New York Fashion Week Fall 2012: J. Crew, Manolo Blahnik to collaborate

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Manolo Blahnik is coming to J. Crew.

That’s right, the luxe footwear designer who became a household name thanks to ‘Sex and the City’ is collaborating with the retailer on a limited edition collection of classic pointy-toed BB pumps, as seen in glitter, tinsel and tweed at the fall 2012 J. Crew Collection presentation. Prices are still being worked out.

The Manolos weren’t the only things worth paying attention to at J. Crew.

So much of the excitement here this week has been in what’s called the ‘advanced contemporary category,’ or labels that cost less than high-end designer collections without sacrificing style, such as the Rachel Zoe Collection, Rag & Bone and Tory Burch. The J. Crew Collection, which is slightly more expensive than the basic J. Crew offerings, is the chain store’s own version of advanced contemporary. And it is looking darn good.

Creative director Jenna Lyons and her team ratcheted up the sophistication level ever so slightly, offering more tailored looks in edgier fabrications. Nordic sweaters topped tinsel tweed, python or pleated leather skirts, and fancy pants in metallic jacquards or scarf print silks were paired with the pointy-toed Blahniks.
Color block clutches and totes trimmed in curly shearling rounded out the polished picture. My prediction? It’s only a matter of time before this collection is on the runway.

-- Booth Moore in New York

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Photos of the fall 2012 J. Crew Collection from J. Crew.