G-Star

June 1, 2009 Glossy

The opening of the G Star Raw Couture show began with two pianists playing classical music on two grand pianos behind a semitransparent screen. Models marched their way down and around the runway. Guests could view the craftsmanship and elaborate details of the NY Raw Special Edition line.

The show started of with classic men’s and women’s black and white tuxedo-inspired looks.
The new dropped-crotch jeans in different denim washes were featured for most of the show.This new style was featured for both men and women. G Star Raw footwear consisted of leather shoes, leather laced up shoes, leather boots, knee high boots, ankle boots, and booties. Utilitarian outerwear with collars were oversize and upturned.
The blue men’s faux fur jacket stood out among the other outerwear collection.

Extensive bindings and buckles, high-stance necklines, oversized pockets and straps gave the collection a rugged, industrial feel. The new silhouette featured loose tapered forms and contrasting fabrics such as raw and heavily washed denim mixed with delicate silk and cashmere.

Benicio Del Toro’s reading of Joy Division’s “Candidate” at the show’s close, was indeed a surprise. His art intervention transitioned the show from traditional catwalk to a G–Star finale.

– Jenny Mar
-Photo/Video © Stevyn Llewellyn

fashion

This Day/Arise Fashion Show

May 25, 2009 Glossy

This Day/Arise Magazine featured four designers in their African Fashion Collective 2009 show in the Bryant Park tents. Tyson Beckford, Alex Wek, and many other African-American super models walked the runway. Xuly.Bët, Funkin’ Fashion Factory was first up in the evening’s lineup. The models proudly strutted down the runway in form fitting sportswear constructed from corduroy, velour, denim, and pleather. A patent-leather head to toe look and denim jumpsuits rounded out the ensemble. The androgynous face of Grace Jones stretching and morphing on a screen behind the models was the real crowd pleaser of this portion of the show.

The second designer, Tiffany Amber, followed with pretty shantung dresses edged with intricate beading. Her attention to detail was evident in the colorful flower embroidery and wooden beadwork of her garments. Stoned Cherrie’s collection consisted of swing jackets and high-waisted cigarette pants, pretty cap sleeve dresses and blouson-sleeved shirts. The teardrop cut outs rimming the neckline of a dress had images of little purple women dancing inside- a beautiful, intricate detail. Momo’s collection was composed of animal printed silk knits and cashmeres which would be apropos in Palm Beach. The flapper-style hats provided a nice cohesive element to her line-up.

The show was extremely entertaining and festive and the exuberant crowd was one of the most supportive audiences I’ve ever encountered at a runway show. The presentation closed with looks from all four designers along with long white cotton dresses printed with President Obama’s likeness, which made for a perfect ending to an optimistic, upbeat show.

– Lyndsay Skeegan

Photos By Sandra Rosales

fashion

Sachika Fashion Show and Interview

May 17, 2009 Glossy 2 Comments

The Sachika designers To-Tam and To-Nya Ton-Nu presented their collection at the New York Golf Center with the collaboration of the 19th Hole Magazine, associated with TR luxury on May 14th.

Ashley Rossi for Sachika — Model Ashley Rossi

Sachika is for the modern woman on the go.

Sachika in Japanese means: “more wishes, more fortune, and more happiness.”

Their many types of dresses focused on the versatile busy woman that wants to accomplish many things. Sachika dresses can easily be translated from day to evening.

The designers use timeless colors & cuts that won’t go out of style. They want their consumer to shop wisely and to buy key pieces for their wardrobe.

To-Tam and To-Nya chose feminine colors that are classic and neutral. A Sachika dress is the perfect key item to wear at any occasion.

The 19th Hole Magazine is a high end luxury magazine focusing on golf and fashion. They combined forces with Sachika to promote golf and fashion. The event was targeted to a younger clientele. The modern woman is a perfect client for golf. Golf is sexy!

Interview By Jenny Mar

Photos and video by Stevyn Llewellyn

You can purchase their beautiful timeless pieces at www.sachika.com

To see the entire collection in a slideshow, click here

fashion

Ports 1961 Fall 2009

May 11, 2009 Glossy 1 Comment

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Ports 1961- For Fall ‘09 Tia Cibani transports us to India, in a collection that was imbued with all the visual tactility that is worthy of the designer’s inspiration. The charm and resonance of Cibani’s work lies in her courageous virtuosity- she always seems to be designing with more than just sales numbers in mind. One can always be assured that ‘love it‘or ‘hate it’ Cibani’s work will emote some internal reaction. True to form she always sets the stage, this season with the music of an Indian marching band that beckoned the crowd on what would be an indulgent expedition of texture, color and line.

The show opened with a sand colored, Angharkha coat with an intriguing offset neckline highlighted by a series of ruby colored embellishments. Cibani shows a talent for creating feminine coats, this season they came in the form of frock styled shapes that accentuated the waist and then flared out. According to the program notes the emphasis was to mimic the ideal female form. Amid the line up of coats streamed forth all sorts of variations of Indian garb from cropped jackets to salwar trousers to dohoti skirts. Through strategically layering garments Cibani was able to create interesting negative spaces or peak holes that added a sensual aspect to the collection. While not altogether realistic for the average woman the collection did give way to some graceful looks- like the Kohl Kalidar coat or the moonstone mousseline pleated coat with metalline pleated dress.

As one might expect of a collection inspired by India, the fabrics were brilliantly textural – ranging from lames, to hand pleated velvets, mulmull cottons and amazing jacquards. The colorful palette was equally inviting and in keeping with the warmth and festive mood of the collection.

Cibani was intent on preparing us for an appearance before the Empress Nur Jahan or perhaps she is simply banking on more jubilant times ahead. Whatever her reasoning the designer presented a glistening collection that was inspired by the richness of the Indian culture. While visually captivating upon reflection and study I wondered how some of these inspired looks would translate to real life.

In a season where many designers seem timid about taking chances I suppose Cibani is deserving of some degree of note for her moxy. Visually the collection had all the things that keep you reeling – rich in texture, color and shape but it just seemed too extreme…even for this Cibani fan.

-A. Coelho
Photos © Stevyn Llewellyn 2009. See more photos from the show below.
To see a slideshow of the entire collection, please click here.

fashion

Lotusgrace: the interviews

May 4, 2009 Glossy

Modern Glossy brings you an exclusive, two-part interview session with the designers of Lotusgrace. Alexander Coelho interviews design partners Gregg Pellegrini and Eric Sweeney who discuss aspects of their Women’s Wear collection, it’s identity, and the aesthetic process involved in the creation of a Lotusgrace garment. Lotusgrace creates all their apparel here in New York, thereby actively supporting the local Garment District. With an eye for line, silhouette, and modern interpretations of classic feminine shapes, Lotusgrace elegantly dresses the modern woman.