Spring is in full force with new arrivals:

New Arrivals and Featured Items:

Go to Yohji Yamamoto’s store on Grand st in Manhattan you will see a style that reflects his design ethic: simple, straightforward and black. That’s exactly what you got at his Fall 2006 show. There were dark colors, oversized pants, dresses and hats that harken back to Salem circa 1600s. Don’t let the last item put you off. Several pieces from the show demonstrated Yamamoto’s skill in branching the male/female style divide. Pieces to note: a white jacket buttoned at the chest coupled with dark gray cuffed trousers, there was also a deep blue/black cuffed pants suit. I could do without the duotone pants suit, but it was a good showing.

Christophe Decarnin decided to go the high-end art mixed with style route for the Balmain fall line. Many of the pieces shown were decadent and luxurious. Decarnin faithfully follows Balmain’s long history in couture while maintaining the ready to wear aesthetic. Unlike what we’ve been seeing in Milan, several pieces stood out as perfect (if not close) for the fall. My absolute favorite is a navy/blue military styled dress that followed through with form and function. The dress had four flaps that covered the neck but stayed sexy in it’s line and length above the knee. Another strapless number consisted of a light see-through fabric and uneven stripes. Pierre Balmain would have been proud.

Dolce and Gabanna’s runway featured a modern interpretation of baroque decadence merged with Napoleonic opulence.

The result was a line of military and royal inspiration captured in tulle, velvet, brocade, gold chains, lace, tassles and embroidery, all employed with sophistication and discretion. Many of the trends that have become passé for fall fashion week—empire dresses, belts worn with dresses, military jackets, subdued color palette—all seemed new and refreshing in the explicit rococo style.

The daywear featured military-inspired jackets, nautically influenced pants and lots of thick, gold chained belts. The color palette is predominately silver and gold, with well-coordinated outfits.

The dresses were made of brocade, velvet and embroidered tulle layered over satin, with brown belts or gold ropes and chains accenting the empire waist.

Capped sleeves and ruched busts provided a dash of renaissance inspiration, while the simple silhouette form prevented the intricate details of the dresses from becoming too costume-oriented.

Note the perfectly matching shoes and purses–mini purses, flats and buckles–oh my!

-Ali