VLOV Spring 2013

How do you like the new year so far?  I felt like I had neglected the guys for a bit.  VLOV is a menswear label from China looking to make a splash stateside.  Their spring 2013 collection at New York Fashion Week was relaxed but elegant.

The pieces consisted of easy, shorter jackets, linen blazers, leather jackets with asymmetrical zippers.  Shorts and longer pants with a slim, but relaxed fit.  Light knits looked really comfortable.  The color palette had a lot of cool greys, neutral beige, black, blue and dark olive.  A few of the proportions looked a little off to me, and that might be because the fit was tailored to the Asian market.

Footwear was a simple leather sandal.  Large man-purse totes were the bag of choice on this runway.  I'm not sure this will catch on with the gents in this country, but I personally would love one for myself.

Happy 2013 guys!

photos by Mariana Leung

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NY Fashion Week Preview

Excited for NY Fashion Week yet? Just thought I would share some sneak peeks from fashion designers and their fashion illustrations for their upcoming runway shows.

Top, we have Custo Barcelona.  It looks for spring 2013, it will be a candy colored palette and of course, lots of texture!  Then we have Don O'Neill's sketch of a blue gown for Theia, and Norisol Ferrari's dramatic red dress.  Fierce and elegant.

In sportswear, VLOV looks like it is doing sedate but crisp suits for spring.  Jenni Kayne is working the variegated stripe and flirty skirts. Tracy Reese is rocking skinny pants and bright colored jackets with a high low hem.

Libertine has some bright colors and interesting silhouettes ready.  Rachel Roy's sketches show some flattering seaming details for spring and a continuation on the trend of color blocking.  Vivienne Tam drew upon inspiration from the 5 elements and Christian Siriano was inspired by the American Ballet.

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VLOV - China's Menswear Hope

China was where designers were knocked off, now they are luxury brands fastest growing market.  With all of those resources, where are their mega-labels?  VLOV, which stands for Victory & Love is the award-winning menswear brand by Qing Qing Wu.  Priced to be affordable to a middle-class rice point, he aims to compete with Calvin Klein and Hugo Boss on his turf.  

The designer presented his vision at NY Fashion Week in Lincoln Center with an easy palette of black, charcoal, light grey and pops of bright blue.  There were some 1980's references of wet-look nylon jackets mixed in with zipper details and edgier jacket/shorts combos.  I don't know if the looks here will be too forward for middle-America, but they did get compliments from the more fashionable International fans in the audience.  

It's a longshot, but wouldn't it be a coup for a Chinese designed label to outsource to the USA for production? Just imagining.  But hey, NY designers, Save the Garment Center and keep manufacturing on your home turf!

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