Saturday, February 28, 2009

NY fashion designers like Neon too

Top Styles from New York Fashion Week

Alexander Wang turns up the sexy with fail-safe black garments. From sheer party frocks to texture dresses with S & M, bondage-style leggings.

I've been lovin' Calvin Klein's brilliantly structured dresses from their Spring '09 collection. For Fall '09, CK has an entirely new point of view. With high necklines and interesting texture and patterned fabrics.

Everyone is raving about Derek Lam's show. His versatile garments fall perfectly on the female body, while it remains wearable and practical.

Donna Karen works it out in black and still manages to stand out from the crowd with accessories to die for.

I knew neon would stick around for awhile.
In these economic times, it represents optimism. The proverbial light at the end of the tunnel... and it's fun!
However, I didn't expect the 80's to get a full blown resurrection as in Marc Jacob's Fall '09 collection. With structured shoulders and bright neons, the 80's enters 2009 with some new tricks up its sleeves.
Michael Kors also used some neon strategically between his classic beiges, outerwear and clean one shoulder dresses. I'm not a beige lover, but I am a fan of beige and neon. It's easy to fall in love with beige, when its not boring.

When various bloggers/feminists/starksters attacked Michelle Obama's Narciso Rodriguez dress (wore on election night), my reaction was "but it's Narciso Rodriguez. He can do no wrong!" He continues to do no wrong with simple, beautiful, form-fitting looks from his Fall '09 collection. Flashing some trends such as White tights! Beige and black!

Oscar de la Renta stays classy but turns the colour up into overdrive. One dress stands out with beautifully draped silks in red and purple combination.

Rodarte featured a interesting mix of crushed fabrics, leathers, furs, knits over beige bondage-style, thigh-high boots.

The Round-Up: The tell-tale sign of high fashion has always been the quality of the fabric. As the economic climate continues to influence consumer activity, designers are offering up fine fabrics, delicate details, seamlessly constructed lace and one-of-a-kind originals --often imitated, never duplicated by "fast-fashion franchises"--to make high fashion investments more valuable. Texture and structure are key.

I think beige and black are the new white and black
and white tights are the new black tights
and neon colours are the new jewel tone. Take a look back in your fashion magazines, colour has been raising the volume season after season. Neon was inevitable. Almost like peaks and valleys in the marketplace, colour has been on the rise.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

It's official!!

Michelle Obama will grace the March cover of Vogue. According to the Washington Post, she will be wearing a magenta dress by Jason Wu on the soon-to-be-released issue. I believe March is Vogue's power issue. How very appropriate.
I hope this article goes one step beyond the typical "mom-in-chief" and fashion icon topics, since Michelle is so smart and talented in her own right. Although there is something to be said about Michelle's influence in American fashion. It's amazing in these economical times, she can create a buying frenzy over a sweater set from J Crew. If anybody needs a little love right now, it's the retail industry.
Can't wait to see the cover!

I'm picturing something flowy like this, minus the sticking out collarbone, in magenta.

Image: www.style.com

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Jason Wu woos Michelle Obama

It's official! Jason Wu's design won Michelle Obama bid for her dress for tonight's inaugural balls. As we speak she is looking stunning in the flowery, white gown. Very clean and classy, a wonderful choice.
The future looks bright for Wu. Especially since anything the Obamas wear cause a fashion mania, in spite of these economic times.
Wu is a Taiwan-born, New York designer who interned with another of Michelle's fave, Narciso Rodriguez. His first full collection debuted in 2006 and he won a rising star award for his talent in 2008. This should be the year of Jason Wu.

Image: New York Times

Monday, January 19, 2009

Will white tights be the surprize hit of the Spring '09 season?

I have been noticing the Blair Waldorf' character on Gossip Girl wearing white tights on more than one occasion. Perhaps it's part of the school girl uniform. Or to redeem her image as pure and royal. All I know is she makes it look good.
White tights are virtually non-existent on anyone over the age of ten. The only time in my post-pubescent life I wore white tights was went I dressed as a nurse for Halloween.
This may be something to explore come Spring. The season where whites and neutrals rule. Coloured tights are fun, but border bad taste. Imagine a white, chic dress with white tights and beige and neon accessories. ** Boy George, I think this could work!
** (Yes I'm still into neon and it seems to have spread into fast fashion stores.
Blair Waldorf in the upcoming "You've got Yale" episode.

Fashion Bible: The Movie

Something exciting happend this weekend!
A documentary based on one of the most influential fashion magazine in the world screened at the Sundance Film Festival. 'The September Issue' follows Vogue editor Anna Wintour, Andre Leon Talley, Grace Coddington and more, throughout the production of September 2007 issue. This film offers total behind-the-scenes access of the creative process at Vogue through the eyes of director R.J. Cutler. It's been well received by critics so far, yet the release date remains TBA.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Betsey Johnson

I know she's the long shot to have her design picked as Michelle Obama's dress to the Inaugural Ball.......but I love it. It's memorable, bold and exciting. It embodies the whole American dream thing and captures how incredible this moment in time is. Image: WWD

"My only love sprung from my only hate"

One of my favorite retailers, Urban Outfitters, has betrayed me and their other loyal consumers with the removal of pro-gay marriage t-shirts from their shelves. Urban Outfitters (UO) offered items you try to find at second-hand shops, only at triple the price. Despite this, if a special item came along, I was happy to pay for it. One of their staple items is printed t-shirts. The removed shirt read “ I support same sex marriage” and was original pulled because it received “too much bad press.” Although with no bad press found, the likeliness reason is discrimination because the CEO of UO, Richard Hayne, is very right wing, anti-gay Republican. That’s right, while the majority of UO’s consumers are open-minded, free-spirited, fashion-forward, idealistic people; UO’s creator is the opposite? By purchasing a pair of UO skinny jeans, you are unknowingly supporting US Republican politicians. I figured all CEOs of major retailers were conservative, but UO has been blatantly marketed as Left Wing, hippie escapism from other brands. This shirt may have crossed the line with Mr. Hayne, but the truth about Urban Outfitter has abruptly ended this retail love affair.
Read more: http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2008/12/urban_outfitters_yanks_same-se.html

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