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!



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rafael Cennamo S/S 2013: Beauty in Fantasy

Incredible attention to detail as Rafael Cennamo uses an icy inspiration for his Spring/Summer 2013 collection. Rafael Cennamo’s creation seemed to have come out of a winter fantasy of ice blues and crystals; with pleating and draping details enhanced with gorgeous beadings and trims to captivate one’s attention.

One’s personal favorite would have to be the floor length dress with stunning beading and one shoulder detail in a light brown and crème color. A wonderful combination of glamour, sultry, and body flattering silhouettes in sheers, satin, and silk create this gown flawlessly.



 

 

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.