February 15, 2013
by Julia DiNardo
[All images via MBFashionWeek.com]
The Show: Ralph Rucci Fall 2013
The Theme: Futuristic luxury
The Color Palette: Black accented by purple, pink, and yellow
Best Look/Collection’s Signature Standout Piece: Ralph Rucci’s most recent collection continues to prove that he is a, if not THE master of his craft. Rucci demonstrated his penchant towards the finer things in life with looks made of luxurious fabrics such as cashmere, lace, and silk combined with leather, sable and feather coats. Another major focus of the collection was the use of vibrant colors, especially shades of violet that were featured in everything from cashmere suits to shimmering pajama bottom pants. A silk violet dress that was overlayed with black lace combined with a glistening black fur coat epitomized the inherent luxury of the whole collection.
The show: Joanna Mastroianni
The theme: Metallic Eveningwear
The color palette: Black, gold, and silver; blue, pink, purple, and red
Best/Collection’s Signature Standout Look: For those fall/winter night outings, Joanna Mastroianni sincerely wanted the women who wear her clothes to be spotted easily in a crowd with her bright and glistening lineup of dresses and separates. The collection included a mixture of metallic dresses in bright pops of pink, purple, or red and gowns with fun details such as a fringed skirt or a jeweled collar paired with feathered coats. Sheer chiffon sleeves and collars were added to a few of the dresses for a look that allowed the silhouettes to err on the side of conservative while still showing off a bit of skin.
-Victoria Garcia
September 12, 2012
by fashion pulse contributor
[Images via mbfashionweek.com]
The Show: Joanna Mastroianni
The Theme: Mother Nature as a brilliant artist. Inspired by the designer’s own garden, Mastroianni thanks nature for its majestic beauty.
The Color Palette: Vibrant “peony” and “evergreen” contrasted with stark black and hazel “bark”, “apple blossom” and branch-like prints, and the fairest of them all, the lattice motif.
The Best/Signature Standout Look of the Collection: It’s hard to choose high notes in a collection that embraces the sublimity of nature, but ensembles really took force when Joanna Mastroianni gave nature a bit of an edge. Take, for example, the perforated black leather sleeves to a silk/cotton sateen top. Or, the short tunics embroidered with perennial baby bugle beads. Body conscious silk-tulle dresses of sequins and leather nature — it’s not everyday that nature experiences a rebirth this subversive.
-Alana Quagliariello
Subscribe to the Fashion Pulse Daily Newsletter!
February 16, 2012
by Julia DiNardo
It was a journey-with Iris Apfel, the program notes read, which inspired Ms. Mastroianni to think about what the fashion lover might wear around the world. NYC to Paris, and onto Asia, the collection featured ornate gowns, organza and chenille fabrics, and intricate, artisan execution of the detailing such as hand-embroidery and shirred organza. 
Despite the occurrence and curious turn of events surrounding Zelda Kaplan at the show, the season’s collection should be the focal point, as it was indeed a glorious, triumphant moment in evening wear this season, putting a smile on Ms. Apfel’s face as she walked the runway with Ms. Mastroianni at the end, something that I’m sure Ms. Kaplan would want to be the focus.
-Julia DiNardo
