Holy hell.  Forget everything I just said, I am over the moon for Derek Lam’s latest collection.  It is beyond perfect.  It is that dream, everyday clothing that always looks cool.  Nothing that wrinkles, no easily stained fabrics, nothing that stretches out and looks whack by the end of the day.  Just expertly constructed, brilliantly layered, building blocks that scream chic without actually screaming.  Which I am currently doing, at the top of my lungs, about Derek Lam.

I used to do PR for The Row.  I am now doing PR for myself due to the fact that I was ever, in any way, associated with The Row.  The brand debuted its inaugural runway collection this week at Milk Studios for FW2010 and it is beyond amazing.  True to its roots, yet somehow completely innovative, The Row’s newest collection comes out part-Calvin Klein, part-Bottega, yet amazingly, all its own.  An anomaly, just like the Olsens.

As a side note, I think my favorite thing to come out of the FW2010 collections is the attention to layering.  Also seen at 3.1 Phillip Lim and Alexandre Herchcovitch is this new emphasis on lean silhouettes layered under structured pieces.  This tactic in clever disguise can come in handy when trying to fake a perfect body.

To anyone who actually reads this blog, it is not news that I like The New York Times‘ fashion critic, Cathy Horyn.  I like that she’s not scared to sound serious and that she evaluates fashion with the same fine-toothed comb that is par for the course in other competitive industries.  Sometimes I feel like, due to the demographic, aesthetic and work-ethic of those who choose this profession, there is a sliding scale of professionalism.  But while popularity and instant gratification can over shadow the integrity of some, Cathy never lets the perks of the job eclipse her judicious reviews.  Famously banned from shows in the past for her acerbic opinions, she gives designers tough love, but is also willing to change her mind.  She even seems to give bloggers a chance saying, “Right now we have a lot of people who are coming at it from left field, and they can have some really wonderful insights into fashion and they can see it from their generation, which is fantastic, and they can be quite funny about it, too.”  Yeah, she’s clearly talking about the jBlog.

We love you too, Cath!

After poring over the SS10 couture coverage, I wanted to share a couple of things spotted on the runway that are definitely going to be big in the upcoming months.  Couture is so special because of the handiwork and craftsmanship implicit in the art form.  What struck me as impressive is Style.com’s coverage of several lesser-known houses alongside biggies like Chanel, Dior and Valentino.  Up-and-coming couturier, Anne Valérie Hash, used rookie status to her benefit by asking icons like Alber Elbaz, Jean Paul Gaultier and Tilda Swinton to part with some of their personal pieces.  A pretty unrealistic request for an emerging designer, but somehow Hash’s charming mix of reverence and innovation compelled industry vets to throw her a bone.  As a result she was gifted with intimate treasures from an arsenal of entertainment and fashion’s heavy hitters.  Hash then expertly tailored and reassembled the garments to create 15 new looks.  While the resulting collection kind of strikes me as a Parisian club kid’s take on Phillip Lim circa 2007, I think the idea is sweet and makes me proud of the Old Guard’s support of new talent.  Also, Hash’s collection showcases one of my favorite new trends:  a more relaxed and snazzier day-time slack in soft, sheeny fabrics.  Below, a recap of my favorite ideas and trends from SS10 Couture.  Enjoy and let me know what you think.  Will I be tossed out of Village Tav for wearing lamé paired with hand-folded rosettes?

Everyone in New York seems to have Gaga fever right now.  Luckily for me, I am impervious to that strain of influenza as I find her completely ridiculous.  However, I did think the hair bow was aight and I think that Magdalena Frackowiak’s tulle bow in February’s Dazed & Confused is pretty much top notch.  I’m calling it: turn over!

Bad bowmance.

NYmag has introduced an interactive application where readers can upload their favorite home-styled looks and share them with the world.  The twist is that because the online gallery is associated with the eccentric, yet inspired, weekly feature “The Look”, a more colorful crowd than you can expect to find in your typical Tumblr has come out to play.  Lo and behold: this guy.  (Editor’s note: The captions beneath the images are his own words and have not been exaggerated for laughs.)

Dear John,

While Amanda isn’t usually the most fashion-forward, I am in awe of how she looked at the Golden Globes after-parties.  From the shiny hair, to the ruffled shoe, to the fun and flirty silhouette of her dress, everything about this just works.

Love,

Just when you think you know anything at all about fashion, you come across someone like model-cum-VJ-cum-photographer Hanneli Mustaparta.  My friend, Lily, recommended I check out her site and I am blown away by her redonkulous beauty, innate personal style and lighthearted perspective on the industry.  I am beyond obsessed with her website and the images it houses.  In a seemingly serendipitous twist, she was inadvertently the muse to my very first jProj!   Below are some images either taken by or adored by Ms. Mustaparta that have me all hot and bothered.

For some reason I am having a hard time finding anything I feel like writing about today.  So, I am going to piggyback.  This month’s issue of InStyle reflects on Rachel McAdams’ 10 Best Looks over the years and while I agree with some of their selections, I also think she has been bringing some serious heat to her “Sherlock Holmes” press tour.  I like McAdams because she makes daring and interesting choices and never repeats silhouettes for safety’s sake (Editor’s Note: this is to be said in your head like Billy Madison when expressing interest in a buffalo, live or stuffed, preferably stuffed). 

The Internet is a funny place.  Often time you can be searching for something harmless like “why can’t I stop eating nutella with a spoon?” and end up somewhere completely ridiculous like “I google wrong help forum.”  This morning, for instance, I was trolling the Internet for fashion news when I stumbled upon a post on Fashionista about COACD’s industry “Malendar” of all of fashion’s sexy, straight men.  Well, as can be expected, half of the subjects are dogs, but one guy looked hot enough that I wanted to get a better look.  Introducing: Kai Regan.  Kai is a sensational photographer who does not shy away from bold color.  His images of New York nightlife, counter-culture lifestyle and urban phililandering vibrate with raucous youth.  And he’s hot as hell.  I may have a new #1 babe.

Sexy party pic of fashion icon Chloe Sevigny by Kai Regan.