Electric Feathers Spring 2012 collection at Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion week. See images from the collection in the slideshow below
Rebecca Taylor described her muse for Spring/Summer 2012 as “contemporary, ethereal, and fresh” and the pearl and sequin embellishments, eyelet lace dresses, and alabaster shades suggested images of dancing in the moonlight. The shimmering palette of nudes and optic whites was punched up with playful asymmetrical hems, racer back and tank dresses, digital prints, and the occasional statement hue in bold citrus. What started off light (with a perpetual, delicate twinkle) took a decidedly darker turn in the second half with gunmetal dresses, denim silk, and the lovely black “storm wild roses” print making their rounds. Taylor worked variations on several thematic prints and fabrics – cycling black and white eyelet, alabaster snake leather, and the cloud-like Cobalt shibori print through various appearances on tops, bottoms, and dresses. Creative, whimsical aspects like cut-out backs on leather apron tops lent an edge of unexpected sexiness to understated pieces.
The muted palette, delicate peach-hued rose print, and pointelle fabrics appear modern, with romantic and nostalgic nuances. These elements evoke the haunting and ethereal vibe of The Virgin Suicides, the beautifully-rendered 1999 film by Sofia Coppola (based on the novel by Jeffrey Eugenides set in 1970s suburbia). Both the moonlight silk and the darker, metallic elements of this Spring/Summer collection called the Lisbon sisters to my mind in their enigmatic, unforgettable mystique. I can picture a modern –day, glamorous version of the foxy Lux Lisbon blurring the fine line between girlhood and womanhood in the gauzy, simple chiffon t-shirt dress as she glides across the lawn one evening at a summer party. Rebecca Taylor’s ethereal touches and spirited, wholesome designs seem to evoke the charm and melancholy of an end-of-summer party, or perhaps of the lingering, moonlit memories of certain summer nights.
– Jessica J. Tsai
See images from the collection in the slideshow below
Photos by Stevyn Llewellyn
For Spring/Summer 2012, Custo Barcelona has served up matching gender crossing ensembles for both you and your boyfriend, prints, prints, oh…and more prints. Did I mention the 3-D prints? They come with glasses too.
It was a fun collection to behold, so bright and full of life. The prints were all over the place being graphic, organic, watery soft, floral, ethnic, striped, reptile, patchworked; yet all cohesively mixed and matched in designer Custo Dalmau’s kaleidoscope universe.
Just in case that isn’t enough statement-making, you can choose from a plethora of shimmer, including richly bejeweled hot pants, embellished cutout swimwear, and sequin encrusted sleeves and bodices. Key garments were shorts, blazers, dresses and knitwear made with natural raw materials such as linen, cotton and silk, and synthetic fabrics such as nylon and Lurex. It was a very energetic collection meant to “transport us to a new dimension”. We wouldn’t expect anything less from Custo Barcelona.
– Maria Giannakakis
– Photos by Stevyn Llewellyn and David Alexander
Porter Grey Spring 2012 presentation at Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week.
Photos by Stevyn Llewellyn.
Luminaa NYC proudly presents its Fall 2011 collection. The inspiration came from the 7 book series “The Dark Tower” by Stephen King. Designer Dorothy Williams, a Texas native, says the book spoke to her since the theme of “The Dark Towers” is a blend of the Wild West with contemporary times.
This collection uses western elements such as fringe, tooled leather and lace, which can be seen in each piece. Luminaa’s muse is the modern gunslinger living a place where the world has moved on. Her weapon of choice is her creativity wearing maxi dresses and mid length skirts in warm hues.
See the new fall collection in the slide show below.
About The Brand:
Luminaa is a New York based contemporary collection founded in 2008. The brand is designed for the woman who radiates from within. Lumina’s collection of dresses and skirts posess a soft architectural style that emphasizes timeless beauty, and an edgy modernity. In September 2010, Luminaa made its runway debut at the New Face of Fashion event at the Hiro Ballroom. Lumina also participated in “Fashion’s Night out” at Brooklyn’s favorite Goddess House Beauty and Spa. Designer Dorothy Williams’ states that — “The woman who wears Luminaa is intelligent, confident and possesses an understated sexiness.”
Dorothy creates clothes that offer comfortable elegance which accentuates a woman’s body in a refined way.
About the Designer:
Founder and Designer Dorothy Williams is the child of immigrant parents from Liberia West Africa. She was born in Providence, Rhode Island and was raised in Fort Worth, TX. Dorothy studied at Texas Woman’s University and obtained her master’s at Fashion Institute of Technology for Museum Studies. Working as a technical designer in the fashion industry, Dorothy has well over 10 years. Her experience has taught her the importance of fit and comfort as well as style. She attributes her training as the impetuous for creating Luminaa. As a student at Texas Women’s University, Dorothy designed a gown for a relative of President Bill Clinton for his 2nd Presidential Inaugural Ball in 1997. Her story was featured in the “Dallas Morning News”, “Denton-Record Chronicle” and TV show “Good Morning Texas”.
Visit Luminaa here.