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.

Elie Saab Haute Couture Spring 2013: Transparently Sophisitcated

And not to mention... SEXY!

In my last post where Karl Lagerfeld designed things that are outrageous and dreamlike. Instead of going with the crazy route, Elie Saab stayed with simple elegance, restrained elaboration, and intricate craftsmanship for this collection.

The runway happened today in Paris.

This collection is majestic. It is coherent. It is wonderful throughout. I really loved it.

Elie Saab's Spring 2013 Couture reminds me of the dancer in Ancient Egypt, where they wear transparent dresses/shawls. The victorian embroidery adds sophistication to all of the looks. 

What do you think of this collection??

Below are selected photos of the runway show:

Elie Saab's Spring 2013 Couture - Look 1

Elie Saab's Spring 2013 Couture - Look 2

Elie Saab's Spring 2013 Couture - Look 3

Elie Saab's Spring 2013 Couture - Look 4

Elie Saab's Spring 2013 Couture - Look 5

Elie Saab's Spring 2013 Couture - Look 6

Elie Saab's Spring 2013 Couture - Look 7

Elie Saab's Spring 2013 Couture - Look 8

Elie Saab's Spring 2013 Couture - Look 9

Elie Saab's Spring 2013 Couture - Look 10

Elie Saab's Spring 2013 Couture - Look 11

Elie Saab's Spring 2013 Couture - Look 12

Elie Saab's Spring 2013 Couture - Look 13

Elie Saab's Spring 2013 Couture - Look 14

Elie Saab's Spring 2013 Couture - Look 15

Elie Saab's Spring 2013 Couture - Look 16

Elie Saab!

Chanel Haute Couture Spring 2013: Feathery, Lacey, Flowery

Couture fashion: Outrageous, mysterious, and... weird! But a good type of weird, the type you would think that you are in a dreamland where humans have beaks and rabbits are our evil overlords. The world is upside down and trust me, it's a good thing. 

Check out the feathers on these girls!

Chanel's Spring 2013 Haute Couture collection happened yesterday in Paris, and it was exactly on par with what I was saying. The vibe of the show reminded me a bit of Tim Burton and these looks may be perfect for his future films that features a crazy bird woman who likes to stick feathers in her head. Who knows?

So who is the crazy mastermind behind this collection?

Karl Lagerfeld, the designer of this collection, arranged real trees into the show. His inspiration was something unworldly and romantic. The tone of the show slowly went from white vintage woven jacket, to a darker ensemble, then outrageous patterns and prints, and lastly 4 white, long gowns.

I have mix feelings for this collection.  I was enthusiastic with the first look of the collection. The white jackets were so beautiful. The white and black showed the ghostly romantic aura of the collection and I really loved it. The design of the runway compliments the collection perfectly, which reminds me of Giselle (the ballet show). The foresty background and the white dresses on the models juxtapose to Giselle and all of the brokenhearted girls dancing in the forest when they're awakened by the night.

Couture Spring 2013 - Look 1

Couture Spring 2013 - Look 2

Couture Spring 2013 - Look 3
(I secretly rejoiced that Karl had this Asian model, they are such rare species nowadays - Xiao Wen Ju, IMG)

but as I go through the runway photos, My love slowly diminished. I really didn't like the pattern and prints part of the show. They look like those frumpy and unappealing wallpapers on old town houses. I felt like as if the young girls that danced around the forest in Giselle suddenly turned into middle aged women who are trying to sweep the floor or something. Generally, the show was not coherent. 

Granted, the way they were created was very elaborate and detailed work (embroidered looks), but the result was just not flattering.

Below are some of the examples I am giving for the old lady part.

Couture Spring 2013 - Look 4

Couture Spring 2013 - Look 5
(I mean, I understand its Haute Coutre, but seriously? that jacket is like what you wear to go hiking, but pink)

Couture Spring 2013 - Look 6

However, the finale really redeemed itself, with the four stunning, fantastical, beautifully loony white gowns. 

Couture Spring 2013 - Look 7

Couture - Look 8
(This is what the twins in Shinning will look like when they grow up right?)

The last look may be Karl's opinion and voice towards same sex marriage. I mean, how can you say that two angelic looking girls standing side by side is "disgusting" and "evil"? Why is same sex marriage such a bad thing? (But this is another topic).

Karl Lagerfeld Everybody!

So what do you think about the Chanel Couture Spring 2013?