Tag: Proenza Schouler

Categories
Fashion

Women’s Spring/Summer 2017 Trend Report

The time machine is back in effect for the Spring 2017 collections. The 80’s redux, from metallics to mini lengths and strong shoulders at Erdem, Kenzo, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Monse, Rodarte, and Saint Laurent. Taking us back to the “I want my MTV’ and Reagan era. Yes the 80’s are back!

“Flower power” also took a major role. Big, bold, graphic and colorful floral prints were apparent at Balenciaga, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci and more. Motorcross Mondrian-esque prints were also in effect. Speed racer inspired looks from Fendi, Proenza Schouler, to Sonia Rykiel and Versace alike. Fatigues are here to stay. Utilitarian is going on strong. Khakis and army greens at Balmain, Bottega Veneta, Celine, and Loewe, in ruffled greens, sheers and mini camo. Wanderlust looks in patch work, printed sweeping lengths, ruched and layered dresses took a play at Alberta Ferretti, Alexander McQueen, Chloe, Etro, Lanvin, Oscar De La Renta, Roberto Cavalli and Valentino.

Beyond the shadow of doubt, rose was the prominent color of Spring 2017. Rosy hues appeared on various runways. Strong feminine tones and silhouettes at Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Celine, Givenchy, Hermes, Jil Sander, Jason Wu, Ralph Lauren, Valentino and Vetements. As the majestic Diana Vreeland so gracefully once said: “Pink is the navy blue of India.”

Categories
Fashion

Our Favorite Recent Looks For Spring and Summer

[slideshow_deploy id=’46603′]

Like everyone, we’re happy for the return of Spring and Summer, especially because we love the innovative, colorful and striking fashions of the seasons.

This is obvious in the work of Dries Van Noten who plays with  sensual colors— subtle yet featuring shocking fluorescent hues first seen in his degrade blazers from his Spring/Summer 2011 collection. Light was the main inspiration for this collection. The erotic and modern influence of artist Jef Verheyen is a signature of the Dries woman.

The Céline Spring/Summer 2013 collection radiated with a muted elegance. Sparse colors combined with extravagant texture pairings, such as fur Birkenstocks and night-gown inspired dresses, in a uniquely feminine approach.

Another collection inspired by femininity was the exquisite Spring/Summer 2011 Proenza Schouler line. The designer duo twisted the commonly known codes of femininity.  They dyed  lace, layered the suits with sequins, and exchanged pumps for gladiator sandals.

Here are some of the most inspirational looks of the recent past.

-Paris Amaro.

Categories
Fashion

Best Looks From Metropolitan Museum Costume Institute Gala

[slideshow_deploy id=’45878′]

The stars were dazzling last night at the annual Metropolitan Museum Costume Institute Gala 2014 on the Upper East Side.

This year’s gala  honored  British-born designer Charles James, who revolutionized American fashion in the mid-20th century, along with iconic Vogue editor Anna Wintour.

Celebrities ranging from First Lady Michelle Obama to Diane Von Furstenberg to Jessica Alba to Kim Kardashian walked the red carpet up into the lobby of the museum that was exquisitely decorated by an enormous mannequin covered with around 10,000 flowers that symbolized the beauty and elegance of the designs of the legendary couturier.

“The mind combines with the body to exploit its senses, its functions, its appearance,” James once said, and that philosophy was obvious in the beautiful gowns, poise and allure of the celebrities, luminaries and socialites that attended the event.

The event is widely regarded as one of the most exclusive social occasions in New York and one of the biggest fundraising nights of the city with a reported nine million dollars raised last year, alone.

Here are our picks for the top looks of the amazing evening.

-Paris Amaro.

Categories
Fashion

Step Up and See Our Top Ten Shoes of Spring 2014

[slideshow_deploy id=’45626′]

There is always an obsession with shoes, and this Spring designers are focused on transforming the notion of sporty shoes and elevating them into a more sophisticated category.

This trend was seen at the Chanel Haute-Couture show which showed the elegance of decadent light luxury paired with running shoes. This was a look that generated both controvery and great interest.

Another hot shoe trend is kitten heels, which we saw all over the shows from Saint Laurent to the exquisite boots of Rodarte.

Textures and colors were also a highlight of the season, with a mix of leathers and cuts like those shown by Valentino and Proenza Schouler.

But the big winner this season seems to be the flat ballerina shoes of Rochas, featuring yellow ostrich feathers and other festive embellishments making them, without a doubt, the shoes of the season.

Here are our top ten shoes for Spring 2014.

-Paris Amaro

Categories
Fashion

Top Ten Looks To Remember From Balmain to Prada

[slideshow_deploy id=’45447′]

In fashion, there’s something fresh about looking back instead of forward. The nostalgia of the essence of fashion through all of its stages makes us remember when Gianni exploded with his supermodel extravaganza or the Galliano glamour galore. Expecting the unexpected, designers made us dream and fantasize about the ideal woman and the beauty archetype: this evolution was fast, one outfit after another–these fashion moments will never been forgotten.

The Balmain woman is the type of girl who doesn’t need a compliment to feel fabulous and with the Spring 2009 Ready-to-Wear collection, Christophe Decarnin made us remember that a pair of jeans could look chic paired with a pointy shoulder pad jacket. Decarnin created ultra luxurious casual wear with an exquisite french allure.

Giles Deacon changed the language of English fashion by winning the French ANDAM award. With his Spring 2010 collection, he introduced a new take on the aesthetic of Paris’ fashion week before showing in London. A spooky and childish look that combined all sorts of textures and prints (metallics, spiders, dinosaurs and tulle.) Daphne Guinness opened this collection which impacted the model and the casting industry, the woman who couldn’t model 5 seasons ago now starts the fashion weeks.  Giles whispered to us that he can perfectly blend a sophisticated look with charisma. Oh.. and the bags!

Freja Beha Erichsen in look 18 of the Spring 2010 Alexander Wang show: This look defined the future of the young designer with a relaxed Americana aesthetic that combines sportswear hybrids with luxurious fabrics that clash together in a sexy, feminine and exciting way. This collection was famous for the accessories and the beauty statement, propelling the ‘just-woke-up’ look back into the game.

Proenza Schouler‘s Spring 2010 collection was a successful launch for the young duo. A collection inspired by surfers, California and exotic reefs, the prints and silhouette of the outfits were an amazing take on mini-skirts and mini-dresses. It also was a redefinition of the codes of the house that include a bold mix of color, layers and new techniques. The Salamandra tee of look 20 became an instant Pièce de résistance. 

“Beautiful-Ugly,” a term that Miuccia Prada created and continues to this day when the Spring 2010 collection of Prada  made the head turns of younger consumers and fashion fanatics.  Yet another collection with a strong beauty statement and a fresh take on tailoring. The chandelier dresses and sunglasses were the highlights of the season.

Revisit your love for fashion with these 10 looks.

-Paris Amaro

Categories
Fashion Uncategorized

Parsons’ Dean Simon Collins’ Book Spotlights The School’s Fashion Success Stories

parsons

Parsons’ New School for Design’s Dean of Fashion, Simon Collins has written a book,  putting a spotlight on the school’s most successful students who have risen to the top of  the American fashion world, over the past 30 years.

Parsons is internationally renowned as one of the world’s top schools for fashion design. For decades, students from all over the world have made their way to New York to study there.

Many students have graduated and become internationally designers and are featured in this book, including Claire McCardell and Anna Sui to Behnaz Sarafpour, Donna Karan, Narciso Rodriguez, Alexander Wang and Proenza Schouler.

Simon Collins pinpoints 30 individuals for this luxury tome from Assouline Publishing in New York City which will be initially available at an exhibition at the Milk Gallery on 15th Street in the Meatpacking district beginning on Thursday and running through until April 19.

The book features portraits, original sketches, illustrations and Q&As with the Parsons-educated designers, who talk about their successful careers.

“When I first joined Parsons in 2008, I was knocked out by the wealth of our alumni, but I was also intrigued by how we were not terrifically connected to them at the time,” Collins told Women’s Wear Daily. “As I met with them, either socially or professionally, it became clear that there were stories I really wanted to learn about.”

Among those were the individual reasons the students had for choosing Parsons. “Donna [Karan] chose the school because Claire McCardell was a big inspiration for her, and Narciso chose it because Donna was a big inspiration for him,” Simons said to WWD. “Behnaz chose it because Narciso was a big inspiration for her. It was this continuous cycle.”

The proceeds of book sales there will go toward the creation of a Parsons scholarship fund.

For more information about The School of Fashion go to: assouline.com

-Patricia Rashidi