Honor Fall 2012

Honor designer Giovanna Randall had an unusual journey to fashion.  She started as an opera singer, then a pre-med student before studying design in New York and Milan.  Her Fall 2012 collection at Mercedes-Benz fashion week shows her passion for global luxury. The palette was black, purple, blue, cherry and moonlight.  A recurring motif of stenciled florals had a distinct Asian feel. Posh combinations of lace, silk charmeuse and satin gave the looks a sexy, boudoir vibe.  The models looked dressed up, but relaxed, I imagined a socialite falling out of bed and throwing...

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Tim Gunn's Fashion Bible: Release Party

  Tuesday night, I paid a visit to my alma mater, Parsons at the The New School.  I was there to celebrate the book release of former faculty Tim Gunn's Fashion Bible. Long before becoming a mentor on Project Runway, Tim Gunn was the calming, intelligent influence in The New School's administration.  He quickly boned up on all things fashion when he took over as dean of the fashion department after I graduated, (CFDA's Stan Herman was dean during my time).  I love that he recognizes certain aspects of the fashion industry are ridiculous (I'm talking about you Anna...

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NY Fashion Week Preview

Excited for NY Fashion Week yet? Just thought I would share some sneak peeks from fashion designers and their fashion illustrations for their upcoming runway shows. Top, we have Custo Barcelona.  It looks for spring 2013, it will be a candy colored palette and of course, lots of texture!  Then we have Don O'Neill's sketch of a blue gown for Theia, and Norisol Ferrari's dramatic red dress.  Fierce and elegant. In sportswear, VLOV looks like it is doing sedate but crisp suits for spring.  Jenni Kayne is working the variegated stripe and flirty skirts. Tracy...

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Louis Vuitton Giveaway!

Made your big fall handbag purchase yet? Hello La Mode is giving away a brand new Louis Vuitton Avalon handbag in their Facebook contest.  The purse is in my favorite fall color of oxblood in their signature Monogram Vernis finish.  I wish I could get in on this, but I'm an employee, so I can only let all of you know about it and hope you let me borrow it if you win! To grab this baby you just need to enter here and invite five of your friends to join in. Just for entering, you will receive a $25 gift code.  Win-win right? Good luc...

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Theia at the Saratoga Fashion show

 Dapper Don O'neill of Theia Couture sent fantastic models down the runway at a Saratoga Fashion show benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities last week.  The annual event raised money and honored longtime supporter Natalie Sillery of Saratoga Trunk. The gorgeous event took place at the famed Saratoga Race Track. Stylish ladies displayed elaborate hats in the tradition of racing fashion.  Dresses from Theia included his shimmering daywear, laser cut petals and sunset gown.  Models include local Saratoga women who are affectionately called "Trunkettes"...

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Soia and Kyo Fall 2012

Shopping for jackets is always my favorite part about fall fashion. Canadian outerwear company, Soia and Kyo is stylish, wallet-friendly find.  Designer Ilan Elfassy showed the trendy collection at Toronto Fashion week with looks for men and women. Their coats and jackets always have a sexy edge to them.  Signature details include big buttons and dramatic, asymmetrical collars. This collection stuck to basic colors of black, charcoal grey and camel.  Fur touches on hats, collars and hoods were on trend for this season. As a Toronto raised gal, this label is exactly...

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Pamella Roland Fall 2012

Pamella Roland's Fall 2012 collection was about day to night luxury.  Fall's big fur trend was in force on this runway. Coyote, fox, mink adorned collars, hoods and shoulders.  Sportswear was in sharp red, black, cream, grey and red.  For evening, rich metallics and satin chiffon took center stage. Three quarter length jackets were popular over long boots and short skirts.  At night, long fishtail gowns and dramatic flared skirts, some with a high/low hem wowed the front row guests.  Designer Pamella DeVos also loves to include rich embroidery and beading.  There...

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Embroidery Design Innovators - Stitches Magazine

Embroidery trade publication, Stitches Magazine published a special fashion issue for September.  Titled the "New Age of Decoration" it spotlights seven designers who specialize in embellishment in their collections.   I am honored to be one of the seven designers featured (I'm called "The Dream Maker").  Besides giving Weng Meng Design Studio a plug, I loved seeing how diverse seven different embroidery specialists can be in their techniques and aesthetic.  Artist Conrad Booker considers himself an environmentalist/couturier.  He created embellishments...

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Sales Alerts: DKNY, Barneys Warehouse Sale, Sarah Stevenson

DKNY An icon of fashion for New York career women, Donna Karan's diffusion line is having a huge sample sale.  The sale will have clothing, accessories and shoes for men and women up to 70% off. When: August 21st to 25th, TUES: 10AM-8PM, WED-THU: 9AM-8PM,FRI: 10AM-6PM, SAT: 10AM - 5PM Where: 260 5TH AVENUE (BETWEEN 28/29 STREET) Barney's Warehouse Sale: Yep, it's the big one.  They recently put some of the selections online if you live too far away or are averse to aggressive fashionistas.  This sale has been a shopping tradition among the style...

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Rachel Antonoff Fall 2012

Do you like pretty things but with an edge? Rachel Antonoff's Fall 2012 collection was a mix of pretty retro prints in vintage inspired silhouettes.  Blouses and dresses had subtle mosaic embroidered trim.  Gathered details mixed with pretty Peter Pan collars. Rachel Antonoff's collection, born in 2007, has been quickly gaining momentum.  Her partnership with Bass shoes produced chic floral creepers and patent leather flats.  Last season, her show was appropriate for Wednesday Addams. This season, it was still a sweet girl with a dark side, and what Gotham girl can't...

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Stuttgart Textile Knitting Design - Master Class

What are the capabilities of a knitting machine? Jersey? Rib? The textile design students of the Stuttgart State Academy of Art set out to explore that question in their recent exhibit, "Flamboyant". In collaboration with Stoll America and Zegna Baruffa lane Borgosesia, the designers created fashion creations of amazing knitting design. I never thought that a machine was capable of the type of fringe, loops, pleating, tubes and fur textures that I witnessed at this exhibit.  The Stoll America facility in Midtown Manhattan has a range of machines where designers can learn different...

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Fashion Designer Quotes - Part 2

When did fashion designers become the sages of our time? Their wit and wisdom now dominate some of the most popular Tumblr accounts.  Here are some of the best fashion designer quotes on the net: One of the funniest new Tumblr accounts is Kor's Metaphors.  It takes screenshots from Project Runway and lists the Michael Kor's most scathing critiques.  Among the best gems: "She just looked like rigatoni Mad Max" "So she's a Snuggie designer?" "She's borderline Teletubby". "The blouse is just like a souffle that flopped." "If the challenge was to make something for a...

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Cats in Fashion, Choupette to Hello Kitty

I've always said it...Fashion is not for pussies. I stand corrected. In the last few years, cats in fashion have been making a big splash in the media. Choupette is the famous familiar of Karl Lagerfeld. Her overnight fame (she has made appearances in WWD, I-D magazine and now her own photo editorial in V-magazine) is not just for obvious cuteness, but the thought of an often intimidating designer doting on a sweet cat. Karl is often quoted for words that sound unforgiving or harsh, so his affection for the little fluffball shows a different side of him. Perhaps our obsession with Choupette...

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Lakme Fashion Week Highlights 2013

Lakme Fashion Week 2013 is one of the largest fashion events for home grown designers in South Asia.  The designers range from elegant renditions of traditional dress to elaborate showpieces of the country's crafts.  Other designers brought their global aesthetic to modern collections, and some just strive to be artists. Krishna Mehta's show (above) was a mix of simple silhouettes in a feminine color palette.  She used her knowledge of textiles and crafts to create opulent embroideries, fabric treatments and adding in Japanese shibori techniques as well. Rajat K. Tangri's...

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Fashion at the Olympics Closing Ceremonies

Danny Boyle brought Britain's rock n' roll to the Olympics opening ceremonies.  Last night however, creative director Kim Gavin and production designer Es Devlin will be famous for bringing British fashion to the Olympics closing ceremonies. The industry most memorably showcased in the closing was fashion.  Famed photographer Nick Knight had his photos of Britain's supermodels, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Stella Tennant, Lily Cole among others blown up and driven around the stadium.  The photos lifted to reveal the actual models themselves who then strutted...

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Nautica Fall 2012

Ok, I have given you plenty of female eye candy with all of the swimwear the past few weeks.  I thought I would inject a bit of menswear and male models today.  Here are some of the offerings from my former employer, Nautica Fall 2012 .   They have their sporty primary colors of course.  Their jackets are very popular.  As someone who has worked on them, I can tell you that the designers do a great job adding lots of useful details like reflective zipper tape, mesh interior pockets, reinforced openings for iPod headphones, etc. Don't worry, as I am no...

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Swarovski Natural Reflection Preview

Chelsea was all about things that sparkle last night at Glass House 21 on top of the Chelsea Arts Tower.  Nadja Swarovski and Daniel Cohen, a fifth generation member of the Swarovski family hosted a penthouse soiree to introduce their new marcasite jewelry collection.   Swarovski Gems Natural Reflection brought together the work of 14 designers like Ippolita, Stephen Dweck, Judith Jack among others.  The pieces took forms from nature and fused metal and gems together for their creations.  Jewelry ranged from a giant insect to jeweled vertebrae arm cuff....

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BlogHer 2012 Fashion Show

Mommy bloggers is the largest demographic at the annual conference of BlogHer, but the fashion contingent came out in full force.  First, supermodel Christy Turlington Burns looked as beautiful as ever discussing her work with her organization, Every Mother Counts and documentary, "No Woman No Cry" with CNN anchor Soledad O'Brien.  The charity works as an advocate to educate and provide assistance to reduce the maternal mortality rate globally. The same evening, BlogHer hosted its highly anticipated fashion show.....

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Happy Birthday Andy Warhol

The most famous Pop artist in the world would have celebrated his 84th birthday today.  Before the iconic soup cans and portraits of Marilyn Monroe, Andy Warhol illustrated fashion for magazines like Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour, Mademoiselle and Vogue. His fashion illustration style included deceptively simple line drawings, often with a blotted line technique and bright, flat colors.  The style is seen in many of his most famous pieces today.  The artist also collaborated with others to design fashion.  His artwork was printed on clothing pieces like the paper...

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