Fashion Week Day Six: Libertine, Concept Korea, Pamella Roland, and The Art Institutes

Libertine

Clashing patterns have never looked so good. Libertine presented an eclectic mix of cross-hatched neon tights, embroidered and sequined wool coats, and text-heavy knits. Please, please let those stockings, clever socks, and patterned pumps look as stylish and effortless on us shoppers as they do on the runway models. In an ideal world the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week gods would bestow the following items upon all drab wardrobes STAT: white-washed trench coat, diamond-eye socks in muted tones, and a 50’s inspired red wool coat embellished with a fur collar and sky blue gemstones. Yes, that sounds heavenly.

      

      

      

All photos from WWD.

Concept Korea

This group show does every season which few such shows manage to ever accomplish: effectively promote their country and its talent as a growing source of emerging design talent. This season's collections, from Kaal E. Suktae, Choiboko, Beyond Closet, and Big Park were a powerhouse of talent, and an impressive all-around showing of a similarly eclectic yet strongly individualistic aesthetic. Below are my picks from each designer, and while all were memorable, Kaal E. Suktae's structural tailoring stood out from the pack, while Big Park presented a young, urban (with a fun, tongue-in-cheek spirit), and highly marketable collection.

Kaal E. Suktae

      

Choiboko

      

Beyond Closet

      

Big Park

      

      

All photos from WWD

Pamella Roland 

Inspired by the 1930's art deco architecture of her home, as well as the glamour of city life, there is no lack of glitz and sparkle on the runway at Pamella Roland. Her collection consisted of feminine silhouettes and strong, yet conservative, cuts. While her beaded fringe dresses and evening gowns are beautifully made, the trade-off is a lack of daytime looks. Roland's navy parka with faint sequin tiling had a great understated beauty many pieces could have emulated. Although her collection as a whole would have benefited from more ready-to-wear pieces, her evening collection was undeniably masterful. The mix of pleats, leather, and fur was a refreshing play of textures for Fall 2014.

      

      

      

      

All photos from WWD

The Art Institute

Thirteen students and recent graduates from The Art Institutes presented looks from their collections at this Mercedes Benz Fashion Week student show. Stand-out pieces include Anna Charest’s caplet over a pleated dress with rope design, and Joshuan Aponte’s avant-garde silver puffer coat. Christopher Maracha also delivered a strong menswear collection, mixing sportswear with sheer and mesh elements, and Lorena Cabrera impressed with beautiful sculptural pieces. 

      

                               Designer: Lauren Barisic                                                  Designer: Luis Aponte 

      

                               Designer: Anna Charest                                                  Designer: Rie Yamamoto

      

                              Designer: Christopher Maracha                                         Designer: Simone Young

      

                              Designer: Joshuan Aponte                                          Designer: Samuel Ciccone

      

                              Designer: RG by Ryan Edmonds                                  Designer: Gustavo Alonso
                                              and German Madrigal   

      

                              Designer: Lorena Cabrera                                             Designer: Michael Doyle 

All photos from WWD