The Fairytale Fashion Collection was presented on February 24, 2010, at Eyebeam Atelier in Chelsea. Models hit the runway while a quartet of circuit bending DJ's created music from a hacked sewing machine and conductive felt. Seated front row were celebrity scientists, designers, and school children. Diana Eng from Project Runway Season 2 showed a collection of fashion fantasy with her techno-fused ideals. Even on her season of Runway she always had a great sense of innovation and originality. Eng’s line features imaginative integrations of technology and fashion, incorporating devices ranging from inflatable dresses to accelerometer-triggered lighting.
One stand out piece was namely called the Twinkle dress with a LED embroidery, draped, and cinched with a skinny belt layed with a high collar jacket with the same LED embroidery along the shoulders. Perfection.
It's good to see designers from the reality show realize what they really want out of their careers. Check out her collection in the video below.
Architect Alan Tansey of Brooklyn, NY traced his mouse movement for one day and came up with this interesting image, made with the IOGraph program. After researching his flickr A Tanz's I took notice to the very detailed aesthetic of his work, which could ultimately be turned into a few very interest prints for garments. Check him out below.
At the closing of NYFW I was able to swing by ole Parson's to take a look at their work wear exhibit. It was launched in honor of the to design programs that have been established at the university; The MFA Fashion Studies Program and The MFA in Fashion Design and Society, both largely enthused by Donna Karen the queen of work wear.
The exhibition featured both iconic and cutting-edge work that engages the themes of “Workwear.” This includes a 1986 film installation of Donna Karan's iconic “Seven Easy Pieces,” a modern system of dressing for women where a handful of interchangeable items together create an entire wardrobe; and Boilersuit by Savile Row tailors Norton & Sons in collaboration with Turner Prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller, a modern utility outfit that accumulates patches as mementos of the wearer's life.
This exhibition really touched how workwear has entrenched us in America, yet it showcases a great color story and a ideal of ease in dressing for work and in everyday life.
Check out the interview below with Donna Karen and FIT Museum curator Valerie Steele as they discuss work wear, Donna's career and the future of fashion.
Fashion shorts are all the rag in fashion now, honestly they do give a good glimpse into the soul of a collection, showing how the garments move and how the designers are envisioning their mood for the season. This time around Rachel Roy takes us on a journey around her Spring 2010 Rachel By Rachel Roy Collection for Macy's. Jennifer Venditti is the girl that the film follows as she aimlessly wonders in a cute collection of berets, fun glasses, slouchy sweatshirts, prim skirts and blouses, and a cute relaxed all in one. This one should be another money maker for the burgeoning designer.
Ran upon an article of a spoke-less bike, Students at Yale designed a bike for a class project that is getting them some press and will for sure set the trend for mechanical bike design for the future. Check out the pics below, and the source link to find out the makings of the bike.
I usually spend my Sunday morning scouring and searching for interesting ideas to post about, and I came across a new mini-documentarty about the cut-throat L.A. denim industry. Since this is my favorite market I teared up a little bit when I found it. On a side note Sundance Channels Full Frontal Fashion community is an amazing source for inside tips and tricks and reviews on fashion, including must see web docu's that definitely need to be checked.
So...Chip and Pepper of Chip and Pepper host this mini drama about life in the L.A denim Industry. Everything from the birth to the crash, check it out below and become engrossed in the premium denim wave.
We all know the meaning of authentic, in terms of denim we think of iconic brands; Levi, Wrangler, and Rustler. This year Lee Jeans celebrates 120 years in the game. Lee came to fruition in 1889 by H.D. Lee in Salina, Kansas.
Lee engineered denim like no other; being the first to originate the bib overall including the denim mechanics overall, jeans with zip fly and the slim fitting jean. Lee also introduced the Rider Jacket, a tailored version of it’s wide predecessor with room giving armholes, and a great layering piece under outerwear.
Celebrity icons have embraced the worldliness that is Lee denim as well. Stars like Marilynn Monroe, James Dean, Bruce Springsteen, and Daryl Hannah all wore the brand on and off screen and the stage.
The collection of images below are from the commemorative collection, remakes of the original fits that made the brand what it is today. As a huge denim enthusiast I must say that Lee denim fits like no other. Each iconic denim brand has it’s pro’s but Lee fits the ass like no other.
The Sundance film festival brings out interesting and exciting new collaborations and techniques in the film industry. The Spike Jonze and Absolute Vodka collaboration is a great way to showcase what I mean. Check out the Video below.
One of my favorite denim innovators All Saint is opening a shop down in Soho this Spring, and without delay will be as big as Topshop, but extremely cooler.
The British retailer is going to be popping up with stores all over the US, but will open it's 13,600 sq. ft. store with a strong expansion effort in taking over the US market. With already having stores in L.A., Miami, and a concession in Bloomingdales here in Manhattan. It has proved it needs more presence in the States, and will be setting up shop in San Francisco and Chicago soon as well, exciting no!
The visual merchandising of the store will feature it's signature design aesthetic incorporating singer sewing machines, the ram skull logo, looms, and printing presses. The product offered in the store will be a full range of accessories and apparel collection for men, women, and kids that will accompany it's recently launched e-commerce site.
Come spring you better check it out, it's sure to be a hotspot for the cool and unkept.
Opening in April - 512 Broadway Between Broome and Spring St. respectively.
I'm truly inspired by this video, which let's you into the lab's at Maison Martin Margiela Atelier, where the team that have taken over the design since the designer exit this past year.
I want this so bad!!! I had to rant about it just a little bit. Twelvesouth, a company that specifically designs carrying options for Apple products have developed a hardback case for 13 & 15 In. MacBooks and MacBook Pro. It's clever design is something to apsire to.
The men's shows in Milan and Paris spoke to me, they said you need a long wool or neoprene coat, lots of thermal underwear, and a couple skits. I don't know about the skirts, but I love the idea of an elongated silhouette, and comfy warm underwear. Their was a lot of blood shed on the runways as well, men's fashion is going into fits of rage in homage to violent sports. From boxing at Gauliter to Hockey at Dsquared, beaten and battered is the new look.
Below are some picks from my favorite men's wear collection (Note the similarities in each collection of edits) Click on picture for larger view.
Givenchy * Very sexy black and white contrast are always inportant * The tighter the dress pant the sexier? Possibly. * Layered shorts over Neoprene tights, all over it.
Juun J * The ever prevalent tailored straight leg pant and knit thermal pant is here, and for me. * Wool, nylon, and leather combinations are the fabrications to stock up on, they are timeless. * Elongated tailored hood options, very nice indeed
Jean Paul Gaultier * Thermal underwear worked in new ways, like for evening? Interesting. * Olive Green Leather and Wool Hulk jacket is a killer. * Accessorize with your favorite sporting brands, Knee braces from Nike, All about that.
Dries Van Noten * Not a big fan of double breasted coats or jackets, but the Heathered Camel DB coat is cut so well. * Love the slouchy thermal look. * The striped Royal and Navy Stripe DB Jacket W/ Fringe Scarf look is very Balenciaga Circa Fall 2007 right?
Burberry Prorsum * Tailoring is amazingly sexy. * Denim is what I feel most comfortable in. * I'm all over the Two front pocket sage green knee length coat.
We all know Raf Simmons is the grand master of all men's fashion intellectual and thought provoking, but his former apprentice Damir Doma is taking ole Paris by storm with his neo contemporary take on menswear. He is certainly on the rise to bringing masculinity to a new level. As we know menswear is no easy fete, Damir, with ease, shows us how he thinks men should dress. Fluidity and slight structure is the center of his Spring/Summer 2010 collection. Keeping the palette quite light and pure with neutrals ranging from cream, taupe, light gray, and gravel, but also making a valiant statement admixing blood red and textured black makes his collection standout. Obviously not afraid to roll up his sleeves, he shows us that extended sleeve length is the key proportion to his minimal look of outerwear. The texture of the garments are an impressive match to the laxness, incorporating some fraying and light bondage like straps that followed the models down the runway, adding in a standout print that looks of a new version of digital plaid. Surely he is one to watch this upcoming fashion season, in which he will be presenting his first foray in womenswear with great splendor I'm sure.
One of my favorites actresses, Christina Ricci stars in Donna Karens new short film entitled Four Play. The piece is centered around the four different personality's that can pull off the houses Eldridge bag. Christina represents A woman in four parts; The Dreamer, The Expressionist, The Paramour, and The Voyeur. The film is directed by Jake Sumner; the son of Sting. The actress really shines in this short film.
Mercedes stays true to it's involvement in the fashion industry, commissioning Nick Knight to photograph the camphaign for the new Mercedes-Benz SLA AMG. The innovative design of the car only be-suits the model, Julia Stegner to wear customized Gareth Pugh for the shoot. Truly fashion is a genre that can penetrate all fields of design, technology, and innovation this campaign proves it.
I have a very intense love for anything that has a textured look or feel about it. Before I decided to attend Parson's I was going to enroll at FIT majoring in the fabric styling program, but Parson's responded to my application first. I've alway wanted to get involved with less so the design aspect and more so the innovation of fabrics and materials.
Trend-Land online magazine is a great source for inspiration for any designer or artist, check out the site. Darting around their site with my mouth dropped in wondering why I've never been to the site before, I ran upon the works of Japanese artist and master weaver Machiko Agano. Trained as a textile weaver, took her education and now uses it to create large scale installations incorporating a range of materials using basic weaving techniques. With a love for natural materials and neutral colors, she allows the surrounding of the installation speak through the material.
Two months ago I started assisting a couple of highly reputable stylist, working with them have taught me a lot about being very meticulous and understanding how important communication and a consistent work ethic is needed when you going into styling. It's definitely been a whirlwind though, from meeting Joan Jett, to picking up looks for Ashton and Demi and Justin Timberlake, and prepping for Saks Men's Spring Catalog. I'm excited to see what the New Year and especially fashion week will bring.
Michael Nash is the lead stylist with a great history in the industry. He was the former fashion director of Vibe magazine before it's untimely fold, but now he contributes with GQ, Vanity Fair, styles Justin Timberlake, Ashton Kutcher, and Joan Jett, consults with D&G, Saks, Macy’s, and countless other brands, celebs, and magazines. Joseph Turla is his right hand man, making sure that everything runs smoothly. His portfolio is strong as well. After a few years working with Michael he has established himself as a go to stylist for many editorial test, works consistently with People Magazine and working on all the big buck projects with Michael. Check out out blog, Style Me
Here is a spot on Tee shirts, with Michael talking about the classicism of the tee, and it also features one of my favorite editor and stylist Elle Style Director Kate Lanphear.
My first big shoot was for People Mag with Joseph helping style for The Sexiest Man Alive Issue, where we put together Matthew Bomer, a new face that got his big break in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre and is now staring on the USA show White Collar. We took to a very discreet location in Cold Spring, NY (Upstate) on a cool farm with some interesting, adorable animals.
Now that I'm seeing the cover and our tear together, I see they liked the way we kept Matthew's look sexy, and understated in a Tim Hamilton Chambray button down. They styled Johnny Depp in what seems to me like replica of the image chosen for Matthew. Nonetheless, the experience was amazing.
Her are a few shots from the location...we had such a great time on a successful shoot.
I love this shot of the lake. The texture is amazing
