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.

 



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.

 

 

Whitney Eve S/S 2013: Elements Magnified

As celebrities and fashion connoisseurs alike pour into the Studio at Lincoln Center the scene would have been utter chaos if it weren’t for the efficiency of the PR staff from People’s Revolution. Everyone from magazine editors, bloggers, and photographers were eagerly anticipating what designer Whitney Port had in store for her Whitney Eve Spring/Summer 2013 collection. At one point the house was at such capacity that venue security closed down the lines with people waiting to get inside; I knew this show was sure to leave everyone in awe.

Whitney Eve ‘s S/S 2013 collection explores the ideas of geological elements, and uses it as inspiration for her signature prints, “the elements of precious stones and crystals magnified, shattered, and blurred to create this season’s prints.” Whitney Eve is synonymous to eclectic feminine aesthetic, while embracing a youthful elegance. Printed denim, fringed evening gowns and blouses, and luxurious knit-wears all combine under a banner of menswear inspired tailoring to create this strong edgy definition of femininity.

Personally, I enjoy when designers combine different aspects of design such as structured and fluid silhouettes, casual and tailored, soft and edgy to create an ensemble that‘s complimentary  to each piece and exudes confident ‘CHIC’ , and Whitney Eve is a prime example of how mixing and matching different fashion ingredients can come together as a perfect mosaic in fashion.

Many in the industry had deep doubts about Whitney Port making her mark as a respected designer often remarks like “She’s another celebrity using her fame to try to be a designer,” has been expressed, but as she proves her talent; and season after season bring to one of fashion’s biggest stage an amazing collection, Whitney Port has cemented her name as a respected American Designer, and proves all doubts WRONG! I continue to look forward to Whitney Port’s growth as a designer and what direction she will take Whitney Eve in the future.

 

 



Emerson F/W 2012: from War to Progress

"Powerful and Free-Spirited," defines the EMERSON woman; her essence is a reflection of sophistication and classic luxury- a woman who is fearless and shameless in indulging her eccentric side.

This season EMERSON's designer Jackie Fraser-Swan worked on several inspirations that ultimately progressed and developed her Fall/Winter 2012 collection for EMERSON. In the early stages Fraser-Swan used the black and white images of post-bombing Europe specifically of Dresden, Germany, a war torn city heavily damaged during WWII. The city initally inspired the designer by its porcelain doll art the 'Dresden Dolls', but as her research of the 1940's expanded, Jackie began exploring the roles of women during the war, and how they took on a masculine role. In the end EMERSON's F/W 2012 collection drew inspiration on the juxstaposition of masculine and feminine aspects in women's style; how their roles in society progressed and their independence of style and beauty grew.

A mix of couture and contemporary, rock and romance, key pieces throughout the collection includes silk capes, abstract ombre wool ponchos, neoprene pants and asymmetrical tops; in shades of purple, plum, and pops of lime green. One must also take notice in the lace details on the dresses, tops, and leggings in throughout the entire collection.

Personally, what I find interesting about EMERSON's aesthetics, and what ultimately sets the designs apart from the meriad of design houses is that EMERSON exudes such a feminine 'baby-doll' look, but also has attributes of being a 'bad-ass' rock-n-roll side; all together working perfectly to tell a complete story. I love that from one ensemble a 'rocker-chick' comes down the runway, but the next one is a refined woman of high social status; coincidently a feminine lady then one who takes charge and conquers life.

Cropped ponchos and the quilted knee length dress were amongst my favorite of the collection. For F/W 2012 season ponchos and capes are hot trends even for menswear, and I'm delighted to see EMERSON incorporated each into the collection well. The ombre wool poncho was a hit as the finale piece; it added such a great ingredient of mystery and mystique.

 I look forward to another season of EMERSON, and am intrigued as to what's next for the brand- What inspiration will Jackie Fraser-Swan draw from for her next creation?

(Interview with EMERSON's designer Jackie Fraser-Swan by Rocco Leo Gaglioti for Fashion News Live)

Contact:
 www.emerson-collection.com

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