Rootstein Mannequins Presents The Blonds: A Retrospective

New York Fashion Week kicked off with a bang at the Rootstein Mannequin launch party of The Blonds’ most iconic celebrity ensembles. The Blonds are known best for dressing starlets in gem-encrusted bodysuits, crystal corsets, and mini-dresses lavishly embellished with stars, chains, spikes, and sequins. You can catch celebrities like Britney Spears, Rihanna, and Miley Cyrus donning the brand at red carpet events.

The sky is the limit for this designer—as long as fun and rock and roll are incorporated in the extravagant details. At the event, each corner had mannequins scattered in various poses. Some of them looked so lifelike it was a bit eerie! The fashion crowd that attended arrived dressing every bit chic and sipped on “The Blondini” cocktails all night surrounded by the mannequins.

Rooftop Views and Handbags Galore

Atop the Hotel Americano rooftop on Tuesday was the launch of the LeSportsac handbag collaboration with luxury jewelry designer Erickson Beamon. In stores this fall, the designer’s collection is composed of ballet shoe pink clutches with diamond-like stitching details, jeweled ring zipper closures, and gemstone prints enlarged to create a pixelated effect that all tie into Erickson’s
passion for jewelry design. All shapes and sizes of bags (including handy garment bags) were well thought out and created for the woman on the go.

Erickson Beamon started out in the 80’s at a runway show, stringing a few crystals onto suede for an earring piece. Next thing she knew, her chandelier earring was featured in Vogue. From that moment on she has had a following that consists of an extensive list of celebrity clients such as Drew Barrymore, Daphne Guinness, Julia Stiles just to name a few, and has additionally partnered with numerous fashion houses like Zac Posen, Anna Sui, and Marc Jacobs.

This year marks LeSportsac’s 40th anniversary in which they chose to partner with American designers to create special collections that represent their all-American aesthetic as an iconic handbag company. After viewing the precisely placed details and intricate designs this line has, I cannot wait to see what is next on the brand’s collaboration list.

 

Zang Toi Showcases Ballet Beauty on the Runway

Since 1989, designer Zang Toi has built a world-renowned fashion house that has luxury insiders anxious for more of the House of Toi. Toi opened the show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week with a male ballerina performance. The attention to details and theatrics were just part of the beautiful opening—which followed with clothes just as intricately played out.

At first, a dark palette of black, navy suits, jackets, trousers and shorts graced the runway. It was slightly confusing for a spring show, until finally ballet pinks and spring blues emerged on red-carpet-worthy gowns and dresses. The ‘ballet babes’ themed show was glamorous and paid homage to the ballet, as many of Toi’s looks are named accordingly. His show was beautiful—and it was beautiful watching him walk the runway with the model at the end, filled with emotion of putting his amazing line down the catwalk at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. It’s no surprise that Toi has dressed countless celebrities and won too many to count awards. After covering shows for almost 4 years now, this was the very first time I have ever witnessed the ENTIRE audience rising for a standing ovation. Wow—what a moment!

For more of Zang Toi, check out his website at http://zangtoi.com/