Valentino
Andrew Gn
Women of Distinction Luncheon
Last week a record $1.7 million was raised for the Chron's and Colitis Foundation at the Waldorf Astoria. As the power women of New York got together for the fundraising lunch, names like Valentino and Oscar de la Renta were strutting down the Grand Ballroom of the West Wing. A designer on my radar was Andrew Gn. His velvet layered gown, my favorite, had a heavy weighted train to be reckoned with. Hands down the favorite of the afternoon was of course, the jewel encrusted, Valentino.
Valentino
ValentinoCentral Park Interpreted by Harry Winston
So here's a view of Central Park . . .
And here's another view of Central Park from Harry Winston.
I know . . . you'll take it.
And here's another view of Central Park from Harry Winston.
I know . . . you'll take it.Zac Posen for Target
Tonight's party was an early start for those that wanted access to the Zac Posen line designed for Target. The line doesn't go public until later next month. Although I didn't have any favorites, the concept is a great idea for those that are building up their closets but still looking to economize.
The Present Day's Future
Whether it's digital media or global trendspotting, fashion and technology are ever-changing and form the contents in our everyday life. Students at F.I.T. combined the two and presented a step forward into the future. I'd keep this in my closet for say . . 2046.
Is Fashion, Old-Fashioned?
Luckily, we do have a few fashion forward thinkers. This is an ode to those who are leaders in their industry. To those who can take a prestigious Gucci conglomerate and have them see eye-to-eye on your no leather, no fur policy. To those who not only go by head shots and a walk but have interviews, making it mandatory to have a personality on the runway.
Stella McCartney has all organic lines and little did you know that you weren't tired from a night out in the City with your vegetarian suitable shoes.
Stella McCartney has all organic lines and little did you know that you weren't tired from a night out in the City with your vegetarian suitable shoes.
Stella McCartney
Marc Jacobs, going along his path, led women picked from the streets of New York down his Fall 2010 Louis Vuitton runway. They were larger than life not that you already knew their names but in the way he saw fit. "He finds personalities fascinating and sexy and appealing and charming." Model can be more of a role model, a model citizen rather than a mannequin.
Marc Jacobs
The FINAL Collection-Alexander McQueen
It seems almost impossible to fathom a lavishly dressed royal from another dimension. But to open your mind's eye is to see it in the design. He was beyond his time.
Alexander McQueen
1969-2010
Nauty Boy
Made of stripped nautilus, Nauty Boy designed by Wynn Wynn Ong was featured on the cover of WWD this month. That's exactly the kind of fashion that should be coming from the Islands of the Philippines.
Paving the Runway
A Filipino model sounds like a bit of a conundrum. This NY Fashion Week there were no play on words. Filipino model, Charlene Almarvez was at a number of shows paving the runway for those to follow.
Spotted at Diane von Furstenburg
Catalyzing Imagination
If one died and went to a "fashion heaven," one would be wearing a gown like this.
The Dubai based Filipino designer that creates the haute couture* is Michael Cinco. An unveiling of his collections are shown each year during Manila's Fashion Week. Last year I viewed the "Impalpable Dream," his 2009 collection. The opera started and the room silenced, dresses of beauty floated down the runway, and with each dress, a stretch of my grin. Not the least bit dissapointed, it's no wonder I keep Michael Cinco synonymous with Elysium.
*Haute couture is made to order for a specific customer, and it is usually made from high-quality, expensive fabric and sewn with extreme attention to detail and finish, often using time-consuming, hand executed techniques.
Compendium of Curiosities
Reflective Reveries and Meticulous Metronomes
Pamela RolandThe prime corner of 57th and 5th treats you to a display of cutting edge styles all year round, but during the holiday season, the Bergdorf Window commands your attention. This season the window invites you into a wonderland of fashion fantasy. You can get engulfed in a sea of red which leaves you with a delightful sense of vertigo, where queens aren't cards but queens dressed in McQueen are the ones playing cards.
A whisper of an "Amazing" you'll find yourself uttering as others are gathered to also be caught in the trance.
Alexander McQueen
Marc Jacobs
Afternoon Amusements and Sovereign GambitsReem Acra Spring 2010 Ready-to-Wear
Oui, je suis prêt à porter. I couldn't keep my eyes off this dress. I'm a stickler for the powerful woman look but isn't this the cutest thing you've ever seen?
Talk Amongst Yourselves
"A Sudanese woman was found guilty of indecency and fined for wearing trousers in a case that has attracted worldwide attention, but she will be spared lashes, an official who attended the trial said. The woman was arrested at a party in July with 12 other women and had faced the possibility of 40 lashes for wearing trousers, deemed indecent." - Financial Times, September 2009
On another note, here are some Spring 2010 looks that appeared on the runway this week. One of my favorite designers, Donna Karan, used mainly beige colors this season with a pop of red right in the middle of the show. As for fabrics they seemed light and movable making her vision of an "atmospheric expression of a wind blowing" come across.
The woman she's dressing is one with a "breeze and ease but strong and sophisticated."
Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton
Two thumbs up! This is a documentary I only recently discovered. I can now say, Marc Jacobs is my idol. He's a genius, which he repeatedly denies. To some, his work may seem scrambled, while those in tune understand the schematic of the genius. There's nothing short of inspiration here.
Chanel Iman
from left: Chanel Iman, Sessilee Lopez, Jourdan Dunn, Arlenis Sosa
Any person named after a designer and supermodel, is bound to find themselves caught up in fashion. Fortunately, Chanel Iman, welcomed the destiny that her name has given her. She's the face you've seen gracing the covers of magazines and catwalking on runways models would want to be on.
Wondering what the big deal was, when her name was mentioned why there would always be an "I love her." following. I wondered no more when I literally ran into her during fashion week. I, myself, got caught in the trance. Chanel's not just a model but that 19 year old with youth & vitality.
Let's face it when Vogue's right, they're right. Chanel Iman is one of the "World's Top Models."
Mara Hoffman, Swim 2010
A sneak peak from front row http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2_QuUeqd5Q
Let's just say I like the way they're dressed. Then again, you can't really go wrong with bathing suits designed by Mara Hoffman.
First thought when I saw the Aztec like patterns is she had to be inspired by travel. I was right, world travel and fantasy. More of an ethereal feel than bohemian and ethnic, the line has entered a class of its own in high end swimwear.
Dana Maxx Summer/Fall 2009 Collection
Looks like the Ingrid supporters kept their fingers crossed since the first entry. Someone not only got a sneak peak into backstage at a fashion show but assisted in styling, working with the likes of Dana Maxx herself who has worked for Bestsey Johnson and Marc Jacobs.
The production team included numerous amounts of MUAs, hairstylists, and my 9 models, a few from a small show called America's Next Top Model and winner of Cycle 8, Jaslene Gonzalez.
During the actual ten minutes of the show I ran around like a chicken with its head cut off, endured a really bad leg cramp, and even got an elbow to the head - I LOVED IT! lol. All in all it was an unreal experience. One that I will remember just like watching my first fashion show.
The Woman Warrior
Christophe Decarnin, Balmain
In Afghanistan, tradition has recently become law allowing men to rape their wives and making it illegal for a woman to go out in public without being escorted by a male. Young Afghanistan women are finding this law to be obsolete at this point in time of change and evolution. They are fighting for their women rights.
When women around the world are fighting for their rights like no other time before. It's no wonder the fashion we're seeing is not of a graceful doll but of a strong sturdy equal.
Frida Giannini, who serves on the Board of Directors of PPR's Foundation for Women 's Dignity and Rights had her vision of the Woman Warrior embossed in this fall's collection of GUCCI.
Frida Giannini, Gucci
Valentino: The Last Emperor
"Pure escapist fun . . . It reveals a world that is slipping away even as the cameras roll" -The New York Times
If you're a fashionista and haven't watched VALENTINO THE LAST EMPEROR, shame on you. The film was held over following the two weeks of showing at the Film Forum in New York City.
All sat in the theater in inspired awe of how this man had a vision of how he wanted his world to be. To encapsulate it in one word . . . BEAUTIFUL.
" I love beauty. Is not my fault" - Valentino