February 15, 2010
by fashionpulse
[All images via MercedesBenzFashionWeek.com]
Venexiana
For F/W 2010, Venexiana envisioned an extravagant ball, where all the guests were dressed to bedazzle in glamorous gowns of several kinds. Firstly, she started off with classic black-and-white numbers; the looks were opulent with sequins and chiffon at floor-sweeping lengths – while some posessed a funky edge – a fishtail polka dot gown, for example. The collection then segued to the way more dramatic looks strutted down the runway – you didn’t think Katie Stern was going to turn to completely classi, did you? After broadening the color palette, the collection’s most unabashedly over-the-top pieces had the enchanting quality of fairy tales reminiscent of Venexiana’s rougher couture edge.
Academy of Art University
Every year, Academy of Art University selects several outstanding students to premier their collections at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. This year, they chose six, all with a distinct style and determined not to be forgotten among Fashion Week’s countless shows. First came Marina Solomatnikova, who put the dreamy and the strong together by pairing a suede suit with a silk dress tantalizingly tucked underneath. We saw silk in Bethany Meuleners’s collection too, but this time as asymmetrical tops over other textures like mesh and lace. Naomi Sutton was an entirely different matter altogether; inspired by farms in Minnesota, she sent down the runway dressed-up prairie aristocrats wrapped up to the neck in long lace dresses, black bows and hats. Hyo Sun An took us back to modernity, with structured jersey dresses adorned with strings. Steven Oo spices up his wool jackets and scarves with spikes and Sabah Mansoor Husain makes his otherwise plain strong-shoulder jackets and skirts dazzling with shiny, jewel-like studs. From the little we’ve seen from each designer – less than ten from each – they have all passed their finals with a magnificent A.
Ivy H
Fall, Ivy H. tells us, is the season of the samurai. Inspired by the ancient Japanese warrior, she displayed tops with kimono sleeves and outfits with structured tops and loose, high-waisted bottoms. Also inspired by Japan was a print evoking their national flag that could be found in Ivy H.’s invite, dresses and tops — against a white background is red paint spontaneously splashed across her canvas. Ivy H.’s second collection is a fine example of a unifying theme adapted for chic yet practical, often office-appropriate pieces.
– Justina Lee
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February 14, 2010
by fashionpulse
[Image via StyleUnzipped.com]
Loris Diran
Polished silhouettes in warm bronze and maroon pranced down the runway at Loris Diran, interspersed with enticing black, elegant gray and white creations. Exposed backs seduced guests in silk and velvet, while silver-doused gray ruffles complimented fitted frocks and tailored suits. The show climaxed with Diran’s translucent lace dress that gleamed beneath the lights, letting a taut gold one piece peek through.
[Image via Coutorture.com]
Elise Øverland
The warm color palette resonated at Elise Øverland’s show, cordially applauded by the likes of Heidi Klum, Kelly Osbourne and Peaches Geldof who sat front row. Again, high collar exaggerations and exposed skin was a recurrent motif in her designs, exposing backs, shoulders and bare mid-drifts. Taking fur to the next level, loud leather coats were adorned with hair length fringe while tan fabric bands placed emphasis on the neck. Øverland proves the style myth wrong, showing once and for all that black can be worn with brown, pairing high-waisted tan leather skirts and harem pants with oversized black silk. It’s no surprise her show attracted members of the fashion elite.
-Maria Eilersen
February 14, 2010
by fashionpulse
[All images via MercedesBenzFashionWeek.com]
Mik Cire by Erik Kim
Finally – menswear done right — edgy but not overboard! There certainly was leather jackets galore, however the fit was tailored, giving it a hybrid of fine tailoring that met with bondage/punk details. Although the collection was young and fresh in a dominant palette of black, I really see it transending age to become a go-to for guys who want a stylish update to their wardrobe, without veering too far into the trendy ‘danger zone’.
Michael Angel
Described as the new eccentric — finished but rough around the edges, Michael Angel made a strong showing this season with silk, lace, and overall stunning laser-cut dresses. The stunners were the blue mohair garments, which extremely resembled fur, the dusty, washed prints, and the overall sense that these looks could be converted to practical pieces, bound to get a lot of mileage.
Andy & Debb
A sumptuous collection of satin-cropped pants, hybrid parka vest sweaters, and massive buckle details on practically everything declared success for Andy & Debb this season. The statement detailing on the garments fell in the place of accessories, bumping up the collection from classic pieces to fashion with an attitude. Curved edges, puckering, blouisng, ruffles, and plackard details on the garments rounded out the aesthetic of beyond basic for this design duo.
-Julia DiNardo
