Zang Toi Fall 2020 - New York New York

New Yorkkkkkk! Zang Toi's fall 2020 collection brought all the glamor home this season with a tribute to NYC.

Toi's NYFW shows are usually a classic, escapist fantasy inspired by jet setting destinations. Classical music, big band, aristocratic soundtracks often accompanied his elegant runways.

For fall 2020, his muse is his adopted home of New York. While the clothing was no less luxurious, it had a distinctive, urban, sharper, almost grittier appeal?

You could hear the change before the first model with a thumping contemporary soundtrack, beginning with Jay-Z's now-iconic New York duet with Alicia Keys. It continued with other rappers who expressed their love for Gotham, only ending with Frank Sinatra's New York, New York, for his final bow.

The day looks had chic shades of gray tweed, black, representing the elegance of the Upper East Side of Manhattan. The architectural looks gave way to lots of black (the unofficial uniform of the NY fashion set) paired with ultra-bright pop colors like red, fuschia, purple, green, blue inspired by the Downtown art scene. The color palette brought me back to the urban glam and polished looks that dominated billboards in 90s New York.

Most stunning were the looks incorporating the New York City skyline with intricate embroidery and beading.

Zang Toi has been somewhat controversial the past few seasons by having members of the Trump family as guests and having Rudy Giuliani sit front row for this show. While I can't vouch for his politics, Giuliani WAS mayor of the city during one of its most difficult times. 

In the previous season, the show was held at the Women's Republican house, which made non-Republicans uncomfortable. Zang expressed how Ivana Trump was an early supporter of his business, as well as the rest of the family, and he wanted to show his appreciation of his opportunities, politics or not. 

Here is where I learned a lot about diplomacy from Zang Toi: As an immigrant and employer of immigrants, he made a point of having all of the guests stand for the Malaysian national anthem, in a room of barely concealed MAGA hats. The collection that year was of traditional Malayasian silhouettes and textiles, giving guests an instant education on another culture whether they liked it or not. Third, while the Republicans stocked their seats with GOP trophy wives, Toi likely brought more diversity and inclusiveness from HIS guest list (like me) than that building has ever seen, forcing everyone to mingle and socialize.
As a designer, you can choose to ignore all politics. You can choose to design your collection and make the clothes an instrument of political messages (like Pyer Moss). You can choose to make your presentation an expression of your beliefs like Naeem Khan. Zang Toi, as a designer chose a fourth option, to use fashion as an occasion to bring disparate groups together to appreciate something together, the beauty of style.
I plan on voting and urge everyone who cares about their fellow human beings to vote. We all know which party and which candidates do and don't care about people from their actions and words. Keep it classy. Keep it kind. Make Zang Toi and his beloved New York Proud!

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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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The Blonds Spring 2018 - Platinum Paradise

DO blondes have more fun? The label is called The Blonds for a reason. Spring 2018 for the designers took the general concept of streetwear and amplified the glamor and embellishment to the Nth degree.

Starting with the basic garment items of denim jackets, jumpsuits, slip dresses and shorts, the pieces were then given an extreme bling treatment. 

The Blonds are known for dressing the biggest stage divas of our generation. This collection offered outfits for performing AND for when they want to step out without losing the glamour.

Embellishment artisans were working backstage right up until the moment models took the runway. The Blonds collaborated with Preciosa Crystals to create colorful jeweled embroideries that elevated each piece. The three-dimensional look to the embroidery was achieved through a combination of mixed sizes and shapes of the crystal components, embellished with an irregular pattern. Large, chunky chains were also used to give a shiny, urban glam effect to the hardware. Big cut fabric appliques were twisted and folded to give a dimensional, lacy look.

Preciosa crystals were also used for the beauty looks. Make-up artists painstakingly applied crystals for elaborate nail art and as eye embellishments.

Despite the "platinum" theme, I liked the diversity of the models. A full range of ethnicities, genders and body shapes were represented, as long as they looked fierce. 

Celebrities in the front row included Paris Hilton and Instagram meme curator and The Fat Jewish, rumored to be launching a fashion collection together. 

Attending The Blonds Spring 2018 collection does set the bar high for you guys, so good luck.

Need a dose of bling and fabulous-ness? You can rest here.
All photos by Mariana Leung

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Pamella Roland Resort 2018

Resort collections from Fashion designers. For many, that is the throwaway, smaller, simple collection after putting it all into fall and holiday. For Pamella Roland, she takes the opportunity to make it shine. Her presentation at the Bvlgari jewelry boutique in 57th store street was an opulent affair.

Many of her collections took exotic locales or prestigious artists as her muse. Resort 2018 was inspired by her own backyard. Delicate flowers like peonies, wisteriea, hydrangeas and lavender made their way into the collection in color palette or motifs.
Embroideries of trailing flowers, three dimensional fabric appliques, beaded fringe all added a rich texture to the luxury fabrics. Most of the looks clearly aimed for red carpet wear, either on celebrities like Vanessa Williams in attendance or the many socialites who are devoted fans.

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The Blonds Present The Mummy Fall 2017

The Blonds Fall 2017 was one of the most highly anticipated shows of the season. Photographers live for their showmanship on the runway. The theme this year was The Mummy to celebrate the movie release today.

Looking at these photographs, you can see the cliche bandage wrapping of the past was not in play. The Mummy star Sofia Boutella's look in the film has an exotic, dark style. She appears to be deteriorating elegantly in a body conscious costume. The Blonds collection also has a dark, exotic look that is sexy and body conscious. Spiders and their webs are a repeated motif. Several looks have a shredded texture created in feathers, embellished with rich Preciosa pearls.

from The Mummy, Universal Pictures

Preciosa Crystal Components is a major collaborator with designers Philip and David Blond. Preciosa, a leader in producing the most brilliant crystals for jewelry, home, and fashion design. They particularly love working with The Blonds as they use their entire library of materials and techniques in their collection. This season included gigantic faceted teardrops, pearls, trims down to the smallest crystal seed beads.

The hair was equally dramatic. Polished curls twisted into odd angles framed elaborately fierce eye makeup. Intimidating boots with 5" - 6" stiletto heels made the models look larger than life, like the Goddesses (or demons) that were their muse.

Are you going to find these looks on the rack of your local boutique? Not too likely. Will you find them gracing the bodies of your favorite pop icon? The probability is higher. The collection and fashion show was spectacular. Bravo The Blonds!

Runway photos by Mariana Leung

More on Ms. Fabulous:

Guo Pei's Dragon Dramatic Haute Couture

Susanne Bartsch's Landauland

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Naeem Khan's Human Family - Fall 2017

Fall 2017 was a season of female empowerment on the runway. Naeem Khan's muse has often been regal and global. This season, that muse has skewed younger and more contemporary. There were luxe renditions of the pajamas as outerwear look. Relaxed, embroidered drawstring pants and tops, delicate, expensive lace bras underneath. Long gowns with more of a body-conscious silhouette with sheer panels or sleek silks with geometric graphics.

In addition to elegant floral motifs, there were bold leopard spots in metallic sequins or lace. Oversized earrings and layered beaded necklaces of different sizes were a nod to tribal jewelry. At one point, the music stopped, and the soundtrack for this show was the voice of Maya Angelou, reading from The Human Family.

Models of all ethnicities graced the catwalk in a range of colors and silhouettes. While literal ethnic costume references were not used, the subtle styling of each look was a tribute to the many cultures around the world. This was not an obvious political statement, but a stylish stance on the beauty of diversity. The finale of the show was a spectacular bride in gold embroidery and headdress who looked like an African queen floating through the venue.

It was gratifying to see the majority of designers this season make a positive statement in one way or another. The fashion crowd rarely gets involved in politics. Some made deliberate moves to call out and publicly reject particular politicians. Others like Naeem Khan evoke the idea of inclusiveness by designing for a multicultural customer and sharing an iconic poem. The Human Family is one we all belong to.

Photos by Mariana Leung

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Dennis Basso Fall 2017

A touch of mink this season? How many of you were caught off-guard with March snowstorms? Designer Dennis Basso had everyone covered with a mix of breezy gowns in organza and georgette, but his signature fur coats were on hand at his NY Fashion Week Fall 2017 runway.

Dennis Basso is a heritage brand at this point. Ladies who lunch, New York's privileged class have been fawning over him for over three decades at this point. While he has his long term clients seduced, he is making a (sartorial) play for their daughters as well. Tiffany Trump was sitting front row of this runway. Long, relaxed dresses had a contemporary vibe with fully luxurious fabrications. My favorite was the compass, and map inspired gown with embroidered sheer land masses.

The color palette was minimal. Warm, neutral shades of brown, beige, cream as a tonal complement to the natural shades of luxurious fur on the catwalk. While the big fur coats may still be favored for Mom, there was a young gateway accessory of on-trend chokers made of fur on the models.

Politics and social commentary played a part in many of the Fall 2017 shows at NYFW this time around. Some were overt, some more subtle. Tiffany Trump was a new face on the scene at several shows I attended. She looked to be warmly welcomed by editors at Dennis Basso, but I was sad to hear she might have been rudely treated at another show.

Trust me, I am NOT a fan of Donald Trump or his administration so far. However, his daughter, often the rebellious one, is not her father. She is a young woman who is supporting fashion designers at a time when any support should be appreciated. While Dennis Basso is well established, she also attended the shows of designers who were up-and-coming and could use the promotional help. I also saw her at the Taoray Wang show, a Chinese designer, still new to the American scene. Trump wore Wang's work to the Presidential inauguration even though it was probably not politically correct with her father's cronies because she chose design over their BS.

 I can't stand Mean Girl BS in the fashion industry, it's tough enough out there. I am happy to hear that Whoopi Goldberg, also not a Donald fan, extended a friendly invitation when she saw Trump being shunned. The fashion industry is already depicted as shallow and snobbish. Editors, designers, all fashion professionals should be taking the high road and conduct themselves with class. You don't have to invite the offending person into your home, but at least treat others with the dignity and respect you would hope they would treat you with.

Dennis Basso may cater to the elite, but the beauty of his work can be appreciated by all. The runway looks of his Fall 2017 collection were not stuffy but sophisticated. The dresses were sleek and sexy, but you could cocoon yourself in a big warm coat when a snowstorm hits.

all photos by Mariana Leung

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NYFW: Jenny Packham Fall 2017

The British are coming! Jenny Packham's Fall 2017 collection was a celebration of English heritage and their cliches. The designer is a red carpet favorite during awards season. Her dresses offer a modern take on traditional evening wear silhouettes.

all photos by Mariana Leung

Packham's take on the "Idiosyncrasies that define the British identity" is a tongue-in-cheek take on iconic motifs of the U.K. There were the tartan patterns both in print and embroidered tulle. The color Wedgewood blue was important throughout the collection. Pearls, delicate sweaters were nods to "Sloane Rangers," the Preppy fashion girls of England. Various versions of moto jackets were a tribute to punk style. Of course, each theme was upgraded with luxury details, like rich crystal beading on sweaters, or embroidered cut-outs on the leather. A tribute to the Queen's Corgi dogs materialized on a silk t-shirt.

Scarves wrapped in Ascot style accessorized a few models. The white ones also symbolized the Business of Fashion's #TiedTogether movement. The BoF's initiative for fashion month to get designers, editors, influencers to wear a version of a white bandanna to stand for unity, inclusiveness, and solidarity against the negativity and discrimination of the world right now. Their site also asks supporters to donate the ACLU and the UN Refugee Agency. This showed how activism at NYFW can be as subtle as the simple styling of your models.

Jenny Packham put together classic heritage with humor and modern fashion. She managed to put out a positive message while delivering beautiful clothes. Fall 2017 is looking up for all of us.

Also on Ms. Fabulous:

London Fashion Week - Mary Katrantzou Spring 2017

Big British Invite - Punk & Liberty Prints

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Bibhu Mohapatra Spring 2017 - Parisian Art

The romance of France was on the mind of many designers for Spring 2017. Bibhu Mohapatra looked to Paris during the Belle Epoque era post WWI. It was a time of artists and exoticism that inspired many creatives of today.

Vintage silhouettes of long skirts and peplums were prominent in the daywear looks. Longer gowns had asymmetrical tailoring and sexy leg slits. The sleeve was puffed with feminine charm. Artists like Matisse were referenced in prints that looked like collages of multicolor papercuts. 

Delicate, sparkling embroidery combined small jewels and pearls on bodices and all over skirts. Long ostrich feathers were also embroidered for a very light fringe effect. Frothy tulle dresses also mirrored joyful birds. In fact, most of the looks listed in the run of show program were name after different breeds of birds. 

Models were styled with elegant French coquette waves. Others wore big sunglasses with brightly colored frames. I liked to think these were symbolic for Mohapatra's sunny outlook for the upcoming year. He experienced loss in the past year and his more somber collections of 2015 and early 2016 reflected that. 

I loved to see Bibhu Mohapatra looking humble and joyous now on the Spring 2017 runway. 

photos by Mariana Leung

More on Ms. Fabulous:

Secrets from a Paris Perfume Studio

Fabric Printing in Rajasthan 

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Theia Fall 2016 - In the Spirit of the Mad Marchesa

Theia's Fall 2016 evening wear collection found its inspiration the legendary Marchesa Luisa Casati. 'IT' girls today may take selfies, but real socialites inspire painters and designers for decades after their passing.  

Designer Don O'Neill was smitten with this painting of the Marchesa by Joseph Paget-Fredericks depicting her walking her pet cheetahs in an elegant ensemble. Casati was remembered as an eccentric who favored exotic patterns, extravagant headdresses, and muse to designers like Paul Poiret. Vintage photographs show her with wild curls, dramatic jewelry that framed her madcap spirit. Her most notable accessories included wearing live snakes as her statement necklace.

The Theia fall looks to pay tribute to her in exotic animal brocades with a metallic sheen. There rich
embroideries of gold, jet and crystal jewels. Other fabrics included textured florals, foil laminated prints. My favorite gown was the fishtail gown of black, metallic burgundy and navy with an elaborate beads feather curling around the spine, almost like a tattoo. It's that dress that makes a spectacular entrance; the gives you a further surprise when the wearer exits. If that doesn't suit an eccentric Marchesa, I can't imagine what else will.

While there was certainly shorter cocktail dresses and day looks in this collection, fall 2016 was defined for me with the elongated 1930s silhouettes. A woman posed in these gowns shows off all the right curves of her body. The slim top shows off the arms so she can carry a cigarette holder, handbag, yes even a wildcat on a leash and it will look dramatic.

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Best Embroidery on the Oscars Red Carpet 2016

The 88th Academy Awards is over and we all know by know it isn't who holds the statue, but who won the Oscars red carpet. As an embellishment designer, you know by now I always choose my favorite red carpet fashion looks by the best use of embroidery.

The two lovely pregnant ladies Emily Blunt and Chrissy Teigen inspired awe and envy in many mothers for their look. Emily Blunt showed off her porcelain English complexion with a pale pink empire gown by Prada. I love the delicate beaded motifs that barely skim her bump. I had a tulle jacket from the 1990's from them that had a similar embellishment. Teigen on the other hand wore a much more dramatic Marchesa gown of deep red floral embroidery that wound its way all over her curves. Hot.

I have to say, Daisy Ridley has the sweetest smile of anyone in Hollywood. Her Chanel Couture dress has the most elegant crystal embroidery, making it the highlight of an otherwise, simple silhouette. Oscar winner Alicia Vikander wore a sunny yellow Louis Vuitton gown that reminded me of an inverted tulip with a simple trailing embroidery pattern. Cate Blanchett is forever stunning on any red carpet with those cheekbones and statuesque build. Her Armani Prive gown had big three-dimensional flowers (another technique I like to design/illustrate with as my sister observed). The blossoms were light and heralded spring while the icy blue still reminded us that we're not out of winter yet.

Now you know mine, who were your favorites from the Oscars red carpet? Who took risks? Who was a miss? Who are the new faces you loved?

Photos from Todd Williamson & Jason Meritt /Getty Images

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NYFW: Monique Lhuillier Fall 2016 Disco Brocade

How gorgeous was this collection? Monique Lhuillier's fall 2016 fashion show last night was a parade of fantasy outfits for the real woman. There was a continued influence of the 1970's trend in some of the colors and silhouettes, but not in an obvious way.

The fabrics were all about texture. There were a lot more daywear looks than I was used to from Monique Lhuillier. Embroidered and appliqued flowers had bright colors in the form of petunias and poppies. Metallic textures was a big story here and across fall 2016 for designers in general. Instead of dark cliche "autumn" colors, the designer chose bright, green, pink, teal and gold. 

Monique Lhuillier's signature look is delicate, luxurious and feminine. I felt that this season was all of the above, but with a more contemporary look. This collection was for the younger woman who wants all of the luxe and elegance of designer clothing, but without being fussy or stiff. 

Of course, the big ballgowns that the photographers love to shoot made their way down the runway. We were not disappointed. I hope to see some of these on upcoming award show red carpets next. Monique Lhuillier fall 2016 was too gorgeous.

all photos by Mariana Leung

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NYFW: Rubin Singer Fall 2016 Homomorphism

One of the first fall 2016 NY Fashion Week collections I shot was Rubin Singer. His inspiration was an unusual one for fashion. His muse was the use of mathematics, constant formulas and homomorphism. For those of you are rusty on your arithmatic, homomorphism is defined as "a transformation of one set into another that preserves in the second set the relations between elements of the first." That is quite a brainy theme for a luxurious eveningwear collection with some drama.

So where do we see these mathematical equations? There were some laminated geometric fabrics that formed into three-dimensional shapes. There were cut-glass embroidered appliques shaped into irregular hexagons. We saw layered satin and leather folds that were rotated around calculated angles. 

The body silhouettes however, were much more fluid. Gorgeous gowns were draped into classically elegant shapes with more of a 1960's and 1970's vibe. Using his technical skills, he masterfully manipulated combinations of duchess satin and heavy Indian lambswool with lightweight silk chiffon into softer ruffles.

 You may not know Rubin Singer's fashion designs from the stores (though he IS sold at Neiman Marcus). You ARE familiar with his work on tv and the stages of top divas like Alicia Keys and Queen Latifah. Remember that fierce Beyonce outfit from the 2013 Superbowl? That's Rubin Singer. With his fall 2016 collection he is seducing us mere mortals to wear his gowns. That is, if us mere mortals had the red carpet and full stadium of fans to wear it for.

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Vivienne Tam Spring 2016

My favorite thing about Vivienne Tam collections is how she bridges retro inspiration with cutting edge contemporary style. For spring 2016 runway, she thought about the androgynous attitude that was in vogue in the 1920's and how it paralleled the gender fluid attitudes of the 1970s and today.

Where exactly did that inspiration come into play? There were the dropped waist styles of the dresses that flattered the slimmer body type of flapper women. There were more linear, elongated silhouettes and a mahjong motif applique fringe that referenced the 20s as well. The contemporary equivalent of androgyny is the sporty looks and nods to skater culture of the 70s. Power mesh, athletic stripes, and bomber jackets walked down the catwalk with a color palette of black, white, sea green and Tam's signature red.

photos by Mariana Leung

Another signature feature is her modern twist on traditional Chinese embellishments. Dragons, lotus flowers and goldfish adorned her techno fabrics in laser cut appliques or stylized pop art embroidery with a bit of art deco thrown in. The mahjong tile embellishments were created with eyelets as the character motifs. This was a game that is popular with older Chinese generations but became very trendy stateside in the 1920s. Now you find the tiles used as a popular material for kitschy fashion accessories.

Vivienne Tam has such a distinct style that they are quirky, yet timeless. I love that I have pieces from her collections that span over 15 years, but I feel I can wear them at any time and still look fashion forward. When other designers use Asian influences, it often looks like it is just cultural appropriation of tired cliches. Thank goodness for Tam's multiple decades of tongue-in-cheek aesthetic to push Chinese design forward into the future.

Check out Fashion for the Year of the Monkey
by Ms. Fabulous at Mode

Here's $50 to shop the collection:

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Top Golden Globes Trends From the Red Carpet

The Golden Globes are the first BIG red carpet awards show for fashionphiles to geek out over. I loved seeing many new faces doing their dress twirl for the first time in a year where they will be doing it again and again.

There were distinct red carpet trends that could play out throughout 2016:

Metallic Mirrored Trophies

If looking like a shiny statuette isn't a hint to the awards voters, I don't know what is. There were several gown on the red carpet that where embroidered with stunning metallic textures. They could be mirrored like Mr. Robot's Portia Doubleday's dress from Naeem Khan or Jane Wu's figure-hugging dress from THEIA. Room's Brie Larson was the golden girl in Calvin Klein. All new faces (to me) on the awards show circuit. 

Starry Night
If you read this blog, you already know of my background and passion for gorgeous embroidery. There were several gowns in dark blue hues that sparkled like the actress was enveloped in stars. Viola Davis took my breath away in her Marchesa gown. Mr. Robot's Carly Chaikin smoldered in designer Juan Carlos Obando's gown. Jenna Dewan-Tatum sashayed in Zuhair Murad. Ana de la Reguera was in Carolina Herrera while Julianne Moore was sexy as hell in sparkling Tom Ford.

Bananas:
At one point, I saw yellow gown after yellow gown. Was this a Tarzan promo? This is an incredibly tough color to wear, what commentators call "risky". Alas, for those who love a good red carpet disasters, they were disappointed. Each woman here looked gorgeous in the banana peel hue. Jennifer Lopez defying science in her Giambattista Valli dress, America Ferrara (not Gina Rodriguez as she corrected) wore Jenny Packham and Lola Kirke wore Monique Lhuillier.

White Nights:

Celebrities used to shy away from wearing white on the red carpet because they feared it would look bridal. In 2016, white hot chic was the way to go. The bright, clean shade is striking in whatever silhouette the dress is cut in. It works in a tailored silhouette like Taraji P. Henson's Stella McCartney gown and Laverne Cox's Elizabeth Kennedy dress. White is equally dramatic in soft, draped looks. Saoirse Ronan wore a Goddess-like Couture gown from Yves Saint-Laurent. Lily James wore a dreamy Marchesa dress that actually had hints of pastel hues in the layers. 

So there you have it. If you have an awards show to attend, you have the top red carpet trends of the Golden Globes. Which one did you like best?

Photos by Jason Meritt/Getty, Jason Strauss/Getty

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Fashion and Virtue - Print and Embroidery Inspiration at the Met

Is bring properly embellished close to Godliness? In Fashion and Virtue: Textile Patterns and the Print Revolution, producers of books and art of the 1500's to 1600's wanted you to believe so. Being a virtuoso at your craft, whether it be needlepoint, printing, sewing, was akin to being virtuous.

The current exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art explores the connection of print patterns, embroidery and its influence on fashion. Prior to the 1500s, fashion for anyone outside of the aristocrats was pretty limited to plain, basic function. The technology of print really did revolutionize fashion for the masses. For the first time, fabrics could be printed with pretty motifs, echoing the trends of wealthier classes. Prior to that, only a select few could afford hand-made embroidered clothing. In the pre-Pinterest days, the samplers of stitches or embroidery layouts offered inspiration to those who aspired to make DIY finery for themselves.

It is quite a marketing trick to inspire homemakers to work hard at a skill (and sell product) by aligning their crafts with their church. The exhibit features printing tools like carved woodblocks. There were printed needlepoint patterns where you could see the needle punched holes to transfer the designs onto fabric. There were lots of illustration plates showing detailed crochet and embroidery designs as well as the finished product. You could see a lot of nature-inspired and religious motifs in the mix. These collections of textile patterns for fashion were the Vogue Magazine of Rennaissance times.

At the end of the exhibit, there were pretty examples of both historical costume and contemporary fashion designers who produced clothing with these techniques. French linen lace tunics, Mexican embroidered ponchos, Iranian silk slippers and Russian apron dresses that looked in sync with the 90's Todd Oldham slip dress.  While the textile and print books were mainly from Rennaissance Germany and Italy, you can see how much they resemble the techniques of other cultures in embroidery and color.

Can you achieve virtue being a master of DIY? Well, there are enough current magazines and Youtube stars that will tell you it does.  Fashion and Virtue: Textile Patterns and the Print Revolution will be at the Metropolitan Museum of Art until January 10, 2015.
Photos by Mariana Leung

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