Tag Archives: Jessica J. Tsai

Rebecca Taylor Spring 2012

September 18, 2011 Glossy

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

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Photos by Stevyn Llewellyn

fashion

Lela Rose Spring 2012

September 11, 2011 Glossy

Lela Rose themed her Spring 2012 collection “Neon Graveyard” in reference to the Las Vegas museum showcasing decaying, worn-out signs that once illuminated Coney Island and the Las Vegas Strip. The designer’s classic, sophisticated aesthetic is as much a hallmark of Americana as Coney Island. While the latter is still light-hearted and fresh like Lela Rose’s signature style, it is tinged with nostalgia, overlaid by a sentiment of gradual decay, like a place past its days of splendor, but whose good-natured playfulness will perpetually remain.

In honor of the tenth anniversary of 9/11, John Lennon’s “Imagine” played in the darkness before the show began, giving way to the upbeat “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster the People. Tangerine, orange, and muted neon- yellow accents stood out on silk tees, dresses, slouch pants, and a drawstring skirt against a gray and peach palette. Colors became bolder as the show continued, like light emerging from darkness and decay. Sheath dresses rendered in classic, well-tailored, structured silhouettes (done both in gray jacquard and in vibrant, multi-color silk faille) anchored the more whimsical pieces, including a blue striped optic silk bustier and a sheer nude-colored polka-dotted dress. Light bulb lace, tulle, and metallic evening gowns added to the timeless grace, romance, and spontaneity of the overall picture. The imaginative splashes of color, “carnival prints,” and sensible wearability of the designs in conjunction with the classic femininity and the Neon Graveyard theme is not unlike America and New York City recovering from the ruins of 9/11, proving that the show, like time, does go on.

I was excited to spot Mandy Moore looking dapper in orange in the front row. It turned out to be quite a star-studded show, with Mariska Hargitay, Susan Sarandon, and Brad Goreski also in attendance.
– Jessica J. Tsai
Photos: Stevyn Llewellyn

fashion

General Idea Spring 2012

September 10, 2011 Glossy

The devil in General Idea’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection is in the mood, not in the details. Themed les garcons de la plage – the boys of the beach – the show opened with a black and white video of children playing in the surf and sand. It almost felt a little nostalgic, as though it’s a video taken from a past family vacation, but upbeat enough to inspire that sense of relaxed anticipation when you know that stress is far away and that good times are on the horizon. The freshness of the vibe came from the use of a cool, oceanic turquoise combined with orange, nautical stripes, and upbeat patterns. Whimsical aspects like do-it-yourself- esque white patches sewn onto a leather jacket, knit shorts, and motorcycle jackets and blazers made in patterned knit fabrics breezed down the runway to the soundtrack of “Pumped Up Kicks” by California indie pop group Foster the People. (Contrary to its literal interpretation as a violent song, is a laid-back, airy number more likely about being in, trendy, and too cool for school). And that’s exactly what the boys of the beach are here – effortlessly chic, too cool for school. You imagine them whistling as they walk down not a runway, but the sand in St. Tropez in their shades, the waves lapping at their feet, both on the sunlit surf by day and on the moonlit beach by night.

The details – seemingly odd and busy combinations of patterns and prints on single garments – stripes, plaids, and checkers (oh my!), it is the big picture that creative director Bumsuk Choi is going for, and he does it well. By combining aspects of classic Americana (nautical stripes, cardigans, khakis, and a hint of nostalgia) with the jazzy charm of European decadence (carefully tailoring, white, orange, and turquoise shoes and loafers) the general idea here is leisurely in vibe, and luxurious in the lifestyle that it evokes. A modern day Dickie Greenleaf from The Talented Mr. Ripley would definitely wear this collection.

Even though it is after Labor Day as I write this and the glory days of summer are rapidly fading away, General Idea Spring/Summer 2012 lifts my spirits – it’s as though I know I’m about to kick back on the beach because summer is right around the corner again.
– Jessica J. Tsai