New York Fashion Week: Front Row Style

By Chris Frey
February 18, 2011

front row at fashion week

Editor of the Daily Telegraph Hilary Alexander, actor Josh Duhamel, singer Fergie, Marc Jacobs International President Robert Duffy and actress Sofia Coppola at Marc Jacobs. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage for Marc Jacobs)

As anyone who follows New York Fashion Week will tell you, although the fashion runway may be center stage, it’s those seated in its front row sidelines that often steal the show. For the most powerful names in the fashion industry who are awarded those coveted seats—a status that far surpasses the "It" bags they're sure to be carrying—the pressure to look impeccably current but still stand out is intense.

anna wintour

Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour and daughter Bee Schaffer next to pint-size blogger Tavi Gevinson of Style Rookie at Band of Outsiders. (Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic)

For publicists assigned the task of navigating the seating charts at the 2011 New York Fashion Week runway shows, there are now top fashion bloggers adding yet another layer to the already complicated—and often political—placement of celebrities, fashion editors, journalists, buyers and fashion photographers who attend the shows.

As the 2011 New York Fashion Week comes to a close, we’ve reviewed the front row players and noticed many Spring fashion trends are already making an appearance amidst the plethora of winter boots, fur coats, and leather.

Bold and Bright

Actress Jennifer Love Hewitt (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for IMG), Model Jessica Hart (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for IMG)

The orange-y coral color trend for Spring 2011 was in full effect, and it seemed that brighter was better. Model Astrid Hart wore a classic Betsey Johnson tutu dress at the designers' show; actress-slash-model Byrdie Bell wintrified a Palm Beach-y dress with a fur chubby and vest at DKNY; and actress Jennifer Love Hewitt paired a drape-y tomato-colored dress with a black studded clutch and slingback shoes at Max Azria.

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New Calvin Klein Orange Dress

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Ballet-Inspired Dresses

Tinsley Mortimer (Photo by John W. Ferguson/Getty Images), Model Byrdie Bell (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images for FIJI Water)

Maybe it was ode to "Black Swan." Despite chilly temps, we spotted many sheer chiffon dress and skirts with delicate hemlines and ballet inspired layers. Socialite-turned-reality-TV star Tinsley Mortimer paired a knee-length dress with unexpected black tights and lace-ups at Alice + Olivia; Byrdie Bell wore her fur again—this time to warm up a super-sheer skirt layered over knee-highs at Charlotte Ronson; and actress Rumer Willis was white and red from head to toe at Badgley Mischka.

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Boyishly Demure

Actress Kirsten Dunst (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images), Model Alexandra Richards (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for IMG)

We love this polished look: high-waisted, tapered pants with kitten heels pumps. A welcome change from platforms and skinny jeans this look is simple but boyishly feminine. At Band of Outsiders, actress Kirsten Dunst was buttoned up in black and white; "Gossip Girl" Jessica Szohr wore a similar uniform, but in a looser way, at a pre-Fashion Week fragrance launch for Jimmy Choo; and model Alexandra Richards waited for Monique Lhuillier to start in the season's favorite chambray shirt and tough black boots.

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Fashion Jumpsuits

Actress Nicola Peltz (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for IMG); Actress Greta Gerwig (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for IMG)

From billowy florals to more utilitarian styles, the jumpsuit will translate well into Spring. Actress Nicole Peltz was gutsy in full-body floral, a polka dot sheer jacket and pointy platform oxfords at Rebecca Taylor; actress Greta Gerwig limited the prints to her footwear, opting for a cropped blue jumpsuit cinched with a purple leather belt at Cynthia Rowley; and Maybelline model Zixuan looked girly-mod at DKNY in a black, red and green jumpsuit, wide-brimmed hat and lipstick red sandals.

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Subdued Secondary Colors

Actresses Lynn Collins and Rose McGowan (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for IMG), Model Molly Sims and singer Fergie (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for IMG)

The Fall 2011 fashion runways were full of colors across the spectrum. Instead of going for the straightforward reds, blues and greens, an investment in these slightly subdued secondary color tones will serve you well through the next few seasons. At Lela Rose, actresses Lynn Collins and Rose McGowan were gorgeous complements in jade and burnt red, while at Diane von Furstenberg, model Molly Sims and actress Julia Stiles sported similar shades. Julie Stiles was regal in silky plum at Monique Lhuillier.

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Long Printed Dresses

Musician Sean Lennon and model Charlotte Kemp Muhl (Photo by Joe Corrigan/Getty Images for FIJI Water), Model Alexa Chung (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz)

In body conscious column styles and floaty 70’s-inspired maxi dresses, the long lean silhouette has arrived. We’re crazy about the playful patterns ranging from florals (like the one worn by Charlotte Kemp Muhl, accompanied by musician Sean Lennon at Rebecca Taylor) to mod graphics (like those sported by "Gossip Girl" actress Leighton Meester at Marc Jacobs and by fashion muse Alexa Chung in the tents).