Lauren Bagliore's Barbarella Girls

Black, white and grey are the holy trinity of colors for the fashion crowds.That infallible formula was also on the mind of designer Lauren Bagliore for her Spring 2011 collection. The collection appropriately named,The Resurrection: From the Dark to the Light by Lauren Bagliore.

Stunning models in Barbarella-esque updos rocked hard bodies and flashed their flirty black liner winged eyes down the catwalk.

A black asymmetrical suit with Thierry Mugler like wasp waist was highlighted with a side panel of vertical thin nautical stripes adorned one model.  Another stern looking model wore a prim, fitted sleeve Victorian inspired blouse with a multiude of covered buttons and inset of leather down the center.  This was topped over shiny patent leather like dhoti pants. The dreaded dhoti pant seemed to crop up in a few designers collections we saw in Canada. 

Thankfully that trend along with harem pants died a quick death in U.S last year.

 

An intricately constructed black bolero style jacket was topped over a while maillot suit and paired over mid calf high heel boots. It was a sweet and hard look at the same time.

Cowl neck halter dresses in thigh grazing lengths were counterbalanced by a covered up hooded top that the model transformed into a loose turtle neck.  There were flattering options with asymmetrical lengths in skirts and dresses which were draped and pegged, adding drama and interest to basic colors. 

My favorite dress was worn by an elegant blonde model.  It was twisted and asymmetrically hemmed to the waist and paired over killer platform pumps. When she turned around, the back was even more dramatic with undulating folds forming from the fitted back bodice and a short hem. The dress had a lot going on but, somehow, it worked.

Lauren added a couple of pale taupe print dresses at the end of the presentation which added softness to the collection and options for her customers.

The designer ended the presentation and came in one of her dresses looking entirely lovely and elegant even next to her towering blond model.

There was something very Manhattan about the collection. Of course, we discovered later that this talented designer was once a New Yorker and attended the Fashion Institute of Technology.

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Toronto Fashion Week: Joe Fresh Spring 2011

Next time you cross our Northern border, you can pick out a cocktail dress along with those famous President's Choice cookies at the local grocery store.  It's absolutely true as we penciled down our grocery list to include Joe Fresh collection pieces which were presented at the Exhibition Hall in Toronto for LG Fashion Week.

The Garden of the Finzi Continis movie clip played for the audience before the show.  We were perplexed at first to see early 20th century tennis whites floating on the silver screen when gift bags clearly announced a collaboration with Scouts Canada. However, it came into focus through the show.



Joe Fresh presented a the first group inspired by classic tennis looks.  Next came the collection created with the Scouts as inspiration.  It had a fun and light touch.  More luxe than expected, more Troop Beverly Hills than Utility.  The designer, Joe Mimran, paired up with Canada Scouts adding blue scout kerchiefs to gift bags.   The runway presented options much trendier than you would find at your local Target or Wal-Mart. 
Of course, anything would have looked fantastic on top models like Tiiu Kuik and Arlenis Sosa.   Upscale styling, make up and lighting don’t hurt either. However, the majority of the collection  was really everyday clothing glammed up for the runway. 
There were pretty sleeveless dresses with laser cutouts, detailed blouses with little designer touches, and even jade sequin hot pants. A lime green skinny cardigan was tucked into a flirty skirt, knee grazing military green skirts with scattered ribbon details, along with classic men's summer attire.  Unique details like bright dip dyed accents on shirt sleeves made the ordinary closer to extraordinary.
Men were attired in classic tennis whites with little modern quirky twists. An unexpected shot of color to V-necked sweaters or pants added a bit of modernity to classic men's looks. A Slim fit V-neck in sandy beige got a modern twist with coral red piping details. It was styled with short gym shorts with asymmetrical matching coral red inserts.
The women's blouses were delicious and looked more expensive than its price point.  Nautical blue and white boat neck tops paired over slim cut navy sequin shorts, sheer georgette blouses with epaulet details and prim bows at the neck and shantung satin sandy pants topped with blouses with asymmetrical ruffles on a busy camouflage print. Joe Fresh even had a thigh grazing tank navy sequin dress with tiny Peter Pan collar in white.  
I was quite surprised to find out that a super cute and camp-y fashion collection is sold at an affordable price points at Loblaw’s grocery stores.  My next trip to Canada will involve a trip to Loblaw’s, of course, and a peek at the Joe Fresh spring line.
O Canada, I love thee for making shopping affordable and cool.

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Toronto Fashion Week: Rachel Mara Spring 2011

           

Stripes…Narrow and nautical, rugby wide, retro variegated…They were all represented on Rachel Mara’s runway.  The designer’s Spring 2011 collection showed a range of patterns reminiscent of the 1930’s with a modern twist.  There were the stripes of course, but also demure  and oversized florals.

The Rachel Mara girl had a carefree, rebellious attitude.  The title of the collection was "Stolen", inspired classic Hollywood bank heists.  The various prints were used in transparent blouses or flirty, sexy dresses.   Blouses were breezy and light in silhouette.  They were paired with cropped skim pants or short pencil skirts.  

Accessories included antique brushed gold rope necklaces and cuffs.  Hematite and studs embellished belts.  Vintage-inspired black head pieces accented gangster-moll hairdos.  Soaring platform heels were the updated touch on footwear.  Unfortunately, many of the models did not handle this modern development well...

Rachel Mara already has fans in Sarah Jessica Parker, Halle Berry and Diana Krall.

Photos by Ritika Wahal

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Toronto Fashion Week: Kingdom by Evan Bidell Spring 2011

Medieval and romantic pieces, punctuated with studded leather pieces provided excitement to a highly memorable collection. Evan Bidell's Spring 2011 collection was a standout among all the fashion weeks this season. This collection had the hallmarks of great design associated with the early rise of stars like Galliano and McQueen.

Evan is only 27 but poised after this collection to be an international star. He is a reality TV star from Project Runway Canada's 2007 season. Evan Bidell's presentation was aspirational and inspirational to true design lovers.  Evan displayed pieces from his Spring 2011 collection and presented it on mannequins along with a screening of his full collection. 

Evan is the l'infant terrible of Canada's fashion scene. He is the brightest but less commercially successful. His clothes are like no other and command the spotlight rather than let it glide by.  Take a look at his work - if you can find it. It's stunning in person and more so when we discovered that he creates most of his collection on his own Juki industrial sewing machine.  Thankfully, he has found a supporter in Ken Albright from Seven Continents.  Mr. Albright believes in Evan and showcased the Spring 2011 collection earlier this month to a select group of editors and buyers.

The collection had a unique point of view with deft channeling of Dior's New Look silhouettes.  The dresses were pegged and draped with indispensable pockets.  Silvery maillots with plunging necklines studded to down there! 

One odd outfit  looked like it had been snatched from Grace Jones circa 1979. It was  a leopard print hooded bathing suit belted with a long cape. This was a miss along with a floral dhoti pant outfit  in a collection of standout pieces.

Evan concentrated on belting waists, accentuating shoulders and necklines with studs.  Even floral print dresses cut the saccharine level down by added studs, draping and pegging details. He added flowing floor length coats with rolled origami like collars. 

The Spring 2011 collection was aptly named  "Kingdom"  and Evan told us that  he was trying to make this collection more than 'one time wear dressing'.  I am not sure if he succeeded. The pieces are strong and create an impression but I am willing to wear the floral studded dresses every day - vacuuming, attending black tie events, anything! I would also make sure  no one, even Ms. FAB founder, Mariana, can borrow these.

Reported and photographed by Ritika Wahal.

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L.A. Fashion Week: Julia Clancey Spring 2011

Los Angeles Fashion Week is really unlike any other Fashion Week. Not having an official sponsor for the entire week, Fashion Week ends up being scattered events across the giant sprawl that is Los Angeles.  With so many events, each sponsored by a completely separate entity, you never quite know what to expect when you show up at one of them.

Last Saturday, I attended the show for the Julia Clancey collection in West Hollywood.  I wish I could say that I was savvy enough to have known Julia Clancey’s work before requesting an invitation to the event.  Of course, once I had determined to go to the event, I did my homework and researched Ms. Clancey and her work.  My research, however, gave me a little background and a feel for her style, but I was still a bit vague as to what I should expect ...

Having attended the show, I can now say that it was a complete revelation.  Julia Clancey presented a collection that was world class and could hold its own if presented in any of the major fashion capitals.  The rooftop of the Palihouse Hotel was transformed into a whimsical garden where we were all invited to attend a tea party á la Alice and Wonderland.  Flowers marked the runway area, which had miniature gold encrusted tea sets, small crocodiles, peacocks, lilly pads and croquet mallets strewn about for our afternoon garden party.  When the models hit the runway, they completed the whole atmosphere with the magical designs of Ms. Clancey.

Calling the collection “Sensually Sorbet”, the color palette was one of lush springtime pastels of peppermint, aqua, watermelon, lemons, lilac and white.  Utilizing soft chiffons and satins, the outfits flowed dreamily across the rooftop.  This collection brought me back to my days at Nina Ricci in the atelier flou.  Both in cut and embellishment, the collection had an haute couture feeling to it.  Short dresses, long gowns, signature shifts and even kaftans were presented with decoration in the form of hand embroidered crystals, beads and sequins. Not heavy handed at all, the embellishment on these pieces is delicate and feminine and provide just the right amount of sparkle, without becoming overwhelming.

The models hair and makeup complimented the outfits and the theme perfectly, with butterflies adorning their perfectly coiffed heads.  On their final pass, the models ended up lounging on a little hillside, completing the theme and the atmosphere of Ms. Clancey’s imagination that we were lucky enough to partake in for the afternoon.

Julia Clancey is in the process of opening an appointment only boutique in West Hollywood.  I am looking forward to paying her a visit there and discovering more about this extremely talented woman.

Reported by Mdivani Monroe of Ladies Who Lunch Travel

Photos and Video by Omri Escalante

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Toronto Fashion Week: Baby Steinberg Salvage

There is plenty of trashy fashion out there.  How often have you seen very chic fashion made of trash?  Baby Steinberg presented one of my favorite shows during LG Fashion Week with an inventive collection from salvaged materials. 

There were dresses made from pleated coffee filters, braided garbage bags and crocheted cell phone chargers.  Found keys jingled with knitted VHS film.  Discarded take-out bags made a dramatic outfit with feathers and seeds.  Window screen puffed out into a dramatic cocktail dress.  

Baby Steinberg is not a mass-market designer.  She made her reputation creating one-of-a-kind garments for performers and socialites.  She also creates jewelry

A concept like this usually looks like a gimmicky art project.  What made the difference in making this look like a sophisticated runway was the treatment of the materials.  The coffee filters were pleated into delicate shapes to mimic organza flowers popularized by designers like Monique Lhuillier.  The garbage bags were twisted and crocheted into contouring forms like a metallic yarn.  

Photos by Ritika Wahal

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Toronto Fashion Week: Jessica Jensen with Alexander Berardi

Was it deja vu?  I had already seen Alexander Berardi's presentation for Spring 2011 during New York Fashion Week last month.  What was I supposed to see at Heritage Court in Toronto?  This runway show showed a tight, highly edited collection focusing on the collaboration between Canadian handbag designer Jessica Jensen with the designer of NYC.  

The clothing had a nautical-inspired palette of cream, navy and beige.  Fabrics included Swiss dots and dainty prints.  There were a few pieces with a fountain-like embroidery.  The silhouettes were ladylike, but understated.  

The handbags included over sized carryalls, embellished envelope clutches and large hobos.  The main theme of the purses was woven texture.  The leathers or fabrics were woven, or other trims woven into the body of the bag as embellishment.  

Shoe heels were perilously high for most of the daywear looks.  However, the very last look was a glittering gold sequin gown that was at odds with the rest of the collection.  Inexplicably, the shoes for that dress were flat sandals...

Photographed by Ritika Wahal

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Toronto Fashion Week: LOVAS Wesley Badanjak Spring 2011

The Wesley Badanjak girl is tough.   The women who walked the runway at LG Fashion Week for the LOVAS label don't take BS from anyone.

The collection was a mix of bright pink and pale yellow mixed with cool greys and graphic metallic lightning prints.  The majority of the presentation had upscale sportswear with nicely tailored jackets or dresses that could be worn daytime into night.  There were several frocks that executed a play on ruffles very well.  The majority of the looks were tailored and contemporary, with the exception of a few 'daywear' looks that didn't fit the rest of the collection and looked frumpy.  

The accessories had an emphasis on chains accented with jewels.  Earrings and statement necklaces draped and dangled off the attitude-embodying women.  

Photographed by Ritika Wahal

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Toronto Fashion Week: Pink Tartan Spring 2011

1980’s Hollywood was the theme of Pink Tartan’s presentation at LG Fashion week yesterday.  This Canadian label (now headquartered in NYC) already has fans in Sex and the City's Kim Catrall and Kate Hudson.  Designer Kimberley Newport-Mimran showed lots of neon pink, royal blue and orange for a new wave color palette.  

Blonde models channeled Brigitte Nielsen were draped in one-shoulder striped dresses.  A geometric print that was a twist on Ikat patterns made its way into jumpsuits, pants and jackets.  I wish I could say it was used well, but often, it just looked garish.  Leopard print also made its way into the collection with more success.    The best looks were the tailored shirts paired with slim pants.

Oversized sunglasses reminded you of the Valley Girls of the decade.  The collection paid tribute to 80’s Gucci with a variation on the horse bit belt.  Neon versions of barbershop quartet hats were paired with many of the outfits.  Bandanas a la Poison’s Bret Michaels completed the headwear accessory options.

The models of the show stepped onto large light boxes as they finished their runway walk.  I’m not sure if it was the instability of the box itself or the height of the shoes, but no less than four models tripped and stumbled getting on or off the stand.

Photographed by Ritika Wahal

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Fashion Designer Couture Ornaments

Are you ready for a Red Carpet Holiday Tree?  Want your pine boughs trimmed with ornaments personally designed by the likes of Sarah Jessica Parker, Sean Jean, Gwen Stefani, Naeem Khan, Carlos Falchi or Jonathan Adler?
You can get festive and have the most fashion-forward decor of the neighborhood with the Home Shopping Network's  HeART HSN Designer Ornament collection.

100% of the profits in this collection will be donated to the St. Jude Children's Hospital.  St. Jude's is a pioneering research hospital devoted to finding cures for pediatric cancer and childhood diseases.

The Home Shopping Network launched this collection with an intimate soirée at their showroom last week. St. Jude chair Marlo Thomas hosted the event while ornament designers like model Iman and Naeem Khan attended in support.

Swarovski is a participant and the famed crystals are featured prominently in many of the ornaments.  The price range for the pieces range from below $20 to $40 for most of the collection.  You can also splurge up to $299 or a jewel-encrusted Naeem Khan piece. The collection goes on sale October 20, 2010 through HSN and will be available through the holiday season.

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Los Angeles Fashion Week: Green Initiative Spring 2011

Los Angeles Fashion Week started last weekend and what better way to begin my coverage than with The Green Initiative Humanitarian Fashion Show.  The show is sponsored by The Green Youth Movement, an organization founded by Ally Maize with a goal to educate youth on how to be eco friendly.  As Ms. Maize put it at the opening of the show, “We’re the next generation and can and will make a difference”.

The event showcased four labels that concentrate their efforts on eco-friendly fashion: organic and sustainable fabrics, local manufacturing, fair trade practices, non-toxic dyes.  Although these labels all put an emphasis on being eco-friendly, they each have a very distinctive personality.

First up on the runway was Kristinit, by designer Kristina Lenss.

In a collection that covered the bases from daytime casual to dressier pieces, Ms. Lenss turned out a very feminine and versatile line.  Constructed jackets paired with flirty skirts were key to this grouping as were a mix of day to evening dresses.

Next up was , a line with a primary goal to provide jobs for women with HIV in Phnom Pehn, Cambodia. With this noble goal, they produce a line that is very handcrafted and artisanal, emphasizing elegance and comfort.  Using a color palette that is very earthy and natural, Keokjay produced a nice line of mostly casual separates, all with handcrafted details that really stand out.    One look that stood out was a dress with the fabric braided in the front to produce and interesting textural element from which the fabric emerged in soft drapes.

Jonãno followed with a line that was also more geared toward casual wear.  Utilizing mostly natural colors, Jonãno accented the collection with a few shots of mauve, a bright blue and an ethnic-look print.  A “macramé” shawl, an intricately twisted front print dress and a lace sheath dress with a long jacket were standouts in this grouping.

Last, but definitely not least, the Emily Factor line.  While the other lines were all beautifully done, this line kicked it up a notch.  The Central Saint Martins education was definitely apparent here.  Vibrant sophisticated prints were the focal point of this collection, whether draped in fluid dresses or as leggings. This bold use of color was a nice ending to the show. Flowing dresses with an emphasis on drape were knock outs and high waisted “paper bag” pants and shorts were stylishly reminiscent of the 80’s.

All in all, The Green Initiative Humanitarian Fashion Show  made good on its promise of showing us that fashion can be eco-friendly without compromising on style. Let’s hear it for Eco Chic!

Photos & Reporting by Mdivani Monroe

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WWD 100 Years, 100 Designers

If you're in the fashion biz, or just a fan of the apparel industry, you already read Women's Wear Daily.  It's the newspaper for this crazy business of fashion.  The publication is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a book honoring 100 top designers.

WWD: 100 Years, 100 Designers launched Thursday with an elegant party at Bergdorf Goodman's BG restaurant.  It was hosted by executive editor Bridget Foley and attended by many of today's top designers.  Vera Wang, Isaac Mizrahi and Francisco Costa mingled with muses like Bianca Jagger.  Everyone was in Manhattan chic (meaning lots of black, but exquisitely accessorized).

The book itself is gorgeously illustrated with photos of the best of fashion through the years.  If you missed your chance at Bergdorf Goodman's, WWD is holding another bash at Cipriani on November 2.  Otherwise, you can pre-order your copy on Amazon.com.
Photos courtesy of pmk.bnc

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Custo Barcelona Fact or Fiction Spring 2011

Fall fashion in NYC generally means dark and somber colors.  Custo Barcelona defies this in leaps and bounds.  The spring 2011 offerings being previewed were a super-bright mix of prints and embellishment techniques.  The luxe pieces included pieced tops that included pleated details, appliques.  Another dress included beading and embroidery.  A jacket was created with eyelet, piping and studs.  Dresses with fringe, dresses with feathers...

Textiles with multiple dying techniques from different countries made the cut.  The knits collection had prints with every color of the rainbow.   This collection is clearly for the bold and extroverted.  The bags and shoes followed the same aesthetic.  

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Manolo Blahnik Sketches Shoes

The legendary shoe designer was in town to sign his new book, Manolo's New Shoes.  The gorgeous tome showcases the designer's sketches.  The illustrations remind you how a shoe can be a work of art.  The new collection of Manolo Blahnik's shoes were also debuted on the Bergdorf Goodman floor that evening.  It was nice to see the sketch and final product next to each other.

Ladies who lunch with a shoe fetish sipped champagne as they lined up to meet the designer.  Vogue editor Andre Leon Talley camped himself in a corner to bellow out instructions to the department store staff.  He also bullied Mr. Blahnik into putting on a pair of his own designs to pose with his book for a photo op.  

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West Coast FAB: Delano

California. Beautiful people with beautiful bodies playing on the beach.... But those bodies didn’t get that way by accident. It’s all about working out!  But what do you wear when you are working out?  I mean, you need to be practical and wear clothing that is functional for working out.  But you also want to look good WHILE working out.  And wouldn’t it be great if some of those workout clothes could serve double duty by being fashionable enough to wear on other outings?

Back in the 80’s, the movie Flashdance started a craze for wearing dancer inspired workout wear as street clothing.  But in all honesty, although it seemed cool at the time, the clothes that came out of that fad were merely sweatshirts that had necklines cut out of them and ripped leotards. They were hardly what you would call fashionable and it was a look that probably should have stayed  in the dance studio. Which raises the question, is it possible to have clothing that is practical for working out and also appropriate for daily activities?

Welcome to the world of Delano, a Southern California severely hip line of workout clothes that covers your needs for working out AND is cool enough to wear on the town as well.  Designed with active women in mind, this is not just a line of activewear, it is a line of lifestyle wear that will carry you through many of your daily needs.  While the company is based in Southern California, the clothing will speak to active women everywhere.

The mother/daughter team of Tamara and Britt Delano have launched their namesake line and it is definitely a winner.  Veterans of the entertainment and music worlds, they have long been involved in dance and body conditioning with pilates.  And like the saying goes: necessity is the mother of invention.  Having a hard time finding workout clothes that were functional and stylish, they took their love of dance and fashion and developed the Delano line of clothing. 

The line consists of sporty tops, leggings, pants, jumpsuits and wrap jackets, both long and short.  All of the pieces put an emphasis on design with decorative touches that make them fun to wear and very fashionable.  The colors of the collection are black, white, red, eggplant, bright pink, light blue and I am sure more colors will be added as this new line picks up steam.

Let’s face it, if you are going to all of the trouble of working out to get that buff body, don’t you want to show it off?  With Delano, you can show it off in style.

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