Diary of a Fashionista Blog

The runways were dominated by the neutral trend this season. Best of all, it’s a trend that really complements curvy girls.

Sensitive skin? Keep things under control with these five rules.

As usual, the Oscars are really all about who’s wearing what, and this year, the dresses varied from stunning to questionable.

Mixing color and patterns are two things which most curvy women shy away from without realizing that both can truly enhance their wardrobes. Color and pattern can do wonders for making an outfit young and relevant.

This week I noticed a reoccurring question in my inbox: “How do I put a chic outfit together?” Many of you feel it’s impossible to do on your own. But the truth is, it isn’t.

See a clip of the seventh episode: The contestants must turn hardware into haute couture.

Spring is right around the corner, and I can’t wait. My closet is already well stocked with spring’s latest trends. I have to say that this spring, in particular, big girls should have no problems translating the best of the spring runway looks for their own wardrobes. There were many interesting trends that would work for all sizes, but here are my top three:

One of my favorite trends off the spring runways was denim—and I’m not just talking pants.

Our fashion team hit the runway shows and went backstage at Fashion Week. Here are some of their favorite designers and fall fashion trends:

I attended the Isaac Mizrahi show this morning, and I can’t think of a better finale for my Fall 2010 Fashion Week experience.

Missed an episode of Project Runway? Be sure to catch up on all the drama and fashion as MC blogs through season seven.

This Fashion Week has been a whirlwind. Many of the shows have been amazing, and some have been surprisingly disappointing.

The MC fashion team takes you backstage and behind the scenes at New York Fashion Week to show you their favorite accessories:

The MC fashion team treks through the snow to attend BCBG Max Azria, Jen Kao, and L.A.M.B.

If you’re having a hard time remembering just how much you shop and where exactly all your money is going, no worries—there’s an app for that! The mobile application Foursquare is a genius idea that allows users to unlock "badges" by "checking in" and telling all their friends where they’re eating, shopping and partying. By just saying "Hey, I’m having lunch at Lenny’s and the anchovy pizza is fab!" could unlock a badge for you and hopefully get you to the coveted position of Mayor of your neighborhood hang out spots—and becoming Mayor means tons of freebies from local participating businesses.

So what’s in it for shopaholics like us? Well of course, obtaining the highly sought after badge of the Fashion Victim. It may not sound too rewarding initially, but apparently Marc Jacobs is in on the Foursquare fun. This is the message Jennifer S. received after becoming a Fashion Victim: "Wow! You crossed the line! Your passion for fashion knows no boundaries! Four of you will be given tickets to the MbMJ show in NYC on Tues Feb 16 (we'll notify you by email!) - Love, Marc"

Tickets to the Marc Jacobs show just for telling a few people where I am and what I’m doing? Don’t mind if I do. It’s like Twitter with rewards points.

Hello Ladies,
As if the blizzard that kicked off New York Fashion Week wasn’t enough, the weather in the city yesterday was atrocious. I left the apartment early this morning in a downpour of wet, blowing snow. Needless to say, the traffic was awful and I literally sprinted up the steps at Bryant Park. I ran into the tent right as the lights turned on and music started blaring for the Badgley Mischka show.

Leather, knits, and wool, oh my! What you'll be wearing this fall:



Follow the MC fashion team behind the scenes at Fashion Week for more runway trends!

Hello Ladies,
It’s day four of New York Fashion Week, and as hard as it is to believe, my days seem to be getting more hectic! Today I attended six shows: Lela Rose at 10 a.m., Luca Luca at 11, Catherine Malandrino at noon, Rebecca Taylor at 2 p.m., Herve Leger at 3, and finally Custo Barcelona at 8. I’m almost as out of juice as my iPhone!



Winter is looking bright at Lela Rose. The collection was filled with bright red-oranges, limey yellow-greens, and deep royal blues. The vibrant colors were mixed seamlessly with creams, grays, and blacks. The strong point at Lela Rose: the lady-like dresses. Each cut had a demure sense of youthful sophistication. To mimic the look, seek out classic dresses in deep colored shades or jewel tones for a flattering and slimming effect. You want to keep the silhouette fitted to your body to avoid looking larger than you are (don’t make the all-too-common mistake of swimming in your clothes! Don’t hide!).

Catherine Malandrino was, unexpectedly, the highlight of my day. Although I had always been a fan of the line, this particular collection was inspirational. The look was an urban chic warrior/nomad. The accessories were absolutely stunning and ladies, you know my affinity for shoes and jewelry. The shoes were incredibly detailed with stacked heels and multiple, juxtaposed materials. The jewelry looked like something you’d find in a market in Lebanon. Many looks had intricate necklaces, stacked bracelets, and cuffs in deep silver with multiple stone details. And the terra cotta color that has been popping up in many collections made its way into this show as well. Malandrino’s take was combined with a saturated navy—so effortlessly chic.

It seems that most of the collections are a mix of dark shades, basic neutrals and saturated colors. So look to add some color to your fall wardrobe, and be sure to pick up some unique pieces of jewelry to add interest to simple outfits. An extraordinary accessory is easier to fit on a bigger girl and can give even the most basic look a personal and stylish touch. Off to more shows tomorrow, so check back for more updates! And be sure to follow @MarieClaire on Twitter for live updates from the runways.

-Ashley

YOUR BIG GIRL IN A SKINNY WORLD

Follow our editors backstage and to the shows to get the behind-the-scenes look at Fashion Week that you won't get anywhere else.

Hello Ladies,
I hope you enjoyed your weekend and holiday. Monday was a bit slower than past days of this whirlwind Fashion Week, and it was a much-needed break (it’s not easy being fashionable!). I went to three shows, and glamour was at the essence of all of them. First in the day was Tracy Reese, followed by Monique Lhuillier and finally the Tadashi Shoji show.

Monique Lhuillier’s collection had a distinct Asian influence. The models strutted down the runway with a tight braided bun high on their heads, sporting a bright red lip. The first few pieces were very literal in their influence, and it was obvious in their choice of fabric (think deeply colored satins with golden embroidery and floral embellishments). As the collection progressed into dresses (what Lhuillier does best), I was even more entranced. The evening gowns were fit for an empress—don’t be surprised to see some of these on red carpets and at charity balls. My favorite floor-length gown was a maroon one-shouldered number with gold metal detailing on the strap. The draping was so effortless, and it would be the perfect evening gown, silhouette-wise, for a curvy girl.



I was most excited to see the Tadashi show, a designer who hasn’t forgotten that some women are larger than a size 10 (or, heck, a size 2). I actually purchased a Tadashi gown for an event recently that was stunning, flattering and, most importantly, age appropriate. While not all of his designs are featured in larger sizes, the brand is certainly ahead of the curve. Many plus-sized starlets such as Mo’Nique, Amber Riley, and Gabourey Sidibe have been spotted on the red carpet wearing Tadashi’s designs. The Fall 2010 collection was perfectly draped with layered, sumptuous fabrics, and almost every piece could easily work on a bigger body type (the most frequently highlighted body part? The universally-sexy collarbone!). My favorite dress: a one-shouldered top to bottom sequined gown. I can’t wait to see which dresses make it to the plus size market. Off to more shows tomorrow!

Be sure to follow @MarieClaire on Twitter for live updates from the runways.

-Ashley

YOUR BIG GIRL IN A SKINNY WORLD

Follow our editors backstage and to the shows to get the behind-the-scenes look at Fashion Week that you won't get anywhere else.