New York Fashion Week AW09: Jill Stuart

Posted by Kathleen

on February 17, 2009

Sweet princess styles at Jill Stuart for the Fall collection were given more edge thanks to a rock and roll inspired collection. Rocker princess was the keyword for this show – with lots of lace, ruffles, crushed velvet, and leather, which contrasted with the austere atmosphere at the New York Public Library. As “23″ from Blonde Redhead played overhead, models styled with Keith Richards faded eyeliner and wavy bedhead, carried jet black rosary necklaces and fingerless knit gloves with fringe, while wearing fedoras festooned with crushed silk flowers in ivory, soft purple, and dusty pink on the brim.

Front row action at this show came in the form of Paris and Nicky Hilton, Amanda Bynes, Kristen Bell, Jessica Stroup of 90210, and Amanda Setton from Gossip Girl, and Michelle Trachtenberg. The paparazzi were clearly focusing on Paris, and I was pretty amazed at her ability to look unfazed for a good 15 minutes as people jumped over themselves to get a picture of her, and she pretended to chat nonchalantly on her phone.

The looks for this collection were primarily monochromatic, featuring lots of black and white. I thought that the one shoulder tiered ruffly dresses were girlish and playful, without looking naïve, and would get the perfect amount of rocker edge when accessorized with ankle boots. I wasn’t sure how I felt about the hats, which Fashionista.com called “Blossom style,” but with the multitude of Japanese buyers/ magazine editors there at the show, I’m sure that they will do well abroad. All in all, it was a fun collection of wearable “Park Avenue Princess plays Rock Princess” for a day.

See more pictures below: