On Friday, I wore Zang Toi’s tartan dress to his Spring 2010 show, then changed into a tartan Francis dress for my Fashion’s Night Out after-party at Christian Francis Roth’s studio.
With Zang, in the mayhem after his show.
With Christian, in the mayhem of a blogger invasion.
Zang’s presentation was in his showroom. Before it started, I was pondering Miss Universe’s French pedicure until Ivana Trump sat down in front of me, blocking my view with her ponytail. I asked my Twitter followers if I should take a picture of Ivana’s ponytail. They said yes. Here it is:
Sorry for the cell-phone camera quality.
The models had to walk down a flight of stairs, which reminded me of M.C. Escher.
M.C. Escher's "Relativity."
Whatever you do, ladies, don’t look down. Oh noes! Too late!
"Shrek, I'm looking down!"
Short skirt? No problem. But some gown-wearing models had a hard time climbing back up.
Zang called this his Toreros collection. He was inspired by bullfighting costumes he saw in Spain. Did I just say “bullfighting”?! That’s a good excuse for some more Bugs Bunny.
The Spanish influence meant lots of black beading, epaulettes, flamenco skirts and voluminous sleeves.
It also meant strong brows and bright red lips.
The makeup at Zang’s show reminded me to bitch about how red lipstick is, once again, the “in” look. One of the glossy magazines even had a page on red lipstick “for all ages,” which must have made How Not to Look Old author Charla Krupp weep youthful-looking tears. The periodic revival of red makes me feel like the broken clock that’s right twice a day, except I’m only right twice a decade or so. I keep doing my red lips year in and year out — for about 20 years now — and most of the time various fashion gurus are telling me that it’s aging and terrible and I need to switch to pink/nude lips. But then, suddenly, and usually for a very short period of time, red lipstick is fresh and chic. Same thing with leopard print, which I also wear year in and year out. So many people were appalled by the blue leopard print Lanvin dress that Maggie Gyllenhaal wore to the Golden Globes in January. She got all kinds of “worst dressed” comments. A few months later, that same Lanvin print was hot and tout le monde was wearing it. Anyway, I’ll be wearing both red lips and leopard when those looks go out again … and I’ll still be wearing them when they’re rediscovered. Again.The late Diana Vreeland knew what she liked and so do I: Red! And! Leopard! (Zang has consistently been a fan of red lips as well.) By the way, if you’re looking for a new red for yourself, the lipstick I’m wearing in the pictures is Chili by Kimara Ahnert. To get it, call 212-452-4252 and ask for Christopher. Tell him I sent you.
After Zang’s show, I ran through the rain to Christian’s studio to taste the Champagne before all the gorgeous bloggers arrived to see his spring collection. What?! Someone has to make sure the Veuve Clicquot is as bubbly as it should be.
You can read my version of the evening here. Jennine of The Coveted posted about it here. Isn’t she a talented photographer? I love her work. A lot of fashion photography — whether for magazines or blogs — seems cold to me. And people pose so pretentiously. Hello! If you’re wearing tiny denim booty shorts and a sleeveless t-shirt with giant armholes, you are not entitled to have delusions of glamour. Jennine’s pictures, however, have a intimate, quirky, fun feeling to them. In fact, Jennine’s photograph of my jewelry appears as the grand finale of the images that cycle through my website’s homepage. Feel free to tell her that she MUST get the Francis jacket she tried on. She looks great in it. I’m looking forward to seeing posts from the other wimmins soon. I had a hella good time with them, both at the studio and at our dinner at Marseille after, where I tasted a lot of Chardonnay. What?! I had to make sure the wine was good enough for all my friends. They deserve the best.
UPDATED TO ADD: Jennine took a cool picture of a picture I was taking of Christian showing the ladies a Fall 2009 skirt. I know, I know. I need a manicure.
UPDATED AGAIN TO ADD: The Zang Toi dress is from Zang’s Fall 2008 collection, but the tartan Francis dress is brand-new for this season. If you’re interested in getting it, holla at me at wendy at cfrnyc dot com and I’ll hook you up.
UPDATING GONE WILD! I just found out that the lovely lady in the blazer and hat on my right in the picture with Zang Toi is named Candace. Check out her blog here.
You look adorable Wendy! Grogeous as always. I love red lips I think there timeless despite what others may say I’m actually wearing red lips tomorrow most likely. I also love leopard print they both mix very well.
The pics are pretty awesome! Hope you\’ve been enjoying this week full of Madness and Joy
Wendi, it’s a sign… my anti-spam word is manipedi! hahahahha
Now I forget what I was going to say. Probably something about you being adorable as usual. 🙂
Ummm… I DO know how to spell your name correctly. Sorry.
Aahaa! Tartan all the way. You look great. I love red lips on others….if you are wearing a great shade of red lipstick, you need no other accessory, but i dnt like it on me or may be i haven’t tried enough.
YES, we are dress twins! 🙂
I love you and Jennine’s updates. Her pictures are absolutely gorgeous. As is your bright red lipstick. Anyone daring to tell you different will be tripped in public. By me. In front of Nelson Muntz who will laugh and point at them.
Both your tartan dresses are just gorgeous and Zangs collection is totally divine!! A big thumbs up to red lippy and leopardprint too!!
The tartan dresses you wore are just lovely. You looks gorgeous.
Florrie x
OMG – I love Spanish influenced design JPGaultier has used it so much and I love him for it.
Zang’s designs are gorgeous. I need the black shirt – please tell me how much even though I will weep.
I loved Jenny’s photos too and that also made me want the tartan jacket. I need to work full time again pronto.
Leopard, red lips, verve cliquot what else does a girl need.
Can’t believe you hesitated over the pony tail photo…
LOVE LOVE LOVE Zang Toi’s collection – and your strapless tartan dress is total hotness.
AMEN!!! About sticking to the styles you like no matter what someone else says. I saw f it…when something I love goes out and I still want to wear it. Not that I am anywhere near as fashionable as you. Thanks for giving me a glimpse, once again into your amazing New York life.
I love both your dresses, but the first one is definitely my favorite!
Hey I always wanted to know. Is that pony tail real or fake? What would happen if you tugged?
Coveting that Ann of Cleves ring 🙂
love your dress, Wendy!
I love both dresses. You look soo great!
you know, my mom always asked, ‘if everyone is wearing horns and tails would you be wearing horns and tails?’ and I said ‘yes!’ red lipstick is not for me, but i’ll take a leopard print any day.
What a great account of a whirlwind evening. I feel like I was there!
I love both dresses, especially the 2nd one. Come to think of it, I’m sort of in love with the 2nd one.
This post is super, WendyB, and it totally illustrates several of your character traits that drew me to you in the first place and have kept me coming back again and again. Curiosity. Loyalty. Out-spoken-ness. Generosity. Joie de vivre. Most of all, I adore that you know what’s loaded in your guns and you stick to them, fearlessly.
Great stuff! And I can’t decide which tartan dress is more gorgeous on you.
looks like you had massive fun! and i adore your second plaid outfit. that dress is so cute!
Love those tartan plaids! And I think Jennine should definitely get that jacket.
Your red lips are your flag, and perfect for you! Tartan, you little tart- looks marvelous.
Wow this sounds like so much fun and I love those oversized sleeves!!!
And I agree, stick with what you love. I can’t pull off red lips but I love me some leopard print!
Red lipstick is only aging if you are already aged. LOVE your tartan looks!
You rock red lipstick like no other! (And I’d hate it if you wore it only with the trends. It’s made to be worn by you.)
You look fantastic in both tartan dresses–same kind of pattern, same color, two amazing & different looks. Love it!
(like you, I also loved the blue leopard Lanvin that MG wore–how could you not? People are so odd to me.)
Your red lipstick and big smile is all the world needs! The tartan dress, however is a lovely bonus! =)
What’s the Miss U doing at the show? Shouldn’t she be promoting world peace 24-7? =)
Peace Miss U!
Its obvious Wendy, that you are thinking ahead a season!
I had first seen the photos on The coveted blog, and how yours. Im so sad I dont get invited to these fancy things, but very happy for you guys!
honey you rocked both looks, love you in the Zang and Roth.love the image of Ivankas ponytail,
Zangs new collection looks beautiful. love the sleeves and the black bead detailing
xx
marian
That black blouse with the big sleeves is simply to die for. If only I were a six foot tall model…
Stunning post, darling! I love the photos you took at Zang Toi’s show, and those dresses look incredible, as do you in your various plaids!
xoxox,
CC
I’ve always loved a strong lip. I don’t care what Charla Krupp says–a lot of women look great with strong lips (I look absolutely terrible in a nude lip anyway).
I’ll see you tomorrow–I’m going to the blogger party! I see you’re on the panel! 🙂
love your strapless tartan …and that pink mini with the glorious sleeves toward the end. so fabulous!
amazing catwalk concept, great photos and… you look great in red;)
Great post, I love both outfits!
I really love the Zang’s Spring ’10 collection, the beading is brilliant!
You look gorgeous, both dresses suit you so well, and your hair and make up are divine!
I’m with you on red lipstick AND leopard print, I always wear red shades of lippy and I have 3 leopard print dresses and a coat!
Ahhhhhhhhhh I’m so jealous I could die! You looked fabulous, lady friend!
Ooh, I love that strapless Zang Toi. Do you ever do it with a white button-down underneath?
Good for you for sticking to your signature red lips! And leopard never goes out of style, in my opinion.
You look gorgeous. The only problem for me with my beloved red lipstick, is that when it fades, the awfulness is so much more blatant than with subtle (read: boring) more neutral shades. Oooh, care to link to your red lipstick posts again? We all know you love linking 😉
Wendy, great reportage. You should do more of the coverage from the shows. You’re really a great writer hon.
Miss Wendy..you look fab as always! Yep, red is the hottest shade this fall for lipstick. trivia: Diane Pernet was raving about this lipstick which was an absolute red. You know who made it? Picasso’s daughter, Paloma. It was released in the 80’s but unfortunately, it is not available anywhere anymore. Paloma now designs jewelry for Tiffany’s. Red lipstick, jewelry…paloma,wendy…hmmm,twilight zone. 🙂 besos!
One of my favorite red lips is on Michelle Williams in her stunning yellow dress at the Oscars with Heath.
you look adorable. bf looked about your website and we both think your works are great. : )
You look brilliant in tartan. I am with you and I will never accept the idea that red lipstick goes out of style. Charla could not do anything to make me give up red. And actually I think Charla would look better in a good red than she does in a pale pink. But to each her own.
Gah, WendyB! I want your fabulous life 😉 Looks like so much fun!
It’s so funny that you said that bit about red lipstick because in the first few pics of you in the tartan I was thinking “more people should wear red lipstick like WendyB!”
Hope you have a wonderful week!
oh my goodness! that pink skirt – i love.
i really enjoyed reading your post! 🙂
you look great in both dresses! lookslike
it was a fantastic night! xxx
Both dresses look stunning on you; you wear tartan well! As for red lips and leopard being in and out in an endless cycle, good for you for wearing what you love.
I love plaid and blogger invasions.
Red is definitely your color, my dear! You are attending all the glam events, while I’m shuffling around with sullen hipsters.
Thanks for your visit!
Love your tartan. Just the best fabric ever!