Fashion Fights Cancer with Byron Lars

An intimate event took place last week at Midtown Manhattan’s Audi Forum.  Fashion Fights Cancer president, Ty Canty and superstar designer Byron Lars presented a special group of ladies and their creations to the world.

The non-profit organization brings together the fashion community to raise awareness and funds to battle cancer. The project brought together Byron Lars and cancer patients Frances Ricks, Muriel Asnis, Barbara Moskowitz, Peggy Leigel and Carmen Diaz to create hand painted scarves under the mentorship of the designer. 


Some women were seasoned artists; some found a surprising new outlet for creative expression.  Muriel Asnis, was already a jewelry designer and donated some of her work to a fundraising auction for the organization.


 The ladies modeled their silk scarves on top of Byron Lars’ blouses.  As gorgeous as the designer’s pieces were, nothing looked as beautiful on these women as their own smiles of accomplishment.
Cupcakes and champagne were served.  Guests also went home with gift bags of Godiva chocolates and Mizani hair products. 


Future events include designers Tracy Reese and Jason Wu.  To donate or get involved, please visit Fashion Fights Cancer on the web. 

photos by Mariana Leung

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Memorial Day Shopping!

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Milla Jovovich - New Face of Jacob & Co.

Living bi-coastally has its pluses and minuses.  It definitely gives one access to a wide variety of events and experiences and the more laid-back CA lifestyle can compliment the non-stop pace of NY.  However, one disadvantage is that you can’t be in both places at once and you will obviously miss out on some things on both coasts.  This of course drives me completely mental!  As a child I never even wanted to take naps as I was afraid that I might miss something.  That mindset has not changed in me and I am able to meet some pretty awesome talent on both coasts!

On my last stay in New York, I was fortunate to spend some time with the people at Jacob & Co. on 57th street (look out for the video segment due out shortly).  I learned a lot about the venerable company and was seriously impressed with the artistry of their jewelry and watch creations.  After 25 years of designing for a private clientèle and the launch of their flagship store in New York in  2004, Jacob & Co. has become synonymous with luxury watches and exquisite jewelry.  A favorite of leaders in the entertainment and sports industries, you are probably most familiar with Jacob & Co. due to its pieces being worn on the red carpet by the worlds biggest celebrities.

Finding the right “face’ for a brand can be difficult, especially when dealing with such an iconic company as Jacob & Co.  So when the announcement came that Milla Jovovich would be the new face of Jacob & Co.., I had to ponder whether this was a good match.  My conclusion: Yes!  Ms. Jovovitch is an internationally famous actress and model whose image and personality are perfect for the company.  “Milla Jovovich is a powerful, intelligent, worldly, sophisticated and sexy, playful woman.  That is the talent that she brought to this photo shoot and what makes her synonymous with our brand, she is the “Jacob girl” we have been searching for to represent our brand globally.”, stated Jacob Arabo, Designer of Jacob & Co.

The advertising campaign encompasses eight different themes and looks stylized to feature Jacob & Co.’s red carpet diamond jewels, fashion diamond jewelry and watches.  Shot at the Sowden House, a lavish Los Angeles private residence, the campaign uses in-door and outdoor shots to capture the luxury lifestyle traits that are representative of the brand.  Scheduled to drop in Summer 2011, the campaign will be featured in the upcoming months in all major international markets.

In the meantime, Milla Jovovich has already put her beauty and talents to work for Jacob & Co.  Attending the “La Conquete” premiere during the Cannes Film Festival, Ms. Jovovich donned pieces from the Jacob & Co. Red Carpet Collection.  The collection consists of one-of-a-kind pieces carefully crafted and designed to accentuate valuable and rare gem stones, hand selected by Jacob Arabo himself.

Ms. Jovovich wore sun colored earrings with two canary cushion cut diamonds, total weight of over 27 carats, set in pavé white round brilliants topped with white emerald cut diamonds mounted from a pavé set French hook.  Complimenting the look, she also wore a one-of-a-kind cocktail ring made up of a 30 carat internally flaless, D color diamond sit in a vintage inspired design, adorned in round white brilliant cuts.  And finally to make sure that she was on time, Ms. Jovovich sported a Jacob & Co., signature Five Time Zone, World is Yours Watch.  The gorgeous timepiece is all pavé diamonds featuring natural fancy yellow and white diamonds with a total carat weight of 37.75 carats.

From the sneak peeks at the ad campaign to Ms. Jovovich’s appearance on the Cannes Red Carpet, this appears to be a match made in heaven.  For as Jacob & Co. and Milla Jovovich prove, not only are diamonds a girls best friend, but sometimes a girl can be a best friend to diamonds!

By Mdivani Monroe of Ladies Who Lunch Travel

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Prince William and Kate Middleton Meet with the Obamas!

President Obama and Michelle might not have been invited to the royal wedding, but they've earned themselves an even more intimate affair with the famed couple. During a two day trip to England, the presidential couple and Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had a nice four-way chat in the Buckingham Palace on Tuesday.

Kate looked extra-slim in a nude Reiss dress as she chatted with an animated, pastel-adorned Michelle Obama. Maybe she's taking some cues from the thrifty shopping First Lady. The fitted dress retails for $340, which in the royal world equals pennies!

For their short visit in England, Michelle and President Obama are being treated like royalty by the Queen herself. In a rare gesture, Queen Elizabeth invited the couple to stay in the 6-room suite at Buckingham Palace where Kate and William spent their wedding night. But an unnamed palace aide says they will not be sleeping in the same bed. Phew...we were so worried.

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Toronto Sample Sale - Best of Canadian Designers

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Prince William and Kate Middleton Return from 10-Day Honeymoon in Paradise

Alas, Prince William and Kate Middleton are back in the real world after spending their 10-day honeymoon in the exotic island nation of Seychelles. 

William and Kate "thoroughly enjoyed their time together, and they are grateful to the Seychelles government for their assistance in making the honeymoon such a memorable and special 10 days," a statement released by the palace read (via People.com). 

"Memorable" probably only begins to describe it. The newlyweds were treated like royalty (er, even more so than usual...) after being helicoptered to a private island where they were put up in a secluded, oceanfront villa for their stay. Few details about the exact accommodations have been released, but we're sure their trip was straight out of a fairytale, kind of like their wedding.

Now that these two are back in London, Prince William will return to work as a search and rescue helicopter pilot while Kate presumably gets used to being a duchess and prepares for some big royal shindigs. Queen Elizabeth's 85th birthday celebration is in June, as is Prince Philip's 90th birthday party. 

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India's Trendiest - Bombay Electric

Having been lost in a flurry of fashion shows and seeking out the clothes that we will all want to buy in the coming seasons, it is time now to return to some serious shopping and dining.  I had left off in the middle of my trip to India, so it is only fitting that I return there.

The Universe seems to be screaming “India” at me, from family moving there and my recent trip to business associations and the rediscovery of friends from long long ago.  Who am I to argue with the Universe?

Upon arrival in Mumbai last holiday season, I was immediately struck with the vast difference between Mumbai and Delhi.  Delhi is very spread out, more low lying buildings and businesses and homes hidden away in enclaves.  It has a feeling of being a cross between Los Angeles and Washington DC.  Mumbai on the other hand is a teeming modern cosmopolitan city congested with skyscrapers and traffic.  I immediately felt a kinship with it similar to my home of New York.

Driving through the city in cabs, I was intrigued by the multitude of interesting shopping venues and was so looking forward to diving in.  Alas, my trip was way too short.  As a first time visitor to Mumbai, I had to do the mandatory sightseeing, meet up with a dear long time friend living in Mumbai and to meet an on-line friend that I have been corresponding with for some time, an amazing person that I am so glad to have finally met in person!  Faced with this lack of time to pursue shopping destinations, I asked my Mumbai friends and my associate in the States if they could tell me a few “must see” shops for me to visit.  The resounding first answer on everyone’s lips was Bombay Electric.  Luckily for me, Bombay Electric was literally around the corner from my hotel, making it easy to fit into my hectic 3 days in Mumbai.

Housed in a historic heritage building that even has teak beams that were a present from the King of Burma, the interior of the store seamlessly blends the antique qualities of the building’s structure with a modernity that give this shop a vibrance that completely draws you in.  Not to be outdone by its interior, the merchandise it houses carries the same energy and excitement.  Bombay Electric  offers fashion for ladies, gentlemen, and kids along with an eclectic mix of jewelry, scarves, vintage pieces and gift items.  Known for nurturing rising Indian talent, the cutting-edge store carries cherry picked fashions from Indian designers like Manish Arora and Rajesh Pratap Singh.  Besides showcasing Indian talent, Bombay Electric also carries a select grouping of international collections such as Comme des Garçons and United Nude.  Alongside the fashion, you can browse through antique jewelry, hand woven scarves, cashmere and limited edition pieces.

A fave store of many of Bollywood’s brightest stars, Bombay Electric is the perfect place to find everyday wear or even to find that red carpet dress that you need for a special occasion or a night on the town.  However, Bombay Electric doesn’t limit itself to merchandise alone!  It utilizes its unique space for photography exhibitions, concerts and even launch parties (Elizabeth Hurley launched her swimwear collection in India here!).  Bombay Electric is literally a center for all things fashionable, stylish and artistic in Mumbai!

I wandered through the store trying to take it all in, from the wild colors and prints of Manish Arora to the old India vintage pieces.  I was particularly pleased that they also sold menswear and found myself putting on my wish list several pieces that were just my style, including some modern takes on classic Indian apparel.

Wherever I am in the world, I now keep abreast of what is happening in the store on their website and find such interesting things going on there that I am always glad that I was led to this jewel of a boutique!  Bombay Electric is now on the permanent list of stores that I have to visit whenever I am in Mumbai!  As Suzy Menkes of the International Herald Tribune put it, “Bombay Electric, the cutting-edge store in Mumbai, could be a template for the new millennium of Indian style.”  Not only do I agree with Ms. Menkes, but I believe that it could be a template for international style!

by Mdivani Monroe of www.ladieswholunchtravel.com

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Fergie Presides Over FN's Next Shoe Star

Have you discovered the next shoe design star?  Brown Shoes ramped up its web series competition by adding some celebrity star power.  Six shoe design students from the Fashion Institute of Technology are competing to be the next shoe star as judged by Lucky Magazine Editor Brandon Holley and VP of Macy's Tony Pelle.  

The Black Eyed Peas Fergie was a guest judge for the challenge where the designers competed to design a shoe for the Fergie Fall 2011 collection.  Besides the actual shoe, the challenge consisted of creating a presentation on what they believed the Fergie buyer would want next season.  Their vision ranged from sparkles to studs to fur.  The game stakes?  A full time design position as a designer at Brown.

Click here to watch clips from the show: 

Photos courtesy of FN Shoe Star

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Shock of the Day: Kristen Stewart Thinks Vampires Are 'Sexy'

Kristen Stewart had better think vampires are sexy, you know, since she's dating the sexiest vampire of them all, Robert Pattinson. Okay, so we know RPattz isn't really a vampire, but KStew fell for her man while he was playing one, so it totally counts...

The actress has never admitted that she's dating her co-star, but she did admit she thinks vamps are way hot -- meaning Rob's way hot, right? She said: “Vampires are very sexy. I think it’s because they’re meant to draw you in just to the point where they can then kill you. It’s like a forbidden fruit. If it’s something you can’t have, then naturally you just want it more. Maybe that’s why I was drawn to the role of Bella in Twilight.”

But, Kristen threw a wrench in our Robert = vampire association when she said she wouldn't want to meet a vampire in real life. She added: “I wouldn’t like to be confronted by a real vampire, though, as they can read your mind!”

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Aussie Fashion Week: Josh Goot Fall 2011

Get ready for some style Down Under.  Australian Fashion Week was under way and designer Josh Goot was no wallflower.  Short dresses and short skirts with an occasional slim pant were demonstrated the color block trend in the extreme.  The graphic printed shapes were designed to flatter the female form.  Black and white optical prints achieved a similar bold effect.

The designer got his start studying media and production, but soon realized he would rather channel his talents into fashion.  He got his big break winning Tiffany & Co.'s Young Designer of the Year in Australia. He has since garnered International attention and landed the cover of Womens Wear Daily.

If you're looking for an outfit bold enough to keep the wallabies away, Josh Goot is your man.

Photos by Marcio Madeira

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Village to Vogue: The Modernist Jewelry of Art Smith at Brooklyn Museum

An exhibit that features 21 pieces of jewelry from a Brookyn designer may seem simplistic compared to the epic Costume Institute exhibits of the Metropolitan Museum.  However, the jewelry created by Art Smith, saw its influences from surrealism, biomorphicism, and primitivism.


The artist began creating work from a small shop in Greenwich Village after completing studies at Cooper Union.  He was a social activist and soon gained clientele from all facets of society.   Smith influenced the work of other jewelry designers like Claire Falkenstein and Ed Weiner.

Decorative Arts Galleries, 4th Floor

Brooklyn Museum

200 Eastern Parkway

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Van Cleef & Arpels Exhibit - Set In Style

One of the most elegant jewelers on the market, Van Cleef & Arpels began as a family business in 1896.  Two brothers-in-law set themselves up to use innovative techniques and high quality stones to draw International clients through their Paris doors.  The Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum explores their legacy at their exhibit, Set In Style, The Jewelry of Van Cleef & Arpels.  

The museum demonstrates how the company was an innovator in unique stone-setting techniques to display jewels in a unique way.  The company was also a trendsetter in taking inspiration from nature and foreign cultures.  Their snowflakes and bird motifs have always been popular.  The exoticism trend of the 1920's was seen in their Egyptian influenced handbag above, then through Cambodian and Japanese motifs in later years.

This piece was one of my favorites of the collection,  This jeweled bird is illustrated beautifully in stones.  However, I love the multi-tasking nature of the piece.  The wings can be removed and become earrings.  The tail can be removed to be a brooch.  The stone drop can be worn separately as a pendant around your neck.

Throughout the exhibit, you can also see the work process from sketch to finished product.  The museum also highlights the personalities that have either made certain pieces famous (and vice versa).  Jewelry owned by Hollywood legends like Grace Kelly and Marlene Dietrich are on display.

For the ultimate in glamor, surround yourself in all the glitters.  The exhibit runs until July 4th, 2011.

Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum

2 East 91st Street New York, NY 10128

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Manolo Blahnik Sample Sale!

Get ready to claw your way to the stilettos...Manolo Blahnik is having a sample sale on May 12th at the Warwick hotel in Midtown Manhattan.  The other grande dame of Vogue, Andre Leon Talley is rumored to be on hand to guide you through your purchase.  Shoes start from $100 for leather or satin to $300 for lizard boots.  ARRIVE EARLY!

Manolo Blahnik Sample Sale

Thursday, May 12

9am to 3pm

Warwick Hotel 65 W. 54th St @ 6th Ave

Cash only

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Russian Fashion Week: Konstantin Gayday

This Russian designer has a reputation as an avant-garde type, but his craftmanship really belongs in the luxury segment.  He originally made his name in creating exquisite fur hats for Saga Furs.  Elite Russian fashionistas are big fans of his clutch purses.  

For the designer's presentation last month, he showed a mix of all his favorite techniques.  Dramatic millinery drew from his heritage.  Satins were trimmed in fur in classic luxury techniques, but the silhouettes were fresh and modern.

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Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute Gala 2011

The stars poured out from Maybachs, black Cadillacs, and even a Prius in what seemed like the biggest celebrity event in recent memory to honor the late Alexander McQueen.

It was Alexander McQueen’s legacy that triumphed this weekend. First was the house’s dress via Sarah Burton for the future queen, Kate Middleton, for the wedding of the century. Then it was staging of the extravagant and one of the most extensive costume exhibits we have ever seen at his soon to be open exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum’s Savage Beauty exhibit starting on May 4.  The Fab Team was privy to an early press preview and have already vowed to return again now that it is open to the public.

And to top of the McQueen legacy, the Met’s annual fete, the Costume Institute Gala was in honor of the Savage Love exhibit and a celebration of a brilliant life.

The entry stairs of the Met museum were covered with red carpet when we arrived and young, handsome men dressed in traditional Scottish kilts stood at the entrance to greet the celebrity guests.

Ladies who truly defined ‘supermodel’ like Naomi Campbell, Giselle and Iman looked stunning in dresses (Iman wore a gold pants/top) that were couture worthy which was in keeping with the spirit of Alexander McQueen.  Models of the moment, Doutzen Kroes, dwarfed the red carpet with her massive flowing red dress with endless train.

The erstwhile and yes, my favorite editor from Vogue- Hamish Bowles, was easily spotted in his red plaid caped suit running from Barneys New York with a diminutive but powerful socialite heiress, Daphne Guinness. We had seen Ms. Daphne change in a brilliant PR coupe in the Barneys NY windows for Alexander McQueen that same day.

Tom Ford flashed his devilish smile and somehow made the tuxedo sexy again as he escorted his date up the stairs.  Christian Louboutin came with a red velvet jacket and black hat with plaid Oxford shoes.

Stella McCartney came and bought her father, Paul McCartney with her and even, Yoko came to the exhibit. Florence without the Machine was resplendent in red hair and massive white furry coat made a grand entrance but her coat made a hasty exit on the arms of an assistant later on the evening.

The very pregnant Kate Hudson and Jessica Alba showed off their beautiful bumps in floor length dresses while the always gentleman-ly designer, Oscar De La Renta, escorted the new mom, Penelope Cruz, carefully up the stairs.  A collective sigh went up for the tan Orlando Bloom until his gorgeous model wife and new mom, Miranda Kerr, stepped out. Women in the crowds gasped at her razor thin waist and mile high heels. Apparently the laws of gravity and nature do not apply to pregnancies of model types. Sigh….

One surprise of the night was Miss Semi Homemade, Sandra Lee, who wore cream chiffon gloves and a sparkly matching cream strapless gown.

Jennifer Lopez was immediately lost in the crowd in a flurry of red floor length outfit.

Amy Poehler looked like silver screen platinum legend as she wore a black fitted dress with sheer chiffon neckline. Christina Ricci was very petite in person but looked stunning in her cobwebby embroidered mermaid gown as designer Zac Posen escorted her.

Twilight girls Kristen Stewart showed up sans Robert Pattinson but she must have had company with Ashley Greene. Ashley Greene looked chic and elegant in her blush colored dress with silver sequin streaks.

Beyoncé and Jay Z arrived late in a Maybach but Beyoncé’s figure hugging Pucci dress was so form fitting  that her gallant husband and assistant had to help her navigate the stairs.

But the most naturally beautiful star for me was the radiant Michelle Williams who wore a simple black Miu Miu dress with gold sparrow appliqués.

And finally, the red carpet show ended with Madonna arriving nearly two hours late after the event was slated to start. She nearly tripped when her heels got caught in her long star spangled Stella McCartney satin train. Madge kneeled down to detangle herself before being escorted by Guy Oseary up the stairs.  The seemed to signal the beginning of the ball and the end of the show for us.

 Photo credits: Lia Toby/WENN , Telegraph UK, 

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Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty at the Met

Shocking, visionary, artist, a true designer.  Alexander McQueen's death shocked and saddened many of the fashion world, but his creative legacy is eternal.  The Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC launches Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty today.  The extensive exhibit is one of the most elaborate, dramatic tributes to a designer I have ever seen.

The exhibit opens with two mannequins in a darkened foyer.  One dressed in an ombre red feather gown, the other in a sculpted dress made of razor shells.  You then proceed into soaring black walled halls with antiqued gilded mirrors and horror movie sound effects.  The display of impeccably tailored black suits showed of McQueen's Savile Row background, but the rebellious variations of draping and corset finishing was all his vision.  This was the most sedate part of the exhibit.

continued...

The opposite side of the room contained gloriously rich black gowns of Gothic fantasy.  Influences like Tim Burton were named. 

The "Cabinet of Curiosities" room contained displays of hats and accessories made for Alexander McQueen.  A flurry of butterflies from Philip Treacy, Samurai armor inspired headpieces, sculpted shoes in the shape of a mutated spine.  In one corner, was the infamous trapeze-like dress worn by Shalom Harlow for the Spring 1999 show.  She was spun around mechanically on the runway and spray painted with robotic nozzles.

The next rooms contained an elegant tribute to the Scottish Highlands of his ancestry.  Jeweled gowns, billowing velvet capes and gorgeous tartans were on display.  This transitioned into the controversial "Highland Rape" collection of Fall 1995/1996.  There were simpler chiffon dresses in Earth tartans shredded, placed in a distressed wooden set.

The next gallery was an exploration into Romantic Exoticism.  Traditional techniques of layered Chinese and Japanese embroidered were heavily worked into avant-garde interpretations of historical Asian silhouettes.  An exquisite, but tongue-in-cheek expression of traditional Japanese armor was presented in the form of a lotus-printed football helmet.  A dress of large mother of pearl paillettes was a terrific modern take on the pearl embroideries of the past.

The last exhibits were devoted to Naturalism.  Huge, alien-like shoes and shimmering insect chic ensembles came from one of McQueen's last collections in 2010.  These were made famous by Lady Gaga who was a big supporter of the designer.

If you want to be wowed by one of the most prolific designers of our time, get over to the Metropolitan Museum from May 4–(revised) AUG 7, 2011.

Can't make it to the exhibit?  The museum has published a gorgeous hardcover catalog of the show on order online.  

Photos courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art


Check out MsFAB & Ladies Who Lunch's video diary of the event:

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Jordin Sparks Tweets Photo of Slim Bikini Bod

Jordin Sparks has lost some weight recently, and she'd like the public to take note.

The former American Idol winner pulled a Miley Cyrus on Sunday, slipping into an itty bitty polka dot bikini to take a camera phone picture of herself in a bathroom mirror. Sparks then tweeted her duckface MySpace-appropriate photo to her 870,000 followers, writing, "I don't know why but my bathing suit reminds me of fruity pebbles."

Sparks' urge to overshare is understandable—she is looking good, and what fun is that if there's no one around to talk about it? But it's also hilarious behavior from a former purity ring-wearer whose ex-boyfriend's naked photos leaked onto the Internet just last month. 

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Lady Gaga Giddy For 'Glee'

Lady Gaga is giddy for Glee. The musical FOX show dedicated an entire episode to the wild Lady last week, and Gaga loved every minute of it! 

The 25-year-old pop phenom went to Twitter to praise the show for "being brave+fighting for such modern social messaging." And while Gaga probably won't have an entire episode dedicated to her again anytime soon, she nevertheless hopes the show doesn't stop putting out great content. "Never back down," she added. 

Gaga is having quite the week of free advertising. First she got the Glee treatment last Tuesday, and now, this week, the music video for her song "Judas," is set to premiere on American Idol. 

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Naeem Khan Fall 2011

 Naeem Khan comes from a long line of designers.  His grandfather and father had dressed Indian Royalty before him.  Mr. Khan has now made his name dressing "American Royalty" on the red carpet for celebrities like Beyonce and Carrie Underwood. 

The Fall 2011 collection was dramatically elegant.  Long, draped gowns of silk and intricate embroidery will no doubt find their way onto red carpets.  Richly printed silks expressed the designer's silk road theme.  Feathers and soft beading accentuated the movement of the body.  The techniques and traditions of his family's history is brought forward in this aristocratic show.

Whether you are a princess or film star, the man to dress you has been found.
Photos by Ritika Wahal

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