Tag Archives: nari kim

fashion

Toni Francesc Fall 2011


I have a tendency to love frilly and girly clothing, but there is something about Toni Francesc that makes me fantasize about having a grown up office job and going to business dinners with clients. He always manages to evoke an element of nature in his designs while keeping them sophisticated and urban.

In his Fall/Winter 2011 show “Grauda”, Francesc combined clean sharp tailoring with beautifully flowing silk pieces to tell the story of the Phoenix, a bird that is reborn every 500 years through fire. Often used as a symbol of immortality and beauty, the phoenix is the perfect definition of the Toni Francesc woman. Vibrant hues of red, orange, and yellow popped against sturdy ash grays and blacks to create a stunning image of a bird rising out of the ashes. The fabrics danced around the models’ bodies like flames. The fiery yet feminine looks were paired with feathery eyelashes and strong red lips, radiating an inner cool, an ease of confidence and grace. I can’t help but be drawn, like a moth to a flame, to this collection

—Nari Kim

Photos by Stevyn Llewellyn and Nari Kim

fashion

Milly Spring 2011

Spring was in the air for the Milly S/S 2011 Show! Designer Michelle Smith was inspired by the stylish, eccentric Upper East-Side Art Collector Peggy Guggenheim.

Bold geometrics that mixed with feminine florals and tribal elements dominated the runway. The bright color palette consisted of coral, green, orange and yellow.  The line also debuted an accessories collection: Milly Jewelry featured chain rope necklaces, encrusted bracelets and tribal inspired wood and agate necklaces. The Milly Handbag collection consisted of glossy patent, resin tortoise chains, shiny goatskin and tumbled nappa lamb. Featured were belted shift dresses, poppy dresses, striped cardigans, print dresses, print coats, slim pants, printed maxi dresses, tweed coats, cropped jackets mixed with long skirts, full, round skirts paired with slim bodices and fitted sheath dresses that were complemented by statement coats. Bold embellishments punctuated the luxurious look.

Wearing her collection would make any girl feel like a well-traveled, well-heeled socialite on her spring European holiday. The geometric Peggy Guggenheim glasses were a perfect finish touch to end the show.

— Jenny Mar

Photos by Nari Kim


fashion

Richie Rich Spring 2011

Photos by Nari Kim

You can take a club kid out of the party, but you can never take the party out of a club kid. Richie Rich, half of the former designer duo Heatherette, kicked off his first on-site show of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week with what? Classical music? Ballet dancers? Where was the debauchery? And the outlandish over-the-top madness? Let’s pace ourselves now.

Although the majority of the audience came to see celebrities and have a great time, Richie Rich’s Spring/Summer 2011 line “Popluxe” was delightfully and surprisingly wearable. The dresses were bright and eye-catching with ruffles and sparkling flare, but I could see myself wearing any of them to a tea party, a night out, or even a wedding. Plus it’s always fun to see the likes of Tinsley Mortimer, Paris Hilton, and Jujubee strut their stuff on the runway.

And then came the twosomes and the threesomes – modeling lingerie? Swimwear? Not important. The wigs, face paint, and temporary tattoos in strategic places brought us back to the reality of Richie Rich. Fun, fearless, enthusiastic, and a bit raunchy, this is a world we all adore.

As the show ended, we all waited in anticipation to see who would be Richie Rich’s escort down the runway. Last season was Pamela Anderson, and we were thrilled to see Ellen DeGeneres stroll down the runway in a glittering silver suit. Dare I use the word fierce?

– Nari Kim


fashion

Alexander Berardi Spring 2011

Citing the cult-classic, French new-wave film Breathless as an inspiration point, designer Alexander Berardi captured the spirit of a young American in Paris in his Spring 2011 collection. This kind of look will always be timeless: crisp trench coats, striped boat neck tees, pegged jeans and gamine hair. Berardi gives the classic look his own characteristic twist: a sequin panel in a trench for instance, or a flowy, nautical tunic in navy stripes. A bib front shirt in French blue stripes looked wonderfully fresh and the vintage feel of swiss dots appeared on dresses that could easily go from lawn party day to French wine bar night. Gowns were long, floral and romantic, though, at times a bit harlequin when belted and voluminous with stripes.—Jeanie Kwak
Photos by Nari Kim


fashion

Verrier Spring 2011

1 Comment

Ashleigh Verrier couldn’t have asked for better weather to showcase her Spring/Summer 2011 looks, choosing to have her presentation outdoors in the garden courtyard tucked away in the middle of Lincoln Center. A warm and breezy evening complemented her soft and light collection, inspired by “The Great Gatsby” and the 1920’s. Dainty tea length skirts were modernized with sheer panels of crinoline while feminine and lacy blouses brought an air of nostalgia without feeling fusty. The models had the perfect “couple glasses of champagne” flush, furthering my desire to go on a picnic with Daisy Buchanan and Jordan Baker in Long Island Sound.

– Nari Kim

Photos by Nari Kim