Fashion Week Fall / Winter 2016: Fashion Hong Kong and Francesca Libertore

Fashion Hong Kong

This showcase featured three collections from Hong Kong: Loom by Loop, Harrison Wong, and Hidy N.G. Often I dread a collective show, as they tend to be long and packed full of designers, but this one was hyper-edited for an emphatic, strong statement about Hong Kong design talent. And I loved it.

Loom by Loop

I can't say Loom by Loop had me at hello. The psychedelic print mix and the sack-like, floor length dresses initially threw me back to the '80s and Naf Naf baggy cuts. But by the end of the collection I was a diehard convert. There was a dreamlike quality to the shapeless forms paired with asymmetric jackets, farfalle butterfly prints, dramatic headpieces with long single earring, and models with colored brows. The luxurious silk was not the only reason to covet these pieces; the collection was a perfect balance of print, shape, and color that made me feel a great affinity for the strong, admirable women walking down the runway. Yes, I wanted to be them in all their psychedelic sack-like glory. Also see: every damn pair of those leggings.

      

      

      

      

Harrison Wong
This men's collection was strong on style, with mod meets nerd meets British tailoring, and it worked in spades. There was a cross-generational blend to Wong's style, and a bold use of color. Note the cropped cobalt jacket, a simple combination yet brash in form and hue that created a striking look. The cropped pants worked well, as did the perfect flare to his 70s inspired pants. Not sure how he managed to not make a viewer feel all over the map with this collection, but it emphatically left a strong impression.

      

      

      

      

 Hidy N.G.
Adored this designer's modern take on classic feminine dressing that had a strong hint of  Hollywood glamour. Think more Grace Kelly meets Katherine Hepburn Hollywood than Marilyn Monroe meets Lana Turner. As with Loom by Loop, the opening looks initially underwhelmed with a series of all-black scenes, but soon noticed were the modern, elegant touches in sleeves, shoulders, and waists. Then came dresses in velvet and sparkling gold, bright white with a bustle (you have to see this in motion), and more gold, including fabulous yet restrained lame harem pants and sparkling tunic. A fine end to an impressive trio of Hong Kong talent.

      

      

      

      

 All Fashion Hong Kong photos from nyfw.com.

Francesca Liberatore

Francesca Liberatore’s Fall/Winter Collection got us excited that there's still a few more weeks of winter left. Her collection featured outwear that was stylish yet functional and guaranteed to keep us warm. The ready-to-wear pieces largely consisted of classically chic sheer nude and black tops, long dresses, and asymmetrical cuts. Highlights included printed leather leggings paired with a highly covetable and cozy looking winter jacket.  

      

      

      

      

All photos from New York Fashion Week. 

Fashion Week Fall / Winter 2016: Noon by Noor and Carmen Marc Valvo

Noon by Noor

Despite a woman sitting in front of me who couldn't stay still during the runway show, and switched her seat numerous times throughout (people, please stop, it's rude and distracting) to get her very artful iPhone photos (sigh), I once again fell in love with the sister duo that is the magic behind Noon by Noor. There is something so very refreshing in a world of extreme hype and aggressive fashion to view a collection of beautiful tailoring that enhances its wearer without screaming "look at me." With muted, light-colored hues (seems to be the trend for winter 2016) and a menswear silhouette, Noon by Noor created graceful clothing that is all refined elegance. Fabrics were rich, as usual, with wool boucle, cable knitwear, and black velvet. But the simple slip dresses really slayed me with their loose, easy perfection, shown either solo or paired with runway-dusting trenches. Also, almost everything was shown with a slip on loafer, and looked perfect, like why heels?

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

All photos from nyfw.com.

Carmen Marc Valvo 
While we waited for the show to start, we leafed through the program and came across the collection description in poetic verse. It beautifully sums up the show; below, is our favorite verse:

“Quaffs of champagne with caviar beads

And a splash of Bordeaux

Bold gilded strokes a splice with strife

Lacquered lace and brocade below”

True to his brand, Carmen showcased cocktail and evening wear with rich brocades, beading, furs, and lacquered lace. While most of the collection was black and white, my favorite piece was a Bordeaux evening gown with a deep V cut, definitely red carpet swoon-worthy. Other metallic column gowns, occasionally paired with a fur collar, drew "Oohs" and "Ahhs" from the crowd. While his menswear largely consisted of modified black suits, I did like the leather detailing. 

      

      

      

      

      

All photos from Robert Mitra/WWD.