Long Island's fashionistas at Fashion Week
Ashanti at Glo nightclub in Westbury on Jan. 25, 2011. Credit: Agaton Strom
At Fashion Week, hemlines may rise sky-high or plummet depending on the season. Color stories range from black is back to neon worship.
But no matter the trends, there is always one, unyielding truth: Absolutely everybody wants to look fabulous.
So we asked a few of Long Island's most fashionable folks to show us the kinds of outfits they'll be wearing. We learned that how they look is far from an afterthought. It's a strategy.
THE DESIGNERS
WHO Mark Badgley and James Mischka, both 50, whose Badgley Mischka label has been the go-to for glamorous, Hollywood red carpet types and big spenders since 1988. Of late, they have ventured into sportswear, and now offer a more affordable contemporary line called Mark + James. And guess which dashing duo moved to L.I. recently? That would be the Badgley Mischka fellows, who have taken up permanent residence in Laurel Hollow.
THEIR LOOK "We have a uniform," Badgley says of their signature swankiness: beautifully cut blazers, slim dark jeans and the crispest white shirts, which, Mischka says, "we wear every day of our lives." Badgley says, "We're not believers in dressing down. The jacket shows a formality, and we think it's disrespectful not to wear one. It's polished," he adds.
WHAT THEY'RE WEARING Yves St. Laurent jackets (Badgley in gray, Mischka in navy), Brooks Brothers shirts and Levi's jeans. Badgley wears a Prada belt and shoes, while Mischka dons an Hermès belt and Ferragamos. His socks delineate the seasons. He doesn't wear them for spring.
Supermodel Carol Alt shows what she plans on wearing to this year's Fashion Week. Alt, whose residence is in Westbury, plans to walk in one of the shows. She poses in her NYC apartment. (Jan. 27, 2011) Credit: Photo by Bruce Gilbert
THE SUPERMODEL
WHO Carol Alt, 50, the East Williston-raised supermodel (she's graced more than 700 magazine covers), actress, author, raw food advocate and skin-care maven (her product line is Raw Essentials by Carol Alt), has a home in Old Westbury and will both walk the runway and sit front row at designer friends' shows this season.
HER LOOK "For me, it's about finding unique pieces," she says - a bit of vintage mixed in with something new - and when designers ask her to wear their clothes for a show, she will only do it if she really likes the duds. "Everybody there is judging what you're wearing. It's the one time everybody gets dressed in the city and really puts on the dog!"
WHAT SHE'S WEARING Valentino sable-trimmed vest, One Step stretch pants, black turtleneck by Intimissmi and Kenzo high-heeled booties. Her ring, a rectangular citron surrounded by rubies, was a gift from her longtime boyfriend, hockey player Alexei Yashin.
Mark Badgley and James Mischka, famous LI designers, show what they're wearing to Fashion Week. They're famous for their glittery red carpet designs, and they recently established their permanent residence in Laurel Hollow. They pose in their studio on NYC's Seventh Avenue. (Jan. 27, 2011) Credit: Photo by Bruce Gilbert
THE STAR
WHO Ashanti, 31, born and raised in Glen Cove, R&B/hip-hop artist, songwriter, actress and full-time glamour-puss, is no stranger to Fashion Week's front row, where paparazzi buzz around her like bees to honey.
HER LOOK "You want to and you have to look fabulous at Fashion Week in New York. The paparazzi - they just come at you - so you have to be 100 percent on point, from your eyelashes to your shoes. Those pictures go global," she says.
WHAT SHE'S WEARING A one-shouldered sapphire blue sequin dress by Twenty Cluny and a custom sable coat, Lorraine Schwartz ring and diamond hoops. She says, "It's sexy, chic and pops all at once."
