NYFW: Custo Barcelona Fall 2024

Forget quiet luxury. Custo Barcelona's Fall 2024 is all about maximalist style. I love Custo Barcelona's bright graphic prints every season. When the weather gets more relaxed and more parties are on the calendar, I love the sparkly texture color-blocked into the silhouettes in this collection. 

Fall 2024 had a mix of easy, relaxed bodies for those still in post-Covid comfort mode. Then, there are a few body-conscious lean dresses to show off the physiques of those who worked out the last few years. 

A few graphic, street art-inspired embellished prints would look great as an elevated pairing with jeans under a jacket. 

My favorite was the sparkly turquoise fringe pieces that lit up the runway. 

Beauty-wise, the models were kept casual and fresh. Why compete with the main show of the clothes?

Bring on the sun!

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NYFW: Custo Barcelona SS24

When I think of SPRING 2024 collections from this past NY Fashion Week, Custo Barcelona's SS24 runway was the first to come to mind. The sunny rays of yellow, sky blue and statement shades from the runway are exactly what I needed on this frigid, snow-filled week. I am looking forward to warmer, brighter days, hopefully in the coming weeks! 

Many of the looks were breezy, sheer and flowing. While I shiver here in the show, I daydream of these Custo Barcelona outfits on the beach boardwalk in warmer times. I always loved this brand's mix of patterns and color. This spring, the design details also include sexy cut-outs, continuing a popular trend from recent seasons. Also, some sparkly embellishments accent daytime looks. While the silhouettes are can be more relaxed, the designer wanted to make sure that casual, athleisure is a thing of Covid past. This label has never been for the wallflower, and that's what makes is so fun. Bring on the sun!

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#NYFW: Desigual Spring 2015 With Adriana Lima

Blooming runway! It was the first official day of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.  Desigual's Spring 2015 show was the highlight most of the photographers looked forward to.  The male shooters were buzzing about Adriana Lima who walked the runway.

I have to say, the mother of two brought heat to this catwalk.  The big, bold graphic prints made the tent a hothouse of style.  There were bright florals, engineered geometric prints in their signature rainbow of colors.  There were a lot of easy, short knit dresses that looked comfortable and easy to throw on.  The big slouchy handbags were also made in high contrast patterns.

As loud as the prints were in this collection, they are still wearable for the demure shy gal.  The simple silhouettes are relaxed and can be paired with a solid jacket or cardigan.  The ground color of many of the prints are black or white, which matches a few things most women have in their closet.

Big flower crowns were the accessory of choice, giving a Latin, romantic feel to the show.  The cheeky thought bubbles brought a smile to the audience, ranging from "I need a boyfriend" to "I love photographers".   The finale was a shower of rose petals from the models themselves.

If there is a secret garden where all of these looks live, let me be the first to visit...
photos by Mariana Leung

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Fortuny y Madrazo Exhibit

Mariano Fortuny came from a prominent artistic family in Spain.  His most famous contributions to fashion history were his revolutionary pleated fabrics and Delphos dresses.  He also brought in the exotic references from Asia, Africa and multi-cultural muses of his travels into luxury dressing.

A new exhibit at the Queen Sofia Spanish Institute examines Fortuny's work and inspiration.  Curated by Oscar de la Renta, the show shows a large range of his fashion designs, but also his paintings, photography and etchings.  There are photographs that Fortuny took in Greece and Morocco, as well as self portraits and one of his studio.  He was also ahead of his time in photographing his clothing designs on models from many different angles, so viewers could have a virtual 360 degree view like a modern lookbook.

He pioneered the hand pleating technique of his signature fabric (that no one has yet to replicate).  The light, airy Delphos dress was a rebel against the corseted silhouettes of recent past, and he weighted the dress down to hold its shape with glass beads.  He had a partner in his wife Henrietta, who was also an accomplished dressmaker and artist on his beautiful textile designs.  He created his own dyes and pigments for his artwork, some of which were marketed with his name.

I am floored (and envious) of Mariano Fortuny's rich life of such artistic creativity.  Besides painting, photography, textile and fashion design, he also was a theater and lighting designer... His family legacy had generations of artistic accomplishment that led to him, his family peers were the greatest artists of the century.  Being able to work with his wife, living in a gorgeous palazzo in Venice...Sounds heavenly doesn't it?   You must check out this exhibit!

Fortuny y Madrazo: An Artistic Legacy

Queen Sofia Spanish Institute

684 Park Avenue, New York NY 10065

November 30, 2012 - March 30, 2012

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