Mercedes Benz Fashion Week NYC Venexiana Fall Winter 2015

This season, Venexiana designer Kati Stern, found her inspiration at the cubist exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  This was evident in some of the asymmetric and geometric patterns in the collection, but still featured her signature lace overlay gowns with punk rock glam edge.  The lineup started with looks in soft neutral hues of beige, nude, and blush pink, elegantly drape but with a hint of sparkle at the neck or waist. 

Hair was romantic and piled high in a modern day version of the Marie Antoinette pouf, braided in the back, and adorned with jeweled barrettes.

Watching the Venexiana show was like being a kid in a candy store. There were so many "I want!" moments.  For me that included gowns that had any of the following combination: floral, animal print patterns, sequins, halter or unique or asymmetric necklines, velvet, and flowy chiffon.

The colors are perfect for the fall/winter and holidays with black and metallics (gold, silver, bronze), and rich shades of plum, turquoise, and one stunning orange/red velvet dress.  With so many choices, it's difficult to pick a favorite.  Which one is yours?

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week: Concept Korea Fashion Autumn 2014 Show

LORIS DIRAN Spring/summer 2014 "SAMARKAND" with GULI collection

LORIS DIRAN presented his Women’s and Men’s Collections for Spring/summer 2014 on Thursday, September 12th 2013 at the Dimenna Center for Classical Music in New York City for this September’s New York Fashion Week.  Known as a regular on the NYFW schedule for 9 previous seasons, this runway presentation marked Mr. Diran’s return to the New York Fashion Week schedule after a 2 year absence during which his collections were shown exclusively in Italy and Asia.

The Spring/Summer 2014 collection, entitled “SAMARKAND”,  draws its inspiration from Diran’s time spent in Central Asia’s Uzbekistan. From the deep, Warm Spice tones of the Souks to the opulence and ancient grandeur of its Mosques,

JSong and ...Way Spring/Summer 2014 Collection

The JSong and …Way Spring/Summer 2014 collection of easy-to-wear pieces in vibrant colors and flattering silhouettes, showed that comfort is not a compromise to style.

The color palette was a splendid and full of pretty pastels and bright colors, with appealing names that conjured up images of springtime picnics like green apple, honey yellow, and butter yellow.

Here are some highlights from the show:

The show began with a models in bold contrasting navy linen pantsuit and skirt suit with ice blue geometric stitching.

Next came some everyday looks, such as a versatile pleated surplice top that could be worn as front or back.

Layered pieces followed in a bright pink and pastel chiffon top paired with pastel pink chiffon A-line skirt and a layered citrus green & light green chiffon top with grass green classic linen pants.

Draped chiffon dresses in cream were pretty and romantic, as well as elongating to the figure.

We then traveled back in time for mod and chic look in the form of a orange multi color block dress and orange multi color block top paired with white pants.

One of the showstoppers was a white circle lace pillow tunic paired with beige linen embroidered with white geometric stitching, an unexpected but beautiful combination.

The show ended with an elegant long sleeved red lace dress that was reminiscent of the wedding gown worn by Duchess of Cambridge.

JSong and …Way showed a lovely collection of their signature embroidery and linen pieces, both feminine and wearable.

Article written by Alice Chin, also posted on 247feature.com and AsianinNY.com

Photo credit Emily Cheng/AsianinNY.com

4 Corners of a Circle

TC Charton - Asian Fit Eyewear

Looking for sunglasses has always been a painstaking project for me.  It's hard to find the right shape to fit my face well.  Sunglasses wind up being to big for my face or slide down the bridge of my nose.  I found out about TC Charton during fashion week and had the opportunity to try them on and really loved the fit.  TC Charton is sleek, modern and timeless all at once.  The idea behind each frame design is based on distinctive American style with careful consideration of the colors and styles that best complement Asian features.

I met designer Alexandra Peng who hand picked some glasses and was kind enough to give me a sample.  ”I grew up believing there was something wrong with my face because nothing fit,” said Peng. “But just like you would never send a petite person to shop at the big and tall store, I realized the glasses were just never made to fit my features.” Alexandra Peng spent more 16 years in the optical industry, designing eyewear for luxury brands and seeing them through from conception to production, before finally starting her
own Asian Fit Eyewear line, TC Charton.  “I want to be able to reach out to as many Asian Americans as possible,” said Peng. “I want them to know there’s an eyewear collection designed from the ground up, with them in mind,” said Peng.  To learn more about TC Charton, visit their website here.

With Designer Alexandra Peng

 

Kiboots - Handcrafted Kilim Boots

Have you ever walked down the street and noticed that everyone seems to be wearing the same pair of boots?  What if you could find a one of a kind piece, something that you can call your own special boot?  Kiboots, a young Netherlands based boot company uses a combination of leather and vintage kilim rugs to make unique boots for women and men.

Kilims are flat-woven rugs or carpets common in Southeast Europe,Turkey and Pakistan.  There are thousands of different colors and patterns which could include zigzags, diamond patterns and horizontal stripes.  I met one of the founders, Martijn Lugtigheid, who showed me some of their pieces at the Allure Lounge during fashion week.  I tried on and received a pair of Kiboots.  The one I chose was burgundy and had white and orange designs woven into it.  I love the fun color combinations and patterns.  They are perfect for the fall and are quite comfortable too!  The price for a pair of women's boots is 179.95 Euro, which comes out to about $242, which is a very good deal (especially now).  You can order the shoes on the Kiboots website.

Malan Breton Spring/Summer 2012

Malan Breton Spring/Summer Collection

Taiwanese born, self-taught designer Malan Breton opened his spring/summer 2012 fashion show with a graceful ballerina pirouetting to the melodic strums of live harp and violin music. 
His collection that followed was just as elegant but with a modern edge.  The ladylike womenswear had plenty of show stopping see-through hats and fascinators. The dresses had bold patterns in stripes or flowers in primary colors.  There was an evident Japanese influence in the silhouettes with kimono pieces and gowns with interesting oragami shapes, especially in the back.  Sheer seems to be a popular texture, with lots of organdy and chiffon.  But the menswear was where Malan Breton really stood out with classic looks in unique and bright color combinations, such aa silver and gold paired with neutral espresso, grey or blue trousers and shorts.  The men looked as if they belonged in another era with their slick pompadours.  I could see these pieces being worn in any time period. The show closed with the famed and ageless model Irina P. gliding across the catwalk in a Black Silk Organdy Chrysalis Corsetiere Gown.

The Greater Miami "Express Yourself" Lounge

The Greater Miami Express Yourself Lounge at the Empire Hotel Rofftop showcased Miami fashion and culture.  Founder and namesake of Xiomara Lisette Shoes, Xiomara, a petite 5'1 woman married to an extremely tall basketball player, discovered the market lacking in comfortable heels and launched her line - resulting in surprisingly comfortable 5 inch platform heels. I also met designer Aria of Aria Nero Jewelry who makes a line of unique jewelry made from colorful and fun vintage findings.  One of my favorite pieces by Aria included the Save the Earth Necklace and "The Wrap" (see below for more info).  Designer Karelle Levy of KRELwear, inspired by 24 hour party people, described some of her items as night to day wear.  Levy creates one of a kind pieces in small batches as well as made to order pieces.  It was a relaxing event that certainly made me wish I could be in bright, tropical Miami instead of snowy New York!

Xiomara Lisette generously let me try on and keep the Sophie Platform, shimmer linen slingback with cork heel - a versatile look for the spring!

Love the Save the Earth Neclace - only 65 of these unique pieces!

The Wrap -a super wearable and customizable piece that can be worn as a choker, necklace or bracelet.

Aria Nero-Seder modeling the Wrap.

Thanks to Aria Nero Jewelry for the gorgeous necklace!

More fun pieces by Aria Nero

Designer Karelle Levy of Krelwear

Fun pieces that glow in black light!

Super talented Designer Karelle Levy finished sewing an infinity scarf in the darkness! 

 

Thanks for the fun infinity scarf by KRELwear!