My last show for Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week ended with iiJin at the Lincoln Center’s Pavilion– and did I luck out on the best seat for photos or what! Right in front of the entrance of the show, models quickly turned the corner into the bright lights in cool, laid back looks that hold a sense of ease, but are each intricately thought out. Red plaids, sporty varsity jackets with iiJin styled patches, bold bombers and peacoats paired with funky sneakers all presented themselves down the runway one by one. For both men and women, the designs were on point to iiJin’s cartoony-artistic point of view. Fun + fashion? Iijin has got it for fall winter this year.
Tousled hair held high in buns floated down the runway just like the gowns and elegant looks David Tlale brought to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York. A highly structured line of sharply tailored blazers, pencil skirts and pants skimmed by alongside perfectly draped, flowing gowns. Tlale see this fall/winter as being elegant and chic amidst a sea of designers going more for 90’s grunge. If you ask me, I much prefer the elegance route.
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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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!
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.
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 