House of Waris Jewelry

Some of the most interesting designers of NY Fashion Week were not on the runway.  Waris Ahluwalia first made waves co-starring in The Darjeeling Limited and other quirky movies like Rosencrantz and Gildenstern are Undead.  He is consistently spotted by NY media as the ultimate global hipster socializing around town.

As a designer, he has craftsmen in Rome and India make the jewelry for the House of Waris.  His collections have been known to sell out at luxury boutiques like Maxfield's in Los Angeles and Bergdorf Goodman in New York.

The collection he showed in the Lincoln Center tents during Mercedes-Benz Fashion week had an elegant look with European and Eastern influences.  Gold pieces were inlaid with delicate stones, shapes were inspired by forms in nature.  I don't know what I like more, the idea of Waris, an international man of style celebrated for his "exotic" look, or that he has the multi-tasking career that any fashionista would dream of (boutique/jewelry/tea shop entrepreneur with an acting career in artsy films).

If you're shopping for a jetsetter this holiday, this collection is the one to complete your gift list.

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NY FASHION WEEK: Cynthia Rowley Spring 2011

This is always one of the shows I look forward to.  Cynthia Rowley has always represented girly, flirty fun clothes with a sense of humor.  This collection did not disappoint.  The major theme for Spring 2011 was circles.  This came in three-dimensional cabochon appliqués in different sizes or the opposite; perforated circular holes.

The color palette reminded me of licorice all-sorts which fit the candy-dots effect of the cabochons.  The circular holes in the garments also reminded me of the old Lollipop building that used to be across from Columbus circle (now the Museum of Arts and Design).  Was this a nod to the show's Lincoln Center location?

Cynthia Rowley paid a more direct tribute to the new Fashion Week location's performing arts roots in using sets from the NYC Ballet's "Swan Lake" and "Romeo and Juliet".  Ms. Rowley is a fan.

Wouldn't you know it?  Just as klutzy Ms. FAB sat down, she cut her wrist on her own jewelry and had to use the dress-up band-aids that were placed on each seat...

Spotted in the front row:  Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn

For more looks, see the slideshow below:

Photos by Mariana L.

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House of Waris Design Competition

Fashion Incubator inductee, the House of Waris, is heading for the Highline.  What this means for you is that Waris Ahluwalia needs a designer for his pop-up shop to house his jewelry collection.

Your budget will be $5000.  The winning designers will be responsible for building and installing the set-up for Building Fashion, a premier NYC cultural event this fall.  You will be working closely with Mr. Ahluwalia to collaborate on the perfect design.

Judges consist of luminaries from architecture, fashion and design.  Winners will be featured in a multitude of design websites and magazines.  

Miss this one?  The Building Fashion project is a series of design challenges with different fashion designers.  Subscribe and see which project is for you!

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