Malandrino Catwalk Fashion Show New York SS2011

It rained before and after the presentation of catherine Malandrno’s collection, outside the Lincoln center. The models shivered on their platforms, but at least they were dry. Malandrino’s Spring collection was an exercise in handcrafts: leather macrame, patchwork, stitched beads and lots of drapery.

Diane von Fürstenberg Catwalk Fashion Show New York SS2011

Frenchman Yvan Mispelaere is the new right hand of Diane von Fürstenberg. He brings along the experience he’s got working at Gucci, Chloe (when Phoebe Philo was in charge) and Louis Feraud. For his first DvF-collection he got inspiration from an Isadora Duncan retrospective  in Paris and he dubbed it Goddess.

But the collection was not about Grecian draping, the theme referred to empowered, intellectual beauty. The dominant look was clean, crispy sportswear in major graphic prints and bold, subtle colors (mint, melon, sky-blue, peach, purple)): light weight silk separates – fluidly tailored shorts, shirts and jackets – and the houses signature dresses. Hooded jumpsuits and flowing caftans added a hint of summer. And yes, there was some draping and even a golden Goddess-dress, but van Mispelaere knew were to stop.

Derek Lam Catwalk Fashion Show New York SS2011

Derek Lam’s collection was roughly based on a review about an exhibition focused on Sixties Californian Minimalism. It was casual and light in a Californian way, had seventies-influences (the high, wide trousers, the trench, the denim, the calf-long skirts) and looked very minimal. No frills, no ornaments, a clean silhouette, just blue denim, black and white.

Last season Lam looked to the American West for his collection of urban sportswear. For spring he went to California. In a way his collection looked still sporty, but more soft, refined and pure. Highlights were the A-line suede skirts, poplin blouses, canvas trenchcoats,, high waisted denim pants and thin cashmere sweaters.

Tommy Hilfiger Catwalk Fashion Show New York SS2011

On Sunday evening Tommy Hilfiger celebrated the 25^th anniversay of his fashion house. First there was the fashion show and afterwards there was a big party at the Metropolitan Opera.

The fashion show was attended by a very famous crowd. Lenny Kravitz, Jennifer Lopez, Sarah Jessica Parker among others were there to celebrate 25 years of Tommy Hilfiger.

The new spring/summer collection was very American and very Tommy Hilfiger. The models all worked the preppy TH-look in bright-colored blue, red, white and yellow.

Boys and girls walked the runway in neat, safe outfits, which stayed very true to the Hilfiger brand.

The ladies wore shirt dresses, Bermuda shorts, checked pants, tennis sweaters, short jackets and cable knit waistcoats. All completed by TH hats, bags, waist-belts shoes and sunglasses.

The fellows promoted double breasted jackets, eye-catching ties, colorful socks and loafers. They wore checked pants too, which were actually the most outspoken pieces of the show.

The show was ended by several sophisticated looks; a navy gown with cut-outs around the waists and a white tuxedo with black details. The perfect looks for heading straight to Hilfiger’s afterparty at which 25 years of an all American brand were celebrated till midnight.

DKNY Catwalk Fashion Show New York SS2011

The DKNY collection had the perfect summer feeling to it. The fresh-faced models walking the show looked happy, playful and very girly, all aspects you’re looking for in summer.

Donna Karan obviously went for a commercial collection this time. All of her design, in shades of turquoise, beige and pink, seemed wearable and will be easy to mix and match into any woman’s wardrobe.

The short ruffled skirts, the boyfriend jackets with the tucked up sleeves, the easy going pants, the bathing suits and the floral printed dresses were items almost any young woman would love to wear.

Then again the items were not very renewing or distinctive. They could just as well be hanging in a ZARA store.

Yet Donna Karan gave the items her own twist by adding bright red heels, black bows (around the models’ waists) and small scarves (around their necks). In combination with the red lips and tidy buns all models looked incredibly sexy. So distinctive or not, these clothes will surely sell fast next year.

Pictures of this show will follow soon.

Alexander Wang Catwalk Fashion Show New York SS2011

The fashion show of 26-year old designer Alexander Wang was one of the first big shows of New York Fashion Week. Celebs like Lenny Kravitz, M.I.A en model Erin Wasson attended the show, which seemed to be inspired by painters.

Models walked the runway like they’d just left their painting jobs, they had white paint (which was actually clay) in their hair and were wearing white overalls. All clothes were very loose-fitting and therefore appeared rather street-chic.

The girls all looked very fresh in their light-colored outfits. Their bleached eyebrows and clean faces added to that. Knowing Alexander Wang normally uses lots of black this lightness came as quite a surprise.

Like more designers this season Wang chose to work with parachute silk. He showed some printed versions (on which unfinished crossword puzzles could be seen) and combined it with sheer fabrics. Apart from the white he introduced some funky mint green and a couple of terracotta-shaded designs.

The collection was cool and fresh and is sure to become a hit. The designs are not quite the catch for women looking for lady-like clothes, but the ‘models off-duty’, Wang usually designs for, are bound to fall in love with them.

Catwalktrend FW2010: winter florals

The last couple of months floral prints were a big hit on the streets. The flower power trend we expected was picked up big time and was perfect for summer. Now fall is on it’s way designers have introduced a new floral print. This time it is less bright and even more classic.

You could call them winter florals; they look nothing like the frost flowers from the winter knitwear, but certainly belong to the upcoming season.

Deep, dark hues decorated coats, pants and dresses. They added the right amount of print and color to a fashion season that is so sober and minimalistic.

Our absolute favorite winter florals were those of Kenzo. They had a great seventies feeling to them and looked romantic and trendy at the same time.

Catwalktrend FW2010: a taste of toffee

A little bit of mocha, a hint of cacao, a slice of hazelnut, just a drop of caramel and some toffee. Those are the ingredients for a whole new trend, that we’re gonna see a lot this fall: light brown shades.

The different hues of brown looked splendid in their multiple variations, from beige (almost nude-colored) to chocolate brown, used on any kind of material.

Overall this trend was seen on the more sophisticated and minimalistic clothing in which the models looked very elegant.

If there’s one best way to wear the toffee trend it’s by combining the different shades into one outfit. Gianfranco Ferre, Salvatore Ferragamo and Chloe sure proved that. Even their accessories, small belts, hats and bags, came in a light brown shade.

So, if you’ve already picked up the camel coat we discussed earlier, you can easily upgrade it to this brown shaded look. Just ad some brown leather gloves, a belt & a hat and you’re good to go!

Claes Iversen Catwalk Fashion Show SS2011

On Tuesday fashion designer Claes Iversen presented his spring/summer collection for next year. He chose the Felix Meritis building (a meeting place for art, culture and science) in Amsterdam as his show location; the perfect spot for a fashion show.

To the sound of piano’s the first model appeared in the round show area. She wore a white dress embroidered with hundreds of butterflies. Even her braided hair had butterflies in it. While the model was waiting to start her runway walk, small butterflies came falling down from the ceiling.

Those butterflies appeared to be the theme of the show. For Claes they represented the passing of time, beauty and fragility. They were everywhere; attached to skirts and dresses, but also in yellow and white prints (and even in our goodiebag!). Though the butterflies were something new for Claes, they reminded us of the post-its he’d used is a previous collection.

Apart from butterflies Claes showed a lot of pleats in his summer collection. He designed pleated skirts, dresses and tops. Other show stopping items were several detailed corsets, made with lots of patience and combined with, for example, a pleated or a feather skirt. The sand-shaded jumpsuits and trench coat-inspired jackets were a little more save, but just as stylish.

Overall the collection was beautifully made, pretty wearable and feminine. The color palette existing of hues of beige and sand, mixed with coral/salmon pink, turquoise and light yellow seemed perfect for spring. And hats off to the styling team who combined nude-colored knee stockings with high heels, waist belts, eye-catching clutches and gorgeous hair.

Catwalktrend FW2010: Graphic Prints

Digital graphic prints, Peter Pilotto made them into it’s signature technique and has a lot of success with it. Even Michelle Obama wore several pieces of the brand. It’s digital prints are always very vivid and colorful and are inspired by nature’s element like water or the sun. For fall the designers drew their inspiration from seventies interiors.

Often though, graphic prints aren’t based on anything. Their just beautiful figure- and color combinations printed on a certain fashion item.

Apart from Peter Pilotto, Matthew Williamson creates gorgeous prints as well. The short, printed cocktail dresses and long evening gowns he designs, always are true show stoppers.

Unlike floral prints and animal prints, graphic prints often look very modern. They can even look kinda spacey when printed on a black background. The most beautiful examples are printed on satin or sheer fabric. It makes the clothes look expensive and the women look elegant.

We think all women wanting to look modern and hip should have at least one graphic printed cocktail dress of her own.

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