Badgley Mischka Fall 2020

This is the week of romance for NY Fashion Week. The Badgley Mischka Fall 2020 collection was exactly what I wanted to see ahead of Valentine's Day. There were my favorite fabrics of velvet and silks. There were tons and tons of opulent embroidery on long sweeping gowns. Big pouf sleeves are all over the runways I have shot so far and continued here. Most of the silhouettes were very curvy, with a mermaid or trumpet silhouettes. The shapes were generally slim, with no giant ballgowns. 

Look at this elaborate embellishment. I am drooling. There were big chunky jewels used. Also, fabric flower appliques, handmade, cut, torn, and then stitched. In the world of fast fashion, it is decoration like the pieces in this collection that separate luxury from the masses. 

Do you see this beautiful headpiece? This was the signature accessory of the Badgley Mischka fall 2020 collection. There were several variations of this jeweled, beaded vine-like headpiece that wrapped around the back of the head to frame the pulled back topknot hairstyles.
The designer duo is clearly gunning for the red carpet and gala crowd here. They deserve it.
Which is your favorite look?

Also on Ms. Fabulous:

The Blonds Present the Mummy

Naeem Khan's Human Family

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#TBT Fashion and Food Diary of 1994

I recently unearthed my precious Fashion & Food Desk Diary published by DIFFA as a fundraising project. I loved this calendar. It was my first year studying fashion at Parsons School of Design and my second year living in NYC.

1994's Fashion and Food Desk Diary was the perfect time capsule of 90s Fashion

The calendar was beautifully printed with a collection of the contributions from the top fashion designers of that era. Between weekly entries were fashion sketches from different designers with a culinary theme.

NY Fashion Week was called 7th on 6th then. That year, it took place in April for Fall 1994. The  ones I attended included Nicole Miller, Todd Oldham, Norma Kamali, Prada, Anna Sui and Bradley Bayou. Some names in the calendar and that year's NYFW lineup are still going strong. Some are no longer in the spotlight like they once were, like Richard Tyler and Pamela Dennis. Some took a step back briefly and came back with a roar, like Nicole Miller and Byron Lars. Some have gone on to become mega-brands. Some, like Carlos Falchi, have sadly passed away.

What is amusing to me is looking back at my personal diary entries of that time in my life. It reads  like the perfect time capsule of a fashion ingenue cliche in NYC/Paris during the 1990s.

Using a mix of student discounts and Times Square TKTS booth, I went to see Broadway shows Kiss of the Spider Woman and Angels in America. I had dinner dates at Gotham Bar and Grill and Lucky Cheng's. I went clubbing at Tunnel(studios), The Limelight (now a mall) and Club USA. I had movie dates with boys or girlfriends at Priscilla Queen of the Desert and Interview with a Vampire. I attended exhibition openings at Exit Art and dressed up for Wigstock. 

At the beginning of the calendar, there are photos of many fashion icons looking young and fresh. The fashion sketches represent an era when designers still had the time and passion for creating full sketches in the industry. Now, fashion illustration seems to be a pastime of elite artists and bloggers. DIFFA (Design Industries for Fighting Aids) was more involved with fashion then while they are more famous for their Dining By Design events now.

The recipes contributed by the designers in the book (it was also about food after all) also show a more innocent time. There are multiple dessert recipes, pasta, polenta and pizza entries. This seems unusual now in today's carb-fearing fashion climate.

Well, I hope you enjoyed today's lookback into 90s fashion and a personal, somewhat embarrassing glimpse of my life as a new New Yorker. Enjoy the fashion illustration and the history lesson my friends.

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Badgley Mischka Fall 2015 - Matadors

No bull here. Mark Badgley and James Mischka tapped into a classic fashion designer inspiration of the Spanish matador for their fall 2015 collection for Badgley Mischka. Balenciaga did it, Givenchy did recently (remember Madonna's thong from the Grammy's?)

For this collection, the inspiration wasn't quite so literal. There were a few bright red wool pieces that might have had a matador's cape as a muse. The golden metallic embroidery that was built up around bodices and shoulders mixed with deep red, brown and earthy colors might have taken its inspiration from the embellishment of matador costumes. There was tinted lace in some of the dresses that hinted at the lace accessories worn by Spanish women in the church in centuries past.

Otherwise, the dress silhouettes followed many of Badgley Mischka's signature shapes of the long fishtail gown, corseted trumpet skirt and form fitting column dress. Looks that were more suited to day wear included tailored blazers and skirts from beautiful tweeds or brocades that resembled Spanish tapestries.

I loved the tall bouffant half updo hairstyles on the models. The sexy cat's eye makeup had shades of Amy Winehouse as a muse. The nails were embellished metallic gold to match the gorgeous embroidery. I am really happy to see that the designers did not feel the need to add a bullfighter's montera hat as an accessory to get their theme across. 

There were elegant little clutch handbags that coordinated well with the clothing. Some were beaded, some had chunky jewels. I loved the embroidered cuffs with organza that were worn on the wrist as a bracelet alternative. I think I need to make some of those for myself... 

Badgley Mischka celebrated their 25th anniversary as a brand last season and the guys have been in an even longer relationship as a couple. I'm amazed that two people can have such a long run at work and play and still produce good things year after year.  Maybe they can add relationship counselling as the next extension of their brand.

Photos by Mariana Leung

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Badgley Mischka's Silver Anniversary - Spring 2015

A quarter century together!  Designers Mark Badgley and James Mischka may have tied the knot last year but their life and label have been official for 25 years.   My former draping teacher at Parsons had fond memories of watching the two of them work together at a corner table in the classroom in the years before I attended the school myself.

The spring 2015 collection of Badgley Mischka was a parade of elegant day looks and dream gowns.  Fluid silk pants and flirty skirts were paired with tweed jackets with motorcycle styling or luxe cardigans for daytime.  Evening wear had a gorgeous palette of light purple, pale blue, different shades of grey and caramel. 

Many of the bodices or skirts were lavishly embellished with jewels, moonstones and satin flowers.  The embroidery was layered on top of lace and tulle.  Rich beading was also used to accent the key print of an elaborate cherry blossom pattern.

Accessories were almost as impressive.  There was a very sophisticated backpack that upgrades the entire category.  There was a giant jeweled bow on a shoulder.  Big clear Lucite cuff bracelets were made luxurious with shining stones.  Small box clutch handbags had a subtle, holographic finish and decorated with rhinestone motifs.  Shoes had delicate straps, often two-toned with python finish leather and embellished with jewels or shiny hardware. 

The show’s finale included a shower of balloons and a surprise appearance of Naomi Campbell who walked in Badgley Mischka’s first runway show.  Now I can’t wait to see their golden anniversary show!

photos by Mariana Leung

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#NYFW: Badgley Mischka Fall 2014

Animal magetism.  Badgley Mischka's Fall 2014 collection at New York Fashion Week was a luxe display of fur, animal print and earthy colors.  The overall look was suited to an opulent Czarina or Anna Karenina, with metallic beading on gold embellished brocade for the evening gowns.

Richly printed chiffons gave a flowing air to leg revealing dresses.  Big fur hats, cuffs and neck warmers gave an extra level of luxury in the accessory department.  For all of the grandeur, the hair and makeup were low key and naturalistic.  Perhaps this represented an escaped Anastasia on the run?

Award season still has a few red carpets to fill.  Which celebrity do you propose to wear these looks?

photos by Mariana Leung

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Embellished Badgley Mischka Spring 2014

Anyone who reads this blog on a regular basis knows that I love good embroidery.  Some of the prettiest embellishments on the spring 2014 runways came from longtime design duo Badgley Mischka.  Their NY Fashion Week show was a parade of ruffled chiffon and vintage crystal beading that looked at home right in the sets of Downton Abbey or the Great Gatsby.  The jeweled motifs looked rich and intricate.  I love the engineered placement of the beaded fringe on one particular skirt (rather than the cliche rows of flapper fringe).   

Dainty hard frame clutches carried a more contemporary diamond motif along with bigger, modern carryall handbags.  My favorite shoes were two-toned strappy heels.  Jewelry was delicate and had an emphasis on cuffs and dangling bracelets with pearls and stones. The pale pastel manicure was the mani of choice for the models along with finger wave curls for the hair.

Which celebrity do you think would look best in one of these gowns on the red carpet?

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Badgley Mischka Fall 2013

I have covered husband/wife duos, sister acts, mothers and daughters... Now I am happy to profile the fall 2013 collection of newlyweds Mark Badgley and James Mischka.  Before the aisle, came the runway, and it was a gorgeous one.  

There were many dresses of black and gold metallic, two colors that I came to associate with Badgley Mischka over the years.  They were pretty of course, but I have to say I love the blush and raspberry colors more.  The bright white had an almost retro feel to it, being executed in slim, column silhouettes that looked rather Grecian.  The beading and crystal embroidery was a cross between art deco and Aztec geometric patterns.  The large motifs in bugle beads, the waistband, neck or shoulders in crystal. 

The footwear included velvet peep toe heels with cute bows.  They didn't exactly match the clothes, but they were pretty all the same.  Handbags included square and oblong clutches in color block mixed with houndstooth or metallic.  The hair was pulled up in vintage Hitchcock glamour with classic Hollywood beauty makeup.  

Whether it's Mezo-American, Greek or Gatsby, there's a Goddess in all of us and we have every right to dress like it.

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Heart Truth Red Dress Show 2013

My favorite fashion events are those that bring out tons of celebrities for a good cause.  The Heart Truth Red Dress Show sends gorgeous stars of all shapes and sizes down the runway in hot red gowns from the top designers at Manhattan's Hammerstein Ballroom.

Heart Truth is a non-profit initiative sponsored by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Red Dress is a symbol to remind women of the need to protect their heart health, and inspires them to take action.  To study up on how to keep your heart healthy, check out the Heart Truth website.

Olympic gold medalist, Gabrielle Douglas strolled down the catwalk in Pamella Roland.  Soledad O'Brien wore a leg revealing dress by Black Halo Eve.  Divas Toni Braxton, Wendy Williams and Roselyn Sanchez sashayed with sexy attitude.  Kelly Osborne looked like a retro pinup with rock n' roll flair in Zac Posen.  Check out the rest of the lineup below:

photos by Mariana Leung

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Sales Alert: Rag and Bone, J. Crew, Badgley Mischka, Botkier

Did you hide from the Black Friday crowds? Surfed out from Cyber Monday?  It's ok, better sales are on the horizon.  Check out the list:

J. Crew
Preppy, fashionable, it's an entire clothing philosophy for some.  Get your goodies for men, women, kids and selections from Madewell.  Prices up to 60% off retail.

When: Tuesday, November 27 through Sunday, December 2nd. 
TUESDAY-SATURDAY: 10AM-8PM, SUNDAY: 12PM-6PM
Where:  260 Fifth Ave between 28th and 29th Sts

Badgley Mischka:
Gowns, evening wear, ready to wear, cocktail dresses from the design duo will be up to 80% off.

When: Tuesday, November 27 through Thursday, November 29. Daily 10am—6pm.
Where:  70 W. 40th St between Fifth and Sixth Aves, 12th floor 

Botkier:
Edgy and sleek handbags from Monica Botkier will be 40-75% off retail. (Prices start at $75 for wallets, $100 for handbags and $100 for boots.)  Great for gifts!

When: November 29-30, 2012 Thu-Fri 9am-7pm
Where: 525 Broadway (at Spring St) (5th Fl) New York, NY 10012  (646) 747-4152

Rag & Bone:

Downtown ladies and gents, gird your loins.  Rag & Bones is having their sale this Thursday! Expect goodies up to 60% off, (e.g. jeans at $95).  

When: Thursday, November 29 through Sunday, December 2. Thurs—Fri 10:30am—8pm, Sat 12pm—7pm, Sun 12pm—5pm

Where: Chelsea Market, entrance to the sale at 410 W. 16th Street, between 9th and 10th avenue

Photos from jcrew.com,Rag and Bone from Racked.com

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Badgley Mischka Spring 2013

A Midsummer's Nights Dream inspired Badgley's Mischka's spring 2013 collection at New York Fashion Week.  Not Shakespeare particularly, but the 1935 film (the one with James Cagney and an almost naked Mickey Rooney as Puck).

The collection had dreamy silk organza, chiffon with floral touches in large and small scale to please the most deluded fairy queens.  The silhouettes definitely hinted at 1930's Hollywood glamour.  The muted greys, pinks, purple, silver, ivory and gold made for a gorgeous color palette. The messy up-do hairstyle made the models looks a little more relaxed and romantic, as if they were running through the woods looking for a lost lover than at an uptight cocktail party.  A few pieces that had "angel" like wings looked a little too much like Christian's Siriano's Fall 2012 collection though.

I loved the range of accessories I saw in this collection.  The dainty, constructed clutches were chic with metallic accent.  Embroidered, fingerless tulle gloves were unexpected, but gave an extravagant, edgy option.  Wired and jeweled statement necklaces and structured platform shoes again were modern updates to more formal pieces.

Is it wrong I was a little disappointed that no one wore a big donkey head in the end?

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