Showing posts with label Amanda Wigen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Amanda Wigen. Show all posts

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Fashion Week Fall / Winter 2015: Carmen Marc Valvo and Noon by Noor

Carmen Marc Valvo
The first looks out on the Carmen Marc Valvo runway were more literal representations of the poem: “Lasses and lads / In tartan plaids / Dressed up in the latest fads / Hoping one day to be grads…” But as the looks progressed, youthful school uniforms gave way to sophisticated plaids and gorgeous red and charcoal furs.

A nod to the designer’s Spring 2015 collection, gowns were cinched at the waist with chiffon illusion paneling. For Fall, however, the gowns were floor-length or cut at the ankle, and made of taffeta.

With the exception of fur (never in excess), accessories were limited to black patent accents and light sterling silver jewelry. My favorite styling element – the model’s teased updo’s, tossed over the shoulder.


     Images by The Cut.

Noon by Noor
Designers Shaikha Noor Al Khalifa and Shaikha Haya Al Khalifa presented a minimalist collection with futuristic notes that felt current, accessible, and ultimately very downtown chic. To put it simply, the Noon by Noor Fall 2015 collection was both wearable and, well… breathable.

Wearable: because I always welcome oversized shapes (hello, my Monday wardrobe), and because metallics are the perfect solution for day-to-night looks.

Breathable: because perforation was all over the runway. Mesh detailing softened each look and gave it a subtle feminine edge.

I left the show wanting to glam up my Monday wardrobe, which can only be read as a success.

     Images by WWD.com.


Thursday, September 18, 2014

Fashion Week Spring / Summer 2015: Michael Costello and Ricardo Seco

Michael Costello 
Our coverage of New York Fashion Week ends with one of the most memorable shows of the season. Michael Costello hit all the right notes with his Spring / Summer collection of swoon-worthy, flawless, red carpet gowns. Many of the dramatic gowns had that classic sense of beauty with traditionally flattering silhouettes, but they all had a Michael Costello flair, through masterful drapery, use of beading and lace, exaggerating the shoulders or adding a plunging neckline. Even the sheerest of dresses looks elegant but undeniably sexy – the perfect reminder of why Beyonce wore his design to the 2014 Grammys. Most obsessed with: the mint green floral number with a high center slit and dramatic train styled with pulled back sleek hair and topped with a golden crown.  

      

      

      

      

      

Ricardo Seco
Mexican designer Ricardo Seco’s DREAM collection was the epitome of NYC cool kid chic. Loosely fitted black and white shapes served as the perfect blank canvas for hand-beaded embellishments. The beading was bold and geometric, tying in symbols of Wixárika culture. Highlights: clean white zip-up jumpsuit, custom-beaded New Balance sneakers, and of course, the too-beautiful-to-cruise-on skateboards. Seco ended the show staged in 7 World Trade Center by raising the shades behind the models, causing a dramatic change in lighting and revealing the 9/11 Memorial below.








All photos from Amanda Wigen.

Monday, February 24, 2014

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.

Pamella Roland RTW Fall 2014      Pamella Roland RTW Fall 2014

Pamella Roland RTW Fall 2014      Pamella Roland RTW Fall 2014

Pamella Roland RTW Fall 2014      Pamella Roland RTW Fall 2014

Pamella Roland RTW Fall 2014      Pamella Roland RTW 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. 

The Art Institute of New York City RTW Fall 2014      The Art Institute of New York City RTW Fall 2014
                               Designer: Lauren Barisic                                                  Designer: Luis Aponte 


The Art Institute of New York City RTW Fall 2014      The Art Institute of New York City RTW Fall 2014
                               Designer: Anna Charest                                                  Designer: Rie Yamamoto


The Art Institute of New York City RTW Fall 2014      The Art Institute of New York City RTW Fall 2014
                              Designer: Christopher Maracha                                         Designer: Simone Young

The Art Institute of New York City RTW Fall 2014      The Art Institute of New York City RTW Fall 2014
                              Designer: Joshuan Aponte                                          Designer: Samuel Ciccone

The Art Institute of New York City RTW Fall 2014      The Art Institute of New York City RTW Fall 2014
                              Designer: RG by Ryan Edmonds                                  Designer: Gustavo Alonso
                                              and German Madrigal   


The Art Institute of New York City RTW Fall 2014      The Art Institute of New York City RTW Fall 2014
                              Designer: Lorena Cabrera                                             Designer: Michael Doyle 
All photos from WWD