommy Ton/Karl-Edwin Guerre

Coming To A Theater Near You:Bill Cunningham New York, The Documentary

"The best fashion show is definitely on the street, always has been and always will be." ~ Bill Cunningham

If that isn't a true statement, I don't know what else is. Every designer on the planet derives his or her style inspiration from what they see on the street and from other cultures. 'Bill Cunningham New York', a documentary about the legendary New York Times street fashion photographer, is creating as much buzz and acclaim in fashion circles as 2009's 'The September Issue', which revealed the machinations at American Vogue. It's also being compared to the 'Valentino: The Last Emperor' which detailed the life of couturier, Valentino Garavani.

If anyone who has ever read my blog should know that I'm a huge fan of NYT's photographer Bill Cunningham. Before there were all these other street photographers, there was Bill. I can't start my Saturday morning without checking to see the beauty and style that bill has captured. My hard drive is full of photos from Bill's street snaps. Cunningham, 81, has been documenting the fashions found on New York Streets for the last 50 years. With a battered Nikon camera, he goes everywhere on his bicycle, snapping anything that catches his eye. Be sure to check it out when it hits your city.