Simkhai Spring 2018 NYFW & A Party Too!

Jonathan Simkhai presented his Spring 2018 Collection on Saturday at Skylight Clarkson Square in New York City, as part of NYFW.

Pastels, light breezy chambrays, lacework cascading through delicious black, cream and navy dresses – yup, that is still my fave color.  Rose jumpsuits, pinstripes and black strappy dresses, and a one sleeved ruffly top that I have actually dreamt about for the past two nights, it is just that perfect.

The Collection had a strong softness, a romantic element (the models hair and makeup was magical) that celebrated the strength of femininity.  Ruffles, diagonal cut skirts, lace and denim all combined for a show not to be missed.

Simkhai also collaborated with Reebok and brought back the Hi Top, originally sported by none other that Jane Fonda in her workout videos!  

This time round the Reebok Hi Tops are catering to the Simkhai collection.  Lace, soft blue and rose colored complimenting the distressed denim and various other bananas-good pieces Simkhai sent down the runway.

📸 JS

  * Full disclosure, the runway was actually a square but the gorgeous clothes were still sent “down”. *

When I started reversecommuter I had two personal goals.  One was to go to NYFW.  Jonathan Simkhai has invited me three times (so far) and it means the world to me.  Undeniably I am a mad fan for his clothing, but what is truly incredible is the person he is, he is THE example of the getting what you deserve.  

But wait, there’s more.  After the show, Jonathan Simkhai had an after party, held at Made Hotel.  An incredibly, appropriately gorgeous crowd complete with crazy beautiful djs, custom cocktails and a phenomenally powerful happy vibe. 

But don’t take my word for it, read all about it in Vogue!

https://www.vogue.com/article/designer-jonathan-simkhai-nyfw-afterparty-made-hotel

#fashionfairytalescometrue

Basket Case

Summer is literally around the corner!

Basket bags are the most fun accessory of the season and make every single activity drop with summer fun vibes.

Market shopping with children in tow?  Basket Backpack to go please!

Dinner date with your hunka hunka burning love?  Class it up with a leather Lindthrop market basket bag, and order yourself a glass of rosè!

No budget?  No problem, there is definitely a basket for you, lucky ducky!  Prada delivers a pillbox version begging to be taken out for lunch with the ladies.

My current fave is the Mark Cross market basket bag.  Purrrrrrrrrrr💕

Fret not limited purchasing power petal, how about a cool $29.00 investment to get you through the summer basket bag trend?  Add a silk scarf around the handle et voila, fabulousness!  

Sleeve Please

Statement sleeves make everything better!

 Mother Denim cut offs, J Crew basic shorts, GAP tailored shorts ALL improved with a statement sleeve.

Invest in a statement sleeve top with BOOM BANG  💥 Hello Rosie Assoulin

Every single time you wear it an instagood warm fuzzy feeling will result!  Bonjour JACQUEMUS!

It’s Friday – try it out 💋

Sensational Simkhai at Saks!

Saks Fifth Avenue hosted the ridiculously fabulous Jonathan Simkhai for a day of style, swings and seriously decadent designer wear.

​reversecommuter has been consistent in my adoration and appreciation for the design and talent of Jonathan Simkhai. 

Seriously, take a tour through the past four years of this blog and count the numerous mentions of one of my absolute favorite designers!

Fun story about the white lace top I am wearing – Saks special ordered three of these for the event, and all three were snapped up before 2pm yesterday, in fact we were all trying them on at the same time, three dressing rooms in a row!

Yesterday’s Saks event was tremendous and proves that Jonathan Simkhai is a designer that knows what his clients desire.  Despite his crazy busy schedule, international clientele and mind-boggling success – he danced with Gigi & Kendal for Vogue for Pete’s Sake, he was absolutely in the moment in Boston.

Jonathan was literally running between jam packed dressing rooms yesterday, meeting and greeting his clients as well as offering customized one on one alterations and suggestions.  #fashionswoon!💕

He suggested I try this dress on – so obviously I did!  

Sadly it was too big but perhaps a revisit may occur if an appropriate event pops up on the calendar – I’m thinking of a gala in June…or maybe this white lace and cotton full length dress which I absolutely covet (despite my goofy face in this pic!).


The clothes are decadent, feminine and yet strong at the same time.  Fancy lace detail paired with chambray denim or cotton that allows the client to interpret the way she wants to wear the piece – flip flops, sandals or Stillettos, casual patio lunch or dreamy date night.  This is the attribute that makes Jonathan Simkhai a favorite designer.  This red dress will be a perfect summer piece and I can pair it with gold flat sandals or a heel.  Dressed up or down, a Simkhai piece makes you walk just that little bit taller & happier!

The more I learn about the man Jonathan Simkhai and his incredibly talented, crazy intelligent team the more I own the validity of my four year & counting style crush.💕

Colette, tres coquette!

On a recent trip to Paris, there was one store I hit over and over again.

 Colette an institution in Paris and throughout the fashion world, is one of THE best shops.
When I arrived in Paris Colette had started their winter sale, and the store was jammed!  The window had blue blow up men wiggling in the breeze, D.J.’s were banging out the most incredible sounds and the crowds were trying hard to look casual while grabbing the uber cool discounted threads from drool worthy designers.

A few days later I went back – honestly I could not help myself, I LOVE Colette!

The Spring Collections had magically appeared, the blue blowing dudes were gone from the window and the most mesmerizing brilliant designer pieces were draped artistically over mannequins throughout the upper floor.

Colette is unique in that it is a designer clothing boutique upstairs and has a veritable playroom in the street level complete with books, candles, candy and tech gadgets galore!   One of my favorite post-Parisian rituals is unpacking my Colette purchases and falling in love all over again.  ❤

Plane Jane

What do you wear to travel?  Airlines have exorcised the glamor right out of plane travel.

The onus is on each and everyone of us is to be prepared for any potential temperature, seating arrangement or delay.  

Full Disclosure I am sitting on the tarmac delayed while I write this…

Slides are the first absolute must every air traveler should own.

Easy on and off when going through security and stylishly cute enough to keep you happy even when your feet are swelling.  Don’t try to deny it, it happens to all of us!

Next up is a good blazer.  Flying from one climate to another can be challenging, and there is not always a need to bring a big bulky jacket.  A blazer can be layered,  hoodies are HOT right now, so why not invest in a Vestments piece to go with the blazer?

Once you land somewhere warm, the blazer goes perfectly with a tank or t-shirt.

Next on the list, a carry on suitcase.  Seriously.  Yes, just one bag. 

Never again will your eyes well up with tears as the luggage belt circles around & around, empty without your bag.  Don’t check it, bring it on the plane with you.  If the editors of British Vogue can do it during fashion weeks, then so too can we!  Rimowa offers colorful, hard case carrying suitcases that allow a lot inside.  

Finally, an  exaggerated sized cashmere scarf.  Planes get cold and passengers get sleepy.  Why not pack something like Alexander McQueen’s scarf, that will make you feel like a princess despite the stranger snoring loudly right beside you?  It will also double nicely as a wrap in the evening wherever you are traveling to.

Now if you will excuse me, I have to run to my connecting gate!

Designer Sneaks

Remember when a pair of sneakers were just something to wear to workout in?

Those days are gonezola people.  High end designers have gotten into the game and the sneaks are snazzy!

The prices can be startling too.  But for art and fashion we happily pay.

Golden Goose Deluxe Brand, from Italy is a major player in the designer sneaker club.  Basic cut, either low or high top, ALWAYS with the signature leather star, then add sparkles, suede or buttery soft Italian leather with an unbelievably comfortable insole.  The $500 price tag is up there but once you try, you fall in love and buy.
Ports 1961 knot sneaker is a yummy design that translates beautifully season after season.  Leather, satin, velvet or the newest offering multi-print knot is establishing itself as a major contender.  A $700 price tag, and rarely can you find them on sale.  

Gucci’sAlessandro Michele has adorned Gucci’s adidas Stan Smith inspired sneakers with bumble bees, hearts, studs, snakes and/or stripes.  

All of which can be matched to a gorgeous handbag or clothing piece from Gucci’s couture or ready to wear line.  Grazie Miele Alessandro!

Alessandro has deemed sales are no longer part of Gucci’s retail existence, so buying a pair of the sneakers is really a smart investment, at a cool $950.  (clearly I am the one you need to help you justify a purchase…)

Saint Laurent made it exceptionally easy for reversecommuter to choose her sneakers – palm trees! 

January being the month of avid fitness and New Years resolutioners crowding the gym, set yourself apart from the crowd with some serious kicks!

Favorite Parisian Drugstore Buys

Trips to Paris do not have to cost a lot of money.  Small pharmacy purchases are the secret, (aka les Petits Objets).

Some of my favorite purchases are made at the pharmacy. And that is a budget friendly store found on many Parisian corners.  There is something so fun about searching through a drugstore that is not a cvs and seems somehow so glamorous, how stereotypically French is that?  As French as a French poodle wearing his Goyard collar!

Marvis toothpaste is a must, especially at half the price that it is in the US.

Klorane hair products are some of my absolute favorites.  Blondes love the camomile line, but there are a multitude of options available.  Mango butter shampoo anyone?  Yummaroo!

Klorane is a natural plant based hair care company, and one of those lines that actually delivers immediate improvement to your hair.  ❤ that!

Nuxe body oil is pure magic.  I always stock up on it in Paris as half price is better than full – plus it leaves more euros for other purchases.  Nuxe is the only after shower oil that saves me from New England winter dry skin.

Et voila!

Extra Extra Read All About It!

 New Column by yours truly in The Boston Globe in a special fashion feature this weekend!

“Since When is Mom a bad word” is a 2017 Fashion Cheat Sheet based NYFW SS17.

Designers such as Rosie Assoulin and Jonathan Simkhai highlight the strongest design trends that will be seen throughout the fashion pages and the suburbs too!

XO reversecommuter 

Tennis Love

I literally stopped playing in the middle of a tennis clinic because I couldn’t read the logo on a girl’s cute outfit.  

Believe me, I am a genius of discretion but I didn’t recognize the logo and I really needed to know what this fabulous outfit was!

Tennis clothing is a fairly tight family.  There are the behemoths Nike, Adidas, my personal obsession adidas by Stella McCartney and some others such as Lucky in Love, Monreal London, Fila and Chrissy by Tail.  

Attention please – there is a new kid in town and she is not messing around!  Yaffa Activewear, founded by Laura Preskin, is an entrepreneurial fashion startup that is delivering tennis gorgeousness, courtside and then off the court.
Influenced by ready to wear fashion, designed by a former fashion executive, Yaffa brings clever additions and unexpected details that absolutely set their clothes apart from the competition.  Blues, greys, brilliant whites and even spf treated pieces that reduce skin exposure to the sun.

Ruching is such a flattering addition to design, especially for the tennis set made up predominantly of women who have had children – there is only so much a daily plank can do, am I right?

Yaffa is available online and in various tennis and country clubs across the USA.  It can also be found in my closet…quite a few pieces actually, as I am a big fan!