Beyonce & Jay-Z on B's tumblr

Perhaps inspired by little sis Solange’s photo-rific Tumblr or feeling more open since the birth of her daughter Blue Ivy Carter, the notoriously private Beyonce is sharing her world in pictures on her new Tumblr blog. Calling the blog “I am”, as part of her new website, the Tumblr feed features personal photos of the star vacationing with her sister, nephew, and husband Jay-Z, as well as what looks like outtakes from photo and video shoots. No pics of Blue Ivy are to be found, except when she was in her mother’s belly, but perhaps that will change. In the singer’s note about her blog, she writes: “This will continue to grow as I do.”

The new blog and site–Beyonce.com–are not to be confused with the singer’s other online home BeyonceOnline.com.  Beyonce.com is a “newly personal view into her world, for you, by her”, site text explains, with access to her “vault” of music and photos, and notices of upcoming performances, complete with a “Beyhive“, a fan-driven “colony” of “Beys”. Fans are encouraged to tweet Beyhive-suggested hashtags; drawings of the singer presumably created by fans are showvased, and there’s a breakdown of the kinds of “Beys” her fans are in an “encycloBeydia” of sorts.

Lest anyone get it twisted, the “Queen Bey” is Beyonce herself.  “Honey Beys”? They’re “the calm bunch of the beyhive,” she site explains, “drama free… sweet like honey.” What’s a “Bumble Bey” you ask? A Bey that’s sweet as honey–unless you sting the Queen.  ”Digger Beys” are “hardworking Beys… [that] dig high and low for pollen on the Queen Bey” (“pollen” being facts and stats). Wasps, the site explains, are haters.

Beyonce named her blog "I Am"

Naeem Khan Fall 2012

Known for the luxurious handmade textiles he creates — and for dressing Michelle Obama for her first state dinner – Naeem Khan did not disappoint with his fall 2012 collection. In fact, it was hard to decide which was more beautiful; the fabrics or the pieces themselves. The details were incredible.

Beads were embroidered in swirling and floral patterns onto tulle, metallic threadwork was embroidered onto wool and silk, teardrops of beads were affixed onto sheers to create a 3D polka dot effect, and stretch cigarette pants were jet-beaded. One of my favorite pieces in the collection was a one-shoulder, full-skirted maxi gown with an oversized bow at the shoulder.

Check out this vintage backstage interview with Khan from the spring 2009 season in which he speaks about his textiles.

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[photos by Nana Brew-Hammond]

Mid-Century American fashion has inspired many Fall 2012 collections: Rachel Roy, Jenny Packham, and now Christine Alcalay. Her presentation transported observers to a lush parlor setting, circa the 1940s/50s, and featured models in sleek, classic silhouettes. Crushed velvet, silk and chiffon in opulent jewel tones dominated the collection.

Topping off each look were loosely swept bouffant updos, and vivid makeup palates featuring fiery red lips and bold brows.  Alcalay certainly captured the look and feel of a bygone era.

Loved the dramatic arrangement of the models around the room. I felt like I was in the middle of a 1950s Douglas Sirk film.

Gorgeous gowns in rich navy and burgundy tones

One of my favorite looks from the collection: A gorgeous silk, mustard-hued, a-line dress. Classy, retro, sophisticated, and sexy. A must-have for my Fall closet!

Stunning mustard-hued dress

A great perspective on the hair and makeup – very 1940s Femme Fatale. Also loving the chiffon soft pleat blouse and dolman sleeve jacket.

Bold makeup, chic separates

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Lipstick reds and crayon greens came together in Benz's fall 2012 collection

Chris Benz’s fall 2012 presentation was a whimsical sartorial romp into a fantasy land of floppy oversized bows, full skirts, sequins, beads, tin and gold foil, and lipstick red and green plaids. The styling evoked Mrs. Kravitz, the nosy neighbor from the Bewitched series that aired from 1964 to 1972, with the metaphor extending to a dizzy (and slightly drunk) ’60s-era dinner party hostess.

Benz's patent leather, three-finger elbow-length gloves

The collection was decadent (think fur sweater and skirt), yet there was nothing stiff about it. Presented against a shimmering curtain of gold paillettes, Benz’s sleek caps were pinned atop frazzled hair, three-finger patent leather gloves stretched up to the elbows, and in one dress a playful mix of beads and sequins of all sizes came together.

Sober or nipped up from a few too many pre-dinner cocktails, it was a fun collection that didn’t take itself too seriously.

It's a paillette party!

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[photos by Nana Brew-Hammond]

The chunky tape knits she showed in her spring 2012 presentation, were winterized into tanks and luscious scarves. For evening, the designer presented a pant option in winter rose paired with a backless petal top and a gorgeous drape cut-out dresses.

A sleeveless tape knit top in Rachel Roy's fall 2012 collection

The accessories were incredible. I loved the box clutch below in particular.

Cuffs, clutches, and floppy-brimmed hats accessorized Rachel Roy's fall 2012 looks

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[photos by Nana Brew-Hammond]

The smoking finale look at Jenny Packham

It’s no wonder that Angelina Jolie, Kate Winslet, and Duchess Catherine herself are repeat Jenny Packham wearers. The designer has perfected a Hollywood glam that manages to be minimal yet festively festooned at the same time.  For her Fall 2012 line, she continued in her strength, opening the show with a cloud of smoke, before sending a succession of smoking looks down the runway. It came down to the beadwork — crystal-encrusted halters, all-over beads, and shining shoulders designed to look as if the bling had dripped like candle wax on the side of the dress, or spun to look like an elaborate spider web. ’40s references abounded in the collection with sharply cut pencil skirts, strong shoulders, and beauty (dark lips, and knotted hair against pale skin). It was incredibly beautiful.

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[photos by Nana Brew-Hammond]

Our photographer Maria Moreno captured the striking looks at the Zac Posen’s Fall 2012 show. Take a look!

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[photos by Nana Brew-Hammond]

Backstage at A Detacher's Fall 2012 Fashion Week Show

When the models first hit the runway at A Détacher’s Fall 2012 show with Ben Brunnemer playing in the background, it set the scene for a deranged warrior breaking out of the psych ward. (Yes, my mind went that far.) Long shapeless asymmetrical
wraps paired with constructed bobs evoked a sort of strait jacket fashion. However, there were pieces that got me excited. The highwaisted knit skirts and pants were definitely staple pieces. In sum, A Détacher presented an interesting story — a story I am still trying to understand.

[Photo by Chelsea Lauren, Getty Images]

A look from Tracy Reese's Fall 2012 runway show

For her Fall 2012 collection — her 12th season showing at the Fashion Week tents! — Tracy Reese presented her collection against a massive mood board of the graphic shapes, bold colors, and patterns which the models entered the runway from. The pieces (referenced in the the mood board) heavily referenced the ’60s mod with graphic shapes and ’70s boho complete with fur-collared belted trenches and blinging embroidery. TMetallic pockets blocked onto black and red shorts evoked the ’80s. It was a very young and happy statement, refreshingly cheerful given the grey skies and freezing temperatures just outside the tents; and a note of ebullient optimism considering these economic times.

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[Photo by Frazer Harrison, courtesy of Getty Images]

Mimi Plange was inspired by Celtic beading patterns

In the five years since Mimi Plange announced herself as a designer, she has racked-up high-placed and high-fashion fans. Everyone from Rihanna to Michelle Trachtenberg to Princess Astrid of Belgium have donned her pieces known for their luxurious attention to detail, while Vogue‘s Andre Leon Talley and Rachel Zoe attended her spring 2012 presentation in support of her talent. As if that weren’t enough icing on Plange’s cake, she was featured in the coffee table book New African Fashionand included in a New York Times piece on the title. The cherry? Manolo Blahnik teamed up with her to create custom shoes.

Mimi Plange collaborated with Manolo Blahnik to create spring and fall 2012 shoes

Fresh off the momentum of the last few months, Plange presented her Fall 2012 collection in the penthouse suite of the swanky Setai 5th Avenue Private Residences. Inspired by an imaginary surrealist Nordic forest, Plange built a collection around the ancient Celtic knot, interpreting it into intricate beadwork on seriously luxe gowns and dresses.

Plange employed texture to tell her fall 2012 story. If her pieces weren’t beaded, they were fluffy with mongolian fur and mohair, and soft to the touch with alpaca wool, silk, and velvet. Shape was also a key theme as retro box cut dresses and coats emphasized the waist in some way, whether with belted waists or panels of fabric.

I look forward to seeing more from Plange in the seasons to come!

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[photos by Nana Brew-Hammond]