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 NYC: Son Jung Wan Fall/Winter 2015

Ever since I attended the Concept Korea fashion show a few years ago at Lincoln Center, I've been a big fan of Korean designer Son Jung Wan.  This season's Fall/Winter 2015 show did not disappoint.  

 The color wheel ran the gamut of rich hues including fuchsia, violet, orange, turquoise, mint gree, with metallic gold and silver thrown in to the mix.

I imagined myself wrapped in the brilliantly colored and  luscious coats made of fox and beaver fur, cashmere coats dramatically trimmed in fur, ideal for frigid New York City temperatures.  

These brightly colored pieces would definitely make an sophisticated alternative to the masses of urban black puffer coats (e.g. Canada Goose, Moncler) and keep you warm!

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week: Mongol F/W 2015

On Friday the 13th, I attended the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week debut of the brand Mongol's Fall 2015 fashion show at Lincoln Center. The fashion house was started by Mongolian designer Bayarmaa Bayarkhuu in 2005.   The show started with a performance of traditional Mongolian music and live throat singing!

Her collection is inspired by traditional Mongolian costumes combined with urban casual. The colors, textures, and patterns were really a feast for the eyes.  

There were some brilliantly colored Mongolian lamb fur lined outerwear, and cashmere pieces (cashmere being a special material from Mongolia).  Bold colors such as turquoise, amethyst, sapphire, and emerald accentuate the raw materials used, keeping the essence of Mongolia.

I was coveting the intricate Mongolian accessories and headpieces that were made of silver and beaded with gems and stones.

From a distance this looks like large green dots, but up close you can see they're actually Asian symbols.

BB uses Mongolian raw material in over half her collection, as Mongolian nomadic traditions play a large part in their culture.  Bayarmaa sees herself as a citizen of the world, as her brand MONGOL so celebrates.

NY Fashion Week Triumph Hotel’s PRIV Beauty Pop-Up

As you know, the glitz and glamour of New York Fashion Week is just around the corner! For those looking to rub shoulders with the industry’s finest, experience Triumph Hotel’s PRIV Beauty Pop-Up. 

PRIV, the innovative on-demand beauty service, will be setting up shop in all six Triumph hotels throughout Fashion Week to offer complimentary mini massages, dry hairstyling, make up consultations, and mini manicures. The nail polish will be Triumph Hotel’s custom created Pretty Please Nail Polish with seven different colors options.

Triumph is the exclusive hotel partner of PRIV this Fashion Week, and excited to offer complimentary beauty appointment to both hotel guests and the public. All services will be first come, first serve.  RSVP Here

The pop-ups will follow this schedule:

Thursday, February 12: Hotel Belleclaire (UWS), 10am - 2pm

Friday, February 13: Washington Jefferson (Midtown West), 10am - 2pm

Monday, February 16: The Iroquois (Midtown West), 10am - 2pm

Tuesday, February 17: The Evelyn (NOMAD), 10am - 2pm

Wednesday, February 18: The Cosmopolitan (Tribeca), 10 am - 2pm

Thursday, February 19: Hotel Chandler (Midtown East), 10am - 2pm

Michael Costello Fashion Show Spring/Summer 2015

The Michael Costello Fashion Show Spring/Summer 2015 Fashion Show was a collection of sultry and dramatic dresses and gowns.  This was the first time I attended his show and I was pleasantly surprised

The show started with floral and lace cocktail dresses and gowns in mint and cream. 

It soon graduated to metallic blues and green gowns with plunging necklines and dramatic kimono sleeves.    

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week: Leather Japan 2014

For Mercedes Benz Fashion Week,  Leather Japan showcased at contemporary art gallery, Thomas Erben Gallery, featuring a group of select contemporary leather craft works from the fields of fashion, craft work, and art.  The creations ranged from ancient Japanese traditional artifacts to everyday goods and artistic works.  For this special exhibition, nine designers and ten contemporary artists from Japan and abroad created original pieces with the theme “Japanese Leather”.

 It was amazing to see these quality Japanese leather goods, made by craftsmen using top caliber artisan techniques.  s.

I also bumped into Mr. Kosuke Tsumura, a well known Japanese designer of brand Final Home.  And I also met  the famous Susie Bubble who was very sweet and graciously accepted a photo request from me and friend

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,

Maisonette 1977 - Fall 2011 Presentation

Maisonette 1977 Fall 2011 Presentation - Jane Ibrahim's collection of young and urbane looks is an inventive combination of luxe materials of varying weights such as crocodile, fur, fur/cashmere blends, chiffon and sateen with interesting details. An easy to wear color palette of black burgundy, ivory, and taupe would suit any complexion.  I love the cutaway variations on the Ponte dress as well as the black chiffon lamé gown.  For those who want some more color, the burgundy tie-dyed rabbit fur vest would be a great addition to any wardrobe.  All in all, an edgy yet wearable collection from Maisonette 1977 and I'm looking forward to seeing more from Jane Ibrahim.

Black lamé chiffon Cut-Away Gown 

Burgundy Sateen/Black Chiffon Cowl Neck Blouse, Black rubberized cotton terry/chiffon combo skirt, and burgundy tie-dyed rabbit fur vest with leather trim.

Black Crocodile Heat-Press Wpven/Ponte Combo dress with Cut-Out Details

Out of this World Shoes!

Burgundy Sateen Slashed sleeved gown with asymmetrical seams

Splashed Gold print bustier dress with leather trim waist band