Metallic lips, fabulous furs, and pastel metallics marched around the maze set-up in the Pavilion at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Son Jung Wan’s collection had arrived at the Lincoln Center at last. I always look forward to Wan’s collection each fashion week—it brings fresh looks and always remains feminine and beautiful. This one was even more beautiful than her last collection, which is saying a lot! The runway was set-up for models to walk in and out of rows of the audience which gave more people the opportunity to see the fine details Wan put into her collection. I loved the furs and the puzzle-piece work of the dresses. The star-studded audience consisted of “Lily Van der Woodsen,” Kelly Rutherford from Gossip Girl and Adrienne Bailon, star from Cheetah Girls. The entire show was stunning.
Above photos all by Rodin Banica
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Photos by Blaire Brown
I ran into my Chic Galleria friend, Brittany Leung, at the show. Our camera-shy selves decided to take photos with the SJW background– how cute is Brittany in her blue hat?!
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Leanne Marshall,Project Runway season 5 winner, put on a gorgeous bridal show at Helen Mills on Sunday afternoon. The air was freezing cold and snow was fresh on the ground, yet the crowd still trekked into the venue ready to see a beautiful line of bridalwear.
For all of you that are engaged (or Pinterest-ing your future wedding anyway!) Leanne put on quite the show. Her effortless, laidback glamour style shone through exponentially. Each dress floated down the runway with ease and grace. Want to look like a princess on your special day? This is the line for you. The true showstopper was the final look: the flowing, blush pink gown. Just breathtaking.
Fun fact: sitting in the audience, one of the Baldwin brothers was checking out the show. You can spot him in the background of a few pictures– think of it as a Where’s Waldo? Baldwin edition. Can you spot him? I also bumped into my friend Brittany from Chic Galleria, so we took advantage of the photo op together! xoxo
It’s Saturday and the fashionistas are all out flaunting it in front of the Lincoln Center tents. Effortless, thrown together styles? Probably not, but they each bring a piece of their own individuality to the table that makes New York City such a fantastic fashion hub. They look fabulous, we know it, so why not share their looks? Here are some that I bumped into today.
My Friday went off with a loud bang at the Lincoln Center when Zimmermann’s Fall/Winter 2014 collection hit the runway for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Last season Zimmermann presented an uber-feminine collection full of whimsy and romance based on a circus ringmaster theme. This season however, the designers went in the total opposite direction and showcased a line called “Cloud Stompers.” Think about it for a second—how do you think a cloud stomper would poise itself, if there was such a thing?
I’ll tell you how they are—or at least through Zimmermann’s eyes. Silhouettes were of cloud-like shapes, with foggy looking grey prints. Grey prints met up with houndstooth jackets and took a stroll. Oversized coats and utility handbags made guest appearances. Then a round of clothes hit the runway with heavy-duty hardware embellishments—studded coats and chain-link details. The darkness and masculinity of the collection wasn’t for me—but it would suit the alternative chick looking for an outlet of expression. My photos did not turn out so hot, so here is a video instead. The best outfit was the lacey-jumpsuit: super sexy! (You can fast-forward the video to 9:10 to see it.)
Next in line was Carmen Marc Valvo’s collection. The audience was pumped up and reminded about Valentine’s Day just around the corner as the designer blasted Pat Benatar’s “Love is a Battlefield” on repeat, with a strong, war-like opera music to conclude the show. The designer was inspired by the opulence of the Ottoman Empire, creating a theme with shield-like material (chain mail details), breast plates, gunmetal color palette but with seductive lace details to bring romance to the line. Essentially the vibe was brought to the runway that the female is “ready for battle, and ready for love.”
Here are some of my photos from the show.
The show that broke up the womenswear focus of my week was Nautica Black Sail. Woo! Here is a video of the sexy men that graced the runway. You’re welcome.
I think after going to that show I can only bring men to meet my parents if they have a fog machine entrance, otherwise, it’s a deal breaker. You hear that, boys?
After a power nap, I rallied and headed down to a new venue called The Hub at the Hudson Hotel. Charlotte Ronson was holding a presentation in which models stood on a stage in a half circle, taking turns walking down the mini runway and then walking back to stand and pose. It was a beautiful line that I could see a lot of chic women wearing—very dark, but with pops of floral prints in jewel-tones. The criss-cross suspenders made an interesting touch.
Lastly, I trekked downtown to 15th and 6th avenue to see Heidi Gardner’s jewelry line. FUNKY set-up for sure. The House of Horology (an art/watch studio) made an interesting set, with intriguing art installations all over the room. A bit creepy, actually. But who can deny free cocktails and new fashion friends? I got both. The show started an hour in when the audience were motioned to stand in a circle as ninja-esque models rotated in the circle to stop and pose with their jewelry. It was interesting to say the least! Check out the photos I took of the party.
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5 shows in one day, a crazy Friday, but a great time! Happy fashion week, y’all!
RAOUL presented a beautiful, feminine ready-to-wear line at the off-site location Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse this morning to kick-start my fashion week events. The models stood on the stage that curved around the room, some chatting to each other while the press mingled and took their photos. My favorite looks were the vintage-esque ensembles—the prints mixed with powder blue tones and marigold. Each look was feminine, but had a modern twist. LOVE IT. In addition, RAOUL launched a new accessories and shoe (!!!) line. What do you think of the looks? Which is your favorite?
Today was the official kick-start of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York: the official Olympian event for fashionistas around the world. Global trendsetters are flying in from all over to make appearances at shows while flaunting their best high heels (without tights) in this super frigid cold air. To make it more of a spectacle, these stylists, models, bloggers, editors and spectators alike are hopping and leaping over giant mounds of snow with pure grace in their stilettos. Impressive, we know.
Here are some street style photos of fashionistas that caught my eye today.
Gown after gown, dress after dress marched down the runway at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week during Venexiana’s spring/summer show. Turquoise, tangerine, periwinkle and pink florals all colored the dresses in such a cheerful manner—ready for the sunshine and outdoor awards festival season coming next year. Although there were a large amount of gorgeous red-carpet dresses, I have watched plenty of Project Runway episodes to know that this line needed to be edited down (thanks for the insight, Tim Gunn!) because there ended up being 73 different looks. After a while, you start losing the “ooh” and “ahhh” from the audience because the show kept going on and on. Despite the length, Venexiana put together a drop-dead gorgeous show that celebrities and their stylists will be clamoring to buy this spring/summer time. Check it out in the video!
Upon arrival at The Raven on that hot, September day of New York Fashion Week—guests spiraled up the staircase into a packed room full of press and fans alike. Each lined up to get the best photos possible of the new spring summer 2014 Katie Gallagher collection, while others bee-lined to the bar to cool off with a vodka lemonade—both excellent choices.
Models stood against the backdrop of a blank white wall—staggered positioning based on height alone. The minimalist, yet edgy line was inspired by the song “Blume” [lyric: For you I am a Chrysanthemum/Supervova, Urgent Star/ For you, I’ll be a dandelion, a thousand flowerettes in the sky, or just a drop in the ocean} and funeral flowers. The line titled ‘Bloom’ for spring/summer examines our tendency to conceal unpleasant ordeals with beautiful objects. I had to wonder if they had to draw sticks or not, as some models got the short end of the deal and had to bite onto a rose for the entire presentation.
Take a look at the happy models [note: sarcasm] and let me know what you think of the presentation. I found her inspirations to be interesting and unique, and her line clearly stayed true to the theme.
Check out www.katiegallagher.com – I recommend watching the videos of her previous lines, too– entertaining!
Everyone and their dogs showed up during New York Fashion Week dressed to impress. Whether it be classic, sophisticated style, punk-rock edge, or quirky-unique, fashionistas alike all made the entire week a runway itself– even if you didn’t make it into the Lincoln Center. I met a lot of fun spectators and participants in all kinds of attire. What inspires me the most about being in the fashion industry is that every individual has his/her own point of view of what is stylish and beautiful. No matter what the look, the differences are what makes the fashion scene exciting and unique. Besides–if we were all wearing the same thing– wouldn’t that be boring? Take a look at all the stylish people I took snapshots of and let me know what you think. For a closer look- click on the collage.
Tweet your personal style to me @blairebrownNYC and you can potentially be featured!
Self-taught designer, Ricardo Seco, has been keeping me on my toes each season. Last season he designed a line inspired by Hasidic Jewish culture in Brooklyn. This Spring/Summer 2014 he’ll be airing a collection of street-savvy looks with pops of Eastern Asian influence. The show certainly was not a snooze-fest, as most are at this time of the week. Instead the audience was captivated by the vastly different looks on each male model (and one female, by the way)—but Seco was able to keep the collection nicely cohesive. Sporty jackets and unique pant silhouettes kept the show fresh and new. Models walked the runway, but surprised the audience at the end by walking back out and stepping up onto stools grouped together right in front of the guest benches that spectators were seated on. It was a runway show transformed into a presentation—how fun!
blaire brown 