Fashion Week

Photo: Craig McDean for Vogue, 2004

Today marks the official start of New York Fashion Week, and the city is alive with cocktail parties and fancy dresses! So I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite fashion illustrations with you, and also to fill you in on what I've been up to...

To bring a little fashion into the home, I love the idea of framing fashion illustrations and placing them on a gallery wall, or leaning them on a bookshelf, in a powder room, on a vanity, or even on a bar cart! The illustrations above are from my all-time favorite fashion illustrator, David Downton. While an original will cost you thousands, I was lucky enough to find a series of postcard prints that he licensed to Ikea back when I was in college! I think I spent $4 on a pack of 6 images, and I still treasure the one framed below in my living room today. From time to time they pop up on ebay, so if you're interested keep your eyes peeled ;)


Etsy is also a fantastic resource for inexpensive fashion prints, and sometimes even originals! Here are a few of my current favorites from redheather, all of which are limited edition 11x14 prints, modestly priced at $29 each. I'm really intrigued by the print on the far right, titled Seamless. (click the images to enlarge & see their full glory;)

As for my fashion week plans, I'll be headed to the Lela Rose and Cynthia Rowley shows! I'm incredibly excited for both, and curious to see what surprises Cynthia will have in store this season! Last year her models rode down the runway on Cynthia's Beach Crusier bikes (available in January!) which I also spotted last Monday on the season premiere of Gossip Girl.

I also recently hosted a little pre-fashion week soiree of my own! The Rubie Green launch party was (finally!) held last Wednesday at Lather Spa in Midtown, and it couldn't have gone better if I do say so myself ;) I partnered up with jewelry designer Samantha House who also previewed her Spring '09 collection, and together we co-hosted the event with editors, close friends, and some pretty amazing people from both the fashion and interiors worlds :) Lather Spa was even kind enough to give our guests free manicures while they sipped their cocktails and chatted with friends. My good friend, and fellow textile designer Michael Devine posted some great party pics here, as well as the images below which were graciously provided by events photographer Natalia Peters.