Barbara Casasola - Autumn/Winter 2013 Ready-To-Wear

Do you remember at the beginning of this year that I introduced a beautiful fashion designer named Barbara Casasola? She is a London-based Brazilian designer and she started her "parred-down occasion wear" in 2012. She only had till a Autumn 2012 and Spring Ready-To-Wear 2013 back then, and they were beautiful. Her style are very simple and chic. They tend to be longer gowns with flowy type of fabrics and the colors are usually restrained and rarely has more than two colors in one look.

This season, Barbara took a lot of risk comparing to her past. She had pants and shorter dresses with mesh and mix-matching colors. The use of chiffon is more prominent in this collection, comparing to her last Autumn/Winter collection where its mostly velvet. This new collection is beautiful and sophisticated like her other designs, and there are definitely some gowns that I will like to steal.

What do you think of this collection?

Cheap Monday - Featured Designer of Stockholm Fashion Week A/W 2013

Cheap Monday Logo

Stockholm Ready-To-Wear Fashion Show has one spotlight - Cheap Monday! I first noticed Cheap Monday on my favorite Korean Pop band, 2NE1. It is a Swedish brand that has weird quirky designs and funky shapes. I think all of the dresses and bottoms in the collection is super badass. The garments are all perfect for everyday wear. My favorite would be the jeans on the last look. The red and black and white blend created a very unique texture that will look great on anyone.

Their Spring/Summer 2013 Collection is on sale now, and do check it out, it is totally worth it. I will be putting together a huge list of what to get from there so, wait for a new post within a few days! Cheap Monday Shopping edition coming soon!

Visit their websites for more!

Academy of Art University - Featured Designer of New York Fashion Week A/W 2013

Fall 2013 RTW - Overview

Mercedez-Benz Fashion Week is a one of the biggest celebration for all fashion designers. Only with rare opportunity will a designer be able to be part of it. Fortunately for fashion students from Academy of Art University in San Francisco, CA were able to participate in this week-long celebration. I must say, I am very impressed with this group of students. Fashion designing students collaborating with textile students creating the perfect balance of style, beauty, and high-fashion. I thought it is so great that Mercedez-Benz gave them their chance to show their talent. 

Designers included are Chenxi Li, Heather McDonald, Heather Scholl, Janine M. Villa and Amanda Nervig, Qian Xie, Teresa Field, James Thai, and Leah Aripotch, Yuming Weng. They are all very talented students and each presented six to nine pieces during the show. All of their designs are displayed below, please look at them and more information about each collection may be explained in details later!

Check it out below, and stay tuned with the university's fashion communities, there are a lot of rising stars there and they may be the future of the fashion scene! 

Fall 2013 RTW - Janine M. Villa and Amanda Nervig

Designer(s): Janine Villa and Amanda Nervig 

Degree: M.F.A. Fashion Design; M.F.A. Knitwear Design
Inspiration: Vintage Welsh Rugs. 

Trend - Fashion Week A/W 2013 GLOVES

Gloves is always important during winters, and this season it is a highlight during fashion week. Granted, not all designers utilized gloves, but many have and they are gorgeous! They are generally chic and stylish, emphasizing the looks over form. However, there are some that looks both stylish and warm. Alexander Wang's boxer gloves inspired furriness is one of the great examples. I would love to wear a pair and experience the warmth. Chanel had four pair of gloves that are super stylish looking. Some of them even look like those armors in video games. Finally, Alexander McQueen has the most unique gloves. They are not really gloves per say, but they are the coolest looking. They are as if claws. 

Keep looking to look at the variety of gloves we have this season, you may be surprised :)

Trend - New York Fashion Week A/W2013 SHOES

I've been intending to do this post for a long time now... SHOES! I've loved shoes for the longest time, and whenever I can choose between an awesome pair of shoes and a great jacket, I will go for the shoes 9 out of 10 times. For me, the choice of shoes are one of the easiest way to dress an outfit up or down. As a student, I usually wear a simple pair of jeans and knit top. However, if I feel that today is a special day, I will wear a pair of fancier shoes instead of a pair of sneakers, or wear a type of shoes to impress people. So it may not be a huge surprise that I want to talk about the shoes trends this season. 

there are six general forms of shoes presented for the Fall 2013 collection: heels, ankle booties, mid/lower-calves boots, knee-high boots, strappy heels, and alteration looks of traditional shoes (I'll explain in a bit). I've gathered photos from the runway shows and hopefully provided an easier view of this season's beautiful shoe collection! I had There are a few designs that are my ultimate favorites, but my favorite designer throughout the season would be Prabal Gurung. His designs and I looks chic and empowering, and I would do anything to get a pair (especially one of these boots!)

Now, let's start analyzing the season!

Ankle Bootie

A/W 2013 Ready-to-Wear: Ankle Bootie 

Lace-Up and Leather. These boots are generally ankle high, and some has platform, some doesn't. Platforms are slowly beginning to phase out and we may be able to see that in more pictures below.

Vivienne Westwood - Featured Designer for PARIS Fashion Week A/W 2013

Vivienne Westwood design has always been crazy and very different from usual designer wear.  This ready-to-wear collection was inspired by Illuminated Medieval Manuscripts. They are those old book pages with drawings. The color-scheme certainly matches the inspiration, and some motifs are similar to these manuscripts. To be honest, I thought that it may have been inspired by Zombie's too, since the make up for the models are all kind of gross and icky, while the garments are all drapey and dirty looking.

None of the looks are wearable on its own, but each garments are certainly edgy and they may be cool additions to one's wardrobe! I was a little shocked when I saw this collection. Even though she is known to be a bit out of the box and crazy, her "Red Label" tends to go on a bit safer side than this. This was an eye-opener and I admire how she executed such a complicated design. There are some looks that are beautiful and some that aren't on par as much, but in general, it was a striking collection that I would love to see again next season!

Dolce & Gabbana - Featured Designer for MILAN Fashion Week A/W 2013

As you may remember, we did a highlight coverage and review for the New York Fashion Week that happened earlier this month. I wanted to do the same thing for the other 3 fashion capitol's fashion week, but I'm not sure if I want to make this place into completely fashion week packed. So I decided to only pick out some shows that are so awesome that it is a sin to not share.

Today, we will visit Dolce & Gabbana at Milan's Fashion Week!

Before we get into the designs, I must say that the presentation of this show is fantastic. The entire show. It was amazing, breathtaking even. The music and the collection and the atmosphere come together perfectly. Even the walk of the models are well coordinated that has layers and dimension. The style of the walk was required also because of how big the collection was, with 76 looks in total. The music started off with a beautiful orchestra piece that creates a peace and eerie tone of the show, and suddenly the tone of the music changed and it has become a bit more satirical and a bit circus like. The highlight was when the band of models walk out of the backstage in their striking red dresses. It is definitely something that anyone interested in art should watch.

Seriously. Click on the video. It is worth it.

To encourage you to read further, I am here to tease you with the glorious accessories D&G offered. The accessories are already this beautiful, are you sure you don't want to look more and check out the collection itself? Trust me, the awesomeness here is only a tiny fraction of how magnificent the collection is. I would read along more if I were you! 

Oh the mighty crown for the beautiful Zuzanna Bijoch

GORGEOUS clutch. Look at those intricate stitch work!

Rose-vine Heels - Adorable and Sexy.

Beautiful sets of cross earrings and
the details to see the bejewled dress.

TOP 5|10 - New York Fashion Week A/W 2013 RUNWAY MOMENTS

Now that New York Fashion Week is two weeks behind us, I want to slowly roll out some general opinions and analysis for the season. So I will be starting a new thing called "Top 5|10". Basically they are the top 5 or 10 *insert category* and give me my reasons why I think so. Today, we will be focused on runway moments.

Of course the designs of a collection is the main point of a fashion show, but it doesn't hurt to have a fantastic presentation. The show aspect of it is just as important as the designs itself. It sets the tone and forms the atmosphere. Today, we will be presenting the top 5 runway shows that we think is worthy of the time to view it. (trust me, they are AWESOME.) Betsey Johnson, Prabal Gurung, Thom Browne, Alexander Wang, and Tess Giberson has the five shows that I think are memorable and it definitely helped them to enhance their collection even further.

Betsey Johnson: Oh awesome show. There is no doubt about it. The models look like they are having so much fun, and in the end when Betsey Johnson started to work out with her models were quite a scene. Although the runway seems a bit messy because its crowded and the models weren't in sync, but the idea of it is great. The fashion industry has become so serious lately it is nice to see someone take themselves less seriously.

Donna Karen - Featured Designer of New York Fashion Week A/W 2013 02/11

Donna Karen

Donna Karen's a/w collection goes with the extremely simplistic route. As she is not using any prints for the fabrics, they are all deliberately cut and put together. For Look 1 through 6, even she only uses black fabrics (which I am a huge fan for) they all look very chic and sharp. With the unique collage of the close color tone fabrics, she makes these a/w looks more avant-guard but in the same time very wearable.

In this collection, she uses many smooth and floating lines for the hem of the dresses. And clearly, Donna Karen really likes to play with asymmetrical lines. Her exquisite cutting skills reveals in how the lines of these designs make the models' body shape look even more beautiful. In conclusion, she successfully builds up the toughness and elegance elements into these ready-to-wear a/w collection.

To read about the other designers on this day (February 11th).

Jeremy Scott - Featured Designer of New York Fashion Week A/W 2013 02/13

Jeremy Scott

Jeremy Scott has always been the designer with crazy prints and extremely creative graphics, using cartoon characters (like the Simpson or Mickey Mouse) to spice up his collection. Today the carton character that starred his show is a green monster. I see it as the incredible hulk.

All of Jeremy Scott's garments are extremely wearable, and presumably comfortable because of the material he uses, cotton jersey and knit wear. However, that is to say if one has the guts to wear it. I mean, the last look with all of the fur is quite insane. Some pieces that are a bit more modest are look 2, look 5, 9,12, 13,14. However, with his stuff, I always felt that getting the crazier looks are better since it is what Jeremy Scott is all about.

To read about the other designers on the day (February 13th).

Vera Wang - Featured Designer of New York Fashion Week A/W 2013 02/12

Vera Wang

Vera Wang has always been the master of sophistication, elegance, and femininity, I mean, she is probably the best wedding dress designer out there (or at least the most renown). This collection has its high and lows, but mostly highs. There are just so many gorgeous pieces here that I am able to ignore the bad ones.

There's a progression with her collection here, starting with the more solid color ones, and then to a more black and white flower prints, lastly is the black, purple, silver, and bronze prints. The first 3 looks are the most simple and wearable of all. They are also personally my favorites. Take a look at the collection and maybe consider one of them to be what you wear to an interview or a cocktail party! Definitely will become the most eye-catching person. 

To read about the other designers on the day (February 12th).

Prabal Gurung - Featured Designer of New York Fashion Week A/W 2013 02/09

Prabal Gurung

He is probably one of my favorite designers now. After seeing his work from last season, and the limited collection for target LOVE, Prabal Gurung has set new ground with his military inspired Ready-to-wear collection this season. Using his own fashionable ways, he expressed his feeling toward's women in combat, and his own troop of women warriors trumped the runway. Stunning Collection.

Highlights include the segmented boots, long gown for the last look, the jacket for look1, and the shoulder belt embellishments for look 10. Prabal managed to create the perfect balance between femininity and toughness with his fabric choice and the accessories. Whenever there is a very feminine look, there will be a leather or something to "buff" it up a bit.

To read about the other designers on this day (February 9th).

Pierre Balmain - Featured Designer of New York Fashion Week A/W 2013 02/08

Pierre Balmain

When you looked through our highlight, did it feel like some awesome designers are missing from the line up? Well, you're instincts are right! We felt that these specific designers fits our taste the most, and so we decide to feature them separately to highlight their awesomeness.

This is the Day 2 Featured Designer, and it will go to ... Drumroll... Pierre Balmain!

The collection is high class and chic, ready-to-wear pieces that is able to simply communicate one's personality. The color scheme is mainly black and whit,e and a lot of biker jackets, studs, and zippers are involved as usual. He is great at making awesome jackets and coats, and for this collection, there are a lot of highlights on that specific field. My favorite jacket will be look 8 and 13s, because they are so simple and chic, which will be one of the perfect jackets for formal situations.

To read about the other designers on this day (February 8th).

Highlight New York Fashion Week 2013 Day 8, (02/14)

Today, there are only a few designers left in New York Fashion Week, (although London Fashion Week is starting up already), and today we are talking about the best of the bests: Calvin Klein, Marc Jacobs, and Ralph Lauren. The three most renown American designers!

Marc Jacobs:

Even though Marc Jacobs always has very chic and fashionable designs, this season's collection come out to be a little bit disappointment. The first look almost set the the tone of the whole collection--a sense of out of nowhere. Several looks in this collections are basically the copies of pajamas. And the use of animal shaped fur scarf is even incompatible to the designs. In look 5, the model walks out with no tops but covering her boobs with her hand! Clearly it is meant to catch people's attention to the design of the gloves, but such look is still a little "trying too hard" for the ready to wear design. And the wigs and make-ups for the models are also not very flattering. I have to say, personally I am not a big fan for March Jacobs' a/w collection.

Highlight New York Fashion Week 2013 Day 7, (02/13)

For Day 7, I will be introducing nine designers today. The designers that are featured today is: Anna Sui, Bibhu Mohapatra, Honor, J. Mendel, Marchesa, Michael Kors, Nanette Lepore, Proenza Schouler, Reed Krakoff

Anna Sui: The collection progresses pretty coherently as the collection goes on. The color gradates slowly, and none of the looks stray from the general theme of the show. Her inspiration is actually a big help for this coherent factor of her collection. She was inspired by the monochromatic sense of Godard's One Plus One. (A film made based on Rolling Stone's recording session.) Although the collection isn't "monochromatic" per-say, but the same shade of prints unite the collection very well. Anna Sui's clothes has a very special quality: It would be perfect on both middle aged women or youngsters, and it really depends on how one assemble them together. For example, look 2's pants can be "matured-up" by wearing a knit white shirt with a black cardigan, or it could be "younged-down" with another crazy printed tank, with insane pumps. It really depends on how you put them together.

Highlight New York Fashion Week 2013 Day 6, (02/12)

Let's just dive in since we are already behind, shall we? Fortunately, there are only four designers I will be introducing here: Badgley Mischka, Diesel Black Gold, J. Crew, and Patrik Ervell. 

Badgley Mischka: The starting look of the show foreshadows the end of the show. The tone in the middle of th show is kind of jumping all over the place. Going from a classical long dress, sequin dress, wrap skirts,  to a suit. There are nine long gowns that are quite beautiful (though very out of place at the same time), and finally it ends with the look that is similar than the first: Aztec/Egyptian influenced long dresses. Look 19 is so beautiful. I love the two wings that covers the bust area.

Highlight New York Fashion Week 2013 Day 5, (02/11)

There are so many wonderful designers today that there is so little space for so many things. So I tried to only pick out 6 looks that best represent the designers collection's color, tone, style, and garment-shapes.

The designers we will be talking about today includes 3.1 Philip Lim, Alice + Olivia, Belstaf, Betsey Johnson, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Ohne Titel, Reem Acra, Theysken's Theory, and Thom Browne (The man who designed Michelle Obama's Inauguration 2013 look!) 

3.1 Phillip Lim: No need to point it out, but the collection is very urban based. The color tone of the collection gradate from bright paste pinkl, into a bit more monochromatic white and dark purple, and end with a couple of fun patched pants. The way he plays with the lapel of jackets and skirt is ingenious. It creates an edge with all of these stiff lapel protruding outwards. The highlight for this collection would be look 1 and look 3. I love how all of the colors goes together for look 1 and the way the lapel of the vest curves looks awesome for look 3. I love the patched jeans in look 5 an 6 as well, though I am not a huge fan of those furry purses. 

Highlight New York Fashion Week 2013 Day 4, (02/10)

Day 4! Let's get started!

Y-3:I dig the process Yohji Yamamoto has here. Starting from completely black, slowly gradating into colors, than going back to black basics. Elegant and smooth. We can see the a little influence of leather on the garments, but a lot of shoes are combat boots or high tops that are predominantly leather (or rubber/shiny material).The style is obviously urban and street due to its influence by Adidas, but its also a lot more stylish and high-fashion. All of the looks are generally appealing, but there aren't any specific looks that are particularly outstanding. I do love the black slanted sweater. It is a very cute top to include in your wardrobe. Very convenient for a day out.

Highlight New York Fashion Week 2013 Day 3, (02/09)

Alexander Wang: What Alexander Wang is known for is the chic cuts and the empowering looks he offer women. This season, he used a lot more textures than he used to. Most dominantly is the use of furs and leathers. The medieval headpiece looks and the fuzzy shoes are pretty awesome. 

Experience - Alexander Wang's A/W 2013 Show

Alexander Wang's A/W2013 fashion show was yesterday! It was an amazing show, the furry coats, the texture, and the sleek/chic looks was quite a sensation! I especially love the armor looking fuzzy hat thing. The whole show was predominately black/white/gray (very Alexander Wang), but what was great was the pop in the long ponytail of all of his models.

The music was awesome too! I especially love the opening. Eye of the Tiger? Badass!

Watch the Runway Show Here! Seriously, it is worth it.

I took some runway photos myself, They are obvisouly not as detailed nor good compared to the video, but I tried, and I just want to share my experience. I was merely a standing guest (because I'm not buyer :P) My spot was very close where the models walk out, so the very beginning and the end of the stretch.

Anyways, enjoy!