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!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Oh, my, you should’ve been around to have been in “What’s New Pussycat?” in that fantastic leopard print, honey. And you know I don’t mean you look old. I mean you look H-O-T! Wow!

  2. Wendy! You are fabulous…totally adore you now in that full-length leopard dress! I wish I were there to see you in person…I would have liked a pic with you!

    You New Yorker bloggers are so much fun!

  5. That Ossie is just stunning on you, a superb cut and this print is soo divine!! Loving the new CFR dress too, very unique and stylish-you’re so lucky to be able to attend all these fab events!!

  7. You are definitely one lady who can pull off full cheetah print in an outfit! Love the red necklace! It matched your lipstick perfectly!

    The sleeves on the first dress I also love! So 70s but current!

  10. You’ve officially reached hero status for me with that dress. Can I be you when I grow up? (ok, I’m 25, but I’m ignoring that minor factor)

  11. The gray dress was amazing. I can’t even imagine a blue & yellow one looking better than the one you have one. It’s striking because of the lines and color.

    The leopard dress is very fun and I can’t imagine why the press thought otherwise at a previous event. That is a dress few can pull off and you did a great job with it.

  17. I love people watching at the shows. But you my friend look absolutely gorgeous. You look awesome in the CFR dress. I just love that color on you. And the leopard dress. WOW!!!! You look AMAZING!!! I’m looking at my clothes and need to make some changes. Can’t wait for my new pieces coming next month!

  18. you looked awesome that night – quite the showstopper! i’ll email you the photos later today and thank you for the link back!!! yay!

  19. I am so glad that after your disasters page experience that you seemed to have a positive experience in your leopard print dress. If anyone can pull it off you can. You look fab.

  20. HOLY MOLY!!!

    This vintage Ossie Clark dress is so very SWOOON!!
    The print is awesome and also the sleeves are showstopping!
    Congratulation on your fabulous ebay find!!!! This is what I love about ebay!

    You lucky bloggers who met eacht other a few days ago!!!

    Have a beautiful day!

  23. Bravo…three cheers…standing ovation…clap, clap, clap!! You look fab in all three. I adore the Ossie Clark. The husband would love the Francis dress in yellow! And leopard! My favorite…meow!

  26. You look marv in all of them, but I am partial to that kitty-cat. WWD can bite me.

    I am going to have to get to NY for the next one of these shindigs. Too much fun.

  30. Wendy, you look fabulous every single night! If you weren’t so nice it’d be easy to hate you y’know 😉 But seriously, who could not love you. I love ebay, such treasures to be found! Sometimes the hunt isn’t much fun though…
    And congrats on being on the panel, I would’ve loved to watch y’all!

  31. Love all your jewels!!!! Poison ring=amazing! Even though I didn’t get to meet you at the Soiree, it was good to see you there representing us NYC girls!

  35. You need to blow up & frame that illustration! It’s fabulous, and I love seeing the Mee-ouch dress again. Sorry I missed the great party, I really wanted to listen to you curse on the panel. Unfortunately Fashion Week got the best of me Monday.
    And that Francis dress, WHOA. Wendy it is a stunner on you.

  47. I like all these dresses but the first one is my fav. Very goddessy. All you need is a golden owl perched on your shoulder.

  48. you’re AMAZING! you totally rocked the faux-ny tail and the leopard dress! it was so nice to meet you last monday.

    linked you! 🙂