Kithe Brewster Fall 2013 Collection

Celebrity Stylist and Designer Kithe Brewster presented his Fall 2013 Collection on Valentine's Day, with an intimate show at his private studio in the garment industry.   I felt fortunate to be part of the select group who experienced the myriad of show-stopping dresses and flowing gowns in exotic materials.  The looks were lighthearted and sexy.  Skin flashed, but in unexpected and playful ways, such as high slits in the back of gowns.

Mr. Brewster was particularly influenced by a 2011 trip to Uzbekistan where he attended Art Week in Tashkent as a guest of Gulnara Karimova for Style.Uz.  He not only got a rare glimpse of the Uzbek art and fashion world, but also hosted his own master class,  where he talked about the challenges of working with famous actresses, singers and top models.  While he was there, he saw many unique and beautiful Uzbek fabrics and intricate gold embroidery which he purchased and used for this current collection.

One of the Uzbek fabrics was a bright teal floral silk fabric which was cut as a burqa and also as a gown.   An interesting piece was a beautiful black dress, which seemed military inspired with a shield-like structure, embellished with a bold golden pattern reminiscent of a royal coat of arms.   Producer and Co-CEO of The Halcyon Company and Tara Subkoff of Imitation were the grand finale, looking golden in their respective outfits as they walked the runway.  Guests at the show included Atlanta Real House Wife, Cynthia Bailey, designer Zang Toi, and Constance White.

Tara Subkoff, Victor Kubicek, and Kithe Brewster

Tara Subkoff models for Kithe Brewster

Golden Pair: Producer Victor Kubicek and Imitation of Christ's Tara Subkoff

 Cynthia Bailey (Real Houswives of Atlanta) and Designer Zang Toi

Susan Murphy and Dr. Robert Brewster

Makeup by Edward Cruz

Designer Stefanie and Jocelyn Taylor (wearing SKINDEEP by Stefanie)

Singer Marieme

Victor De Souza Fall/Winter 2012

The Victor de Souza Fall/Winter 2012 which was held at the trendy Bowery Terrace the Bowery Hotel Hotel, was full of lovely surprises.  The Argentina born designer's collection began with elegant jackets or boleros paired with knee length skirts.

 The looks which were styled by celebrity stylist Kithe Brewster, at first glance, seemed prim and proper, with models accessorized with glasses, modest kitten heels, and hair styled in a high buns. 

However, upon inspection, the designs emphasized the female figure with hourglass shaped jackets and cutouts that offered seductive flashes of skin.  As the show progressed, there were more playful, revealing pieces in unexpected textures, such the rose-pink romper covered in silk embroidered flowers.   

The materials that were used, embroidered tulle, taffeta,  silk, wool crepe, silk organza, heightened the sense of luxury.  The color palette was simple, with neutral off-white, black,  champagne, rose-pink, earth green, and burgundy.  Victor De Souza's looks reminded me of a  modern day Audrey Hepburn, the perfect combination of classic and sexy.

Celebrities Backstage at Zang Toi

Zang Toi with Petra Němcová 

Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes, Michael Kenneth Williams, Miss Teen NY

Designer Zang Toi with Celebrity Stylist Kithe Brewster

Rabia Z. Mukhawara Collection Spring/Summer 2012

Designer Rabia Z.

Designer Rabia Z from Dubai showed her stunning Mukhawara Collection at Casa La Femme, a romantic and richly decorated Egyptian restaurant in the West Village, New York City. Guests were seated at carved dark wooden tables gently lit with candles and booths draped in colorful organza.   Rabia Z's collection is inspired by her vision of "an American stylista, who travels from West to East, charming the world with her poise and panache".  Titled "Traditions. Today. Tomorrow.", the collection is influenced by the designer's traditional Afghani Arab background and has innovative, modern touches.  

The mukhawara is a "long traditional dress worn by the Emirati and GCC women", according to the show notes.  The beautifully draped pieces were in rich jewel tones of purple, turquoise, and electric blue and embellished with screen-printings of age-old Mukhawara embroidery in contrasting colors along the collar, sleeves, or waist. The looks were modest yet alluring, traditional yet modern.  Without displaying any skin besides the face and hands, the Mukhawaras still managed to highlight the beauty and grace of the female form.  Having never worn a Mukhawara before, I was curious to try it on.

The show closed with comments from famed celebrity stylist Kithe Brewster, who produced and provided styling direction for the show.  He had discovered Rabia Z. over four years ago in Dubai when he judged an emerging designer contest that Rabia Z. had won, and was wowed by her work.  Mr. Brewster described the collection as being very worldly and felt it would provide an excellent option for the Islamic community.  For more information about Rabia Z.'s collection, please visit RabiaZ.com.

Dr. Robert G. Brewster, Kithe Brewster

Stylist Kithe Brewster, Her Highness Sheikha Alia Jaber al-Ahmad al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Crown Princess of Dubai, Wife of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bih Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Makfoum Crown Prince Dubai, Designer Victor de Souza