NYFW: Malan Breton Spring 2025

 Leather for spring? I don't know why designers often offer it only in the fall. Malan Breton showed exquisitely tailored leather evening wear in ladylike pastel shades. The seaming and corseting details were incredibly flattering for any female form. Breton's Savile Row training showing itself. The theme of the collection was "Betrayal, Revenge & Hope". 

There were plenty of gowns in traditional evening wear fabrics, also in the sugary pink and rosy pearl greys, but also a pop of citric yellow. Of course, sophisticated black is an easy sell for customers every season.

In some cases, it was a LOT of dress, even for the professional models. A few struggled with the long tapered silhouettes or had to carry the enormous skirt down the runway. One model continually toppled over in her heels. If the pros are having a hard time, how are the rest of us mortals supposed to navigate such fabulousness?

Malan Breton always shows a glamorous collection that evokes old-school elegance that is increasingly lost in today's world of athleisure and streetwear. The Project Runway alum has also been an accomplished filmmaker as well. His autobiographical film "A Journey to Taiwan" was a moving tribute to his roots and creative process. He debuted "Je Suis Mona" a documentary featuring his muse/model and philanthropist Elton Ilirjani, winning the Trailblazer award at the NYC International Fashion Film Festival.

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Malan Breton Spring 2016

Style Fashion Week was one of the alternative designer showcases with designers that defected from IMG. Malan Breton has had a good year. He had an elegant menswear collection, released an autobiographical film and presented his spring 2016 in New York's best ballroom.

Gotham Hall is one of the most dramatic venues in Midtown Manhattan. It has a soaring domed ceiling and elaborate chandeliers. Unlike IMG and KCD Worldwide's policy of exclusion this season, the producers of Style Fashion Week welcomed any press committed to reporting on fashion.

The collection had many of Malan Breton's signature colors of vivid fuschia and turquoise. The daywear included slim, tailored suits in the most luxurious fabrics. The evening wear was executed in beautiful prints and silks. The silhouettes were full-skirted gowns or short cocktails dresses in flattering seam details.

Every model on the runway was stunning. There was a wide range in age and gender fluidity. It was a testament to the clothing that they looked great on everyone. Malan Breton himself has always been the most humble designer at his fashion shows. Soft-spoken and sweet, I caught him the night before the show at a party, and he expressed how nervous he was. I assured him that every collection he has ever presented was gorgeous. While I am far from the person to say so, he always reacts as if it was the first time he has received such a compliment.

Check out NYFW Venues - The Verdict
by Ms. Fabulous at Mode

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Malan Breton Men's Spring 2016

It was all about a beachy lifestyle. Taiwan's most famous fashion designer Malan Breton created his spring 2016 collection for men around a blissful way of life. The main focus was on the fabrics. His menswear offerings mainly had a color palette of navy and white with a some bronze thrown in.

Natural fabrics of silk, cotton and bamboo for its heat-friendly properties were the heart of the collection. The batik technique was heavily featured as well as updated patterns of his native culture. Another tribute to his home country was the prominent use of traditional Hakka blue shirt in this presentation.

This season also marks the debut of Malan Breton Homme, the designer's brand of luxury accessories. There are cufflinks, eyewear and even skateboards on offer. He used brushed metals and enamels accented with Swarovski crystalss.

photos by Mariana Leung

Together with his press manager Bonnie Bien, they duo screened their collaborative documentary following Malan Breton's A Journey to Taiwan. It had first debuted and won awards at the New York International Film Festival. It is a beautifully shot film showing all of the colors, textures and inspiration Breton gets from his culture and gives back.

Some creatives and their press team have a great relationship. For a press manager to work with the designer to produce such a personal story on film is a truly special one. I love that my first show for NY Men's Fashion Week presented such a great start. Enjoy the beauty of Malan Breton Men's Spring 2016.

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Malan Breton Brides & Grooms 2016

The young couples of Malan Breton always have a nostalgic quality to them. They silhouettes are like an optimistic prom from the 1950's, but with contemporary color palettes and a lot more diversity.

The brides did not stick with traditional white, but soft colors and romantic patterns. There were even some beautifully tailored suits fit for the feminine body for brides who prefer to wear the pants or ladies who serve as the best man at a wedding. The grooms had a range of hues to choose from as well. In addition to the classic black and white, there were rich blues, champagne, pewter to a stunning fuschia.

I love Breton's use of color and luxurious fabrics in this and his main collection. He shows you can dress with a classic esthetic but without being stuffy or bland.

He's one of the biggest cheerleaders for his home country of Taiwan. In the same month as presenting this bride and groom's fashion show simultaneously on the Empire Hotel Rooftop, he is also debuting his film (didn't you know he was a film director too?) at the Director's Guild of America. Everyone from Daniel Craig, Michael Buble to Kerry Washington and Ariana Grande count themselves as fans.

Update 4/30/2015: 

I just returned from a screening of Malan Breton and Bonnie Bien's film debut of The Journey to Taiwan. I have to say it was an absolutely beautiful love letter to Breton's home country. The colors, his visual storytelling, along with his own narration of his journey really captured the soul of what inspires a fashion designer.

Both in the film and an emotional Q & A afterwards, he spoke of his grandmother as the most beautiful and stylish woman he had ever encountered. She was a fan of French Haute Couture, but also re-made her favorite European silhouettes with traditional Chinese fabrics. You can definitely see how this aesthetic imprinted onto Malan Breton's own design work. His recent NY Fashion Week shows have all included elegant western styling blended with the most beautiful Chinese silks and Chinese details.

I can't wait to see the next step in Malan Breton's beautiful journey!
photos by Mariana Leung

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Malan Breton Spring 2014

If you were living the life of a luxe Barbie doll, how would you choose to dress?  Malan Breton's Spring 2014 collection at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week answered that question for me.  The elegant presentation at Lincoln Center was a mix of icy pink silk, electric blue, black, red and frosty white.
The ladies wore exquisitely tailored suit jackets with cigarette pants that grazed the ankle.  Dresses were young and upscale, like a prom straight out of Gossip Girl.  The gentlemen wore dapper suits with an interesting play on proportions.  Shorts could be mixed with long jackets, double breasted coats with shimmering silk pants.  They were definitely in brighter (and shinier) colors than your average American man is comfortable with.

However, Malan Breton himself is far from the average man.  He is a Renaissance gent who has built a reputation on costume work and television.  However, Wikipedia also makes note of his writing, photography, directing, musician and mentor in addition to designing his own fashion label.  With all of that, he also finds time to dedicate work to charities like amFAR and Care and Share India.

What drives a man to work at so many endeavors at once? Is it boredom?  Is it curiosity?  Maybe it is just a love of life.  I hope to find out some day.

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