Anni Kuan: Velvet: Flocked and Feminine

Anni Kuan was one of the most contagiously enthusiastic designers at New York's Coterie this year. Her line stands out for its texture, color and flattery of the female form. Also check out her glazed velvet zip coat for Fall 2011 - which looks like leather - with warm quilting underneath, but without the leather price....Look for Anni's on-trend velvets at better boutiques.

/nancy brenner

Report from Coterie - SKIP the SPANX: Contour Patrol NUE BY SHANI

The war on tugging, pulling on body slips, half slips and skinny britches under full slips could finally be over. Oprah is already a fan. According to designer Shani Grosz, the line allows you to undress in your own bedroom or a busy Loehmann's communal dressing room without looking like you've stripped down to scuba instruction gear. NUE by Shani(TM) has put the shaping into the dress to firm and control common trouble spots - midsection, backs and thighs. Shani says the hem has a special coating at the bottom that keeps the liner in place and eliminates that embarrassing feeling when your blue skirt rides up and a funny colored non-matching, non-descript undergarment is peaking through underneath - practically tweeting - "see my shapewear."

The Body Architecture(TM) comes in a range of colors, so you don't have to stick with black. Missed some days at the gym? Camouflage arm jiggle from a few missed gym jams with spot-on Fall 2011 trend - sleeves with flounces! I suspect that women buying the line at Lord & Taylor, 600 speciality stores and in 44 countries are tossing their salad forks by the wayside in celebration. Middle East customers wear the colorful garmets to women-only "dress to impress" parties. Shani, will there be a line for men?

The line retails from $200-$350. Sizes 4-16.

/Nancy Brenner

Red Rules Runway

Juicier than a Jersey beef tomato were the rich reds on display at the Spring 2011 Fashion Coterie at the Javits Center. It's the color of confidence for Fall according to The Wall Street Journal recalling "Reagan Red" (Nancy, that is). Apparently Spring too. Rock red with a Shoshanna jacquard or select a twofer trend Tracy Reese frock of grossgrain faille for $378 (pictured) - red with sleeves staging a comeback!

~nancy brenner

Whiplash Inducing Designs at Baraschi

Nancy Brenner is on a roll this week...

'Cuz onlookers will crane their necks for a second sneak peek at sleek colorful creations like a blood orange bustier dress with an optional matching motorcycle jacket. Yoana Baraschi modeled a faux fun fur herself for buyers who shared her bubbly enthusiasm at her busy booth as she shimmied in and out of her slinky designs in seconds at the Coterie show at the Javits Center.  I asked Baraschi which one was her favorite, but she could not choose.

My pick for on-trend velvet seekers, Baraschi's black velvet jacket will upend all others with rhinestone encrusted adornment on the shoulders. A Fall 2010 collection for women who peacock and men who savor the view.

Ben-Amun: The eagles have landed

at Ben-Amun as part of the military look for Fall 2010 seen at the Coterie show at the Javits Center. Pins are big. The spikes that Jennifer Aniston wore in a necklace, now decorate a silver pin. Check out the military spread in the current Vogue. Their tribal collection includes Cleopatra gold spike necklaces and brass cuffs that are big - in impact and weight - several inches wide and long - you can skip part of your daily upper body workout. Tribal looks are part of nearly every accessory collection at the show. Their coin collection is still strong. Edgier looks in the industrial collection include necklace fashioned from brass and leather or gunmetal chains. And brides looking for beautiful bling for their big day without breaking the bank for the real thing, can pick up trendy, yet timeless rhinestones and pearls from their collection. Original updater looks from Ben-Amun last a lifetime.

...or so says Nancy Brenner...