Joanna Mastroianni F/W 2012: Iconic JOURNEY

One of the most stunning collections during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, New York was Joanna Mastroianni's Fall/Winter 2012. The designer collaborates with fashion icon Iris Apfel (who by chance sat in front of me during the show), and uses the ultimate fashionista's haute couture style as inspiration for her collection.

Joanna and Iris go on a fantasy journey all across the globe taking inspiration from every destination during their fashion journey. From New York City's fall scenery, to Paris, and then Asia the fantasy brings to life a collection filled with delicate embroidery, opulent trims, exotic furs, and amazing colors ranging from black deepened magenta, lustrous golden green, vibrant jade, and peacock blue. Coupled with Mastroianni's artistry and superb craftsmanship, fabrics like silk organza, black leather, chenille, tulle, cashmere, and various luxury furs were sculpted into works of art and stunning ensembles.

One of my favorite pieces of the collection was the magenta dress with the cage embroidery details almost looks like a leaf detail in black metal shimmer, and paired with a fur bolero jacket (pictured first). There is something uniquely innovative about this piece where a delicate fabric dress is encased in a hard edge embroidery, the juxstaposition of feminine and masculine was a nice layer to the collection's story. Another personal favorite was the red, black, pewter hand-embroidered silk organza gown with v neck and scoop back details (last picture below).

Elegance and Luxury entwined in couture craftsmanship sums up the entire collection. Joanna Mastroianni's F/W 2012 was visually stunning and at times I couldn't take my eyes off the runway. I was fortunate enough to be inches away from a fashion icon like Iris Apfel and that in itself made me feel as though I was part of this beautiful collection's journey.

I would also like to dedicate this to another fashion Icon, the ever youthful and vibrant Zelda Kaplan who passed during the runway show. I was a huge loss for the fashion community and unfortunately I never got the opportunity to meet her. She passed while doing what she loved most- being surrounded by beautiful fashion, and with style right in FRONT ROW. May she rest in peace.

Geoffrey Mac F/W 2012: Rockn' Roll Mod!

Reminiscent of Paco Rabanne's avant-garde designs and Pierre Cardin's fearless use of colors, Geoffrey Mac's Fall/Winter 2012 collection was a gorgeous combination of hard-edge rocker, beautiful mod, and feminine baby-doll silhouettes all combined with visually stunning colors and modern textile. This collection was a perfect marriage of vintage inspiration modernized through the creative vision of the designer. Visually stunning colors of teal, blue, crimson, black, yellow, and khaki produce such a wonderful glam rock story.

Throughout the collection, leather, silk, and wool were the dominant figures on the runway. I found it so intriguing how skillfully the designer combined such a hard texture like leather with silk and produce a beautiful work of art that's both strong and feminine.

Great examples of the well executed juxtaposition of strength and femininity are the figure flattering leather dresses complimented by the cropped leather jackets with the amazing shoulder details, and the baby doll dresses with leather trims and detailing. What I enjoyed most was that each piece whether worn separate or accented with an accessory or jacket, still made a stunning impact by itself.

One can't help but recall the days when David Bowie took stage in his skin tight, colorful, rock n roll ensembles and the crowd overcome with frenzy falling to their knees in tears. Geoffrey Mac's F/W 2012 strikes that cord of being daring yet so amazing it takes one's breath away.

I do look forward to seeing the evolution of the designer and what other avenues and experiences may inspire his future collections, but one thing is certain I know that none will ever be expected or boring- somehow I have a feeling that any collection to follow will be just as attention grabbing and visually climactic.

Gilded Age F/W 2012: "The Speed"

The rebellious and restless nature of man and his endless quest to find new horizons while holding on to youthful defiance symbolize and inspire Gilded Age's Fall/Winter 2012 collection. The Gilded Age man is defined by his quest to discover his own identity; disregarding any other person's interferance and only following his own inner voice, his heart, and intuition- He has the courage to pursue his own destiny.
Creative director Stefan Miljanic founded Gilded Age on the principle of being socially conscious, committed to organic and handcrafted fabrics and product developement. Gilded Age's F/W 2012 is reflective of it's designer's principles with sweaters made from fine Peruvian cottons, baby alpacas and Italian merino and cashmere wools. For outerwear the brand uses nylon/cotton for sporty jackets, sherling lined, and moto leather jackets with body conscious silhouettes. A key component for the brand is its Baxten Slim and Gotham Straight leg jeans done in rich colors like antracite, deep burgundy, and slate blue.
Throughout New York Fashion Week one may come across numerous even countless beautiful women's collections but it has been a struggle to find quality, luxurious, yet wearable men's fashion. So it's a thrill to see that Gilded Age is helping menswear be more competitive during fashion week with its great use of materials, colors, and body conscious silhouettes that give some refinement to men's clothing but taking away that notion of 'stuffiness' that comes with button down shirts, ties, and slacks. Gilded Age combines casual and luxury seamlessly, thus giving men an option to look well put together without ever losing that free and rebellious nature every man tries to hang on to.

Corey Lynn Calter F/W 2012: Color Me MOD!

Designer Corey Lynn Calter uses pops of color and the vision of 'bright lights' as inspiration for her F/W 2012 collection. Piercing bright colors incorporated in this 1960's MOD revival is a definite breath of fresh air in the usual dark and brooding color pallette for the Fall/Winter season.

When taking in the collection one can't help but be reminded of Halston, Mary Quant, and Pierre Cardin and their mastery of the whole MOD era and how they skillfully blend colors and use of color blocking. Yet, one can clearly see the unique voice and story that Calter is conveying. I am in love with the designer's use of fluid materials, impeeccable pleating details, and cropped jackets. For this collection the designer used three color stories that complimented each other very well. The Coral Story, The Evergreen Story, and the Orchid Story all played an intricate role in the entire vision; one can't help but fall in love with the bursts of color and youthful personality of each ensemble.

One of my favorite look was the abstract stripe pleated sleeve dress (pictured directly below right), part of the Evergreen Story, I found that the dres had such an amazing transitional quality where a woman can wear it work, and transform it for a fun night out of town. The combination of colors are beautiful, and the attention to detail on the pleating of the sleeves was simply gorgeous.

Another favorite look was part of the Orchid Story, the fur trimmed coat with color blocked pleated midi skirt exudes such a refined woman, but maintained a youthful vibe. I am thrilled to see the asymmetrical wrap detail on the coat with the side button; it gave it such a unique appeal.

Overall, I enjoyed the collection for its unique concepts, on trend pieces, and the fact that it didn't blend with the rest of the color pallettes for Fall/Winter, being unique and stepping outside the box is definitely appreciated in this industry.