NY FASHION WEEK: Richard Chai Spring 2012

Is next spring going to be really chilly?  What's with the blue lips?  I kid of course, I was just happy to see bold makeup when so many other shows displayed nude lips.

I went to school with Richard Chai where he was lovingly called "Richie Rich" (not to be confused with the blond club kid).  He showed graphic contrast stripes and bright colored cottons.  Like many emerging designs graduating to hit brands, he made menswear and womenswear equally important.  The floral prints had a 1980's edge.  They reminded me of the color palette and looks my Mom used to favor when I was a child.  She was a stylin' Mama.

The sportswear separates were flattering and casual.  Exactly what I would want to wear on a typical day in Spring.

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A Touch of Min-K - Blake Lively's Best Kept Secret

Our beloved West Coast correspondent, Mdivani Monroe came to visit NYC recently.  He got in touch with an old friend of Ms. FAB, Minji Kim, a fellow Parsons alum...  A new mother and talented designer, she has held court with a chic boutique in the East Village for years.  Mdivani gives the scoop:

"When you go to a highly competitive college, you form a special bond with those that survived it with you.  Even though years may go by and you may not even have any communication with fellow classmates, that bond somehow stays intact.  Who else can understand those all-nighters, the unrelenting work load, the ruthless competition, the intensity of the whole experience that changes your life forever.

As I was searching for new shopping venues in New York, I came across a boutique, Min-K, the brainchild of one of my former classmates at Parsons, Minji Kim.  Reminiscing on our time at school, I remembered Minji as always being super creative and for having an eye for what was hot and happening.  True to form, Minji’s boutique is the perfect place to shop for the coolest clothing and accessories in the market.  Showcasing designers from Korea, Min-K has fashion items that you won’t  find anywhere else in the city.

Due to the cutting edge style found at Min-K, it is no wonder that you have seen it’s designs on celebs like Blake Lively, Katie Holmes and many more.

When you are in New York, you have to pay a visit to Min-K and pick up a something special and original!  And if Minji is in the store, say hi for me!"

For more on the boutique and an interview with Minji, check out Mdivani's video blog here. 

Photos and Video by Ritika Wahal
Photos of Blake Lively and Katie Holmes Courtesy of Min-K

www.ladieswholunchtravel.com

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Fashionable Aesthetics: Wearable Technology

Style...The Final Frontier... Parsons The New School for Design presented a book launch for assistant professor, Sabine Seymour's Functional Aesthetics, the sequel to her first book, Fashionable Technology.  This book highlights state-of-the-art fashion technology and reveals artistic examples focusing on the aesthetic and functional aspects.

There was an electronic paper workshop that celebrated the next wave of design merging textiles and technology. The series celebrated the launch of the Fashionable Technology Lab at Parsons, a research center that explores the intersection of design, technology, science and fashion.

Lab director Sabine Seymour, "We live in a world that is extraordinarily dependent upon technology, and it is up to designers to harness the power of technology to create functional, aesthetically pleasing work." Her research focuses on functional aesthetics in fashion, media, and technology. "Through this series, we will illuminate the current landscape of projects that utilize technology in innovative ways."

High-tech garment engineering, merged with high fashion is really becoming a movement.  Project Runway's Diana Eng produced  runway shows of inflatable wedding gowns, shimmering LED dresses and collapsable origami jackets made a splash at Makerfaire and Eyebeam gallery. Makerfaire also had other inventors with illuminated accessories and functional style.

Mainstream retailers like Uniqlo heavily promoted their HeatTech fabric from Japanese technology.  It is a lightweight fabric that supposedly generates heat when worn.

Is it possible that the future muses of fashion could be Einstein and Tesla?  Can we as designers blur the line between bad-ass stylist and mad-scientist? Hack away!

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4th Annual Independent Handbag Designer Awards -Part One

The Independent Handbag Designer Awards were held last Wednesday at Parsons, the New School of Design.

Emily Blumenthal explained the fledgling award show had progressed ‘from the minors to the majors’. The fashion industry elite included supporter from Kate Spade, Swarovski, mark by Avon, Timberland, Carlos Falchi, Singer and Instyle Magazine. Besides the awards, guests enjoyed surprise guests (Tim Gunn!), laughter and inspiring speeches.

Parson’s Dean of School of Fashion, Simon Collins opened the program by reminding us that fashion is perceived as a “ bitchy, cut throat”. In reality, the evening showed a caring community.

“So many designers are anxious to get noticed,” said Emily. This competition provides an opportunity to showcase their talent to an international audience. Categories included Best Student Made Handbag, Most Socially Responsible Handbag, Best Use of CRYSTALLIZED™ -Swarovski Elements, Best Handmade Handbag Best Green Handbag and Best Handbag in Overall Style & Design and Most Innovative Handbag Inspired by mark.

Independent Handbag Awards - Press Preview

The judging panel consisted of editors, style makers, buyers and professors for each category. selected winners. In addition to international press coverage, awards ranged from apprenticeships with designer Carlos Falchi to selling a limited edition run of their design from CRYSTALLIZED Swarovski Elements.

Where do these awards take you? Rachel Esswood, last year’s winner for Best Student Made Handbag was recently hired by Devi Kroell following her apprenticeship. Another winner from 2009, Lorna Nixon had three bags featured in the film Sex and the City 2.

For more on the awards and individual winners, stay tuned! We will be profiling our favorites in the next few days.

Photos by Mariana L.

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Parsons 2010 Graduate Fashion Show

Monday night, the graduating class of the fashion design program held their benefit fashion show. The most talented of students presented their collections. I saw a lot of gorgeous, innovative knits. There was a very good balance of terrific menswear along with the womens collections.

One of the emerging themes I saw throughout the runway was a sense of the urban nomad. Many of the looks had a wrapped and cocoon-like quality to them. I don't know if that was a response to the general climate of the current fashion industry or a sense of self-comfort.

Dean Simon Collins noted that the directives for this class were craft and sustainability. One of the honorees of the evening were from Li & Fung, who would also go on to unveil a new scholarship program for new designers.

Famous alumni include Issac Mizrahi, Marc Jacobs. Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough had their senior collection purchased right off the runway, eventually becoming CFDA darlings Proenza Schouler.
Other industry heavyweights (in success, not actual weight) in attendance included designers Vivienne Tam, Vera Wang and Lorenzo Martone.

To view all of the collections, click through to the Parsons Look Book.

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