Tadashi Shoji said he wanted the girls to look angelic, like they’re going to take flight. Take flight they did in his Fall/Winter 2011 presentation at New York’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. The show was a stunning spectacle to say the least.

Known for his feminine silhouettes and clean lines that often grace red carpets (Julie Bowen’s nude dress at the Golden Globes was a favorite), Shoji wowed the crowd with his elegant collection inspired by the gardens of the far east. Drawing inspiration from the beauty of nature, “the art of birds dancing, branches intertwining, rock formation and light reflecting in water”, Shoji brings the stage to life, evoking a sense of serenity and purity.

The presentation began on a soft and demure note, showing one-shouldered draped cocktail dresses, incredibly classy feathered skirts, feather-accented shoulders and collarbones and feather-like lace tiers that continued the aviary theme. Each piece was made with a simplicity that compliments the female form.

The colors were absolutely gorgeous ranging from muted neutrals and earth tones like black, cream, gray and olive then progressing into evening wear. Exuberant jewel-toned, long floor-lenghth gowns graced the runway. Bursts of yellow, deep purple, magenta, navy and rich shades of floral and emerald green glided in formation.

Even with bolder jewel tones that would be at home on a parrot the entire line exuded a tranquil and peaceful aesthetic through fabrics like silk crepe, silk organza and chiffon mixed with delicate lace. The material created beautiful movement throughout the collection. Intricate rouching, draping, feathers, rosettes and floral appliques added a touch of elegance.

Overall the collection was very visually appealing and well-rounded, offering every type of dress from lace to strapless, to asymmetrical and flowing. The palates and accents were incredible and each piece appeared to be worn effortlessly, mirroring the collection’s overall ease of wear. We were really impressed with Shoji’s ability to seize the runway with such captivating colors, fabrics and fit. The attention to female form in such a vibrant and sophisticated way, while maintaining a fun and youthful energy, is what stands out most in his work. This collection is one that will please everyone from fashion editors and celebrities to the every day consumer.

If you’ve already voted, and are over the political stories, we sure hope you like Lanvin, H&M or both. H&M’s collaboration with Lanvin, the oldest French fashion house in operation, seems to be the hottest buzz in the fashion community (including our coverage, here).

The new collection will be reviewed by American press sometime today, while the U.K. and Japan have already seen the stellar lineup.

While the pieces haven’t hit store shelves just yet, it is highly-anticipated. From the photos, lookbooks, videos and advertisements there is no doubt items will fly off shelves in a matter of seconds.

Cocktail and party dresses overwhelm the line. Sweetheart necklines, frills, belting, rouching, tiers, pleats, faux furs, exotic prints, bows, silks, metallics, buttons, florals and beads create a colorful, youthful feel, creating a strong, feminine silhouette.

One thing we love about Lanvin is the the femininity and elegance of their exquisitely-crafted apparel.

When asked about how the project came together Lanvin designer Alber Elbaz comments, “When H&M approached us to do this collaboration, they asked if I could actually translate the dream that we created at Lanvin to a bigger audience. It wasn’t a project to about a dress for less. I think I loved the idea that H&M was going luxury rather than Lanvin is going public. I thought it was a smart concept, so I said I do.” {You Tube}

Alber Elbaz has definitely not disappointed. The stylish and colorful pieces are easily mixed and matched and transition from day to night effortlessly. The YouTube video for the Fall Winter 2010/2011 collection is stunning and makes you want to run out on November 20th and buy everything! It all looks so good we can’t wait to get our hands on a few of things. The leopard print heels and fur-trimmed vests are the perfect combo for a night out this season and the short and frilly cocktail numbers are perfectly festive for the holidays.

View the Lanvin for H&M dresses, jackets, skirts, tees & tops here

View the Lanvin for H&M menswear here

View the Lanvin for H&M shoes here

View the Lanvin for H&M jewelry, bags and accessories here

It’s official, for Spring 2011 white is the new black. Natural tones are the way to go year and the sensible and classy looks we saw strutting the runways at Mercedes-Benz Fashion week showcased just how red hot head-to-toe white can be.

The photos above are of nine different white looks from designers’ SS11 presentations and shows at Lincoln Center in Manhattan for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. This past week has flown by and the shows are getting great reviews. Clearly white is in for both men (at Lacoste) and women (at nearly every other show) next year as the crisp, clean shade is seen repeatedly on the catwalk.

We are intrigued by the range in proportion, drape and silhouette throughout the collections and the diversity in fabric and detail make for a really classically-dressed season.

Just some of the designers offering head-to-toe white ensembles in their Spring/Summer 2011 collections include Victoria Beckham, BCBG Max Azria, Doo-Ri, Christian Siriano, Frank Tell, Jen Kao, Calvin Klein, Julian Louie, Nicole Miller, Mandy Coon, Peter Som, Rag & Bone, Band of Outsiders, Jill Stuart, Lacoste, Rebecca Minkoff, Ports 1961, Prabal Gurung and Derek Lam.

Madonna say’s the line stems from her own daughter, Lourdes’ personal style. Lourdes – sure to need only a single name like her mom, contributes heavily to the project. Most recently, she joined the style blogosphere, bringing back memories of another young blogger (Tavi) whose been making impressive writing and style moves of her own. {Fashionista} We don’t see any similarities between the two outside of age range, but there’s always room for another fashion blogger. While we’re pretty sure it’s someone from Macy’s behind the Twitter account, the brand is geared towards any 13-25 year olds hanging out there who weren’t born in time for the original 80s fashion wave.

WWD adds that a certain actress in a “teen drama series” who has a punk-rock personal image is the Madge’s first pick to model the collection. {Collegefashion}

Check out Signature9 UK for preview photos of the Material Girl collection, and a breakdown of everything you need to know about the campaign.

WTB is actually the name Richie Sambora, of rock and roll superstar band Bon Jovi, gave his new clothing line, which was recently reviewed by Vogue UK. The collection was designed in collaboration with Nikki Lund, who interned for Anna Sui and Jill Stuart in New York.

“We wanted to make something for strong, empowered women who are in touch with their soft, sensitive sides and who are comfortable with their femininity – who can also kick ass,” said Lund. Or, judging by some of the zipper placements, women who are comfortable with flashing a few roadies for a backstage pass.

The clothes were shown in March at L.A. fashion week, and a menswear line is in the works. Sambora has worn some of the WTB pieces on stage already and supposedly they have made a jacket for lead singer Jon Bon Jovi. {Fashionista}

As for the clothes – one of the dresses has a long train that does look like it could be made out of black trash bags. Perhaps the collection should have been called Trash Bag Beautiful.

The review? “Exactly what you would expect the lead guitarist of one of the world’s most famous rock ‘n’ roll bands to want women to wear: seductively revealing, often spray-on and always dramatic. Fabrics are leather, suede, silk, stretchy snake print and lots of elastane, while detailing focuses on zips – there’s even a zip-crotch leotard.” {Vogue UK}

Some of the pieces – particularly the jackets and vests, could actually work well paired with basics to tone them down a bit for a chic rock and roll look. The Glory Vest is pretty funky and cool and so are the Drifter and King Sport Jackets.

However, Sambora wants to dress Jennifer Anniston, aka the unofficial queen of understated California classy, in WTB clothing. Sorry, Richie; we donâ€t see that happening, but we still love you anyway.

In honor of their 40th anniversary, Interview magazine is curating Morgan’s Semi-Automatic for Miami Art Basel. The concept – sleek vending machines filled with luxury items, kicked off at last year’s show with designers like Jean-Paul Gaultier, Moschino, Boudicca and Richard Nicoll. The Interview selection will include Jil Sander, the Prada Marfa sign (in case you’ve been eyeing it on Gossip Girl) and many more items that celebrate 40 years of pop culture. The influential art show kicks off December 3rd and runs through the 6th. And now, on top of the 250 art galleries showcasing their wares, you can go for what’s arguably the best-stocked vending machine in the country. We wonder what’s on the agenda for the ice machine.

Read more {The Pipeline}
Read more {Interview}

Jessie Randall has a shoe collection to die for: every pair is perfect because she designed them all herself. Loeffler Randall, a collaboration between Randall and her husband, started in footwear and quickly expanded to apparel. Her designs are chic, edgy and sexy with a modern take that go from season to season. Fashion isnâ€t Randallâ€s only passion as donations from her collection go to Living India, an organization to help AIDS affected children in India. Good style for a good cause? We like the sound of that.

Read the full story {Always in Style}

Jeanne d’Arc would be pleased.

Not since the 1980s have there been so many urban warrioresses power-stomping down the runways in marked defiance to the frilly sex slave/baby incubator version of femininity that has been expected of women since — well, forever, really.

Prada's Fall 2009 Warrior Women

Reigning now is, of course, rampant Balmania with that ubiquitous strong shoulder-line so popular during the fight in the 1980s for gender equality, as well as the androgynous look last seen in the 1920s when women taped down their bosoms and declared their right to become something other than playthings for men.

Yet this modern 2000s breed of the woman warrior differs from both the 1920s and the 1980s, because with the crash of the economy and the uncertainty of the days ahead comes a more somber outlook on life in general.  There is a metaphorical war going on, and because of the multiplicity of the female job description, women now wear a veritable army of hats —  mother, lover, workhorse, battle strategist — and, despite the advances of the women’s lib. movement (bra-burning, anyone?), many still feel the societal expectation to stretch themselves even further and support that sense of pretty, “feminine” helplessness expected of them: the “feminine mystique,” if you will.

But then entering stage left come designers like Gareth Pugh and Ann Demuelemeester, who present a woman warrior whose power is utterly terrifying because she has absolutely no regard for the male gaze, instead patrolling the streets in something other than six-inch Loubs, because dammit there’s a job to be done and to hell with anyone who stands in the way.

Miuccia Prada declared the “need for female empowerment” and filled her fall runway with thigh grazing, heavy-soled shoes and boots made for working. Heavy tweeds were paired with stiff leathers, cut in a way to remove any connection to the sexy, second skin, fetish inspired iterations that have prevailed on runways past. And the furs? Prada’s 2009 woman, with her untamed hair and crimson rimmed eyes, looks as if she may have killed and skinned the creatures herself.

Beyonce’s fierce warrior woman persona, the hyper-feminine dichotomy of Spring 2010 and more on the next page. Click to continue.

Read more {the fashionisto}

Read more {Oak}