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

Concept Korea Fall 2013

Nancy observes the up and coming designers from Concept Korea. 

Five Korean designers took part of this year’s Concept Korea Fall 2013 show: Choi Bo Ko (Choiboko), Hongbum Kim (CRES. E DIM), Son Jung Wan (SON JUNG WAN), Lie Sang Bong (LIE SANG BONG), and Kathleen Hanhee Kye (KYE). Each had the opportunity to showcase ten pieces with their interpretation of the theme “Rhythm of Korea.” 

Choi Bo Ko’s collection, "Dance of Gods", had an urban street feel to it with bold scribbles, leather trim, and floppy hats. The abstract images of nature that resemble Korean characters seem to dance on the fabric with fluidity. Choiboko falls in line with the ubiquitous Fall '13 trends of leather and fur accents, but uses a black, white, and red color palette. I adore the white leather jacket with fur sleeves and asymmetrical zipper, and the statement cape.

      

CRES. E DIM showed a rough, gothic look with heavy layers of black and bulkier cuts of leather. Hongbum Kim is inspired by the rhythm of music and the peaks and valleys of song, and represents it with the juxtaposition of  loose fabrics and bold cuts. The wine red dress hits the mark with leather trim and the perfect balance of tough class.

      

Son Jung Wan's collection was a stark contrast to the other designers with its soft femininity. Fur and royal blues and purple were used for delicate elegance and a luxurious feel. While minimalistic, Wan's line echoed class and romanticism.

      

      

As the lights dimmed to make way for Lie Sang Bong’s glowing brimmed hat, the audience was captivated. A gorgeous futuristic, geometric pattern repeated throughout his collection in dresses, blouses, and jackets. The structure and voluminous shapes of his line is flawless.

      

      

Lastly, KYE made a bold runway scene with wild head-to-toe prints, electric blue fur, and street-styled graffiti looks. Her fun eccentric style with its unique bulky shape has already made her sought out by many retailers. This collection, titled "Unemployed Youth: Homeless Youth," exhibits patterns influenced by garbage, boxes, and graffiti seen at the Seoul Station, a major railway station in South Korea.

     

      

All photos from The Cut