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.

 

 

Angel Sanchez S/S 2013: Color Bold Geometrics

Bold color blocking and geometric precision; all done in lightweight fabrics such as georgette and organza defines the gorgeous Spring/Summer 2013 collection by Angel Sanchez.

Crème and black highlighted with royal blue, deep-ocean blue, and mustard yellows were the theme colors for the collection, but it was all about precision details that set Angel Sanchez apart from the plethora of ready to wear evening and cocktail dress designers. The softness and gentility of the collection was given edge by this amazing geometric cut-outs technique. A simple evening floor length gown was given life as it showed off laser precise trims, and also done on a pencil skirt taking both pieces to a whole new level in fashion. Most of the pieces in the collection were in fluid silhouettes, and yet it still gave a sexy definition to a woman’s figure; achieving this is testament only to the designer’s understanding of women’s bodies, and beautifully executing his vision.

One must admit that it’s refreshing to see something different, modern, and innovative; designers such as Angel Sanchez thinking outside the box and taking a calculated risk. For example, color blocking has been done by numerous designers, and using geometric shapes as the collection’s inspiration have been noted as far back as the 1960’s, but it is undeniable that Angel Sanchez did a spectacular job modernizing both techniques for his Spring/Summer 2013 collection giving us a romantic and subtle edginess in every ensemble.

Naeem Khan F/W 2012: "The Body as a Canvas"

Experiencing a Naeem Khan show to say the least is magical; after 3 seasons of press covering Naeem Khan one must say that the magic is still alive along with opulence, glamour, and jaw-dropping intricate beadings and embroideries that keeps one’s eyes glued to the runway. From fashion’s elites such as Fern Mallis, Robert Verdi, and Phillip Bloch, to celebrities such as Padma Lakshmi, Matt Damon, and Holly Robinson-Peete were all in attendance for Naeem Khan’s Fall/Winter 2012 runway show.

F/W 2012 is inspired by “the decadence and dust of India,” and the notion that the ‘body’ is a medium of art and religious expression. Naeem Khan drew inspirations from India’s culture to reflect in the collection in the forms of metallic embroidery details, swirl metal beadings, with precious jewel trims set in silver and gold threading. Khan modernized ancient artistry to create body flattering, luxurious dresses and ready to wear pieces for today’s woman.

Each season I always look, and sometimes expect a beautifully executed caftan that only Naeem Khan can produce; this season was certainly no different from the once past. F/W 2012 “black and white striped georgette caftan with beaded lace edging,” exceeded all my expectations! Along with the caftan several other pieces were exceptional, such as the “black heart swirl jet beaded l/s cocktail dress with fringed hem,” and the pieces with trimmed in ostrich feathers were simply captivating.

As stunning as Naeem Khan’s Fall/Winter 2012 collection is and his success in previous collections, it was long overdue that Mercedes Benz and IMG honored such a fashion genius. As fashion recognizes Naeem Khan’s beautiful artistry and invaluable contribution to the fashion industry, one marvels at the thought of what’s next for Naeem Khan and what amazing work will he unveil for Spring/Summer 2013.

 

Michael Bastian F/W 2012: "The Extra Man"

Michael Bastian’s Fall/Winter 2012 runway show was a scene of who’s who in fashion and celebrities alike. Outside, one sees familiar faces in fashion like Robert Verdi, CFDA’s -Steven Kolb, Paper Magazine’s -Mickey Boardman, Scene Magazine’s – Peter Davis, and every Men’s Magazine Editor from Details, GQ, and Nylon to name a few. But my moment of exaltation was when Bergdorf Goodman’s Linda Fargo (the very definition of fashion refinement) steps out of her service car only 2 feet away from me. This made waiting in the freezing cold without a jacket, (only because I was rushing from Lincoln Center, and the coat check line was horribly long), well worth it!

 Themed “The Extra Man,” the collection was more like “The Leading Man!” Set against a changing season backdrop where a group in the collection reflects a different season, it was a spectacular show of American fashion exuding first class tailoring. Michael Bastian takes one through a variety of environments where man is at any given moment. From the wild outdoors, as reflected by a layered turtleneck with a plaid button down, and a heavier wool button. Next, we find the ‘businessman’, perfectly tailored 3 piece wool suits, and one button pin stripe suits can get any business done! Then, there is that casual sporty but oh’ so cool guy, reflected in the collection by colorful wool knit sweaters, a preppy combination of colored corduroys with a three button blazer. And finally, we find the style conscious man, the one that loves to push the edge of fashion and doesn’t apologize for causing a stir. From the fur collar to regal purple pants, and layered leather jackets, every stylish man can definitely enhance his style with Michael Bastian’s F/W collection.

If the collection wasn’t enough, one couldn’t help notice the amazing roster Michael Bastian’s F/W 2012 collection had, from all the top male models in the industry to an iconic male supermodel Tyson Beckford who graced the runway while on retirement! I got an opportunity to ask one of the ladies working for Michael Bastian, who happens to be next to me during the show, “How did you guys manage to get Tyson Beckford to walk this show, I thought he retired?” to which she responds, “It’s Michael Bastian, we can make anything happen!”