Kenley Collins
Leanne Marshall
Korto Momolu
The PR season 5 finale was a close race. All three finalists displayed strong collections on the Bryant Park runway, unique in their own right. It was a tough pick for the judges.
MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA ( 20) The exhibition celebrates 20 years (already?) in fashion at MOMU museum in Antwerp now through February 2009. This unique show is curated by Bob Verhelst (once part of the Margiela fashion house) and highlights the incognito Belgian designer’s conceptual genius and master tailoring. The exhibit explores various themes used throughout Martin Margiela‘s career as a designer, as well as fashion shows, store & office designs, house style and communications policy. Exclusively for this event, Margiela will have limited-edition items on sale at the Fashion Museum reception.
LA Fashion Week is in full swing and my friend Raquel Allegra is showing her Spring ’09 Collection this Sunday, Oct. 19 at Box Eight. From the invitation alone, her new pieces look gorgeous. She has been transforming LA county jail rags into riches for a while now; turning them into beautiful, lacy and super soft tanks, t-shirts, tunics, dresses and scarves. I’ve always loved the concept of recycling, taking something on its last thread and giving it another life of wear and tear, and Raquel’s execution is superb. The proof is in the pudding: I own one and adore it! And… of course, want more.
Watch a video of Raquel’s design process after the jump, minus the shredding secret, sadly…
The countdown to this season’s Project Runway finale is riveting. I had my heart set on Jerrell for a while, because I admired his aesthetic throughout the show, but it seems that he does best when given direction, but if you give him too much freedom, he tends to go over the top. And as a result, last night he lost the wedding dress / bride’s mate’s dress challenge. We’re now down to top 3: Leanne, Korto and Kenley. I don’t know about you, but I’m rooting for the underdog Kenley. Her wedding dress is phenomenal and blows the rest of the contenders out of the water. As far as I’m concerned, that girl deserves to win. She has been ceaselessly berated for her attitude, but that tough skin has come in handy in her fight to the top. It sucks that the other competing designers have ostrasized her from the group, but that also served as a catalyst for her kick-ass final collection. Kenley went all out with hand-painted fabrics and beautifully crafted designs to really prove to the judges that her skills precede her personality. Vote for Kenley!
Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy exhibit is on at the MET until the end of summer. It features intricate movie costumes and stunning haute couture pieces, as well as high performance sportswear. The show reveals the blurred line between fantasy and fashion and “how the superhero serves as the ultimate metaphor for fashion and its ability to empower and transform the human body“. Since Superheroes’ conception in the 30′s, they have been idolized, redefined, revamped and recycled over and over, yet they never seem to tire us. As time-transcending and hope-invoking as they are, Superheroes will never go out of fashion since they serve as escape vehicles from reality into something larger than life. They are part and parcel of the American dream, raising social and political issues, awaking imagination and inspiring designers with their metamorphic beauty so akin to the fashion industry’s virtues.
A tragic day in fashion. Yves Saint Laurent died last night at 71 after a long battle with brain cancer. The official YSL site posted the following hommage to the designer:
“The entire Yves Saint Laurent organization is overwhelmed by the news of Monsieur Yves Saint Laurent’s death. His unmatched genius revolutionized the world of fashion and left on it an inimitable mark. We are profoundly saddened by his passing, yet also humbled by the great heritage he leaves with us. The DNA of a brand is essential, and Stefano Pilati and I will do all in our power to preserve it. Our thoughts are with his family and friends, and particularly with Pierre Berge.” – Valerie Hermann, CEO of YSL
Pierre Berge was YSL’s close friend and business partner for the last four decades. Yves Saint Laurent was one of the original true genius creators that cemented Paris as the capital of Haute Couture. He inspired and empowered women by breaking the fundamental rules of fashion for them. He not only made it ok for women to wear pants, but he transformed them into elegant and sexy. Truly daring for his era, YSL was the first to experiment with color combinations: black & brown, orange, red and pink, violet & yellow. The fashion idol extraordinaire and the man behind the thick signature black frames will be kindly remembered and deeply missed by the fashion community.
Yves Saint Laurent’s iconic Safari Jacket from 1968.
It’s been a long hard week and I’m ready to slip into a cozy weekend with a book, a movie and a nap. Something between a yummy sofa and a hammock would fit the bill. Ask and you shall receive. Bless has just what the doctor ordered.
Sofa Hammock – for SNL
File Hammock – for The Sunday Times
Fur Hammock – for a nap in Neverland
I’ve been really into the plain Jane look lately, but in a good way. It feels purifying to shed stripes, patterns and ruffles and trade them for a simple, minimalist summer me. A spring cleaning of sorts, if you will. Helmut Lang is the perfect candidate for my summer threads. King of subdued palette and understated quality apparel, Lang really knows how to turn plain into classy. His 2008 Resort Collection pieces are easy to mix and match, and with the right accessories, can work for most occasions. His cuts are flattering and fabrics soothing. What can I say, I’m having a profound Helmut moment. In other words, I must have that dress!
I love Bless! The German designer duo never fails to surprise. This USB cable with fur is from their N°26 Cable Jewelry collection. Bless their hearts for being so innovative with every piece they create. You no longer have to hide your ugly computer cables or any other electronic connections or plugs, show them off for a change! They will also design a custom one for you to fit the style of your environment, if you bring in your own cable. They will transform any cable into a work of art.
Let Bless accessorize your gadgets with taste, like this Wooden Fruits cell phone charger adorned with wooden beads and bangles
or the White Lace Multiple adapter.
Still dreaming of the McQueen dress… yet I haven’t set foot in his new store on Melrose (which opened over a month ago) out of fear of um… going bankrupt. You see, I’m not a window shopper. I’m an impulsive buyer. And the all or nothing kind, at worst. So, I’ll be admiring from a distance until the wind of funds changes course. In the meantime, if you check it out, feel free to submit your reviews.
