Monique Lhuillier S/S 2013: Life of the Sea

 

 

Phenomenal best describes Monique Lhuillier’s Spring /Summer 2013 collection. Inspired by the beauty of water and the “life of the sea” the collection was a burst of life in an array of colors just as magnificent and intricate as the world’s oceans. Monique created a collection so surreal that it almost transports the audience into an underwater world, as if one was living in the lost city of Atlantis.

“Evening is all about fluidity and movement, almost mermaid-like. Shimmering gold, sea glass beading in silhouettes close to the body showing lots of skin to create a very sensual woman for spring.”

Sensuality definitely prevails as an endless parade of body flattering evening wear debut into the runway in peplum and mermaid silhouettes in a plethora of colors such as aqua, coral, sea-foam, blues, purple, and lace embroidered in black. Spring/Summer 2013 is ushered in by cool colors alluding to the sea. Also notable in this collection are the amazing prints used, such as ‘bold-crane, fish, and abstract koi’ bringing to life the garment with picturesque life of the seas.

What I truly appreciate about a Monique Lhuillier show is that it always presents an amazing variety, from chic pant ensembles, shorts, jackets, and into her signature glamour stamped evening dresses from cocktail to floor sweeping lengths everything is beautifully cohesive and visually stunning!

On a side note, this season I had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Amparito Lhuillier (Monique’s mom), and was instantly enamored by her vibrant personality and beauty. Having grown up in Cebu, Philippines where the Lhuillier family has risen to prominence, it was such an honor to meet someone who has uplifted our community. Mrs. Amparito Lhuillier was a true delight and such a wonderful supporter to her daughter and her beautiful work.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VLOV by Qing Qing Wu S/S 2013: Design Serenity

 

 

Ever since his New York Fashion Week debut a few seasons ago, Chinese designer Qing Qing Wu has caught the attention of New York’s fashion elites and fashionistas alike with his fluid menswear silhouettes and light weight fabrics and construction for VLOV. Often, one is accustomed to the structured designs of menswear, but VLOV is an unexpected balance of lightweight silks, linens, and cottons that surprisingly holds impeccable tailoring.

Influenced by “tranquility and a serene sense of calmness” Qing Qing Wu reflects this in VLOV by constructing fluid designs in colors of light blue, light greys, beige, taupe, and other colors of pure nature. It’s often surprising for one to see such amazing designs with such delicate fabrics when applied to menswear, in fact most menswear designers avoid designing unstructured pieces because it’s too difficult to execute- and for Qing Qing Wu to execute such an amazing collection it shows his mastery of design.

Whenever a show commands some of the most recognizable names in the modeling industry such as Sean Opry, Sebastian Suave, Simone Nobili, River Viiperi, and David Agbodji, it sets the tone to one spectacular show- VLOV was sure to please even the most jaded fashion connoisseurs.  Having covered VLOV since its debut, I do have an affinity to the brand, but it’s great design that keeps me engaged and looking forward to another show!



 

 

 

Mathieu Mirano S/S 2013: Edgy Details

 

Relatively young, designer Mathieu Mirano has been showing so much promise season after season with his unique, modern, and sensational take on evening and ready to wear. Using combinations of traditional textiles blended and complimented with new materials into a body flattering silhouette he produces one of the most jaw dropping presentations of New York Fashion Week.

I always enjoy a well-executed juxtaposition of edgy and feminine when it comes to evening wear; especially in long floor sweeping gowns. I feel that time and again we see the beauty in evening wear, but it often loses its unique voice amongst the millions of eveningwear in the market- this is where Mathieu Mirano’s designs stand out!

I love that at every opportunity Mathieu takes a bold chance to create a modern look, giving his creation that unique voice, but all the while still maintaining that beauty and elegance that mainstream consumers look for; for the sake of marketability- I guess I am describing one of my favorite pieces of the collection. The Green Chiffon Beetle Gown is one of my personal favorite from Mathieu Mirano’s S/S 2013 collection. The gown speaks volume in creativity but still exudes elegance.

Finally, how can one ignore the delicious floor length White Sequined Cape gown with the multi rainbow yoke?  Minimal, but with a Mathieu Mirano twist it is phenomenal!!! One truly appreciates the chicness of a cape and also well on trend for the season, but a sequined cape is just one of this things that fashion will either love or shun with disgust, and in this case fashion LOVES it!



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nina Skarra S/S 2013: Refined Glamour

 

 

Nina Skarra draws inspiration from childhood memories of her mother and grandmother as her personal style icons, their rebellious youthfulness and their wardrobe of their time. She develops her designs using her personal inspirations along with Scandinavian design and craftsmanship to create a collection of “refined glamour” for Spring/Summer 2013.

Using hues of blush pinks, ivory, silver, and sky blue with punches of natural earth tones, the collection was a reflection of pure serenity. An important component in Nina Skarra’s design is using quality fabrics and a sustainable production process, which I find commendable whenever a designer chooses eco-friendly designs.

I appreciate the simplicity of minimalism but with a touch of glamour, not through glitz and frills but through amazing design and body flattering silhouettes and indeed Nina Skarra accomplishes such a delicate feat to balance clean lines with a touch of glamour.



 

 

 

 

 

Reem Acra S/S 2013: Defining Sexy+Elegance

 

 

 

 

The fashion world has come to expect the exquisite and meticulous details from every Reem Acra piece, and those familiar with her bridal line know all too well how amazing and stunning each masterpiece she creates, but for several seasons after her return to center stage at New York Fashion Week and into the limelight of the “tents” Reem Acra has consistently re-defined sexy, sultry, elegant ready to wear pieces.

From one stunning piece to the next the audience is left in awe as curve extenuating dresses debut on the runway, some looking as if they were painted on the models. I am always left breathless when I see the metallic pieces, almost as if gold was melted and just poured on a model and left to cover all her curves beautifully- this is a testament of perfect design meeting skillful execution.

This season Reem Acra added a sexy twist into an already alluring dress. I’m loving this sheer peak-a-boo full length cut on the side of the dress that gives the audience a side-view treat, but leaving the rest to each one’s imagination.  There is a fine line between sexy and trashy, but Reem Acra is first and foremost defined by ELEGANCE, sexy silhouettes are just the icing on an already delicious cake!

Each season I often pray to the fashion gods that my invite from Reem Acra’s PR people come into my inbox because a runway show such as hers is not to be missed!!!!

 



 

Joanna Mastroianni S/S 2013: Color Me Paradise!

 

 

 

Colors, Cage, and Capes highlighted Joanna Mastroianni’s Spring/Summer 2013 collection. Inspired by her own garden and personal sanctuary, the designer created a collection bursting in colors of paradise, from hues of yellow green, violets, reds, magenta, and natural vines all woven into her design; taking fashion into a surreal “secret garden” fantasy.

I am always taken back season after season watching Joanna Mastroianni’s runway shows, I love the use of bold unexpected colors and the variety of figure flattering silhouettes that range from cocktail, to floor sweeping, to an exquisite tailored pant suit, and all the while still incorporating her signature ‘cage’ design that juxtapose feminine with strong masculinity very well. A colorful daytime wear look can easily transition into a subdued but elegant nighttime ensemble just with the addition of a cage cape.

Every season I expect this level of regal elegance from Joanna Mastroianni, and I am NEVER disappointed! Classic+Trendy+Chic for women of all ages and stages in life, and that’s what makes a designer into an ICON, and I do look forward to another season of beautiful designs.

 



 

 

 

 

Noon by Noor S/S 2013: Minimalist Luxe

 

A long awaited anticipation was met and exceeded by a stunningly executed show. Noon by Noor was a combination of sultry, sexy, and refinement all skillfully blended into one collection. From gold, to tangerines, to salmon, and iridescence, each piece had a sense of personality that was a breath of fresh fashion air!

Designers Shaikha Noor Rashid Al Khalifa and Shaikha Haya Mohammed Al Khalifa created an amazing collection that meticulously balanced evening wear with a strong daytime tailoring that exudes modern silhouettes while maintaining that ever crucial femininity that often tailored pieces lose in translation. The designers executed luxuriously a balance of structure and fluidity!

I for one enjoyed such pieces as the brocade biker jackets, the bronze metallic shorts, and metallic jacquard suits that shimmer in different shades as light hits it from different angles- a twist on a classic tailored suit that keeps it surprisingly feminine but powerful.

Minimalism seem to be the theme for several designers this season, but I appreciate that Noon by Noor  used unexpected colors, textiles, and tailoring that set the collection far apart from the rest, and that’s what keeps a design memorable and marketable.