Parsons Fashion Design - Class of 2013 Part Two

When I was at Parsons, the joke was that our school colors were black and grey.  It DID seem to be the uniform of the fashion industry back in the late 90's.  However, some of the graduating fashion  class of Parsons School of Design proved that color is the way to go.

The first group on the runway was an adorable children's collection.  The designer mixed up the rpints and accessorized with huge flowers for a cheerful presentation.

The group here mixed dimensional appliques with different textures of patent leather and quilting.  It had the look of arts and crafts meets rebel punk.

These were some of my favorites.  Fitted, sporty looks mixed with pop culture icons worked into religious icons as motifs.  It would seem gimmicky if the silhouettes weren't so flattering.

Bravo class of 2013!

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Pratt Graduate Fashion Show - Part Two

Part two of my coverage of the Pratt Institute's graduate fashion show focuses on the designers who brought ethnic influences and sculptured texture to their collections.

One of my favorites of the show had to be Debra Lin's group.  There were some beautiful, elaborate prints mixed with the fur, exotic skins and the dramatic shoulders of a samurai.  While the tribal and Asian influences were clear, they weren't literal. Individually, the tops, outerwear, pants, etc. were very wearable, chic pieces.  Loved this!

Alleen Garboushian mixed beautiful prints together with crochet and knit embellishments for texture.  The transparent tops mixed with thick, woolly loops and embroidery had an African vibe with the earth toned palette.

Paola Ricardo's sexy, body conscious looks were a showcase in all types of dimensional knit techniques.  The sculpted shapes that followed the contours of the body in many ways had the effect of an Amazon warrior wearing the trophies of her kills (but in a chic way!) 

Keep an eye out for these names, soon to take over a closet near you...

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Parsons Fashion Show - Accessories

The graduating class of Parsons School of Design students held their finale show Tuesday. I have a very long list of photographs that I need to edit from the runway show. In the meantime, I wanted to showcase the accessories designers that were on display outside of the auditorium.

Fanciful platforms with avant-garde heels dominated the shoe category. Mixed colors, patterns and structures elevated the footwear into high art.

In handbags, Coach and Li & Fung were major sponsors. Thus, the purses on display were a mix of practical, functional and highly fashionable. Creativity blossomed in the mixed materials and treatments. There were some interesting frames and multi seamed silhouettes that would look perfect on the shelves of Bergdorf's or Bendel's!

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