The other top picks from NYC Day 2 were Brit duo PREEN and native of Chicago, CYNTHIA ROWLEY.

Unerring in their ability to superbly subvert sex appeal, tight PREEN dresses combined high necks, long sleeves and low hems with carefully placed cut-outs revealing peep holes of skin, lace and black gauze. Some went even further as the ratio of flesh to fabric was decidedly top-heavy. One particularly fetching look added a tailcoat to a floral negligee - it was like a naughty public school girl’s walk of shame.

A limited range of black, white, cream and a few purples were the themes that unified this collection of two halves, as all the body consciousness was counter-balanced with boyish tailoring of wide-leg trousers and and loose lines.

Photos: Style.com

Perhaps CYNTHIA ROWLEY got caught up in hype surrounding her home town’s bid for the 2016 Olympics as the Chicagoan’s collection had enough sports-inspired looks to keep Team USA in medal-winning kit for winter.

Aside from clingy sportswear, the other big story of the show was texture, via grass skirt fringing, oodles of ruffles and puffed silk. A base of black and monochrome abstract print was augmented with flashes of brightest primary colours and sometimes all-out rainbow spectrums. A special mention must also go to the shoulder bags with thick hoover-cord straps. Top to toe, it all looked like so much fun to wear.

Photos: Style.com

Also a quick shout out to this amazing dress that I almost missed from day one, by PORTS 1961. It’s like melted chocolate poured over the model. Divine.

Photo: Style.com

‘Every portrait that is painted with feeling is a portrait of the artist, not the sitter’ Oscar Wilde

Take a look at the work of Louise Ashton Cornish, an ongoing project of self portraiture and exploration of the Greats. Francesca Woodman, Julia Margeret Cameron and she has a fascination with the Victorian period.

Take a look at her Flickr for more of her artwork.

xx

By Katie Wright

NYFW day two saw the first standout show of the week, from the man often quoted as Michelle Obama’s favourite designer. The first dozen or so looks suggested a change of pace for Wu, with a more masculine silhouette and loose-fitting separates quite a departure fromr last seasons’ girly-girl frocks. Parkas and sheepskin jackets over kneelength pencil skirts, slouchy knitwear and dropped waists created a demure aesthetic with a touch of grunge.

But it was soon back to Wu’s typical ultra-fem form with a divine spotty, matching, sheer blouse and skirt, a trio of silk knee length dresses in cranberry, moss and grey half spattered with gold leaf, then a variety of voluminous prom dresses that wouldn’t look out of place at Marchesa.

These came first in black and white print followed by more of the same in a raspberry ripple colour palette, some flecked with golden prints that were reportedly inspired by chemical spills. Karlie Kloss took the final exit in an ivory bridal gown that sprawled across the width of the catwalk before Wu took a bow and on another superb collection.

Lynn Devon presented a chic Parisian girl’s wardrobe. From a classic superslim cigarette-pant suit:

The Ballad Ladies absolutely love Hannah & Landon’s blog! I think we all would adore their dress up box and look like we’ve just stepped out of the 1940′s.

The very glamorous Hannah shows us just whats in her wardrobe, and yes, we are extremely jealous! Enjoy <3

xx

Soft Focus, Girlie, Peachy, Childlike and Mystical! Ivory Faces caught our

eye and we feel she reflects Ballad Of’s nostalgic side!

Check out more of her work at…http://www.flickr.com/photos/22485434@N05/