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Last night I kicked off Fashion Week at SCOOP, and caught The National at Milk Studios. Today, you can watch a live stream of fashion week through the genius of Tumblr. I’m pretty stoked about it (tip off via markcoatney & joshuanguyen)

(Source: joshuanguyen)

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Fashion inspires art and art inspires fashion; but sometimes, travel inspires both. Fashion Week kicked off on Friday, and it’s clear that this year’s top designers have channeled sought-after destinations for their Spring/Summer 2011 collections.

Be it a Parisian tweed jacket or a Kimono-inspired gown, fashion can transport you (and not just to the Boom Boom Room)… Here are 6 collections to get you dreaming.

What: @Chris Benz Spring/Summer 2011
Where: Paris - Hotel du Crillon
Why: Joyful models trotted down the runway, singing along to the sound of the Beach Boys at Chris Ben’z S/S/ 2011 show. Full skirts, full mini-dresses, and full-leg pants, reminiscent of the 1960’s, were paired with crochet cardigans, tweed jackets, floral prints and color-block tops. Cue the boys in vespas, street musicians and throw on a bureau, and you’ve got yourself a Parisian dream.  

What: Vera Wang Spring/Summer 2011
Where: Shanghai, China - Grand Hyatt
Why: Why: Vera Wang’s Spring collection has a Samurai-meets-Matrix vibe with masculine lines and laser cut fabrics. Looks were inspired by Quentin Tarantino’s film Kill Bill, such as sumo-wrestler ropes, Kimono blouses and Eastern silks. With these Shanghainese shaped sheaths, all you need is a set of nunchucks.

What: @Custo Barcelona Spring/Summer 2011
Where: Ibiza, Spain - Atzaro, Bikini Bootcamp
Why: The show mixed fantasy with reality; reality that is for a jetsetting supermodel en-route to Cannes or Capri. Full of flashy feathers, crocheted one piece bathing suits and micro mini skirts, Custo’s collection is inspired by the quintessential Mediterranean party girl… or did the collection inspire the party? 

What: @Peter Som Spring/Summer 2011
Where: Miami, Florida - The Delano
Why: Peter Som was channeling the candy coated skyline of South Beach in his S/S 2011 collection. He mixed postcard prints, flamingo pink and floral brocades; mini shorts, bandeau tops, cutout sweaters were only emphasized by super high platforms. If any gals can pull of this bold and brazen look, its the ladies of SoBe, with a mojito on standby. 

What: Carolina Herrera Spring/Summer 2011
Where: Seoul, Korea - Grand Hyatt
Why: Inspired by the traditional clothing of Korea, Carolina Herrera’s collection was sophisticated and evocative.  Calligraphic and lotus-blossom prints could easily be from centuries past, while wide-brimmed hats, sheath-dresses and sarong-inspired skirts captured the modernity of now. Clearly studying at the Korean Museum in New York paid off. 

What: Rodarte Spring/Summer 2011

Where: Northern California - 968 Park Hotel
Why: The Mulleavy Sisters collection was born from their love of Northern California, and the redwood spotted landscape. The line looks a lot like their childhood - seventies shapes and suburban functionality - in hues of brown, chocolate brown, walnut brown, ok, well just brown. The back-to-earth tone of the collection is even visible in the details like wooden platforms, sky-blue dresses and stamped leather.

For more travel-inspired fashion, check out Jetsetter Passport.