Week in review...oh wait, it hasn't been a week yet?

Amidst the mass chaos that is New York Fashion Week, I decided to start blogging more #manic #ballsy #stupid.

Highlights of New York Fashion Week thus far:

Fashion's Night Out...because you didn't know I was going to say that. When the most anticipated night of the season finally came, the SC offices were aflutter of emotions, nerves and excitement. Half the team headed to Cutler for free blowouts, all of the team was downing sugar free redbull and Starbucks, while I whipped out my astronaut dress for the occasion and made my way over to Foley + Corinna to be styled by the best of the best. Tom Soluri, stylist to the cast of Gossip Girl was throwing outfits at me left and right. Check out my style transformation here: www.stylecaster.com/news/4991/fashions-night-out-at-foley-corinna

From there it was off to Missoni for imported macaroons (die), champagne, knit bikinis and Kelly Bensimon. Next stop for us was Vivienne Tam with the uber-fab DJ Mick Boogie. As the night wore on and everyone remembered how cool StyleCaster is, the store was packed with fans.

I then took a cue from my wallet and decided it might be time to Mick Boogie over to American Apparel. Before that though, we made a pitstop at Eryn Brinie for the most amazing pink sparkling champagne and goodie bags full of Frizz Ease (they must have known about my ritual straightening). The true brilliance of the night came out though when I arrived at American Apparel where I filled my dressing room full of clothes and then proceeded to buy a dressing room full of clothes. Champagne + Shopping= Not so recession friendly but definitely closet friendly. Oh, that would be if I didn't share a closet with my roommate #college #gramercy #clothes horse #pack rat.

The night ended with a short stint at the Bryant Park Hotel and a divine, way over due dinner of hummus and special k.

Friday was full of hot yoga, press previews, fur vests, Bloomingdale's, equinox and of course, no class. The Echo presentation was fab (as was Carrie Goldberg) and Bernard Maisner who humbly penned Philip Lim's wedding invitations in calligraphy. Loved his new scarf collaboration, so fitting with the September 11th premiere date.

The Vivienne Tam show was nothing short of amazing and StyleCaster was equally ground-breaking, as per the usual fabulousity, being the first to live stream a fashion show. Go team!

Tomorrow is Sunday which means I still won't sleep, but I work better whe I'm manic anyway.

Peplum Power

All hail the almighty peplum dress.

They've been popping up everywhere latey. You've seen them for sure, but chances are, you had no idea what to call them. I personally danced around with a few terms, sometimes referring to them as tierred or layered. But it wasn't until I realized that my sister's Sweet 16 was dangerously close and I had yet to find a dress that I actually got on the internet and did my research.

According to Webster's, a peplum is a "short section attached to the waistline of a blouse, jacket, or dress". The term came about in the 1800's and has since evolved. The modern peplum became popular in the 1940's when we began to see fabric extending beyond the waist on skirts and dresses. A peplum typically flares out at the hips, some more so than others, creating a variety of silhouettes.

After a brief hiatus, the peplum trend came back in full force in the 80's. And what seems to be the standard now, anything with a cool factor in the 80's is once again cool now. The popularity of the peplum was partially a reaction to the constricting menswear styles that were the norm during that time period. The new peplum was a quasi-feminist statement towards freedom of dress for women and the embrace of a woman's figure.

And they've got it absolutely down pat in the UK. Topshop, ASOS and NewLook have mastered the peplum style. A quick walk through Topshop and you'll see dainty floral peplum skirts and dresses lining the floor. Asos.com offers up their version of the peplum in a variety of colors. And I can indulge my love for fake leather (American Apparel style) with New Looks "Wet Look" peplum dress which comes in black and pink.

I don't know about you but my Forever 21 floral version is in my closet ready to be worn one last time. And as soon as this unsightly rain ceases, you'll find me in my peplum dress on the Great Lawn.

-Alix