By Shannon Hallenbeck

Following a particularly lovely lunch of grilled skirt steak on toasted bianca bread at the trendy Bryant Park Grill, I braved the cold and rounded the corner of Bryant Park to check in for the ADAM show by Adam Lippes. While waiting in line to enter the promenade, I chatted with Robert, a fashion photographer for H&M and Christian Dior, who was attending the show to support his friend who had worked to style a number of the runway looks. “I always look at the model’s shoes,” he told me. “The wrong shoes can ruin an outfit.”

Upon entering the promenade, Robert and I were ushered to adjoining seats overlooking the entryway to the runway. As the show started, models in bright red, black, and embellished tops came down the runway, with chunky snoods draped around necks and shoulders. The thick scarves were wrapped among a number of the model’s necks, and created a funnel effect to their otherwise tailored forms. The ADAM-inspired woman will be able to replicate a number of these looks through the classic method of layering tailored pieces.

The palette of greys, cream, black and red suit most most women, and the beautifully cut skirts and dresses will flatter most any figure, which we love and the knits and flannels will drape really well on straight and curvy figures alike.

All in all, this was a chic and wearable collection that though the temperature outside is still sub-zero, makes me already look forward to fall – and I loved the shoes!

By Shannon Hallenbeck (Shallenbeck)

Following a bicycle and buggy cab ride (which I do not recommend in the winter, or hardly think worth the twenty-five dollars for four blocks—lesson learned!), I arrived at the Exit Art building on 475 10th Avenue for the Elise Overland show. Chris had informed me beforehand that it would be best to find a spot nearest the end and at the right of the runway so that I might gain a better view for taking pictures of the models as they turned to strut backstage again. Taking her advice, I found myself not only at a preferable angle to the runway, but right across from Kelly Osbourne and Heidi Klum!

As the show started, I was instantly drawn to the fiery red evening dresses and black leather jackets coming down the runway. Her show consisted of corset-style dresses, dresses with a metallic sheen, cropped jackets with and without fur, and jackets with sewn-in belts issued forth. (There is a certain degree of practicality in jackets featuring sewn-in belts. While jackets with loose belts can look particularly chic, the last thing a busy woman on the go wants to do is buckle-down and have to hold on to her otherwise loose belt.

The inspiration was open heart surgery (see above graphic) – as one of Elise's friends gave her a DVD of a procedure for her viewing pleasure. Not sure if we would have made the jump from there to such lovely and wearable clothes, but glad she did!

Since the shows last fall for Spring 2010, we have been craving a little nautical stripe action in our day to day ensembles. As we trudge through the endless winter storms and sleet, our thoughts turned to the questions: When is it going to be spring already, and when can we bust out the stripes?

For resort this year a strong list of designers added their nautical interpretations to their lineups, including Donna Karan, ADAM, Jeremy Scott and Band of Outsiders, among others.

Above are a few pieces we really like for resort / spring, all available here at ShopStyle:

T-Bags Striped Cardigan, $170

Classical Nautical Black Dress, $22.80

Nautical Striped Top, $17.80

Alexander Wang Nautical Frill Pullover, $425

Here's how I would wear them now if I just couldn't wait for spring: how would you?

IN THIS OUTFIT:

• Forever 21 Classical Nautical Dress
• Black Patent Manolo Blahnik Pumps.png
• Ysl Black Jacket
• Topshop Chain Print Square Silk Scarf.jpg
• Gold Patricia Von Muslin Cuff
• Mary Norton Black Clutch

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IN THIS OUTFIT:

• Mcq By Alexander Mcqueen
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• Prada Black Motorcycle Boot
• Navy Seven For All Mankind Skinny Jeans.png
• The Row Short-sleeve Blazer
• Chain Laced Necklace

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