fashion.psfk interview- Constance White On NY Fashion Week

Fashion.psfk wanted an insiders round-up from New York Fashion Week, so we thought we’d ask newly appointed eBay Style Director Constance White for her professional overview. Her eBay e-zine ‘Personal Style’ and Style Ettiquette advice column are big hits with online shoppers thanks to her trend-savvy fashion filtering and brutal honesty for those in fashion need, so we thought we’d fire some quick questions her way in the hope of unearthing some exciting titbits-

-    Which was the best show this week?

Marc jacobs by far. Also very strong – Vera Wang, Chado by Ralph Rucci and Derek Lam

-    Which did you think was the worst show?

I did not attend the worst show. After doing this for so long I have experience and a sixth sense about what’s going to be really bad. I find, because of this, it’s rare that I sit through a really bad show anymore. Sometimes it’s just that the clothes are so boring they should never be on a runway, but they’re perfectly decent middle-brow jackets and skirts.these kinds of shows are the worst.

-    Who do you think is the designer to watch for the future?

There are so many emerging designers in NY right now, it’ hard to Name just one. But among those I’ll be watching closely are – Derek Lam, Richard Chai, Phillip Lim, Doo.Ri and Araks.

-    Which key pieces will you be buying?

A trench, skinny jeans, a dress, a metallic jacket

-    If you were given all the collections for free, which designers/ Pieces would you refuse to wear?

Tulip shorts, red patent leather shoes, Brazilian bikinis

-    Which pieces do you expect to see on Ebay?

All of it. This as a very cohesive season

-    What do you feel are the key looks for spring/summer?

Easy dresses – trapeze, tents and so on. Longer shorts. trench coats. Lighweight feminine jackets, bubble skirts and bubble dresses. Shiny shoes -metallic or patent. Mini skirts.

-    Which items do you think will be copied by retailers the most?

Trenches, bubble skirts, tent dresses, metallics

-    Which collection took the most risks?

Marc jacobs. (Jeremy Scott usually does but I missed it this season)

-    Which designers have lost their edge?

no comment . they know who they are.

-    Which designer had the best front row line-up?

Bill Blass over Luca Luca by a nose. (Blass’s was so incongruent and fabulous – Liza Minelli, Joan Rivers, Kitty Carlisile Hart, Anne Slater. Then Sigourney Waever and across the runway -Janet Jackson!)

-    Who was the best dressed celebrity?

Jared Leto (loved the competitively feminine eye make up with moodily butch trench)

-    Who was the worst-dressed celebrity?

They all played it pretty safe. And so are safe from my acerbic comments

-    Who was the best celebrity model?

Mercifully, celebrities stayed in their seats this season. Unless you count Tyson in jewels at the Chris Aire show.

-    Who was the most in-demand celebrity at the shows?

Is it in-demand or over exposed? Mischa Barton

-    Who had the best show invite/ goody bag?

Derek Lam always has the best goody bag. It includes a curling iron for goodness sakes. Invite – baby Phat.

-    Which show was the best production?

marc jacobs

-    Which show had the best atmosphere?

Afshin Fez

-    What was the most interesting music you heard played?

Afshi Fez. The "soundtrack" was N’Dea Davenport of the Brand New Heavies singing live!!!! Sheer heaven.

-    Who had the worst production?

A Tie- Rodarte and Philip Lim. Rodarte’s seating was a mess and you had to climb three flights of stairs to get to the venue. Lim’s crush at the door was dangerous. Guests , when let in, entered in to cavernous darkness and began tripping over each other. The champagne ran out (a big no,no). Thank goodness, the show was good.

-    What was the worst behavior you saw during the week?

A TV camerman slamming a woman in the head with his camera as he rushed to get a shot of Paris Hilton.

-    What did you think of the Project Runway show? Do you think public participation in New York fashion week is a positive step for design?

Not necessarily. It depends on how the public is integrated into the shows. Shows are essentially a trade vehicle, if u try to start catering to consumers too the work will not get done and it could come back to bite fashion in the butt. Consumers are looking for edited, interpretations of what’s on the runway. They may choke on the whole enchilada

We love a bit of insider gossip!!! If you’re in need of some style advice check out the e-zine, if you ignore the dire web design (or lack of), the comprehensive trend content with links to eBay pages is a clever tool for online shoppers. Also Constance’s blog has more fashion week information.

Personal Style

Constance’s blog