We all know and love as a Project Runway darling., but meet Christian the new rising star designer. After winning Project Runway, he has been all over the place from Victoria's Secret to Payless, but in between everything else he has also put together a fantastic spring 2010 collection. Nudes, blues, and bold reds set the mood of a dramatic and detail oriented pieces. The collection ranged from beautiful nudes like a knock out cocktail dress to a red flamenco style gown that Sessilee Lopez rocked down the runway. I could have done without this skintight blue abstract jumpsuit, but just because it's not for me doesn't mean someone doesn't think they could rock it! Overall he has matured as a designer and produced beautifully constructed looks.
Molly Grad, the new young designer for Gottex, an Israeli swimwear manufacturer, presented a collection of swimsuits that managed to be chic, classic, and sexy all at once. Sure some of the suites were adorned with sequins, red coral, and other details that may make you question getting the swimsuit wet, but when your suit looks that good, who needs to dip in the pool? All the action is found lounging by cabana anyway! The stand out piece for me was a black corset-like swim suit paired with a blue and gold cover-up that flowed behind the model as she came down the runway. Actually, many of the cover-ups were really great stand out pieces on their own as well.
It's hard to do shows during the day and still have the energy to make it out at night, but I couldn't turn down an opportunity to go to a soiree hosted by Mary J. Blige at the Fifth Avenue Gucci shop in support of FFAWN (Foundation For Advancement of Women Now). The fete brought out some of the industry's finest such as Alicia Keys, LeBron James, Russell Simmons, June Ambrose, and even Donald Trump made it down from high up in the Trump Towers where Gucci lies as an anchor store. It was definitely the best party of the night!
The party also showcased the limited-edition black Twirl watch that Gucci's Frida Giannini designed for the charity.
Check out the video of stylist, June Ambrose giving her rendition of what's going on at the event! (If you look close enough near the end you can see me in my bright orange dress mingling on the champagne campagne with friends!)
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 16: Musicians (L-R) Mary J. Blige and Alicia Keys
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 16: Singer Ryan Leslie
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 16: Musicians (L-R) Mary J. Blige and Alicia Keys
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 16: (L-R) NBA player LeBron James and professional tennis player Serena Williams attend the Gucci cocktail party for Ffawn at on...
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 16: (L-R) Siingers Mary J. Blige and Estelle, and Russell Simmons
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 16: Actress and model Devon Aoki
The Phidias-Kalos Pantarkes Collection is the name of Greek designer Vassilios Kostetsos' Spring 2010 runway show. Dresses encrusted in jewels wrapped in sheer overlays command attention. There was metallics, geometric patterns, leather, huge metallic corset belts, and beautiful gowns covered in sequins. I kept scanning the audience to see if Rihanna had snuck through a side entrance because any of the pieces looked like they could make an appearance in her next video. I'd kill to see her rocking some of the pieces from this collection like the metallic mini-dress with geometric shapes that shine like silver and rainbows or the black ball gown with goddess ruffles and sequined top. Overall, I felt like I was transported and lifted away to a time when fashion was all about fun and drama and less about recession and safety.
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 13: A model prepares backstage at Vassilios Kostetsos Spring 2010 Fashion at Bryant Park on September 13, 2009 in in New York by...
Nanette Lepore wanted to evoke a feeling of Moroccan splendor with her spring collection. The bold pops of colors and rainbows mixed with dashes of neutrals throughout a flirty collection for the designer. The styles ranged from miniskirts to wrap dresses. A blue sleeveless suede coat with florescent pink lining paired with short shorts with a splattering of colors was one of my favorite casual looks of the week, but a pop of pink does it for me every time. The same pattern in the short shorts was also found in a dress that looked like it was Debbie Gibson's interpretation for electric youth. I loved it! Even the shoes she used in the show were colorful, and of course her own.
NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 18: Designer Nanette Lepore and her daughter Violet walk the runway at the Nanette Lepore Fall 2009 fashion show during Fashion in...
The invitation to the Custo Barcelona show said, “Witness the most high energy show of the season as Custo Barcelona transforms The Tent into a Mediterranean paradise.” Not only did he deliver on his promise with his "Air Show", but he provided one of the most entertaining shows of the week. I couldn't help but sway to the music as models kept stampeding down the runway in beautiful clothing with fun touches like sequins and crystals. With so many invitation holders locked outside of the presentation in The Tent, the largest venue at Bryant Park, it still seated over 1,000 people who were there to witness this grand party of style and color. Celebrities spotted in the audience included Mark Indelicato from Ugly Betty, Miss Jay, Amerie, Melody Thorton from the Pussycat Dolls, Estelle, Olivia Palermo from The City, and more.
"Air Show" was also a show with a message. Everyone remembers a few seasons ago when there was a lot of talk about how the runways lacked models of color and then Italian Vogue blew the fashion world away with an all black issue that sold like $2 Christian Louboutin! Runways still haven't picked up too much more color, but Custo Barcelona opened with so many black models I lost count. I remember sitting there and whispering to the girl next to me, "I think he may really use only black models. There's so many!" I seriously felt my heart flutter with excitement. After model number 11 he start ed to mix it up, but he made his point.
Now back to the clothes, Custo Barcelona isn't a show that you come to so you can find a classic white blouse or khaki pant. If you know anything about Custo Barcelona, you know he is going to give you color when everyone else is lost in a sea of black. It's fashion that doesn't take itself seriously. There were outfits that were fringed, feathered, and beaded all at the same time! Every piece was a statement piece down to the sparkling panties. My stand out items were cover-ups to be added to my wish list that just begged for you to go on a tropical vacay and sip champagne poolside at 11am.
Day 6 at the tents ended with Toni Francesc's“Water’s Mood." The first few minutes of the presentation was the steady sound of dripping water which left me on the edge of my seat waiting for the first model to walk down! His collection was an urban wash of dresses and shifts that seemed to be painted by a skyscraper in muted taupe, white, khaki, gray and olive. The silhouettes flowed like water, but they still managed to find areas to hug curves and be flattering to the female shape.
I was very excited to see pockets in his collection. I never remember how much I like pockets until I'm wearing something without it! I can never have enough pockets and sleeves. One thing I usually feel like I don't want more of are little black dresses, but there are three which are so simplistic yet fit the model so perfectly that I would like to have at least one.
The muted colors provided a backdrop to pieces that were effortlyessly chic and could easily be dressed uptown with pumps and pearls or throw a leather jacket over it all and head downtown. The show's finish got the croud excited as Toni Francesc walked to the end of the runway with his long curly hair to pose for the photographers and then sent the models back down the runway for another closing march. Overall it was a beautiful collection with ultra feminine silhouettes and a great presentation!
Tibi’s Spring 2010 collection presentation was like being invited to a garden party by a modern Audrey Hepburn. I'm always excited to collections with an emphasis on color and fell in love with a short, "beautiful lavender mini amid suede fleur detail" that looks as if it was made with hundreds of petals. There was also a colorful sequined miniskirt that is at the top of my wish list! Designer Amy Smilovic managed to give us sophistication while still being youthful. While the collection had many beautiful dresses, the separates were real head turners as well. Backstage, Bobbi Brown was busy before the show creating a fanciful look with bubble gum pink eyes coupled with green eye liner. The make-up completed Tibi's garden theme by making the models look like wood nymphs gliding down the garden's runway.
Models wear fashion during the Twinkle by Wenlan September 11, 2009 during the Spring 2010 Collections Mercedes-Benz Fashion week in New York. AFP read...
Designer Wenlan Chia’s collection Twinkle By Wenlan made me feel like I was a bubble gum sex kitten! She had a whimsical collection with bright pops of fluorescent pink,lime green, soft yellows all tied in together with black and white neutrals. The colors in the collection were just as fun as her personality. Wenlan was one of the first designers backstage that was all smiles and an infections burst of joy who looked truly radiant after her collection walked down the runway. The silk cigarette pants were all throughout the collection and I loved each one. Near the end there was a stand out pantsuit that almost made me hold my breath.
Wenlan also designs jewelry which meant she had fantastic statement designs that really complemented the clothing in her collection. It was one of the first shows this season where I was checking for what was on the models neck and wrist as much as what they were wearing. One bubble gum princess necklace had the pearls with chains that I am seeing everywhere, but funked it up with HUGE pearls that made it so much fun. There was also a necklace with charms that looked like ice cubes which I really found myself loving as well.
The models in this collection continued with that bubble gum sex kitten appeal by bouncing down the runway rather than gliding. The girls all had sexy bedhead hair that looked like they went to bed with a beautiful set of girls and just got up after a wild night out in the club. Although I can’t see myself actually wearing a tangerine lip, it was again a perfect complement to the collection.
New York based designer Yigal Azrouel presented his spring/summer 2010 collection which he called ‘a study in geometry.’ Interestingly enough, Azrouel’s good looks and recent article in Page Six calling him a ‘panty chaser’ caused a stir in the audience when the designer came out to accept his applause. When asking a girl seated next to me what she enjoyed the most about his collection she said, ‘his eyes.’ For those of us more interested in his actual clothing, his geometrical collection was mostly a range of flowy neutrals with bursts of bright colors a few places in the collection. It was a beautiful mix of hard with soft edges that took an inspiration from the streets of New York.
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 11: Fashion designer Yigal Azrouel attends Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Bryant Park on September 11, 2009 in New York, New York....
Rihanna in Paris!
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