The Blonds Spring 2018 - Platinum Paradise

DO blondes have more fun? The label is called The Blonds for a reason. Spring 2018 for the designers took the general concept of streetwear and amplified the glamor and embellishment to the Nth degree.

Starting with the basic garment items of denim jackets, jumpsuits, slip dresses and shorts, the pieces were then given an extreme bling treatment. 

The Blonds are known for dressing the biggest stage divas of our generation. This collection offered outfits for performing AND for when they want to step out without losing the glamour.

Embellishment artisans were working backstage right up until the moment models took the runway. The Blonds collaborated with Preciosa Crystals to create colorful jeweled embroideries that elevated each piece. The three-dimensional look to the embroidery was achieved through a combination of mixed sizes and shapes of the crystal components, embellished with an irregular pattern. Large, chunky chains were also used to give a shiny, urban glam effect to the hardware. Big cut fabric appliques were twisted and folded to give a dimensional, lacy look.

Preciosa crystals were also used for the beauty looks. Make-up artists painstakingly applied crystals for elaborate nail art and as eye embellishments.

Despite the "platinum" theme, I liked the diversity of the models. A full range of ethnicities, genders and body shapes were represented, as long as they looked fierce. 

Celebrities in the front row included Paris Hilton and Instagram meme curator and The Fat Jewish, rumored to be launching a fashion collection together. 

Attending The Blonds Spring 2018 collection does set the bar high for you guys, so good luck.

Need a dose of bling and fabulous-ness? You can rest here.
All photos by Mariana Leung

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The Blonds Present The Mummy Fall 2017

The Blonds Fall 2017 was one of the most highly anticipated shows of the season. Photographers live for their showmanship on the runway. The theme this year was The Mummy to celebrate the movie release today.

Looking at these photographs, you can see the cliche bandage wrapping of the past was not in play. The Mummy star Sofia Boutella's look in the film has an exotic, dark style. She appears to be deteriorating elegantly in a body conscious costume. The Blonds collection also has a dark, exotic look that is sexy and body conscious. Spiders and their webs are a repeated motif. Several looks have a shredded texture created in feathers, embellished with rich Preciosa pearls.

from The Mummy, Universal Pictures

Preciosa Crystal Components is a major collaborator with designers Philip and David Blond. Preciosa, a leader in producing the most brilliant crystals for jewelry, home, and fashion design. They particularly love working with The Blonds as they use their entire library of materials and techniques in their collection. This season included gigantic faceted teardrops, pearls, trims down to the smallest crystal seed beads.

The hair was equally dramatic. Polished curls twisted into odd angles framed elaborately fierce eye makeup. Intimidating boots with 5" - 6" stiletto heels made the models look larger than life, like the Goddesses (or demons) that were their muse.

Are you going to find these looks on the rack of your local boutique? Not too likely. Will you find them gracing the bodies of your favorite pop icon? The probability is higher. The collection and fashion show was spectacular. Bravo The Blonds!

Runway photos by Mariana Leung

More on Ms. Fabulous:

Guo Pei's Dragon Dramatic Haute Couture

Susanne Bartsch's Landauland

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The Blonds Take You Down the Rabbit Hole Fall 2016

Well hello, Alice. The Blonds took you down the rabbit hole for NY Fashion Week for fall 2016. My favorite designers of over-the-top glam diva looks brought lots of pink, Marilyn Monroe and dazzling Preciosa crystals to the runway at Milk Studios.

If you have ever seen a pop star (like, any of them) and admired their glittering outfit, it was probably created by David and Phillipe Blond. There was a fantastic fashion exhibit of The Blonds' most iconic stage outfits last season with Rootstein Mannequins.

Fall 2016 was about surreal, sexy corsets, gown and lots and lots of bling. Christian Louboutin created custom heels to match the looks. There were a few gowns and some unsubtle streetwear options. These are not outfits for the wallflower or appropriate for the real life of most people. If you are not filling stadiums with your star wattage, these would be Haute Couture masterpieces for collecting. The looks were for the anti-heroine. Think Tarantino's kick-ass ladies more than Jane Austen.

The exquisite handwork of velvet applique roses, lace, structured boning would make any burlesque queen an obsessive. The pink palette and gigantic bows gave a nod to Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Huge crystal jewels in various sizes and shapes were augmented with extra reflective coatings to really shine.

The Blonds collaborated with crystal manufacturer Preciosa to work on special pieces for Britney Spears this season. As an embroidery designer who has used their product many times in my own work, it was a delight to chat with Klara Karaspova, the Area Trade Marketing Manager for the inside scoop. Their PR agency acted as matchmaker so Preciosa could offer their full offerings of crystal elements for The Blonds to incorporate into their designs.

Preciosa has a huge range of colors and finishes, but their product developers still scour the globe for the most important hues and textures of emerging trends for the designers to use. For fashion and jewelry designers can hot-fix the stones or embroider them when they are in fixed settings. Developing new colors or shapes can take months or even years before they are right for the market.

If you have ever wanted to live your own twisted fairy tale. The Blonds Fall 2016 collection have earned the King and Queen of my Heart. Preciosa crystals will be the ones to make the crown.

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