Collection, fashion television, gareth pugh, i-D magazine
In Fashion, Good Look, I heart, Rouse, Wish List, designer on November 20, 2009 at 6:32 pm
I don’t own any pieces yet by UK-designer
Gareth Pugh yet, but I promise you, not only will I have up-the-minute releases, but I’ll be sitting front row at all his fashion shows.
If there’s one designer I’d wear everyday, Mr. Pugh is in my top three list. I was introduced to his collection years ago via Canada’s Fashion Television, followed by the pages of i-D magazine; I was immediately smitten. I don’t just want raven on about how wonderful he is, but the reason it makes perfect sense for me is because his collection is very much reflective of my personality.
Pugh’s line is dramatically fashionable and very historic. When you look at his line, you can see victorian era emblems, and as I mentioned in my previous post about Rad Hourani, gothic references are done with meticulous precision.
You don’t have to be brave to wear Gareth Pugh’s line, you have to have taste.
balenciaga, Collection, Fashion, gareth pugh, Meadham Kirchhoff, Rad Hourani
In Fashion, One to Watch, designer on November 19, 2009 at 4:55 pm
Fashion authorities love cultivating the success of burgeoning designers. And we do it because quite frankly, it’s our job. Isabella Blow did it with Alexander McQueen, Diana Vreeland did so for Gabrielle Chanel and the list goings on. For me personally, I have three designers I would wear everyday if I could:
Balenciaga,
Gareth Pugh and
Meadham Kirchhoff. So when I saw NYC-based designer
Rad Hourani‘s collection, I was instantly smitten.
His line is for those that love minimalism. The sharp architectural edges, monochromatic palette of blacks, silver and greys and bondage elements are bold, yet very clean – it serves its purpose. I love the fringe embellishments, and while I wouldn’t wear a whole look, I can still make a statement with separates which is what I like (actually, what I prefer). I’m not a maven. I don’t like to wear a designer because it’s a designer, and I stress that for me, it’s more about the art of fashion. That’s why I love the aforementioned designers. I’m also highly influenced by the punk era of the early `70s, and I love the industrial goth look; which is why I like designers who create collections with a dark, edgy reference.
Ultimately, of course the line plays with the ideas of pretentiousness but it’s fun. And the fact that he’s self-taught means he has a natural flare for constructing garments for the human silhouette.
Rad Hourani is a hot one.
Collection, fashion line, Supertrash
In Fashion, One to Watch, designer on November 17, 2009 at 8:40 pm
It all sounds quite complicated: an LA-based fashion line launches in 2003 quickly teaming with a Netherland-based rep and becoming a sort of, well, double agent… so to speak. But that’s exactly what happened in the scenario of Supertrash; and that’s also why it emphasizes “Born in L.A.” on the website. originally headed by Ava Riley, Supertrash composed of contemporary dresses and sweatpants and Amsterdam-based Olcay Gulsen came in as distributor. Now, Olcay owns the line as well as it’s online e-Commerce shop and the line has flourished into dresses, knits,coats, glam and rock.
Supertrash regularly makes an appearance at Amsterdam Fashion week and hit New York Fashion Week this past February, they’re releasing a perfume and they have a quarterly magazine. They recently made British pop star Pixie Lott the face of their Spring/Summer 2010 campaign, and Rihanna’s also been seen sporting the line.
For more information, visit: Supertrash.us.
Collection, fashion week, Peter Pilotto, RTW, spring/summer 2010
In Fashion, One to Watch, RTW, Trend, designer on November 10, 2009 at 8:24 pm
Without me even realizing it, everyone is using the same format as me where blogging is concerned. But if I say that someone is one-to-watch, it’s because nothing really excites me. I’m a bland dresser – very bland, and I’m more fascinated with the depth behind fashion rather than the actual garment itself. So no, I don’t buy designer clothes very often, and I won’t rush to get the latest piece of whatever… but I know a look when I see it. I say that about fashion stars as well.
Peter Pilotto is a fashion star. When you’re a burgeoning star, you’re given free things, such as studio space so you can mould your craft. Low and behold, much like Mr. Pilotto in the Centre for Fashion Enterprise. According to Style.com, Pilotto is on the rise to the moon, people are going ga-ga over his designs which raises the bar, and bursts the Richter scale. And as much as we’d like to believe that new designers such as Pilotto would tank under pressure, I believe it’s only ignition. And it’s obvious because his Spring/Summer 2010 collection was a display of colours juxtaposed with texture, literally. The collection seemed to be a bit of an ode to the `60s with square-like A-line mini-skirts with ruched shoulders and waistlines.
I don’t know if I’d say Peter Pilotto’s collection is the ultimate sexy, but it is in the top running, it shows where fashion is going – in a positive direction.
I will be keeping an eye on this one..
Collection, Abigail Williams, Graduate Fashion Week, debut, ppq, adidas
In Fashion, Hidden Gem, designer on November 8, 2009 at 2:53 am
One can’t imagine what’s it’s like to rummage through page-after-page of Internet sites in a quest for a fashion breakthrough. Seeing the same thing over and over can become quite mundane, you know. I don’t know if this one is a “breakthrough” per say, but she was able to leap into territories many fashion designers aren’t quite keen to do.
The young Ms. Abigail Williams is a BA (Hons) Fashion/Textiles graduate from the University of Plymouth who debuted her collection in the Graduate Fashion Week in London this past June. I was able to pull these images by Chris Moore.
Williams didn’t win any awards or gain any major recognition, as those that do sit on a trunk of gold (which inevitably lead to top-of-the-line collections). And while the construction of Williams’ garments are a bit box-y, and the dresses do have a bit of ways to go from high-school prom dress into full-blown couture, I can appreciate her bold use of colour and obvious Caribbean influences that run rampant throughout her collection. Now, there’s an advantage for Williams here, as big-name fashion houses such as PPQ and even sports brands like adidas are putting major emphasis on tribal designs as the new trend. There is an obvious conservatism about in line, but there’s also a sense of fun. It’s British heritage is also prevalent making it easy to see that it may accumulate some success in the UK. I also think that she should invest a good amount of time completing an internship at a fashion house; honing the skills will improve her talent significantly.
British Vogue, Collection, Fashion, Nicole Richie, RTW, Winter Kate
In Fashion, In the Know, News, RTW, Vogue, designer on November 6, 2009 at 6:22 pm
It’s quite possible that Nicole Richie (daughter of Lionel Richie and former BFF of Paris Hilton) is one of the hardest working women in fashion – and even entertainment, for that matter. In 2009 she launched her House of Harlow 1960 Jewellery collection and in January 2010, the slebrity-obsessed and fashion lovers a like can indulge in her latest branch offs: House of Harlow Footwear and clothing line Winter Kate.
Winter Kate and HHF have already been taken up by British online boutique MY-WARDROBE.com considering that they purchased her Jewellery collection. It has been said that the clothing line will immulate Richie’s closet, consisting of free-flowing maxi dresses, and tunic tops.
Stay tuned for more information…
basso & brooke, Collection, fashion week, ready-to-wear, spring/summer 2010
In Fashion, RTW, designer on November 3, 2009 at 3:06 am
UK design duo Basso & Brooke are as British as they come. They’re known to draw surrealism influences that are incorporated into their concept, and the line seems to be way too cool to be ‘ready-to-wear’.
However, this season seems to be toned down significantly. While there’s still strong colour ways and imaginative conceptualization, the appeal is a lot less theatrical. There’s a clear indication of maturity, moving on from creating a circus around the clothing and just letting the pieces be wearable (which is a big thing for burgeoning fashion designers; they seem to want to cause controversy rather than sellable clothes).
It looks like Basso & Brooke may finally be on their way to international success.
Collection, fashion week, ready-to-wear, spring/summer 2010, Toni Maticevski
In Fashion, RTW, designer on November 3, 2009 at 3:00 am
Toni Maticevski is known for his more formal approach to fashion, but this ss 2010 collection was not really something to rant about. Pieces within the collection were blotched as though to give this dirty effect (I suppose), and though there were some interesting ruffles and bows, Maticevski shines most when he keeps things elegant and flowy.
The most interesting ensemble was the Michelle Obama-inspired, floor-length gown. A creamy lustre was added by the silk draping that embellished the dress, and its sinched waist added a 1920s appeal.
Collection, fashion week, matthew williamson, ready-to-wear, Runway, spring summer 2010
In Fashion, RTW, designer on November 3, 2009 at 2:43 am
It goes without saying – Matthew Williamson is a spectacular couturier. The London-based fashion designer has the magical ability to produce women’s clothing from a conservative yet whimsical perspective. Playing with the ideas of futurism, `80s post-punk and an aboriginal infusion, his clothes are always refreshing and appealing. He knows how to capture a younger generation of fashionistas, and he’s true to British fashion culture: very new wave, very fashion forward.
While it’s quite obvious that there are layers of historical references in his designs, it doesn’t matter. The clothes are pretty, wearable and digestible – that’s all that matters.
