Spring 2012 Fashion Week: What the Editors Are Wearing

By Chris Frey
September 9, 2011

Aya Kanai, Sheena Smith, Lisa Sosko, Eleanor Strauss

Aya Kanai, freelance fashion stylist; Sheena Smith, Senior Associate Accessories Editor, Teen Vogue; Lisa Mosko, Stylist and Fashion Director/Founder, Gravure; Eleanor Strauss, Senior Fashion Editor, Lucky

Though much of the madness began days ago, Spring 2012 New York Fashion Week officially kicked off yesterday. But all eyes aren't (only!) on the runways. Because while what marches down the catwalk certainly counts, what happens in the seats (and out and about near the shows) is just as important. Indeed, if the proliferation of street style blogs is any indication, these days, the professional stylists, fashion photographers, bloggers, models off duty and, of course, magazine editors influence fashion trends not only by what they work on, but also by what they wear.

That means that for fashion industry folks, the pressure to balance looking individual (and photo ready!) while keeping up with the fashion trends (without looking like a slave to the trends, mind you) is a precarious task. And the fact that editors are surrounded by clothes and accessories on a daily basis doesn’t mean they don’t fret under the pressure of Fashion Week.

Eleanor Strauss, Senior Fashion Editor at Lucky—with tongue firmly in cheek—told us: “I do try to pull some key pieces from my closet, but that normally results in a complete panic/melt down, as obviously I have no clothes/nothing to wear.”

Since our story last Fashion Week on what the editors are wearing was such a hit, we decided on a repeat performance, checking in with Lucky's Strauss and other editors in stylists to find out what's making the Fashion Week cut.

Aya Kanai, Freelance Fashion Stylist and Consultant

Shows she's most excited to see: "During Fashion Week, its impossible to see everything, so I usually like to see a cross section of collections. In the contemporary category I always love Rag & Bone, Rachel Comey and Phillip Lim. Of the high-end fashion designers, I enjoy some of the more dramatic shows like Michael Kors and Oscar de la Renta that make NYC Fashion Week so iconic."

Pre-Fashion Week ritual: "Before Fashion Week, I go with my boyfriend to the county fair in his hometown in Ohio. We go to see the demolition derby and eat funnel cake. It’s not the same as drinking green juice and getting a massage, but it sure is fun!"

Non-fashion items she can't live without during Fashion Week: "Digital camera, Smythson of Bond Street agenda book (my last analog hold-out), Kind bars and a positive attitude. I am so lucky to do the work I do that even when things get hectic, I always remember to take that thought with me throughout the day."

Last Fashion Week's most memorable moment: "My favorite fashion week moment of last season was the night I took off! I had a date to the opera, so I was at Lincoln Center, but with a totally different agenda. I sat on the other side of the fountain watching the fashion crowd stream into whatever show was taking place that night and had a rare moment of seeing it all from a distance. It’s nice to have that perspective sometimes."

Thoughts on Lincoln Center during its second year hosting Fashion Week: "Fashion is all about presentation and there are few places grander and iconic than Lincoln Center. We are lucky to have such a classic backdrop for the collections. That said, I do attend mostly off-site events, shows and presentations, so I am not there much."

What Fashion Stylist Aya Kanai Will Be Wearing:

Rag & Bone Cropped Jacket: "A cropped jacket in a punchy color is perfect for the first chilly days of fall."

Lyn Devon Printed Pants: "I love printed pants for Fall 2011. I will wear skinny jeans forever, but a silk bold print pant is such a nice change."

Warby Parker Gimlet Tortoise Sunglasses: "I cannot live without these sunglasses. They are my everyday face candy."

Rachel Comey Two-Tone Boots: "I often find myself standing in front of my shoe closet trying to decide whether black or brown is better for any given outfit. Now I don’t have to choose."

Lanvin Amalia Bag: "I'm over trendy handbags. I need a bag that can look appropriate for meetings with clients but not look tired in three months. This bag can stay in my wardrobe forever."

Catch Aya Kanai's Look on eBay

Roll over items for details

New German Wool Suit Jacket

(buy it now price $121.50)

New Linda Farrow Sunglasses

(buy it now price, $303.85 )

New Miu Miu Swallow Print Pants

(buy it now price $499)

New Lanvin Amalia Bag

(buy it now price $1,195)

Spring 2012 Fashion Week: What the Editors Are Wearing

Sheena Smith, Senior Associate Accessories Editor, Teen Vogue

Shows she's most excited to see: "I love seeing all the contemporary American talent! This season I’m excited for Altuzarra, Alexander Wang, and Rag and Bone."

Pre-Fashion Week ritual: "A mani/pedi is a must! I am trying to get in some bootcamp sessions, but it’s so tempting to go shopping instead."

Non-fashion items she can't live without during Fashion Week: "My iPhone and digital camera. They’re easily the most important things I’ll have in my bag."

Last Fashion Week's most memorable moment: "The Alexander Wang show. The collection was beautiful (the oversize sweaters are so dreamy) and the runway/setup changes every season, so it’s a fun show to attend."

Thoughts on Lincoln Center during its second year hosting Fashion Week: "Having the shows at Lincoln Center is super convenient, not to mention that it’s such a beautiful venue. It’s also much easier to get a cab going down Columbus Ave than it is on 6th Avenue, that’s for sure!

What Accessories Editor Sheena Smith Will Be Wearing

J. Crew Selvedge Chambray Shirt

Fallon Choker Necklace

Adam Red Bell Bottom Jeans

Thierry Lasry Sexxxy Tortoise Shell Sunglasses

Christopher Kane Neon Green Laser Cut Clutch

Catch Sheena Smith's Look on eBay

New Rock & Republic Red Jeans

(buy it now price, $98)

New Denim Cotton Shirt

(buy it now price, $29.99)

New Fallon Labyrinth Maze Necklace

(buy it now price, $139)

New Yigal Azouel Clutch

(buy it now price, $289)

Lisa Mosko, Stylist and Fashion Director/Founder, Gravure

Shows she's most excited to see: "Rodarte, Thom Browne Women’s and Zero Maria Cornejo."

Pre-Fashion Week ritual: "I try to get extra rest, and head out of town for a few days before so that I can come back refreshed and with a clear head."

Non-fashion items she can't live without during Fashion Week: "Water and my iPhone!"

Last Fashion Week's most memorable moment: "Taking my kids to the VPL show. They loved it."

Thoughts on Lincoln Center during its second year hosting Fashion Week: "Lincoln Center is such a grand, luxurious venue for the fashion shows. Aesthetically, it takes the experience to a whole new level."

What Stylist Lisa Mosko Will Be Wearing

Marble Print Silk Dress by Tribune Standard

Handmade Dress by Artist Susan Ciancolo

Barbara Bui Leather Satchel

Black Net Pointy-Toe Flats by Alain Tondowski

Dark Indigo Wash Skinny Jeans by April 77

Handblown Glass Bubble Necklace by Brian Crumley

Catch Lisa Mosko's Look on eBay

New Stella McCartney Silk Dress

(buy it now price, $224.25)

Barbara Bui Leather Handbag

New Jil Sander Black Mesh Flats

(buy it now price, $159.99)

Baccarat Crystal Necklace

(buy it now price, $1,999.99)

Eleanor Strauss, Senior Fashion Editor, Lucky

Show's she's most excited to see: "Marc Jacobs, Phillip Lim and Thakoon."

Pre-Fashion Week ritual: "I would love to say exercise, but that would be a complete lie! In fact, it's normally a case of trying to do as little as possible before the craziness begins. I do try to pull some key pieces from my closet but that normally results in a complete panic/melt down, as obviously I have no clothes/nothing to wear."

Non-fashion items she can't live without during Fashion Week: "Red lipstick (either Dragon Girl by Nars or Ruby Woo by MAC), Aqua Phor (nothing worse than dry lips), Moleskine notebook in pink and my iPhone."

Last Fashion Week's most memorable moment: I have a total style crush on Emmanuelle Alt (Editor in Chief of Vogue Paris.) She's so bloody cool, so spotting her is my ultimate sighting. The other Lucky editors always giggle and point her out to me, as they know how much I love her!

Thoughts on Lincoln Center during its second year hosting Fashion Week: "New York Fashion Week is such an important event for the fashion industry. Lincoln Center, with it's great history and amazing space, gives it the elegance it deserves."

What Fashion Editor Eleanor Strauss Will be Wearing:

Vintage Stella McCartney Checked Blazer: "I love the menswear look for fall, and a well cut blazer pulls together most looks. Mine is a vintage Stella McCartney and was a great find in Housing Works in the West Village. I like to think it once belonged to Sarah Jessica Parker, but she was crazy to give it away. It's perfection."

Chanel Bag: "I finally splurged! I literally don't think I've ever been more excited about a bag. It's slightly smaller than the 2.55 and is black quilted with a subtle sparkle. The double logo C's are silver and studded with black stones. I didn't even feel sick when I handed my credit card over (well maybe a little bit). But as I have a daughter, it's a total investment and she can totally borrow it when she's 40.

Gap Burgundy Crewneck Sweater: "This color was everywhere for fall. It's a great instant winter wardrobe update and yet so simple."

Saint James Striped Top: "I literally don't think I can last a week without wearing a stripe in some form, and St. James is my favorite. The cut is fab and its looks great with a red lip."

Topshop Indigo Skinny Jeans: "Super flattering, comfortable and a bargain. Like all Brits, I love Topshop."

Gas Bijous "Love" Necklace in Gold: "I am obsessed with this necklace. I love the engraving, and it's the necklace that goes with everything."

Elizabeth & James Leopard Booties: "These are super high (with a round toe), which is completely impractical. But if you can't be impractical during Fashion Week, when can you?!"

Isabel Marant "Beryl" Skirt: "Like most women, I'm an Isabel Marant addict. I'm ashamed to admit that I own five of this style skirts in different colors, and I'm sure I'll be breaking out one of them at FW. They are the perfect skirt for my 5'1 frame as they fit like a glove and don't swamp me, hence the 'need' to buy 5!