February 12, 2014
by fashion pulse contributor
by Chase Michaels
[Image via Venexiana Ltd]
Who says gowns have to be full of glitz and glam? Venexiana, the brand that originated rock-n-roll haute couture, did an amazing job of evolving the concept of eveningwear. When it comes to hairstyles, the trend of what I like to call the “royal twist” is appearing all over the runways this season, an updo that isn’t too “done,” inspired by 14th century coquettes and created for the brand backstage by Philip Pelusi.
The major trend, however, in the Venexiana show, was the revival of the open back gown. When it comes to this particular silhouette, keeping it modest and well fit in the front, and provocative in the back is key. Venexiana designer Kati Stern deftly worked to assure her cutouts complemented the flow of the gowns, as well as perfectly molded to the model’s figure. For evening wear with a definable twist, Venexiana is once again your go-to gal.
September 18, 2011
by Julia DiNardo
Kati Stern showed off her love of punk rock, while flexing some serious glamour during the Venexiana S/S 2012 runway show. The beautifully detailed collection of 71 pieces shocked and awed the audience. Models donned everything from draped Swarovski embedded cocktail dresses to flowing Grecian inspired silk gowns. The feminine silhouettes of the collection complemented well with bold hues of gold, melon, blood red, and metallic greens. Stern’s fashion forward designs are perfect for the daring woman for any party worth attending. The Neo-Gatsby hair enhanced the elegance on the runway, as Philip Pelusi for Tela Beauty Organics, created updos for the show.
Pelusi began to hone his vision with Kati Stern, learning about her design process. Pelusi gets enthused through talking, sketching, magazines, and practice. “Spend a day in a magazine store,” Pelusi advises for inspiration, as he described how an elegant braid twisted in the back of the models’ head came to fruition. He starts with a dry shampoo, as models are usually coming from another runway show, and adds his new Potion product from the P2 line, which eliminates frizz. His biggest challenge? Getting all the models to match with different textures and lengths of hair. For this, he praises his team and the help of his organic beauty line.
– Ambika Makin
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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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