Monday, February 13, 2017

Fashion Week Fall 2017: Tadashi Shoji and Noon by Noor

Noon by Noor

This season, the colour palette at Noon by Noor was largely monochromatic with caramels, blacks, and whites. Their signature oversized, menswear inspired, clothing continues to be juxtaposed with feminine cuts. Rather than presenting luxurious embroidery, patterns, and delicate details, Shaikha Noor Al Khalifa and Shaikha Haya Al Khalifa play more on different cuts and textures of the fabrics, such as jersey, faux fur, and velvet. The one pattern we see is a gradient floral print, fading from light to dark to light again, which is quite pretty on a jumpsuit as it is as a dress. Highlights include a great cocoon coat and formal evening wear with floating trains paired with trousers.

   

      

      

      

      

      
All photos from NYMag.

Tadashi Shoji
Tadashi Shoji’s Fall presentation was inspired by the waves of change happening across the world and served as an encouragement to be your true self. To be liberated, in this instance, means to dress boldly with statement pieces, and shine with sequins. Overall the collection had an opulent medieval and renaissance feel with heavy velvet gowns, wide sleeves, and gilded gold details. The floral brocade dress and fur trimmed coat felt as part of a different collection, but were my favorite pieces, as they felt romantic, light, and fresh, as oppose to the weightiness of some of his other pieces. No doubt Tadashi can produce gorgeous evening wear, especially when you see how these gowns move down the runway, I just wished there was sometimes a bit less of a direct interpretation of other periods.  

      

      

      

      

      
All photos from Tadashi Shoji.

Friday, February 10, 2017

Fashion Week Fall 2017: Nicholas K and Desigual

Nicholas K
Traditionally, our favorite start to New York Fashion Week includes wondering what new statement accessory we’ll see at Nicholas K. This year, we braved the snow storm and freezing wind chill, while schools and offices citywide were closed for a snow day, to see what brother/sister duo, Nicholas and Christopher Kunz had in store for fall. As the first model made her entrance to hip hop tunes spun from a live DJ, accompanied by rapper Latasha Alcindor, you instantly feel transported to the 90’s. The mood was strong and fierce, with a clear undertone of the political activity in present day. Their signature urban nomad style is still present with leather headbands, billowy caftans, baggy ottoman pants, and military inspired cuts and colour palette. Styled with berets that reminisce on the Black Panther movement, nose rings, oversized hoop earrings, Nicholas K brings us back to a time that held “the promise of a global humanitarian community, communal diversity and unity” to show that we presently seem to be moving against progress. Politics aside, their collection had numerous gorgeous shearling lined coats, crushed velvets fabrics, cozy knits, and standout metallic booties. Every second was worth the trek through Storm Niko.

     

    

     

     

    

    
All photos courtesy of Nicholas K. 

Desigual 
Quickly after Nicholas K, we rushed to Desigual, which included ducking back outside into Storm Niko and reentering the building (why we couldn’t go through the ropes indoors is beyond me). This season's show titled "Extraordinary" focuses on personal expression, inspired blending iconic looks from the '60s, '70s, and '80s, but through a modern day lens. The collection focused on mixing the looks of 3 subcultures: 1. Ready to Dance - the dance culture of 60's in England and 80's in the US with bowling shirts, sports vests and high waist pants 2. Upper Wave - the punky Spanish New Wave and Californian rock scene with iconic rips, animal prints, plaid, and leather and 3. California team - the attitude of the underground LA scene of women working to break preconceived notions of how they should look, with vivid colors and prints, and romantic florals. Memorable looks included the long dresses with printed florals, the playful fuzzy hats paired with plaid jumpers, and all the brightly patterned tights.  

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      
All photos from NY Mag.