Wendy Brandes Jewelry Blog

Never Is the Next New Thing

New York Fashion Week Frocks

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It’s always fun to dress up for New York Fashion Week. In addition to the two tartan dresses I wore on Friday, I’ve worn dresses I’ll describe as new-old, old-old and new-new.

For Fashion’s Night Out, I went with new-old. This Ossie Clark dress was made more than 30 years ago. I won it on eBay this year and this was the first time I’ve worn it, so it’s an old dress but new to me. I love the kimono-style sleeves.

The storefront is available. I am not.

The storefront is available. I am not.

Last night, I went to Thrifty Fashionista‘s trunk show in my new-new Francis by Christian Francis Roth dress.  I stopped by the studio on my way to the event and changed into the dress there. I like the way the slashed/shredded fabric contrasts with the ladylike shape of the dress. Christian decided to produce this look in different colors (you can see the blue and yellow version here), so I got to keep the silvery-gray sample. He knows how thrilled I am to get a one-of-a-kind piece.

One-of-a-kind dress by Francis.

On the street in a one-of-a-kind dress by Francis.

For the Independent Fashion Bloggers Dress-Up Soiree, I pulled out all the stops. After all, I was on a panel to talk about “evolving influence” with gorgeous bloggers Susie Bubble (Style Bubble), Geri (Because I’m Addicted), Jessica (What I Wore) and Carolyn (The Daily Obsession). I had to represent. Of course, the faux-ny tail had to make an appearance. It’s not a real party without a faux-ny tail. And thank you, Julie at Pierre Michel, for doing one of my most kick-ass faux-ny tail looks ever. Getting it done was pretty painful, but as I’ve said before, it’s no pain, no gain when it comes to a faux-ny tail. Embrace the pain!

The faux-ny tail was accompanied by an old-old dress. I wore this 1980s leopard-print Patrick Kelly gown once before — to the Tribeca Film Festival — after which I appeared on WWD’s Disaster Area page with the caption “Mee-ouch.” Because I’m a contrary bitch, that experience made me love the dress wildly and yearn to wear it again. But, for a long time, I couldn’t imagine what event would be important enough for such a famous dress. A day before the IFB party, I realized that the right occasion had arrived at last.

Photo by Thumbelina Fashionista

Photo by Thumbelina Fashionista

The red necklace I appear to be wearing in the photo is actually dozens of strands of Mardi Gras beads. People were supposed to give out beads if they liked your outfit (taking one’s top off was not required, though not expressly forbidden either).  Thanks to my heart-wrenching WWD story — and the aggressive bead-seeking action of the Fasshonaburu girls — I eventually staggered home with 47 necklaces.  I’m not sure exactly what I said during the panel except that I bragged about my Drysdale Award for Blog With the Most Swears. And I swore. Obviously! I have to live up to my reputation. Anyway, I doubt that really helped any bloggers in the audience but that’s not the important thing. The important thing is that I had a great time, goddammit! Congratulations to IFB founder Jennine for drawing such a big crowd. I think we’ll have to find you a bigger venue for the next one. It was Marc Jacobs-level mayhem in there!

UPDATED TO ADD: Thanks to gorgeous blogger Rosie Pop for turning me into an illustration! I love that kind of thing.

wendy-brandes

FOR MORE ON THE IFB EVENT, CHECK OUT THESE BLOGS:

And check out the IFB Dress-Up Soiree getting a mention in the L.A. Times!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. It was soooo much fun hanging out with you Wendy! You rocked those spots and I am just awaiting for the big best-dressed award to go to you 😉

    My highlight of the night: late night nachos! xo, Pamela

  2. The Ossie Clark dress is TDF – WTF! I love it DAMN!

    AND: The leopard dress + the hair + red lips = DYNASTY STATUS chick.

    You have arrived. Again!

    XOXO luv ya chickie,
    Amy

  6. What about old-new?

    OK, you got me, that doesn’t make much sense, I’m just trying to think of any old excuse to see you in another fabulous dress. Seriously, will your fabulous dressiness EVER end??? xx

  7. The Ossie looks amazing on you! Actually, all of these dresses do, but the Ossie just made me smile because you Twitter-polled before wearing it. 😉

  8. I still call b.s. on that WWD piece. I thought you had the perfect shape and mien for that leopard dress, and it was a showstopper—in the best possible way.

    I love the one-off silver one, too. How perfect with your brilliant red lips!

  9. Oh, I realize now that I didn’t comment on the feather dress, but I love the shape of the sleeves. You could fly away on those.

  11. You look fantastic in all these dresses. I adore the sleeves on the Ossie Clark and go you for wearing that dress again. I love the leopard and you totally pull it off. Love the red beads and the lippy combo!

  14. OMG NO WAY is that from his spring collection, the silver?! UGH I LOOOOOOVED the blue/neon yellow ugh… sooo beautiful! you really know how to work a dress my dear!

  16. Oh my god, woman, you have got serious cojones, and yes, I mean BALLS to wear that leopard dress. And by that, I mean, I want that leopard dress! It is too, too fab.

    I love the kimono dress too – are those chili peppers or 80s people on it (the resemblance is scintillating). The silver dress is lovely – and how freakin’ cool that yours is a one-of-a-kind!

  26. Ha! I had no idea we were so instrumental in the amount of beads you collected, but you and the leapord dress totally deserved them! Hope you didn’t pull a neck muscle from the weight of all those plastic beads 😛