Mara Hoffman S/S 2013: ALOHA Paradise!

 

 

Mara Hoffman’s Spring/Summer 2013 runway was a sea of vibrant colors, prints, and Island culture. Inspired by the Hawaiian expression “Aloha”, meaning PEACE, Mara Hoffman debut a collection as beautiful as the Hawaiian Islands themselves; stating, “Each season, my goal is to take the audience on a journey and express the transcendent feeling of love and positivity. This is what we wish to be known for and want to capture in our shows; always celebrating beauty and having a little fun with it.”

With a celebrity studded front row, hosting Bryan Boy, Rumi Neely, Jessica White, Irina Pantaeva, Lil Kim, Julie Henderson, Kenza Fourati, Charlotte Ross, and India De Beaufort to name a few the venue was buzzing in anticipation.

Key looks from the collection featured prints including Aloha (abstract geometrics), Medicine Wheel (herbs and flowers), and Desert (Mara’s interpretation of quilting print); all this balanced out by more subdued pieces of earthy color palettes. Also injected into the collection are the more novelty pieces that amusingly allude to the tourist life of the Hawaiian Islands. My definite favorites are the dresses featuring the peak-a-boo cut-outs and the blazers bursting with prints and color.

One note- worthy thing that invoked such a strong feeling of home for me was that throughout front row they placed jasmine blooms in each seat. I grew up in the Philippines with a front yard covered in jasmine (locally called sampaguita), and the venue was filled with the aroma so it automatically triggered a sense of peace as I recalled childhood memories. Another beautiful collection by Mara Hoffman only made better as one recalls fond memories; this was truly one memorable runway show.

 

 

Farah Angsana S/S 2013: From Brazil with LOVE

Exquisite and stunning can only begin to describe Farah Angsana’s namesake label. No one can capture the attention of a restless fashion crowd quite like Farah; and silence the entire venue in awe, except for the shutter sounds of countless cameras and the often heard gasps of “ooh’s and ahh’s” by a stunned audience as one beautiful design after another make its way into the runway.

This season Farah Angsana drew inspiration from her international travel to Brazil and the LOVE she surrounds herself; thus creating a Spring/Summer 2013 collection full of vibrant colors, sultry and sexy silhouettes, and a regal refinement of royalty that only Farah can translate and execute in her designs.  It is often said that a beautiful soul mirrors its substance into its work; if that’s true, Farah Angsana’s soul must be truly be gorgeous- because her work is simply magnificent.

Farah Angsana’s Spring/Summer 2013 collection is a delightful explosion of colors and flawlessly constructed ready-to-wear evening and cocktail dresses. From the regal sophistication of Brazil’s elite; to the vivacious energy of ‘Carnivale’, Farah Angsana covers the gambit of a full Brazilian experience- while adding her unique and upscale touches to each design. One of my favorite designs from the Spring/Summer 2013 collection were the belted caftans, done in the most delicious colors and exquisite trims and embellishments; a wonderful combination of sexy and fluid silhouette. In particular, the “tangerine silk chiffon belted caftan with beaded neckline” was my personal favorite; the combination of tangerine and turquoise left me wanting more!

Each season I always look forward to covering Farah Angsana’s runway show, and each season I am left speechless and left with anticipation for the upcoming season. I am honored to know such a talent like Farah Angsana, and can’t wait until the unveiling of her next collection.

 

 

Zang Toi S/S 2013: French Romanticism

Zang Toi’s romantic aesthetics was beautifully carried through his runway collection with soft pastel colors and delicate fabrics as his Spring/Summer 2013 collection was inspired by the romantic French Riviera.  One can close his eyes and be transported to an epic novel set within the blooming gardens of a chateau; sweet pink roses and lilacs enveloping you- this is the feeling invoked.

Without a question Zang Toi has some of the most loyal followings, from celebrities to the career New York woman; all clamor to take a seat at Zang’s runway show to see first-hand what new and exciting creations he has to unveil. Each season notable names like Kristie Alley, New York’s Real Housewives Ramona Singer, Sonja Morgan, and Alex Van Kempen; NBA star Matt Barnes along with his wife Gloria Govan and her sister Laura Govan both from the hit show Basketball Wives LA on VH1, are among the many taking front row seats next to some of fashion’s most powerful editors and elites. Even famed photographer Bill Cunningham swoops in at the last minute with his trademark camera to sit in Zang Toi’s show.

Each season I look for several components that truly make a Zang Toi collection special. First, I have come to expect his romantic aesthetic with impeccably constructed ready to wear ensembles and dresses that extenuate any woman’s body while giving her a regal stature. The next thing I look for is the bold accessories usually a neckwear piece to die for that’s made with oversized gems, stones, or crystals; quintessential Zang Toi. Lastly, I look forward to a well-choreographed show that leaves the audience and me looking for more and restless in anticipation for the next look to debut on the runway. It may be unrealistic to expect perfection, but Zang Toi always delivers, and I am never disappointed. I look forward to another spectacular season and what surprise Zang Toi will deliver.

Venexiana S/S 2013: Evening Gown Glamour!

“No other show can pack a fashion crowd into Mercedes Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center at 9pm like Venexiana can!” This sentiment was shared by many fashion enthusiasts, from magazine editors, bloggers, videographers, and aspiring student designers waiting for Kati Stern to send out another magnificent collection of jaw-dropping evening wear.

For many who haven’t had the pleasure of seeing a Venexiana show live on the runway, one will walk you through. Definitely expect glamour, and a sea of colors that catches your eyes from one ensemble to the next. Expect a collection that injects amazing details in the construction, trims, and overall look- pieces that will leave you speechless, but just long enough for you to catch your breath to take in the next look coming down the runway. After 4 seasons of experiencing Venexiana on the runway, I have set my expectations high, and Kati Stern seems to raise it as she did for Spring/Summer 2013.

71 fresh new looks with a myriad of colors from Blush, Champagne, Salmon, Light Peach, Orange, Dusty Rose, and Cherry Red make their way down the Studio runway towards a crowd of gasping people and never ending camera clicks and flashes. As each piece come down, one can see the smiles and adoration of each person in front-row.

S/S 2013 for Venexiana meant evening gowns with embellished laces; crystal trims, floral appliques, floral prints, feather trains, and metallic all come together as ingredients to an amazing fashion mosaic.