JSong Way F/W 2012: "Songs for Nature"

A fantastic breath of fresh air as JSong Way uses nature for inspiration during its Fall/Winter 2012 collection runway show. "Song for Nature" as its theme, natural fabric like cashmere, wool, and shantung are all woven into a collection of impeccable craftsmanship. Warm colors like butter, plums and grape, deep black, and fresh snow white give life to the clothes as nature does to all living things.
One can definitely appreciate the inspiration of nature because it brings all things back to its simplest form, it allows one to take a moment and thoroughly enjoy the beauty of the clothes without having to dissect it like we often do in this industry. In this case I truly appreciated the simplicity of the streamlined shirts punched with geometric "Origami" formed jackets, and the leaf designed dresses and skirts tied everything together flawlessly.
I think in today's ever changing and rapidly moving society, specially in this fashion industry where we are always looking forward and always depending on technology to create the 'New' we often forget that beauty is all around us- in the form of nature. Jsong Way's F/W 2012 collection is a wonderful reminder that in its purest form clothes can be breathtaking- without any gaudy and glitz neccessary!
Without a doubt I must mention the grape colored layered leaf design dress (pictured 1st above), it has the delicate elegance so often found in nature, but also has a strength in the design. I can almost see an armor like quality in the dress which intrigues me more and more as it came down the runway.
Nature is the where all beauty is inspired, and JSong Way F/W 2012 captures the very essence of beauty and translate it precisely into clothing.

Contact Info:

JSong Way

499 Seventh Ave. 2nd floor South New York, NY 10018

(212) 736-1189

www.jsongcollection.com

Anne Bowen F/W 2012: An Experiment in Beauty

Decadent, Audacious, Graphic...are adjectives used to describe Anne Bowen's Fall/Winter 2012 collection.
Inspired partly by Aleksandr Rodchenko ( a Russian artist, sculptor, photographer, graphic designer, and founder of Constuctivism in design), the collection was a meriad of geometric silhouettes, metal embellishments, amazing beading, and rich textures all creating a modernist mood. Using silk organza, chiffon, wool crepe, jersey knits, and charmeuse Anne Bowen's F/W 2012 collection had a strong yet delicate balance in each ensemble.
Anne Bowen is well known for amazing bridal couture and formal wear, but this collection blew everyone away as strong metal embellished pieces and almost glam warrior like dresses came down the runway. One felt that this was almost a statement of rebellion for the designer proving that a chameleon changes with its environment. The beauty of the collection was in the risk it took and that it was unexpected.
My absolute favorite stunner was the asymmetrical hem metal dress with the chain purse to complement. The piece was stunning without being gaudy and too over the top, and it had a wonderful marriage of glamour and edge which is a testament to great design.

Blanc De Chine F/W 2012: Timeless Classics

As Blanc De Chine approaches its 20th anniversary in 2013, it returns to its roots of 'timeless classic' designs proving why the house is the first Chinese international luxury label to successfully translate Chinese culture into today's fashion and still continues its momentum since it first opened its retail shops in 1993.
Traditional Chinese fashion is identified by these signature looks, the Zhong Shan suit, the Qi Pao, the Chinese Tunic, the Shanghai jacket, and the Mien O, and every season Blanc De Chine manages to keep the balance between traditional and modern with impeccable tailoring and touches of refinement.
For the past 3 seasons I have covered Blanc De Chine's collection showing, and each time I am impressed by the continuity of the designs. I love that the house and its designers keep focus on quality and elegant simplicity, rather than falling prey to the hype of glitz and glamour that lead to many designer's pitfall. One can appreciate a soft spoken elegance and excellent tailoring when it comes to Blanc De Chine, and as a high end design house it's important that the consumers see quality in each ensemble- for me that defines LUXURY!
One detail that I find to be a dying art is 'pleating' whether it's micro pleating or wide fan pleating. I am happily surprised that Blanc De Chine's designer sent out several looks that re-awakened my love to gorgeous well executed pleating- such a piece being the one side pleated cape. Other looks that were simply eye catching and such a runway delight was the sequined jumpsuit and floor length dresses, again sexy while maintaining elegance. Yet, I must admit that my all time favorite piece and partly due to my facination with all things 'caftan' is the detailed designed v neck caftan (first picture above). When skillfully done such as this piece, a caftan can have the same allure as any fitted dress or high hemmed skirt, I find that when a woman's silhouette is fit amazingly and the fabrics on the side of the caftan flails in the air, it's like watching a beautiful butterfly take flight.
Now, a Blanc De Chine collection would never be complete without mentioning the un-rivalled tailoring of its menswear. Hidden button or one button jackets are staples in each Blanc De Chine collection and with luxurious velvet and silk fabrics, every well dressed gentleman needs one in his wardrobe.
Each season I absolutely look forward to attending the Blanc De Chine runway show, it begins my fashion week on the right foot, and definitely sets the bar high for all proceeding shows.

Emilio Cavallini F/W 2012 : Risque Business

It's easy to cross the boundaries between sexy+trashy and sexy+classy, and with Emilio Cavallini it's clear that sexy+classy+edgy can all be married harmoniously. The Italian based lingerie designer Cavallini shows how lingerie can be transformed into a ready to wear garment by simply editing in another piece such as a skirt, a top, or a jacket and how a well crafted undergarment can be readily worn and in fact enhance an entire ansemble.
After the presentation a few attendees, myself included, discussed how there is such a fine line between 'canal street' or 'madison avenue' worthy lingerie, and we all agreed how Emilio Cavallini's designs feel high end and epitomizes the essence of true 'Italian Sexiness' refined yet very alluring.
One of my favorite piece was the jewel detailed control top and complementing stockings. It's such an unexpected piece amongst the lace, sheer, and paisely designs of the rest of the collection, and it's an eye catching piece with a little bit of bling to grab one's attention.

 

Norisol Ferrari F/W 2012: Seductive Power of Glamour

"Jean Harlow meets Tina Turner in Mad Max." It's funny how the previous night I made a comment to another fashion week attendee how I wished someone would bring back the hard edge fashion in Mad Max specially the low cut chain mail dress Tina Turner wore during the thunderdome fight scene, and behold early the next day the fashion gods have heard my comment and brings Norisol Ferrari.
The idea of bringing seductive glamour and marrying it with a hard edge produces such a spectacular 'coat of armor' as Norisol's design exemplifies. In this case several marriages work perfectly together, Vintage+Modern and Glamour+Edgy. One particular piece that caught my eye instantly was "La Donna" the floor length chocolate cashmere coat with the fox collar trim. Its silhouette is sleek and modern, but with vintage details of the fur collar and the bell sleeves. Even next to a hard edge design with a stunning head piece, the La Donna's regal simplicity still stood out to me because it just had a feel of luxury and timeless quality.
Another standout piece was the "Lana" a python and lace strapless gown in nude with a
complementing high collar bolero jacket. Though another nude seems monotone it is the intricate lace details in the dress coupled with a python detail that makes this dress red carpet worthy.
Overall, I understood the story Norisol Ferrari was trying to tell, and I felt the collection kept a nice balance of strong and delicate and vintage and modern.

Victor De Souza F/W 2012 : Press Release

 Celebrity Fashion Designer Victor dE Souza Joins Forces With Le Métier de Beauté to Unveil His 2012 Fall Winter Collection at The Bowery Hotel.

New York, NY, February 1, 2012- Demi-couture fashion designer, Victor dE Souza will present his new collection for Fall/Winter at the Bowery Hotel, February 10th, at 9 pm. Victor dE Souza is collaborating with Le Métier de Beauté, who will provide a team of make-up artists for the show and John Barrett Salon will contribute his creative team of hair stylists. From conception, Le Métier de Beauté has been a cult favorite of makeup artists and beauty enthusiasts. They will be creating a custom color palette in collaboration with Victor dE Souza for the show and will make the line available for retail thereafter.

When asked about his new collection and what kind of woman wears it, Victor dE Souza shared, “It is a trip into the world of an enigmatic woman. She is wealthy, eccentric and loves to dress for herself. For her, fashion is an art. She lives for her own pleasures - lost in the magic of her Spanish castle. She is a matador of fashion.”  The silhouettes of the collection are classic although the details bring out chic folkloric elements of Spain.

Uriel Frenchie Kadouch, a music producer and songwriter who has worked with artists such as Leona Lewis, Chris Brown and Nelly, will create the runway music. Following the show, there will be an extravagant after-party, held in the same private event space.  This will be hosted by Chiu-Ti Jansen, a publisher of YUE Magazine, a Board member of the Couture Council of the Museum at FIT and the founder of China Happenings; a multimedia media platform focusing on the lifestyle in contemporary China. There will be a live music performance by Biet Simkin, who was recently named “a remarkable new talent” by music icon Moby.

AvantGarde PR is handling all production and PR. For more information about the show please contact: press@avantgarde-pr.co

                                          For Further Information Contact:

AvantGarde PR

Jenny Malone: 646-912-0796

press@avantgarde-pr.com

Dior Homme F/W 2012-2013: Uniform Dior!

 

Inspired by the simplicity and utilitarian nature of uniforms, Dior Homme's creative director Kris Van Assche puts his own unique spin on what uniforms can potentially become created through Dior for Homme Fall/Winter 2012-2013.

Certainly Assche steered away from the expected ankle cropped trouser trends for menswear F/W 2012-2013, by using full length pants throughout his collection. I find it commendable that Kris Van Assche brought Dior Homme on its on fashion path rather than just being another designer following what's trending at the moment. Using clean lines and structured utilitarian designs it may lack the flair and glitz like many of its contemporaries, but amazing tailoring proves that classic clothing never needs glitz and glamour to be stylish and eye catching. Sometimes, staying true to the classics produces outstanding work.

My personal favorite of the collection, is the knee length poncho both in the bird print and the olive green. I am always impartial to the unique and different pieces, and throughout any menswear show this piece is a definite eye catcher.

What makes Dior Homme F/W 2012-2013 interesting is that its not confined to one silhouette or aesthetic, some pieces were slim fit and others were oversized and often very cozy looking, and this is why season after season Dior stands out from the rest of fashion.