#NYFW: Kate Spade's Urban Garden Spring 2016

A spring collection from Kate Spade is like visiting the most fabulous garden party ever. This season, the blooms were more urban. The venue was filled with buckets upon buckets of fresh flowers to emulate the surprisingly plentiful selection offered by NYC'S modest bodegas.

There were several groupings of inspiration. There was a floral and sweet group of pink, red and black with bigger shopper handbags, feminine shoes with bows or rhinestones.  The more whimsical offerings included puppies shaped bags, circus carousels and teapots. 

There was a honeybee group with more of a yellow, white and black story. Daisy motifs were in appliques, prints and laser cut patterns on the clothing.  Handbags included a demure daisy clutch to wicker honeypots. 

Kate Spade remains a favorite among women in NYC as one of the few brands take us away from our cliche black. This brand does sweet and feminine but with a twist, (just like our cocktails).

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MIAMI FASHION WEEK: Maaji Swimwear 2015

It was Derby time at the Maaji Swimwear show for Mercedes Fashion Week Swim.  Columbian esigners  Juliana Londoño and  Nani Valenzuela created a “Royal Riders” theme for their runway.  The collection featured a mix of swimwear and active wear with a preppy, equestrian aesthetic with a twist.

Gingham, plaids, detailed horse prints and florals were executed in neon and nude colors.  The bikinis were paired with tweed jackets, riding helmets, riding crops and platform heeled oxfords.  Jackets had variations of racing ribbons.  Skimpy suits were worn with traditional cardigans and houndstooth capes.  The tennis rackets, suspenders and jockey clubs all made for an adorable tongue-in-cheek take on stuffy country club style.

Elaborately printed rash guards would look great doing double duty as a fashion top.  Board shorts for men had corresponding prints with contrast waistbands.  This was the one show I attended that offered a few men’s styles and male models to present them.  The bit of beefcake was much appreciated by the female guests in attendance in the long sea of bikinis.  Celebrity guests included TV personalities Serinda Swan, Adriana de Moura and Luann de Lesseps.

Hell, I know I’m ready for a ride…

photos by Mariana Leung

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MIAMI FASHION WEEK: Luli Fama 2015

It's Carnival time in South Beach.  Luli Fama always brings the festivities to the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim.   To open their 2015 runway show, they brought dancers on stilts adorned in elaborate feathered costumes.

Designer Lourdes Hanimian and her brother-in-law Augusto developed the label after working with their aunt in the swimwear industry.  That’s a new family business combination.  Luli Fama was born with the influences of Miami and Cuba.  You can see the cultures mixing in the lush prints of the collection.  Painterly brush strokes are blended with jungle florals and animal prints.  Retro paisley cover-ups are mixed with solid pastel bikinis with metallic details. 

Crochet accents embellished straps and bikini bottoms.  Innovative hip cut outs added a sexy touch.  Fishnet style knits were seen in tunics, cropped tops, skirts and dresses as cover-up options that showed off the swimsuit underneath. 

Luli Fama attracts celebrities like Beyonce Knowles, Shakira and now LeAnn Rimes who sat in the front row.  She tweeted her appreciation of the itsy bitsy bikinis on the catwalk.   

photos by Mariana Leung

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