NYFW: Tadashi Shoji Fall 2018 #MeToo

In the most unlikely of places, the #MeToo and #TimesUp movement have landed on the runway. Tadashi Shoji's stated his Fall 2018 collection was a tribute to the diverse, strong women in the movement. The looks were presented in a range of silhouettes and lengths to have the wearer feel empowered.

The use of shorter cuts on some dresses or perhaps sheer or lace fabrics was to make the statement that women should feel confident and comfortable to wear anything they wish. There were also a dozen black looks for solidarity to the #MeToo movement demonstrated in the red carpet looks at the Golden Globes Awards.

Backstage at Tadashi Shoji

Looking at the collection purely for its fashion merit, the looks had a certain 1930's Hollywood glamor. The asymmetrical draping and bias cut seams and gathered details was flattering to most body types. Intense jewel tones looked great on different skin tones as did the platinum metallic shimmer fabrics. Hair and makeup gave the models gorgeous big rolled waves, many with a side part a la Veronica Lake.

Shoji's popularity grew on the red carpet after actress Octavia Spencer wore several of his looks over the awards season where she won multiple awards for The Help. She made it a point to choose Tadashi Shoji because he was one of the few designers happy to dress full figured women towards the beginning of her career.

If you are about to walk the red carpet, make sure you are dressed by a designer who has your back. Tadashi Shoji is the supportive, glamorous choice you need.

Photos by Mariana Leung

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#NYFW: Tadashi Shoji Spring 2017

This was one of the prettiest runways in the first few days of NYFW. Tadashi Shoji drew his inspiration from the art of Wu Junyong. The show opened with an animated short called "The Living Ark" that had a dreamy depiction of animals and birds romping through nature. A crane saves the animals by pulling up the tree by pulling it up from a scorched Earth.

So how does that translate to eveningwear exactly? The dreamy blue, white, green and red from the animation was reflected in the collection. There were feathered fringe dresses to represent the birds. There were beautiful flowers embroidered onto dresses and jackets that had an exotic Garden of Eden look. Flowers were also entwined in the lace. Other embroideries emulated animal patterns like tiger or leopard. The silhouettes ranged from long and lean and slinky to short and flirty. There were a lot of sheer looks from the lace and embroidered tulle. Some of the dress bodices had corset closures. This was one of the sexiest Tadashi Shoji collections I have seen from the designer.

The jewelry of choice was the extra-long tassel earrings that swung from the models' ears. The hair was pulled back, but the knot and a few strands of hair was deliberately loose to show how the attitude was not supposed to be stuffy. There was a handbag or two with feathers trailing from the bottom.

Tadashi Shoji always has a sweet smile for all of his fans. He was one of the few big designers who happily made red carpet gowns for women of all sizes a few years ago. The rest of the industry is slowly catching up to him. I loved watching this pretty collection, I think this season was my favorite of all his collections.

All photos by Mariana Leung

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Tadashi Shoji Fall 2015

It was all about celebrating the beauty of flight for Tadashi Shoji's Fall 2015 collection. He expressed his love of flight with two running themes throughout the show. Of course, he did this in the most gorgeous way possible at New York Fashion Week.

 The first theme was interpreted through the mechanics of airplanes. While it was not obvious, the lovely embellishments of beaded circles and brocade lace represented the gears of an plane. This technique was used to accent necklines, straps, and waistbands or as engineered embroidery on a bodice or as a full-length gown.

The second motif was a bird theme. Cocktail dresses were trimmed with feathers. Shredded organza and fur were manipulated to give the look of wings and feathers on other looks. The most beautiful styles were the embroidered appliques of wings and feathers that curved around the body in different ways. There was even a group of styles that incorporated both the birds and plane gears into elegant brocade.

You had your choice of classic black and white or rich jewel tones of amethyst, emerald, and sapphire. While the collection was sexy in a sophisticated way, the dresses have an appeal for those who have a more modest taste or like more coverage. Other designers who show a lot of skin seem to forget that there is a huge customer base who like to leave more to the imagination.

Whatever your preference, Tadashi Shoji's fashion design for fall is ready to fly and soar.
photos by Mariana Leung

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#NYFW: Tadashi Shoji Spring 2015

Leave it lace.  Tadashi Shoji’s fashion show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week demonstrated all of the beautiful things you could do with lace.  There were two-toned black and white laces.  There were engineered motifs.  There were soft monochromatic laces in rich blue hues.  There were daytime outfits that used lace as a trim or inserted panel. 

The overall effect was a beautiful, feminine collection that had a classic elegance.  While many other designers are showing a lot of bare skin, Tadashi Shoji’s offered a variety of sleeve lengths and longer hemlines.  This shows an awareness of his customer and more practical dressing.  Contrary to what many of us like to see in magazines, there are a lot of people who actually like a bit more coverage in real life.  There is also a large (wealthy) shopping contingent that also follows more modest dress rules (they call themselves “Mipsters”) in accordance with their religion.  Not only that, when “spring” clothes hits the stores, it’s actually the beginning of February.

Now, if you would like some skin showing, there were long gowns that showed the leg through very sheer lace.  If you just want a peek of skin, there were styles that offered that in the form of a narrow transparent panel across the collarbone.

Tadashi Shoji also offered forgiving silhouettes like relaxed shifts and capes.  These styles looked no less tailored as they were beautifully finished with the most delicate of fabrics.

It’s nice to know there is at least one high end designer who consciously designs for all body types and communities within his collection.  This is a fact that women who don’t fit the traditional Hollywood body type have learned to embrace on the red carpet.  Isn’t it comforting to know that whatever shape you get into, Tadashi Shoji has your back!

photos by Mariana Leung

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#NYFW: Tadashi Shoji Fall 2014

The cape!  If there has been any trend that has had the most variations for New York Fashion Week Fall 2014, it has been the cape.  Tadashi Shoji's red and black number above was the most breathtaking one so far.  The rest of the runway was a mix of long, fitted silhouettes with light sheer fabrics that gave movement to the models' steps.

Artisanal lace, delicately printed chiffon, saturated red and blue organza gowns had a regal look perfect for a princess or red carpet award winner.  While the tall and svelte models suggest otherwise, the dresses are actually quite flattering to a variety of bodies.  The body conscious seams, flowing skirts  and long coats are actually slimming to those who actually need it, or brings some curves to those who need those too.  Maybe it would be beneficial for Tadashi Shoji to hire a diverse group of bodies for his next runway show to demonstrate that?

Another beautiful collection from a really great man.

Photos by David TW Leung

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NY FASHION WEEK: Tadashi Shoji Spring 2014

Spring is the time for light airy gowns and your most feminine self.  At least that is what Tadashi Shoji would argue in yesterday's beautiful show at NY Fashion Week.  Powdery pastels and delicate back and white with some silver thrown in was the color palette of his runway collection.

As tartan is one of the big trends for fall, Tadashi has evolved this trend into a gorgeous sheer glen plaid blended with embroidered lace for his own more elegant version. The long, fit and flared silhouettes reminded me of swans gliding down the catwalk.  Graceful celebs will no doubt grab these for their award show appearances next season.

His more contemporary looks featured a glittering embroidery that looked like fringe when it was used on the hem, or a skyline when used as a neckline.  It was deceptively simple.  There was a mix of fabric , crystal, beads, sequins and ring shaped metallic trim to create the movement and depth.

I won't fawn over this collection completely... There was one miss in the collection.  There was a dress with a fringed bodice right below the bust that would make anyone, including the model look downright matronly.  Unless the intended look was "haute lampshade" I can't imagine that particular dress coming down the red carpet.

What was your favorite look from this collection?  Does plaid and lace work for you?

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NY FASHION WEEK: Tadashi Shoji Fall 2013

Exiled Russian Royalty was the inspiration for Tadashi Shoji's fall 2013 collection.  The designer envisioned a troubled winter journey for the noble set.

Rich fabrics like bonded wool lace, silk chiffon, cut velvet represented the aristocratic beginnings, while embroidered folkloric motifs and paisley symbolized the more peasant lifestyle they had to learn to adapt to.  The dark winter palette had deep rose, intense red, royal blue and black.

The historic silhouettes were easy to wear, and would also thrill the Downton Abbey set.  The silky, long dresses, you know would just feel fantastic on the body.

photos by David TW Leung

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NY FASHION WEEK: Tadashi Shoji Spring 2013

Tadashi Shoji's Spring 2013 show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week was the ultimate in femininity.  Lace in strips, lace in layers, lace cutwork or embroidered, and in wide range of colors.

Silhouettes ranged from baby dolls to full length fishtail gowns.  As the designer has become a hot red carpet commodity this year, (Oscar winner Octavia Spencer championed his work all through awards season) there were dresses that could accommodate every body type on the runway.  

Tadashi Shoji wanted this season to be a journey along a modern, global silk road.  East meets West where vintage embroidered Venetian lace led the way to Ikat printed silk gazar of Kazakhstan.  The palette married warm dessert shades of paprika and rose with cool colors of Jade, China blue and Iris.

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Top Jewelry Trends from NY Fashion Week

Love bling?  Me too.  After sorting through all my NY Fashion week photographs I found the top three trends for Fall 2012 that you can wear now for spring!  Ms. FABulous has partnered with Ice Jewelry to bring you a collection inspired by the runway.

 Bold colors featured on many runways.  From Vivienne Tam, to Anna Sui, Catherine Malandrino to BCBG Max Azria.  In jewelry, this meant large, framed colored stones or chunk bright enamel.  Check out the green onyx bangle and bluHVG GYM WPe topaz onyx earrings for this look.

 Vintage glamour was a top trend for evening wear designers.  Zang Toi brought lots of drama at his show with old Hollywood sirens in red and black.  Ruby lips, jet crystal and some Eastern influence from Tadashi Shoji and Josie Natori truly brought elegance to the runway.  Look for the multi-strand jet necklace or garnet chokers to dress up the most basic of outfits.

Chandeliers earrings were all over the funkiest designers like Betsey Johnson, to sophisticated designers like Zang Toi.  Glitzy drops also elevated the rustic charm of Candela's fashion presentation as well.  My must-have for the season are diamond and sterling silver earrings or a pair of dangling cognac quartz beauties!

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NY FASHION WEEK: Tadashi Shoji Fall 2012

I was positively drooling over many of the gowns from this show...Yards of vintage floral printed silk, lace, embroidered tulle, burnout velvet.  If I could, I wear these fabrics 24/7.  Unfortunately, my lifestyle doesn't allow it.  However, seeing the frocks down the runway, it allowed me to dream.

The inspiration was 1930's Shanghai, without obvious Chinoiserie. This did mean big Oriental blooms in silk, draped like old Hollywood glamour.

While my fellow bloggers watched the show from the posh comfort of the American Express skybox, I was buried deep in the grungier photographer's pit snapping away at next year's red carpet triumphs.

My blogging colleagues relayed the designer himself graced the skybox and told a very touching story about SAG/Golden Globe winning, Oscar nominated actress Octavia Spencer's humble joy in dressing in Tadashi Shoji for her red carpet moment.

The gowns (click through the whole slideshow!) were both sexy and elegant . Unlike many red carpet creations though, these dresses were flattering for most women of all body types.

The Academy Awards are coming up soon...Are you ready?

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Tadashi Shoji Spring 2012

 Take a stroll though an exquisite Japanese garden for Spring...Tadashi Shoji's collection had a bunch of pretty frocks that reminded me of elegant orchids.  The ombre pastel shades and artful use or ruffles must have done it.
Another trending pattern for Spring were stripes, though I usually see them in graphic prints in casual sportswear and not elegant dresses like these:

More on the garden theme...Dreamy transparent painted blooms...

We only had one actual snowstorm so far in 2012 in NYC, and I am already feeling the effects of seasonal effective disorder...Sigh.  Thanks for the peeks of sunshine Mr. Shoji.

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Fashion Fights Cancer

Last week at the Audi Forum, non-profit organization Fashion Fights Cancer hosted a super-chic event.  The soiree included top designers Tadashi Shoji, Byron Lars, Lotusgrace and Thuy along with others who donated items for the sample sale.  Cocktails flowed, guests nibbled on Pop Chips and sweets.  Plenty of models were on hand to sell and pose in the garments.
Host Suzy Malick and other speakers spoke passionately about the cause as well as cancer survivor stories. While having a good time, they also shed light on the higher purpose of the stylish soiree. Proceeds from this event will benefit the I’m Too Young for This Cancer Foundation and The Cancer Research Institute. 

Photos by Mariana L 

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